Thousands of participants of all ages took part in the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday, including a significant number of Greeks. Among them, Greek-Australian long-distance runner Haftu Strintzos made an impressive debut in the half-marathon, finishing second. His achievement filled his mother, Maria Strintzos, with pride—someone Neos Kosmos featured in a past issue.

In a previous report, Maria Kampyli wrote:

“In the dictionary of humanity, under the entry ‘philanthropist,’ the name Maria Strintzos should be included. For thirty years, she has been by the side of the disadvantaged in Indonesia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Eritrea, as well as underprivileged women in Australia. She embodies the values of generosity and solidarity in the minds of all of us.”

Haftu Strintzos (center) with fellow runners, including two of his cousins. Photo: Supplied.

Maria Strintzos was raised in South Melbourne. After completing her education degree at the University of Melbourne, she worked in a housing support service for women with mental health issues. In 1988, she became the first Greek-Australian to join the Australian Volunteers Abroad program, spending two years in Indonesia during Suharto’s regime, developing programs to support vulnerable women in the region.

Following her work in Indonesia, she joined Community Aid Abroad (now known as Oxfam Australia) as Project Manager for the Horn of Africa, overseeing aid programs in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Eritrea. Seven years later, she became the head of fundraising and public relations for the Relief Society of Tigray (REST), working to improve the wellbeing and food security of four million of the world’s poorest and hungriest populations.

In 2005, Maria founded the Hawzien Orphan Project, which has helped hundreds of children, including her adopted son Haftu, whom she brought back to Australia in 2011 after returning from 18 years in Addis Ababa.