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History of the Kytherian
Association
The
Kytherian Association of Australia - then called the Kytherian
Brotherhood - held its inaugural meeting at the Marathon Caf?in
Sydney in 1922. Since then it has worked tirelessly to promote
Kytherian culture and has successfully inspired generations of
Kytherian-Australians to appreciate the heritage of their parents
and grandparents.
Detailed History: The
Kytherian Association of Australia, Sydney
Cosmas Cassimatis and the founding of the Kytherian Brotherhood of
Australia, 1922
On 12 May 1921, Cosmas Jacob Cassimatis floated the idea of a Kytherian brotherhood with his friend Theo Crithary at Theo?s
Marathon Cafe in Darlinghurst. Exactly one year later, on 12 May,
1922, at Cosmas? Canberra Cafe at Central, they drew up a letter of
intent, encapsulating Cosmas? basic idea. With that document, the
Kytherian Brotherhood came into existence, and it formed the first
page of the first Minute Book of the Brotherhood.
In August, 1922, all Kytherians were invited and the first Committee
was formed as follows,
Cosmas J. Cassimatis.........President
Peter Minoukos..................Vice President
Bill Feros.............................Secretary
Nick Marcello.....................Treasurer
Cosmas Andronicus
Theo Crithary
Bretos Margetis
John Psaltis
The Constitution was further developed, and incorporated Cosmas?
ideas. In 1936 the Brotherhood was formed into a company, and the
original Constitution formed part of the Articles of Association. To
this day, very little of this Constitution has been altered.
From the beginning, Cosmas felt that the Brotherhood should honour
the two Patron Saints of Kythera, Theodore and Panagia Myrtidiotissa,
and the Martyr, Saint Elesa. This forms a major part of our
Constitution.
Throughout his life, Cosmas, the son of a priest, and someone who
had wanted also to study Theology, was a major influence on the
Greek Orthodox Community, then centred on Agia Triada in Surry
Hills. He served for a short time as President of the Greek
Community, and this, combined with his position as President of the
Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia, meant that he was seen as a
father figure by many of the young arrivals, even to the extent of
them asking for his permission to marry. His business judgement was
highly respected.
Cosmas was born in Kato Livadi, Kythera, in 1889, and first came to
Australia in 1908. He returned to Greece briefly, served in the
Balkan Wars, and returned in 1914. After several business ventures
he purchased a cafe, the Canberra Cafe in Oxford Street, Taylor
Square, with cousin Nick Cassimatis and four other partners - Nick
Travasaros, Stamati Marcello, Stratis Tzannes and John Megaloconomos.
Cousin Nick was to later sell out and open a store in Park Street,
but the descendants of all the others continue to hold the property
in partnership to this day, making it one of the longest
partnerships in Australian Greek history.
Canberra
Cafe.
Cosmas Cassimatis is standing on the right.
This
Canberra Cafe in Oxford Street became the meeting place for the
newly formed Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia. It was decided that
a meeting would be held once a year, and Kytherians would travel
from all the country towns to meet in Sydney on the proposed date.
Although picnic days were also held, it was not until larger numbers
of women arrived from Kythera that more social functions were
organised.
Cosmas, who was naturalised in 1925 (although he had originally
intended to stay in Australia for only a few years) returned to
Kythera only once more, and this time it was to marry. In 1929, on
the advice of his father, he married Marica Lazerreti, of
Lazerretianiki (JKiato Livadi). This marriage, which was an
extremely happy one, produced three children, Katina, Jack and
Emmanuel.
Marica, born in 1904, had served as the Secretary of the Kytherian
Community. In this role, being a literate woman, having completed
her schooling which was unusual for her time, she was often called
upon to read letters arriving from Australia or other countries to
which Kytherians had emigrated, and also to write lefters for those
on the island.
Marica returned to Kythera for a visit with son Jack in 1969 and was
met at the docks with banners saying ?Welcome back Marica?. It took
about 4 hours to walk 100 metres, such was the
excitement from the people who remembered her with much deep
affection.
In Australia, Marica, a very devout woman, proved to be a mother
figure for many of the young women, cut off from their mothers and
grandmothers whom they had left behind in Greece. She gave advice on
cooking, on how to get on in Australia, and on many other matters.
