The Pancretan Association of Melbourne – Australia was created from the unification of the three historical organisations from Melbourne. Namely the Cretan League of Victoria established in 1968, Rethimnian Association of Melbourne – Australia “ARKADI” established in 1972 and the Pancretan Brotherhood of Melbourne & Victoria established in 1977.
The aims and objectives of the Pancretan Association was to bring together the Hellenes of Cretan descent who over 40 years ago arrived in Australia as migrants and to promote, educate and enhance new Generations of the Cretan values, traditions and ideals through our social, philanthropic, educational and recreational activities.
THE CRETAN VILLAGE
In March 1981 a large piece of land was purchased in Cathie’s lane in Wantirna South were the members of the Association donated their services and money of which they temporarily built a function area that would house 300 people. This is where it staged its inaugural events. In October 1983 just over two years later the foundations were laid for the building of the Cretan Village where it included a Reception Center seating just over 1000 people, a Car parking facility for over 200 vehicles, children’s playgrounds, 3 Tennis Courts, a Basketball Court, two Soccer Grounds and a Members Sports Pavilion that seats 150 people. The Associations headquarters are situated at the Cretan Village which includes offices, a Board room, youth area and a Cretan Library/ Archive Centre. Its true to say that the Cretan Village became and remains the focal point for the Cretan activities of the Australian Community.
PANCRETAN PHILANTHROPY
We are honoured and privileged with our philanthropic contribution to our community both here in Melbourne and in Greece. In 1976 it assisted the Hospital of Rethymnon by donating over 10 surgical beds and all the apparatus that goes with them to the value of fifteen thousand dollars.
In 1978 we donated monies toward the Hellenic Navy of the Hellenic Defense Forces to the value of five thousand dollars.
Over fifty thousand dollars were raised and sent to the Archdiocese of Crete toward the building of several Churches on the Island of Crete including Timios Stavros on Mount Psiloritis and AgiaTriada in the prefect of Iraklion.
Thousands were donated toward the erection of the Australian Hellenic Memorials in Canberra and in Melbourne respectively as well as the erection of the Statue of Eleftherios Venizelos in East Brunswick and not to mention the Foundation of Eleftherios Venizelos in Chania.
In 1997 thirty two thousand dollars were donated toward the Austin Research Centre and more specifically the Research that was been conducted by Dr. Vaso Apostolopoulou. Monies were also donated toward the establishment of the Greek Nursing Home “FRONDITHA” in Templestowe.
In 2006 we made a record donation of $70,000 to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. In 2007 we raised $80,000 and more than $90,000 was raised in 2009.
In 2009 we raised $13,000 toward the “AGAPI” Care Centres who are the organisations that cares for Greek children with disabilities.
MISS CRETE PAGEANT (1981-1984)
Annual Charity Balls were hosted for the “MISS CRETE” pageant from 1981 to 1984 in Melbourne were young ladies would compete to raise the most money for the Association and therefore take the crown for that particular year. Over the years the ladies that took part were: Koula Antonaki, Sophie Velgakis, Sophie Kalimnakis, Kate Koukouvitakis, Maria Leontakis, Anna Lilikakis, Effie Lygidakis, Christina Metaxakis, Margaret Mefsout, Katerina Nikolioudakis, Effie Nikolakakis, Kelly Paterakis, Harikleia Salahas, Maria Sarris, Aggie Stavroulakis and Hariklia Tzanoudakis.
The Pancretan Association plays an integral role in the Hellenic community by inviting Cretan Music and Dance Groups from Crete in Greece to further enhance and promote our cultural traditions.
Since 1972 more than 100 Cretan Musicians have accepted our invitation to travel to Australia some of whom are considered to be Crete’s biggest entertainers, including : Kostas Mountakis, Athanasios Skordalos, Antonis Apostolakis, Spiros Sifogiorgakis, Giannis Markogiannakis, Giorgis Papadakis, Manolis Kaklis, Nikos Skevakis, Nikos Alefantinos, Zaharias Melesanakis, Vagelis Tsafantakis, Giorgis Tzagarakis, Giorgis Tamiolakis, Rodamanthos Androulakis, Christos Fournarakis, Manolis Karpouzakis, Giorgos Tamiolakis, Nikos Sopasis, Manolis Larentzakis, Sifis Panagiotakis, Markos Nenedakis, Haralambos Garganourakis, Nikos Kadianos, Mihalis Alefantinos, Tasos Kontogiannis, Giannis Skalidis, Giorgis Hatzidakis, Vasilis Skoulas, Mihalis Fragiadakis, Giorgis Halkiadakis, Giorgis Manolioudis, Alekos Polyhronakis, Nikos Pantetalakis, Dimitris Vakakis, Alekos Hatzakis, Nikos Zoidakis, Giorgis Karagiorgis, Giorgis & Christos Stivaktakis, Galatios Mosxonas, Andreas Meladakis, Nektarios Samolis, Manolis Saloustros, Tasos & Manolis Rerakis, Sifis Tsourdalakis, Kyriakos Stavrianoudakis, Manolis Rasidakis, Kostas Karantinos, Antonis & Giannis Martsakis,Nikos Marentakis, Mihalis Bakatsakis, Loukas Mandakakis, Nikos Rinakakis, Gianns Mihelioudakis, Stefanos Messaritakis, Nikos Giatromanolakis, Giorgis Xylouris, Giannis Xylouris, Antonis Xylouris, Alexandros Papadakis, Giorgis Nistikakis, Manolis Hamogiorgakis, Harris & Giorgos Pantermakis, Nikos Manioudakis, Kostas Alexakis, Mihalis Tzouganakis, Giorgos & Nikos Stratakis, Elias Horeftakis, Nikos Vroulakis & Vasilis Nikoloudakis etc.
