In a significant development ahead of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) elections on Sunday, 30 November 2025, current President Harry Danalis and Secretary Nia Karteris have formally withdrawn their candidacies for the organisation’s Executive Committee.
The Greek Herald understands that a further eight to nine candidates have also withdrawn.
Their withdrawal comes just days after the Electoral Committee confirmed that 37 candidates had lodged nominations within the timeframe required by both the GOCNSW Constitution and relevant legislation.
Statements from Danalis and Karteris
Mr Danalis has served in numerous senior roles during his 45 years of involvement with the organisation. In a statement to The Greek Herald, the current President said he’s proud of the Community’s growth under his leadership.
Mr Danalis highlighted the GOCNSW’s award-winning nursing home at Earlwood, the Greek Festival of Sydney’s $100,000 profit for the first time in many years, the Community’s most successful Greek Film Festival with its largest ever film program to mark 30 years, and the significant reach of the recent Greek Fest @ Bay Street, Brighton-Le-Sands.
During the tenure of Mr Danalis and Ms Karteris, the GOCNSW also secured $4.5 million in funding from the Albanese Labor Government for its Cultural Centre.
“It is time to let someone else take the reins,” Mr Danalis said.
Ms Karteris, who has been a central figure in the Greek Festival of Sydney and a long-serving member of the organisation, also expressed gratitude to the community.
“I would like to thank the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW and its members for allowing me to provide the community 28 years of service as a volunteer, Chair of the Greek Festival of Sydney, Vice President and Secretary. Thank you,” she said.
Both Mr Danalis and Ms Karteris will remain in their current positions until the elections on November 30.
A contested election
Despite the new wave of withdrawals, the election remains one of the most contested in recent years.
The Electoral Committee, chaired by Maria Chrysanthou with Katerina Vetsikas as Secretary, this week announced the full list of 37 nominees.
The full list of those who originally submitted nominations includes (alphabetically):
Panagiota Avramidis, Con Apoifis, Dimitrios Arvanitis, Nick Gratsounas, Tina Dalakakis, Harry Danalis, George Diamataris, Peter Doukas, Evagelos Zoras, Ioannis Zoumpoulis, Artemis Theodoris, Persefoni (Sue) Thliveris, Nia Karteris, Nikitas Katris, Stanley Koulouris, Athanasia Costa, Con Mavrocordatos, Vasiliki Mitsios, Dimitris Bekris, Christos Belerhas, Alexandros Samaras, Anna Sarelas, Nick Papanikitas, Georgia Paschalidis/Papadopoulos, Pamela Proestos, Peter Ronis, Chris Skiladellis, Andrew Smyrnis, Constantine Spiropoulos, Kathy Stojanovic, John Terzis, Stavros Tsilimos, Peter Tsilioris, Peter Tsintilas, Manos Fountoulis, Olympia Houliaras, and Jim Psarros.
The Committee thanked all nominees for their interest and reiterated that election procedures will continue in accordance with statutory requirements.
Community prepares for a pivotal election
The upcoming vote is expected to be highly engaged, with members set to elect a new leadership team that will guide GOCNSW into its next chapter.
Further details on the updated candidate list and official withdrawals are expected to be confirmed by the Electoral Committee in the coming days.
