Northern District Times (Australia)
August 25, 2004 Wednesday

Armenians seek home

A DEMAND for more facilities to cater for Ryde’s 10,000-strong
Armenian community has emerged as the council considers whether it
should demolish a derelict clubhouse at Burrow Park.

The Ryde-based Armenian Association of Australia’s 85 members are
lobbying Ryde Council to keep the unoccupied facility in Princes St,
Ryde, for their cultural activities.

The council has said they could carry out their traditions at nearby
Santa Rosa Park’s scout hall, which is used by another Armenian group
but an association spokesman said their cultures differed
significantly.

“Irrespective of them being another Armenian group, we’re like chalk
and cheese,” association vice president Toros Boyadjian said.

“There are big cultural and traditional differences. There’s a
different language and different dialect.”

Burrow Park members are predominantly Christian Orthodox while Santa
Rosa members are a mix of religions, some with Iranian heritage.

Mr Boyadjian dismissed the idea of cultural conflict dividing the
groups.

The association expressed interest in occupying the clubhouse when
the Italian group San Giorgio Martire Di Sydney left the premises in
2001, finding it inadequate on car parking and safety issues because
of its secluded site.

The council said the building was structurally unsound and
dilapidated and would cost $300,000 to restore.

Ryde councillor Sarkis Yedelian said Armenians still needed a
facility of their own.

He said Ryde Civic Centre was available only up to four times a year
while most locals had to travel to the Willoughby Armenian Cultural
Centre for traditional activities. The Armenian Youth Federation,
Armenian Cultural Association, Armenian Sports Association and
Armenian Relief Society use the Ryde Civic Centre.

The recommendation to demolish the clubhouse went before the council
again last night (Tuesday).