The Australia–Cyprus Achievement Awards, presented at the Cyprus Community NSW Thanksgiving Gathering—a time to reflect and give thanks—honour Australians whose achievements and contributions have strengthened our nation and inspired generations.

February 26 marks the birth of modern Australia in 1788 and modern Cyprus in 1959, a shared day to celebrate new beginnings and give thanks for the opportunities, freedoms, and legacies we enjoy today.

The Spirit of the Awards

These remarkable individuals embody the enduring spirit of service, leadership, and excellence. Their achievements illuminate the path for future generations and stand as a testament to the difference one person—or three—can make. The Australia–Cyprus community proudly recognises their contributions and honours their lasting legacy.

Event Details

Venue: Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney
Date: Wednesday, 26 February 2026
Time: 6:30 pm for a 7:00 pm start

The Community’s Honorary President, Mr Michael Peters Kyriacou, said the Awards honour more than a century of Cypriot contribution to Australia.

“For over a hundred years, Australia has welcomed people from Cyprus who made this country their home and contributed significantly to the building of modern Australia,” Mr Kyriacou said.

“The sacrifices, efforts and achievements of those who helped build our Community, strengthen our links with Cyprus, and shape the Australia of today were driven by quiet, determined individuals and families.

“They represent values of civic duty, integrity and service that are too often overlooked.

“This Award is not only about Cypriots. It is our way of honouring all Australians who have enriched the life of this country – and whose impact extends well beyond Australia.”

Mr Neofitos Stavrou

Among the shortlisted finalists is Mr Neofitos Stavrou, a Cyprus-born Sydney resident recognised for his lifelong commitment to the Greek and Cypriot Australian communities through philanthropy, mentorship, civic engagement, and distinguished service to the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia as a senior cantor and teacher.

Formally trained as a cantor in Cyprus before migrating to Australia more than seven decades ago, Mr Stavrou carried with him Cyprus’s history, language, and traditions, including the rich heritage of Byzantine chant and sacred music. Throughout his life, he has preserved and transmitted these cultural foundations across generations and borders.

Neofitis and and his late wife Yiannoula Stavrou left Cyprus separately in the early 1950s. Neofitis arrived in Sydney in 1951 with few possessions after a 40 day journey by sea, during which he says that he slept in cramped bunk beds and ate spaghetti twice a day. At around the same time, Yiannoula – then 15 years of age – travelled to Australia with her parents. After meeting a wedding, they fell in love and began their future together.

Upon first arriving in Australia, Neofitis worked hard in local factories, but after a few months was able to find a job as ‘kitchen boy’. Very soon afterwards, he built his way up to cooking in Australian restaurants.

Mr Stavrou worked in some of Sydney’s best restaurants for a few years before opening his own coffee house in Darlinghurst. Nine years later, in 1961, he was able to get a liquor license, which allowed for further expansion of his business. He and Yiannoula established a family company importing wines from Europe, in particular Cyprus and Greece, and selling them wholesale to businesses. He represented major Cypriot companies such as Hatzipavlou and Etko Wines, one of the largest wineries on the island since 1844. He also sold wines from popular Greek winery Achaia Clauss, in Patras. He said: ‘I was the biggest importer from France one year and the biggest importer from Greece and Cyprus’. He supplied wines to not only business owners in New South Wales, but also many in Victoria.

Neofitos and Yiannoula Stavrou have also donated generously to not only charities, but also schools and churches, with whom Neofitos has had a very close involvement for decades. He has been honoured several times with awards for his philanthropic efforts over the years.

“He is a quiet achiever. Without fanfare or demands, he has earned the respect of his peers, community leaders, business, public and private institutions, and public representatives. He is admired for his integrity, generosity, and devotion.”

For decades, he has donated generously to charities, schools, and churches, supporting educational and community initiatives with discretion and humility. Despite more than 70 years in Australia, he continues to work, mentor and serve the community quietly and with dignity. His philanthropic efforts have been recognised through multiple honours.

Through steadfast advocacy, civic leadership and personal example, Mr Stavrou has strengthened the enduring bonds between Cyprus, Greece and Australia.

Professor Dick Green

Also shortlisted is Emeritus Professor Dick Green, the internationally renowned Australian archaeologist whose scholarship has built enduring bridges between Australia and Cyprus,
Mr Kyriacou said he first met Professor Green in the early 1990s through the late Professor Basil Hennessy, united by a passion for Cyprus and its contribution to European civilisation.

“Professor Green has told the story of Cyprus to the world – its history, culture, and archaeology – and in doing so has elevated global understanding of humanity’s shared heritage. We are indebted to him for a lifetime of scholarship and cultural diplomacy.”

