On Sunday, 13 April 2025, the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales (GOCNSW) convened an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), with the agenda focused on reviewing and voting on proposed amendments to the organisation’s Constitution.
A total of 177 registered members attended the meeting, actively engaging in the proceedings. Opening the session, President of the GOCNSW, Harry Danalis, emphasised the importance of the gathering, highlighting that each proposed amendment required the approval of no less than 75% of eligible voting members present and voting. In practice, four core proposals were presented, with three additional proposals depending on the passage of the first two.
An electoral committee was elected by the attending members. The committee comprised of Nikolaos Thliveris, Maria Chrysanthou, Aikaterini Vetsikas, Stavros Tsilimos, and Kathy Stojanovic.
Voting was conducted by secret ballot. The outcomes of the proposed amendments were as follows:
- Proposal 1: Reduction in the number of Board Members from twenty (20) to fifteen (15), with each term set at three (3) years.
Votes in favour: 101 (57%) | Against: 75 (42%) | Invalid: 1
- Proposal 2: Provision to replenish Board membership should the number of serving members fall below thirteen (13).
Votes in favour: 101 (57%) | Against: 74 (42%) | Invalid: 2
- Proposal 6: Introduction of a limit of four (4) consecutive terms for key office bearers – President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Votes in favour: 44 (25%) | Against: 125 (70%) | Invalid: 8
- Proposal 7: Establishment of a maximum cumulative service limit of twenty (20) years for any individual Board Member.
Votes in favour: 28 (16%) | Against: 139 (79%) | Invalid: 10
None of the proposed amendments garnered the necessary three-quarters (75%) majority.
The Board of the GOCNSW extended its sincere gratitude to all members for their attendance and meaningful contribution to this important process.
