Australians of Greek heritage named Ambassadors for Australia Day 2024

·

At least six Australians of Greek heritage have been named Ambassadors for Australia Day this year on Friday, January 26.

Each year, up to 100 amazing Australia Day Ambassadors take part in Australia Day activities around New South Wales, motivating communities and sharing knowledge and insights from their incredible and diverse experiences, as well as tales about what it means to be Australian.

Here are the 2024 Australia Day Ambassadors with Greek heritage:

Michael Tomalaris

Michael Tomalaris.
Michael Tomalaris.

Michael Tomalaris is an Australian television reporter and presenter. He was previously host of SBS Television sports programs including its Tour de France coverage. He was also formerly a presenter for SBS World News.

Viv Kartsounis

Viv Kartsounis was born in South Africa and is the Founder of Shoes for Planet Earth. Viv is also a passionate runner who knows the benefits of exercise, hoping to give people in need the opportunity to participate in sporting activities to help improve their well being. She has had a long and successful running career spanning 30 years, including representing Australia in the 100km World Cup competitions three years in a row.

Andy Paschalidis

Andrew Paschalidis
Andrew Paschalidis

Andrew (Andy) Paschalidis is the Founder and CEO of Heartbeat of Football and Australia Day Ambassador for Leeton Shire since 1996. He was nominated as a finalist for Westfield Hurstville Local Hero for 2023.

Paschalidis’ Heartbeat of Football offers simple screening checks for players, advocates for defibrillators for all sports fields and provides first aid education.

Jason Sotiris

Jason Sotiris.

Jason Sotiris is the founder of children’s charity Supertee and will proudly take part in Australia Day activities in the Lane Cove Council area, after being named as an Australia Day Ambassador for 2024.

Jason admits it’s the Aussie ethos of having a go that spurred him to switch from his job as a tradie to creating a medical garment that inspires imagination in children, which is given to them for free in hospitals around the country.

The Supertee is a superhero t-shirt which opens under the arms for thermometer access, with press studs evenly spaced for bypass tubes and lines, as well as being PET scan and MRI friendly.

George Ellis

For the past three decades, the legendary George Ellis has been bringing classical music to the masses. From presenting concerts with international icons such as Hans Zimmer to appearing in Hollywood film Mao’s Last Dancer, the 56-year-old orchestral conductor and composer has become a household name.

Yianni Johns

Yianni Johns is a full-time Australian artist living in the North West Shelf with his wife, Kristen. He describes his life as “a duality, a mix between the real world and my creative world.”

greek film festival 2025

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Step into the world of mental health with Georgia Cassimatis’ latest book

Greek Australian author and journalist, Georgia Cassimatis, has released a book all about exploring the world of mental health.

GOCNSW Welfare Service to put a spotlight on cyber security awareness

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW’s (GOCNSW) Welfare Service has organised three Cyber Security Awareness education and training workshops.

Marriage of a Greek woman abroad: What to watch out for

It is during this registration process that numerous problems arise, which are not dealt with immediately but later on.

Athena Competition Greek winners show olive oil diversity

By Lisa Radinovsky from Greek Liquid Gold. At the 10th anniversary edition of the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition in Chania, Crete, Greece in May, 175 Greek olive oils...

Greece’s island communities face population crisis

The demographic decline in Greece is hitting its islands hard, with Lemnos and Agios Efstratios showing alarming signs of aging populations.

You May Also Like

Pallaconian Association of Canberra to celebrate 25 years with big night of music

The Pallaconian Association of Canberra & Districts is celebrating 25 years with a night of music, culture, and celebration.

Maria Sakkari storms into China Open quarter-final

Maria Sakkari reached her 10th quarterfinal of 2023 after win against Wang in the third round of the China Open.

Remembering popular Greek author, Kosmas Politis

Kosmas Politis was one of the most popular Greek authors of the 1930's, with a number of well-known novels including Eroica (1938).