Victoria’s Councilors of Greek heritage were honoured for their contribution to public life by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) in a special event organised at the Greek Centre.

The event, which had been originally arranged for August 2021, had to be postponed and rescheduled due to Pandemic restrictions. It was held in March at the Greek Centre’s Delphi Bank Mezzanine.

Presiding over proceedings on the night, former Victorian Government Minister John Pandazopoulos welcomed the Councillors on behalf of the Greek community, praised their collective public service and gave context to the reason the GCM had staged the event saying: “We are all proud of your efforts. It is very important that there are people of Greek heritage, with Greek names, in public life. This is multiculturalism in action.”

Following Mr Pandazopoulos, GCM President Bill Papastergiadis OAM welcomed the Councillors to the Greek Centre echoing Pandazopoulos’ thoughts and going further by saying: “We are honoured to have with us today the Greek councilors and Mayors from throughout Victoria. For our perspective we felt that it was important to bring together the strong elements we have within our community, so that we can share not only in our heritage, but also in terms of a network where we can working cohesively and cooperatively across a range of matters.”

Mr Papastergiadis continued: “You all are incredibly important parts of our community. I don’t think we have done enough as a GCM to support you and also to reward and thank you for the hard work you are doing. You carry a lot of the aspirations of our community through the work do.”

The evening continued with all of the attending councillors being awarded a commemorative plaque struck specially for the occasion prior to remaining to enjoy supper and to network with other councillors and members of the GCM.

The 24 Councillors that were acknowledged by the GCM are:
Cr Tony Athanasopoulos, City of Glen Eira
Cr Tasa Damante, Maroondah City Council
Cr Sam David, Brimbank City Council
Cr Peter Dimarelos, City of Banyule
Cr Emily Dimitriadis, City of Darebin
Cr Jim Doukas, Moyne Shire
Cr Joseph Haweil, City of Hume
Mayor Cr Jami Klisaris, City of Stonnington
Cr Paul Klisaris, City of Monash
Cr Peter Kostos, Baw Baw Shire
Cr Fiona Mitsinikos, City of Banyule
Cr Despi O’Connor, Mornington Peninsula
Cr Angelica Panopoulos, Moreland City Council
Cr Angie Paspaliaris, Warrnambool City Council
Cr Helen Pavlidis, Moreland City Council
Cr Sophie Ramsey, Melton City Council
Deputy Mayor Cr Melina Sehr, City of Stonnington
Mayor Cr Steve Staikos, City of Kingston
Cr Nick Stavrou, City of Booroondara
Cr Suzanne Stojanovic, Maroondah City Council
Cr Virginia Tachos, Brimbank City Council
Deputy Mayor Cr Lambros Tapinos, Moreland City Council
Administrator Lydia Wilson, City of Whittlesea
Cr Theo Zographos, City of Monash