THE PHOS CHURCH SERVICES. President s Report. Coming up in Dec-Jan: To see the Phos in colour, visit our website at:

Transcript

1 THE PHOS Dec Jan 2013 Περιοδικό τῆς Ἐνορίας-Κοινότητος Ἁγίας Ἄννας, Χρυσή Ἀκτή Newsletter of the Greek Orthodox Parish- Community of St Anna, Gold Coast 31 a Crombie Ave, Bundall PO Box 5074 GCMC Qld 9726 (07) , admin@gocstanna.org The Greek Community held its AGM on Sunday 30 th of September As we didn t receive more than the maximum eligible candidates to nominate as committee members, there was no requirement to hold elections. On Tuesday the 16 th of October 2012, a meeting was convened for the election of Officers to the new Main Committee. The Office Bearers are as follows:- James Nides President, Vice-President Leon Cominos, Secretary - Sally Cominos Dakin, Treasurer Sandra Voukelatos. Other committee members are Chris Sakley, Anna Sen, Peter Liopyris and Con Walker. The committee would to like to extend it s thanks to Spiro Poulos for his years of service on the committee and we wish Spiro and Tonia many years of health and happiness. We would also like to deeply thank George Tsangari for his enormous contribution and extended service to this community over 20 years on the Main Committee and we note that more than half of this time was as Treasurer. The Treasurer s position is not an easy one, and George has overseen all the finances of this community in a diligent and professional manner. We all wish George and his family the very best and thank him for his dedicated, tireless commitment to this community. On the 2 nd of October 2012 along with other guests we were proud to witness Mr Steven Ciobo, MP, Federal Member for Moncrieff present the 2012 Moncrieff Community Awards. Five volunteers from this community were given awards. They were Mrs Fifi Hippocrates, Mr Jim Panousis, Mr Peter Paul, Mr Peter Vasiliou and Mrs Androula Vasiliou. We congratulate and thank each recipient for their contribution and support to the Greek Community of the Gold Coast. On the 23 rd of October 2012, we received a visit from His Eminence Metropolitan Anthimos of New Zealand and Oceania. During his brief stopover to the Gold Coast the committee hosted His Eminence and other Reverend Fathers for dinner at Ashmore Steak and Seafood. Oxi Day was celebrated in our community hall on 27 th October The students from the Greek School recited poems and all participants performed well. All the Greek School students participated in the annual Ahepa competition. On the night winners from the Ahepa competition were presented with certificates and cash prizes. We congratulate all the Ahepa award winners. However, it was disappointing to see that quite a few of students were not present on the night to receive their Ahepa awards. Our community wishes to thank Ahepa for their generosity and support to our school and our community and also attending our function. Our Junior Dancing Group performed traditional Greek dancing on the night also. They looked President s Report the part in their colourful dancing costumes and danced superbly. We wish to thank Vera Georghiou and Sally Cominos Dakin for volunteering each Wednesday afternoon teaching Greek dancing to our children. The following day at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, we held a wreath laying ceremony at our cenotaph. Wreaths were laid by Leon Cominos, representing the Main Committee and Penny Walker representing the Youth Group. On the 9 th of November 2012, our community hosted 40, Year 11 students from St Euphemia College, Bankstown, Sydney. We thank the Ladies Auxiliary for providing a beautiful morning tea for them. On a sad note, Mr John Raptis, passed away on the 23 rd of October John in the early years of this community was a generous contributor and supporter. The Greek community extends its deepest sympathy to his wife Maria, his family and to his brother, Jim Raptis, and to all his extended family. May his memory be eternal. In conclusion, we take this opportunity to thank all committees and sub committees for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. We thank all the other volunteers as well. We thank the Greek School teachers, Dancing Teachers, Chanters, and choir. Many thanks to Sharon our community secretary for her hard work during the year. We thank Father Roman and his family for his love and spiritual guidance throughout the year. We wish you all a joyous Christmas, and may 2013 be filled with peace, love and good health. James Nides Honorary President Coming up in Dec-Jan: 9 Dec School concert Grocery Drive Finishes 11 Dec Seniors Breakup 16 Dec Carols by Candlelight 6 Jan Theophania 8 Jan Seniors resume 20 Jan Greek School resumes CHURCH SERVICES See insert or go to our website To see the Phos in colour, visit our website at:

