AHEPA’s 59th National Convention takes off

The discussion of national Hellenic issues, and the election of a new national president and 17 members of the National Lodge to top the agenda

The 59th National Convention of AHEPA Australasia, which began Saturday at the Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland, will see over 75 delegates from all over Australia and New Zealand take part in this annual event.
Attending the convention as guest speakers will be distinguished guests – the Ambassador for Greece, His Excellency Mr Charalampos Dafaranos; the High Commissioner for Cyprus, His Excellency Mr Yannis Iacovou; and the Honorary Consul-General for Greece in Brisbane, Mr Jim Raptis.
The delegates will be involved in various conferences exchanging opinions and ideas on important educational, philanthropic and cultural issues, as well as discussing new strategies for the future of the organisation and ways of encouraging new membership.
The convention will also discuss and endorse resolutions concerning the important national Hellenic issues such as the Macedonian and Cyprus issue, Pontian and Asia Minor genocides, Theological College of Halkis and the Restoration of the Parthenon Marbles.

AHEPA Australasia National President Mr Elias Doufas

“We will also have the privilege of having The Ambassador Mr Dafaranos, The High Commissioner for Cyprus Mr Iacovou and the Honorary Consul-General of Greece in Brisbane, Mr Raptis, who will all address the convention and inform us directly on the latest situation in Greece and the negotiation for a solution to the Cyprus issue,” said Mr Elias Doufas, whose two-year term as national president will end this year.
The convention delegates will elect a new national president along with a team of another 17 members of the National Lodge of Australasia.
The 2013 will remain a historic year for AHEPA, with the organisation having a record increase of 20 per cent in membership numbers nationally, and the formation of six new Chapters – five in Australia and one in Samos, Greece. The formation of Achilleas Youth Chapter in Melbourne, with over 30 young members from 19 to 25 years of age, is considered the rebirth of AHEPA in 2013. The total amount of donations from AHEPA to various charitable causes in 2013 was over $450,000, approximately double the usual amount donated each year. Large donations were raised this year for Kivotos tou Kosmou (Ark of the World) orphanage in Athens, Children with Special Needs, Prostate Cancer and other worthy charitable causes as well as educational donations to NSW and Qld Universities for medical research.
The National President of AHEPA Australasia, Mr Elias Doufas, will chair the Convention accompanied by many of the National Lodge members.
For more information and detailed program of the convention, contact Elias Doufas on 0412 582 123, or visit the website www.ahepa.org.au