ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΙΑΚΗ ΣΥΝΟΜΟΣΠΟΝΔΙΑ ΝΝΟ Office Address Level 1, 11 Anglo Road, Campsie NSW 2194 Australia PELOPONNESIAN CONFEDERATION OF NSW INC. Postal Address PO Box 3, Greenacre NSW 2190 Australia Press Release Contact: Ανδρέας Καλαβρυτινός Phone: 0433 133 568 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 22 Σεπτεμβρίου 2010 ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΙΑΚΟ ΦΕΣΤΙΒΑΛ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΙΑ- ΈΛΛΗΝΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΧΡΟΝΙΑΣ ΠΕΛΟΠΟΝΝΗΣΙΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΧΡΟΝΙΑΣ Σύδνεϋ, 22 Σεπτεμβρίου 2010 Δέκα (10) είναι οι υποψήφιοι για τα Αριστεία οπου θα βραβευθεί ο Ελληνας της Χρονιάς και ο Πελοποποννήσιος της Χρονιάς, ανακοίνωσε χθές η Πελοποννησιακή Συνομοσπονδία Ν.Ν.Ο. Τα Αριστεία γίνωνται στα πλαίσια του Πελοποννησιακού Φεστιβάλ που αρχίζει στο Σύδνεϋ στις Σάββατο, 25 Σεπτεμβρίου 2010 και έχουν σκοπό να αναγνωρίσουν τα επιτεύγματα, της επιτcυχίες και της συνεισφορές προς την Αυστραλιανή κοινωνία από άτομα Ελληνικής καταγωγής. Τα Αριστεία διαργανώνονται για πρώτη φορά και υπάρχουν δύο κατηγορίες βραβείων: Ελληνας της Χρονιάς και ο Πελοποννησιος της Χρονιάς. Οι δέκα υποψήφιοι είναι: Βασίλειος Αληγιάννς Καθηγήτρια Βάσσω Αποστολοπούλου Δρ Μαρία (Κωνσταδοπούλου) Hill Κατερίνη Κούβας Πώλ Νικολαάου Ντίνος (Κωνσταντίνος) Νίκιας OAM Βίκυ Παρανόμου Δρ Γεώργιος Πεπόνης Παναγιώτης Θεοφίλου OAM Χριστίνα Τσατσούλης
Όλοι με εξαίρεση τους κυρίους Νικολάου και Θεοφίλου είναι επίσης επιλέξιμοι για τον Πελοποννήσιο της Χρονιάς. Όλα τα άτομα έχουν προσφέρει σημαντικές συνεισφορές στους τομείς της ιατρικής έρευνας, της πολιτικής, της επιχείρησης, της κοινοτικής υπηρεσίας, των τεχνών, του πολιτισμού και του αθλητισμού. Ένα σύντομο βιογραφικό για τον κάθε υποψήφιο παρέχεται κατωτέρω και μπορεί να βρεθεί στην ιστοσελίδα της Συνομοσπονδίας. Η μέχρι στιγμής διαδικασία έχει ξεθάψει διάφορες επιτυχημένες περιπτώσεις και έχει φέρει στο προσκήνιο άτομα των οποίων η συνεισφορές είναι όχι πάντα ευρέως γνωστές στην Παροικία. «Για άλλη μια φορά πιστοποιούμε πως έχουμε πλούσιο ταλέντα στην Παροικία που όμως δεν αναγνωρίζεται πάντοτε» είπε ο Πρόεδρος της Συνομοσπονδίας κ. Γιάννης Πετρόπουλος. Οι νικητές θα επιλεχτούν από έναν συνδυασμό μιας δημόσιας ψηφοφορίας και ψηφοφορίας από την Κριτική Επιτροπή. Η δημόσια ψηφοφορία θα αντιπροσωπεύσει 50% της συνολικής ψηφοφορίας για κάθε finalist, με το υπόλοιπο 50% που απονέμεται από την Κριτική Επιτροπή. «Ενθαρρύνουμε τον καθένα να ψηφίσει έτσι να μπορεί να παίξει κάποιο ρόλο σε αυτούς που θα βραβευθούν» είπε ο κ. Πετρόπουλος. Η ηλεκτρονική ψηφοφορία άρχισε στις Τετάρτη, 22 Σεπτεμβρίου 2010 στην ιστοσελίδα της Συνομοσπονδίας στο www.morias.org.au/festival2010. Οι ψηφοφορίες εγγράφου μπορούν να γίνουν με την ολοκλήρωση της κάρτας ψηφοφορίας που μπορεί έπειτα να σταλεί με email στο awards@morias.org.au ή με την ταχυδρόμηση στο PO Box 3, Greenacre NSW 2190. Η ψηφοφορία κλείνει Δευτέρα, 27 Σεπτεμβρίου 2010 στης 12.00 τα μεσάνυχτα για την ηλεκτρονική ψηφοφορία μέσω του Διαδικτύου ή του ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου. Οι ταχυδρομικές ψηφοφορίες πρέπει να παραληφθούν μέχρι τη Δευτέρα το βράδυ. Μόνο μια ψήφος ανά κατηγορία βραβείων επιτρέπεται. Η Κριτική Επιτροπή θα αρχίσει επίσης τις συζητήσεις κατά τη διάρκεια των επόμενων μερικών ημερών. Οι δύο νικητές βραβείων θα αναγγελθούν και θα αναγνωριστούν σε δεξίωση που γίνεται την Πέμπτη, 30 Σεπτεμβρίου 2010 στο Venus Reception Lounge στο Kogarah. Στην δεξίωση θα παρευρεθεί και ο Υπουργός Δικαιοσύνης Γιάννης Χατζηστέργος που θα απονέμει τα βραβεία. Τα εισιτήρια μπορούν να εξασφαλιστούν με την επαφή ενός μέλους της Επιτροπής: Prefecture Contact Email Mobile Telephone Achaia Andrew Kalavritinos andrew.kala&gmail.com 0433 133 568 9533 3334 Arkadia Chris Jamos chris.jamos@hotmail.com 0411 622 844 9518 0511 Argolida Nick Karas spiro@dellisfurniture.com 0413 960 296 9313 7719 Ilia Jim Bekris hermisilion@bigpond.com 0401 400 535 Korinthia John Petropoulos jppc@live.com.au 0410 466 452 Lakonia Angelo Doukas angelo@doukas.net 0401 691 333 9420 5555 Messinia John Tzemopoulos jtzem@hotmail.com 0415 595 139 9558 1796
