The history of the Association of Vorion Dimon Spartis « Orea Eleni » began in 1972. The Voriodimotes of Sparti who immigrated to Australia in the early 1960’s found themselves in an unfamiliar environment and culture. They were faced with feelings of isolation and hardship as they were unable to speak the language and the need to surround themselves with other Greek people from the same region helped them bond together to keep alive their culture, identity, customs and traditions.
A group of Voriodimotes decided to form an association so that citizens from the Northern Municipalities of Sparti living in Sydney and NSW could maintain their cultural connections.
A meeting of the Voriodimotes was held at the Riviera Lounge, at 283 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield on the 25th of April, 1972, where the decision to form an association was undertaken and the first Committee was elected. The Association was named Association of Vorion Dimon Spartis « Orea Eleni ».
Since then, the Association has continued to grow, with many successful social events. The Association has also raised funds to help individuals in need and has donated regularly to many charities in NSW and overseas.
With the support of its members and the efforts of the Boards of Directors, our Association began to plan for the future with the aim of gaining financial independence and ownership. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Annual Balls were organised, with the crowning of Miss Orea Eleni, to raise money for the Association. Over the years, many events such as dances, picnics, and afternoon teas helped the Association’s financial position and in June 1993 the Association was able to purchase an apartment in Dulwich Hill.
The Association of Vorion Dimon Spartis « Orea Eleni » chaired by Mr. George Dimos on 15th March, 1998, pioneered the establishment of the Pan-Laconian Association of NSW the <Spartans>.
The Association’s members together with the Board of Directors, continue the vision of the founding members with the goal to keep the dream alive.
Our Region
The Vorion Dimon Spartis (Northern Municipalities of Sparta) extend along the northern part of Taygetos. It was formerly known as the Municipality of Pellana, originating from the ancient city of Lacedaemon, Pellana. Due to local government reform, the Municipality of Pellana merged, and is now part of the Municipality of Sparta.
The Municipality consists of the villages – Agios Konstantinos, Agoriani, Alevrou, Bordonia, Georgitsi, Kastoreio, Kastri, Kyparissi, Loganikos, Pellana, Pardali, and Perivolia.
Our History
According to mythology, the persecuted King of Sparta, Tyndareus, took refuge in Ancient Pellana,
where he remained for many years. He was the husband of Leda, with whom he had a number of children, including his sons Castor and Polydeuces, also known as the Dioscuri, and daughters Clytemnestra and Helen. Helen was the daughter of Zeus and Leda in Greek mythology, although her putative father was Tyndareus. She was considered to be the most beautiful woman in the known world.
In the small municipality of Pellana, the archaeological dig in 2007 brought to the surface the most important findings of the 21st century and the new millennium.
According to archaeologist Theodore Spyropoulos, the ancient city of Lacedaemon was the Mycenaean capital of Laconia.
Archaeologists have found that the palace of Menelaus and Helen, located in ancient Lacedaemon, was discovered.
There are ancient tombs approximately 400 meters from the main palace, believed to have housed King Menelaus and his wife Helen (of Troy).
Of particular significance was the discovery of ancient Greek writing dating back to an era in which it was not thought that ancient Greek writing existed. The implication of these findings is that the Greek language could not have originated from the Phoenician language, as currently believed, but that the reverse would have to be true.
Such a discovery has the potential to completely change the history books and perhaps this is why, shortly after the discovery, the government authorities covered the tomb under layers of soil, effectively burying all evidence of this ancient place.