Sydney’s Greek community celebrated a stellar presence at the 14th annual St George Community Awards held on Friday, November 29 at the Mortdale RSL & Community Club.
The awards recognise the dedication of local individuals, groups, and businesses contributing to the area’s vibrant cultural and community life. They are an initiative of the Liberal Member for Oatley and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure MP.
Over 90 individuals and groups received an award, which spanned across eight separate categories. Among the honourees were several distinguished Greek Australians, each making a significant impact in their respective fields.
Entertainment on the night was provided by the outstanding St George Brass Band and SING Australia St George who, alongside MC Paul McGrath from local radio station 2NBC, helped to make the night a roaring success.
In a statement to The Greek Herald, Minister Coure expressed his admiration for the Greek Australian winners.
“The Greek community in the St George area work incredibly hard and it was fantastic to recognise their efforts this year at the Community Awards. We had a number of fantastic individuals and community groups receive awards for the work that they do in our community,” Mr Coure said.
“I would like to specifically thank and mention AHEPA, the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, the Pontian Association of New South Wales and the Australian Hellenic Choir, who all received awards on the night. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed.”
Business Achievement Award: Rio Consulting Group
Rio Consulting Group, founded by Maria Dalamaras, received recognition for its excellence in business innovation and leadership. Rio Consulting Group specialises in all things Digital Marketing. Their most commonly sought services are: social media management, content creation, copy writing, LinkedIn profile management, graphic design and website consulting.
Community Group Achievement Award: Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney
The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney was honoured for its steadfast commitment to preserving and promoting Greek heritage through cultural programs and community events. The Lyceum has long been a pillar of Greek culture in Sydney.
Individual Volunteer Achievement Award:
- Charoulla Themistocleous: Charoulla is a dedicated educator of Modern Greek, a founding member of the Australian Hellenic Educators’ Association, and a passionate advocate for Hellenic heritage. She has played a pivotal role in organising educational programs, cultural activities, and events that celebrate and preserve Greek history and traditions.
- Vasilios Aligiannis: Vasilios has dedicated years to preserving and teaching Greek cultural heritage. As an instructor for the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, he has mentored countless students in the intricate art of traditional Greek dance. His personal collection of authentic Greek costumes and jewelry has been featured in numerous exhibitions and cultural events.
Multicultural Communities Award: Australian Hellenic Choir
The Australian Hellenic Choir, comprising more than 50 talented singers, received its first major accolade for promoting Hellenic culture through music. Choir President James Tsolakis expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasising the role of its members and leadership in achieving excellence.
“The Choir has cemented itself into the Greek diaspora history books as a leading organisation that promotes Hellenic culture and language through songs and music,” Mr Tsolakis added.
Youth Achievement Award:
- Michaela Loukas: Michaela was recognised for her remarkable efforts in promoting STEM education for young women, particularly through her advocacy and achievements in robotics and engineering competitions. She has become a role model by breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields and inspiring others to pursue careers in STEM.
- Kosta Papoulidis: Kosta was awarded for his groundbreaking contribution to music as the first Australian-born artist to release a Pontian Greek album. His dedication to preserving and modernising traditional Pontian music highlights his role as a cultural ambassador, inspiring younger generations to connect with their heritage.
*NOTE: If you have Greek heritage and believe you should be on this list, please email us at editor@foreignlanguage.com.au.
