#mungazino MARCH 2015
A YEAR IN REFLECTION
MUnGA COMMITTEE SHARES HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST YEAR
+ UPCOMING
NUGAS & MUnGA EVENTS
out & about
eventful reflections of 2014 by the MUnGA committee FROM THE PRESIDENT If the sound of a bouzouki makes your feet tap, the smell of souvlaki makes your mouth water and the sight of the Acropolis makes your heart swell with pride, then Munga is the club to join. Being more than just a university club, Munga welcomes all Hellenes and philhellenes who are passionate about Hellenic culture and traditions, and are eager to meet, network and build friendships with other like-minded individuals. In addition to hosting a variety of events and celebrations such as the Hellenic Independence Day Souvla, Tavern Nights, End of Exams parties and public lectures, Munga also has a strong presence at all University of Melbourne events, such as O-Week festivities and Open Day. With affiliations across Melbourne’s Greek community, Munga is more than just a university club. We regularly give back to the community with philanthropic donations and charitable events, and actively participate in all NUGAS events such as NUGAS Ball, NUGAS Cup and NUGASvision. Together with our ever-expanding networks and affiliations, Munga has put tremendous effort in campaigning to bring Modern Greek back to Universities across Australia. If you’re looking to join a club that’s more than just a parea, be a Mungaki and join the Munga family. See you at the next glendi! Find us on Facebook at Munga Webopoulos, to stay up to date with all our events. // CHRISTIAN RASPA, PRESIDENT
TAVERN NIGHT MUnGA’s annual Tavern Night 2014 was the place to be for those forced back into the mundane routine of uni life after returning from a summer in Europe... A place to dance their post-euro blues away. It was the place for those not lucky enough to go to Europe but made extremely envious of those who were (thanks to excessive posting on social media) to warm up from cold Melbourne with endless kalamatiana. Held again at Melbourne’s premier Greek club Kinisi Live on 21st August, Tavern Night though held later in the year than in past years did not disappoint. Attendance was record breaking at 230 people! Dancing was taken to table tops as live music from Rythmos Band had the dance floor full and the ‘kefi’ flowing at ALL times. Georgie T then continued the party with all the latest euro tracks. The support from our sponsors, Delphi Bank, Kalamaki and Juku Tutoring was greatly appreciated and made for a very successful event. Well done to fellow committee members for a sell out and thank you to all those who came along! See you next year! #opaandout // KRISTINA TACHTSIS, VICE PRESIDENT
DANCE LESSONS Dance has a very special place in Hellenic culture combining history, music and theatrics in a way that lets people express themselves. For the first time 2014 saw MUnGA offer dance classes to all University of Melbourne students.
NUGAS CUP October 4th, a week removed from the AFL grand final, but the competition had only but begun. The Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre played host to the Inaugural Nugas Cup as proud members of Nugas and friends put it all on the line to prove which University had what it took to be crowned champions.
The program ran over four weeks with the assistance of external Dance teachers from a number of Community Dance Groups. MUnGA took students on a journey from Crete to Cyprus and from Kalamata to Sparta teaching regional Dances and their unique stories. Over 50 students were expertly guided through basic steps and neat tricks sure to impress at the next Tavern Night. // EMMANUEL HERETAKIS, CULTURAL AFFILIATIONS OFFICER
What a great way to unite all Nugas affiliated university clubs! Teams consisted of eager first year students ready to prove themselves, alongside existing members not ready to be knocked off by the new kids. Across four courts, teams of both men and women saw some new faces on the Nugas scene rise with impressive skills in high scoring games making the talent inseparable. As the day went on, the stakes got higher, as the competition got smaller, until there were two teams left. Pitted against each other in the final, One of University of Melbourne’s teams faced Deakin University to battle it out for the Nugas Cup. A goalless game sent it into extra time where the boys of Melbourne University netted a late winner. A successful end to a successful day for the Mungakia! A great installment into a growing competition only to get bigger in the coming years. // NICK TZOUTZIDIS
SOUVLA DAY
Despite Souvla day being a bit of a wash out, the Munga Committee was able to brighten the day with vibes, tunes and eventually succulent-juicy meat. Rain, hail or sunshine, Munga always manages to produce the goods. The highlight was without a doubt the jubilant expressions of the masses, eagerly awaiting their carefully prepared souvlaki. We look forward to furthering the Philhellenic sentiment across campus and promise to deliver a souvla day even more epic that the last. Party on Mungakia! // ELLEN KAFKAS & KATIANNA VELOS
AFTER EXAMS PARTY
MUnGA collaborated with LaTrobe University Greek Society (LUGS) to deliver what was widely regarded as the most successful After Exams Party (AXP) function the club has held. For the first time, the event was held at a renown South Melbourne hip-hop venue Fabrique. The night was such a success that Fabrique’s management offered MUnGA the opportunity to hold other functions in the lead up to Christmas. Whilst on this occasion the committee could not commit to such functions, future MUnGA committees will hopefully have the opportunity to make use of the relationship cemented with Fabrique after this year’s AXP. Approximately 200 people flooded through Fabrique eager to throw down some bevs and celebrate the end of the year to some great tunes. MUnGA and LUGS were delighted that DJs Georgie T and George Vog were kind enough to perform on the night. Similarly, MUnGA’s very own DJ Nikki “Porter Robinson Lefkada” Katiforis took the AXP to new heights pushing the boundaries of DJing and going from “pressing play” to live performances on a launchpad, as well as playing several of his original songs. By any measure, the night was a great success.
// JOHN LIACOPOULOS, TREASURER
FIRST YEAR The first year at University will be an unforgettable one. I had high hopes for 2014 as I was coming to Melbourne Uni fresh out of high school and excited to begin a new chapter. With Uni came my study timetable, downloading the Lost On Campus app and figuring out how to use the LMS. Referencing took a while to grasp, especially since there was no one specific style used across the subjects. However, eventually the obstacles were overcome and I no longer was that first year staring at the maps around campus. O-Week showcased all of the amazing clubs and societies the University had to offer. On that first day I joined MUnGA, the Big Fat Greek Family filled with students who were passionate about being Greek and who made all of us first years feel right at home. Becoming a member of the MUnGA committee and being a part of the team who organised such wonderful events, was a massive highlight of my first year. // PAMELA PAPADOPOULOS
NUGAS BALL The most anticipated social event of the year, the NUGAS Ball 2014 was yet again an incredible night, full of fun, kefi, and unforgettable memories. Traditionally held on the last Sunday of September, the NUGAS Ball is an extraordinary experience, with buzzing atmosphere, great music, fantastic company, packed dance floor and of course, exceptional fashion! Etihad Stadium’s entrance overlooking Victoria Harbour was the prime spot to capture the early moments of the NUGAS ball, (selfie?). Crowds had their tickets, tables and ID checks, before doors were opened to enter the magnificent Victory Room, and to let the party begin. It’s fair to say dancing is a key part of the NUGAS Ball, and it was really good to see the dance floor full of new and familiar faces, even if we didn’t all get the steps! And you’ll be pleased to know dancing continues well into the early hours of the next morning, at the arrival of party buses to transport attendees to the afterparty located nearby. Dancing shoes on and dressed to the nines, the NUGAS Ball is definitely one to put in the planner months in advance, and not to be missed! // ANNA VASS, SECRETARY