PANCRETAN DANCE SCHOOL
The Pancretan Association endeavours the rich cultural history of Crete through its very own Music and Dance schools. Hundreds of children have had the opportunity to embrace and learn Traditional Dances and Customs from Crete. Our traditional Cretan Dance and Music Schools are available to members of all ages.
Some of the amazing achievments of the Pancretan Dance Group over the years includes being awarded 1stprize in the 1984 at the Cretan Dance Competition hosted by the Cretan Federation of Australian in Canberra.
In 1986 it received the 3rd Prize in the Hellenic Dance Competition hosted at the Dallas Brooks Hall. In 1994 the Junior Dance Groups were awarded the second prize at the AHEPA Dance Competition.
Other major highlights include its tour of Crete in Greece in August 2003 were it was invited by the Prefects of Rethymnon, Chania and Iraklion.
The Dance Teachers that have come through the ranks: Stelios Klapsinakis, Dimitris Sarris, Anna Tsourdalaki, Irene Tsourdalaki, Marios Volitakis, Freda Daskalomarkakis, Allister & Mary Sarris, Andrew Klapsinakis, Theo Paterakis, Anna Frantzeskakis, Stella Votzourakis, Nikos & Kate Koukouvitakis, Giorgos Aggelakis, Antonis Tsourdalakis, Dimitria Sirilas, Niki Melabiotis, Christina Kotsifakis, Manolis Binakis, Kostas Alygizakis, Mary Vasilakis, Harry Binakis, Yianni Rerakis and Maria Anamaroulis.
PANCRETAN MUSIC SCHOOL
In November 2006 the Association established the first official Cretan Music School in Melbourne. Here students had the opportunity to learn the Lyra, the Lute, guitar and mandolin etc. The first music teachers were Cretan Lyrist Giannis Pollakis followed by Giorgos Triantafillidis and currently Giannis Skoulas. Today we have Mr George Sevastakis providing bespoke lessons in Lyra and Mandolin.
PANCRETAN THEATER
Another Cultural area that the Association has thrived in is its Theatrical group. The Pancretan Theatrical Group has over the years put on the following theatrical performances: Kalinixta Margarita, the Battle of Crete, Anthipolohagos Zisis and many others. At the same time it has participated in other Theatrical performances that have a Cretan Story like Patouhas, Erotokritos, Zorbas as well as the Traditional Cretan Wedding in 1982.
PANCRETAN SPORTS HISTORY
On a sporting front our Association was one of the first to have its very own soccer team. It was established in 1986 and known as “KPHTH”. Over its 16 year history, the Pancretan Soccer Team has won numerous State and Provisional League Championships. The highest level it reached which was A’ Grade State League, one level away from the Victorian Premier League.
Soccer however wasn’t the only forefront, because the Association over the years produced many great Tennis players who went on to become professionals in the sport.
PANCRETAN MEDIA
Over the years the Pancretan Association had the initiative in the production of two newspaper publications namely the Kritikoi Antilaloi and the Foni tou Rethymnou ,several Annual Magazines and in 2008 it published a book titled “ The Cretans of Oceania from the 19th Century “ which is the first of its kind in the entire Oceanic Region. The Author is one of the co – founders Mr. Socrates Tsourdalakis.
PANCRETAN YOUTH COMMITTEE
The Associations success can be very widely attributed to the ongoing commitment and dedication of its younger members. The Pancretan Youth Committee has organised hundred’s of social, cultural, educational, sporting and fund raising events over the years since its inception. It should be noted amongst the many events the ones that stand out are the four trips to Crete in 1984, 1985, 1986 and in 2008. The current Pancretan Youth Committee President is Ms Rena Kyriakaki.
PANCRETAN BOARD
Since 1972 there have been 16 presidents that have served the Pancretan Association over the 40 years that have lapsed. Namely they are: Georgios Tsourdalakis, Dimitris Gryllakis, Giorgis Pyrovolakis, Giorgis Paterakis, Nikos Andrigiannakis, Giorgos Kozonakis, Manolis Leontakis, Andreas Sarimanolis, Evangelos Leontakis, Pantelis Kalimnakis, Dimitris Papadimitrakis, Nikos Koukouvitakis, Manolis Kastrinakis, Antonis Tsourdalakis, Mary Vasilakis and the current President Ioannis Nikolakakis.
WOMEN’S AUXILIARY COMMITTEE
Our Women’s Auxiliary committee is an integral part of the Pancretan Family and we believe the backbone to the success of our Association. They assist the Executive Committee and Youth Committee with fundraising Activities and support all our events. The current President of the Women’s Auxiliary is Mrs. Zina Axarlis.
The Pancretan Associations name is synonymous and well known around the world through its strong networks and affiliation with the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand and the International peak body the World Council of Cretans.
To keep apprised with our events we invite you to connect with us via our social media pages www.facebook.com/pancretanassociationofmelbourne and www.instagram.com/pancretansofmelbourne