Their house, in Kensington, hosted many wedding receptions for
Kytherians. Marica supported Cosmas in his role as a leader amongst
his fellow Greeks; a role which meant being called upon to accompany
Prince Phillip, then a prince of Greece, on his tour of Australia.
In the early days, Greeks believed that Australians had much to
teach them, and they aimed to assimilate, while at the same time
holding on to what they felt was worthwhile in their own culture.
According to son, Emmanuel, these early Kytherians "had a very high
moral code, their principles were second to none., and their good
name was of paramount importance."
These ideas, that we are guests and should not forget it, and that
we should never give anyone reason to say anything bad about us,
have influenced all the subsequent generations of Kytherians born in
Australia (although we are no longer ?guests?). Eighty years on, the
Kytherian Association of Australia (formerly the Brotherhood) can
rightly feel proud of its roots, and the man, Cosmas Jacob
Cassimatis, who was the force behind the Association?s formation.
By Ann Coward, from information supplied by Emmanuel Cassimatis
First published in Programme, 80th Anniversary Debutante Ball,
2002, Kytherian Association of Australia, pp. 36-37.
Detailed History 2
From Peter Vanges. Kythera. A History. 1993.
Chapter 52
Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia (NSW)
History to 1993.
Seventy years ago, the Kytherian pioneers in Australia saw the need
to unite the Kytherian community within a formal association which
had as its objectives, fellowship, social and cultural activities
and also in helping the underprivileged, by contributing to various
charities both in Australia and in Greece. It was on 14th May 1922,
that the inaugural meeting of the Kytherian Brotherhood took place
at the Marathon Cafe situated then at 72 Oxford Street,
Darlinghurst, Sydney. On that evening, the late Cosmas Cassimatis
and Theodore Kritharis called for a constitu?tion to be drawn up and
a date was set for a general meeting and the election of a managing
committee. The election was held on 20th August 1922, and the
Foundation Committee was installed to serve for a term of two years.
This Committee comprised the following:
Cosmas Cassimatis................................ President
Peter Minoukos..................................... Vice President
Bill Feros................................................ Secretary
Nick Marcello........................................ Treasurer
Theo Kritharis........................................ Member
Charles Andronicos................................ Member
John Psaltis............................................ Member
The activity and progress of the Kytherian Brotherhood has been
outstanding. The far-sighted founders of the Brotherhood could not
possibly have foreseen that the little social group they founded
would grow into one of the largest associations of its type. Over
the years, donations of large sums of money have been made to
various charitable institutions. The Brotherhood?s benevolence has
been directed to alleviating many of the needs of the island of
Kythera. Numerous contributions have been made to public works,
hospitals, schools and general relief to the underprivileged.
During World War II, the Kytherian Brotherhood was instrumental in
the organisation of a war-relief fund and a large sum of money was
eventually remitted to Greece for this purpose.
Such activities together with the great attainment of the Kytherians
of subsequent generations have brought a high degree of esteem to
the Kytherian Brotherhood.
?Reflecting back over the years, it becomes very clear that the
Kytherians in Australia have been among the most progressive
migrants, assimilating well into the Australian community, without
neglecting to carry on some of the fine traditions of the old
country.? (Quotation from 50th Anniver?sary Message byJ. Prineas.)
Many honest, hard-working and trustworthy Kytherians have served on
the Brotherhood Committees since 1922. In recognition of their
service, a list of members who served for a period of one year or
more is presented.
Click
here to view list of past & present committee members.
The
attention of the committee of the Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia
was for many years focused on giving assistance to the needy, both
in Australia and on the island, as well as providing opportunities
for Kytherians to meet and socialise. The feast of Myrtidiotissa
received special attention with a dinner and a dance organised every
year on the first Sunday after 24th September. The desperate needs
of those left on the island after World War I and II absorbed all
available funds for many years. Meetings of the committee of the
Kytherian Brotherhood were held in private homes, shops and later in
the offices of the Hellenic Club in Sydney.
In 1955, personal conflicts divided the Kytherian community and two
different organisations existed in NSW for a short period.
Commonsense and pressure from influential Kytherians convinced both
parties that the Kytherian community could not survive divided. To
everyone?s satisfac?tion, both parties united their efforts and one
Kytherian Brotherhood again prevailed.
