Victoria’s Councilors of Greek heritage were honoured for their contribution to public life by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) in a special event organised at the Greek Centre.
The event, which had been originally arranged for August 2021, had to be postponed and rescheduled due to pandemic restrictions. It was held in March at the Greek Centre’s Delphi Bank Mezzanine.
Presiding over proceedings on the night, former Victorian Government Minister, John Pandazopoulos, welcomed the Councillors on behalf of the Greek community, praised their collective public service and gave context to the reason the GCM had staged the event.
“We are all proud of your efforts. It is very important that there are people of Greek heritage, with Greek names, in public life. This is multiculturalism in action,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.
Following Mr Pandazopoulos, GCM President, Bill Papastergiadis OAM, welcomed the Councillors to the Greek Centre echoing Pandazopoulos’ thoughts and going further by saying: “We are honoured to have with us today the Greek councillors and Mayors from throughout Victoria.”
“For our perspective we felt that it was important to bring together the strong elements we have within our community, so that we can share not only in our heritage, but also in terms of a network where
we can working cohesively and cooperatively across a range of matters,” Mr Papastergiadis continued.
“You all are incredibly important parts of our community. I don’t think we have done enough as a GCM to support you and also to reward and thank you for the hard work you are doing. You carry a lot of the aspirations of our community through the work do.”
The evening continued with all of the attending councillors being awarded a commemorative plaque struck specially for the occasion prior to remaining to enjoy supper and to network with other councillors and members of the GCM.
The 24 Councillors that were acknowledged by the GCM are:
- Cr Tony Athanasopoulos, City of Glen Eira.
- Cr Tasa Damante, Maroondah City Council.
- Cr Sam David, Brimbank City Council.
- Cr Peter Dimarelos, City of Banyule.
- Cr Emily Dimitriadis, City of Darebin.
- Cr Jim Doukas, Moyne Shire.
- Cr Joseph Haweil, City of Hume.
- Mayor Cr Jami Klisaris, City of Stonnington.
- Cr Paul Klisaris, City of Monash.
- Cr Peter Kostos, Baw Baw Shire.
- Cr Fiona Mitsinikos, City of Banyule.
- Cr Despi O’Connor, Mornington Peninsula.
- Cr Angelica Panopoulos, Moreland City Council.
- Cr Angie Paspaliaris, Warrnambool City Council.
- Cr Helen Pavlidis, Moreland City Council.
- Cr Sophie Ramsey, Melton City Council.
- Deputy Mayor Cr Melina Sehr, City of Stonnington.
- Mayor Cr Steve Staikos, City of Kingston.
- Cr Nick Stavrou, City of Booroondara.
- Cr Suzanne Stojanovic, Maroondah City Council.
- Cr Virginia Tachos, Brimbank City Council.
- Deputy Mayor Cr Lambros Tapinos, Moreland City Council.
- Administrator Lydia Wilson, City of Whittlesea.
- Cr Theo Zographos, City of Monash.
