Tag: greek

Angelos Bouzalas is one of the founders of our Association which was established 60 years ago in 1959.

At the Annual General Meeting September 17th in 2017, by  unanimous vote the members elected Angelos Bouzalas  to the position of Honorary President of the Messinan Association of SA .

 This appointment was announced and celebrated at the February 24th 2019 BBQ,. The Association’s President Mrs. Martha Ioannides invested him as Honorary President, presenting him with a pin and certificate. 

The members of the Messinian Association have conferred this honor to Mr. Bouzalas for his unceasing commitment and efforts in making the Messinian Association one of the largest and most successful Hellenic Associations in South Australia.

On the 30th March this year, the Messinan Association of SA celebrated its 60 anniversary with an elegant ball which took place at the Messinian Function Centre.

The gold and black décor of this glamorous evening was stylish and elegant with a sit down 3 course dinner.  

Unlike the other functions of the association, our women volunteers were able to attend as guests. The event which was catered for provided a much needed rest for our women volunteers who have for decades tirelessly prepared the monthly BBQ’s and other occasions.

A special publication commemorating the 60 years with the association’s milestones as well as information about Messinia was printed and also distributed to those who attended the ball.

The 60th anniversary was attended by many dignitaries, that included, the Consul General of Greece, Mr. George Psiachas, Ms Jing Lee Assistant Minister to the Premier and the Mayor of West Torrens, Mr. Michael Coxon.

The President Mrs. Ioannides addressed the guests and spoke of the association’s founders and humble beginnings and the achievements of the organization. 

On reaching this milestone, Mrs. Ioannides stated that the Messinian Association’s mission for the future is to continue the vision of the founders and entrust the next generation to build on its successes. Hopefully the coming generations  will be able to both preserve the Messinian spirit, culture, traditions and strengthen its presence in South Australia.

The cake was cut by the President Mrs. Martha Ioannides and the surviving former Presidents of the club.

Dancing to the live music of the band Notes Live followed and the evening concluded with the raffle draw.

It is with deep sadness that Messinian Association of SA Inc mourns the passing of long-time Management committee member and friend George Mantis.  George passed away on 24 November 2018 aged 58 years, after a valiant battle with a terminal illness.

George believed deeply in the vision and the mission of the association which he served for his entire adult life with passion and unbounded devotion. He was actively involved in all the Association’s activities and worked tirelessly for their success.  It is important to mention that George spent most of his childhood in and around the Association’s events due to the fact that several members of his family were amongst the founders of the Association (which will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year).  It was therefore not unusual that George followed in the footsteps of the founders and continued their work and service for the Messinians of South Australia.

For many years George served on the Management Committee of the Association having held the position of President and Treasurer.  But George also believed in community engagement and lent his support to the recreational and cultural activities of the Messinian Association.  In the late 80’s this led George to become a player with the Messinian Association Soccer club, the MA Hawks. Passionate about soccer both on and off, George was known to his team members as ‘Chichi Mendes’ a name given to him because of his audacious display as the right full back for the MA Hawks. After a few years with the Soccer Club, George focussed his attention on his son Kosta’s soccer path, but always would swing past the ground if there was a home game.  Later he continued his work through his role as a committee member for the MA Hawks and played an instrumental role in organizing the MA Hawks 30th anniversary event last year.

George was behind the idea to create a Messinian Dance School and on his instigation the Messinian Dance School was established in 2007.  Today our dance group has grown into one of the largest Greek Dance groups in SA participating in many community festivals showcasing our Greek culture and honouring our Messinian heritage.

The Messinian Association pays tribute to the life and service of George Mantis.  His passing leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of many Messianians, from his fellow Committee Members, former team members, the volunteers, the Ladies Auxiliary and his friends.

Loved by all he will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

Our journey began on the 24th September 1959 when three friends Vasilis Plemenos, George Mantis and Angelos Bouzalas printed and circulated at the Greek Kaffenia and outside the Greek Orthodox churches the first invitation calling upon all the Messinians of Adelaide to a meeting for the purpose of forming a Messinian Syllogo.

60 years ago today, that is, on the 4th October 1959, Adelaide’s Messinians came together for a meeting at the classroom of the Greek School next to the “Taxiarchis” Greek Orthodox Church in Franklin Street, Adelaide to approve the establishment of the Messinian Brotherhood of South Australia and to elect a temporary five member committee for the purpose of preparing a Constitution for approval at the next meeting of the newly formed Messinian Brotherhood of South Australia. 

The Constitution was changed at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 28 July 1985 to reflect the change of name from Messinian Brotherhood to the Messinian Association of South Australia Incorporated (“the Association”) for which it is still known by today. 

On the 19 July 1987 at a General Meeting the Association took over the former Adelaide High School soccer team and renamed it the Messinian Hawks Football Club adopting a uniform with similar colours as worn by the Kalamata Football Team.

It was through the inspiration and instigation of our beloved dear friend and member, the late George Mantis that the Messinian Greek Dance School of SA. was officially established at a General Meeting on 19 August 2007.  

Today, the marking of 60 years is a chance for us to remember the hard work of all our members and volunteers and to reflect on the journey so far.  

The challenge for us now is to continue their good work and to uphold our Messinian traditions and transfer those to the younger generations.  We pay tribute to our members and volunteers, past and present, who have worked tirelessly over the past 60 years for the benefit and continued presence of the Association and them then for their selfless devotion and continued support.  

We are proud of this milestone anniversary celebration and extend our heartfelt thank you to all those who have made this amazing journey possible.

Martha Ioannides President