A powerful and deeply personal panel discussion became one of the standout moments of ‘Restoring Balance: Hellenic Women Leading Change‘, the International Women’s Day event presented by The Greek Herald in collaboration with the Greek Festival of Sydney, held at The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands.
Moderated by Andriana Simos, Digital Editor of The Greek Herald, the discussion brought together three accomplished women from different fields whose experiences offered a compelling reflection on identity, leadership and the ongoing pursuit of equality.
Joining the panel were Melina Haritopoulou-Sinanidou, a biomedical researcher undertaking a PhD in neuroimmunology and neurotrauma, Margaret Skagias, founder and CEO of the national charity CaringKids, and The Honourable Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson, former Resident Justice of the Supreme Court of the ACT.
The discussion drew on both the personal journeys and professional experiences of the panellists, offering insight into the challenges they have faced and the motivations that continue to shape their work. Their reflections resonated strongly with the audience, with moments of laughter, emotion and sustained applause throughout the conversation.
Through candid reflections and storytelling, the panellists explored how their Hellenic heritage, personal experiences and professional journeys shaped their work and leadership.
A journey from Greece to scientific research
Dr Haritopoulou-Sinanidou spoke about growing up in Greece during a period of economic instability and how that experience shaped her determination to pursue a career in science.
“We still really worked hard, even when it didn’t seem like there was much of a future,” she said, reflecting on the resilience instilled in many young people during that period.
She also described the adjustment of moving to Australia to continue her studies, noting that differences in communication styles sometimes created unexpected challenges.
“In Greece people are very direct and honest. When I came to Australia, people were much more polite and indirect, which could be confusing,” she said.
Dr Haritopoulou-Sinanidou is currently researching neuroimmunology and spinal cord injury, examining how immune responses following trauma can lead to scarring and long-term disability.
Her passion for the field is deeply personal. She recalled how her grandfather suffered a spinal injury while working in Australia as a migrant, an experience that helped shape her research interests.
“That really affected him for the rest of his life, and it made me realise how important this research is,” she explained.
She also emphasised the importance of mentorship and community in scientific careers, encouraging young Hellenic women interested in science to remain confident and authentic.
“You need to be confident and true to yourself. There are incredible mentors out there, and our community is very supportive,” she said.
She also noted the strong sense of connection among Greek scientists internationally, recalling how a leading researcher recognised her Greek surname at a conference and approached her to offer encouragement and guidance.
“There is a real sense of camaraderie,” she said. “Greek scientists around the world are very supportive of each other.”
Giving visibility to young carers
Margaret Skagias shared the story behind CaringKids, a national charity supporting children who care for family members living with illness or disability.
In Australia, she explained, there are an estimated 300,000 young carers, many of whom remain largely invisible.
“These children often feel completely forgotten,” Skagias said.
“They are caring for parents or siblings, helping manage the household, and at the same time trying to go to school and grow up.”
Her organisation’s Joy Box program provides carefully curated packages filled with books, sports equipment and creative materials to give young carers the opportunity to enjoy moments of childhood.
“When the box arrives addressed to them, it’s often the first time they’ve received something that is just for them,” she said.
Ms Skagias explained that many young carers describe themselves as “glass children” – present within the family but often unseen, as attention understandably focuses on the family member who is unwell.
Her remarks struck a chord with the audience, highlighting a form of care that often goes unnoticed within families and communities.
Ms Skagias also spoke about the challenges of building a charity from the ground up and the persistence required to grow the initiative into a national program supporting thousands of children.
“It takes courage to start something from nothing, but the stories of the children kept me going,” she said.
Lessons from the law and life
Justice Loukas-Karlsson offered a powerful perspective shaped by her decades-long legal career and her upbringing as the daughter of Greek migrant parents who ran a café in regional Queensland.
At one point during the discussion she acknowledged that her mother, Aphrodite, was present in the audience, drawing warm applause from the room. As she reflected on her upbringing and the sacrifices of migrant parents, the moment became particularly emotional for many in attendance.
Recalling a childhood memory that influenced her understanding of justice, she described walking home from school and seeing a sign outside another café encouraging customers not to support her parents’ business.
“At the age of six I thought that seemed rather unfair and somewhat unjust,” she said.
“I suppose it was inevitable that I would become a judge.”
The anecdote resonated strongly with many in the audience, reflecting a shared history familiar to Greek Australian families whose parents and grandparents built their livelihoods through cafés and small businesses across the country.
She also reflected on the barriers she encountered when entering the legal profession in the late 1980s, sharing an experience at a professional dinner where a judge dismissed her Greek name with the comment, “You’re one of those.”
Reflecting on that moment years later, she said it strengthened her determination to succeed in the profession and to ensure future generations would face fewer barriers. The reflection drew laughter and applause from the audience.
Justice Loukas-Karlsson said the experience reinforced her determination to ensure the profession became more inclusive.
“I never wanted someone else entering the legal profession to encounter that sort of behaviour,” she said.
She also spoke about her role as Patron of Kindness in Law, an initiative encouraging greater empathy and respect within the legal profession.
“The chief virtue among human beings is kindness,” she told the audience.
A message of balance and hope
In one of the most emotional moments of the afternoon, Justice Loukas-Karlsson spoke about how a recent cancer diagnosis had prompted her to reconsider the pace and priorities of professional life.
“We are not robots,” she said.
“We need balance in our lives. The hardest thing in life to achieve is balance.”
Drawing on the philosophy of Aristotle, she reflected that achieving balance remains one of the greatest challenges individuals face in modern professional life.
As the discussion concluded, she also addressed the wider global context and the challenges currently facing international institutions and the rule of law.
“And it is, as has been said, and what happened post the Second World War, with the establishment of these very important institutions, the United Nations and the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, yes, currently we are going through a phase that, frankly, is contrary to basic aims of international law,” she said.
“But please do not give up hope.”
Her words drew sustained applause from the audience, closing the panel on a message that resonated strongly with the afternoon’s theme of leadership, resilience and the continuing pursuit of justice and equality.
The panel concluded with warm applause from the audience, as guests reflected on the powerful stories shared throughout the discussion. Through their experiences in science, community leadership and the law, the speakers highlighted the resilience, compassion and determination that continue to shape the contributions of Hellenic women in Australia and beyond.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Eirini Alligiannis
