There are hundreds of Greek Australians who offer their time to support causes they believe in.
National Volunteer Week was recently celebrated across Australia, giving the opportunity to the Greek community organisations PRONIA and Fronditha Care to honour their volunteers for their contribution.
PRONIA, an organisation built by volunteers 53 years ago, celebrated National Volunteer Week with a heartfelt event last Thursday at the White Rose Reception Hall in Thornbury. On the same day, Fronditha Care acknowledged the remarkable contribution of its 150 dedicated volunteers at the Fronditha Care Community Centre in Mulgrave.
PRONIA: “Our volunteers embody the true spirit of generosity and compassion”
PRONIA volunteers have played a crucial role in offering companionship and warmth to the elderly, who often find themselves isolated. Through regular home visits, they provide more than just smiles and conversation. They bring a piece of home, a sense of belonging, and the familiarity of their Greek heritage.
Melburnian of the Year, Kon Karapanagiotidis, founder and CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, expressed in a video message his profound gratitude to the volunteers, highlighting the critical role they play in ensuring the well-being of the elderly and vulnerable in the community. “This is at the heart of what it means to be Greek. Through volunteering, you are protecting them from harm, from exploitation, from elder abuse,” he said.
Interim CEO Nikki Efremidis thanked the volunteers for their significant contributions. “In the last 10 months, your generous time has provided close to 8,000 hours of friendly visits. A tremendous feat, and I congratulate you all. Our volunteers embody the true spirit of generosity and compassion… In a world that often feels too busy and indifferent, their willingness to give their time and care to those who need it most is a beacon of hope and humanity.”
Manager of the Department of Family and Community Services, Mary Sophou together with Ilias Vogiatzis, PRONIA’s Volunteer Coordinator, presented certificates of appreciation to all the volunteers. The lunch event turned into a lively celebration as volunteers and staff enjoyed live music and dance.
Fronditha Care: “Our volunteers bring so much joy to our elders”
Fronditha Care celebrated the remarkable contribution of its 150 dedicated volunteers during a special event also held as part of National Volunteer Week 2024.
“Our volunteers bring so much joy to our elders, inspiring us all to uphold both professional and personal values. They truly represent the volunteer spirit that defines Australians and Greek Australian in particular”, commented Faye Spiteri OAM, CEO, of Fronditha Care.
Many volunteers were honoured for their unwavering commitment to serving our elders. They were recognised for years of service starting with 5 years and continuing all the way up to an impressive 30 years of service.
Tasoula Kordaris received the inaugural award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Volunteer Program’. She has been a stalwart supporter of Fronditha Care and its elders for over 20 years.
The ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award was presented to two exceptional individuals, Panagiotis Vlahopoulos and Nikolaos Koutsopoulos, who everyday show their commitment to the Fronditha Care Social Support Groups at the Mulgrave Hub.
Closing the recognition ceremony, Kostas Livadaras, President of Fronditha Care, said how grateful they are for their volunteers. “Their dedication motivates us all to do even more for all those in our care and the broader Greek community”.
