H ELLENIC C OMMUNITY OF WA - A NNUAL R EPORT 2019: A NNUAL G ENERAL M EETING 22 N OVEMBER 2020
ANNUAL REPORT 2019 A NNUAL G ENERAL M EETING
22 N OVEMBER 2020
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Table of Contents 1.0 Committee of Management 2 2.0 Trustees 2 3.0 Saints Constantine and Helene 2 4.0 Definitions 2 5.0 Hellenic Community Management Committee Meetings 2 6.0 HCWA Sub-Committees and Support 2 6.1 Saints Constantine and Helene 2 6.2 Building and Maintenance 2 6.3 Centre for Hellenic Studies 3 6.4 Constitutions Subcommittee 3 6.5 Family Christmas Function 3 6.6 Hellenic Community Dance Group 3 6.7 Hellenic Community Perth Greek Festival 3 6.8 Hellenic Community Radio 3 6.9 Strategic Planning and Redevelopment 3 6.10 Sunday School and Church Bookshop 3 7.0 HCWA Publications 3 8.0 Notice to Members of Annual General Meeting 4 9.0 Minutes of Annual General Meeting: 14 April 2019 5 10.0 Minutes of Extraordinary General Meeting: 19 May 2019 11 11.0 President’s Report 15 12.0 St Andrew’s Grammar Inc. – St Andrew’s Grammar Report 22 13.0 Hellenic Community Benevolent Association In. - Hellenic Community Aged Care Report 28 14.0 Trustee’s Report 31
- 2 - 1.0 Committee of Management: Position President Savvas Papasavvas (resigned 30 January 2020 Vice President Byron Spartalis (President from 30 January 2020) Secretary Maria Gogos (elected June 2019) Pamela Lampropoulos (ceased June 2019) Treasurer Dimitrios Tsokos Committee Members Socrates Bakaimis (elected June 2019) Yanni Ragousis (elected June 2019) Lambi Bakaimis (ceased June 2019) Garry Spartalis (ceased June 2019) Sofia Bazdaric (elected June 2019) Les Spartalis Vassilis Hatzidakis Michael Spartalis Harry Navrozidis Paras Vasilio (ceased June 2019) Paul Savvas
2.0 Trustees: Position Chairman Peter Vlachou (elected May 2016) Trustee Loula Papandreou (elected April 2016) Con Berbatis (elected April 2018) Arthur Mistilis (elected April 2016) George Georgiou (elected April 2018)
3.0 Saints Constantine and Helene: Position Parish Priest Very Rev Elpidios Karalis (until 31 December 2019) Reverend Father Terry Gerovasilis (from 1 January 2020) Assistant Priest Rev Father Evan Battalis
4.0 Definitions: HCWA Hellenic Community of Western Australia Inc. SAG St. Andrew’s Grammar Inc. HCBA Hellenic Community Benevolent Association Inc.
5.0 Hellenic Community Management Committee Meetings: In 2018, the Committee of Management met on 11 occasions to conduct business of the Hellenic Community. These meetings were co-scheduled with a total of 10 meetings of Hellenic Community Benevolent Association Inc and 13 meetings of St Andrew’s Grammar Inc.
Hellenic Community Committee Meetings: 2018 9 January 2018 10 April 2018 26 July 2018 13 November 2018 13 February 2018 8 May 2018 14 August 2018 18 December 2018 13 March 2018 12 June 2018 23 October 2018
6.0 HCWA Sub-Committees and Support: 6.1 Saints Constantine and Helene Religious Subcommittee Very Rev Elpidios Karalis Peter Kanganis John V Metaxas Martin Stamatis Michael Christie Prokopis Koutlis Byron Spartalis Con Tringas Kate Fatouros Nicolette Litis Les Spartalis Freda Vanopoulos Dimitri Gougoulis Betty Michael
6.2 Building and Maintenance Subcommittee Byron Spartalis Paul Phillips George Kallidis John Metaxas (Hellenic Admin)
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6.3 Centre for Hellenic Studies – Teachers P Cristopoulos G Lampropoulos C Panovrakou E Stavrou M Gerou E Nestoriadis K Reisis M Svarnou D Giannakaki F Ntounia S Stamelos
6.4 Constitutions Review Subcommittee Dimitrios Tsokos George Georgiou Marguerita Maounis John Metaxas Pamela Lampropoulos Amanda Kailis (resigned Arthur Mistilis Con Berbatis 2019) John Yiannakis
6.5 Family Christmas Function - Coordinators Father Elpidios Evelyn Palassis
6.6 Hellenic Community Greek Festival Subcommittee Jennifer Pidgeon Nick Gile Zoe Lavranos John Metaxas Savvas Papasavvas Michael Kagiorgis Harry Navrozidis Socrates Bakaimis Andrew Kailis Paul Savvas Evan Georgopoulos Garyfalia Lampropoulos Fillipos Tritas
6.7 Hellenic Community Radio Loucas Letsios Garyfalia Lampropoulos
6.8 Hellenic Community Dance Group Maria Gogos Katina Maounis Kaliopi Reisis
6.9 Strategic Planning and Redevelopment Subcommittee Steven Paradiss Byron Spartalis John Yiannakis Michael Spartalis Paul Phillips John Metaxas
6.10 Sunday School and Church Bookshop Marie Delcos Catherine Kafentzis Sevasti Kalitsis Basil Toufexis Stamatia Gerovasilis Maria Kafentzis Christine McKay Kon Toufexis
7.0 HCWA Publications: eNews Role Officer Editor Hellenic Admin Publisher Hellenic Admin Forty-nine weekly eNews editions were published during 2019.
