SYDNEY, July 22 — The estate of the late Helen Tuckerman has completed a major Cyprus Community archival donation of books and artefacts. The gift reinforces a long tradition of contribution to communal institutions in New South Wales.
Collection forms Kleanthous Tuckerman Collection
The material now forms part of the Kleanthous Tuckerman Collection. One unique item stands out. It is a metal coffee serving tray produced by Coffee Grinders Georgios Charalambous Ltd. Helen Tuckerman kept the tray lovingly since the 1960s.
A well-read lady, Tuckerman (née Kleanthous) assembled English-Hellenic dictionaries, literature and history books. These include the Kyriakides Hellenic-English Dictionary published in Leukosia. They also include the Collected Works of Manolis Triantaphyllides published in Thessalonike. Poems (1916-1918) by K.P. Cavafy and Tales of Our People by Georgios Ioannou complete the list.
Consequently, this part of Australian Cypriot heritage remains in the Community’s hands. Moreover, the donation ensures scholars can access the items for research.
Helen Tuckerman’s life and migration path
Born in Lemesos (Limassol) Cyprus, Eleni Kleanthous migrated to Melbourne in 1951. She traveled alongside her parents and brother, and later married Peter Tuckerman. She enjoyed a full life and retired to Dorrigo on the NSW North Coast. There she spent most of her remaining years.
A friend of the late Eleni assembled the collection in the Tuckerman home in Dorrigo. The home sits 550 kilometres north of Sydney. The friend then transported the material to a point closer to Sydney. Finally, the friend handed it over to the Cyprus Community of NSW.
Additionally, the Community already runs a Family Heritage Register. That register invites oral histories, photographs and heirlooms. Therefore, the new gift fits neatly into existing preservation work.
Honorary President Michael Kyriacou-Peters welcomed the gift. He stated:
“This significant donation demonstrates what may be achieved by individuals in rescuing our heritage in Australia. What Cypriots brought with them from their island home forms a special part of this heritage, a part which deserves our attention.”
Dr Panayiotis Diamadis serves as the Community’s Director of Archives and Heritage. He added:
“Newsletters, notices, fliers, posters, anything published in relation to Cyprus holds value to scholars of Cypriot heritage.” He continued: “Every piece of paper, every artefact, tells a story. Every item donated to our Archive adds a page to the broader Australian Cypriot story. Every donation matters.”
Furthermore, the Community approaches its centenary in 2029. Recent exhibitions and registers show a clear focus on heritage. In addition, the group now operates from The Lakemba Club after the sale of its former Stanmore property.
Call for further contributions to the archive
As elderly members pass from this life, the Community asks families to consider donating books, periodicals and artefacts. Let their names live on through such gifts. Whether one item or 100, the Community welcomes all contributions.
Thus, individuals can help preserve Australian Cypriot heritage. To arrange donations of books and other artefacts to the Cyprus Community of NSW Limited, email [email protected] or call (02) 9557 1256.
