NSW STATE GOVERNMENT HONOURS HELLENES OF AUSTRALIA WITH ITS ULTIMATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Premier of NSW the Hon. Bob Carr MP, through his representatives Tony Stewart MP and John Hatzistergos MLC, presented Tasha Vanos, Chairman of the Hellenic Tribute Inc. Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Committee with a plaque for Supreme Excellence. The presentation was made at a dinner held to honour all the Sponsor Donors on Friday, November 3, 2000, at the Novotel Hotel Brighton Le Sands.

Tony Stewart in his speech stated that never before had this Award been given to anyone. Tasha Vanos accepted the award on behalf of the Hellenic Tribute Committee and the Hellenic community.

The Hellenes of Australia have proven themselves to be what we knew they were when we started this project in 1997 and that is charitable, caring and proud.

We had a dream and you helped us achieve that dream which has left a Tribute for all future generations to see and be proud of.

Our dream is part of a trilogy that started in Atlanta 1996, now in Sydney 2000 and will finish in Athens 2004.

Patron, Peter N Manettas AM, with the foresight that it was an achievable goal and his generosity of $50,000 helped us to lay the foundation of our appeal, because if one man could believe, it helped all of you to believe.

Patron, Ahepa NSW Inc., was the largest organisation donor with a $50,000 contribution.

Nick & Nasoula Balagiannis were the second largest individual donors with $20,000.

Patrons and Gold Donors were recognised by having an olive tree or cypress pine dedicated in their name in acknowledgement of support and contribution. The olive grove and cypress trees were blessed and dedicated on Sunday May 21, 2000 by the Rev. Father Nicholas Bozikis.

The winning sculpture, "Discobolos", by sculptor, Robert Owen, pays homage to the Olympic Games and the spirit of Hellenism in Australia.

Discobolos was unveiled by His Excellency the Honourable Sir William Deane, Governor General of Australia on Sunday, August 13, 2000. Present was His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, Rose Ieremia Consul General of Greece, Parliamentarians, members of the Olympic Co-ordination Authority, media, Hellenic Tribute Patrons & Sponsors and general public.

The seven metre diameter Disc, surrounded by an olive grove, cypress pines and ancient Hellenic relics, sits upon Stockroute Park on Herb Elliott Avenue, Homebush Bay.

During the Sydney Olympics, Discobolos was seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Games.

The Hon. Michael Knight MP, Minister for the Olympics, officially launched the Hellenic Tribute project on Friday, November 19, 1999, at a Dinner held at NSW Parliament House, Sydney.

The Hellenes of Australia were given the honour of being the only ethnic community to establish a permanent art piece on the Olympic precinct. This is in recognition of the great Olympic heritage that comes from Greece as well as recognising the contribution that the Hellenic community of Australia has made.

A Time Capsule was buried on the site on Saturday, September 26, 2000. It contains the names of all donors irrespective of the value of their donation as well as media editorials and literature pertaining to the Tribute. The Capsule is to be opened in approx. 25 years.

The Hellenic Tribute has been an exciting opportunity for us all to contribute to Australia’s history and build an everlasting reminder that captures the spirit of Hellenism and Olympism.

The generosity of the Hellenic community throughout Australia has been overwhelming, having raised in excess of $500,000.

In the words of the Consul General of Greece, Rose Ieremia, who at the official launch at Parliament House, quoted the then President of the 2004 Olympic Games Athens committee, Dr Stratis Stratigis,

"ONLY MONUMENTAL BUILDINGS AND SCULPTURES WILL OUTLIVE US"