Over 50 delegates from 21 organisations attended Sydney’s Hellenic Village elections and AGM on Monday 27 February, members returned all existing board members that sought re-election.

At the AGM, the associations’ representatives considered reports, adopted financial statements and heard updates on the board’s progress – particularly, the ongoing expression of interest campaign for the land at Kemps Creek.

Attendees also heard proposals for community initiatives and charitable works for the future of the Greek-Australian community, though the proposed Australian-Hellenic Future Fund.

As far as the sale of the Kemps Creek property the president’s report stated:

“On the sale of the land at Kemps Creek, the Board made it clear that it would establish the facts and explore the relevant options regarding a potential sale process. Over the course of our tenure, the Board;

– Sought approval for a valuation of the property, which was conducted once approved,

– Received a number of unsolicited, off-market offers which highlighted the interest and potential value of the property,

– Sought approval to conduct an Expression of Interest (EOI) campaign via an agent, which was unanimously supported at the 2022 Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM),

– Presented the formula for the distribution of net proceeds from a potential sale of the land, also unanimously supported at the 2022 EGM,

– Sought approval of the establishment of the Australian-Hellenic Future Fund, subject to approval by Unit Holders of its Objects and Constitution, again unanimously supported at the 2022 EGM,

– Conducted an extensive tender process to select a suitable agent for the EOI campaign before making a decision, and

– Provided a timeline of the upcoming EOI campaign, where the Board will receive the results from the agent and call a subsequent EGM to make a final decision on the sale.

The meeting was held at the Pan-Arcadian Club in Ashbury, and was chaired by Hellenic Village president, George Mpliokas, and included presentations from a number of board members.

According to a statement released from the Hellenic Village committee it was “a meeting characterised by positive discussion throughout.”

Elections were carried out in an orderly manner and the results were declared by the election committee.

The elected board members are: George Mpliokas (President), John Petropoulos (Vice-President), Peter Siomos (Vice-President), Andrew Kalavritinos (Secretary), George Lianos (Treasurer), Sam Pashalis (Assistant Secretary) and Andreas Kolovos. George Kafataris, Eve Tusa (Dimitriadis), Phillip Koinis and Elias Sioutas were also elected.

Board members Sotirios Katsianas and Panayiotis Achilleos did not seek re-election.

On Monday 13 March, the Hellenic Village Board held the first meeting in its new term to review action items.

The release said that the committee “confirmed key priorities and elected the office bearers. It was unanimously agreed at the meeting that the President, two Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary all be returned to their positions for the new term.”

Elected board of Hellenic Village:

President: George Mpliokas

Vice-President: John Petropoulos

Vice-President: Peter Siomos

Secretary: Andrew Kalavritinos

Treasurer: George Lianos

Assistant Secretary: Eve Tusa (Dimitriadis)

Assistant Treasurer: Sam Pashalis

Directors: George Kafataris

Phillip Koinis

Andreas Kolovos

Elias Sioutas