Amid the stunning backdrop of South Australia’s Barossa Valley, AHEPA hosted its 60th National Convention last month from 11 to 18 October, passing several motions successfully.

More than 60 delegates from across the country came together to discuss the future of the association and to elect the 2015 National Lodge officers.
Victorian Sister Voula Marabeliotakis, treasurer of Victoria’s Daughters of Penelope, was the recipient of the prestigious AHEPAN of the Year Shield for her continual service, dedication and hard work.

National president Sister Christine Lynch OAM (NSW) was re-elected for a second term, along with national vice president, Brother Steve Liassi (QLD).
A range of foreign policy challenges were discussed throughout the week, including the restitution of the Parthenon Marbles at the Hellenic Issues Forum last Tuesday, with the presence of the Ambassador of Greece Haris Dafaranos.

With philanthropy at the heart of their mission, the most notable outcome of the convention was the securing of a national fundraising project for 2015. Aside from the continuing support for children in Greece and Cyprus, all Australian states will get behind Father Themis Adamopoulos’ Orthodox Mission of Sierra Leone.

The convention also gave its youth chapter a chance to come together with older members of the national association. Youth chapter president John Papaemmanouil said it was surprising how well the two groups mingled.

“The youth definitely had a great time together,” Mr Papaemmanouil told Neos Kosmos. “This is one of the few times where the youth chapter gets to actually meet and cooperate with much of the older members of the organisation and it was a surprise to see how well we were actually able to work given the generation gap.”

The Victorian AHEPA Youth Chapter was recognised for its membership growth and was awarded the Basil & Costa Collegas and the Tash Vanos Incentive Shields.

The association hopes to continue its fundraising success into the coming year, having raised over $240,000 in the last term for charities across Australia, Greece and further abroad.

The 61st National Convention will be held in Melbourne this time next year, the exact location yet to be determined.