Since 1960 when it first started, being nominated for the Australian of the Year Awards is a great honour. The award is an opportunity for Australian citizens to recognise and reward someone who inspired them and who served as a role model to the community.
This year, nomination for the Australian of the Year Award came as a surprise for the well known Melbourne composer, singer and teacher Christos Ioannidis.
And while he wasn’t awarded the Australian of the Year 2014 title, the nomination and the fact he was included on the list of a few chosen Australians, is a special honour.
It shows that Ioannidis’ 40 years of music contribution to the Greek and the wider Australian community didn’t go unnoticed and is still remembered by many.
“I have no idea who nominated me. I was very surprised – to be nominated for Australian of the Year, it is an honour.
“For years I’ve been in La Mama, and have never stopped doing things for the community mainly, as I am not a money making person. I love playing for people. I do what I can do, and I do it with love,” Ioannidis told Neos Kosmos.