This year, the Australian Greek Welfare Society, PRONIA, celebrates 50 years of operation and half a century of growth and achievement in the area of advocacy and service provision to the Australian Greek and Multicultural community of Melbourne.
It was exactly 50 years ago in 1972, when a group of visionary Greek-Australians met and discussed their ideas in order to help all the new migrants settle in their new country.
Their meeting led to the forming of an organisation that has since played a leading role not only in direct service provision but also in advocacy, community development, community education, and policy development.
During the last fifty years, PRONIA has evolved into the leading welfare organisation that it is today offering a broad range of services across all of Melbourne.
To celebrate PRONIA’s fifty years of operations, a formal event is being held at Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields, on Saturday, September 17 at 6.30pm.
PRONIA’s annual fundraising events have been well established in the calendar of the Greek community but for the past two years they were absent due to the pandemic. This year’s long awaited event is a commemorative celebration of PRONIA’s 50 years anniversary and is expected to be more spectacular than ever. At the same time it will provide an opportunity for a historical review looking back at the outstanding achievements, the challenges and transformation of the organization into the leading agency of social welfare services for the Greek diaspora in Victoria today.
Over five hundred guests are expected to attend including founders of Australian Greek Welfare Society, leaders and representatives of community organisations, politicians and state officials, esteemed members of the community, sponsors and friends of the organization as well as the Board of Directors, executives and staff.
Comedian George Kapiniaris and his band the Flares and dance group “Akrites” will complete the entertainment with their appearances, while Spyros Alatzas will direct the flow of the rich program as master of ceremonies.
“Our anniversary celebration will honour everyone who has contributed in different ways to the rich history of the organisation. The 50th anniversary of our inception is not just a celebration, but a timely reminder of the vital importance of history and heritage in today’s Greek-Australian community,” says the organisation’s CEO, Tina Douvos-Stathopoulos.
In 1972, the Australian Greek Welfare Society began its operation with a vision of improving services to the Greek diaspora in Victoria. For fifty years, the vision of the people who founded this organization has been unwaveringly advanced by the dedicated staff and volunteers, the commitment of management at all levels and the contribution of the Board of Directors with the support of its members.
Today, the organisation employs dozens of staff and volunteers, and continues to honour its fundamental objective of ensuring that all existing programs and services are essential and relevant to the changing needs of the community.
When: Saturday 17 September at 6.30pm
Where: 1 English St, Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields
For bookings: www.pronia.com.au/cart
