Federal parliament paid tribute to the late Greek Australian journalist Kostas Nikolopoulos last week.

At a gathering of the House of Representatives on Wednesday 25 February, Federal Member for Calwell, MP Maria Vamvakinou recalled the history of Mr Nikolopoulos, recognising his hard work and contributions to the Greek and wider Australian community.

“Today I would like to pay tribute to the passing of a great journalist, a community leader and a very dear friend of mine,” she said.

“It is difficult to express the depth of the loss a community feels when it loses one of its most influential, respected and significant voices. The passing of Kon Nikolopoulos leaves a void in the Australian Greek community that will be near impossible to fill.”

The 67-year-old’s death came as a shock to many, with him losing his battle with a long illness last month on 16 January, 2015 at Epworth Hospital.

“I want to thank Kon for the support he gave to me. I could always rely on his sharp mind, objectivity and thorough investigations. His criticisms were always constructive and, if ever harsh, they were certainly fair,” said Ms Vamvakinou.

She also recognised the journalist’s work at SBS, the Hellenic Herald and Neos Kosmos, along with his powerful activism for causes of social justice, such as multiculturalism, migration, access and equity, and ethnic media.

Federal Member for Chrisholm, MP Anna Burke also took the opportunity to honour Mr Nikolopoulos for his extensive work in the community.

“There are few people in the Victorian Hellenic community who would not know of Kostas’ name or his extensive work. Kostas was a trusted voice dedicated to bringing the news to the community in both English and Greek,” she said.

“Kostas was a wonderful man whose enormous contribution to our community endured far beyond the limits of his own life. He was an exemplary man, a true gentleman and a friend to the entire community. I will miss seeing Kostas at one of the many Greek community functions or just bumping into him at a café in Oakleigh.”

Alongside Mr Nikolopoulos’ contributions as a formidable journalist, both MPs recognised the unwavering commitment he had towards the teaching of the Greek language and culture.

It was in part his determination that resulted in the inclusion of Modern Greek in the national languages curriculum, having led a petition signed by a record 24,000 people that was tabled in the House of Representatives in June 2010.

Both MPs offered their sincerest condolences to his surviving wife Effie and son Niko, with Ms Burke concluding with a touching promise to the late journalist: “Be assured I will continue to see if you can be recognised with an Australia honour.”