In early 2017, seven members of the then fledgling Rotary Satellite Club of Orewa-Millwater planned for what they could do to significantly support the community. Theo Simeonidis, former owner of the very successful Theo’s Greek Taverna of Wellington, suggested organising a total cultural experience involving Greek cuisine, beverages, live music and dancing: a Greek Extravaganza to raise funds for Harbour Hospice in Silverdale.
Theo secured sponsorship and organised the very first Greek Extravaganza, held at Rotary House, Silverdale, in September 2017. The hugely successful first event was a sell-out, necessitating a move to the larger Orewa Arts & Events Centre.
Successive Greek Extravaganzas have been based on changing Greek themes: 2019 was urban blues of the 1930s; 2020 was popular urban folk music of the 60s and 70s; 2021 was cancelled due to lockdown, but an online auction still raised $14,575; and 2022 featured the beautiful island of Crete, its cuisine and the special historical relationship between New Zealand and Crete, forged in WWII.
With incredible local sponsorship, the Greek Extravaganza has been a huge success, raising more than $110,000 for Harbour Hospice since 2017.
(Photos: Paul Conroy Photography)
This year’s Greek Extravaganza will be on Saturday, December 2 – and you are warmly invited to come along, eat, dance and celebrate as the Greeks do! Opaaa! For more information, visit www.facebook.com/greekextravaganza