Four Greek-Australian women, with a 15-year friendship at their core, have once again turned International Women’s Day into a powerful show of community support, raising $12,000 this year for PRONIA’s Women’s Services.
President Eleni Michalidis-Tsapsalis, Secretary Mircina Mayas, Treasurer Sue Diamataris and Communications Officer Ann Bendouli make up Team Agapes, a group whose roots trace back to the Women’s Committee of the Lemnian Association. Each March, they channel that bond into action, raising awareness on issues affecting women and directing funds to a charity aligned with their values.
“We put in a lot of effort to ensure our chosen charity and our team are aligned in working towards the same goals,” the team told Neos Kosmos.
(L), Team Agapes president, Eleni Michalidis-Tsapsalis, communications officer, Ann Bendouli, treasurer Sue Diamataris, Anastasia Katselas from Gogglebox Australia, Vicki Halkias, senior manager at Findex, PRONIA CEO, Sylvia Hadjiantoniou and Team Agapes secretary, Mircina Mayas
12,000 dollars raised for PRONIA
This year, the charity selected was PRONIA’s Women’s Services.
Held last Sunday at the Brighton Beach Hotel, the event had sold out months in advance, bringing together 180 women for an afternoon defined by solidarity and generosity.
The result was an impressive $12,000 raised to support PRONIA’s services for women facing social isolation, family violence and other complex social challenges.
Keynote speaker Sylvia Hadjiantoniou, CEO of PRONIA, introduced this year’s theme, “Balancing the Scales”.
“International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a call to action,” Hadjiantoniou said. “Equality is not accidental. Equity is not automatic. And fairness is not guaranteed. Balancing the scales requires intention, courage and collective effort.”
Keynote speaker Sylvia Hadjiantoniou, CEO of PRONIA, introduced this year’s theme, “Balancing the Scales”.
Her address paid tribute to migrant women who built families and communities while navigating cultural barriers, discrimination and invisible labour. Women, she said, whose resilience shaped the community we know today.
All proceeds from the event will directly strengthen PRONIA’s comprehensive services for women of all backgrounds, including crisis and family violence support, counselling, mental health programs and carer services.
The program also featured Vicki Halkias, Senior Manager at Findex, who highlighted the importance of financial literacy and economic independence for women. Meanwhile, Anastasia Katselas, familiar to many from Gogglebox Australia, spoke candidly about her personal health journey and the lifesaving power of prevention. An early cancer diagnosis through a Pap smear led to a hysterectomy that ultimately saved her life.
Growing stronger every year
Team Agapes say the community’s response continues to grow, their events sell out, and the messages of support keep coming.
“We are only as strong as the women around us,” they told Neos Kosmos. “We are constantly receiving messages from women who attend our events and follow our progress through social media. Their enthusiasm and positive energy inspire us to strive for even greater impact, both within our group and in the wider community.”
Behind the scenes, the team credits their husbands’ support as integral to what they achieve, from sourcing raffle prizes to securing repeat sponsors who believe in the cause.
Their message to every woman? “Believe in yourself. Look after yourself. Respect yourself… By loving and valuing ourselves, we are better equipped to extend that same love to those around us, creating a positive ripple effect that enriches both our lives and the lives of others.”
