The Victorian branch of the National Union of Greek Australian Students (NUGAS) elected its new committee at the annual general meeting held on May 26.

University club representatives, alumni, and young Greek Australians eager to connect more deeply with their community came together for the occasion.

The meeting began with affiliate club presidents and outgoing committee members reviewing key achievements from the past year.

These included highlights like the boat cruise and the annual NUGAS Ball, alongside smaller cultural events such as lectures, dance workshops, and the regular NUGAS Kafenio catch-ups.

The committee also partnered with community groups like the Five Loaves initiative, made visits to aged care homes, and volunteered at the Hellenic Medical Society Careers Day

Following speeches from club presidents and the outgoing executive team, the current committee officially stepped down, and the new 2025/2026 committee was elected.

President Jamie Gallos shared his vision for NUGAS in the coming year, stating:

“Our goal here during this term is to do a few of things; First to establish a sense of community and really promote a sense of fostering interpersonal relationships within the Greek spheres. What this looks like is building on our smaller events like our fortnightly kafeneion.”

Gallos talked about adding more cultural elements to their main events, like the upcoming NUGAS Ball.

He said this will mainly feature demotic-style music and rebetika — traditional Greek music forms that naturally fit into the events they typically host.

These efforts Gallos said aim to bring “a bit of soul” not just to events but to all interactions within the community.

“We’re all about ‘Greekness’ and we’re all about youth – but it extends beyond that. Bringing community together generally, making people connect and making a difference in representing our people takes some time, effort and certainly some grace.”

Confident in the new committee’s ability to achieve this and build strong community ties, Gallos concluded:

“The newly elected committee now looks ahead to a promising year of growth, connection, and cultural pride as they continue to represent and uplift Greek Australian youth across Victoria.”

Below is the list of the newly elected committee members for 2025/2026:

-Alexander Gerasimidis (LUGS – Latrobe University)

-Argyro Pollakis (SHS – Swinburne University)

-Dion Dellas (Independent)

-Eleni Ota (Independent)

-Jacqueline Jeruzalski (MunGA – Melbourne University)

-Magdalini Savvopouloulos (LUGS – Latrobe University)

-Menelaos Kalliakoudis (MHSS – Monash University)

-Michael Vellianis (VUGS – Victoria University)

-Nicholas Koumides (MHSS – Monash University)

-Nikitas Koukounaras (SHS – Swinburne University)

-Sophia Melemenis (VUGS – Victoria University)

-Spiros Zervos (RUSH – RMIT University)

-Steve Zervas (SHS – Swinburne University)

The executive committee:

– Co-Presidents: Jamie Gallos (MunGA – Melbourne University) and Demi Bourdopoulos (MHSS – Monash University)

– Secretary: Panos Stamatopoulos (RUSH – RMIT University)

– Treasurer: Angelica Spiliopoulos-Angsiting (LUGS – Latrobe University)

– Marketing Officer: Kosta Siolis (RUSH – RMIT University)

– Social-Cultural Officer: Yiannis Lekkas (VUGS – Victoria University)

– Education Officer: Martha Stamatopoulos (MunGA – Melbourne University)