Professor Green has rendered distinguished service to the Republic of Cyprus, and beyond, through outstanding scholarship in Cypriot archaeology and history, and through his significant contribution to strengthening relations between Cyprus and Australia.

His internationally acclaimed leadership of the excavations at the Theatre of Kato Paphos represents a landmark achievement in the study of the ancient world.

“Younger generations of the Cypriot community have benefited deeply from Professor Green’s work and will continue to do so for generations to come,” Mr Kyriacou said.

“Through his scholarship, our youth better understand their history, where their families come from, and the values they carry as descendants of Cyprus.”

Beyond academia, Professor Green has strengthened people-to-people links between Cyprus and Australia, exemplifying the highest ideals of public service, civic responsibility, and scholarship.

The Theocharides Family

Con Theocharides

The third shortlisted finalist is the Theocharides family, recognised for their extraordinary humanitarian work supporting people experiencing homelessness in Sydney.

Through quiet leadership and genuine commitment, Con Theocharides and his family established the charity A Touch of Kindness, without publicity or expectation of recognition.

Born in Sydney to parents who migrated from Limassol, Cyprus, Mr Theocharides grew up immersed in values of community service and cultural responsibility. His grandparents were dedicated to preserving traditions and passing on values of humility, generosity, and service.

As the founder of C&C Chicken, Con plays an active and involved role in the growth of the business he started in 2002.

Cons journey of the poultry industry began in a small shop in Eastlakes, Sydney where he would hand cut and crumb fresh chicken schnitzels daily. Word soon spread about the quality of his schnitzels. He then started to supply a local hotels and then became a wholesale business in 2003.

Things quickly grew and with the support of his sons Chris, Andrew and George C&C Chicken has become what it is today. The number one schnitzel and poultry specialist in NSW for pubs, clubs, restaurants, hotels and caterers.

Con is all heart, he takes great care in listening to his staff and customer’s needs.

Con and his wife Cathy started A Touch of Kindness charity in 2022 with aims to connect those who are empowered to give with those who are less fortunate and in need of receiving. As the Founder of A Touch of Kindness, Con is the idealistic giver and his sense of giving his deeply woven in his identity
With a formidable track-record in not only working with other charitable organisations – such as Oz Harvest, St Raphael’s Antiochian Orthodox Christian Mission, Saint Elesa Food Initiative, and the Parish of St. Catherine Mascot-but also running a successful commercial organisation as a Founder & Managing Director of a market-leading business in the Australian market, Con’s passion for life is contagious and deeply aligned with the roots of philanthropy and charity.

The charity now provides food, clothing and care to more than 500 people each week, operating from Martin Place as a trusted and enduring presence on Sydney’s streets.

Backed by a dedicated network of volunteers and supporters – many of Cypriot descent – A Touch of Kindness delivers assistance with compassion and dignity, grounded in the belief that homelessness does not discriminate and is never self-inflicted.

“Their charity is blind to religion, politics and background,” Mr Kyriacou said.

“It is humanity at its best – kindness delivered on an industrial scale, yet with a deeply personal touch.”

The Theocharides family exemplifies giving back to Australia through exemplary service while reflecting Cyprus’s enduring values of hospitality, solidarity, and care.

About the Awards

The Australia–Cyprus Achievement Awards celebrate quiet achievers—those whose integrity, dedication, and service enrich our communities, our State, and our nation.

These Awards recognise individuals whose unwavering dedication, integrity, and service have left an enduring mark on Australia and the wider community. They celebrate Australians whose exceptional achievements have strengthened our nation, enriched society, and inspired generations to come.

2026 Honourees: Lives of Distinction and Service

A Stalwart of Commerce, Culture, and Faith.
A distinguished Cypriot businessman and mentor from Sydney’s eastern suburbs. For over seven decades, he has served as senior a cantor and Byzantine music leader, mentor in the Greek Orthodox Church while shaping commerce and philanthropy with integrity. His life exemplifies professional excellence, cultural stewardship, and selfless service, leaving an enduring legacy that has inspired generations.

A Luminary in Classical and Cypriot Archaeology
A globally renowned scholar and Professor at Sydney University. Over sixty years, he has advanced knowledge, led landmark excavations, and mentored generations of students and researchers. His contributions illuminate the richness of Cypriot heritage and classical civilisation, earning him recognition as one of the foremost academic minds of our time.

A Humanitarian of Extraordinary Vision
Of Cypriot descent, this nominee has established one of Australia’s largest charitable support missions. Every week, over 2,000 individuals receive nourishment, care, and hope through this organisation, sustained entirely through voluntary generosity and community support. Their tireless dedication demonstrates the profound impact that compassion and action can have on countless lives.

Cyprus Commumity club, national Herald, neos kosmos and a touch of kindness