Realising the long-term needs of the Brotherhood, committees were
wise enough to purchase two adjoining properties on Anzac Parade,
Kensington, for later use as a headquarters and functions centre. To
become more financially secure, later committees purchased seven
shops in the West Fairfield shopping complex. The general feeling
was that the Brotherhood had secured its future. The location of the
properties at Kensington was perfect for the needs of the
Brotherhood.
Everything seemed to be progressing well, and on the cover of the
1971 Kytherian Ball Programme, the plans for a Kytherian House were
re?vealed. The committee published in the same Ball Programme
detailed plans of the project with this message from the President
Emmanuel Sklavos:
"We draw your attention to the picture on this programme. The
picture is the architect?s preliminary plans of the proposed
building to be called Kytherian House and erected on a block of land
at Anzac Parade, Kensington. This block of land has on it two large
houses which have been purchased by the Kytherian Brotherhood of
Aus?tralia. You have to look at it very carefully and believe with
all your soul?s vigour that this plan, which today is just a dream
may be in the near future a reality. You have also to believe that
what looks rather impossible for one person can be possible for many
people. The starting point was the purchase of the suitable piece of
land on Anzac Parade, a surface of 11,478 sq.ft., for the value of
$104,000.
When you will be invited to contribute or to lend to the
Brother?hood for the realisation of the dream, don?t hesitate. In
the beginning we are going to build the first two floors. By doing
this we will secure a hall for our balls and recreation rooms for
our children in a clean Greek Australian environment. The newcomers
will be taught Eng?lish and their assimilation to this hospitable
country will become easier.
By helping the Brotherhood you are helping yourself, you are helping
your children, and you are helping Australia to acquire good
citizens.
Finally you will feel proud seeing the Kytherian House standing
majestically and don?t forget where there is unity there is
strength".
It was unfortunate that, due to obstacles put forward by the local
council to the development of the Kensington properties, the idea
was abandoned and alternatives were sought. The 1973 committee
decided to appoint a building committee that was authorised to
search for properties suitable to accommodate the needs of the
Brotherhood. In 1974 the committee?s attention was directed towards
rendering assistance to the establishment of a retirement village on
Kythera. On 1st August 1976, an extraordinary meeting was called and
members were asked to consider the purchase of a property at 61-65
Regent Street, Chippendale (in the inner Sydney area). The motion
was put and after lengthy discussion, it was carried. Although this
motion appeared on the record as unanimous, it was to trigger a
bitter division in the Kytherian community of Sydney.
On 17th August 1976, at a general meeting, the motion was put to
dispose of all the Brotherhood?s assets in order that the purchase
of the Regent Street property be financed. The motion was carried.
The result of this decision was open conflict and constant
disagreements amongst the members and the alienation of a large
number of loyal Brotherhood supporters. A legal dispute over
constitutional matters between members of the Brotherhood
contributed to the further deterioration of both support and morale.
Despite all of the above, the committee had reached the point of no
return, and on 17th September 1976, the amount of $29,000 was paid
as deposit on the property at Chippendale. The money was lent to the
Brotherhood by the late Nicholas Lourantus. With the legal dispute
still in progress, the difficulties in the purchase of the new
building and the lack of interest by many of the Brotherhood?s
members, the first meeting was held at Kythera House in Chippendale
on 20th March 1977. At that meeting members agreed that they had to
carry on regardless, hoping that the situation would soon change for
the better.
In order to generate the necessary income to repay the $150,000
loan, to make interest payments and to carry out the needed repairs,
the committee decided to establish the Kytherian Social Club on 9th
July 1978. This naturally demanded further expenditure in order to
secure a liquor licence. At a general meeting on 24th June 1979, it
was reported that although the alterations to the third floor had
been completed, the liquor licence had yet to be issued.
The President spoke at length on all the problems facing the
Brother?hood. After hgated and lengthy discussion, it was decided to
appoint a fundraising committee to secure desperately needed cash to
ease the difficult financial predicament that the Brotherhood faced.
