During the terrible Mati bushfires in 2018, the Greek Fire Appeal was created under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia.

The committee, with members from various community associations as well as leaders from business and other areas, launched a bank account where funds were donated to the Mati Greek Fire Appeal. Chair of the Greek Fire Appeal 2018, Bill Gonis, provided members with an update on the current status of funds donated to bank accounts “invested with the Commonwealth, Delphi and Sydney Banks”.

“In October 2018, the Greek Fire Appeal Committee allocated a substantial amount of money from the funds raised, to purchase specialised skin grafting medical equipment in South Australia, which was shipped and donated to the General Hospital in Magoula Athens, to assist with the treatment of the fire victims at the Burns Unit of this hospital,” Mr Gonis said, adding that the Committee has made a number of contacts with various authorities in Greece with a view of funding a project with the balance of money held in the Australian bank accounts.

“In March 2019 it was drawn to our attention that 20 Officials, including the Mayors of Attica, Rafina, Marathon and others, were charged for the responsibility of the fires,” Mr Gonis said.

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” In September 2019, a Member of the SA Parliament travelled to Greece and met with various authorities in Attica and Mati to explore the possibility of establishing an appropriate project for the benefit of the families of the fire victims, in line with the Committee’s objectives.

“On his return from Greece, in January 2020 the Member of Parliament presented a written report to the Committee, which has been carefully considered.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the focus has shifted with the virus taking precedence. The closure of state borders and cancellation of overseas travel has made communication difficult with authorities in Greece.

“In February 2021, the Committee sought the assistance in furthering their objectives through the Consul General of Greece in South Australia and is continuing to pursue its goal in allocating the funds raised during the appeal to a worthy project, thus fulfilling the due diligence obligation for the acquittal of the money donated by the public,” Mr Gonis said.