Message from the Premier of Queensland:

October in Townsville turns into a feast of multiculturalism as everything great and Greek takes over as part of the Xstrata Greek Fest celebrations.

The festival will be filled with traditional and modern Greek food, music and dancing to be explored, tasted and tried as only one small part of the merriment.

It encourages an outing with the family with the rides, competitions, fireworks and free movies to keep everyone entertained.

My Government through our Toward Q2 initiative has the ambition to support safe and caring communities. That’s why we support events such as the Xstrata Greek Festival through the Queensland Events Regional Development Program.

This program has provided more than $12.5 million to 600 regional events since it started as a world-first initiative in 2001.

These events bring in business, create jobs, attract tourists, fuel growth and prosperity and give a tremendous sense of pride for the local host communities.

Across the State, thousands of individuals, community groups, local councils and in some cases entire towns, put countless hours into ensuring their events are a success.

Enjoy the food, dancing and good times, I hope you will have an opportunity to discover more of Queensland’s great events in the coming year.













Anna Bligh MP
Premier of Queensland

Message from the Townsville Mayor:

It is a privilege to welcome the Xstrata Greek Fest to Riverway again for 2009. We believe it is the ideal location for the festival, which provides an opportunity for locals and visitors to embrace both Greek and Australian cultures in a tropical location with great facilities. The Ross River is the perfect backdrop for a weekend of Greek cuisine, traditions and non-stop music and dance.

Riverway will come alive with the unique sounds of traditional and Modern Greek music. There will be plenty of competitions, children’s entertainment, rides and fireworks and photographic exhibition in the foyer of the Riverway Arts Centre. There is something for the whole family and we encourage the Townsville residents to head along!

As a major sponsor, Townsville City Council is proud to have the Xstrata Greek Fest as a significant event in our entertainment calendar. The festival has been running now for 10 years and we have formed a special relationship with the event organizers who contribute to the community throughout the year.

I’d like to congratulate the hard-working team from the Xstrata Greek Fest on the excellent program of entertainment, food and activities that they have planned for this year.

As event organizers ourselves, we are well aware of the amount of effort that goes in behind the scenes. It is exhausting, but exciting, seeing months of planning come to fruition.

I hope everyone enjoys the Greek hospitality at Riverway during Xstrata Greek Fest 2009.












Cr Les Tyrell
Mayor of Townsville City Council

Message from Festival Co-ordinator:

Riverway will turn a shade of Greek on 10-11 October 2009 when we will again bring to you the culture, music, dance and flavours of Greece at our annual Greek Fest. It will be our 10th festival and what a fantastic journey it has been to reach this important milestone.

It is our second year with partner Xstrata who have come on board as naming sponsor and with whom we share a commitment to stage a wonderful event. We would like to thank the Queensland Government through their Regional Events Programme, Festivals Australia, Townsville City Council for their ongoing support, our platinum sponsor Townsville Airport and all our other most valued sponsors.

On behalf of the festival committee, may I give special thanks to all the volunteers, the Hellenic Dancing School, our artists who came from all over Australia and all members of the Greek Community for their dedication and enthusiasm to make Greek Fest a vibrant celebration of Hellenic culture to share with you all.

I thank the Festival Committee who work tirelessly for many months to organise the festival and we have endeavoured to bring you a variety of acts and activities which should appeal to everyone young and old.

Join us at Riverway on 10 & 11 October to help celebrate Xstrata Greek Fest 2009.

Yiassas,












BILL MALANDRIS
President/Festival Co-ordinator

Message from the President of the Townsville Greek Orthodox Community of Saints Theodore:

Xstrata Greekfest 2009 is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Once again we are under the Raintrees at Riverway. This is a wonderful venue that Xstrata Greekfest now calls home.

The Members of the Townsville Greek Community look forward to this event every year. It is with great pride that we can show-case our Greek Culture for all to enjoy over the weekend.

Xstrata Greekfest is a platform for the younger Greek generations to experience the Greek Culture their Parents, Grandparents and Great Grandparents knew.

On behalf of the Townsville Greek Orthodox Community of Saints Theodore Inc, I would like to congratulate all of the volunteers. This includes the Hellenic Dancing School and Members of the Townsville Greek Community. In particular I would like to congratulate the Townsville Greek and Cultural Festivals Organising Committee for the hard work over the whole year in providing such a wonderful event for North Queensland.

Townsville and North Queensland are indeed very fortunate to have a Festival of this quality that really is great value for money. Over the past 10 years we are proud that we have maintained free admission for the general public.

I shall see you all at Riverway where we will enjoy the wonderful Greek music, food, dancing and more.

Yassou,












JIM BOURNAS
President- Townsville Greek Orthodox Community of Saints Theodore Inc .

Message from the Festival's Naming Sponsor:

The Xstrata Greek Fest, now in its tenth year, is well established in the community and cultural spirit of Townsville, and Xstrata is extremely pleased to be the major sponsor of the 2009 Xstrata Greek Fest – a showcase of Greek culture, music, dance and sumptuous cuisine.

Our congratulations to the hard working and dedicated committee who have put together a program covering a wide and varied range of activities – there is something for everyone. To the committee, our thanks. Your commitment to and enthusiasm for this festival is an excellent promotion of your culture and of tremendous value to the Townsville community.

Given such professionalism and enthusiasm, it is very easy for Xstrata to partner with The Greek Fest, continuing Xstrata's commitment to our vibrant community through its Corporate Social Involvement programs.

As a significant event in the Townsville entertainment calendar, Xstrata looks forward to a continued association with this event in the coming years.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, enjoy the Xstrata Greek Fest!












MARK ROBERTS
General Manager – Refinery, Port and Logistics
Xstrata Copper