The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) will enter its Annual General Meeting (AGM) with a financial boost after securing a $6.02 million compensation settlement from the Victorian Government’s North East Link Authority for the compulsory acquisition of its Bulleen property.
The payment is expected to be a focus of the AGM, which will be held on Sunday, August 2, at 1pm at the Andrianakos Centre at Alphington Grammar School, following a lengthy delay that had drawn criticism from some members.
The AGM notice was issued by GCM General Secretary Associate Professor Marinis Pirpiris, confirming that financial members who have held membership for at least six months will be eligible to vote.
The agenda includes approval of previous AGM minutes, the President’s report, the financial report for the 2025 financial year, appointment of auditors for 2026, and general business. Members wishing to raise matters under “Other Business” must submit them in writing at least seven days before the meeting.
In his President’s report, Bill Papastergiadis outlined the organisation’s activities during the 2024–25 financial year, highlighting the success of the Antipodes Festival, the expansion of the Greek Film Festival to new venues in Balwyn and Pentridge, the continuation of the Greek Community Cup, and growth in education programs and adult Greek language classes.
He also highlighted the Community’s youth cultural immersion programs in Greece, which expanded to include Attica for the first time alongside Thessaloniki, as well as strong VCE results among students participating in GCM education programs.
Papastergiadis underscored the importance of the $6.02 million settlement reached with the North East Link Authority over the compulsory acquisition of the GCM’s Greenaway Street property in Bulleen.
The agreement was reached on July 7, resulting in compensation of $6.02 million and bringing the matter to a conclusion.
Bill Papastergiadis said he was optimistic about the future of the Community. Speaking to Neos Kosmos from Greece, where he was meeting with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, the GCM President said one of the most significant observations made by the Greek head of state was his recognition of “the unity of the Greek community in Australia, and particularly the work of the Greek Community of Melbourne”.
Bill Papastergiadis, president of the Greek Community of Melbourne, met with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, where the GCM was seen as a model. Photo: Supplied
“The President expressed a strong interest in visiting Melbourne and recognised the work we do, particularly our student immersion programs and our commitment to nurturing Hellenism across generations,” Papastergiadis said.
The president of the Community told Neos Kosmos that the $6.02 million compensation settlement marked an important turning point for the organisation.
“The outcome brings to a close a period of operational pressure and gives the Community a stronger foundation for the future. This $6.02 million injection will allow us to invest with greater confidence in our language, cultural and other programs while strengthening our financial stability,” Papastergiadis said.
Questions raised over AGM timing
The announcement of the AGM follows concerns raised by a small group of members, over what they described as excessive delays in holding the AGM and presenting the organisation’s financial statements.
This group pointed out that 372 days had passed since the end of the 2024–25 financial year without an AGM being held, and without members receiving the organisation’s financial statements.
The delay, they said, meant the GCM had not yet lodged its Annual Information Statement (AIS) with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Registered charities are required to submit their AIS within six months of the end of their reporting period, however, it depends when the reporting period is, not on when the AGM is held.
Last year, the GCM Board attributed delays to a change of external auditors and as a result issues arising during the audit process. GCM’s board secretary Pirpiris in his notice said the AGM would be held on August 2, and that the organisation was “moving forward with the important annual governance process”.
The meeting will provide members with the opportunity to discuss issues and items, while receiving the full financial, program and administrative report for 2025.
Greek Community of Melbourne Annual General Meeting
Dat: August 2, 1pm Andrianakos Centre at Alphington Grammar School
