The Greek Community Melbourne, Victoria Board has called a Special General Meeting for Sunday, July 21, 5pm, at Alphington Grammar to consider and vote on proposed changes to the GCM Constitution. The SGM follows an extensive consultation and an open meeting of GCM members on June 5, where members discussed proposed changes.
An information meeting will be held on Sunday, July 7 at 2 pm at the Greek Centre. The SGM follows a concerted effort by members of the board of the GCM and former members to modernise the Community’s Constitution or bring it in line with current realities. The Constitution of the GCM reflects in many ways a GCM established in the early 1900s and a constitution that has not changed to reflect modern Australia.
As a GCM explanatory note accompanying the material calling for the SGM points out:
“The current Constitution of the Community was initially developed around 1948 and has subsequently been modified in a piecemeal fashion from time to time.
“There has never been a wholesale review of the Constitution. The consequence of this history is that the current Constitution is a very dated document that does not accord with several current legal concepts and does not reflect either modern corporate practice or contemporary concepts of good corporate governance.”
The documents from the GCM point out, “numerous anachronisms, conflicts, inconsistencies and unclear provisions exist.”
The proposed changes to be voted on at the SGM on July 21 include making the Constitution more secular and fitting modern Australia.
There is, for example, a call for the explicit recognition of First Nation Australians, the use of non-gendered language, the modernisation of the role of the board of directors and more.
The most marked difference is a shift to a secular Hellenism whereby the GCM would, as a proposed amendment suggests, “function as a communal institution that addresses the Hellenic/Greek social, cultural, educational, identity and community needs of Victoria.”
“To foster, preserve, protect, promote, and develop the distinctive cultural identity of Hellenic/Greek Victorians in its broader Australian multicultural context.
“To explore, appreciate and share Hellenic/Greek culture with current and future generations in Victoria and beyond.”
“To contribute to Australia’s modern multicultural identity, as informed by its three core cultural foundations: (1) its Indigenous heritage; 3 (2) its postcolonial institutions; and (3) the contribution of its Non-English-Speaking Background ethnic communities
“To foster interaction, cooperation, and dialogue amongst diverse constituencies, including government, industry, international organisations, religious and community organisations, professional associations, and non-governmental organisations more generally, who share the same concerns and interest in Hellenism in Australia and overseas.
“To support the teaching and development of the modern Greek language and, where possible, to pursue a policy of bi-linguality (Greek-English and vice versa).
“While engaging with governments and other organisations to ensure that The Community remains independent.”
This proposed modernisation of the GCM Constitution is one of the most significant changes to the GCM since 1948.
For information and documents on the proposed changes, please visit this link.
