The spirit of community, culture and service took centre stage on Friday, 31 October, as the 15th Annual St George Community Awards celebrated the outstanding achievements of local volunteers, organisations and businesses at Mortdale RSL.
Hosted by Member for Oatley, the Hon. Mark Coure MP, the event brought together more than 300 guests from across Sydney’s St George district – one of Australia’s most vibrant multicultural communities – to recognise those who make a difference.
“When I launched the St George Community Awards 15 years ago, I wanted to create a platform to recognise our unsung heroes, the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes for the benefit of others,” Mr Coure said.
“Fifteen years on, these awards have grown into one of the proudest traditions in our community. Each year, we see an incredible number of nominations, reflecting the strong spirit of service and compassion that defines the St George area.”
Among this year’s recipients was a strong contingent from Sydney’s Greek Australian community, whose long-standing contributions to education, culture and community life were proudly recognised.
Greek Australians recognised for outstanding service
The Individual Volunteer Achievement Award went to Dr Vasilis Adrahtas, an academic, author and community leader known for his lifelong dedication to cultural exchange. A regular speaker at public events and coordinator of the Hellenic Open University, Dr Adrahtas co-founded Unity In Philia, a global not-for-profit promoting mutual understanding between cultures.
Meanwhile, Alexandra Dellis of the Pontian Association of NSW “Pontoxeniteas” also received recognition for her decades-long dedication to teaching traditional Pontian dance to younger generations. Dellis, the longest-serving instructor at the Earlwood-based cultural group, has spent years volunteering her time to preserve Pontian Greek heritage through dance, costume curation and cultural education.
The Community Group Achievement Award was presented to the AHEPA NSW Seniors Group (Kafeneion), who are celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2025. Meeting weekly at the AHEPA NSW Hall in Rockdale, the group offers friendship, support and social activities that promote mental wellbeing and community connection among local seniors. The award was accepted by Kostas Kapodistrias, Jenny Kaporis and Nick Grigorakis.
In the same category, the Autism Community Network, led by Sophie Halias, was also recognised for its vital work supporting families and individuals in the region.
The Multicultural Communities Achievement Award was presented to the Chalkidiki Brotherhood of NSW “O Aristotelis”, honouring their commitment to promoting Hellenic culture and community unity in the St George region.
A celebration of service and multicultural pride
Other award categories included Youth Achievement, Senior Volunteer Achievement, Business Achievement, Environmental Achievement, and Sporting Achievement, with nominees drawn from across the region’s diverse community.
“It’s always inspiring to hear the stories of our award recipients,” Mr Coure said. “Their dedication, generosity, and passion are what make St George such a special place.”
He thanked the St George Brass Band, keynote speakers from Little Wings, and MC Vanessa Gauci, CEO of the Autism Community Network, for their contributions to a night that celebrated compassion, connection and community spirit.
“The St George Community Awards continue to highlight the very best of who we are – a caring, vibrant, and united community,” Mr Coure said. “I want to congratulate all of our nominees and winners and thank everyone who continues to support this wonderful event year after year.”
