The Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne and Victoria (PanMac) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on February 4, marking a significant moment for the organisation.
Gathered at their headquarters in Clifton Hill, members witnessed a changing guard in the executive committee, setting the stage for what the new president, Peter Stefanidis, called greater “offerings and purpose”.
Reflection on the past year Nikos Katsakis, representing the cultural and educational club of Florina “Aristotelis,” presided over the AGM. Outgoing President Dimitrios Minas reflected on the past year’s accomplishments, citing achievements.
Among these were the successful relaunch of the Dimitria Festival after a seven-year hiatus, the partnership with St. Dimitrios Church facilitated the festival’s success, underscoring the importance of collaboration within the community; the refurbishment of PanMac facilities and a marked growth of younger members.
Welcoming a new era
With a fresh executive committee the newly elected president Peter Stefanidis told Neos Kosmos he looks ahead to the future and that he would honour the former Pan Mac executives, learn from them and “ask all members to go on a journey born of a shared vision.”
Along with Stefanidis as president, Vassiliki Laiou was elected vice president, Harry Tsaris as secretary, Voula Tsarouhidis took public relations, Anastassios Orphanidis became the assistant secretary, and Tony Tsiavis treasurer.
Stefanidis said he wants Pan Mac to have more “offerings and purpose for younger Greek Australians,” especially educated professionals “who can offer so much.”
“My focus is to offer young people an opportunity to be involved in the community, to develop a network of like-minded people; however, we need to provide them with a purpose, to create a purpose.
“It is not like the old days when our elders came together; that doesn’t work anymore,” The new Pan Mac president said. Young people are ensconced in the mainstream: “However, they have a great love for Greek culture”, which he wants to tap into.
“The more educated, skilled, and socially connected and aware young Greek Australians are the ones that usually drop off older Greek community-based organisations:
“That is because they have big visions and big dreams, and they’re looking for purpose, so one has to provide that level of purpose for them.
“I’ve seen that within the Pontian community, where we’ve got a thriving youth committee of five different organisations across four states, and they are passionate about what they’re doing.
“Their love for the culture and working together is evident, and we need to create more offerings and opportunities,” Stefanidis told Neos Kosmos.
He is keen to see more cross-cultural events, particularly with First Nations Australians and other culturally diverse communities.
“I am passionate about cross-cultural performance with Indigenous and other diverse Australians.
The cyber security expert also wants to see a digital transformation of Pan Mac and build its social media engagement.
“There are some amazing young people so adept at social media that, in due course, I would like to see work with us,” said Stefanidis.
At the same time, the new president re-emphasised his commitment to building upon the successes of his predecessors, with a strong focus on strengthening ties with member associations and engaging the youth.
Calls to rescind the Prespa Agreement
However, amidst the celebrations, the issue of Macedonia’s name, history, and identity loomed large.
Outgoing Secretary Nikos Lalopoulos underscored Pan Mac’s commitment to combatting attempts by Greece’s northern neighbour, North Macedonia, to “appropriate Greek Macedonian culture and history.”
Lalopoulos outlined how a forceful letter sent by Pan Mac in 2023 to the Greek government and published in various outlets called on the government to rescind the Agreement.
The Prespa Agreement, signed in 2018 between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) under UN guidance, aimed to end the nomenclature conflict between Greece and its northern neighbour. Greece and then-FYROM agreed on the final name, Northern-Macedonia.
Stefanidis emphasised alleged violations by North Macedonia and Neos Kosmos asked if he thinks Greece would ever rescind the Agreement.
“There were 300 plus violations by our neighbour in the north [North Macedonia]”, said the president and said that it should provide the Greek government with the legitimacy and impetus to rescind the Agreement.
“The Greek government and Greek politicians need to know that there is a Diaspora that is keeping them to account,” said Stefanidis
“Every Pan Mac organisation around the world is against the Prespas Agreement,” said Stefanidis, the new head of Pan Mac.