Περισσότερες πληροφορίες για το Φεστιβάλ στο www.morias.org.au/festival2010 -End-
Peloponnesian Confederation NSW Inc Greek Australian Awards Nominee Profiles Vasilios Thrasivoulos Aligiannis A passion for all things culturally and artistically Greek Vasilios Aligiannis has contributed to Greek society in arts and culture through his tireless work in the preservation of Greek culture, folk music, dance history and costumes. Vasilios is passionate and enthusiastic in keeping Greek culture alive and continually stages demonstrations of Greek dancing based on ethnographic research. He also travels to Greece regularly to attend dancing workshops and to research various styles of Greek dancing. Vasilios shares his knowledge through lectures, dance demonstrations, music and displays of Greek costumes, to educate Australians on the rich Greek traditional dance and culture. Vasilios has a significant collection of traditional costumes. Teacher Preserving dance history His passion with Greek dance began at the age of 5. He joined several dance schools during his childhood and was influenced by teachers such as Jenny Zagaras, and Andrew and Sofia Rossidies, who nurtured his passion for traditional dance. His passion was further fuelled by attending dance workshops in Greece. At the age of 12 he was teaching junior dance groups and by the age of 16 had established his own dance school. He is the founder of the Greek Folk Dancers of NSW O Thrasivoulos and the founder of Paradosi Focus - a cultural newsletter on e-mail. His dance group has performed around Australia and New Zealand, including places such as Adelaide, Barrabba, Central Coast, North Coast, Harvey Bay, South Coast, Tauraunga, Auckland and Wollongong. Over the last 18 years he has taught hundreds of youngsters to dance Greek at various Community and Community groups, the Pan- Macedonian Hellenic Lyceum dancers of NSW, the Pontian Group of Pontoxeniteas, the Zakynthian Association of NSW and the Mytelinian Brotherhood of NSW. He is involved with several committees in the Greek-Australian Community. Vasilios frequently organises dance workshops with teachers from Greece called Paradosi, has taught workshops around Australia and New Zealand and is a collector of Greek Folk Music, Artefacts and Costume. He is also former secretary on Folk Dance Australia Inc and a member of UNESCO's International Organisation of Folk Arts - Greece. Vasilios is also a High School teacher. He coordinates whole school Ancient Greek Days, educates students about the Pontian Genocide and the true history of Macedonia and volunteers his time to teach in primary schools about Greek Dance, culture and history. Vasili has also developed and delivers a series of lectures called Windows Into Tradition covering the history of traditional Greek dancing. His heritage stems from the Greek Prefecture of Arkadia in the Peloponnese. For more information visit his website www.greekdancing.com.au
Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos Leading the fight against cancer Since 1991, after completing her BSc degree, Professor Apostolopoulos has pursued a career in cancer research. Her intelligence, determination and dedication have led to many major discoveries, an international reputation and the publication of research papers and books. Her work has been at the forefront of scientific research into the development of the worlds first vaccine for breast and ovarian cancer. More than 13 human clinical trials on her research work have been conducted since 1994. Her vaccine against breast/ovarian cancer was recently approved by the FDA in USA and is undergoing a large trial in the USA and soon in Europe by a pharmaceutical company. In the last 15 years Professor Apostolopoulos has received over ninety awards and honours in recognition of her achievements. Cancer researcher Academic Australia Day Ambassador At a relatively young 39 years of age, Professor Apostolopoulos achievements have already been recognized with over 70 major awards, including: Victorian Premiers Award for Medical Research (1996) Young Australian of the Year Award (VIC) (1997) Channel 10 / Herald Sun Young Achiever of the Year award (1996) Greek Presidents Order of Brigadier General Medal (1996) TIME Magazine s most significant Greek abroad (1997) University of Patras Scientific Achievement Award (2000) Australian Day Ambassador (from 2005) She also holds many academic appointments. She is currently Adjunct Professor at, University of Melbourne department of Pathology, Monash University department of Immunology, Victoria University School of Molecular Science, University of Patras department of Chemistry, and, heads the Immunology and Vaccine Laboratory at the Burnet Institute, Melbourne. She is on the editorial board for numerous scientific journals and is a regular reviewer for scientific grants, research papers and a judge for various awards. Her contribution into cancer research has been remarkable - publishing over 200 scientific papers and books, an inventor on 13 patents and collaborates with over 60 national and international research institutes and Universities. Professor Apostolopoulos was born and raised by Greek emigrants in Melbourne. Her parents arrived in Australia in 1966 from the town of Amaliada, located within the Prefecture (Nomos) of Ilias, in the Peloponnese. For a more complete profile visit: http://www.burnet.edu.au/home/cimmunology/immunologyandcancervacc inelaboratory/apostolopoulos
Dr Maria (Costadopoulos) Hill Military Historian, raising awareness on Australia s Greek campaigns Dr Maria Hill is a military historian and an expert on the Greek and Crete campaigns. Maria is the first Australian historian of Greek descent to write about these campaigns, which has ensured that a Greek perspective has been included in a narrative that often ignores Australia s Greek allies. She has an Honours, Masters and PhD in History from the University of New South Wales. Her PhD study was undertaken at the Australian Defence Force Academy @ UNSW in Canberra. Her Honours thesis on the Greek family in Australia 'GreeksinOz' was a three generational study of Castellorizian and Kytherean families in Australia. Military historian Author Educator In 1998 Maria completed her Masters degree in History focusing primarily on the Arab-Israeli conflict and Nazi Germany in an effort to make these complex and contentious histories more accessible to secondary school students. With her Masters supervisor Professor Ian Bickerton Maria coauthored Contested Spaces: the historiography of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, one of the few textbooks that have enabled students to examine the conflict from multiple perspectives. She has made a major contribution to the education in NSW with her creative teaching ideas and was awarded in 2001 the State Discovering Democracy Award by the Director General of Education as well as the National Discovering Democracy Award by Federal Minister of Education. Maria also wrote an innovative history teaching kit called: Federation Inclusion-Exclusion for the NSW