The finances of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GOCMV), the current status of its membership register, the election of an electoral committee, and the official announcement of candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors will be the main items on the agenda of this year’s Annual General Meeting, to be held on Sunday, 15 June.
The meeting will take place at 1pm at the Andrianakos Centre.
Financial turnaround and stability
According to the leadership and management of the GCM this year’s delay was due to a change in auditor due to a serious health issue with the original auditor.
The Community has reported a financial loss of $1.6 million for the 2024 financial year—an improvement on the $2.9 million deficit recorded in 2023. The Treasurer has assured members that the organisation remains in a stable financial position, maintaining strong liquidity and assets valued at over $120 million.
Membership growth and engagement
Three members in a letter sent to Neos Kosmos raised concerns over the renewal of memberships in writing to Neos Kosmos claiming that members are not being adequately informed about their obligations.
GCM board representatives vehemently denied the allegations and said that “false information is being spread to damage and destabilise the organisation”.
The Community currently has 1,536 registered members — a 50 per cent increase since the pandemic — which it attributes to a sustained effort.
According to the administration, membership renewal reminders are issued annually through a variety of channels: newsletters, at both general and extraordinary general meetings, direct emails, and — where necessary — physical mail.
Over the past two years, the implementation of a new member management system, ‘Glue Up’, has further ensured that members receive detailed renewal instructions.
The GCM also pointed out that the three signatories of the letter “never contacted them prior to its release, and their records show that in some cases the individuals had already renewed their memberships”.
“It is in the organisation’s interest to encourage participation and membership. A large and active Community enables us to advocate more effectively on all fronts,” the letter stated.
In a statement the GCM called on any member to reach out to the office directly to resolve any disputes, “rather than engage in public disagreements that only harm the organisation”.
The Greek Community of Melbourne also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its members and strengthening its role as a pillar of the Greek diaspora in Victoria.
Other major issues currently underway include seeking better compensation for the Bulleen land sale to the government, which was subject to compulsory acquisition, and securing funding from federal Labor election commitments for upgrades to the Community’s church halls.
