Vasillios Giavris, a lawyer and ex-member of SAE (Council of Hellenes Abroad) might just have the key to addressing one of the leading issues facing the Greek-Australian community. Namely of the dwindling numbers of second and third generation Greek-Australian involved with community organisations.

Mr Giavris put forward his ideas on Friday night at a public talk which had as it subject:  “The Politics of Transition: The Need for Succession Planning and Generational Leadership Change in Greek Community Organisations. Will the Post-Partisan 2nd and 3rd Generation Greek/Australians stand up?”

The public lecture was held as part of the program of lectures organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pammessinian Brotherhood Papaflessas.

“This is a critical transitionary stage where basically we are seeing the first generation phasing out, and the second and third generations making up the majority of the Hellenic community in Victoria,” he said to Neos Kosmos English Edition.

“There are over 200 Greek organisations in Victoria with hundreds of millions in assets but the question is, what will become of these organisations and assets since the organisations are descending into oblivion?”

In this he is referring to the lack of membership as second and third generations are declining to become involved.

Whilst he agreed that there are organisations such as SAE attempting to unite Hellenism, he said that in reality that it is struggling to meet its original aims.

“Having said that, as a Greek community in Victoria and Australia, we must support the concept by electing the right people to represent us, and making sure that SAE and other organisations represents the whole of our community.”

Mr Giavris underscored the urgent need for organised succession planning within Greek community organisations; moving away from a focus on politics and bickering.

“We need to as a community seriously discuss where we are at the moment, what defines our generation, pin point our needs, and have a united approach to these topics. The only way can do that is by inviting the whole Greek community to participate in an ideas forum of how it sees its future in next 20, 30, and 50 years.”

He envisages that a forum could take place through both oral and written submissions, and involve representatives of all Greek organisations, as well as Greek academics, journalists, politicians, those involved in the culture and arts, and the general community.

Mr Giavris hopes that his speech will generate momentum amongst the Greek community groups to develop an ideas forum in the near future.

“I don’t just want it to be another place where people speak and that’s it. We need to pick up the mantle quick smart and take a co-coordinated approach. Otherwise my feeling is that unfortunately as a community we are not going to live up to our expectations.”