Kris is an experienced and passionate community advocate for social justice and cultural diversity and has held various positions in more than thirty years. She has worked across Government and Non Government Organizations primarily in Policy and Strategic Planning & Community Development, to address key issues of access and equity. She is the Board Director at PRONIA and has also been a former mayor and councillor at Whittlesea.

We caught up with her to see what she has been up to during lockdown.

What have you been reading?
Children’s writings about COVID-19 and 2020, which is proving to be inspirational for its real, raw and positive energy.
On another plateau, further inspiration is “Women & Leadership” by Julia Gillard and Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala. Resonates well enough to send a smile to my thoughts. A point of reference while mentoring the up and coming.

What are you watching?
Divergent – unusual choice, inspired by my daughter and intrigued by the machinations and manoeuvres of human misguided lust for power and control. Goodness prevails in the quest to salvage virtuous human nature. On a lighter note, I am captivated by Meryl Streep’s Week of films – two to go with the (Yves) Saint Laurent film.

What music are you listening to?
Enjoying the Greek oldies for the memories that I grew up with all the way to jazz and classical for the chill and French for the imagination. All types to dance to.

What are you cooking?
Indulging my culinary skill and experience by cooking/baking my mother’s traditional Greek meals with a contemporary twist eg sweet potato added to moussaka nicely balances the eggplant. I’m also becoming influenced by my sons fusion of Middle Eastern flavours. As a pescatarian, I am thoroughly enjoy eating fish/seafood and the rustic Greek “peasant” cuisine which is often vegan, vegetarian and always wholesome. I am delighting others with my prasopita and spanakopita. Lots of invitations pending for cook off feasts at end of the COVID-19 lockdown!

READ MORE: In the kitchen with Cr Kris Pavlidis: Spanakopita par excellence!

What is keeping you sane at the moment?
3 Fs: family, friends and fun-exercise…
3 Rs: reflect, review and reprioritise…
Looking inward … spring cleaning, renovating, gardening and of course Portia our pampered puss.

What is work like for you now?
Virtual and measured. Community work always motivates.

Kris Pavlidis

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since COVID-19 entered our lives?
Strength and resilience in people. Kindness has resurfaced and is keeping us in good stead. Creativity and resourcefulness about the way in which we connect, communicate and prioritise our lives. Handwriting and posting cards and notes have taken a deeper meaning. A new cooking/gardening exchange within the 5k radius. Lemons left at my door; chocolates in my letter box; plant cuttings in the front yard. Mighty neighbourly and loving. The resounding opportunity and courage to redesign our lives.

What have you learned about yourself during COVID-19?
That, like many, I have possibly taken a lot for granted about our liberties, opportunities and good health and fortune. How fortunate we have been. Reminded of my suppressed talents and interests. Enjoy my socialising as well as my solitude.

READ MORE: 

Where’s the first place you’d like to visit in Greece once travel is allowed?
Plaka upon arrival then Kalamata and Elafonissos in the Peloponnese, my maternal homeland, and the stunning, soulful seaside, and up to Kastoria Macedonia, my baba’s place.