Given the reception South Australia’s Attorney-General Michael Atkinson received this weekend at the Pontian Professionals and Business Forum of Oceania dinner and the Australian Hellenic Council function, there is no doubt he is heading for status of Greek hero.

Mr Atkinson, a self confessed Philhellene, was instrumental in having the Pontian genocide recognised by the South Australian parliament in April.

At the Pontian Professionals dinner on Friday, Mr Atkinson was presented with a 1200 year old coin for his leading role in the passing of the motion to have the Pontian genocide recognised.

At the dinner held at the stately Windsor Hotel, Mr Atkinson was praised by Ms Jenny Mikakos Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, who highlighted the impact of actions such as those by Mr Atkinson, in gaining recognition for the genocide of the Pontian and other Christians in Ottoman Turkey.

In thanking his hosts Mr Atkinson said, “The rightness of the Pontian cause has long been obvious to me. And the passionate, yet considered way Greeks feel about the world acknowledging the Pontian Genocide is both justified and admirable.”

The South Australian politician highlighted that fact that he did not realise the “depth and feeling” of the Greek people towards this issue until he was in Thessaloniki this year where he spoke in front of over 20,000 people in Ayia Sophia square.

“[I]n the packed square of Ayia Sophia situated in the middle of that wonderful city – I heard the voice of the people,” Mr Atkinson said.

He went on to implore the Pontian Greek community to maintain their vigilance and to generate a “sophisticated approach” to communications in an increasingly fast paced media and communications environment.

He also was fulsome in his praise of the Pontian Professionals.

“Your group clearly has that ability, and I have every confidence you’ll help take the efforts of the Pontian diaspora up to a whole new level,” Mr Atkinson said.

Dignitaries present at Friday night’s dinner include Dr Con Perkoulidis,
President of the Pontian Professionals and Business Forum of Oceania; Mr Tom
Moisidis Chairman of the Forum; Mr John Efkarpides, President of the Federation
of Pontian Associations of Australia; Mr Bill Papastergiadis, President of the
Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria and Mr Peter Jasonides,
Secretary of the World Confederation of Pontian Associations.

On Saturday night Mr Atkinson was also honoured by the Australian Hellenic Council for his efforts in promoting the recognition of the Pontian Genocide at a function at the Star Reception Centre in Preston.