By 17th Feb?ruary 1980, the committee was forced to consider the
leasing of available space in Kythera House in order to pay the
ever-increasing amount of interest due. At an extraordinary meeting
on 30th April 1980, members were told of the serious financial
problems and rumours of foreclosure were circulating. The committee
was forced to consider the sale of the first floor. It was thought
at the time that this would provide some financial relief.
Unfortunately, many Kytherians had made up their minds not to
support the newly established social club and ignored many of the
activities organised at Kythera House.
The eventual sale of the first floor served only to postpone what
everyone considered as the only solution, that is, the sale of
Kythera House. The committee of 1982-83 consisting of young,
energetic and well-educated Kytherians made every effort to overcome
the problems besetting the Kytherian community. After lengthy and
careful considera?tion, the committee of 1982-83 had no alternative
but to suspend the activities of the social club.
It can be argued that although this was the only correct decision
under the circumstances, it alienated loyal members who supported
the social club and its activities. With the closure of the social
club, the entire building was now vacant and no income was
forthcoming other than that generated by a few functions held
outside Kythera House. Pressure from the bank was mounting as the
increasing bank interest had brought the total amount owing to over
$100,000. The committee called yet another extraordinary meeting and
the sale of Kythera House was discussed. The involvement in the
discussion of persons never before involved in the affairs of the
Brotherhood resulted in the appointment of a fundraising committee
with the task of securing the entire outstanding amount ($130,000)
within six months.
The appointed committee of 1984-1986, working closely together with
the fundraising committee, succeeded in raising the required amount
and repaid the total amount owed to the bank, the interest and all
the outstanding unpaid accounts. With the morale of members now on
the increase and with the outstanding success of family nights
organised at Kythera House, the Brotherhood once again had the
opportunity to feel secure and optimistic about the future.
The leasing of all of the remaining areas except the third floor
generated enough income to carry out badly needed repairs to the
building. By the end of 1986, not only had the committee met all of
its obligations but it had saved the amount of $95,000 so that
members could be reimbursed for amounts loaned to the Brotherhood.
At a dinner held at Kythera House in 1988, members were
appropriately thanked for their generous assistance towards the
association.
In 1989, an unfortunate legal dispute with a major tenant of Kythera
House cut off regular income, and signs of new disputes and
dissatisfac?tion reappeared. An offer to sell Kythera House for the
amount of $3.5 million was not disclosed to the members at the time.
The committee appointed for 1990-1991 on taking over, turned its
attention to the ongoing legal proceedings that had cost the
Brotherhood well over $40,000. With one floor leased, the court case
successfully defended, and the recoupment of monies owing to the
Brotherhood, the situation once again was promising. The need for
definite planning and re-orientation of the Brotherhood?s goals was
obviously very urgent. Attempts were ma,de to jolt the interest of
the members without any success.
Financially, by the end of 1991, the Brotherhood was in the position
to consider relocating to new premises better equipped to handle the
needs of the association. This motion was put to the Annual General
Meeting with the intention of steering the Brotherhood in the
direction of a definite programme by which future committees should
be guided. At that meeting the President attempted to direct the
attention of the Kytherian community to the uncertainty of the years
to follow, as the ideas, needs and beliefs of the new generation of
Australian Kytherians appeared to be divergent from the goals,
values and purposes of the Kytherian Brother?hood of Australia as
defined in its constitution.
Despite the troubled history of Kythera House, it is a fact that the
Brotherhood has the unencumbered possession of a substantial
building in a good location in Sydney. This should provide a
financial basis for further development of Brotherhood aspirations
in the years ahead.
As well, the Brotherhood has been most successful in organising and
promoting, over many years, social functions which range from small
cultural meetings to truly grand balls and dances at which numbers
from four hundred to more than one thousand people attend.
Particularly important are such occasions which have resulted from
the efforts of the Brotherhood?s ?Younger Set? and the Ladies
Committee. These assisting committees of the Brotherhood have been
extremely successful and this augurs well for the future of the
Kytherian community in Sydney.
There is no doubting that the life and personal achievement of the
Kytherians in Australia is a story full of success and
accomplishments that is a sound guarantee of the future of the
Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia as it undergoes a period of
transformation. It should not be long before a rejuvenated
Brotherhood emerges to continue to serve Austral?ians of Kytherian
descent. |