- 4 - 8.0 Notice to Members of Annual General Meeting – 22 November 2020 Hellenic Community of WA Inc. Notice of Annual General Meeting 2019
95th AGM of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia Inc.
Monday, 22 November 2020, commencing at 2.30 pm St Andrew’s Grammar Gymnasium, Boddington Crt, Dianella Important Notice to Members
Apologies known in advance must be emailed to [email protected]. All other apologies to be recorded on the day on the designated white board.
The quorum will be determined by the number of financial members as at Sunday 8 November 2020.
Pursuant to rule 70.2 of the Constitution, all notices for the amendment, alteration, abrogation or addition to the rules of the Association must be presented in writing to the Secretary at least 35 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Notice must be received by Sunday, 18 October 2020.
Pursuant to rule 45.2 of the Constitution, no motion will be put to any General Meeting unless a written notification has been given to the President or the Secretary at least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting. Motions must be received by Sunday, 1 November 2020.
Notices and motions pursuant to rules 70.2 and 45.2 can be emailed to [email protected].
A member who submits a motion will be given two minutes to present it to the meeting. Up to three members will be permitted to speak in support of the motion and up to three members against the motion.
Speakers will be given two minutes to present their arguments. Questions from the floor will be limited to one minute.
Members are urged to renew memberships prior to the date of the AGM.
Agenda 1. Welcome, Apologies and Respects. 2. Blessing of the Meeting. 3. Acceptance of the Minutes of the Annual General Meetings of 14 April 2019. 4. Annual Report 5. Receipt of the Financial Reports. 6. Motions with Notice 6.1 Life membership 7. Proposed amendments to the Constitution of the Hellenic Community of WA Inc. 8. Proposed amendments to the Constitution of Hellenic Community Benevolent Association Inc. 9. Proposed amendments to the Constitution of St Andrew’s Grammar Inc. 10. Election of three (3) Trustees. 11. Election of Election Committee 12. General Business of which notice has been given.
Byron Spartalis Maria Gogos President Secretary
- 5 - 9.0 Minutes of Annual General Meeting of 14 April 2019. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting Hellenic Community of Western Australia Inc 20 Parker St, Northbridge Meeting at St Andrew’s Grammar
Quorum: 259 14 April 2019
1.0 Welcome: Start 2.36pm 1.01 Savvas Papasavvas: Thank you to all the members here with us today. We have a quorum and we can start the annual general meeting of the Hellenic Community. 2.0 President’s report: 2.01 Dear members I welcome you to the annual general meeting of the Hellenic Community. Thank you for your support being here in order that we maintain and pass on our heritage to the generations to follow. Today’s impressive presence proves your faith in our community; the unifying body which represents the members, but also those who are not members of the Greek Community. 2.02 Membership For the first time almost 1800 members have the right to vote. This is unprecedented for our Community together with the committee we have done and will do whatever is needed to raise our community as high as possible with your assistance. 2.03 Religion Together with our active priest and the Church subcommittee we have done everything possible to maintain and pass on our Orthodox Faith and our religious culture. We have organised the book shop managed by our much loved Father Elpidios. It is sad those of the Orthodox Faith are becoming fewer not only in our parish, but in all the other parishes here in Australia also in Greece. We will bring back as many youth as possible to our Church they are our future Greeks, future leaders of our Community, who will represent Greeks abroad. 2.04 Church support I thank all those who work together with Father Elpidios: Protopsaltima Yiannis Stamatis, Kate Fatouros, Freda Vanopoulos, Maki Stamati, Betty Michael, Stamatia Gerovasilis, Mary Delcos, Kosta Toufexis, Vassili Toufexis, Christie Mcabe, Sevasti Galitsis, Kathryn Kafetzis, Maria Kafetzis, and John V Metaxas. There are so many volunteers who work together and help Father Elpidios. If I have forgotten someone I apologise. 2.05 Easter Every year, the parishioners stand by our Church and there are those who attend the liturgies of Good Friday and the Resurrection. The problem with parking as is well known. This is a common problem around the world even in America, Canada, and Australia churches located near the city centre. Imagine in 10 years with the price for parking. Many pensioners will not be able to pay, the number of parishioners will diminish. I urge the members to work together to find a solution to support the Church and to solve this problem. The Community has some plans. Either this or the following committee will bring them forward to see what we can do to solve this problem facing our Church. 2.06 Youth For the first time more than 250 youth attended the Community’s events. It is very moving to see third and fourth generation youth who want to discover their roots, to return to Greece to visit, want to learn Greek. We will try to bring these youth close to the Community. Many have become members. In the future they will support our Community. I thank Yiannis Ragoussis, Kostas Toufexis, Zeta Ragoussis, Maria Delcos, Maria Anestoudi, Socrates Bakaimis, the dance instructor, Calliopi Reissis who is keeping these youth through the dance group. More than 50 children are learning Greek dancing. 2.07 Cultural Our Community, for the first time, is undertaking many cultural events of national interest. We had Michael Chugg who gave a talk on where the tomb of Alexander the Great is to be found. Also Anastassios Tamis delivered a talk on the Treaty of Prespes outlining the positive and negative.
