SPEECH FOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRIME MINISTER AT THE
GALA CONCERT IN TRIBUTE TO MADAME NANCY CARUANA
OF THE GREEK FOLKLORE CENTRE
TEACHERS' FEDERATION THEATRE, SUSSEX STREET, SYDNEY
8.00 PM, 30 JUNE 1989
Madame Caruana, Members of the Greek Folklore Centre,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am delighted to have this opportunity to represent the
Prime Minister at this very happy occasion tonight.
Madame Caruana is well known to you all, not only for
her own notable performances, on stage and on screen,
but also for her enormous dedication over nearly a
quarter of a century to preserving ancient Greek
folkloric custom in a new land.
We are all aware of the deep affinity that all people of
Greek descent have for their heritage and their culture.
Even so, it still needs special people with the vision,
talent and energy of Madame Caruana to keep the
traditions alive and vibrant, and to highlight for the
younger members of the community the importance of
maintaining the music, the drama and the dances which
are their precious birthright.
Of course, it is not only the Greek Australians who have
benefited from Madame Caruana's work all Australians
are the richer for it.
The Australian Government not only welcomes but
encourages the preservation of time-honoured cultures
which have been brought to this nation from many non-
English speaking countries.
The Government sees it as basic to the foundation and
maintenance of a truly multicultural society that the
members of different ethnic communities in Australia are
able to celebrate their own cultures, and to share them
with all other Australians.
This sharing of lifestyles is fundamental to increasing
the mutual understanding between various groups which
forms the basis of a truly harmonious society.
I am reminded tonight that in earliest times, the ancient
Greeks paid homage to Terpsichore ( Terp-slk-or-ee) the
muse of Dance.
Your presence here this evening is proof of how
important these music and dance traditions still are in
your lives. With these roots so deep in Greek culture,
it is very notable how strongly the love of dance is
passed on through from parents to children, as a
manifestation of the unquenchable Greek spirit and love
of life. No significant occasion in Greek life is
complete without the music and dance.
Tonight is therefore not only a celebration of the lifework
of Madame Caruana but it is, in a very real sense,
a time for renewal, for handing on to the young people
whom she has trained to carry forward the torch, in the
best Greek tradition. The spirited and graceful
performances which we are enjoying this evening are a
tribute both to the young performers and to Madame
Caruana herself.
I am sure that all Greek Australians, in New South Wales
and beyond, feel a debt of gratitude to Madame Caruana
for her great contribution to maintaining your
traditions, educating your young people, and
enlightening the rest of Australia about your colourful
heritage. Madame Caruana has proved herself to be one of the great
Greek-Australian women of our time. I am proud to offer
her, on the Government's behalf, our heartiest
congratulations on her achievements.