Over 70 young professionals and students gathered on Thursday, June 5, for the HACCI x HAL Youth Networking Night at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers (HWLE) in the Adelaide CBD.
The event, co-hosted by the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SA) and Hellenic Australian Lawyers (SA), brought together aspiring leaders from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, united by a common goal: to connect, share, and grow within Adelaide’s vibrant Hellenic-Australian community.
Held in the elegant HWLE offices on Pirie Street, the evening provided the perfect setting for lively conversation and thoughtful reflection. Law students, early-career professionals, and mentors in fields including business, law, human resources, and public service exchanged ideas over drinks and mezethes.
Chaired by Alexandra Douvartzidis, Special Counsel at HWLE with assistance from the HACCI Events subcommittee and Ellie Vivlios on behalf of the SA Committee of Hellenic Australian Lawyers, the event reflected HACCI and HAL’s shared mission of creating space for the next generation to thrive, professionally and personally with a strong sense of cultural identity.
A standout moment of the night was the guest speaker segment, which offered attendees meaningful insights into personal growth, professional strategy, and the Greek values that continue to inspire success.
Vas Marinos, Principal at Norman Waterhouse and HACCI SA Board Member, spoke passionately about filotimo describing it not simply as a virtue, but as a deeply rooted way of life that reflects integrity, honour, and community spirit.
Dr Sylvia Villios, Associate Dean at Adelaide Law School and Co-Chair of HACCI SA, spoke admirably about the importance of mentorship and opportunities for students and juniors.
Sofia Samson, a HR professional from HWLE, reminded attendees that “success isn’t linear,” offering practical advice on how to stay flexible and open to growth.
Thea Paleologos, a Senior Associate at Barry Nilsson, focused on the early years of a legal career urging attendees to remain curious, proactive, and unafraid to ask for help.
Adrian Swale, a Partner at Commercial & Legal, shared insight on the importance of knowing your market, emphasising how understanding South Australia’s unique legal and business environment can open doors.
Christina Tsogas, a Special Counsel at T-Squared Legal who has worked across jurisdictions globally, encouraged young professionals to remain adaptable and embrace new experiences: “It’s okay to try something new, your path doesn’t have to be conventional.”
Each speaker brought a unique perspective, yet a common theme ran through the evening: the importance of authenticity, resilience, and connection.
A vision for the future
With the success of this event and building on last year’s inaugural Youth Networking Night, HACCI SA and HAL are looking ahead to more opportunities to empower and support the next wave of Greek-Australian professionals.
Follow up initiatives, including one-on-one mentoring opportunities for members of HACCI and future youth related events, are already in the works.
As one attendee put it: “It’s more than just networking—it’s a reminder that you don’t have to do it alone.”
