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The Armenian-Speaking Community in Australia The Armenian language is a separate branch of the complex family of Indo-European languages but it has two forms. Eastern Armenian is spoken in Armenia, Iran and the former Soviet Republics. In the Middle East, Western Europe and in expatriate communities in the USA and Australia most people speak Western Armenian. Both forms of the modern language have their origin in classical Armenian or krapar, which is still used in Armenian liturgy. Arrival and Settlement The first Armenians migrated to Australia in the 1850s, during the gold rush. In his book, The Wandering Armenians (Sydney 1980), Fr. Aramais Mirzaian writes that at that time there was a migration debate between two newspaper editors, one in the Indian city of Calcutta and the other in Singapore. The editor of Calcutta's Azgazer Araratian newspaper, discouraged mass exodus to Australia of Armenians living in Asia because he feared they would lose their "hard-won positions in the Far East to pursue a highly risky future in unknown Australia." On the other hand the Editor of Ousoumnaper, in Singapore, embraced the idea "in order that Armenians can share in the country's vast economic potential and development". However, the Calcutta editor won the debate and, for the time being, Armenians stayed away from Australia. But gradually, the situation changed. Armenians began to migrate to Australia from their homeland due to political upheaval and other tragic events such as the 1896 massacres, the 1915 Armenian Genocide and the Second World War. However, the majority came to Australia in the 1960s, starting with the Armenians of Egypt after Nasser came to power then, in the early 1970s, from Cyprus after the Turkish occupation of the island and from 1975 until 1992, a period of civil unrest in Lebanon. In the early 1990s, a small number migrated to Australia to escape the hardships caused by the combination of the collapse of Soviet Union, the devastating 1988 earthquake and the conflict with neighbouring Azerbaijan. The Armenian community in Australia is estimated to be 30,000 people who've come from 43 countries around the world. The majority have settled in Sydney where they have three daily schools, a weekly newspaper and churches. In both Sydney and Melbourne, communities have established a number of other organisations that cater for specific needs, particularly services for the elderly. Community Contacts There are many organisations representing the Armenian-speaking community. Here is a list of some of them. Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia PO Box 344 Curtin, ACT 2605 Phone:02 6282 5755 Fax: 02 6282 5734 e-mail fecca@coombs.anu.edu.au Victoria Armenian National Committee of Australia Armenian Relief Society of Australia Hamazkaine Armenian Cultural Society Homenetmen "Arax" Branch 8-14 Police Road Nth. Springvale, 3171 Phone 03 9547 6837 The Armenian Church Council of Australia in Victoria Armenian Church Ladies Guild PO Box 61 Surrey Hills, 3127 Phone 03 9836 1194 Armenian Catholic Church and Centre 41-43 Station Street, Ferntree Gully, 3156 Phone 03 9752 3228 Aginian Sunday School PO Box 283 Glen Waverley, 3150 Phone 03 9836 8702 Armenian General Benevolent Union PO Box 775 Glen Waverley, 3150 Phone 03 9562 5677 Fax 03 9543 5082 New South Wales Armenian Apostolic Church Armenian Church Council 'Looyce' Monthly Bulletin of the Church 10 Macquarie St. Chatswood, NSW 2064 Phone 02 9419 8056 Armenian Catholic Church 5 John St. Lidcombe NSW 2141 Phone 02 9629 2153 Armenian Evangelical Church 32 Frenchs Rd. Willoughby NSW 2068 Phone 02 9958 2989 Armenian Cultural Centre Armenian National Committee of Australia 'Armenian' Armenian Weekly Armenian Relief Society 'Hamazkaine' Armenian Education & Cultural Society 'Nomenetmen' Armenian Sporting & Scouting Association 259 Penshurst St. Willoughby NSW 2068 Phone 9411 7694 Armenian General Benevolent Union 'Miotune' Armenian Monthly Vahan tekeyan Cultural Association 2 Yeo St. Neutral Bay NSW 2089 Phone 02 99083911 Armenian Community Welfare Centre 10 Macquarie St. Chatswood NSW 2067 Phone 02 9419 6394 Armenian Resource Centre Unit 2B 5-9 Pope St. Top Ryde NSW 2112 02 9809 0081 Hamazkaine A & S Gaultaun School 5 Chiltern Rd. ingleside, 2101 Phone 02 9970 6984 St Gregory's Armenian School 1 Mugerie Rd. Rouse Hill, 2153 Phone 02 9629 3133 South Australia Armenian Cultural Association Of South Australia Inc P.O.Box 163 Prospect SA 5082 Telephone 08- 83591886 Special Events Calendar SBS Radio's Armenian Language Program presents special coverage of these and other community events throughout the year. January 6 Armenian Christmas (Armenian Catholics celebrate Christmas on December 25) Mid February St Vartanant's Day April 24 National Remembrance Day for the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 May 28 The first Armenian Republic of 1918 September 21 Armenian Independence Day, 1991 October Holy Translators, to mark the work of 5th Century monks who created the Armenian alphabet and translated the Bible. December 8 1988 Earthquake Recommended Websites www.asbarez.com This site provides news and current affairs updated daily mainly in English, but with some Armenian wwww.abone.superonline.com This is an Armenian language newspaper www.noyan-tapan.am This is the site of an English and Armenian language news service www.rferl.org/BD/AR/index.html This is the Armenian page of Radio Free Europe www.armenian-genocide.or/ This is a site providing Armenian based current affairs in English |
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