Department of Education and Training for which she was awarded a Commonwealth Centenary medal in 2003. In 2001 she won a PhD scholarship from UNSW and NSW Department of Education to complete her doctorate. In 2003 the Army History Unit awarded Maria a fellowship to undertake field research in Greece and Crete. In 2009 Maria was made a Visiting Fellow at UNSW @ ADFA. Her book Diggers and Greeks published in March 2010 was shortlisted for the 2010 Queensland Premier s Literary Awards and is the first major study by a Greek-Australian historian. Dr Maria Costadopoulos (Konstandopoulou) Hill was born in Athens and came to Australia as a young child, growing up in the Sydney suburb of Newtown. Her father came from Pyrgos Ilias and her mother was born in Athens. Maria is married with 4 children and lives in Sydney with her husband Stuart. For further details visit Maria s websites: www.mariahill.com.au www.diggersandgreeks.com.au
Kathy Kouvas Supporting the local community Kathy Kouvas was born in Sydney to Greek migrant parents; her father heralds from Athens and her mother from Elos, Sparta. Kathy was raised in an environment of Spartan culture where exercise was an important part of her up-bringing. Kathy lived in Greece for 4 years where she studied and learnt Greek at the University of Athens. She attended the Civil Engineering School "Selete" in Athens for a year. Returning to Australia in 1987 she enrolled in TAFE and completed the Civil Engineering Associate Diploma. In her Structures exam she was first in the State. She is now a Traffic / Civil Road Designer and has worked for the NSW Road and Traffic Authority for 20 years. Active Community involvement Proud Hellene Kathy is involved in a number of Greek Australian organisations including Secretary of the Pan Laconian Association "The Spartans", Committee Member for the International Organising Committee (Australia) for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles and President of the Greek Australian Professionals Association (GAPA). As a member of GAPA, Kathy has organised many successful functions to help our Greek Australian Community learn about their culture and history and to help them connect with their origins. Recent examples include lectures on Sparta, Macedonia and the Parthenon Marbles. Kathy has also organised informational events for Professionals (on Greece in general and on career development) and movie nights that promote Greece and consider today's issues. Whilst in Greece in 2010, Kathy delivered a coin to the Mayor of Marathon Town (Mr Sryridon Zagaris) as a gift for the Marathon Museum. Kathy successfully arranged a Webmaster for the International Organising Committee (Australia) for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles, and for SAE to create a Web site for them. She has also arranged successful interviews with SBS to Promote Hellenism, the Greek Language and The Return of The Parthenon Marbles. Academically Kathy is a high achiever with awards in French and mathematics. Whilst at school Kathy would write and perform plays. She also received her Proficiency of English from Cambridge University in 1982. Kathy has studied dance from the age of 7, including ballet, tap and jazz at the Cheryl Regan Studio. At 14 she performed in a Pantomime Sleeping Beauty, at 17 she was a student teacher and within 6 months completed a diploma of Teaching for Tap Dancing. At Greek School she learnt Greek Folk dancing and her group was invited by the then Mayor of Newtown to compete in a Greek dancing contest with other professional schools (at which they came second). Kathy has studied Flamenco Dancing and danced with the Maria Campos Company, performing at the Easter Show, the Spanish Club and many other Multi Cultural Festivals.
