The Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia held its 2025 AGM on 23 August, with its leaders coming together to reflect on their achievements and showing a look to the future with the introduction of new and young members to its Executive Committee.

The AGM was held at the Pontian Brotherhood of South Australia’s community hall in Adelaide, looking back on the work from the past two years and working to future proof the 36-year-old organisation.

“I wanted my term as President to continue our decade-long youth development effort, enhance our cultural pride, advance political engagement and strengthen the future of our Federation,” said outgoing President Esta Paschalidis-Chilas in their announcement.

The Federation noted numerous highlights from the last two years, including the visit of over 200 people to Tasmania to thanks their members of parliament and community leaders for recognising the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocide.

They also mentioned the significant steps taken to further develop unity across Australia with the return of Pontiaki Estia Melbourne and Pontian Brotherhood of Saint George Western Australia, bringing them to nine member groups across the country and extending their partnership to Perth.

“With no public funding and the pure drive of our volunteer committee of management and our members at large, we have driven sustainability and a values-based culture. Something we do as a committed group of community leaders,” Paschalidis-Chilas said.

The Federation has adapted its Executive Committee for the 2025-2027 period with a shared approach to be incorporated for certain positions, highlighted by its new co-Presidents, Maria Anthony and Peter Papoulidis.

“As we enter an important phase of our Federation’s history, we are excited to continue the transition to our next generation. With an expanded Executive team and immediate past President staying on as Secretary, we are very well equipped to continue the work of those who came before us,” said the newly elected co-Presidents who are both from Sydney.

Harry Tsairis, a 27-year-old leader from Melbourne, comes in as a new member of the Executive Committee and will assume the post of Vice President.

Paschalidis-Chilas will serve on as Secretary with 25-year-old Myrto Makridis from Melbourne to serve as Assistant Secretary.

Angie Triandafilou from Canberra and Harry Tsipidis from Sydney will look over the area of Treasury, will Voula Tsahouridis from Melbourne will serve as Event Manager.

“The 2023-2025 Executive Committee and all our Member Representatives have done a stellar job in developing such a broad base of interest in our Federation,” Paschalidis-Chilas said.

“I could not be more excited to see what we achieve with the increased capability we have using a shared leadership model and with the contribution of our two new members.”

The AGM notably marked the retirement of Peter Stefanidis, a former President and Secretary of the Federation, leaving behind an immense legacy that spans decades.

“After 20 years on the Federation, I have seen it on the brink of vanishing, yet I leave it with thriving and committed youth, a progressive Committee and a leadership second to none in the Greek community,” Stefanidis said.

“It has been an honour to have served my people and my culture, and I thank every one of my brothers and sisters for believing in me and the Federation. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for the Pontian community in Australia.”

The Federation expressed its appreciation to the Pontian Brotherhood of South Australia for hosting the event.

The South Australia-based association’s president, Harry Tavlaridis, said:

“As a past President of the Federation and the outgoing Vice President, it was my joy to welcome everyone to the Brotherhood. These visits uplift us all and reaffirm our commitment to the relationships forged through our Federation.”