Political, multicultural and Greek community leaders bid farewell to one of Sydney’s community trailblazers Jack Passaris OAM on Friday, August 16.
Over 250 family, friends and community leaders came together at the beautiful and iconic Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church at Newtown in Sydney on Friday to bury one of Australia’s leading multicultural trailer blazers that played a major role in advocating for the establishment of SBS, Multicultural Australia and Multicultural NSW many years ago.
Nearly 60 years ago, Jack’s journey from Egypt to Australia, driven by a dream to create a brighter future filled with the warmth and traditions of his homeland played a pivotal role in his community and business activities during his lifetime in Sydney.
Jack’s commitment and passion to support Sydney’s multicultural community over so many years stands as a testament to his commitment to the society we live in today.
The political leaders who paid their respects included the Hon Tony Burke MP, the Federal Immigration & Multicultural Affairs Minister representing the Prime Minister of Australia the Hon Anthony Albanese MP; the Hon Steve Kamper MP, State Minister for Multicultural Affairs & Small Business Minister representing the Premier the Hon Chris Minns MP; the Hon Sophie Cotsis MP, State Minister for Industrial Relations; the Hon Shaoquett Moselmane MLC; former NSW Attorney General and ICAC Commissioner, the Hon John Hatzistergos; and the Hon Leo McLeay, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In addition, there were many community leaders from different ethnic groups including leaders from the Australian Egyptian, Chinese, Armenian and Lebanese communities. Further, the current Chair of the Ethnic Communities Council NSW Peter Doukas and former Chairs Ross Tzannes and Paul Nicolaou and Executive Members of the Council were in attendance to pay their respects.
The ecclesiastical service was officiated by Bishop Iakovos Miletoupolis, the Very Reverend Father Nektarios, Father Nicholas the Parish Priest for Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church and Father Sotiris from Earlwood Church.
Other community leaders in attendance included Amelia Katsogiannis, Head of St Spyridon College; Bill Kitharas, Vice President of the Hellenic Club of Sydney; former Vice President of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Council, Michael Diamond; and Head Teacher of Bankstown Intensive English Centre, Dimitrios Kametopoulos.
