History of the Order of AHEPA Australia

The Beginning - August 15, 1934

The creation of the Hellenic ideal in Australia is born …

In the north-west country towns of New South Wales and southern Queensland, the Greek migrants had a need to maintain and perpetuate the Hellenic ideal.

Fortunately, in the country town of Scone, lived a family by the name of Andronicus, whose son Nicholas had travelled to North America and had spent a considerable time in Atlanta Georgia, where he became involved with an organisation called “AHEPA”, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, whose ideals and principles impressed him so much that he felt it would fulfill the needs of all and any migrant in integrating into their new country and yet maintain that love of their Hellenic motherland.

He returned home to Australia full of enthusiasm and began to praise with words of wisdom of the organisation.

As a result of numerous advertisements in the Greek newspapers (the Hellenic Herald) the first meeting was called on the 15th August 1934 and held in the NSW country town of Werris Creek.

At this meeting, the aims, principles and ideals of the Order of Ahepa were conveyed to the 320 Hellenes who had gathered there for this inaugural meeting. They came from towns near and far.

Why was a country town selected as the venue for this meeting, one might ask?

It was common in Australia at the time that most country towns had at least one Greek family that operated the local café.

The answer is that the needs of these people in the country areas was common, their vocations were similar their needs the same.

With this, their unity was obvious and AHEPA was the vehicle which filled that requirement.

As a result of this meeting, AHEPA was born in Australia on the 15th August 1934 and has been operating successfully since then.

The Order of AHEPA was first established in Australia in Werris Creek, a country town of New South Wales, on Wednesday 15th August, 1934. A 15-member committee was elected with Nick Andronicos as its President.

After four General Meetings, held in Armidale, Gunnedah and on Wednesday the 22nd May 1935 in Scone, the Bylaws and Ritual of the American AHEPA, with the necessary alterations to comply with the laws of this land, were adopted.

On the 25th August, 1936, a Foundation Meeting was called by Brother Nick Andronicos, President of the Mother Lodge, at Scone, NSW. On the 26th August, 1936 a banquet was held to celebrate the foundation of AHEPA in Queensland. The name of the first Chapter was Hellas. The Order of AHEPA was established in Victoria in 1942. The first meeting was on the 1st September 1942 and this was held at the Freemason Hall in Flinders Street Melbourne. Chapter Prometheus was founded, followed by a second Chapter, Athenian in 1944.

In 1945, Chapters Prometheus and Athenian amalgamated under the name of Athenian. The Supreme Lodge of Queensland was formed in 1948 and Brother P. Aroney was its first Supreme President. The Order expanded in QLD with the formation of five Chapters in Kingaroy, Rockhampton, Townsville, Innisfail and Brisbane.

AHEPA was resurrected in NSW in 1953, with the establishment of Chapter Prometheus.

This Chapter grew in numbers rapidly, initiating a further two chapters to be formed, Anatole in 1956, and Diogenes in 1957, both in Sydney.

The unification of the Order was achieved throughout Australasia in 1954.

The formation of Chapter Archimedes in Perth W.A. in 1957 and the Grand Lodge of WA in 1965. Chapter Aristotellis was formed in Melbourne, in 1958. Chapter Phoenix was inaugurated in Canberra in 1972 and Chapter Heracles in Belmore, NSW, in 1972. Chapter Anaxagoras then followed in Adelaide, SA in 1973 with the Grand Lodge of SA in 1977. Chapter Solon was formed in Melbourne, in 1976, and Chapter Apollon in Paramatta, NSW, in 1977 followed by Chapter Atlas 1978 (Hobart, Tasmania). Chapter Omiros in Athens 1990 and Chapter Phidias in NZ 1992 and Chapter Poseidon in Melbourne 1994 and followed by Ippokratis 2006, Chiron 2011, Alexandros and Odysseas Elytis 2013, Antigone 27 2021 in Sydney.

Daughters of Penelope -Australia

The introduction of the Daughters of Penelope (Daughters of Penelope) took place in Brisbane in 1953, with Chapter Themis being the first Chapter of the Senior Ladies Auxiliary, followed by Chapters Athena, Melbourne and Arete, Sydney both in 1954. Chapter Aphrodite, Perth, W.A. in 1959. Chapter Persephone, Adelaide, S.A. and Chapter Elya, Canberra, ACT, both in 1974. Chapter Antigone, Belmore, NSW in 1975, Chapter Ismene, Athens in 1990. Chapter Olympia, NZ in 1993, Chapter Nafsika, Melbourne in 1995 and Chapter Daphne, Gold Coast, QLD in 1996.

