Testimonials
Thank you for your ongoing commitment, passion and enthusiasm to make a difference. You are an inspiration for us all.
Eleni Kosta, Organisational Psychologist
Congratulations Varvara on a succinct and bountiful talk. I felt moved reading it and feel blessed to be in your company, even if t is via email. Thank you
Panayoula Parha, School Principal South Australia
Thank you so much for organising such a wonderful Happiness event last night.
I was very inspired by Tarryn's talk and also by your own story Varvara in the newsletter. You have achieved so much in your own life and that inspires me to do more with my own. It is true, as individuals we do have a lot of power to pass on happiness and create happiness. It's just being reminded of that power that is so potent.
Coming from an Chinese migrant background (we did meet briefly last night), I can relate to issues of disenfranchisement etc. when migrating to a new country. My parents endured a lot for the sake of their children's future.
I was amazed and thrilled to be surrounded by such strong Greek women with wonderful personal stories of happiness and who are so welcoming. My friend Debbie was also very impressed. Thank you again for going to so much trouble for the Happiness talk. I look forward to attending more function
Susie Savage, Research officer, Government & Public Affairs
I am writing to thank you all for a fabulous evening, in commemoration of International Women's Day by way of Dinner and Debate at Yiannis Tavern in Kew. The food was great, the company greater and the debate "It's been 100 years since she got the vote and she still folds the socks and jocks" even greater still and hilarious!
The speakers were ready and waiting to tackle this pertinent question with vigor and zest. Showing her chameleon skills Penelope Trotter dressed up as Toxtith B. Clubber. introduced with wit and skill of gender, that it is easier to live as a man after entering the only Melboune aristocratic club whilst 'Pat' explored identity and culture through her virginal alter-ego 'Parthena'. Elizabeth on the other hand reflected on the creation of dowry prospects whilst Ross and Ari showed great courage as the male leads for the evening. Anxiety ran amuck on the whereabouts of our missing guest speaker Steven Curry although this soon diminished to a minute detail as Ari's friend Jeremy Pottel stepped in, saving the day gracefully, tactfully and as beautifully as one can at the 11th hour. Thanks to Steve for having sent his speech before hand. I was impressed.
But the one exercising powerful cohesion here would be the ever talented moderator, Maria Dimopoulos, who together with the illustrious MC ingeniously kept it together.
For me it was a fun night, we all could lighten up and loosen up, I don't think the Greek Consul Chris Salamanis stopped smiling once that night."¦ one wonders what may have been should dancing as well as networking be introduced as an extra curriculum for the next function!
It was a night I shall cherish because of one person who bought us all together. Varvara Ioannou who selflessly gives of herself in order to share the gifts of generosity. Thank you Varvara for making me part of this wonderful journey that is, the Greek/Australian Women's, Food For Thought Network.
May others follow and experience the beauty of sharing as we all do.
Anthea Sidiropoulos, Artist/Producer
Congratulations on the great job you all do with the Network. I truly admire all of you for your efforts and hard work.
My colleagues and I were very emotional on the night when we heard some of the survivor's stories on breast cancer, and made us very aware of some of the issues.
We all enjoyed the night and it was a pleasure to be part of this wonderful fundraising.
Maria Moutafis - Bank of Cyprus Australia (South Yarra Branch)
Thank for your spirit and persistence in bringing people together to make a difference.
Mary Kalantzis Chair of Education, Research & Innovation Portfolio
Research Professor, Globalism Institute RMIT UNIVERSITY
Thank you for your invite and for keeping me in the loop. This is my last week in NKEW and my last month in Australia. I am returning to my old job in Cyprus. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your work within the Greek community and especially for embracing the plight of women so passionately.
Kathy Toumbourou, Past Editor Neos Kosmos English Weekly
I just wish I could fly to Melbourne in my dream, see you, participate in your most inspiring invitations and wake up in the morning in my bed in Athens!!
I am very very jealous!!
Eleni Lambadarios Manager, National Olympic Assistants
Olympic Village Athens 2004 Olympics
It was a pleasure to attend the last function on Domestic Violence- I would once again like to thank you for arranging to discuss such a topic, which from reading Neos Kosmos, received very good coverage.
Thanks,
Nick Xerakias, adviser to Minister Kay Paterson
Poly tha ithela na symmeteho kai ego Isos kapote. Na eisai kala na synexizeis n adineis food for mind. VARVARA MOY KAI PALI SYGXARITIRIA KAI NA PERASETE KALA. THA EIMAI NOERA
KONTA SOY FILIA VASO
Vasso Papadioti, University of Giannina, School of Psychology
Happy New Year Varvara...good luck with your aid efforts, they are to be applauded.
George Donikian, Channel 10
I have always said that at the end of our day, we have to ask ourselves "have I made a difference today" - be it to a person, or lots of people, family, friend/s, fellow human beings...
Well, I am certain that you are one of those people that have made a difference to ALL of the above...I thank you for your kind words, however, life if like a mirror...we see in the mirror something that we like and it reflects back. What I am trying to say is that YOU are a huge inspiration to lots and lots of people.....me included... That is why I love being involved as much as I can with the things that cross your path....
Eva Alfris
Congratulations for last night it was indeed "food for thought". If we could only convey the message to all women affected, and I can assure you there are more than we can imagine!
Another big social problem which you may want to discuss in the future, is that of our children and the emotional blackmail many parents are subjected to, so we see as a result older parents to be afraid of their children, afraid to remarry, to spend some of their money to enjoy their life, to refuse full time babysitting, and the list goes on.
Ask any social worker who is associated with the Greek community.
Demetra Fotopoulos
Your next function in October definitely addresses
a key topic that affects many women to some degree. You are very brave for
taking on such an important issue and giving women the opportunity to talk
in a non-threatening environment, so all the very best with this endeavour.
Maria Zissimos
I enjoyed the night very much particularly reconnecting with women from a far away past and of course making new friendships and contacts was great.
You have done a super job reformatting the old Hellenic Cultural Womens Association, it is now more representative of the times we live in and addresses issues more pertinent to our way of life.
Looking forward to our next meeting, in the meantime take care kai kali evdomada
Vivian Pangourelias, Former Secretary of the Cultural Association For Hellenic Women.
Congratulations for your great job with this Network. Hope that next year I can join you in some of your wonderful events.
Matina Demiraki
Thanks so much for all the work you do with this network.
Looking forward to many fruitful events in the future,
Alex Tirtilas