The inaugural meeting of the HACCI National Federation (HNF) took place in Sydney last week on Friday, February 10 .
Dubbed an “historic milestone for the Hellenic Australian professional and business community”, it saw the Board Chairs of HACCIs across Australia come together at the offices of Business Sydney (formerly the Sydney Business Chamber).
Chairs Fotini Kypraios, Angela Tomazos, Kostas Koutsonas and Dr Elena Limnios of Victoria, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia attended the meeting.
It welcomed HACCI NSW President, George Mavrakis who’s been engaged in discussions about the unification of the state-based chambers, as a guest attendee.
Mr Mavrakis congratulated the Chambers on uniting and is said to look forward to participating.
The inaugural meeting brought together the state-based organisations under the banner of unity to establish a national presence and voice representing Greek-Australian business interests.
The HNF’s functions will be carried out by the heads of the four constituent Chambers through the newly formed HACCI National Federation Council.
Each of the Chamber heads will assume the role of council chair on an annual rotating basis, HACCI VIC Chair Fotini Kypraios was named the role’s inaugural incumbent.
“The HACCI National Federation is a vision HACCI Victoria has been working on for many years. I am excited for what the future holds,” Kypraios said.
“I’m grateful for the enthusiasm with which my interstate colleagues have embraced the opportunity to be part of a collective, national voice of the Hellenic Australian business and professional community.”
“The HACCI National Federation will lead by example to connect, motivate and inspire future generations of community and thought leaders. Anything is possible when we work together,” she said.
As per the HNF terms of reference, the National Federation will serve to connect each of the state Hellenic Chambers of Commerce in order to facilitate continued collaboration and connection between them, as well as the governments of Australia and Greece.
According to Kypraios “The Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and Industry throughout Australia have been operating autonomously, with little or no interaction with each other since their inception.”
“Despite our many respective achievements, that we’re all proud of, this parallel operation has undermined our ability to seize opportunities, particularly when it comes to synergies and collaborations on an interstate, national, or even international level.”
“The time for a shift in mindset has arrived” she said “the establishment of the HACCI National Federation is a proud achievement for us all,” she concluded.
HACCI NT Chair, Angela Tomazos highlighted the importance of the federation for the territory’s Hellenes.
“It is a particularly proud moment for HACCI NT, as we Territorians have first-hand experience of the impact of distance, of being apart.”
HACCI WA Chair, Dr Elena Limnios said “the vision of the HNF is for a balanced and equal participation of each member state, unity in our leadership and decision making,” adding “I’m confident that the Federation will prosper and signify a new era for Hellenism in Australia.”
HACCI SA Chair, Kostas Koutsonas said the newly founded federation will “lead by example and demonstrate how independent Greek Australian associations can work together harmoniously, with trust and respect.”
The HNF says its first activities will take place within the year and are expected to be announced soon.