The entire PRONIA family was deeply saddened, by the news that one of its founding members, Margaret Moraitis OAM had passed away.
Margaret was instrumental in organising the first informal meeting on August 1972 between the founding members of the Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS), Dr. Spiro Moraitis, George Papadopoulos and Nick Polites. This meeting would eventually see the establishment of an organisation that would go on to vigorously assert the rights of immigrants and their children, with an emphasis on improving services in the fields of education, health, social welfare, childcare and the preservation of the Greek language.
True to their cause, both Spiro and Margaret worked tirelessly to build solid foundations for AGWS and for the welfare of the community. The cornerstone of this foundation was their commitment to giving back to the community, by serving on various committees and representing AGWS on a number of government bodies that dealt with social welfare, health and education related issues.
Margaret served AGWS as President, Chairperson, Secretary and a member of its Executive Committee. She was also AGWS’s Archivist during this time. Margaret also served on numerous health related committees, task forces and community organisations such as the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) from 1988 to 94 and the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria. In recognition of her work in June 1987, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and became a member of “Who is Who of Australian Women”.
Mrs Moraitis was born in Melbourne on the 9th of April, 1937, the daughter of Evangelos and Katina Hetrelezis. She attended Camberwell High School and upon graduating, she enrolled in Welfare Studies at Chisholm College of TAFE.
From 1955 to 1958, she worked as a secretary for the Commercial Bank of Australia and then as the Medical Secretary in her husband Spiro’s medical practice in 1959 and ran the ‘Dr. Moraitis rooms’ (the surgery) for nearly 60 years.
No words can express our gratitude for her invaluable contribution and pioneering of the Australian Greek Welfare Society (PRONIA) other than those from Dr. Moraitis himself, during the twentieth anniversary celebrations of AGWS, in 1992:
‘A special tribute should be paid to Margaret Moraitis whose commitment, dedication, efficiency and sheer hard work since 1971 has resulted in the establishment of A.G.W.S and its continued viability in the 20 years of its existence.
Margaret has been one of the most consistent and persistent contributors to the A.G.W.S, to the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and the community. Her efforts have not been fully acknowledged and appreciated and I take this opportunity to thank her in appreciation of her sacrifices and loyalty.’
PRONIA will always cherish Margaret’s memory with pride and honour and we will do our best to continue her work of serving the community with dedication, commitment and kindness.
PRONIA would like to extend its sincere condolences to her husband Dr. Spiro Moraitis, her children and grandchildren.
May she Rest in Peace.