6 PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA FRIDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 1982
FIRST AUSTRALIAN-GREEK PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS
I am delighted today to announce jointly with the Minister for
Employment and Industrial Relations the recipients of the
Conmmonwealth Government's first Auiitri2. ian-Greek Presidential
Awards. The aim of the Awards is to foster the maintenance and development
of Greek culture within Australia's multicultural society by
assisting young Australians to wor: k or study in Greece in. tL-heir)
own area of expertise. The Awards were set up in March 1982
to honour the visit to Australia President Raraffanlis of Greece.
Some 89 applications for the-Awards have been received from al.
states and territories. They have been considered by a National.
Selection Committee drawn' from the Greek community in
Australia and Commonwealth Government departments.
The National Selection Committee has been very favourably
impressed by the standard of the applicants and by their
willingness to contribute to Australia's development as a
multicultural society.. After a selection process which included
a personal interview of 22 of the applicants, the National
Selection Committee-recommended 10 Awards, one of which
is to be shared between 2 people. The Minister for Employment
and Industrial Relations has endorsed the National Selection
Committee's recommendations.
Very promising programs of work E: Xid study in Greece have been
developed by the successful applicants in the fields of
education, cultural and community development and welfare,
the professions and in artistic and creative pursuits..
It is my hope that in future years more Australians of non-Greek
background will apply.
The awards offer excellent opportunities for young Australians
to travel to Greece and gain experience and understanding of a
culture which has contributed so much to Australia's development
in recent years.
Details of the recipients of the Awards are attached to this
Press Release.
ATTACHMENT
1. EDUCATION a. GREEK LANGUAGE
Mr Paul Hellander, aged 28, Lecturer to study
interpreting techniques South Australia
Miss Vicki Lykogiannis, aged 29, Teacher to study
Greek language teaching South Australia
Miss Argi. Kouros, aged 28, Teacher/ Volunteer Interpreter,
to investigate interpreting/ translating
developments New South Wales
b. CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS
Mrs Barbara Vasdekis, aged 28, Migrant Education Adviser,.
to study Greek dance Queensland
2. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Ms Miranda Degiorgio, aged 25, Social Worker, to make
a social survey Victoria
Ms Niki Psarakis, aged 22, Social Worker, to study
attitudes to disability Victoria
Ms Sylvia Constantinidis, Social Worker, to study
expectations of migrants New South Wales
3. PROFESSIONS Miss Julie Grillas, aged 21, Pharmacist, to gain work
experience as pharmacist Tasmania
Ms Koula Kossiavelos, aged 22, Lawyer, to gain work
experience as a solicitor South Australia
4. ARTISTIC/ CREATIVE
Mr Stan Kouros, aged 25, Drama. Student, NIDA to gain
practical experience in Greek theatre New
South Wales
Mr Arky Michael, aged 22, Drama Student, NIDA to gain
practical experience in Greek Theatre New
South Wales
Mr Kouros and Mr Michael submitted a joint application
and will be offered a joint Award.
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