Page 4 of 16 Heritage Hotel Dorrigo Greek Dowries The photo on the right shows, from the left, Elene, Michael and Elene’s second sister Penelope, at the back stairs of Hotel Dorrigo in 1936. The stairs led down to a sunken fernery garden. The veranda post behind Penelope is the post in the current Fernery Bistro near the cutlery bench. Elene arranged for her sister Penelope to come from Greece in 1936 and settle in Dorrigo. Elene was worried about where she would fine a suitable husband for Penelope in Dorrigo. But cupid solved the problem. Penelope met Jim Castrisos on the boat coming from Greece. They fell in love, married in August 1938 and settled in Nowra. Jim operated the Red Rose Cafe in Junction Street, Nowra.Without a dowry, the three sisters left in Athens, Irene, Elizabeth and Ann, never married. They lived well into their nineties. Community Involvement Michael took a very prominent part in the growth of the town, and numbered among his interests the following:- Chairman, honorary secretary and treasurer of the Hospital board Member of the Urban Committee for many years Treasurer and committee member of the Dorrigo Bowling club Chairman of the National Park Trust for 18 years. Chairman of the Recreation Ground Committee for 25 years Member of Parochial council of the Church of England Assisted in putting every church in Dorrigo on a sound financial footing. Was the first guarantor for Dorrigo Hydro-Electric Scheme stated in 1922. Chairman of Board of Directos of Dorrigo Motors Benefactor of the Dorrigo Football Club Life member of the Dorrigo Agricultural Association Benefactor to the Golf Club and Tennis Courts Was responsible for the transfer of 16 acres from the Lands Department to the Education Department through representations to the then minister for Education, Mr Dave Drummonds, who came to the Platuea to discuss the needs in Dorrigo. The above list is extracted from the Don Dorrigo Gazette, Wednesday, August 17, 1960.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1