Emmanuel Kakavelakis’ departure for Syria is just days away, and he will be leaving behind a Greek community that has widely benefited from his tenure.
Thanks to an initiative of the outgoing Greek Consul General to Melbourne, Greek community media colleagues got together at the Greek Consulate premises for the third year.
The ‘casual and off the record’ evening, takes place just before the Christmas holidays, honouring also the Saint Minas’ feast day, patron saint of journalists.
This year’s event was different though, with Kakavelakis preparing to fly to Damascus to undertake his next diplomatic mission after being elevated to the rank of Ambassador.
During his speech at the event, he spoke highly of the community’s abilities and output.
His contributions during his four-year Melbourne tenure were praised by several speakers of the night, including Neos Kosmos editor-in-chief Sotiris Hatzimanolis, Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis and General Manager of Greek media group Ross Alatsas.
It was acknowledged by all that despite having served during challenging times, largely due to staff shortages and the impact of the pandemic, Kakavelakis did his best to help and support Melbourne’s Greek community.
Hatzimanolis noted in his speech that the consul general would assist in all areas, including taking calls from the public, opening doors and whatever else was needed for the short staffed consulate.
It was also acknowledged by all in attendance that Kakavelakis made a point of attending the majority community events he’d been invited too.
Born in Chania, Crete, in 1971, Kakavelakis assumed Consul General duties in Melbourne in 2021.
On 15 December he was awarded the highest honorary distinction of the Archdiocese of Australia, the medal of the Order of the Christ-Loving, by Archbishop Makarios.
“Always here in Australia you will have many brothers, sisters and friends, and a home, which is the Holy Archdiocese, whose doors will always be open,” the Archbishop told Kakavelakis, thanking him for his cooperation with the Archdiocese.
