Greek Australian Nola Radiotis has been named Citizen of the Year by the City of Darebin at its Community Awards evening; the highest accolade the local council grants to residents.
For the last 12 years, Nola has served as president of the Greek Women of the Northern Suburbs “Anemones” based in Preston; the longest serving president in the organisation’s 23-year history.
Nola was also presented with the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Seniors Community Leader of the Year award.
Described as an “inspirational leader” and “a role model for others,” Nola has made a significant impact on the Darebin community through her volunteering efforts over the past two decades.
Most recently, during the period of Covid lockdowns when “Anemones” could neither meet nor attend events, Nola was instrumental in helping members learn how to make use of technology given the circumstances.
She organised dance classes over zoom, and soon enough became a long-distance instructor ensuring all the association’s members were taking part.
Her pragmatic use of technology during a period of unprecedented isolation helped her fellow members stay fit, healthy and above all connected with their friends and family.
The women of “Anemones” still thank Nola to this day for teaching them how to make use of technology, a skill which helped them overcome the sense of isolation and depression brought on by the lockdowns.
“Nola’s zoom classes were a life-line to members during the Covid lockdown periods,” says Radioti’s nominator Mary Lalios.
“The initiative that Nola undertook during this time has had a lasting impact and ongoing benefits to the women within the group,” she explains.
“Members now use those skills to connect with friends and family, in Victoria, interstate and beyond Australian borders.”
