EEAMA celebrates 75 Years of history, heritage and community service in Melbourne

The Union of Egyptians and Middle Eastern Greeks (EEAMA) marked a historic milestone on Sunday, celebrating 75 years since its founding with an event filled with emotion, pride and cultural remembrance.

Held at the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters, the celebration honoured more than three generations of community service, cultural preservation and Greek Egyptian identity.

Diplomatic representatives and community leaders attended, including Ambassador of Egypt Nabil Habashi, officials from the Egyptian Consulate, Katerina Douka representing the Greek Consulate, and Theo Theophanous, President of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne.

Members, friends and supporters of EEAMA filled the venue to pay tribute to the organisation’s long-standing contribution.

Master of Ceremonies Petros Oikonomou welcomed guests, setting the tone for a day of historical reflection and community pride.

Honouring the pioneers

Archimandrite Fr Ierotheos Kourtessis reflected on decades of collaboration with EEAMA and led a minute of silence for members who have passed, reminding attendees that the organisation was built on “sacrifice and vision.”

New president Nikos Karagiannis presented the organisation’s journey from its founding in 1949 to today, highlighting the migrants who came together to create a cultural home for Greeks arriving from Egypt and the Middle East.

“EEAMA has never been just an organisation,” Karagiannis said.

“It was and remains a home away from home. A bridge between generations, cultures, past and future.”

Ambassador Habashi, Vice President Loukas Rizopoulos, and Secretary George Kypraios also addressed the audience, noting EEAMA’s enduring cultural and social footprint.

A historic legacy captured in a book

A highlight of the event was the launch of the new publication, ‘Historical Progress of the Union of Egyptians & Middle Eastern Greeks 1950–2023’.

Research committee leader Apostolos (Lakis) Kantzipas described the eight-year process of collecting and documenting the organisation’s history.

Edited by George Kypraios, Loukas Rizopoulos and Haroula Tomazou-Kantzipas, the 240-page bilingual edition (Greek–English) records:

• the founding meeting
• early committees and the pioneering constitution
• 90 founding members
• 16 presidents
• 142 board members
• all branches and departments of EEAMA across 75 years

The book also includes 50 photographs from events and activities, and 18 nostalgic images from landmark buildings in the Nile region—an emotional link to the community’s roots.

Kantzipas thanked all contributors, noting that any omissions were due to the limited availability of historical material.

Showcasing 75 Years of activity

The publication documents the rich work of all EEAMA divisions:

• Sports Department: basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis and cricket teams with approx. 350 athletes competing in federation leagues.
• Library: sustained through the generosity of nine major donors.
• Women’s Division: around 95 members involved in community events and committees.
• Travel Section: excursions across Australia and overseas.
• Theatre Department: two historic volumes (1952–2001 & 2002–2023) featuring over 1,000 participants.
• Youth Section: cultural festivals, artistic events, social appearances, and the well-known Miss EEAMA Sports and Miss EEAMA Quest.
• The organisation’s buildings in South Melbourne and Preston were also highlighted as vital hubs of culture, gathering and community identity.

Messages for the future

Vice President Rizopoulos emphasised the responsibility of younger generations to carry EEAMA’s mission forward.

“If the first 75 years were about survival and foundations,” he said,

“the next will be about creativity and impact.”

President Karagiannis expressed gratitude to all contributors and honoured former presidents George Potamitis (late), Loukas Rizopoulos and George Kypraios for their guidance and commitment.

The event concluded with the cutting of the 75th anniversary cake, followed by shared food and storytelling as members reflected on the organisation’s path through the decades.

The atmosphere was festive yet deeply respectful of the pioneers who kept EEAMA alive through challenging and changing times connecting the memories of Alexandria and Cairo with the present and future of Greek life in Australia.