Last night marked the return of the celebrated annual HACCI Gala Ball, after two years of hiatus due to pandemic restrictions.
The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry celebrated some of the most prominent members of the community with the awards event, running for the 36th year in a row, in the presence of more than 400 attendees.
Acclaimed actor, director, writer, producer and lecturer Tony Nikolakopoulos was the Master of Ceremonies, while HACCI Board members Vicky Alexiou and Demi Markogiannaki presented the Awards to the recipients.
“The response to the 2022 HACCI Excellence Awards has been overwhelming, proving that as a community we’re as tight-knit as ever, supportive of one another, and that we celebrate each other’s success,” said HACCI Chair, Fotini Kypraios.
“After all, it is our individual and collective achievements that have made the Hellenic community one of the pillars of the Australian multiculturalism success story.”
The HACCI Excellence Awards, acknowledge excellence in business, leadership, philanthropy, innovation, science, arts and community spirit.
Below is the list of individuals and organisations who were announced as The 2022 HACCI Excellence Award Winners standing out in the eight distinct areas of endeavour:
- Spiro Stamoulis Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr Spiro Moraitis and Mr George Papadopoulos OAM, founders of PRONIA
- Bank of Sydney Business Excellence Award: Zaparas Lawyers
- Professional Excellence Award, presented by BDO Australia: Angelo Candalepas, founder of Candalepas Associates commissioned with designing The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
- Innovation Award, presented by Directed Technologies: Dr Dimitrios Salampasis
- Woman of Influence Award presented by SalaryMasters: Effy Alexakis
- Community Service Award presented by PRONIA: Stella Avramopoulos
- Sport Award presented by Heidelberg United FC: George Kambosos
- Chris Saristavros Young Achiever Award: Christos Papadimitriou
The 2022 Chris Saristavros Young Achiever Award goes to Christos Papadimitriou.
The 2022 Spiro Stamoulis Lifetime Achievement Award goes to George Papadopoulos and Dr Spiro Moraitis.
The 2022 HACCI Award for Innovation goes to Dr Dimitrios Salampasis.
The 2022 HACCI Woman of Influence Award goes to photographer Effy Alexakis.
The 2022 HACCI Professional Excellence Award goes to Angelo Candalepas.
Congratulations to the 2022 winner of the Bank of Sydney Business Excellence Award, Zaparas Lawyers. Photos: HACCI
Distinguished members of the Greek Australian and broader community who honoured HACCI with their presence include: Maria Vamvakinou MP, Federal Member for Calwell; Keith Wolahan MP, Federal Member for Menzies; Steve Dimopoulos, MP, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events and Minister for Creative Industries; Matthew Guy, MP, Leader of the Victorian Opposition; Lee Tarlamis, MP for the Southeastern Metropolitan Region; Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission; Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Consul General of Greece in Melbourne; and Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria.
“One of the most important things about being part of HACCI is having the opportunity to meet extraordinary people: passionate, purpose-driven, community-focused, resilient and persistent, always striving for excellence,” said HACCI Chair Ms Kypraios.
This is the kind of people we celebrate and acknowledge every year at the HACCI Excellence Awards, and this year’s winners are no exception. They are our compass, they set the standards for our community, they motivate us and help us aim higher.”
Guests who gathered to honour the 2022 HACCI Excellence Award winners enjoyed a night of true Greek-style celebration, including an opulent three-course meal, with entertainment centred around ‘200 years of Greek music’, a nod to the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution for Independence.
The Manasis School of Dance and Culture presented traditional dances, while the night also featured a Rebetiko Quartet, ‘Greek Swing’ band, Cats and the Canary, and DJ Nick Mamouzis’ selection of Greek tunes.