2.08 Northbridge The Committee refurbished the Community hall. Tower House, next to the Church, we were unable to rent. Today it is rented. We have spent money, but it - 6 - had to be done. We want our tenants in a good environment. We want our members to be able to have a Community hall to enjoy. 2.09 Saturday School The Saturday School has almost doubled the number of children attending. I thank the President of the parents of Saturday School, the teachers, who with unending patience and untainted love educate our children on Hellenic Christian values of our heritage. 2.10 Hellenic Community The Aged Care is in a very good position. In the accreditation we achieved, all Aged Care: 44 out of 44 outcomes. Thanks to Tina Hoogenkamp, Yemi Asfaw, Maria Papa, Margaret Kotovski, and to all the those who provide the best services the residents. We should not think of the cost, but the best services we can offer these people who today need it. 2.11 St Andrew’s Grammar: St Andrew’s Grammar is proceeding much better than previous years. The last few years had some financial difficulties. Last year we had a small surplus. The school, like other schools, needs support of Greeks and support of businessmen. With your support and of everyone we can make the school we all desire to honour philhellenes, and for our children to know our Hellenic culture. 2.12 eNews: The Community electronic news is very good and I thank Eva Nestoriadi for her remarkable work. I also thank those who offer their valuable services to the Greek radio station, such as Sakis Pilarinos, Panagiota Tsakisiris, Loukas Letsios, Poppy Georganis, Elleni Peripanos, and Anna Smilovitis. 2.13 Appreciation: Many thanks to the Trustees for the harmonious collaboration. Many thanks to you who support the Greek Community. You are the Community, we serve you, and together I am sure we can create the Community of tomorrow; a community we all wish for. I thank you for listening to me. 3.0 Blessing and Respects:
3.01 Savvas Papasavvas: I apologise I ask Father Elpidios to bless the AGM, and for one minutes silence for the members who are no longer with us and for the loss of Archbishop Stylianos. 3.02 Father Elpidios: Alla masi. Pate Emon. Can we have one minute silence for Archbishop Stylianos who passed away on 25 March 2019. 4.0 Apologies: 4.01 Pamela Lampropoulos: Jacqueline Kyros, Nicholas, Nicholas, Margurita, and Maria Mounis, Emanuel and Marina Petrelis, Stella Kazazis. Tony, Jessie, and Basil Zempilas, Les Spartalis, Paras Vasilio, Harry Navrozidis, Paul Savvas, Angela Evangelinou- Yiannakis, Stephen and Katherine Kikirios, Peter and Sylvia Gregory, Colin and Zoe Kikiros, Nina Kyriakis, Peter and Sandra Vlachou, and George Georgiou. 5.0 Minutes of Annual General Meeting of 22 April 2018: 5.01 Savvas Papasavvas: Can I have a motion to accept the minutes? 5.02 Denise Goudis: To correct the spelling of Evia Corfias in the minutes on amendments to the constitution. 5.03 Motion: To accept the minutes of the annual general meeting of 22 April 2019. Moved: Paul Afkos Second: Theo Sarris Passed. 5.04 Pamela Lampropoulos: We have retained Costa Demetriades today to translate for speakers who avail themselves. 6.0 Finance Report: 6.01 Dimitrios Tsokos: I will be presenting the Hellenic Community consolidated report for 2018. The income for 2018 was $14,963,865 compared to 2017: $15,524,969. Expenses for 2018 were $15,131,344 compared to $15,665,278. That left a deficit in 2018 of $167, 479 compared to 2017 of $140,309.
Income across the entities declined by $561,104 due to lower government grants and subsidies for St Andrew’s Grammar and Hellenic Aged Care and lower income from School fees. A decline in student numbers was the main cause of the reduced grant and fee income to St Andrew’s Grammar while changes in subsidy rates impacted Hellenic Aged Care.
