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The politics of transition in Greek Australian community organisations

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Unfortunately, leadership is and has been a relatively scarce commodity within the Greek community as a whole. Even today, most Greek community organisations continue to fail to recognise the urgent need to transform and to adopt a holistic and strategic approach to succession planning.
13 Jul 2009

Now is the time to stand up and take the urgent and drastic decisions required to motivate, encourage and mobilize our wider community forces and create the essential consents and momentum required to enhance the aspirations of the Greek community and lead it in the 21st century.

This article is a part summary of a recent speech presented by Vasilis
Giavris on the occasion of the 50th year anniversary of the Papaflessas
Brotherhood.

Vasilis Giavris is a lawyer & political scientist. He is a past SAE Executive Council Member and a past President of the World Pan-Arcadian Congress.

 

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Comments

Thank-you Mr Giavris, for raising matters relating to “leadership transition and community engagement” with respect to second- and third-generation Greek-Australians.

The last event that I attended which broadly related to Mr Giavris’ expressed sentiments as outlined in, “The Politics of Transition in Greek-Australian Community Organisations” (13 July 2009), Neos Kosmos, was the “Greek-Australians Mapping Their Future” Forum, five years ago in 2004, at RMIT in Melbourne. Please see: http://www.saeoceania.org.au/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=49

I am not intimately familiar with the minutiae of the political machinations occurring within Greek-Australian organizations in Australia; however, I have observed on some occasions, issues which seem to support the observations made by contributors to the “Comments” section above, in response to Mr Giavris’ article.
The suggested “Ideas Summit” is a welcome, constructive, logical and practical place, to begin canvassing the views of second- and third-generation Greek-Australians. Furthermore, it is a necessary vehicle for facilitating social inclusion, participation and engagement at this time, in the context noted by Mr Giavris.

Very good Bill, I could not agree more. Maybe second and third generation Greek-Australians will wake up and do something about this situation. Post-partisan youth need to stand up and do away with all the cliques and the crap that continues to destroy our community. But I tell you what. An ideas summit is great but I cannot see it happening. There is no way the oldies and some of their younger caricatures that roam around acting as intellectuals will allow you to do this. I for one will support it.

Somebody should show the Greek version of this article to "wise" elders of Pontiaki Estia!!!

Vassilis Giavris makes a valid point. However for all his good intentions I cannot see for the life of me, the first generation attending a Summitt, in relation to what is in my opinion an important issue. The first generation pays lip service to the need of getting the second generation involved. They still classify the next generation as "tous neous". Peculiar description when the majority are between 30 to 50 years of age, have their own families and make decisions on a day to day basis which is more significant that the petty politics that is encountered on a regular basis in such organisations.

The other issue is with the assets that have been built up by these organisations, they should vest, in my opinion, with either the Greek community of Victoria or if that is not palatable to SAE as an alternative. Most of the clubs have a dissolution clause which generally states that any assets should be liquidated and the funds provided to a charitable institution such as the Royal Children's Hospital. With all due respect to the Royal Children's Hospital and other institutions they are well looked after. These assets should stay within the hands of the Greek Community in order to help finance the maintenance of Greek Language and culture for the future generations.

Having said that it is up to the first generation to step up to the plate and take some positive action. A Summitt would be a first positive step. I wonder though whether they are serious about the legacy (parakatathiki) they will leave to the future generations. When Psomiadis was here early in the year he stated the obvious to those that where present at his speech. "De pame katholou kala". Psomiadis does not live in Melbourne, but was able to pick up on the fact that the majority of the attendees where over 55 years of age. The concern was that the majority of the first generation attendees where oblivious to what he was saying until he spelled it out for them.

The only exception that I know are the Cretans.....

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