2 Page 2 HIGH TEA SUCCESS Many thanks to our kind guests who attended our recent High Tea and whose presence made our high tea a success again this year. Our guest speaker, sculptor, Phillip Piperides, gave us a valuable insight into the creative process required to complete a bronze sculpture and we are grateful to him for so willingly agreeing to be with us. Our gratitude is also extended to our very generous raffle donors, to Tsambica Manettas and Voula from Sam s Coco s Fruit Shop, to Adams Florist and to Diana Kalas. We are indebted to Georgia Georgiou who continues to assist us so willingly with making Greek sweets and we thank Louise Carroll who helped us receive advertising and post event coverage in our local newspaper. We thank Athanasios Raikos whose technological mastery over the computer equipment assisted us greatly. Our afternoon raised a little over $1500 which will be used to help the needy who approach us for assistance. CHRISTMAS GROCERY DRIVE - SUNDAY DEC 9 Thank you! Our Grocery Appeal is going well and we thank those of you who have kindly donated groceries. The appeal is open until the December 9, when the Auxiliary will package the goods into hampers to be distributed to families in need. If you are able to assist with donations of groceries you will be helping to make a more cheerful Festive Season for many families. Help them to feel the kindness of the Christmas spirit. Ladies Auxiliary Report GREEK SCHOOL & COMMUNITY BREAK-UP PARTY SUNDAY DEC 9 Sunday, 9th December marks the farewell for another year of our Greek School children. After the Divine Liturgy, the children and their families are invited to the hall for the traditional Greek School program under the direction of Principal, Mr Michael Christoforou. At this time a light lunch will be offered at Adults $10 Child $5. Santa Claus will attend at the conclusion of the festivities. The Auxiliary will also distribute treats for the children. The afternoon is not just for Greek School children. All families are warmly invited to attend. CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT SUNDAY DEC 16 Join in the spirit of Christmas fellowship on Sunday, 16 December when our Carols by Candlelight will be celebrated outside the Church. From 5.30pm-6.30pm a Vespers service will take place in the Church. Then simple refreshments will be served in the Hall. At about 7.00pm, we will settle outside under the stars, for a beautiful program of Greek and English Christmas Carols. All the words of the Carols will be provided. Glo-sticks will be available for purchase and please bring a chair for your added comfort. As this is a time of year when our thoughts turn to those less fortunate, there will be a collection made for Welfare. This fulfils a major mission of our Church of helping people in need. THE PHOS Gather your family around you for this special evening of joy and friendship as we sing to honour the birth of Jesus. THEOPHANIA CELEBRATORY LUNCHEON - SUNDAY JAN 6 Following on from the fellowship of Christmas, we will celebrate the Blessing of the Waters on Sunday, 6 January. After the traditional Retrieval of the Cross from the waters at Evandale, you are all warmly invited to a lamb on the Souvla lunch at the hall. As this is one of our most sought after events of the year, it is ES- SENTIAL THAT YOU BOOK to ensure your table. Bring your visitors and friends to enjoy an afternoon of feasting and dancing. Please see the enclosed flyer for details as you will receive a discount by purchasing your tickets early. Raffle tickets will be sent to you and these will be drawn on the day of Theophania. There are excellent prizes including a flat screen television. Please help us by buying or selling as many tickets as you can. CHILDREN S GREEK DANCING CLASSES These classes commence in late February and are available to all our children of the community, not just for children who attend Greek School. Please see the enclosed flyer. THANK YOU We would like to thank Koula Kallas for her skilled assistance ins sewing new aprons for the Ladies Auxiliary and for sewing the new black skirting around our stage. If you would like to receive the Phos in colour by send your address to admin@gocstanna.org