Expenses declined by $553,934 and we saw reduction in mainly salaries and wages, teaching expenses, and repairs and maintenance. While in accounting - 7 - terms there was a loss in 2018, the cash position across all entities increased by $3.2million last year.
In terms of the Hellenic Community, Tower House will tenanted from April 2019 and provide much needed income for the Community. Tower House requires further restoration works, but this work will only proceed if grant funds are available. Income from the leasing of Tower House and a return to lower repairs and maintenance expenditures should on current settings, result in a balanced cash position at the end of 2019.
In terms of the aged care, in late February 2019, the Commonwealth government announced a one-off increase of 9.5 per cent in aged care subsidies for all residents in aged care for the period 20 March to 30 June 2019.
Once the occupancy rate is taken into account, the funding increase will be at around $50,000 for 2019. Revised care standards come into effect from 1 July 2019. These are unfunded costs in rewriting policies and procedures and for increased day to day documentation requirements from 1 July 2019. In the absence of increased funding, Hellenic Aged Care will struggle to return to surpluses recorded in previous years.
For St Andrew’s Grammar, student numbers remain the critical metric for the School. Enrolments declined from 2017 to 2018. While 2018 figures for competitor schools are not available, the 2016 to 2017 enrolment experience of
St Andrew’s was better than local competitor schools. Retention rates from primary to secondary improved in 2018. This along with new enrolments and international students will build student numbers. This will go a long way in terms of helping the school. 6.02 Con Berbatis: There is one statement I could not understand regarding the consolidated financial position. The decline in net income over the last year. Can I ask, the statement ‘the Hellenic Community’s cash position increased by $3.2million. I cannot understand where you get this $2-3 million cash position. (Translated into Greek). 6.03 Dimitrios Tsokos: The bulk has come from the aged care bonds. There has been some increase in the school, but predominantly it’s from bonds. (Translated into Greek). 6.04 Con Berbatis: On bonds, how liquid are those, can the Community reinvest those bonds, how restricted are they? (Translated into Greek). 6.05 Dimitrios Tsokos: Those bonds are all available 100 per cent. (Translated into Greek). 6.06 Con Berbatis: Where are those bonds held, if a person passes away? Is the bond returned to the family or is it retained in Community funds. (Translated into Greek). 6.07 Dimitrios Tsokos: Hellenic Aged Care can retain a small portion, but the rest goes to the family. (Translated into Greek). 6.08 Paul Afkos: You mentioned the entities in the last two years have suffered a loss; if you look at 2017, if you look at 2018. You also, this year you expect the collective entities will have a balanced outcome. Considering the last two years, you’ve made a loss, have you put plans that we get to the balanced budget and what are the plans? I also heard this year aged care will make a loss. That’s probably 3 years in a row the aged care will make a loss. There is a message there for the Committee, perhaps the bonds for the aged care are too low. 6.09 Dimitrios Tsokos: The aged care will aim to have a balanced budget, but the issue will always be the subsidies received from the government; they are not increasing. In terms of the school there will be a balance budget and the Community will have a balanced budget. 6.10 Motion: The Finance report is accepted. Moved: Paul Afkos Second: Tina Kyros Passed. 6.11 Pamela Can we have a motion we put aside 10 per cent of the takings from Saints Lampropoulos: Constantine and Helene 6.12 Loula Papandreou: What are the funds used for is there a specific reason? 6.13 Byron Spartalis: The funds are being set aside for Church maintenance is taken via tray collections. 10 per cent is put aside for the maintenance of the Church. It has - 8 - been in the constitution for many years. (Translated into Greek). The amount is on the screen $10,670.40 7.0 Election of auditors for 2019 to 2021:
7.1 Dimitrios Tsokos: Every three year we have to nominate auditors for the Hellenic Community entities. We have obtained quotes from a number of auditing firms. Macri Partners are our current auditors. I recommend Australian Audit be our auditors for the next three years and the main reason is cost. Australian Audit will charge $27,600 the cheapest of the lot. (Translated into Greek) 7.2 Sam Amsa: Do we have references for these different entities. 7.3 Dimitrios Tsokos: A lot of these companies were recommended by other aged care facilities. 7.4 Motion: Australian Audit are elected auditors for the Hellenic Community for 2019- 2021. Moved: Paul Afkos Second: Theo Sarris Passed 8.0 Motions with notice: 8.1 Pamela We have a motion with notice moved by Gary Mitchell and seconded by Geoge Lampropoulos: Koutlis. 