GAS’ inaugural International Women’s Day Event, “Yiayia to Now: Greek-Australian Women Changing Australia”, featured nine women from diverse fields including science, politics and the arts.
Over 150 guests attended the sold-out event at the Lantern Club, Roselands, on March 7.
The nine speakers discussed identity, Greek language, generational shifts and the evolving roles of Greek-Australian women.
“After much thought and planning, I’m delighted that GAS has celebrated International Women’s Day in a way that our Greek-Australian community can be proud of. We asked these amazing women from different generations and lived experiences to share their perspectives, and because of them, this event was a resounding success,” said GAS President George Mpliokas.
Read the full media release below
GAS CELEBRATES GREEK-AUSTRALIAN WOMEN WITH
INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EVENT
Monday 9 March 2026
The Greek-Australian Society was delighted to host a groundbreaking panel conversation with its inaugural International Women’s Day event, titled ‘Yiayia to Now: Greek-Australian Women Changing Australia’ in Sydney on Saturday 7 March.
Hosted at the Lantern Club in Roselands, the sold-out discussion of more than 150 guests featured no less than nine Greek-Australian women in three panels, across generations and from all walks of life, with a particular focus on supporting Greek language featuring throughout the day.
The first panel featured Sia Tsoutsas, General Manager of People and Culture at Crown Resorts, Konnie Zagrimanis, Convenor of Pharos Alliance NSW and Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis, a former Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations, discussing professional and community challenges for women, as well as opportunities in the fight to maintain Modern Greek language in Australia.
The second panel featured Maria Alexandrou, President of the AHEPA Daughters of Penelope, Dimitra Mavrocordatos, President of Hellsoc UNSW and Effy Alexakis, renowned documentary photographer, discussing the historical and evolving roles of Greek-Australian women and future insights in context of generational change.
The third panel featured Melbourne-based Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos AM, Distinguished Professor and Immunologist at RMIT University, the Honourable Sophie Cotsis MP, NSW Minister for Industrial Relations and Brisbane-native, Melbourne-based Dr Melina Mallos, Lecturer in Visual Art Education at the University of Melbourne, discussing their respective career journeys and how their Greek-Australian identity featured throughout their accomplishments.
Among the attendees were Mr Giorgos Skemperis, Consul-General of Greece in Sydney and senior officials from Lantern Club’s parent Mingara Leisure Group, as well as Ms Ash Ambihaipahar MP, Federal Member for Barton, the electorate with the largest Greek-Australian community in the country. On the conclusion of the panels, GAS President George Mpliokas gave the vote of thanks before panelists and attendees joined for a networking session, continuing the conversation well into the afternoon.
Quotes attributable to GAS President, George Mpliokas:
“After much thought and planning, I’m delighted that GAS has celebrated International Women’s Day in a way that our Greek-Australian community can be proud of."
“We asked these amazing women from different generations and lived experiences to share their perspectives, and because of them, this event was a resounding success.”
Quotes attributable to International Women’s Day event Moderator, Mersina Hristeff:
“This event was a thought-provoking discussion with nine talented and accomplished women touching on topics concerning Greek culture, language, identity and a journey of life, career and study."
“I’m pleased to be part of a successful event organised by GAS to celebrate International Women’s Day, offering a blueprint for many more events to come.”
