The Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) hosted a luncheon on Tuesday 31 July at the Press Club in Melbourne in honour of the Hon Mr Simon Crean MP, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts, in appreciation for his support of the Greek Australian community over many years.
Attending the HACCI Luncheon were Consul General for Greece in Melbourne, Ms Eleni Liainidou; Mr Nicholas Mylonas, President, HACCI; Mr Bill Papastergiadis, President, Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria; Mr Harry Stamoulis, Chairman, Hellenic Museum; Ms Helen O’Neil, Advisor to the Minister for the Arts; HACCI Board members and members of Greek Australian business and community organisations.
Mr Mylonas thanked Mr Crean for being a “great Philhellene” over the years and for supporting the Greek Australian community.
Mr Papastergiadis also thanked Mr Crean for his, and the Federal Goverment’s, financial support for the construction of the Antipodes Centre for Greek Culture, Heritage and Language in Melbourne, which is to commence later this year and presented Mr Crean with a commemorative plaque.
Mr Crean appreciated the recognition bestowed upon him and acknowledged that the current bilateral trade between Australia and Greece is comparatively low with other countries. He added that there are real opportunities for Australia to increase trading opportunities with Greece for the betterment of both economies and in particular the Greek economy.