Despo Efstathis did not expect to meet her future husband when she flew to Sydney (from Perth) for a wedding in 1967.
When an aunt coordinated a lift from the airport due to bad weather, Despo was introduced to Stathis, whose mother was a family friend. In what most could only describe as a classic Greek set up attempt by the family friends, it was love at first sight. Both from tightknit families, the Greek Community has always played a large role in Despo and Stathis’ lives. After having known each other for a few months, the couple discovered their grandparents had been neighbours back in Kastellorizo in Greece – a stronger connection to their heritage than the pair had originally expected.
Wedding at the Greek Orthodox Church of St George in Brisbane, the event set the stage for incredible life events for the Efstathis family. Despo and Stathis have now seen their three children and four of their seven grandchildren baptized at the Church, as well as attending countless weddings, celebrations and Stathis’ 60th birthday party at the neighbouring Greek Club.
Stathis’ involvement in the church and community has been paramount in maintaining Brisbane’s Greek Community, seeing through the construction of The Greek Club as it stands today when he was Secretary of the Greek Community Council in 1972. Stathis was the Foundation Secretary of The Greek Club Management Committee and the co-author of its constitution. Receiving the medal of the Order of Australia in 2016 for over fifty years of community initiatives and work, it’s safe to say that Brisbane’s Greek offering wouldn’t look the same without his involvement in the Goya Youth Club and the Senior Greek Community Council.
As life members of the Greek Community and Club, the couple refer to themselves as part of a very small group they call the ‘long distance runners’, who are invested for life. A regular meeting spot for friends and family, Despo and Stathis will easily dine at Nostimo Restaurant Bar, housed at The Greek Club, on a monthly basis – it’s where the heart of their community is.
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