The delegates and members of AHEPA NSW held their 68th annual Convention at the association’s headquarters in Rockdale on Sunday, 27 November.
The all-day convention welcomed guest speaker Consul-General Ioannis Mallikourtis who briefed the attendees on national issues, while urging them to to continue their work in support of the most crucial National Issue “the continuance of Hellenic as a spoken language amongst the community as well as the development of Hellenic education in New South Wales”.
Mr Mallikourtis emphasised the significance of the ‘Learning Hellenic via tablets’ project in NSW public schools, sponsored by AHEPA NSW Inc.
Certificates of Appreciation were awarded by the Consul General together with President Bill Skandalakis to leading figures of the organisation.
Evangelia Mouhtaris was recognised for services to the Kafeneion Seniors Group and Chapter Antigone; Charoulla Themistocleous received an acknowledgement for services to Chapter Antigone; George Balassis for services to the AHEPA Hunters Club and Chapter Diogenes; Kostas Kapodistrias received a certificate for services to the Kafeneion Seniors Group and Chapters Anatole and Platon; and Harry Fandakis was also awarded a certificate of appreciation for services to AHEPA NSW Inc and Chapter Chiron.
Chapters and Committees of the Order of AHEPA NSW presented their annual reports with reviews of their events and other activities over the last twelve months, as well as proposals for the future events and activities comprising a plan of 71 pages altogether prior to the unanimous election of a new Grand Lodge of NSW.
Vasilis Skandalakis was re-elected unopposed as President for another year; the majority of officers from the previous committee were also re-elected, with a noticeable increase in the presence of female members.
Finally, the open forum part of the convention was dominated by the impeding renovation of the Bexley Bowling and Community Club, the future headquarters of the organisation.