Peter Gonis, Vice President of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA), has released a heartfelt open letter ahead of the Community’s elections, scheduled for Saturday, January 11, at Olympic Hall, 288 Franklin Street, Adelaide.
In the letter, Gonis reflects on his time serving the community and outlines his vision as he prepares to run with a new team at the upcoming elections. Acknowledging the challenges faced by GOCSA, he called for unity and collaboration
“Our community is currently at a crossroads. Recent challenges have tested our unity, our trust, and our faith. I have always believed in the importance of coming together, engaging in respectful dialogue, and taking decisive action, particularly in times of need,” he wrote.
“I am committed to genuinely working together so we can move forward with renewed strength, trust and confidence.”
The open letter also pays tribute to outgoing President Peter Gardiakos and highlights the contributions of past leaders.
“Leadership demands courage and an ability to inspire and motivate. I pay tribute to all past presidents whose dedication and tireless efforts have helped shape this community into what it is today,” Gonis said.
He also unveiled his new election ticket, a team of 15 candidates that combines leadership, strategic expertise, and the energy of younger members. Gonis emphasised the importance of investing in the next generation while supporting seniors and ensuring the organisation’s financial stability.
“Our collective experience encompasses a wealth of knowledge and expertise across various domains. This includes current board members with proven leadership, professionals skilled in business development and strategic planning, long standing members and volunteers with connections to our heritage, and most importantly, our youth – a generation of qualified professionals with innovative ideas and a forward-thinking vision for GOCSA’s future,” he said.
“Together, we can continue to build a legacy of which we can all be proud—a legacy that honours our past while boldly embracing the future.”
The 15 members of Gonis’ team are:
- ANDREWS Andrew
- CHRISAKIS Helen
- GALANTOMOS Arthur
- GERMANOS KOURAKIS Chloe Roxanne
- GONIS Peter
- LUCAS Hellas
- MARINOS Michael
- MAVRIDES Anastasia
- MERMINGIS Eleni
- PANTELIS (Bill) Vasilios
- PSAROULIS Peter
- SIFIS (Scounos) Alexandra
- SKORDAS (TOPALSAVVAS) Smaro
- VLAHOS George
- ZENIOS (Economou) Alexandros
Elections for the new Administrative Council will take place on Saturday, January 11 from 9am to 6pm. Eligibility criteria require candidates to be financial members of the association for at least six months prior to the election call and to have their 2025 membership fees paid.
