AGBU Sydney

The history of AGBU in Australia, and of Alex Manoogian Saturday School, trace their roots back to the historic day in 1906, when the visionary Boghos Nubar Pasha and others stablished what was to become a global Armenian philanthropic organisation.

The AGBU became a source of comfort and strength for the generation orphaned by the 1915 Genocide, equipping survivors with a sense of purpose and a motivation to rebuild their lives. Through its service to our nation, the AGBU bore witness to the old axion that ‘unity is strength’.

In over a century of fulfilling its mission, the AGBU has become the largest Armenian philanthropic organisation, supporting, serving standing with and dedicating itself to the needs of the Armenian nation through wide range of activities.

The AGBU has tried to keep in step with the needs of the times, and has been flexible in adjusting to changes in the political and economic landscape. And so, in 1924, the AGBU Headquarters moved from Cairo to Geneva and from there to Paris, eventually finding its resting place in New York City, USA.

Through its many chapters in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, the AGBU continues to fulfil its educational, cultural, scientific and sports mission.

Often, the decline of one diasporan community heralds the birth of a new one. Over the past 100 years, the fate of the Armenian people has (interruptions notwithstanding, especially in the Middle East) followed the same pattern of community-formation inherited from the Ottoman Empire in 1915. As Armenians started emigrating from the Middle Eastern to faraway Sydney, they brought with them the familiar trilogy of community structures: church, school and community centre.

Armenian migration to Australia began in the 1850s, in particular with the arrival of businessman from India and the Far East. The next phase of settlement came with the survivors and orphans of the Armenian Genocide in 1915, who gave birth to the Diaspora as we know it. Finally, following World War Two, and in particular beginning in the 1960s, large number of Armenians chose Australia as their new destination, forming the Australian-Armenian community as we know it.

In the midst of the struggles facing Armenians in different parts of the world, 1963 was a year of celebration for the AGBU family as its Sydney Chapter commenced its work. The Chapter had been inaugurated in 1962 under the auspices of His Eminence, Bishop Assoghig Ghazarian, and with the active support and efforts of Rev. Father Aramais Mirzaian.

The AGBU Sydney Chapter’s first committee was as follows:

Honorary President: His Eminence, Bishop Assoghig Ghazarian

Honorary Vice President: Rev. Father Aramais Mirzaian

Chairman: Mack Hagopian

Secretary : Vahan Hannesian

Treasurer: Armen Apcar

Advisor: Edgar A. Edgar and Nahabed M. Nahabed.

Vahan Hannesian [Secretary], Father Aramais Mirzayan, Mac Hagopian [Chairman]
Standing left to right – Nahapet M. Nahapet, E.A. Edgar, Armen Apkar [Treasurer]

1967 – Seated left to right – Minas Apkar, Noubar Soghomonian, Antranig Keshishian, John Batmanian, Toros Kasabian, Armen Apkar, Berj Sedefdjian
Standing left to right – John Nahabedian, Sarkis Boghossian, Hagop Khatchadourian, Hovaness Kouyoumdjian, Noubar Sissagian, Hagop Sebouhian, Varouj Tchetchenian, Zaven Tchetchenian, Neshan Arakelian, Ara Moushigian

1970 – Seated left to right – Haroutune Messerlian, Mihran Palandjian, Mac Hagopian [Chairman], Neshan Arakelian, Jirair Constantian
Standing left to right – Hratch Norigian, Simon Malcolm, Mihran Manaserian, Zaven Simonian, Hovaness Kouyoumdjian

1978 – Front row left to right – Zaven Simonian, Toros Boghossian, Guest ARCHBISHOP Karekin Kazandjian, Siran Chichmanian, Ara Moushigian [Chairman], Haroutune Meserlian
Back row left to right – Steve Ritlain, Hovaness Kouyoumdjian, George Dertadian, Vahe Karayan

1985 – Seated left to right – Sarkis Boghossian, George Izmiritlian, AGBU SYDNEY Benefactors Dr Alec Alexander & Mrs Isabelle Alexander, Zaven Tchetchenian [ Chairman]
Standing left to right – Vahe Artinian, Joseph Hajetian, Antranig Kapterian, Hovaness Kouyoumdjian, Arto Karagelinian, Aram Hagopian

1986- Left to right – Arto Karagelinian, Vahe Artinian, Vahe Boyadjian, Jirair Constantian, Aram Hagopian, PREMIER OF NSW Hon. Nick Greiner, Zaven Tchetchenian [Chairman], Hovaness Kouyoumdjian, George Izmiritlian, Antranig Kapterian

1995 – Seated left to right – Hovaness Kouyoumdjian, AGBU SYDNEY BENEFACTOR Dr Alec Alexander, AGBU – MIOUTUNE MONTHLY Editor Avedis Yapoudjian, Vahe Artinian [Chairman], Aram Hagopian
Stranding left to right – Noubar Pezikian, Norma Pezikian-Lauder, Hampar Cakmac, Lucy Aroyan, Dickran Dickranian

1996 – Seated left to right – Hovaness Kouyoumdjian, Nairi Derderian, Aram Hagopian
Standing left to right – Hampar Chakmak, Noubar Pezikian, Boghos Bakla, Arto Karagelinian, Guest Speaker Professor George Bournoutian, Dickran Dickranian, Vahe Artinian [ Chairman]

2004 – Seated left to right – Hovaness Kouyoumdjian, Aram Hagopian [ chairman], Taleen Tashdjian, Vahe Artinian
Standing left to right – Vrej Manoogian, Hagop Sebouhian, Arto Karagelinian , Raffi Hagopian, George Elmassian, Toros Boghossian

2015 – Seated left to right – Garo Setian, Toros Boghossian [Chairman], Guest ARCHBISHOP Haigazoun Nadjarian, Hovaness Kouyoumdjian, Arto Karagelinian
Standing left to right – Haig Garabedian, Vrej Manoogian, Sarkis Manoukian, Dickran Yeganian

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