8.2 Motion: The Management Committee of the Hellenic Community of WA Inc. (HCWA Inc) shall endorse, support and promote the Perth Glendi Association of WA Inc. in the pursuit of sponsorship and funding from government, quasi-government and corporate organisations for the Glendi Festival and encourage inclusion of the HCWA Inc. personnel and entities at the event. (Translated into Greek) Moved: Gary Mitchell Second: George Koutlis 8.3 Gary Mitchell: The most important is we are all together. No one wins if we aren’t all together. I am a proud member here. But I am a committed volunteer the day of the Glendi. Because I know how important it is for all the Greeks to come together. Especially when we are celebrating our Greekness. There is nothing like the electricity we all feel when we come together and at any celebration. I felt in 1980 and 1981 when Dr Lekias and his committee, especially Les Aris, put together our fist Glendi here. I am still here because of it. I volunteered that year to be a part of a Greek organization, and I have never stopped. We can all be divided and lose that. It is important as the parent body, the Hellenic Community of WA that initiated these Glendi events, to be there to show all the kids as well as the wider community that we are a very strong Community. It is very important our Hellenic Community, the peak body in Western Australia be seen by the outside community to be leading this. Glendis are very hard to put on, every time we tried sooner or later we had failed. The model is very important. Paul Afkos did a terrific job back in 2002, and we had our first revived Glendi back in 2002, 26 May at Platia Hellas. 9 out of 10 functions of this size fail. We have found the right model because all the associations take the money and that’s what keeps them coming back, and when it rains and it keeps the people away, we still do alright. It is now resilient. The words on the screen are yours. Change them to find more security if you need to. The only important thing we do today is to come together. 8.4 George Karageorge: What are the ramifications of putting the word ‘ownership’ in those words. The only word missing there to describe the function is ownership. What ownership can legally be allowed constitutionally to put into that motion (translated into Greek). 8.5 Gary Mitchell: The Greeks of Perth. You can join that committee if you want to. Or you can change it. You just need to sit down be mature and put a deal together so we can go forward. 8.6 (George Koutlis declines offer to speak to the motion.) 8.7 Paul Afkos: I have some discomfort with the motion for the very reason you are compelling to approve what are operational matters. Operational matters are purely the responsibility of the elected committee; not the members. Provided they adhere to the constitution operational matters and binding the committee on certain matters. If I was a President during my time I would not have allowed such a motion unless it was reworded. I understood the Hellenic Community organized the Glendi always from Dr Lekias and the late Les Aris and then continued thereafter. So the Community has ownership. We have a new association that - 9 - wants to run the Glendi, but don’t impose it on the Hellenic Community committee in case it has some ramifications by the support it gives. There may be some failures with the Glendi. Is it going to come back to the hands of the Hellenic Community. You cannot compel the committee on operational matters. (translated into Greek). 8.8 Elaine Palassis: I was on the first organizing committee of the 1980 Glendi that Les Aris organized. It was a fantastic organization, but we lost money, but it was a huge success; socially and we all enjoyed it. I was also on the second one then I retired and when Paul was in the chair I joined that committee to run the Glendi. I am speaking for the motion. There has to be a separate Glendi committee that only runs the Glendi. This committee is very busy doing other things. They cannot come to the meetings and there will be lots of meetings and lots of organization. So I want us to really stop and think before we vote against this motion. (translated into Greek). 8.9 Michael Spartalis: We all agree the Glendi is an amazing event to bring us all together. Fundamentally I disagree that a separate organization needs to run it. I completely agree a separate subcommittee needs to run it. Some of this wording I am happy with, but I do compel members here to request it be reworded outside of this AGM and brought back at a later date (translated into Greek). 8.10 Savvas Papasavvas I speak against the motion. The Festival started under the Hellenic Community (In Greek): and continued under the Hellenic Community. Why at this time is it not to continue as a Hellenic Community event? Two years ago I asked the Glendi subcommittee members whether they would continue to organise the Glendi under the Hellenic Community. The reply was 80 per cent of the work had been done. Meanwhile, these people organized to have a separate Glendi not asking or informing the Hellenic Community. You talk about the difficulties of organizing a Glendi. Do you consider how hard it is to ask the same people to volunteer and the same sponsors to support two events? We need one well organized event under the Hellenic Community. Come and let us discuss this issue. In October we will have a Festival not only of food, but featuring our culture as well. We must unite to go forward. What happens if yet another association want to have a Glendi. Let’s work together. (translated into English). 8.11 Socrates Bakaimis: I am against the motion. It does not make sense for the Hellenic Community of WA to support another association which has the same aim as itself. This is not in the best interests of the Hellenic Community and would put in jeopardy the advanced plans of the Hellenic Community Perth Greek Festival. Why would the Hellenic Community want to support a group seeking funds in competition with itself breaching their duty to support another group if they know it means the Hellenic Community could be worse off. We should all be united under the Hellenic Community (translated into Greek). 