3 THE PHOS Page 3 Koula we appreciate you assisting the Ladies Auxiliary in so many different ways. THANK YOU JOHN & LOUIS GROSDANIS We offer our deep appreciation to John & Louis for so kindly assisting the Ladies Auxiliary with their chef skills at the recent Chios Association function. We are most grateful for their assistance. THANK YOU to all of you who have helped our Church and Community during 2012.Your kindnesses and your huge efforts can never be overstated and are deeply appreciated. WARM CHRISTMAS WISHES The Auxiliary extends warm wishes to Father Roman and to his family for a joyous Christmas and we wish them good health in the New Year. As well, we extend these wishes to all of you, dear parishioners, as we pray that peace, love and good health fill your lives and those of your loved ones. MERRY CHRISTMAS to each and every one of you! Installation of Hand Rail and Wall Mounted Baby Change Table We are pleased to announce that a hand rail has been installed on the outdoor ramp leading to the restrooms of the Greek Community Centre. In the coming weeks a wall mounted Baby Change table will also be installed in the restroom area. These two items have been donated from funds raised at the Greek Dinner Dance 2012, held at the Southport Golf Club in February this year. An amount of $1160 was raised from the raffle held at the dance. We wish to thank the members of our community who supported this year s dance or donated to raising funds for these items. NEW COMMITTEE The Main Committee Members for are as follows: Office bearers: President - James Nides Vice President - Leon Cominos Treasurer - Sandra Voukelatos Secretary - Sally Cominos Dakin Other committee members: Chris Sakley (Assistant Secretary) Anna Sen (Assistant Treasurer) Rebecca Cominos Con Walker Peter Liopyris SPIRITUAL CORNER Αποσπάσµατα από Το Γεροντικόν Έλεγαν για τον αββά Μάρκο τον Αιγύπτιο ότι έµεινε τριάντα χρόνια χωρίς να βγεί απ το κελί του. Ο πρεσβύτερος συνήθιζε να πηγαίνει και να του κάνει την Θεία Λειτουργία. Ο διάβολος όµως βλέποντας την ενάρετη υποµονή του ανδρός, σοφίστηκε να τον ρίξει στον πειρασµό της κατάκρισης. Έτσι έκανε κάποιον δαιµονισµένο να πάει στον Γέροντα για να του ζητήσει τάχα την προσευχή του. Αυτός λοιπόν ο δαιµονισµένος πριν από κάθε άλλο λόγο είπε στον Γέροντα: «Ο πρεσβύτερός σου µυρίζει αµαρτία. Μην τον αφήσεις άλλη φορά νά ρθει κοντά σου». Και ο θεόπνευστος ανθρωπος του είπε: «Παιδί µου, όλοι τη βρωµιά την πετούν έξω και εσύ µου την έφερες εδώ; Η Γραφή λέει: Μην κρίνετε για να µην κριθείτε (Ματθ. 7,1). Αλλά αν είναι αµαρτωλός ο Κύριος θα τον σώσει. Είναι µάλιστα γραµµένο στην Αγία Γραφή: Να προσεύχεστε ο ένας για τον άλλον για να θεραπευθείτε (Ιακ. 5,16)».Και πάνω στον λόγο αυτό, προσευχήθηκε και έδιωξε τον δαίµονα από τον άνθρωπο και τον έστειλε υγιή. Όταν λοιπόν ήρθε ο πρσβύτερος, όπως συνήθιζε, τον υποδέχθηκε ο Γέροντας µετά χαράς. Ο Θεός που γνώριζε την ακακία του Γέροντα, του έδειξε θαυµαστό σηµάδι. Όταν ήρθε η ώρα να σταθεί ο πρεσβύτερος µπροστά στην αγία Τράπεζα, όπως ο ίδιος ο Γέροντας το περιέγραψε, «είδα άγγελο Κυρίου να κατεβαίνει από ψηλά και έβαλε το χέρι του στο κεφάλι του κληρικού και έγινε ο κληρικός σαν ένας στύλος φωτιάς. Και εγώ καθώς έµεινα έκπληκτος από το θέαµα, άκουσα µια φωνή να µου λέει: Άνθρωπε γιατί εκπλήττεσαι µ αυτό που γίνεται; Εάν ένας επίγειος βασιλιάς δεν θ αφήσει τους µεγιστάνες του να στέκονται µπροστά του ρυπαροί, αλλά µόνο αν έχουν επίσηµη περιβολή πόσο περισσότερο η θεία δύναµη δεν θα καθαρίσει τους λειτουργούς των αρρήτων µυστηρίων, όταν στέκονται µπροστά στην άφατη δόξα;» Έτσι ο γενναίος του Χριστού αθλητής ο Μάρκος ο Αιγύπτιος, αναδείχθηκε µεγάλος και έγινε άξιος του χαρίσµατος αυτού, επειδή δεν κατέκρινε τον κληρικό.

4 Page 4 ΑΝΑΦΟΡΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΑΠΟΓΕΥΜΑΤΙΝΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ ΕΟΡΤΑΣΜΟΣ ΤΟΥ «ΟΧΙ» Με Εθνική ϖερηφάνια γιορτάσαµε και φέτος την Ιστορική Εϖέτειο του «ΟΧΙ» της 28 ης Οκτωβρίου 1940, το Σάββατο, 27 Οκτωβρίου, Συγχαρητήρια σε κείνα τα ϖαιδιά µας, ϖου ϖαρουσίασαν ένα ωραίο εθνικό ϖρόγραµµα. Ευχαριστώ ακόµη µία φορά τους συναδέλφους και τους γονείς ϖου τα ϖροετοίµασαν. Ευχαριστούµε τόσο την Κα Ανθή όσο και τον σύζυγό της ηµήτρη (τον Πρόεδρο της Κοινότητας), για την ϖροετοιµασία της Αίθουσας και την Βοηθητική Εϖιτροϖή για το υϖέροχο δείϖνο ϖου ετοίµασαν. Ευχαριστούµε και την Οργάνωση ΑΧΕΠΑ για την µεγάλη δωρεά ϖου έκαναν στο Σχολείο µας. Κατά το τέλος τη Εορτής οι εκϖρόσωϖοι της ΑΧΕΠΑ αϖένειµαν στα ϖαιδιά τα βραβεία του «ιαγωνισµού της Αχέϖα». Οι βραβευθέντες είναι οι ακόλουθοι: (Α) ΑΝΩΤΕΡΕΣ ΤΑΞΕΙΣ: 1. Ελένη Τσολακίδου Α Γυµνασίου 2. Χρισούλα Πάρις Α Γυµνασίου 3. Μαρία Πολιτάκη Στ ηµοτικού (Β) ΜΕΣΑΙΕΣ ΤΑΞΕΙΣ: 1. Χαλίτ Γαλανόϖουλος ηµοτικού 2. Μιχάλης Nides ηµοτικού 3. Ισαβέλα Μανάφα Γ ηµοτικού (Γ) ΠΡΟ.- Β ΗΜΟΤΙΚΟΥ 1. Σοφία Dakin B ηµοτικού 2.Έλλη Vedis Α ηµοτικού 3.Ζωή Porman Προδηµοτική ΓΛΩΣΣΑ ΑΛΛΗ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΗ (LOTE) Για όσους δεν γνωρίζουν, τα ϖαιδιά ϖου φοιτούν στην 11 η και 12 η Τάξη του Καθηµερινού Σχολείου, δικαιούνται να δηλώσουν στο Σχολείο τους τα Ελληνικά ως µάθηµα LOTE, να ϖαρακολουθούν τα Ελληνικά στο Ελληνικό Σχολείο και τα αϖοτελέσµατά τους να λαµβάνονται υϖ όψη για το OP τους ( OP=Overall Position-Γενικός Βαθµός ϖου λαµβάνεται υϖ όψη για εισδοχή στο Πανεϖιστήµιο). Τα µαθήµατα αυτά, ϖαρακολούθησαν φέτος ο Νικόλας Γεωργίου, η Χριστίνα Γρηγορίου, η Αναστασία Σεν και η Ευανθία Παϖανικολάου ( όλοι στην 12 η Τάξη). ούλεψαν ϖολύ σκληρά όλα τα ϖαιδιά και σηµείωσαν ϖολύ καλά αϖοτελέσµατα. Συγχαρητήρια ϖαιδιά, και Καλή Τύχη στις ϖροσεχείς σας σϖουδές! Ευχαριστίες: Ευχαριστούµε θερµά: Το ιοικητικό Συµβούλιο για την συνεχή υϖοστήριξή του. Τον Πατέρα Ρωµανό για τις νουθεσίες, και την αγάϖη του ϖρος το Σχολείο. Τις Κυρίες της Γυναικείας Βοηθητικής Εϖιτροϖής, ϖου είναι ϖάντοτε ϖρόθυµες να βοηθήσουν το Σχολείο. Τον ηµήτρη και την Ανθούλα Nides, ϖου βοήθησαν ϖάρα ϖολύ καθ όλη τη διάρκεια του χρόνου, φροντίζοντας για την κανονική λειτουργία του Σχολείου, (σχολική καντίνα, ϖροµήθεια αϖαραίτητης γραφικής ύλης, ϖροετοιµασία εορτών και άλλων εκδηλώσεων κλϖ.)