The annual AGM to elect the 2022/23 committee was held on Monday 4 May on the 54th anniversary of NUGAS.

After two years of the event being held online due to government restrictions, the AGM was finally brought back in person at the Greek Centre in Melbourne’s CBD.

The AGM was attended by the previous committee, prospective members and the presidents of all affiliated clubs. The meeting reflected on the past year’s events and achievements and ambitions for the new term were discussed. As an organisation, multiple constitutional amendments were made, most notably the change to allow each year’s committee to select whether they want a traditional President/Vice-President or a Co-Presidency.

For the first time in NUGAS history, two Co-Presidents were elected to preside over NUGAS for the 2022/23 term, Billy Battista and James Panas.

“Given the previous two committees couldn’t do as much as they originally planned due to the restrictions we’ve had in Victoria for the last few years, the 2022/23 term will definitely be one of our biggest,” said Billy Battista who last year was the Marketing Officer also responsible for social media.

“Especially with lockdowns and university being predominantly online for the last two years, organisations like NUGAS are extremely important in bringing Greek youth together to connect, socialise and celebrate our heritage and culture. In a society where networking and presentation is cardinal, we hope to expand the reach and resources of the NUGAS organisation and connect with Greek youth not just locally, but nationally and internationally. For me, this is my second term of being in the NUGAS committee.”

James Panas who was involved in retaining the Greek Studies Program at La Trobe University and was president of the Greek Student Society in 2020/21, added that he is very fortunate to have been elected Co-President of NUGAS Victoria as the city emerges into a new COVID-normal.

“With the program’s re-evaluation scheduled for 2023, NUGAS will endeavour to ensure it not only survives but thrives in future years through direct communication between the Modern Greek Teachers’ Association as well as current and prospective students,” he said.

“I expect NUGAS will play a large role in reconnecting Greek-Australian students who haven’t had a chance to partake in a traditional university experience for a number of years.

“Having served as Education Officer last term, I am looking forward to engaging with our Secondary students and recommencing our Greek School visits that were unable to proceed in previous years due to COVID. I am also looking forward to the continuation of the VCE Oral Help Sessions we successfully held over Zoom last term to assist Modern Greek students prepare for their Oral Exam,” Panas said.

The executive committee includes:
Secretary – Ellenie Vasilopoulos
Treasurer – Georgia Giatrakos
Social and Cultural Officer – Yianna Vasiliadis
Education Officer – Marissa Robotis
Marketing Officer – Georgina Giannopoulos

The elected NUGAS general committee members are:
Joanna Angeletos (MHSS)
Apollonas Karakaidos (also NUGAS Editor) (MHSS)
Elina Roupas (MHSS)
Karly Georgantis (MUnGA)
Daphne Chrysanthakopoulos (LUGS)
Andrew Malessiankos (SHS)
Eve Seferis (SHS)
Elyse Zoungas (RUSH)
Natalia Makridi (RUSH)
Jenna Pletsias (DUGS)
Chris Giannaros (DUGS)

The newly elected NUGAS committee has started the term with the first event scheduled for 30 June, the NUGAS x VITA end of semester FESTA.

Tickets: www.eventbrite.com.au