Sixteen Greeks and two Greek organisations have been formally recognised for their contribution to promoting cultural harmony in Victoria.
It’s nice to be honoured but it’s not why I do it. I just really enjoy the camaraderie of some of the groups I’m in and you feel you’re making some sort of difference; for me it’s just helping people.
Victorian Premier John Brumby, on Tuesday, presented this year’s annual Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence at a special ceremony at Government House, with more than 500 members of Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith community in attendance.
Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government first established the awards in 2002 to recognise and reward the contributions of individuals and organisations to promoting and enhancing the social, economic and cultural benefits of Victoria’s multicultural community.
Among the 180 individuals and organisations to be honoured was the president of the Greek Orthodox community in Box Hill and districts, Theodora Moshoulis; volunteer for the Australian Greek Elderly Seniors club of Northcote, Dimitrios Xenos; and sub committee member of the Australian Red Cross Greek Unit, Michael Alexis. Mr Alexis, who was awarded for meritorious service to the community, has been a volunteer for the Australian Red Cross Greek Unit for 14 years, a unit controller with the Victorian State Emergency Service (SES) central region headquarters support unit for ten years, and a member with the Hellenic RSL in South Melbourne for 12 years.
Mr Alexis has also been Vice President of the Hellenic RSL for the past four years.
The state high school student welfare coordinator said the volunteer roles keep him busy but it’s part of his life now.
“It’s nice to be honoured but it’s not why I do it. I just really enjoy the camaraderie of some of the groups I’m in and you feel you’re making some sort of difference; for me it’s just helping people,” he said.
Moreland mayor Stella Kariofyllidis also accepted a VMC award for ‘excellence in service delivery in Local Government’ for the City of Moreland’s CALD COM Storyboards.
The storyboards translate the council’s most vital civic messages into 132 language groups.
The CALD COM handbook was recognised as an innovative communication tool assisting new migrants to settle into the Moreland community, especially those in their first months here.
Mayor Cr Kariofyllidis was thrilled with the high profile recognition and congratulated all who assisted and supported the idea.
“I am very happy that our investment in serving the needs of our culturally and linguistically diverse community is recognised in such a prestigious manner,” she said.