On 4 December, 124 councils across NSW will be holding elections.
Dozens of Greek Australians are among the 3,800 candidates vying for seats, eager to serve their communities while also endorsing diversity and multiculturalism in their local areas.
A large cluster of candidates of Greek heritage is in the Bayside area, which includes the suburbs of South Sydney and the St George area.
Vicky Roussos vying for a seat on Bayside Council said she would like to bring back the Greek festival to Bay Street, make a new Greek Centre at Bexley RSL Club and reconnect with the sister city of Glyfada among other things, while Connie Gerakis from Bayside Ward 3 told Neos Kosmos that her “Greek values” played a role in her decision to run, and Andrew Tsounis proudly declares that Bayside was one of the few councils in Australia that marked the 200th anniversary of the commencement of the Hellenic Revolution with banners in the area.
From Ms Roussos’ passion for Greek school and Greek dancing to Mr Tsounis’ work as former president and current Treasurer of the Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney and NSW and Secretary of the Pan-Lesvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Bayside’s Greek Australian candidates have been active in their community and speak of the value which their Greek heritage has brought to their lives.
READ MORE: 53 Greek-Australian candidates in local elections to be held in October
“My Greek heritage has influenced and shaped my life, my beliefs and the values I hold dearly today,” Ms Gerakis said. “These have made me the person I am – strong, independent, hardworking and honest. Growing up I was proud of my Greek heritage, everywhere I turned I was able to find Greek influence, whether it be in culture, history, medicine, language, education, politics, architecture and so on. This played a significant part in my motivation to make a difference in this world, no matter how small or large the contribution was.”
Ms Roussos, too, speaks of her Greek background playing a role in her community spirit. “After many years of volunteering for my community, for churches, local schools, local sports clubs, community organisations, Greek festivals, charities and assisting citizens I thought I would be able to assist more people if I was a councillor and issues could be actioned and this motivated me to become a candidate as I speak, read, write and understand fluent Greek. I am also a Justice Of The Peace where I serve my community,” she said.
Their reasons for joining are numerous. Ms Gerakis states that from a young age she found it “gratifying” to help people.
READ MORE: Mayor Christou slams unfair lockdown rules for Sydney’s west
“My mother also carries the same traits, and has played a huge role in shaping who I am today and the catalyst for the motivation in me running as a candidate. She would never accept me whinging and complaining and would always say ‘If you don’t like it, change it… Do something about it’. It became clear very early in my adult life that If I want to see change, I would have to be that change,” she said.
“I am now at a stage in my life where both my personal life and financial situation is in a good position, allowing me the time to be available to help my community. I have taken this exciting step to lead the charge in being the change, and if given a chance I will bring about a change in things I see lacking within Bayside.”
Ms Roussos’ points to the overdevelopment of her area as a key issue she wishes to address.
“The main issues in our Bayside area are overdevelopment issues, loud noises from speeding on our roads from certain individuals, fighting m5 east toll, parks, sports centre’s to be upgraded and refurbished, beachfront needing major improvements, to upgrade our very forgotten public libraries and there are many many more other issues that need to be addressed,” she said.
Mr Tsounis was approached by a local state member to participate in a local reference group to provide community feedback on the famous Cook Park of Botany Bay in 2006. His activity in the 8km stretch of beachfront and parkland hugging Botany Bay was the starting point for involvement in local government.
“I became involved to be a voice for the community. At the time there were large developments that were not in the best interests of the community,” he said.
Ms Gerakis, too, wants to be a “voice”. “I am here to support and represent all races and cultures and be their voice. I will be available for them at any time and be that person they can trust and talk to about their community concerns. In fact, I want my entire community both young and old to feel comfortable talking to me about anything they like,” she said.
Connie Gerakis from Bayside Ward 3. Photo: Supplied
GREEK CANDIDATES
Bayside Council Theo Farasopoulos, Vicky Roussos, Constance Gerakis, Andrew Tsounis, Fotios
Koutsioukis, Ilias Tzortzis, Elizabeth Antonopoulos, Andrew Pandelis
Bogan Council Tony Elias
Brewarrina Council Angelo Pippos
Canada Bay Council Angelo Tsirekas
Canterbury-Bankstown Council Nicholas Hatzis, Tina Flaskas
Cowra Council Alexander Constantine Cozadinos
Cumberland City Council Steve Christou
Georges River Council Mary Cassimatis, Sandy Grekas , Christopher Tofalakis, Nick Katris, Sam Stratikopoulos, Michael Apokourastos, Nicholas Smerdely, Christina Jamieson,
Hunters Hill Council Alison Voulgaris
Inner West Council Julie Passas, Bill Passas, John Stamolis, Zoe Tsardoulias, Marika Kontellis, Melinda Dimitriades, Markela Panegyres
Kiama Council Anthony Varayiannis
Lismore Council Alexander Coronakes
Liverpool City Council Ellie Robertson (Kritsotakis)
Mid-Coast Council Phillip Costa
Mid-Western Council Alex Karavas, Andrew Andrews, Steven Houvardas, John Lepouris
Parramatta Council Nicholas Nikolaidis
Randwick City Council Anthony Andrews, Georgia Anastasopoulos, Harry Stavrinos, Angelina Stratigos, Alexandra Luxford
City of Ryde Council Antonia Courtelis
Snowy Monaro Council Olivier Kapetanakos
Strathfield Council Helen Apostle
Sutherland Council Haris Strangas
City of Sydney Council Philip Thalis, Angela Vithoulkas
Willoughby Council Angelo Rozos, Megan Louise Rozos, Marie Glykis, Andrew Anthony
Waverley Council Paula Masselos