The District Lodge of the Daughters of Penelope, NSW was formed in Sydney in June, 1978 and the District Lodge of the Daughters of Penelope, Victoria was formed in Melbourne in March, 2006.

Junior Chapters -Australia

Junior Chapters were started in Victoria. The Maids of Athena in 1975 and The Sons of Pericles in 1976. Other Junior Chapters were then formed throughout Australia.

In total, 46 Chapters and 8 Lodges were formed with 22 Chapters and 5 Lodges still active.

There is still no other Greek organisation in Australia to match our AHEPA.

AHEPA International was formed in 1998 to strengthen the ties of AHEPA Australasia (incorporating New Zealand and Greece) with AHEPA USA (incorporating Canada, Greece and Cyprus) with elected representatives from USA and Australia, with headquarters in AHEPA USA.

AHEPA Expands in Australia

The Order of AHEPA in Australia expanded in Queensland with the formation of several Chapters:

The Order of AHEPA was established in Victoria in 1942. Chapter Prometheus was founded, followed by a second Chapter, Athenian in 1944, Solon 1976, Atlas 1978 (Hobart, Tasmania).

In 1945, Chapters Prometheus and Athenian amalgamated under the name of Athenian and Chapter Aristotellis was formed in 1958.

AHEPA was resurrected in NSW in 1953, with the establishment of Chapter Prometheus in Sydney. This Chapter grew in numbers rapidly, initiating a further two chapters to be formed - Anatole in 1956 and Diogenes in 1957, both located in Sydney.

Unification of the Order was achieved throughout Australasia in 1954.

In 1954, the three States where AHEPA was established came together to form the Supreme Lodge of Australia and conducted the first National Convention in Sydney.

The three States were formed into Grand Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Lodge of Australia, being the Grand Lodge of Queensland, NSW and Victoria. From here, the Order grew on a National basis with the National Convention being held annually and the States convening State Conventions.

The expansion of the Order continued with the formation of Chapter Archimedes in Perth W.A. in 1957. Chapter Aristotellis was formed in Melbourne, in 1958

The Grand Lodge of Western Australia was inaugurated in 1965.

Chapter Heracles in the Sydney suburb of Belmore, NSW, was inaugurated in 1972 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of NSW.

Chapter Phoenix was inaugurated in the Australia’s National Capital, Canberra in 1972 under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of NSW.

The Canberra Chapters, which included the Daughters of Penelope Chapter Elya gained their independence when the Grand Lodge of the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) was formed in 1987

Chapter Anaxagoras then followed in Adelaide, SA in 1973 with the formation of the Grand Lodge of South Australia in 1977.

Chapter Solon was formed in Melbourne, in 1976 and Chapter Apollon in Paramatta, NSW, in 1977 followed by Chapter Atlas 1978 (Hobart, Tasmania). Chapter Omiros in Athens 1990 and Chapter Phidias in NZ 1992 and Chapter Poseidon in Melbourne 1994.

More Sydney Chapters followed with Ippokratis in 2007, Chiron 2011, Alexandros and Odysseas Elytis 2013.

The introduction of the Daughters of Penelope (Daughters of Penelope) took place in Brisbane during 1953, with Chapter Themis being the first Chapter of the Senior Ladies Auxiliary.

With the unification of the Order the Daughters of Penelope became units under the jurisdiction of the Order of AHEPA (Australia).

More chapters followed by the addition of Athena Melbourne and Arete Sydney, both inaugurated in 1954. Followed by Chapter Aphrodite, Perth W.A. 1959, Chapter Artemis, Sydney 1971,Chapter Persephone, Adelaide S.A. and Chapter Elya, Canberra, ACT, both in 1974. Chapter Antigone, Belmore, NSW in 1975, Chapter Demetra, Parramatta 1977, Chapter Ismene, Athens in 1990. Chapter Olympia, NZ in 1993, Chapter Nafsika, Melbourne in 1995 and Chapter Daphne, Gold Coast, QLD in 1996.

The District Lodge of the Daughters of Penelope, NSW was formed in Sydney in June, 1978 and all the Daughters of Penelope Chapters in NSW came under its jurisdiction.

