The Hellenic Women’s Network Victoria (HELIADES Inc) marked the beginning of 2026 with its traditional Vasilopita cutting on Sunday, February 1, celebrating the occasion in an atmosphere of warmth, joy and community spirit at the Greek Centre of the Greek Community of Melbourne.
The event brought together members, friends and invited guests, filling the hall with conversation, music and shared food. Among those in attendance were Dr Nick Dallas, representing the Greek Community of Melbourne; President of the Federation of Greek Women’s Associations, Mary Lalios; and President of the Northern Suburbs Women’s Dance Group, Nola Radiotis, accompanied by members of the association.
Guests enjoyed an abundant spread of homemade dishes prepared by members and friends of the Network, while the traditional Vasilopita was lovingly made by Network member Vicki Xipolitos. The lucky coin was found by member Olga Psillos, drawing applause from the packed room.
Music curated by Christina Sahhar kept spirits high and the dance floor full throughout the afternoon, while long-time supporter and amateur photographer Peter Sahhar captured the celebration through his lens.
Addressing those present, President of the Hellenic Women’s Network Victoria, Niki Matziaris-Garay, welcomed members and guests to the new year.
Reflecting on the past year, Ms Matziaris-Garay described 2025 as highly productive and thanked all those who contributed to the Network’s activities and initiatives. She highlighted the Network’s early efforts in 2026 to support a Greek visitor who suffered a serious accident shortly after arriving in Perth.
“Within a single weekend, we raised and sent to the appeal the amount of $4,250. This was the second-highest contribution made to that fundraiser,” she said, noting that the contribution was made through a GoFundMe campaign initiated by the Greek Community of Western Australia.
She praised the generosity of members and friends, adding: “Your willingness to give was deeply moving. You demonstrated once again that we are a group with a strong sense of empathy – not only able to step into the shoes of someone who is suffering, but also to walk alongside them.”
Looking ahead, Ms Matziaris-Garay expressed her hope for a year marked by health, love and creativity, both within families and across the Network, which she described as a large extended family.
She also extended heartfelt thanks to the Board of Directors for their ongoing dedication, to Sylvia Kourkouvelis and Loukia Alexandropoulou for their significant role in organising the event, to Christina Sahhar for curating the music, and to Peter Sahhar for documenting the Network’s activities.
Special acknowledgement was given to the Greek Community of Melbourne for providing the venue and ongoing support, as well as to Greek-language media outlets for their continued coverage of community life.
Concluding her address, Ms Matziaris-Garay thanked members and friends for their continued support, saying: “The biggest THANK YOU, however, belongs to you, our dear members and friends, who through your presence make every event a success.”
The formal proceedings concluded with the cutting of the Vasilopita, shared among all present, marking a hopeful and united beginning to the year ahead for the Hellenic Women’s Network Victoria.
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