95-year-old Councillor for the West Torrens Municipality in Adelaide, George Demetriou has been formally recognised by the Australian Federal Parliament for his lifetime of service and social responsibility.
Clr Demetriou is believed to be the oldest serving municipal Councillor in the Southern Hemisphere.
Clr Demetriou was recently acknowledged in the Australian Federal Parliament, where his contributions were commended, and he also received recognition from Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC during the opening of the Australian Local Government Association’s National Convention in Canberra.
Speaking to local government representatives from across the country, the Governor-General referred to her meeting with Demetriou, noting his ongoing commitment to community service at the age of 95 as an inspiring example of lifelong civic responsibility.
Steve Georganas MP also posted on socials media about his recent meeting with Clr Demetriou and said he “exemplified the very best of local government service — thoughtful leadership, strong community advocacy, and a deep understanding of the needs of the people he represents.”
“His longevity in the role is matched only by the respect in which he is held by colleagues, Council management, employees and the community alike,” he wrote.
Clr Demetriou’s Greek parents — Vasili and Barbara — were from families who lived in Asia Minor but the forced Greek-Turkish population exchange saw them left with no choice other than to move from Asia Minor. Clr Demetriou’s parents packed their belongings and found their way to South Australia in the early 20th century.
“They arrived Christmas Day in 1924 and went to Orroroo because they had family there,” Clr Demetriou told The Greek Herald in an earlier interview.
“They settled in the mid-north country town of Terowie (220 kilometres from Adelaide) with other Greek families as there was work on the trains, railways and other small businesses.”
He was born in 1934 and his brother Paul was born in 1941.
In 1974, Clr Demetriou married Despina Zemplias who was born in Perth, Western Australia to Greek parents from the island of Kastellorizo.
The couple had two children — Krystalla and Vasili — who have ’embraced their Greek heritage and culture.’ They both have dual citizenship and the family have made frequent visits back to Greece.
In the 1980s, Clr Demetriou’s council journey started when he was approached by the then-Mayor of West Torrens Council and the owner of the building where he ran his motor repair business. There was a vacant position on council and he was encouraged to stand.
“I was successfully elected and that is where my council journey began,” he said.
