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 If you would like to be eligible to vote at this year's AGM then you will need to be a financial member. Please complete the Membership payment form located at the Forms section. You can email back or send in the mail. The subscription period will be from 1st July 2010 to 30th June 2011. These funds also assist with the operation of our club and its activities. Your support is greatly appreciated. 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  WANTED SECTION WORKING PARTY 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. NEWSLETTER PRODUCTION ASSISTANT 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? --ADVERTISE HERE- call 0412 662 079 to find out how

WHY CAN WE GET YOU TO KAZZIE BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE? The above link will take you to the Travel section where there is a recent testament. ---   EVENT --EVENT--- THE MEGISTE CLUB Presents the Master Chef Australian Contestant... Dinner Dance on the 14th August 2010 at the Kooyong Tennis Club. Photos are now available at the main "EVENTS" tab. A full report listing the prize winners will be provided shortly. Thanks to our very supportive sponsors led by the LAIKI BANK.  Kazzie Club gets a mention in Victorian Parliament Martin Foley, Victorian State Parliamentary Member's comments on our major event in May 2010, were recorded in Hansard below: Kastellorizian Association of Victoria: 85th Anniversary Mr FOLEY -- "On another matter, over the weekend I also attended a celebration by one of our smaller Greek communities, the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria marking its 85th anniversary of activities in Victoria. I note the work of the outgoing president of the association, Mr Michael Spartels, for his decade of leadership and congratulate the Australian Kastellorizian of the year for 2010, Mr Nicholas Pappas, for his work in the law, the arts, sport and promoting Greek history and culture". SPECIAL Books  It's a chronological history of the Kazzie Vic club. For a limited time we'll even deliver multiple copies to you!! How's that? At present we are making the 80th Anniversary Commemorative books available at a special price of only $10.00 each. These are a fantastic historial representation of how the club has developed since inception and a wonderful gift idea. Badges We have just received the first lot of gold plated badges which can we worn on jackets and clothing . It is based on the Kazzie logo/emblem and is a beautiful piece of work. Email infor@kastellorizo.com.au and we will make contact with you.  Gourmet Traveller Magazine features Kastellorizo      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 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. ---ADVERTISE HERE- call 0412 662 079 to find out how

'Big Day Out' - the potential 'hung parliament' result in last Saturday's Federal Election is not due to this Bride's dedication. Last Saturday 21st August  Katherine Zombos; daughter of Jim and Ester Zombos, grandaughter of Con Zombos our late president and trustee, married Anthony Houdalakis at St Trinity Church Richmond. She left home in the Limo' and went straight to the local polling booth in Mt Waverley to vote. Katherine was 'spotted' by the Channel 9 TV crew who recorded her entering the polling booth to place her vote. This was subsequently viewed on the CH9 news that night. The story is also appearing in a few internet news items, as well as featuring in the Leader Newspapers - Progress Press.  Katherine and Anthony celebrated with a reception at The Manor on High with some 140 guests. PS. I'm sure Anthony won't forget his Wedding Anniversary!! 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 XPONIA (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   ----------ADVERTISE HERE ----------- call 0412 662 079 to find out how