President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou was briefed on issues of interest to Melbourne’s Greek Community during a meeting at the Presidential Mansion on Thursday.

Ms Sakellaropoulou welcomed the GCM delegation consisting of President Bill Papastergiadis, Treasurer Marinis Pirpiris and Assistant Secretary Vicky Kyritsis.

Still from the delegation’s meeting with Ms Sakellaropoulou.

The discussion focused on recent initiatives spearheaded by the Community in Melbourne.

GCM activities highlighted by Mr Papastergiadis included: contributing to the success of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens exhibition “Open Horizons” at Melbourne Museum, the floodlighting of the Greek Centre in commemoration of the Pontian Genocide, the establishment of the Hellenic Chair in Global Diasporas at the University of Melbourne and a summer camp program co-funded by the GCM and the Greek Foreign Ministry which commenced on 9 July in Thessaloniki with an initial intake of 45 Greek Australian youth.

President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou received a Melbourne-themed gift by the Greek Community delegation.

Mr Papastergiadis also briefed Ms Sakellaropoulou on what the GCM believed were areas that required further bilateral focus between the two countries, in particular the recognition of tertiary qualifications, enhancing the cultural program offering to diasporic communities of the Greek Ministry for Culture and the ongoing discussion between Greece and Australia on an agreement regarding double taxation.

During the meeting, Ms Kyritsis took the opportunity to inform Ms Sakellaropoulou about the work of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, while Mr Pirpiris spoke of the strong communication channels established between the leaders of the GCM and the political leadership and their role during the pandemic in addressing misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in the community.

During the meeting, Ms Sakellaropoulou was briefed on the new Lemnos Remembrance Trail project supported by the Lemnos Gallipoli Committee. The initiative spearheaded by the Australian Government in collaboration with Hellenic authorities, recognises Lemnos’ part in the Greek link to Australia’s ANZAC story through both wars.

He also highlighted successes achieved by GCM’s education program referring in particular to its bilingual day school Alphington Grammar.

The delegation was accompanied by Secretary General for Greeks Abroad John Chrysoulakis.

“The relationship with the GCM, the programs that we share and have commenced and those that we plan for the future are in the best standing for the last 20 years,” Mr Chrysoulakis said.

“United and with close cooperation with the GCM we will be very successful.”

President Sakellaropoulou stated pleased over the GCM’s commitment in promoting the Greek language and culture and expressed interest in growing the number of collaboration programs between the Australia and Greece.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Ms Sakellaropoulou reiterated the Greek Presidency’s appreciation for the consistent support by the Hellenic Community Down Under and the close ties between the two countries.

Last year, the President of the Hellenic Republic had sent a video message to feature at an International Women’s Day event organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne.

“You maintained our language and Greek traditions alive[…] You worked hard, while keeping Greece always in your hearts. Your contribution gives us hope and strengthens our country’s standing in the international community, beyond borders,” Ms Sakellaropoulou had said then, addressing the event attendees.