Paul Nicolaou Political, Community and Corporate Fundraiser and Marketer Since completing his BA and MCom Paul Nicolaou has built a career as a respected and experienced fundraiser and marketer. He has an impressive and extensive list of contacts in the political and business arenas. Fundraiser Marketer Corporate and Community appointments Paul s marketing and fundraising experience covers all aspects of marketing & development including alumni relations, community relations, advertising, event management, media relations, capital appeals, commercial sponsorship acquisition, political lobbying and direct marketing. His fundraising activities include: Raising in excess of $20million over the last eight years as the Executive Chairman of the Millennium Forum, the fundraising and business engagement arm of the Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division Raising $11 million in 2002/3 for research and disadvantaged student scholarships as the Chief Executive Officer of the UNSW Foundation Westmead Children s Hospital Fundraising Manager when his Department raised $13.8m in 1996/97 and organised the successful Annual Bandaged Bear Day Appeals and popular Teddy Bears Picnic Raising $200,000 to establish a Modern Greek Program at the University of NSW Paul holds a number of appointments including the current NSW President and Associate Fellow & Certified Practising Marketer of the Marketing Institute of Australia, Fellow of the Fundraising Institute of Australia, Benefactor of the Children s Hospital Westmead, and Director of Solutions R Us. Paul consult s to the Faculty of Science at UNSW, Australian Water, Barton/Deakin, Central Coast Bears and the Italian Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Paul holds a number of Corporate appointments including non Executive/Board Directorships for The Roses Only Group, Hyro, Ellatalia Investments Pty Ltd and The Gut Foundation (non profit organisation that raises awareness and conducts important research into bowel cancer). Paul has a string of former roles including Marketing Manager for the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, Sydney Children s Hospital Access & Equity Committee, member of the Advisory Board of NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect), Member of the UNSW Sports Association Ben Lexcen Scholarship Committee, the Management Committee of the Greek Welfare Centre, National & State Board Member of KIDSAFE Council, Committee Member of the Sydney Friends of the Australian Institute at Athens, coordinator for Bandaged Bear Day Breakfasts and Clean Up Australia Day activities, Foundation Chairman of the Greek Australian Museum Foundation Committee (which organised the Greek Olympic artefacts which were on show during the Sydney Olympics), President of the Greek Orthodox Church & Parish of Kogarah and Secretary of the Inter Communities Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. He has also being involved in the political arena as the Liberal candidate for Pittwater in the 2005 state by-election, candidate for Ryde in the state election in 2003 and a Councillor on Kogarah Council between 1991-1995. Paul is married to Sophia and has an eleven year old son and eight year old daughter. Paul s mother hails from the island of Lesbos (Mytilini) and his father is from Trikala, in the north of mainland Greece.
Constantinos (Dino) Nikias OAM A Quiet Achiever extending a helping hand when help was needed A respected businessman and owner of the Nikias Property Group, Mr Nikias has been voluntarily helping the ACT community since 1957, just three years after he migrated to Australia from Greece. From 1957 to 1964, he volunteered his services to help newly arrived immigrants in Port Melbourne, Sydney and Bonegilla Camp in Albury- Wodonga. This interest in the wellbeing of others has continued throughout his life and has been highlighted by his sponsorship of 42 families from Greece, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and France. Businessman Philanthropist Volunteer Mr Nikias has been actively involved in and supportive of organisations and causes such as the Salvos, Heart Foundation, Paralympics Games, World Vision Australia and the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. He is also an Ambassador for Diabetes ACT. For most of his life, Dino has been based in Canberra. He and his wife (Dimitra) have been extremely influential in helping Ambassadors from Greece to Australia acclimatize to their new home. His wife in fact until recently, due to her retirement, worked full time at the Greek Embassy. Since the late 1960 s Dino has been involved in residential and commercial property development. He is the Managing Director of the Nikias Property Group Pty Ltd. Some of his landmark building achievements include a number of Telstra Buildings in the ACT, the John James Hospital (Clinical Services Building) in Deacon and the Canberra Eye Hospital. His achievements have recently been acknowledged by the Australian Government (when he was awarded the Order of Australia medal in 2010 and by the Greek Government, in being awarded the Order of the Phoenix, Silver Cross in 2008. The Order of the Phoenix is bestowed by the Greek Government to Greek citizens who have excelled in the arts and literature, science, public administration, shipping, commerce, and industry. It is also awarded to foreigners who have helped raise Greece s international prestige. Dino falls into that select group of hard working Greek Australian's whose efforts over many years have been recognised at the highest level, by both the Government of Australia and also the Government of Greece. Dino is regarded the quintessential quiet achiever. Dino was born in Kallithea, a town near Sparta within the Prefecture of Laconia, in the Peloponnese and emigrated to Australia in November 1954.
Vicky Paranomos Being a VOLUNTEER the most rewarding and selfless deed you could do in life Vicky Paranomos was born in Sydney, the daughter of migrant parents who immigrated to Australia from th Peloponnese. Her late father heralds from a Platanos, a town within the Achaian Prefecture and her mother from Kiato of the Korinthian Prefecture. Both prefectures are within the Peloponnese. With qualifications in education, Vicky has worked for many years in the public sector across a range of portfolios including administration, management and public education. Community worker Volunteer Her main involvement is with the Westmead Children`s Hospital where she has been volunteering for the last 19 years. When she was a child she was a patient at Royal Alexander Hospital (now CHW) with epilepsy and later diagnosed with hydrocephalus which was the cause of the epilepsy. This ruined her chances of becoming a nurse so she decided she was going to help kids by volunteering instead. At the Children's Hospital work in various departments and does a variety of jobs for example mail outs, bandaged bear day, teddy bears picnic and selling raffle tickets, helping out at clinics. Another area of Vicky s focus is with the Road Safety Unit at Kidsafe NSW Unit, providing information to parents and carers on correct choice and usage of child restraints in vehicles. Vicky is also an avid volunteer at the Greek Festival of Sydney, Swimming Australia, Hockey Australia and Wheel chair spots. Vicky also has volunteered at The Blackmore's running festival and at the 2009 Peloponnesian Festival, at international events such as the 2009 World Masters games the 2007 and 2009 youth Olympics and the 2004 Athens Olympic and Paralympics.
Dr George Peponis Dr George Peponis (born 1953 in the Greek town of Levidi, near Tripoli within the Prefecture of Arkadia in the Peloponnese) is a former rugby league player for the Canterbury Bulldogs, New South Wales and for the Australian national side. He was the first player born outside Australia to captain the Australian rugby league team. He played in eight Tests for the Australia between 1978 and 1980, as captain on five consecutive occasions in 1979 and 1980. Medical doctor Professional footballer The Peponis family immigrated to Australia when George was 18 months old. He attended Canterbury Boys' High School where he played rugby union and was a Canterbury rugby league junior before being graded in 1973 to the under 23s side in which year he played in the Preliminary Final against the Balmain Tigers. He started the 1974 season in reserve grade and that year debuted in first grade against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. After a 1975 season interrupted by a broken leg injury, for the next five seasons from 1976 he was Canterbury's regular first grade hooker. The Canterbury club maintained a scholarship scheme for its juniors at the time which supported him financially while he conducted his medical studies. In 1978, George was appointed first grade captain and played in the Preliminary Semi-Final against the Parramatta Eels. He captained Canterbury on 71 occasions between 1978 and 1982. As a hooker he was a consistent winner of possession in those days of contested scrums and was known for his trademark ability to burrow over for tries from the dummy-half position. He led Canterbury to the 1979 Grand Final loss against St George and the following year was skipper of the Bulldogs in their 18-4 1980 premiership victory over the Roosters. Persistent neck injuries hampered the remainder of Peponis' career and he retired midway through the 1982 season. He made his state debut for the New South Wales Blues in 1976 and played seven games for his state up till 1980. He made his Test debut for Australia in 1978 in the first Test against New Zealand. He was selected for the 1978 Kangaroo tour on which he played two Tests, four minor tour matches and scored six tries. In 1979 he took over as state captain of New South Wales and that same year was selected as Kangaroo captain for the domestic Ashes series against Great Britain when he became the first non-australian born player to hold that honour. After leading Australia to victory in two Tests in the 1980 tour of New Zealand, Peponis attained the career record of captaining Australia on five successive occasions to a clean record of five wins. A medical practitioner, Peponis remained involved with the game through FootyTAB promotions and being on the NRL Drugs Tribunal. He was elected Chairman of the Bulldogs Football Club in 2002. Peponis was named at hooker in the Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions in 2004. He is a Life Member of the Football Club and in 2007 was inducted into the Bulldogs Ring of Champions.
Peter Theo OAM Building a College and Community for the future Peter Theo was born Cyprus and migrated to Australia with his parents in 1956. He studied by correspondence while working to support his family and graduated as an accountant. Today he has a successful accounting and taxation practice in the Bankstown area. In 1980 he became president of the Greek Orthodox Church and Community of Bankstown and through his efforts he has led a team that in 1989 established what was at the time the only the second Greek Orthodox College in Sydney. St Euphemia College started with 29 students and today has a student population of over 800. Peter is the backbone of the school and through his dedication and hard work the College continues to expand in both student numbers and physically, purchasing the adjoining properties to the rear and side. Community spirit Business Owner Dedication and commitment Peter helps many families that have financial problems that enables them to continue to send their children to the College to continue their education. As the College has expanded, Peter has built an enviable network within Government and Business circles enabling him to call on this network to the benefit of the College. Peter has been recognised for his achievements and for his work in the Community through a number of awards including: Citizen of the Year (Bankstown) 1997 Order of Australia medal (OAM) 1998 Community Service Award 2007 from the NSW Government Commendation from the NSW Government Gold Cross of St Andrews from the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople Peter is also the current President of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese s Inter-Communities Council Peter is married to Chrysa, has a married daughter and a grandchild.
Christina Tsatsoulis Supporting the local community Christina Tsatsoulis was born in Melbourne, Australia, one of four children. Her father is from Soufli Thrace in the north of Greece, and her mother from Rion, Patra, located within the Achaian Prefecture in the Peloponnese. She is married to Sam and has 2 daughters. Christina studied as a pharmacist at Sydney University, started work in Marrickville Pharmacy in 1982 and bought her own pharmacy in Earlwood 1991. Supporter of the local Community Fundraiser Together with her husband Sam, she has built a successful business as the owner-operator of Christina s Community Pharmacy, that has been recognised with a number of awards including five time winner of the Most Outstanding Pharmacy Award in the Canterbury district, Local Business Award in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010, Business of the Year, Gold Award in 2009, Winner of the NSW Chemmart Pharmacies Community Services Award for 2008 and 2009, Australian Finalist for the Chemmart Community Service Award in 2008 and 2009 and NSW Finalist for the Small Business Champion Awards for 2003, 2004 and 2009. In November 2009 Christina was honoured with an International Rotary Award for Excellence in her Vocation as a Pharmacist. She is the current Publicity Officer for the local Chamber of Commerce. Christina has used her pharmaceutical knowledge and passion to help people. She is acknowledged as a young, understanding and empathetic professional within the local community helping many Greek people and other ethnic groups. Christina is fluent in five languages English, Greek, French, German and Italian. She regularly gives talks to the elderly in local nursing homes including St Basils and the Greek Hostel in Earlwood, Earlwood Caring. Christina has over the years being heavily involved in the Greek- Australian community through a number of roles including former President of the Patras Youth Association, Social Convenor of the Greek Australian Professional Association, and a member of the Panachaian Philanthropical Association. Christina is very active in the community sponsoring and fundraising for local sporting teams, local schools and Colleges, the Greek Orthodox Community Home for the Aged, the Organisation of the Hellene/Hellene Cypriot (OEEGA) Women of Australia, ESTIA foundation and the local Greek Orthodox Church. She also supports organisations and events like Jeans for Genes Day, Daffodil Day, Pink Ribbon Day, Bandanna Day, the Cancer Council, MS society, Breast Cancer, Diabetes and Handicapped Children of NSW. She promotes the Greek language by being a main sponsor to the Annual Hellenic Studies Awards and the Macquarie University Hellenic Studies Foundation. At Christmas Christina becomes Santa and travels through the streets of Earlwood giving out goodies from her sack HO! HO! HO!