Old friends who held the highest positions in Greece still continue to serve.
This is what stood out in my recent catch ups with Giannis Chrysoulakis, George Patoulis, and Giannis Drimousis.
As is customary in Greece where discourse and debate are everywhere, all were completely up to date with local events, global conflicts and interestingly the activities of the GCM.
As Drimousis (former Deputy Head of the Hellenic Armed Forces and Head of the Navy) remarked "do not underestimate the influence and importance of the diaspora, and particularly the GCM. If I hadn't seen it firsthand and the events it produces, it would be difficult to comprehend its impact. If only ore officials of the Greek Government could also these events firsthand. I still recall the massive crowd at the Antipodes Festival that greeted Governor Chardalias. It struck me how another Greece so far away from the homeland stood so proud in Melbourne. Relevantly, I'm proud of the diaspora in Australia and have so many fond memories. We must never forget the extraordinary efforts made by the GCM and the Committee for the Battle of Crete."
I did remind Drimousis that it's a 2-way street. I noticed how a few years ago he went out of his way a few years ago to show Hellenic hospitality in warmly welcoming our GCM students on camp in Greece. Several of the excursions involved his influence as the Head of the Greek Navy providing access to sites and facilities that would not normally be available.
John Chrysoulakis (Former General Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) continues to amaze me. He has a global perspective on matters and still actively supports numerous diaspora bodies. John sits on a number of boards. John remarked how proud he was to serve the diaspora remarking "I still have the plaque bestowed on me by the GCM. It sits proudly on my wall." His desire and energy to continue to serve remains with him.
George Patoulis (Former Governor of Attiki) is still the President of the Athens Medical Assoc. George was instrumental for the GCM setting up its first summer cultural and educational camps for our students in Australians. I still remember George's words to me as I pitched the idea of the camps to him. He replied "if you and the GCM want it...that's all that is needed...it will happen". The importance of these camps is fundamental to the viability of our organizations in Australia. They help to forge identity and develop a connection that transcends to volunteering for the GCM predominantly through the Antipodes Festival.
What is striking about all of these individuals is that they do not forget their relationships with the diaspora Greeks. They may no longer occupy the positions they once had when we first met, but their interest and passion for us remains.
