Alexandra Vakitsidou, the recipient of the 2019 South Australian Woman of the Year award, held a meeting with government officials last Thursday at the Office of the Deputy Governor of Western Macedonia in Florina, Greece, her hometown.
The South Australian, serves as a volunteer in three hospitals in Adelaide and was honored as the first Greek female “ambassador” of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she received an honourary title in recognition of her valuable contributions and charitable endeavors.
During the meeting, Ms Vakitsidou received congratulations from esteemed Greek officials, including the Regional Governor of Western Macedonia, Giorgos Kasapidis, the Mayor of Florina, Vassilis Giannakis, the Deputy Regional Governor of Florina, Sotiris Vosdou, and the President of the Local Community of Florina, Kostas Rozas, for her exceptional charitable work in both Australia and Florina.
According to Prlogos.gr, the discussions between Ms Vakitsidou and the Greek officials also centered around strengthening relations with the Greek diaspora, fostering connections with future generations born and active abroad, and encouraging them to learn about their homeland.
The Deputy Governor of Florina presented Ms Vakitsidou with statuettes adorned in the local costumes of Sitaria, Flambouros, and the Macedonian Warriors.
Throughout the years, Alexandra Vakitsidou has received numerous accolades for her dedicated volunteer work in education and her efforts to promote and preserve Greek culture and tradition.
On Monday 31 July she was also praised on Greek local radio Lehovo for her dedicating her life to helping others.
Ms Vakitsidou herself said about the award, that “The honour belongs to the entire Greek Diadpora”.
