On 19 and 20 June, representatives from the National Union of Greek Australian Students (NUGAS) attended the National Conference of the Australian Hellenic Council. NUGAS were there to represent the youth of Greek Australia and to discuss the role they will play in the future.
With the conference placing importance on the youth, other things discussed, addressed and presented to the Members of Parliament included: Greek migration to Australia; Greek language in Australia; the Cyprus issue; Macedonia; Parthenon Marbles; the Theological College of Halki and religious freedom in Turkey; the Christian Genocide of Anatolia; Battle of Crete; Southern Albania/Northern Epirus; and the Australian-Greek Elderly.
The Council’s delegates met with several Ministers, Members of Parliament, including Tony Abbott, Federal Opposition Leader; Kate Ellis, Minister for Status of Women; Julie Bishop, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs; Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; and Peter Garrett, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth.
Lex Georgiou, NUGAS president, was impressed with the outcomes of both the conference and visit to parliament, confirming NUGAS’ commitment to its relationship and collaboration with the Australian Hellenic Council.
“NUGAS has always participated actively in Greek-Australian community affairs; this participation has also paved the way for our members to progress into the mainstream Greek Australian community organisations,” Georgiou said.