Greek-Australian Nola Radiotis has been recognised for her contributions to the community by being included in the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) Honour Roll for 2023.
Ms Radiotis, along with many others, was presented with her award on Tuesday, December 19, at Government House, acknowledging her tremendous efforts in volunteering.
The event featured speeches from Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, and Ingrid Stitt MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, with Vivienne Nyugen AM, Chairperson of the VMC, also in attendance.
Ms Radiotis earned the immense honour for her immense commitment as President of Anemones, a grassroots Greek dancing community group that has helped marginalised Greek women combat isolation, become active, and learn technology.
Serving in that role for the last 12 years, she has worked closely with elderly culturally and linguistically diverse women, inspiring them to become active through dance, become IT literate, and looked after women with no family and recovering from illness.
The group meets on a weekly basis and engages in all sorts of other activities in addition to dancing, creating a sense of community among all the members.
Her work was of significant help during the COVID-19 lockdowns as she organised zoom dance classes, and many women of the group credit Ms Radiotis for them staying fit, gaining independence through IT/mobile phone/digital literacy, and overcoming their sense of isolation and depression.
She regularly cares for members who have had surgery and have no family, cooks them food, visits and checks in on elderly members who are alone and do not drive, ensured that members were taken to and from the hospital and that they are able to recuperate afterwards.
Ms Radiotis, who is a retired teacher, organises for the group to dance at aged care homes all around Melbourne, entertaining the various elderly residents.
In addition to her work with Anemones, she also curates the ‘Dance and Roll’ group, a transformative dance program for disabled people in wheelchairs which she has connected with and taught traditional Greek dancing.
Her efforts in the wider community saw her named Darebin Citizen of the Year for 2023.