8.12 John Papachristos: I am here to speak on behalf of the Glendi and I will refer to a couple of letters I can table for you. First I will dispel some myths. First the Glendi association belongs to all of you. It is incorporated, it is transparent, its financials are open to all of you. You can become members. You could run the Glendi. The Glendi is owned by the whole Greek community. Running costs etc are available; the books are there, you can look at them. The associations make the money. The Glendi team is not paid. Last year, we made $67 profit. On August 10, 2017 I have an email sent to me “Good afternoon Peter. The Committee of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia thanks you for attending the meeting last night. The Committee has agreed for the Hellenic Community of Western Australia to step aside and allow the Perth Glendi Association to assume responsibility for the 2018 Perth Glendi and subsequent Glendis subject to 1. The Hellenic Community operating the bar 2. The Perth Glendi Association keeping the Hellenic Community of Western Australia informed by way of emails 3. The Hellenic Community of Western Australia receiving the Perth Glendi association conflict of interest register. 4 At least one member of the Hellenic Community of WA can come to our meetings.” - 10 - We responded. We agreed to everything, but we did not agree to one small thing. That was to pay for the security of the bar, because bar security is very expensive (translated into Greek excluding letters). 8.13 Gary Mitchell: What we all need is for you to get on board. May I also just read out to you two letters: “Hello everyone, I missed the last couple but I am really looking forward to joining you at the next Glendi in April 2002 when we do it all again with all the Greeks in Perth and go into the next Guiness Book of world record attempt at Zorba dancing. Since we created it in 2002, at the 2002 Glendi it’s become a worldwide phenomenon at festivals everywhere across the planet……….. Basil Zempilas.” One more. “To the Greek Community of Western Australia. Dear all, I am advised that the Greek Western Australians are coming together to plan the Greek Glendi festival for 2020 and beyond. The Greek Glendi festival is a highly popular event and attracted large numbers of Western Australians from Greek backgrounds as well as ever increasing numbers across the wider community……I realise only through such significant effort does an event the size of the Glendi succeed……… I look forward to joining you at the Glendi festival 2020 and sharing in this uniquely Greek Australian celebration. I wish you every success for your efforts in planning and delivery of the next Greek festival. Yours sincerely Mark McGowan MLA, Premier of Western Australia.” With that ladies and gentlemen unfortunately I must withdraw the motion (translated into Greek excluding letters). 9.0 Trustee’s report: 9.1 Con Berbatis: I am speaking on behalf of the Trustees of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia. I have a brief report. George Georgiou and I were voted to Trustees last April. We have had 10 Trustee meetings. There were 5 separate meeting on the constitution review. We made 6 reports to the Hellenic Community news. We have discovered a QC opinion on the power of Trustees and its gives much wider powers than currently in the constitution of the Hellenic Community. St Andrew’s School - The Trustees wrote a long letter of recommendations in October last year on St Andrew’s School. The Hellenic Community had a ‘community visions meeting where various associations attended and 5 Trustees participated in the meeting on 2 February 2018. St Andrew’s School on 16 February, the Principal together with the Community had a meeting at which some 20 or 30 people attended. 3 Trustees attended and contributed to that meeting. The Trustees contributed very much to the review of the 3 constitutions. 10.0 Closing meeting: 10.1 Savvas Papasavvas: Thank you for your attendance. Thank you for the vote of confidence today proves. I will communicate with the Glendi organization and discuss the ways to benefit the Hellenic Community of Western Australia. Thank you. 10.2 Meeting closed: 4.25pm
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10.0 Minutes of Extraordinary General Meeting of 19 May 2019 Minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting Hellenic Community of Western Australia Inc 20 Parker St, Northbridge Meeting at St Andrew’s Grammar
Quorum: 72 19 May 2019
1.0 Welcome and blessing: Start: 2.35pm 1.1 Savvas Papasavvas: Good afternoon and welcome to this extraordinary meeting of the Hellenic Community. On behalf of your committee thank you for attending this meeting. We have a quorum in accordance with clause 6.5 of the constitution. A quorum shall constitute not less than 40 members or 20% of financial members whichever is less. 1.2 Savvas Papasavvas: Members received by email or post copies of the three constitutions from 8-11 April 2019. The three constitutions were Hellenic Community of Western Australia, Hellenic Community Benevolent Association, and St Andrew’s Grammar Inc. 1.3 Savvas Papasavvas: I ask Father Evan to please bless the meeting. 1.4 Father Evan: Blesses the meeting 1.5 Savvas Papasavvas: The agenda for the meeting today was circulated to members from 8 May 2019. 2.0 Repeal and replace Hellenic Community of Western Australia Inc. constitution 2.1 Savvas Papasavvas: The first motion is to replace the existing non-compliant Hellenic Community of WA constitution with a revised compliant Hellenic Community of WA constitution. The members today have to agree to the proposed constitution with a 75% majority. If members today do not agree to the proposed constitution with a 75% majority, the existing Hellenic Community of WA constitution will remain in place until 30 June 2019. From 1 July 2019 the Hellenic Community will be governed by the model rules in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Act. 2.2 Savvas Papasavvas: The motion to repeal the current constitution and adopt the proposed constitution was moved by Pamela Lampropoulos and seconded by Vassilis Hatzidakis. 