As you might know, on Sunday 6 February there are elections for the board of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria. One is eligible to vote if they have been financial members of the GOCMV for at least 12 months, and I encourage each and every eligible member to look at the policies, the strategic direction and future vision and to vote based on that informed decision.

I have renominated for the Board, and I am asking for your support in order to advance the following issues:

Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV):

  1. Encouraging other Greek communities to include an extra clause in their constitutions that says something along the lines of ‘if this organisation folds, its assesses and finances/resources etc gets given to a ‘like’ organisation – or an organisation with similar values, ideals and strategies’
  2. Working more closely with other Greek Communities on campaigns – a good starting block would be a federal platform ask
  3. Working closer with other ethnic communities – e.g. a good starting project could be ‘ethnic story time’ funding for public libraries
  4. Aim for 50 per cent women in our board, as well as being representative of our community including new migrants, first, second, third and fourth generation as well as a diverse skill set
  5. Consulting more with our members
  6. Amending constitution to allow no longer than two terms on the executive of the GOCMV

It is my view that an organisation like the GOCMV should address wider issues affect our community, the migrant communities of Australia as well as the entire nation.

In Victoria:

  • Committing to at least 5 scholarships per year for the next 3/5 years to ensure graduate Greek teachers (can be registered with VIT (All ethnic groups I believe should be making similar requests)
  • An increase in the number of schools (currently 12) that offer bilingual/immersion programs
  • We need to play a role in assisting to organise community to do this
  • Strengthening of the Victorian Languages Policy
  • Funding to support ‘ethnic storytime at all public libraries
  • Representation in parliament that reflects our multicultural makeup in society. if Victorian Labour achieved 50% women, then why can’t we be able to have a diverse and ethically made-up parliament that is representative of a population make up (and I include indigenous Australians in this)
  • SBS – commitment and implementation to the ‘ethnic content delivery’
  • Pathways for language learning

And Nationally:

  • Implementation of a National Languages policy
  • Implementation of a National Multicultural Act
  • Removal of section 44 of the Australian Constitution to allow dual citizenship holders to run for federal parliament
  • All Government Organisations to have a register of ethnic speaking employees
  • Representation in parliament that reflects our multicultural make up in society. If Victorian Labour achieved 50 per cent women, then why can’t we be able to have a diverse and ethnically made-up parliament that is representative of a population make up (and I include indigenous Australians in this).

In my opinion, if language is lost everything else fails; the ‘multicultural society’ we sell to the world will mean nothing.

It is of paramount importance to invest in languages and create pathways, for multiculturalism to continue to thrive.

*Vasso Zangalis is a member of the Board of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria.