The need to disseminate information on the truth surrounding the Macedonian issue was highlighted in the Australian Macedonian Advisory Council’s (AMAC) annual dinner.

Hundreds of Greek Australians attended AMAC’s fundraiser on Friday and were treated to a marvellous speech by Sydney University Professor Vrasidas Karalis.

Prof Karalis outlined the history of the ancient region of Macedonia and the political reality of the Balkan’s.

His speech brought to the fore the synergy between historical truth, political reality and pragmatism and explained Greece’s financial and military assistance to FYROM in the mid 1990s.

“One of the examples of Greece’s support to the newly-formed state”, said Prof. Karalis, “was the securing of millions of euros for the restoration of the Christian monuments in FYROM.”

Prof. Karalis’ speech highlighted the need to make all aspects of the Macedonian issue well-known to the wider community and the discussion that followed focused on the ways of raising awareness.

AMAC was formed in 2008 with the support of a number of community organisations.

Bill Papastergiadis, president of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, Victoria, praised AMAC for providing “leadership in the community on a sensitive and complex issue so inexorably connected to the Greek identity.”

At the dinner, AMAC honoured the late Chris Saristavros for his contribution to Hellenism by presenting his son Stavros with a plaque.