2.3 Pamela Lampropoulos: The motion I have moved and Vassilis has seconded is to: “To repeal the current Constitution and adopt the proposed new Constitution.” And after I have proposed amendment. 2.4 Pamela Lampropoulos: We need speakers for and against the motion. 2.5 Peter Vlachou: (from the You should make clear, the only business to be discussed today is as per the floor): notice. 2.6 Gary Mitchell: There are a few things. I will pick up one I do not think is acceptable at this point in time. I am not going to be panicked because we have a government timeline on this. Constitutions evolve overtime and we can have another meeting in a month, we can have another meeting in two months. One of the things amongst many which is my reason for voting against now, is in the objects. There is something I just can’t agree with. It’s just misplaced, it’s not bad, just misplaced. The objects are the reasons people come together There is a new object in here: 3.1.4: to supervise and assist the affiliates….. Not only is it not an object, it’s really a direction to management. But this is dangerous, because it gives to the members the right to supervise and assist the affiliates. Now why that is dangerous, because every one of us becomes entitled to, through our supervisory capacity, to ask how much is the principal of St Andrew’s being paid. We need to keep working. There is also subtle changes in culture that have not been discussed. None of you received the old constitution to say these things that are in blue or these things in black are minor. Well some of them aren’t minor in my view. So I can’t vote for it yet, but it needs to be an ongoing process. 2.7 Con Berbatis: Two points. The first one is, we have a lawyer here. Gary I think is raising a legal issue. We have a lawyer here who was involved in the - 12 - process since January-February. I think it far better if you address your specific aspect with any problems you have to the lawyer present 2.8 Savvas Papasavvas: Pamela are you going to speak against? 2.9 Pam Lampropoulos: I am withdrawing all three motions. Do I have a seconder? The reason I am withdrawing my motions is this is diabolical. We have not had a chance. The Community management committee I accept has spent a lot of time on this, however, I also believe our process was corrupted we had a subcommittee according to the motion Con Berbatis moved and then all of a sudden the Trustees were on it. Then there were three meetings the Trustees had. 2.10 Pam Lampropoulos: I have withdrwan the motions and I am explaining why and I have withdrawn all three motions and I have the right to do so. Do I have a seconder (Seconder Gary Spartalis) 2.11 Pamela Lampropoulos: The reasons are. When I moved the motion, I thought the members at this meeting would have the right to move amendments. The members did not get the constitutions very long and even the colour coding was not very clear. Because of that, I have the motion I have a seconder and I suggest we reconvene in a month time and have our lawyer here. The idea we have our lawyer here today and my understanding was our members could ask questions and if they were not satisfied they could move to amendment. And what I was confronted with, was I was on the constitution subcommittee. I rang John Metaxas one day and I said hey, I didn’t know that two Trustees and our Treasurer were meeting with our lawyer and I was not given the opportunity. So in summary that is why I am withdrawing all 3 motions and I am hoping you support that. 2.12 Peter Vlachou: I am disappointed how we allow these things to manifest into disagreements and a misunderstanding of everything. I am the Chairman of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia Trustees and I am shattered that the Secretary can make that statement how did we parachute into the constitution subcommittee and I read a motion from the Hellenic Community minutes at which Ms Lampropoulos was present “The Committee terminates the appointments of Paul Savvas and of Gary Mitchell to the Constitution Subcommittee and appoints Con Berbatis and George Georgiou, and for the duration of absence of Arthur Mistilis appoints Peter Vlachou. Moved: Dimitrios Tsokos/Garry Spartalis. Carried” 2.13 Costa Demetriades: Savvas is questioning the motive behind the proposal of the changes to the (translates to English) constitution by the Secretary. He says the Secretary of the Community has been with them for 12 months, she knew about the proposals for the changes to the constitution, but she didn’t raise any objections and now she says, all of a sudden she is raising objections. Savvas wants the lawyer to clarify this point. 2.14 Hugh Cahill: (Partner I have been involved since December 2018 to date in relation to making the Cullen Macleod, with amendments and changes to the constitution. There have been a lot of people Costa Demetriades involved in the input to constitution from the committee and the Trustees to translating into Greek) deal with the document. There is a lot of organisations adopting constitutions. The reality is there will never be 100% agreement for any one constitution no matter how hard every one tries. Given the Community in the legal structure, oversees what happens with the Benevolent Association and the School, that’s the reason why I believe that particular one clause was added to the objects of the Hellenic Community constitution. The issue that now arises. Pam has withdrawn her motion. I have brought the legal book. Josh’s Law of Procedure tells me motions can