την Οργάνωση ΑΧΕΠΑ για την οικονοµική υϖοστήριξη ϖου µας ϖαρέχει και τα βραβεία ϖου δίνει στα αριστούχα ϖαιδιά του Σχολείου µας. Τέλος ευχαριστούµε κι όλους εσάς αγαϖητοί THE PHOS Γονείς για την βοήθεια και υϖοστήριξή σας ϖρος το Σχολείο µας. Πιστεύουµε ϖως µε την καλή συνεργασία όλων µας: Του Συµβουλίου, του Ιερέα, της Βοηθητικής Εϖιτροϖής, των ιαχειριστών, του ιδακτικού Προσωϖικού κι εσάς, τους γονείς, θα ϖάµε µϖροστά.για το καλό ϖάντοτε του Σχολείου µας!!! ΣΧΟΛΙΚΗ ΕΟΡΤΗ: Η Εορτή µας για τις Εορτές των Χριστουγέννων και τη λήξη των Μαθηµάτων θα λάβει χώρα την Κυριακή 9 εκεµβρίου 2012, στην Αίθουσα της Κοινότητας, ακριβώς µετά το ϖέρας της Θείας Λειτουργίας. ΤΕΛΕΥΤΑΙΑ ΗΜΕΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ: Τετάρτη 12 εκεµβρίου Τα ϖαιδιά θα ϖροσέλθουν στο Σχολείο, χωρίς βιβλία, θα φάνε, θα ϖαίξουν, θα τραγουδήσουν, θα διασκεδάσουν, θα ανταλλάξουν Χριστουγεννιάτικες κάρτες και θα ϖάνε στα σϖίτια τους, αφού υϖοσχεθούν ϖως θα είναι µαζί µας και του.χρόνου. ΣΧΟΛΙΚΟ ΕΤΟΣ 2013 Οι εγγραφές θα αρχίσουν την Τετάρτη 30 Ιανουαρίου 2013 και τα τακτικά µαθήµατα την εϖόµενη Τετάρτη 6 Φεβρουαρίου Οι εγγραφές ασφαλώς θα συνεχίζονται.. Αναµένουµε να σας δούµε όλους στη Γιορτή µας. Σας Ευχόµαστε, ΚΑΛΑ,ΧΑΡΟΥΜΕΝΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ ΚΙ Ο ΝΕΟΣ ΧΡΟΝΟΣ ΝΑ ΣΑΣ ΦΕΡΕΙ ΑΓΑΠΗ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΡΗΝΗ ΚΙ ΕΥΤΥΧΙΑ Εκ της ιευθύνσεως του Σχολείου GREEK SCHOOL REPORT OXI DAY CELEBRATIONS On Saturday, 27 October 2012, our school celebrated the historical event of OXI 28 October The celebration took place as usual at the Greek Community Hall. A program of commemoration and celebration was presented by the our Greek School, followed by the Annual Dinner Dance organised by our Community. Congratulations to all children for their efforts. A big thank you must go to the teaching staff and the parents who assisted the children in learning their poems and songs. We thank James and Anthe Nides for the preparation of the room and the Ladies Auxliary for the marvellous dinner they prepared. We also thank the AHEPA Organisation for their generous donation to our School.

