Dr Constantine (Con) Berbatis is a “man for all seasons” – the Perth-based property investor is also a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science with a Bachelor of Pharmacy and of Science. He is a Fellow of the Pharmacy Society Western Australia.
Dr Berbatis has served in a number of roles in mainly Greek Australian communities across the nation and is a leader in community youth sport, and in student and in student bodies. He underwrote and managed the creation of the George and Despina Berbatis Memorial Gymnasium at St Andrews Independent School in Dianella in honour of his parents.
His family has recently pledged $500,000 over five years to support public health initiatives in Greece. This Q&A interview also in the Hellenic Initiative newsletter of 15 July, and is used here with their kind permission.
When did you first visit Greece?
I first visited Greece in 1977 as the final stop on a Winston Churchill Fellowship international study tour, which involved meetings and conferences on adverse drug reactions. The fellowship had been awarded on the basis of hospital and national studies I had done during a Roche national fellowship work at Sydney Hospital Macquarie Street and at the University of Sydney.
What is your personal connection to Greece today?
I am in regular contact with my wife’s family in Nafpaktos and the family of my late father, George, in the large commercial town of Aliveri, in west central Evia island. I have travelled with my family to my late mother Despina’s lovely family residence in the town of Gera Mesagros in Mytilini, opposite the central town square. I also joined my cousins in beachside Anaxos for holidays.
How has your relationship with Greece changed over the years?
I feel my relationship with Greece has strengthened personally through my relatives and friends who now live there, my involvement with the American Hellenic Institute (DC, USA) and my stays at my good friend Paul Afkos’ new Afkos Grammos Hotel in Nestorio, near Kastoria.
READ MORE: A Greek Australian behind $100m redevelopment plan for Perth’s mall
How have you felt watching the economic crisis in Greece unfold over the past 10 years?
Like most of us, I have been worried about many aspects and thought long about the best way of assisting Greece. I have been dedicated to Greece and to my health profession for 50 years and our family’s gift to THI Australia combines our interest in public health initiatives with our pragmatic approach to assisting Greece through the organisational skills of THI Australia.
Why did you choose to support public health initiatives in Greece?
The inaugural project to be supported with the first tranche of €54,000 began in June 2020 and is directed through the established primary and preventive care program at the MdM Greece Polyclinic in Athens. Together with THI Australia Director, Dr Helen Zorbas, we look forward to assessing future public health proposals, including the ability to assist hospitals and the availability of medicines in Greece.
Are you feeling more optimistic about the future of Greece?
I am certainly more optimistic about the future of Greece since the election of a new national government in 2019. Its capable leadership was clearly demonstrated in Greece’s successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measured response to open its borders to international visitors for the European summer.
How important is it for the Greek diaspora in Australia to be part of Greece’s renewal?
The Hellenic diaspora comprises over three million or nearly 30 percent of Greece’s population. They inherit and have demonstrated the talents of their forebears in wealthier societies. Andrew N Liveris AO, THI’s Global Chairman, is a paradigm of how best we can contribute to the societies where we live, work (interstate or overseas) and in Greece. I recommend any readers who have not had the chance to listen to Andrew’s experiences, do so. I have always been proud of my Greek heritage and my family and I believe in giving back to both the Greek Australian community in WA and in Greece.
