Kastellorizo Kastellorizo is the smallest inhabited Greek Island in the Dodecanese group, less than 5 km off the south coast of Turkey, about 100 km east of Rhodes. There are however many smaller islets in the area. Kastellorizo has been called different names in its history including, Castelrosso (the French called it Chateau-Roux), Castello Rosso or Castel Rosso, and Castel Ruggio. Its name was given by the medieval Knights of Rhodes and was inspired by its towering red cliffs rising from the sea which appear to be a medieval castle from a distance. Its ancient name is Meyisti or Megiste. Travel The Travel section was initially intended to assist with travel to our island. We invite you to contact us with your suggestions on information you would like us to make available. You can contact our own correspondent on the island in Louise Katris, who is pictured with Robert Diperdomenico and Bob Geldof, for travel details or email us on info@kastellorizo.com.au  New section - 'Kazzie Customs' This has 'taken off' and is receiving large numbers of visitors and hits. Visit the Kazzie Customs section under CULTURE where we have started to record the origins of Greek names, common sayings at weddings, chrstenings, funerals etc. and the significance of Easter etc. We are also receiving questions about our customs and traditions which we are passing onto our families and friends to rpovided a detailed response. These will be added to the Kazzie Customs section. All contributors are welcome and encouraged to email their news, information, recipes and traditional customs etc to info@kastellorizo.com.au or post to:  Kastellorizian Association of Vic. 250 Dorcas Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 Lost and Found This section has been operating now for several months and, after initially receiving a considerable number of emails, the activity has dropped off.  We would like to encourage you to contact us, from any country, to obtain assistance with locating family members and/or descendants.  Please visit this section and advise if you can assist or enlighten. Working Party needed for 'Future Directions Summit' We are calling for interested and keen persons to form a new working party to discuss options etc moving forward. You will report back to the committee on progress and recommendations. Enquiries: Michael Spartels, President.

Membership fees now due Details of Membership payment is located at the Forms section. You can email back or send in the mail. The subscription period will be from 1st July 2009 to 30th June 2010. If you would like to be eligible to vote at the next AGM then you will need to be a financial member. Also, these funds assist with the operation of our club and its activities. Your support is greatly appreciated as it means we can fund new events and activities. Events Section At the Events section you can obtain full details on important dates and upcoming events. We are pleased to advise that there are a number of social activities which we hope will encourage you to attend and enjoy. 27th & 28th June 09 Genealogy Workshop - want to trace your family descendents? Visit the Events section for details on our exciting Workshop sheduled for June 09. As you would be aware we provide a link to the Kazzie database which Allan Cresswell in Western Australia built and maintained for more than 20 years. Further to this Alan will be conducting a Worshop at the Kazzies Clubrooms and this will include 'hands on' assistance with tracing your familiy ancestry. Details of the Workshop are provided at the Events section and access to the Genealogy section can be obtained by emailing info@kastellorizo.com.au Exciting opportunity We need your assistance with the production of our Newsletters, Kazzie Communications Newsletter and flyers. We are planning to enhance the quality of our publications and this requires specialised skills and time. In return you will be making a significant contribution to our Kazzie heritage and ensure we are impacting on our local and international audiences via the website. Interested? why not email us at info@kastellorizo.com.au and we can discuss how you can help? NOTICE TO ALL BUSINESSES and would be ADVERTISERS Our website is constantly receiving high volumes of  visits and hits from Australia, Europe, USA and others. Why not advertise on our website? Low rates and significant exposure means you target audience is much larget than you think!! This will also assist us with our fundraising and philanthropic activites. We would be receptive to arranging a package to suit so go to our April 2008 Newsletter which contains advertising/sponsorship rates for the Kazzie Newsletters and the Kazzie website. We look forward to discussing how we can assist in increasing your business profile and potential sales activity. Please contact us at info@kastellorizo.com.au or call John Karis on: 0412 662 079.

John B Salvaris receiving the 2009 Kastellorizian of the Year Award. Pictured with Left to right: Michael Spartels, Kazzie Association President, Christos Salamanis, Greek Consul-General and Father Demetrios. The annual awards for 2009 were conferred on St. Constantine & Helen's Day, May 24th 2009 at our clubrooms. For information on this year's awardees please visit the AWARDS section. Profiles and pictures available and an overview of how the day unfolded will be coming shortly. In addition to the Kazzie of the Year, Kastellorizian Youth Achievement and VCE Awards we have, for the first time, formerly bestowed Honorary Life Memberships for long-standing committment to the Association.        What's new ? At the Travel section you can view a copy of a very interesting article by Greg Baum, Sports Writer for The Age, on his stay in Kastellorizo. Or click on the link below. "The world's best has a lot to learn, by George" Photo Gallery A few celebrities somehow know  how special our island is........                          Sir Bob Geldof visits Kastellorizo  On the 23rd July 2008, Sir Bob Geldof cruised into Kastellorizo for a brief visit and a walk around the habour. He walked through the back streets looking at all the houses and browsing through the local shops. Pictured below are; Georgina Stewart  Papoutsis (Hatsigeorgiou) and daughter, Alexandra Papoutsis and Louise Katris Karagiannis with daughters, Vara and Mia Karagiannis and the famous Sir Bob Geldof.                   And so does Robert Dipierdomenico Ex-Hawthorn player Robert Dipierdomnico (Dipper) and his wife visited Kastellorizo in August to celebrate the 40th birthday party of twins Chris & Pamela Michaels from Perth. Dipper is picture here in the square with Maria Katris (Adgemis) and Louise Karagiannis (Katris), who is a Kazzie resident and our correspondent.