Our History

OUR HISTORY

The story of this home began some years ago when the old Castellorizian Club in 66 Oxford St had to close. The long and the short of that colourful history is that a new company was formed, with Angelo Hatsatouris as its secretary. They found and purchased new club premises, opened up membership to women and established an active Women’s Auxiliary.
The Auxiliary was a very active fundraiser for organisations like the Sydney’s Children’s Hospital and other charities that worked on the island of Castellorizia, as well as organising activities to keep the cultural links with Castellorizia strong.
In 1981 the Castellorizian Benevolent Fund was established with the encouragement and support of the Castellorizian Club Ladies Auxiliary.
When the Trustees acquired an existing 24 bed Nursing Home in February 1985 the vision of the Ladies Committee and their supporters became a reality. Within six years, the Trustees acquired two adjoining premises and completed a new wing with an additional 19 beds at a cost of over $1.6million.
As running a nursing home became more complex new IT systems were installed to make the task of meeting new compliance requirements from the Federal Government easier and faster. Care had to be evidence based to meet the strict new standards demanded by the Commonwealth.
The Castellorizian Nursing Home endeavours to provide care of the highest quality for the benefit of the frail aged within the Greek and wider community residing in its facility.    It has been a long standing tradition particularly of the Castellorizian Community to ensure that the last days of a person’s life be painless and dignified, and that the aged not be forsaken at the time his or her strength and health fails.
Admission into the Home is governed by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) that are attached to local area health services.    These disciplinary teams are responsible for assessment and under the control of the Federal Government, issue the required approval to enter residential care.   Such an assessment can be readily arranged through your local doctors or social workers.
Every frail member of our aged community is able to enter and enjoy long term accommodation as and when the need arises, and beds become available.

When you set foot on this amazing island something inside you changes. From hearing about this distant and dream-like magical island to physically venturing there is an amazing experience. You feel instantly connected.  Kastellorizo transfixes you with its breathtaking beauty. The atmosphere of this little island in the Aegean is something words can’t quite describe. On Kastellorizo you feel happy and free to do whatever you may, whether that’s climbing mountains, shopping, eating, exploring or swimming.

Kastellorizo is an island with colourful houses standing side by side, with its sparkling, iridescent harbour, shore-line cafes, its mountains and its smiling, friendly people. Climbing the mountain, overlooking the entire island and witnessing the breathtaking scenery from the highest point of Kastellorizo is something I will never forget.

The locals in Kastellorizo define what it means to be a Kastellorizian. They are friendly, laid-back, relaxed, hospitable and kind, each with a different history and story to share.

Kastellorizo is a culturally rich island filled with history. It has been occupied by many foreign entities- the Ottomans, the Italians, the French, the English. It has been bombed, burnt and abandoned. It has endured wars and natural disasters, but despite all it has endured, Kastellorizo and its inhabitants remain strong and wise.

Once you’ve been to Kastellorizo, it’s hard to say good-bye, so whether you’re a Kastellorizian living on the island or half-way across the world like me in Australia, you are forever connected and anchored to this place.

Demi Sipsas is a resident of Australia with strong family links to the island.