Hosting its inaugural Appreciation Ceremony this week, the Greek Community of Melbourne recognised the dedication and selfless service of exemplary volunteers with a decade or more of community contribution.

The ceremony which took place at the Greek Centre, brought together community members, devoted volunteers, and priests from the Holy Church of “Annunciation of our Lady”, “Holy Trinity” Church, “St. George” Church, Holy Church of “St. Eleftherios” and Holy Church of “St. Dimitrios”.

“Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud”.

This famous quote by North American award-winning cancer researcher Helen Dyer, encapsulating the impact of volunteers served as the opening phrase of Nick Koukouvitakis’ address to attendees.

The GCM Secretary, kickstarted the ceremony with a warm welcome and expressing gratitude for the work of volunteers.

“Your compassion and kindness towards others are an inspiration to all, and your efforts have not gone unnoticed,” Mr Koukouvitakis said.

One of Melbourne’s closest-knit communities, the Greek community and its history goes hand in hand with the history of its churches, as the GCM President Bill Papastergiadis, OAM, highlighted in his speech.

Certificates of recognition were presented to over 40 longstanding GCM volunteers. Photo: Kostas Deves.

Some of the key milestones in this rich historical trajectory are as follows:

– In 1898, an eight-member ecclesiastical committee consisting of Greeks and Syrians was appointed with the goal of bringing a permanent priest to Melbourne.

– On December 6, 1900, the foundation ceremony of the first Orthodox church took place, marking the official beginning of Orthodox doctrine in Victoria. For almost 60 years, the Holy Church of “Annunciation of our Lady” was the sole church meeting the religious needs of Orthodox Greeks. Today, it is considered one of the most significant buildings representing the historical Greek presence in Melbourne.

– In the 1950s, the Community responded to the increasing needs resulting from post-war mass migration by establishing two additional Orthodox churches. Throughout these years, the members of the Community volunteered their contributions to the operation of Orthodox churches, covering administration, financial obligations, fundraising, and everything necessary for their smooth functioning.

Mr Papastergiadis provided a retrospective that resonated with attendees in offering the context of the community’s present identity and future aspirations.

“The GCM is built on the foundation of unity and shared values,” he stated and said of the volunteer appreciation ceremony:

“Our volunteers embody these principles, and it is only fitting that we come together as a community to honour their commitment, passion, and generosity. This event serves as a platform to shine a spotlight on their selfless acts and express our heartfelt gratitude for the positive change they bring to the lives of others and our community.”

During the event, Treasurer of the GCM Associate Prof. Marinis Pirpiris and board member Helene Hiotis, the principal of Bentleigh Secondary College, presented certificates of recognition to over 40 of the GCM longstanding volunteers.

Four certificates were also given to the families of volunteers who are deceased. Among the volunteers was Mr. Costas Kolokythas, who has served as the chanter of “St. George” Church for 58 consecutive years.

Several dignitary guests and event stakeholders gave speeches praising the value of our volunteers’ work, including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese representative Father Phillip Papagiannopoulos, the Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Ms Vivienne Nguyen, who shared her personal story arriving in Australia as a refugee, and the Greek Consul General in Melbourne Emmanuel Kakavelakis.

“This ceremony is a testament to the profound impact you had on the wider community. You set a strong foundation for all the communities that came after you here in this city. We followed your footsteps. You have created a sense of belonging for all of us,” Ms Vivienne Nguyen (3rd from left) the Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission said in her speech. Photo: Kostas Deves.

“Volunteerism is not imposed; it is inspired. It is grounded in Love, the kind that is written with a capital ‘L’ and resides deep within us,” Mr Kakavelakis said in his address to volunteers.

“This humility is a path of greatness. The power of volunteering is unifying, is transformative. Your dedication is a source of inspiration for us all.”