Honorary president and volunteer chief executive officer of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, Nicholas Xynias AO BEM has passed away.
Following a battle with a short illness, the council reports the 82-year-old died peacefully in his home.
Born in Ismailia, Egypt on 25 January 1933, he worked as a mechanical engineer with the British Army.
Then in 1956, Mr Xynias decided to embark on a long journey to Australia where he would become a prolific voice for ethnic diversity in the wider community.
Upon his arrival, he set out volunteering and in 1964 joined AHEPA, where he took part for over 50 years and was recognised as a respected leader.
In 1976 he helped set up the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Queensland, where he served on the board and was a chairman for many years.
Throughout his life, Mr Xynias was an active member of various boards and councils including the Commonwealth Migrant Consulting Council, Queensland Aboriginal Reconciliation Council, Queensland Multicultural Coordinating Committee, Department of Ethnic Affairs Ministerial Advisory Committee and the Migrant Consultative Council of the Departments of Social Security and Education.
Boasting an impressive resume, his most recent achievement was being appointed to the Queensland Advisory Committee for the Commemoration of the ANZAC Centenary.
Aside from his philanthropic contribution to Australian society, Mr Xynias was also a loving husband, father and grandfather.
More than 100 mourners attended his funeral, including former premier of Queensland Campbell Newman, Queensland Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Graham Quirk, Queensland’s Consul-General for Greece Jim Raptis, along with many other representatives from the Queensland Police Service and the legal fraternity.