5 THE PHOS Page 5 At the end of the programme, the representatives of AHEPA, presented to following students the AHEPA Competition awards. (A) SENIORS: 1 st Eleni Tsolakidou Year 1 High School 2 nd Crystal Paris Year 1 High School 3 rd Maria politakis Year 6 Primary (B) JUNIORS: 1 st Khalid Ganalopoulos Year 4 Primary 2 nd Michael Nides Year 4 Primary 3 rd Isabella Manafas Year 3 Primary (C) PREP TO YEAR 2 1 st Sofia Dakin Year 2 Primary 2 nd Ellie Vedis Year 1 Primary 3 rd Zoe- Eli Porman Prep LOTE : Day schools allow Modern Greek to be taught in Years 11 and 12 at Greek School and have the results count towards their students Ops. To this effect, all teaching materials and assessment is generated by Brisbane State High School. Students in Years 11 and 12 have the opportunity to use Modern Greek, towards the calculation of their OP score. This year we had four students (all in Year 12), who attended these lessons, Nikolas Georgiou, Christina Gregoriou, Anastasia Sen and Anthea Papanikolaou. All of them worked very hard for the whole year and achieved very good results. Congratulations Children! Good luck with your further studies at UNI! THANKS : A warm thank you, also goes to the following: The Main Committee, for their continuous support. Father Romanos for his valuable advices and love for the School. The Ladies Auxiliary, who are always, willing to help the School, James and Anthoula Nides, who helped during the year to ensure smooth running of the School (school canteen, purchase of essential books and stationary, preparation of the various school activities and celebrations etc.) Many thanks to you all will commence on Wednesday 30 January 2013, at the Greek School, and lessons on Wednesday 6 February 2013 Enrolments will continue We look forward to seeing all of you, at our concert. We Wish You All Merry Christmas And A Happy, Prosperous New Year! The School Administration MONCRIEFF AWARDS (Recipients pictured at the right) Out of 34 Community Awards, the Greek Community was well represented with 5 awards. Fifi Hippocrates for 20 years services to the Ladies Auxiliary (3 as President) and assisting with the Bingo for 30 years plus assisting with a host of other community functions. Jim Panousis as a pioneer of the Greek community and assisting with Bingo and community functions for over 20 years. Peter Paul assisting with the erection of the Greek Church and community hall, serving as treasurer for 14 years and volunteering at the Greek Festivals. Peter Vasiliou was on the St Anna Building Committee and served on the Main Committee for 6 years. Peter was also the first Greek School Co-ordinator and volunteered on a number of committees. Androula Vasiliou assisted in forming the first Ladies Auxiliary and fundraising. She volunteered in teaching religious instruction at the local primary schools and was also a Sunday School Teacher. The AHEPA Organization for donating money and giving awards to our students. Lastly but not least we thank you our dear Parents for your help and support during the year. WE BE- LIEVE that, if we all work together- the Committee, the Priest, the Ladies Auxiliary, the Administrator,the Teaching Staff, and you the Parents we can perform wonders for the benefit of our School!!! School Concert: Our End of Year Concert will be held on Sunday 9 December 2012 in our community hall, after the Church Service. Break Up Day: Wednesday 12 December Our children will come to school, without any worries and schoolbooks. They will eat, play, sing, exchange Christmas cards, have lots of fun and leave School joyfully, promising to look after themselves and be with us again..next year. School Year 2013: Enrolments for the School Year

6 Page 6 THE PHOS October Disco During the recent Sept/Oct holidays we tried to organise another St Anna Kids & Teens Disco. Unfortunately, we were just a few kids and teens short. However for those families that were still keen to get together, a night of bowling was organised at AMF Bowling at Robina. The fun didn t stop there! We all continued on to Kouzina for a bite to eat. Our thanks go to Theo and his staff for accommodating 30 parents and children at the last minute. If you would like to suggest a future event for the next school holidays then please contact us, as we will be looking to do another get together. Sally Cominos Dakin & Chris Sakley ΑΙΤΗΣΗ ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΥ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ ΣΤΑ ΣΠΙΤΙΑ 2013 APPLICATION FOR THE BLESSING OF HOMES AT THEOPHANIA 2013 Όνοµα/Name: ιεύθυνση/address: Τηλέφωνο/Phone No: Please hand in completed form at Church or send to Fr Romanos Stergiou PO Box 7796 GCMC, Bundall, Qld 9726

