Solomos Society's Hellenic Queensland talk series

Panel members talks about their experience of growing up in Greek cafes throughout Queensland. The recording starts with a discussion of the Solomos program for the year then begins with the evening topic (the panel starts around 5 minutes).

Dr. Con Castan, founder of the Solomos Society, discusses 'who the Greeks were', looking at various perspectives from scientific and philosophical perspectives, taking a philosophical view point that culture is not static. He reviews aspects that have changed and those that have had continuity from antiquity to the more contemporary times. He also explores the concepts of the Hellenes or Hellenism.

The recording begins with a discussion of upcoming events for the society before moving to the main discussion. Susanna De Vries is introduced and then discusses her novel 'Blue Ribbons Bitter Bread: the Life of Joice NanKivell Loch'.

Joice NanKivell Loch (1887-1982) was born in Ingham, Queensland. Following their aid work in Poland, Joice, with her husband Sydney, moved to Greece in 1922 as aid workers in the wake of the burning of Smyrna. For 2 years, they worked in a Quaker-run refugee camp outside of Thessaloniki and lived in a Byzantine tower by the sea in the refugee village of Ouranoupoli. 

Panel members discuss the Solomos Society in its 25th anniversary year. The panellists are Dr. Constantine Castan, Dr. Trevor Bryce and Professor Bob Milns.

Meredith Garlick discusses the work of Queensland artist of Greek-Cypriot heritage, Michael Zavros.

Michael Zavros (b.1974), who graduated from the Queensland College of Art with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 1996, is a leading Australian artist whose work has been exhibited in major galleries in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.

Dr. Constantine Castan, founder of the Solomos Society, reviews Greek literature translated to English and Australian literature translated into Greek. The recording includes quotes from various works in Greek and English.

Julie Nichols discusses the recording of the video Greek Day by Xenophon Castrissios, which was originally recorded on 8mm film. The film was eventually lost although not before it was digitised. Julie's father was one of the chief organisers of the Greek Day in 1941, and Julie participated in the day as a child. Greek Day included a procession, Greek flags, and stalls (raising funds for the war effort), a picnic by AHEPA (Australasian Hellenic Progressive Association) and the marriage of Bobby Bonds (owner of Bonds Sweets and Cafe) to his wife Mary. She also discusses the film maker, Xenophon.

A copy of the film, Greek Day is available at State Library of Queensland: 10185, DVD of Greek Day, Brisbane; John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.

Graham Coomber reminisces about teaching at the South Brisbane Primary School in Merivale Street, over 50 years ago. It was his first posting in 1959 to a grade 6 class, after his graduation from the Queensland Teachers' Training College at the Kelvin Grove campus. Most of his original students were older students (aged 14) from Greece.

Rev. Father Anastasios Bozikis answers questions about the Greek Orthodox faith.

Rev. Father Dimitrios Tsakas discusses the future of the Orthodox Church and the experience of a mystery.