The District Lodge of the Daughters of Penelope, Victoria was formed in Melbourne in March, 2006 and similarly the Victorian Daughters of Penelope Chapters came under its jurisdiction.

The Maids of Athena (M.O.A.) the Junior Ladies Auxiliary was introduced in Victoria in 1975, with the formation of Chapter Sophia.

The Sons of Pericles (S.O.P.) was introduced in Victoria in 1976, with the formation of Chapter Achilles.

Other Junior Chapters were then formed throughout Australia.

The Sons of Pericles

Maids of Athena

In total, 44 Chapters and 8 Lodges were formed under AHEPA Australasia within Australia, New Zealand and Greece. There are still 22 Chapters and 7 Lodges active.

It’s worthy to note that the Daughters of Penelope in Australia ceased to be the Senior Ladies Auxiliary and achieved equal status in the 1998 AHEPA Australasia Constitution. Accordingly, 3 Daughters of Penelope members have attained the position of Supreme President.

There is still no other Greek organisation in Australia that matches our AHEPA.  

Units of The Order of AHEPA Australia

(in chronological order)

MOTHER LODGE - August 15, 1934

1. SUPREME LODGE (Australia) - 1954

2. GRAND LODGES

Queensland - 1954

New South Wales - 1954

Victoria - 1954

Western Australia - 1965

South Australia - 1977

Australian Capital Territory - 1987

3. DISTRICT LODGES of the Daughters of Penelope

Sydney - 1978

Melbourne - 2006

4. CHAPTERS : ORDER OF AHEPA AUSTRALIA

(Numbered as directed by the National Convention 1960)

5. CHAPTERS : DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE

6. SONS OF PERICLES

7. MAIDS OF ATHENA

AHEPA International

AHEPA International was formed to strengthen the ties of AHEPA Australasia with AHEPA USA (incorporating Canada, Greece and Cyprus) and thus become more influential in National and International issues AHEPA International was formed in 1998 with elected representatives from each of these countries with headquarters in AHEPA USA.

The following was written into the AHEPA Australasia By-laws:

AHEPA INTERNATIONAL

a) Committee: The AHEPA International Committee shall consist of nine (9) members and nine (9) alternates, and the Supreme /National President of both AHEPA and Australasia AHEPA, for a total of eleven (11) members and nine alternates. AHEPA shall select six (6) members and six (6) alternates, and three (3)members and three (3) alternates shall be selected by Australasia AHEPA. The Committee members shall be appointed by the Supreme / National President pursuant to his appointive powers in article 16, section A paragraph 1 of the AHEPA Constitution.(USA)

The first year terms shall be staggered so that the AHEPA group of six (6) members and six (6) alternates will have two (2)members with three (3) year terms, two (2) members with two (2) year terms, and two (2) members with one (1) year terms .beginning the following year, two (2) members will be appointed for three (3) year terms. The members and alternates shall be appointed by the Supreme/National Presidents except that one (1) of AHEPA’s members and one (1) of AHEPA’s alternates shall be appointed every three years for a three (3) year term from among the Canadian AHEPA, after consultation with the Canadian President, beginning with the AHEPA International Committee inception.

The Australasian group of three (3) members and three (3) alternates will have one (1) member with a three (3) year term, one (1) member with a two (2) year term, one (1)member will be appointed for three (3) years. The members and alternates of Australasia AHEPA shall be appointed by the National President of Australasia.

b) OFFICERS: The AHEPA International Chairman shall be selected by AHEPA’S U.S. President

c) Policies and RULES:

The AHEPA international Committee shall formulate and implement common policies and objectives of both Orders; including but not limited to; International Affairs, Education, Hellenes Abroad, Modern and Ancient Hellenic Ideals, and Objectives, and the restitution of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece. The Orders will make an effort to have joint Supreme/ National Conventions and Pilgrimages to Greece, whenever feasible.

Headquarters of AHEPA International Committee will be at the AHEPA headquarters. The AHEPA International Committee shall meet at least once annually, which maybe via Telephone and/ teleconference. Each Order shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses. These bylaws shall be effective on the day that they are approved by both Supreme Conventions. All AHEPA International Committee Decision making shall be by action taken at a regular meeting of AHEPA International Committee. The Chairman of the AHEPA International Committee shall submit a report for the year ending June 30th to each Supreme/ National Convention.

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