“I will never forget you. Representing Greece here is an honour,” said an emotional Yannis Mallikourtis as he delivered his farewell speech on Monday evening at Business Sydney’s Event Centre. With those closing words – his voice faltering as gratitude caught in his throat – the Consul General of Greece in Sydney bid goodbye to a community he had come to call family.
Hosted by Business Sydney, the farewell reception honoured Consul General Mallikourtis and his wife Christiana Stavrou for their remarkable three-year service in Australia.
Held at Chifley Square on 7 July 2025, the event gathered diplomats, ministers, community leaders and countless friends for an evening of heartfelt tributes, laughter, and poignant reflection.
Executive Director of Business Sydney and Master of Ceremonies for the night, Paul Nicolaou, opened the proceedings by setting the tone of deep appreciation.
“From the moment Yannis and Christiana arrived in Sydney, they embraced our city and its people with warmth, integrity, and generosity of spirit,” he said.
“Their diplomatic service has gone far beyond the consular role. They have been great advocates, connectors, and above all, friends. They supported our businesses, deepened our cultural diplomacy, and ensured the voice of our vibrant Greek diaspora was always heard and respected.”
The Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP, representing the NSW Premier, praised the Consul’s ability to unify people across government, community and culture.
“You have touched each and every one of us,” she said. “But more importantly, we love the way you represented the Greek nation, the way you represented the Hellenes, and the way you saw us.”
President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW), Harry Danalis, spoke with passion, noting that in decades of service to Greek community affairs, he had “never seen the affection, love and respect that Consul General Mallikourtis has received.”
Mr Danalis highlighted the Consul General’s tireless presence at events across the state and his keen understanding of the challenges facing the Greek diaspora – especially in education and language retention.
Barbara Zantiotis, President of the Kytherian Association of Australia, recalled her first positive impression of the Consul and shared how that early instinct only deepened over time.
“You went everywhere,” she said, “I don’t think there was a week I didn’t see your ever-present smile on social media.” She also paid tribute to Christiana, who was honoured at community events for her kindness, grace and humility.
When the moment came for the Consul General himself to speak, he set aside his prepared five-page speech. Instead, he offered candid reflections and memorable anecdotes.
Reflecting on the evolution of the Greek Australian community, Mr Mallikourtis noted the shift toward an Australian-born generation.
“We’re shifting towards a model where most of us will be Australian-born… whose first language is not Greek – it’s English; whose mentality is mostly Australian rather than Greek,” he said.
While acknowledging bureaucratic frustrations, such as long wait times for appointments, the Consul was transparent and optimistic. He said the Consulate has “doubled the number of Greek citizenships granted since the beginning of this year,” and added that having a Greek passport comes with obligations to the language, the culture, and to representing Greece with dignity.
He also praised grassroots efforts like the Kytherian Association’s youth initiatives and encouraged creative, modern approaches to cultural preservation.
“If I were to think of a Greek Australian in 30, 40 years… I would like him to embrace both cultures. Be a proud Australian of Greek descent. Above all, he is an Australian citizen, and that is the huge success of the Greek story here: that we integrated without becoming a ghetto,” the Consul General said.
In a rousing vote of thanks, Nick Andriotakis, Secretary of the Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete, offered both humour and historical perspective. He described the Consul as “a breath of fresh air,” and commended him for embodying the modern face of Greece – engaged, honest, and globally minded.
“His family has served Greece with their lives, their spirit, their wisdom,” Mr Andriotakis said. “And we, over the last three years, have been the beneficiaries of that legacy.”
As formalities drew to a close, guests were treated to a surprise photo montage, lovingly compiled by Nicolaou from his personal phone archives – featuring candid snapshots of the Consul’s many engagements across Sydney. The montage brought laughter and nostalgia in equal measure.
In response, the Consul said, smiling: “I would like to thank you all for your support during these three years. Time has flown. I saw some of the photographs – I had more hair when I arrived – and some of you are to blame for that, not just my father’s genes… But I will never forget you…”
In a deeply symbolic gesture, Nicolaou later presented Mr Mallikourtis with a framed photo gift and plaque on behalf of Business Sydney and the Greek Australian community.
The night concluded with cheers, photos, and lingering embraces. Guests queued to take one last picture with the man who had become more than a diplomat – he was a friend, an advocate, and a bridge between two homelands.
As the wine flowed and stories were shared late into the evening, one thing was clear: Mr Mallikourtis did not just serve the Greek state – he served the Greek soul of Sydney. And in return, Sydney will never forget him.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
