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Pre-convention meetings were held on Saturday 11th. These were the Supreme Lodge, Credentials and Legislative Committee meetings. Mr
Gerald O’Brien, President, Member Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, declared
the Convention open at the Opening held on Sunday afternoon. As is our custom a cheque in the
amount of $1400 was donated, on behalf of AHEPA, to the Pediatric Department of Wellington
Hospital and was accepted by Mrs Julia Payne. A
plaque was presented to His Eminence, Archbishop Dionysios Psiachas, former Archbishop of
New Zealand in gratitude of his support to AHEPA in Wellington. As this day was the twelve month
anniversary of the Bali Disaster, a minute’s silence was held in memory of all those
who lost their lives. Key-note speaker was
Nicholas Petousis, Honorary Consul for Greece in Auckland, and his subject was “Ionia
and Ionian Cities”. Following
the Opening the National Convention Daughters Meeting was held at the Portland Hotel. The
Convention commenced on Monday morning with Agiasmos and a blessing by Father George. A moment’s silence was held for
brothers and sisters who had passed away since the last Convention. These were – QLD Sis’s B Bousgas,
M Cassavetis, I Georgia, I Aroney NSW Bro’s Jack Stamell PSP, A Staton; ACT Sis G
Theodharidou; VIC Bro’s Andrew Comino PSP, C Diamond, S Makris, Sis C Sikiotis; SA
Sis A Gazecimeon; WA Bro’s A Anastasiou, Sis A Stavrianou. The
Convention officers elected were – Chairman, Sister Helen Katsaros SP, Vice Chairman,
Bro John Elisseos (as Bro Elisseos’ arrival was delayed Bro Zafiris Vachlas held the
position until Bro John’s arrival) Convention Secretaries, Sisters Despina Vanos and
Penny Cretan. Convention
Counsellor, Bro Tasha Vanos. The
main decisions at the Convention were the following: v that
ALL chapters may become mixed chapters if the membership so desires upon application to
the Supreme Lodge. v that
the Centre for Hellenic Literature & Poetry “Kosti Palamas” is a national
project. v that
the National Convention initiate a public relations campaign to improve the image of AHEPA
in the community. v a
resolution to be forwarded to world leaders in support of The Republic of Cyprus’
preparation to enter the European Common Market as a unified island. AHEPA’s work on this problem has been
ongoing since 1974 and will continue for as long as it takes to solve this issue. v a
petition is being circularised in support of retaining the name of “Macedonia”
as Greek and that the only acceptable name of the, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
is FYROM. v support
for the Children of the Black Sea project through OEEGA. v Childrens
Christmas Appeal v support
for the victims of the drought in Australia. Especially the country town of Edgeroi. v continuing
of all philanthropic projects already undertaken by AHEPA. The
social side of the Convention included a Welcome night, Taverna, Excursion Day and the
Installation Ball all of which were very enjoyable. We
thank the New Zealand organising Committee for their excellent work. The
delegates of the AHEPA Australasia elected Helen Katsaros as National President for a
second term at the 49th National Convention held in Wellington New Zealand. Miss Katsaros was officially installed on Friday
18th October along with the Vice President John Elisseos (Brisbane), Secretary
Christine Lynch and other officers of the Supreme Lodge.
This is the first time AHEPA have held their National Convention in New
Zealand. The
50th National Convention will be held in the City of Brisbane in October, 2004. A
sincere thank you must go to the organising Committee, Supreme Secretary, Supreme
Counsellor, Secretariat, Supreme Lodge Liaison Officer to the Convention Committee, and to
all members who attended the National Convention. Helen
Katsaros
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