The Greek-Australian Society (GAS) has elected its new board for 2025–27 at its virtual Annual General Meeting on Monday, 20 January. George Mpliokas was re-elected as Chair by the new GAS board which includes returning members Bill Maloukis, Stella Drivas, and John Georgaklis, and newcomers, Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos (Melbourne), Paul Kaletsis (Canberra), Paul Kougias (Sydney), Mersina Hristeff (Sydney), and Arthur Sarlas (Sydney).
New board member, the globally renowned virologist Prof. Apostolopoulos said she was “excited to have been elected as a Board Member of GAS for the upcoming term.
“I’m passionate about inspiring future generations to connect with and celebrate Greek culture.”
Over 500 members participated in the AGM, and the occasion also marks the first-time representatives from Adelaide and Canberra have been included, highlighting the organisation’s national reach. Members from across Australia participated in the meeting, with nine candidates selected from a pool of 22.
Mpliokas told Neos Kosmos he was “humbled by the support” of GAS members and “community partners”. He also thanked those who returned him to the board and elected his team.
“Our work at GAS has continued to resonate with Greek Australians everywhere for five years and that is very encouraging for the future of our community,”
The newly elected Chair said GAS had “made important progress to break” Greek language “attrition” by recognising the Pharos Alliance in Victoria.
Mpliokas said that GAS “launched the NSW Alliance in 2024 and will deliver a project plan for “evidence-based community action” on Greek language survival and sustainability.
The GAS Chair said the organisation harbours “an ambitious agenda” to continue growing membership.
“We want more members, and we want them to play a part of our Society.
“We will expand and extend our GAS Mentoring Program to ensure it keeps connecting generations of Greek Australians for our future,” Mpliokas said to Neos Kosmos.
He underscored the importance of “Greek Australians of all ages, all professions and persuasions” becoming GAS members.
Outgoing board members Peter Dracakis, Eleni Tatsis, Apollonas Karakaidos, Constance Piperides, and George Psihoyios did not seek re-election and were acknowledged for their contributions during their tenure.
Consul-General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis, also addressed the meeting and commended the Society for its efforts to “engage younger members of the Greek-Australian community and adapt to contemporary challenges”.
Angelica Spiliopoulos-Angsiting, co-president of NUGAS Victoria, delivered a member’s address, which outlined plans for expanding the student organisation’s activities and acknowledged the support provided by GAS.