The winners of ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ and ‘Woman to Watch’ awards were announced in a moment of celebration at the sold-out ‘Hellenic Horizons’ International Women’s Day (IWD) event on Sunday, 16 March 2025.
Hosted by the Greek Festival of Sydney and proudly supported by The Greek Herald, the event was a powerful tribute to Hellenic women in Australia leading change, breaking barriers, and inspiring future generations.
The awards, now in their second year, were introduced to recognise the achievements of Greek and Cypriot Australian women.
This year, an independent judging panel – consisting of Maria Vamvakinou MP, Federal Member for Calwell, Andrea Michaels MP, SA Minister for Small and Family Business, Consumer and Business Affairs, and the Arts, and Violet Roumeliotis AM, CEO of Settlement Services International – carefully selected the finalists and winners, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
Honouring a champion for women: Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM
The prestigious ‘Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Award was presented to Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM, a passionate advocate for gender equality and the founder of the Food for Thought Network. With a career dedicated to mentoring and empowering women, Varvara has been a driving force for progress within the Greek Australian community.
Taking to the stage, she delivered a heartfelt speech, reflecting on the importance of lifting others up.
“This award is not just mine. It belongs to every woman who was told she couldn’t—but did. To every man who champions equality. To every person who dares to challenge the status quo,” Ms Athanasiou-Ioannou said.
Varvara spoke of the legacy of women’s rights activists and the work that still lies ahead.
“It’s going to take five generations for us to reach true equality. But we stand on the shoulders of giants—women like Emmeline Pankhurst, who led the British suffragette movement, and Vida Goldstein, one of the first women to stand for federal election in Australia. Their determination and fight have stayed with me, and I hope we continue to push forward.”
She closed her speech with an uplifting message to young girls and boys, urging them to embrace courage, inclusion, and leadership.
“To young girls watching—your voice matters, and your future is limitless. To young boys—stand beside, not above, others. Let us continue breaking barriers, amplifying voices, and shaping a future where everyone thrives,” Ms Athanasiou-Ioannou said.
A new generation of leaders: ‘Woman to Watch’ Award
The inaugural ‘Woman to Watch’ Award, celebrating young Greek and Cypriot Australian women under 25 who are emerging as leaders, was awarded to sisters and scientists Melina and Zoe Haritopoulou-Sinanidou.
The announcement was particularly emotional as it was revealed that Melina and Zoe are the daughters of The Greek Herald journalist Mary Sinanidis, reinforcing the intergenerational strength of Greek women in leadership and knowledge.
Visibly moved, the sisters took the stage and expressed their gratitude for the recognition.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this award. It is a recognition not just of our work but of every young Greek Australian woman who is pushing boundaries and making a difference,” Melina said.
Zoe reflected on the barriers that women in science continue to face and the legacy of those who came before them.
“I feel incredibly lucky to live in a time when I can follow my dreams. My grandmother wanted to pursue a career in science, but she was from Imvros and in her era, it wasn’t common for women to be scientists. Instead, she became a teacher because that was more reasonable during her time. Knowing her story has always made me work twice as hard to achieve…” Zoe said.
She also acknowledged the support of her mentors and colleagues, sharing her hope for a more inclusive STEM industry.
Melina, who identified as an ‘introvert,’ admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the recognition but took the opportunity to acknowledge the women who have inspired her.
“There are so many remarkable women who have shaped my journey. Our grandmother… and also our mum who is someone that always takes risks and always puts us first. Because of her we have been able to have every opportunity possible. I would also like to thank Professor Vaso Apostolopoulos, who has really inspired me,” Melina said.
The sisters closed their speech with a powerful call to action, urging young women to pursue their passions fearlessly.
Celebrating the finalists
The finalists for both award categories represented an extraordinary range of talent across multiple industries—law, science, media, community leadership, and the arts—demonstrating the remarkable diversity of Greek and Cypriot Australian women’s contributions.
Finalists for ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Award 2025:
- Christina Iskandar – Founder of Diva Charity Incorporated, NSW
- Fay Savvides Calderone – Employment Law Partner at Hall & Wilcox and Author, NSW
- Dr Elena Limnios – Engineer, Business Owner & Board Director, WA
- Kristina Liotis – Content Creator and Founder of ‘Are You Even Greek,’ VIC
- Helen Emmanuel Pras JP – Community Leader & Founder of the Greek Women’s Group, VIC
- Sophia Siachos – Lawyer, Restauranteur & Chair of Victoria’s Greek National Day Council, VIC
- Michaela Kaoullas – Scientist & Researcher in Pharmacology, VIC
- Eleni Paneras – Head of National Vision at News Corp, NSW
- Chloe Katopodis – Designer & Business Owner, SA
Finalists for ‘Woman to Watch’ Award 2025:
- Lavinia Mangos – Teacher & Cultural Advocate, NSW
- Michaela Loukas – Year 12 Student & STEM Innovator, NSW
- Daphne Gerolymou-Papadopoulou – Actor & Theatre Maker, VIC
- Melina and Zoe Haritopoulou-Sinanidou – Students & Scientists, QLD/VIC
- Angelique Aifantis – Student & President of Sydney University Greek Society, NSW
A celebration of legacy and progress
The awards were presented by Anais Menounos, the inaugural winner of ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Award in 2024, alongside Dimitra Skalkos, Publisher & Managing Director of The Greek Herald.
As the night came to a close, the winners and finalists stood together, a powerful symbol of progress, resilience, and community.
With the overwhelming success of this year’s event, ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Awards will continue as an annual tradition, ensuring that Greek and Cypriot Australian women’s achievements are celebrated and their legacies preserved for years to come.
*All photos copyright Effy Alexakis