7 THE PHOS Page 7 On Sunday 11 November St Anna Kids & Teens staged Greek Junior MasterChef This year the event attracted 52 kids and teens from both the Gold Coast and Brisbane. The Greek Community Centre dance floor was jammed packed with very excited and eager Greek Junior Master Chefs! Our Kids Team prepared Spinach Triangles, Keftethes, Koulourakia, Cypriot Koulouri and attempted to dye eggs red. Our Teens Team prepared Moussaka, Cypriot Koulouri and Rolled Spanakopita. For the Teens Team, the event format was demonstration style. This involved nominated Mums preparing each dish step by step with the Teens following along. This year featured our guest demonstrator Mrs Meni Triandos, who kindly demonstrated Rolled Spanakopita and the art of opening the filo (pastry), by tossing the filo into the air to stretch it out. On behalf of all who participated on the day, we extend our gratitude to Mrs Triandos for her involvement in the event. Father Romanos conducted mini presentations in our church, for all participants, on the relationship between food and our Orthodox faith. Father highlighted the significance of fasting and preparation for Holy Communion. It was great to see some of our parents and grandparents take advantage of these presentations as well. We extend our gratitude to Father Romanos for his participation in this year s event. There was plenty for all to see and do on the day and of course a BIG THANK YOU goes to everyone! We had dads in the kitchen cleaning dishes, mums and grandmothers assisting children, supervising ovens, deep frying, coordinating the Samples table and preparing afternoon tea. It was great to see everyone assist to relocate all the tables and chairs back into position after the event. Thank you also to Tony and Effie Bahlizanakis from Pizza Stop at Carrara, for the use of their pizza oven to prepare the eggplant and potatoes for the Moussaka. We would like to thank the Greek Orthodox Community of St Anna for the use of our community hall to stage this event. This year the event cleared $356 which will go toward cleaning our community hall and a small donation to St Anna. We hope to stage this event next year and take on your feedback for a shorter program packed with just as much fun! Sally Cominos Dakin & Chris Sakley

8 Page 8 THE PHOS Kollyva Memorials with Kollyva can not be conducted between the Sat. of Lazarus and the Sun. of St. Thomas; on the major feast days of our Lord and the Parish Church nor on the 15th Aug, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. To arrange for Kollyva, contact Theo and Maria Asimopoulos or SENIOR CITIZENS The St Anna Senior Citizens celebrated the 70th Birthday of Sophia Dinas on Tuesday 20th November. We wish her a wonderful year and many more birthdays to come. The Senior s enjoyed a bus trip to the Tweed-Coolangatta Golf Club for their wonderful smorgasbord luncheon on the 6th November (Melbourne Cup Day). A great time was had by all. Sophia Dinas Senior Citizens Program subject to change without notice 4 Dec We meet at our Hall at am. The Committee 4 Δεκ will be providing Lunch. Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ, το συμβούλιο θα προσφέρει γεύμα. 11 Dec Christmas Break Up. The committee will be pro- 11 Δεκ viding lunch. Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ, το υμβούλιο θα προσφέρει το Χριστουγενιάτικο γεύμα. 8 Jan We meet at our Hall at am. BYO Food 8 Ιαν Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ. με τα φαγητά μας 15 Jan We meet at our Hall at am. BYO Food 15 Ιαν Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ. με τα φαγητά μας 22 Jan We meet at our Hall at am. The Committee 22 Ιαν will be providing Lunch. Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ, το συμβούλιο θα προσφέρει γεύμα. 29 Jan We meet at our Hall at am. The Committee 29 Ιαν will be providing Lunch. Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ, το συμβούλιο θα προσφέρει γεύμα. Father Romanos Stergiou Parish Priest father@gocstanna.org Phone: Mobile: Fax: Office Hours: by appointment please call directly