By 6:30PM, Sunday, 1,750 people had voted at the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, Victoria’s (GOCMV) General Election at Alphington Grammar School.
Officials speaking to Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) expected up to 2,200 people by 8PM.
The election’s smooth process and friendly atmosphere were noticed by Dimitri Christophilos, a GOCMV member for 20 years, who was “hoping for change” and expressed his frustration to NKEE with the “in-fighting and squabbling” that has characterised the GOCMV over the last year.
There was strong turnout by younger people and families to the General Election, as well as Greek seniors who were there in strong numbers. The integenerational mix of voters was also reflected among the various candidates from both camps.
Bill Papastergiadis heading Community Renewal seemed buoyant while Con Dikeos who leads Community Transparency was more reserved. At the same time, no one from the Papastergiadis camp was willing to express confidence of a clear victory.
The GOCMV President, Bill Papastergiadis speaking to NKEE emphasised his willingness to support either team that won. “From Community Renewal’s perspective, what we would like is a clear direction for the GOCMV moving forward. Whatever team wins they’ll have our support and my support in particular.”
He added, “We will be available to assist in any of the future projects. The most important for the Greek community is unity and a resolve to work together and that’s what I am hoping the election will deliver.”
Con Dikeos when asked by NKEE to express how confident he felt said that “it was too close to call and too hard to tell at this hour.”
He seemed cautious but optimistic, and said, “I’m expecting that most of the supports of Community Renewal will come later in the day, but regardless, so far things are looking somewhat positive for us”
“This election could go either way and could end up becoming big result,” said Mr Dikeos and emphasising the more pragmatic side of elections added;
“It’s simply about the ability of any group mobilising the numbers more effectively.”
He also reflected that being mid-January there was “a significant amount of people who are on holidays and will not come to vote.”
One of two new candidates, (among the 43 overall candidates), was Thomas Karantzas, a financial advisor who ran for the Community Transparency and who has been a member of GOCMV for three years.
He highlighted to NKEE his “commitment to the care of the elderly and financial transparency.” He also underscored his desire to “give something back to the community and to do it for our children as well.”
One of Mr Karantzas’ aims is to raise GOCMV membership to $100 as a “way of getting things into shape and to stop election stacking, while at the same time adding to the Community’s cash flow.”
Dimitris Bosinakis the second new candidate, on the side of Community Renewal, is a dentist who has has been a member of the past 10 years. He pointed to his “belief in the Community and Bill’s [Papastergiadis] plans and vision and his “willingness to contribute to the community.”
It is doubtful that the election results will be released prior to Wednesday. As a company commissioned by the Victorian Electoral Commission counts and re-count the ballots.
Regardless of who wins the election there are a number of seriously pressing challenges facing the new administration such as appropriate age care for Victroria’s ageing Greek community; extending education and the Greek language teaching; the proposed cultural centre and the Community’s long-term financial security.