Words: Matt Dorman, Olympic FC
Image: Michael Flynn, Football Queensland

Olympic FC will again draw on its selfless supporters this weekend to operate the club’s stall at the annual Paniyiri Greek Festival - the longest running cultural festival in Queensland.

Volunteers range from committee members to friends, family and even Olympic’s champion NPL Queensland senior men’s team, free of competition this weekend.

They will assist across two days at Musgrave Park in South Brisbane where the festival is now in its 38th year.

President Peter Ioannidis paid tribute to the generous assistance of those who help make Olympic's involvement a success.

“Paniyiri has become our biggest fundraising event and that’s because of the 50 to 60 people who volunteer their time to assist the Club,” Ioannidis said.

“For senior players, we write it into their club agreements to help out at community events like this."

“They have fun doing it, it gives them a chance to mingle with supporters and we supply good food and drink so they enjoy the experience.”

The weekend is typically months in the making as the committee’s preparation of food and organisation of facilities and helpers builds a sense of community within the Club.

“Planning starts at the end of January. Financially the rewards are great and this sort of financial gain keeps the bills paid,” he said.

“Paniyiri began in 1976 and we have been involved from the beginning. We have the largest stall."

“Our club logo will be easily spotted on our stall, where we will sell a variety of Greek food from sweets to lamb gyros.”

The festival will feature plenty of entertainment including live music, dancing and competitions presented by special guests, while food is of course a focus in celebration of the Greek culture with which Olympic FC shares a proud heritage.

Olympic was founded in 1967 by members of Brisbane's Greek community as Pan Rhodian FC and now prides itself as a multicultural club representing Brisbane's broader inner south in the National Premier Leagues.

Ioannidis offered a couple of suggestions to those who stop by Olympic's stall.

“I like octopus and calamari but there is a variety of foods available to suit everyone’s desires,” he spruiked.