At a special gathering hosted by GCM Secretary Nickos Koukouvitakis, the Greek Community of Melbourne came together to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of its volunteers. The GCM awarded and honoured individuals, who dedicate their time and effort to support the Community and its parishes.
“The event underscored the enduring spirit of volunteerism that has been at the heart of the Community since its inception in 1897” said Mr. Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President of the GCM. Bill continued “Our volunteers are the backbone of our Community. We deeply appreciate everything they do to support our parishes and the communities that form part of the parishes.”
The evening also served as a reminder of the Community’s rich legacy, which began in 1897 and with the establishment shortly thereafter of of Melbourne’s first Greek church, the Annunciation of Our Lady. The first official priest, Father Athanasios Kantopoulos, arrived in Melbourne with his family on June 22, 1898, after a request from the Greek Community of Melbourne to the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Damianos, for a priest to serve the religious needs of Orthodox residents. Prior to his arrival, the Church operated under Archimandrite Dorotheos “Samios” Bakalarios, a visiting priest who arrived in Melbourne in August 1897. and commenced services on August 22, 1897.
This historical foundation continues to inspire the ongoing efforts of volunteers who help keep traditions and values alive.
His Grace Bishop Evmenios who was present at the event, spoke about the unique role of the GCM emphasizing:
“The Greek Community of Melbourne brings together the values of faith, culture, and education. Its contributions are truly appreciated.” He continued, “The real light of our churches is their volunteers. These are the people who set the foundation of our churches. Many times, their efforts are unseen, but they are the ones who hold our churches together.”
Awards were presented to volunteers from Evangelismos Church, St. Dimitrios Church, St. Eleftherios Church, St. George Church, and Holy Trinity Church. These individuals were celebrated not just for their hard work but for their unwavering dedication to their respective parishes.
At the Church Volunteers 2024 Awards ceremony, the following individuals were honored: from Evangelismos Church, Haralambos Galetakis, Sapfo Karidis, Sophia Rider, and Vasilios Vithoulkas; from St. Dimitrios Church, Stavros Georgiadis, Eleni Kaltsi, George Katsifolis, and Nafsika Koutsouki; from St. Eleftherios Church, Angela Dalianis, Spiridoula Karagiaouris, Alexandra Karasavidis, and Trifonas Nikolopoulos; from St. George Church, Odysseas Grekos, Dimitra Koulos, Ioannis Koulos, Andreas Mylonas, and Serafim Papadopoulos; and finally, from Holy Trinity Church, Anthimos Arvanitis, Ourania Giota, Con Hatzis, Anna Kasti, and Eleni Xasterouli.
A particularly moving moment at the Awards Night was when Andreas Milonas, a volunteer from St. George Church, shared his personal perspective:
“We do whatever we can to support our Community and the church. Everything we do stays within the Greek Community of Melbourne and the church, and we’ll keep giving our best every day. We thank the GCM for supporting every step we take and acknowledging our efforts. For that, we feel grateful.”
The event highlighted the essential role of volunteers in preserving the Community’s traditions. Through the dedication of its volunteers, the Greek Community of Melbourne continues to be a vibrant hub of culture, faith, and education. The evening was a testament to the power of community and the shared commitment to making a lasting impact.
