By Christina Savopoulos
Settled among the packed December calendar of work Christmas parties, friend Kris Kringle’s, and festive family dinners, was the National Union of Greek Australian Students’ (NUGAS) Christmas Cocktail Night.
On Sunday, December 8, NUGAS gathered their club members for a casual event to celebrate the end of the year at the Greek Centre in Melbourne, Victoria.
The evening’s entertainment was the talented Dio Patrides band, and the space was beautifully decorated with lights and a Christmas tree. With an intimate turnout of members, those in attendance took the chance to dance, meet new people and catch up with old friends.
Co-Presidents Chris Giannaros and Angelica Spiliopoulos-Angsiting were excited to celebrate the end of the year with this event.
Mr Giannaros said the event is ultimately “an opportunity to give back to our members for a year of their loyalty and dedication to our organisation.”
“The Christmas Cocktails Night represents the unity of all our members and their love for our beautiful culture. NUGAS will be hosting many smaller events such as the Christmas Cocktail Night as a gesture of thanks to all our supportive members,” he added.
NUGAS’ Christmas Cocktail Night is not the only way the organisation is getting into the Christmas spirit. Co-President Ms Spiliopoulos-Angsiting said Christmas is “the perfect time for doing social events for our members, and we’re also giving back to the community.”
NUGAS has been working hard on a charity collection with the National Hellenic Society of America (NHSA) and supporting the Five Loaves Annual Christmas Food Drive.
Following a successful year of events such as their annual NUGAS Ball, dance workshops, VCE Greek workshops, and cultural lectures, the 2025 NUGAS calendar looks even busier.
Ms Spiliopoulos-Angsiting spoke about the effort made to “mix up the events between social and cultural, to get the university student demographic and also teach people about where we’re from and our history and heritage.”
The committee already has a line-up of events for their members next year including a club night, boat cruise in March, a new NUGAS Kafeneio catch up, drinks nights, and more region-specific dance workshops.
With hopes to collaborate with other Greek cultural youth groups in Melbourne, NUGAS can expand and connect with more passionate young Greek Australians.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Christina Savopoulos.
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