THEO SIDIROPOULOS MEMORIAL LAUNCH & - Eviva! Stand up Speak Out! Concert
THEO SIDIROPOULOS MEMORIAL LAUNCH
STAND UP SPEAK OUT!
When: 3.00pm, Saturday 26 May
Where: St Phillip's Park, located next to the Collingwood Town Hall 140 Hoddle Street Abbortsford
Download invitation to LAUNCH
Multicultural Arts Victoria extends an invitation to you to attend launch of the Theo Sidiropoulos Memorial titled ‘Stand Up, Speak Out’ on Saturday 26th May 2007 at 3pm.
The memorial will involve the unveiling of a commissioned art piece created by artist Jenny Steiner in a landscaped garden setting at St Phillips Park, 140 Hoddle Street Abbotsford, next to the Collingwood Town Hall, where Theo was a councillor for over 10 years.
The memorial was in part funded by a grant from the VMC Strengthening Multicultural Communities program and the City of Yarra.
Download EVIVA flyer
Celebrating the life of Theo Sidiropoulos 1924-1998, first migrant to enter Australian Parliament with English as a second language.
Mayor of Collingwood 1977, Member of Parliament for seat of Richmond 1978-1988.
BACKGROUND
Download BACKGROUND to Theo Sidiropoulos memorial
Theo Sidiropoulos arrived in Melbourne from Greece in late 1955 at the age of 30.
It was a time of excitement and vigour for all new Australians.
His first few weeks at the Bonegilla migrant reception centre gave him his first taste of what it was like to be considered an alien.
Theo was always ready to join with others and work towards a better world embraced by all. He was a visionary.
His world was one of tolerance, understanding and respect for all life on earth.
Being educated to High School level English made him an immediate target for migrants seeking assistance with all sorts of issues from their monthly electricity bills, filling out taxation returns, passport applications & immigration issues down to registering one's pet with the council.
The needs of thousands knocking on his door were endless.
Theo made a huge impact on Australian culture by changing the political landscape forever.
Theo Sidiropoulos memorial ‘Stand Up, Speak Out’ will be held on Saturday 26th May 2007 at 3pm, St Phillips Park, 140 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford.
Followed by a free concert at 4pm in the Collingwood Town Hall.
EVIVA! CONCERT
When: 4.00pm-6.00pm, Saturday 26 May
Where: Collingwood Town Hall 140 Hoddle Street Abbortsford
Download EVIVA flyer
The EVIVA! Free concert in Collingwood Town Hall includes an eclectic mix of Greek, Ethiopian, Turkish and Congolese performance...just the way Theo would have liked it!
This musical celebration was inspired by Theo's passion and commitment to political and social change the labour movement.
Theo implemented social change with the establishment of Childcare, Collingwood Health Centre, Clifton Hill recreation centre, Collingwood Children's Farm etc...
"EVIVA!" STAND UP SPEAK OUT! - a musical celebration MC'd by celebrated human rights activist and author Arnold Zable with special guests...
...from Melbourne's bilingual Greek/English music scene: (Anthea Sidiropoulos, Achilles Yiangoulli bouzouki, Evripides Evripidou Bass, Jacob Papadopoulos & Nick Koutsaliotis duelling bouzouki's, Gnarnayarrahe didgeridoo, Spiros Papoutsis accordion, Dennis Piskopos Flute, Paoul Grange Percussion) to the Congo: Irene Sephton & Etienne Dinanga, to the peace corners of Cyprus (Afrodites Children) to the Phillipes and the stunning voice of Ajak Kwai (SudaneseFolk) to the wizbang finale of Ethiopian Jazz with BLOW! featuring 'Enushu'...
