Kastellorizo  Kastellorizo also known as Megiste or Megisti, its ancient name, 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. 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. 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 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. 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?

Gourmet Traveller Magazine features Kastellorizo Take a look online or purchase the latest edition. A very interesting read and impressive article on the significance of Kazzie. Neos Kosmos also makes reference to it in its 22nd February 2010 edition below Part 1 Part 2 Kazzie Facebook users You can now BLOG! and if you are interested in Facebook then see the group called "Kastellorizians and Kazzies across the Globe". Business Registrations  We have added a new section where we will invite you to register your business name and activity. Let's promote the diversity of businesses that Kazzie operate in Australia. Please forward to info@kastellorizo.com.au 2010 Kazzie Calendars  We are now out-of-stcok however if we receive further interest we can place anotehr order once we know the numbers. They are a great gift item and the pictures are all spectacular. Contributors have been acknowledged under each respective Kazzie photograph. If you would like to order calendars please contact the club or complete the order form and email to info@kastellorizo,com.au We will advise as to when they are availbale. Just a teaser check out the  Front page of the Calendar Cost: only $25 plus $2.50 postage Reports  Genealogy - Feature Article Kazzie Traditions - Feature Article IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE - CALL US NOW!! Call us now - we are receiving a surge of new visitors and additional traffic due to ancreaded popularity of our website. The main origin of hits is from Australia however the UK, Greece and USA are consistent visitors. 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.

The scene on tranquil Kastellorizo (above) was not always this peaceful! There were understandable reasons why many of its inhabitants fore faoced to flee and from Kastellorizo were amonst the first Greeks to settle in Australia. This is our 'Australian Story" Read about our unique 'Australian Story' at the end of this foreward - One thing we know for certain is that there are Kazzies all over the world. We know this from historical data and from the interest we receive via our website. We can track visitors from a wide range of countries although we are uncertain as to their status; from where they originated, or in many cases, why they are interested in visiting our website. We thought, therefore, we would introduce some historical information in relation to the migration of Kazzies to Australia as this may encourage others to do the same. If you read the history of Kastellorizo you will understand why we feel so passionate about our heritage; the natural hardships endured, the fires, successive occupations and wars, which ultimately led to the evacuation of the island. In it's 'heyday' the population reached 10,000 and in 1943 the evacuations meant that there were only 50 people left on the island. Many of these evacuees travelled to 'far-off' destinations and their families could tell a few fascinationg stories for sure! We would like to share our story of Kazzie migration to Australia. This information has been taken from the book titled - "The Kastellorizian Association of Victoria - 80 XONIA (1925 - 2005) Note: This book also contains pictures and can be purchases by visiting the Merchandise section of this website. Click here for our "Australian Story" The Call of the Homeland Also read the article below about how Kazzies tried to remain connected to their homeland. Kastellorizians born in Australia were brought up on selective stories about Kastellorizo and were constantly exposed to the large framed sepia panorama of the island, circa 1917, which hung in clubs in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, and in many homes   Often family homes would be pointed out with pride on the print, usually followed by the lament that everything was in ruins.  The old Kastellorizo gradually gained mythical status. Click here for the article The Call of the Homeland   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.