only be withdrawn with a majority of you present consenting. We basically have to have a poll of you present now, to see whether a majority consents to that withdrawal. From a procedural point of view, before we go forward that is the next step. The motion that was put about repealing the old constitution and adopting the new one and the constitutions were circulated, and I understand colour coded, to explain what had been changed, what hadn’t been changed, and what was in the model rules. We are at a point where we need that motion. If that motion is not accepted by a majority, then we carry on to talk about the constitution and people can speak for it or they can speak against it. If the motion is accepted, so a majority of you accept Pam’s withdrawal, then basically, that will be the end of the meeting. - 13 - 2.15 Pamela Lampropoulos Savvas asked for my reason. I thank you all for coming today. This is not what (Costa Demetriades I expected. Yes, I am Secretary, but I was of the understanding and the lawyer translating into Greek) was here today so you could ask questions and make amendments. I am not against the motion totally, I withdrew it because I would like us to come together in a month time and then we will all feel happy we have the opportunity to make amendments. 2.16 Hugh Cahill: It has to be a motion of the meeting whether we accept the withdrawal of the motion. We need to have an indication of hands unless you do it by poll or vote. 2.17 Vote on motion Vote taken: 18 ‘for’ withdrawal of the motion. 42 ‘against’ withdrawal of the motion. Motion defeated. 2.18 Savvas Papasavvas: (In Now we ask the members to approve the changes to the new constitution. To Greek Costa Demetriades approve the constitution changes we need a 75% majority. translating into English) 2.19 Change of Chairperson Savvas Papasavvas vacates chair to Byron Spartalis. 2.20 Con Berbatis: The proposal as it stands is we accept the new constitution. That is what we are voting on and I support that. Please trust the process, accept the constitution. If you have problems with it, you can make them in forthcoming general meetings, annual general meetings, or special meetings. If you are seriously worried about making changes, we can all have a special general meeting and do it. 2.21 Gary Mitchell: I move the motion be put. 2.22 Gary Spartalis: I second the motion. 2.23 Byron Spartalis: We are going to vote on Gary’s motion. 2.24 Vote on motion Vote taken: The motion is carried. 2.25 Byron Spartalis: We now move to the motion on the screen. Those who are voting for the motion move to their right. Those who oppose the motion moved to their left. 2.26 Motion: 'To repeal the current constitution and adopt the new constitution. Moved Pam Lampropoulos. Seconded Vassilis Hatzidakis. 2.27 Vote on motion Vote taken: For the motion: 49. Against the motion: 16 Carried with 75.4% majority. 2.28 Pam Lampropulos: Point of order. At the meeting we voted for scanners to make sure we had everything above board. I suggest we use the scanners. Otherwise we are going against what we voted on at our meeting and I will need to report it to the Department of Commerce. 2.29 Pam Lampropoulos: My amendment is “that any other real property owned by the Association may be disposed by a 75% resolution at a general meeting” At the moment you cannot sell the hall unless there is 5/6th, we can't sell the Rectory unless there is 5/6th. I am just wanting to protect the aged care and the school. At the moment, it only needs 50%. I have here some documentation it shows the members at a workshop, wanting to divide this land at the school into 4 Lots. 2.30 Amendment: “that any other real property owned by the Association may be disposed by a 75% resolution at a general meeting” 2.31 Con Berbatis: The Secretary spoke about a meeting held in early February and it was called by the Community. I was chairing the property assets group and Pam was a member of that group. Effectively the Parker Street assets are fixed for 10 years. The only assets that could be dealt with on a more flexible basis for the Community to improve the asset values is the property at Dianella. There is an opportunity by subdividing it, not selling it. 2.32 Pamela Lampropoulos: The caveats have been lifted. They were on this land to protect the land because when the school became a school. I just want to protect what we have got and make it a 75% majority, if anything is to be changed. 2.33 Peter Vlachou: In 2005, the condition of not being able to lift caveats lapsed. The lifting of caveats doesn't change anything, it just allows more flexibility to what we own and increases the values. Rule 64.2 the duties of the Trustees are to safeguard the interests of the association and to safeguard the rights and interests of the members. By changing that clause, taking Trustees off, that is a safety catch for you the members to consider this motion does, restricts any flexibility, ties the hands of future committees, it makes it more difficult for them to manage the community assets. 2.34 Savvas Papasavvas: Now we vote for the motion. 2.35 Vote on motion: (Vote taken) 30 for 26 against: Motion passed. 2.36 Pamela Lampropoulos: I am going to with draw the motion. I have got a motion up saying the Secretary to get the listed roll but it’s covered in 10.3. - 14 - 2.37 Costa Demetriades: Mr Metaxas asked whether the motion required a 75% majority. The answer in 'no'. 3.0 Repeal and replace Hellenic Community Benevolent Association Inc. constitution and St Andrew’s Grammar Inc constitution 3.1 Savvas Papasavvas: Now I want to call vote for the 2 other constitutions for St Andrew's Grammar and Hellenic Aged Care. This is for both constitutions 3.2 Vote on motions: Vote taken: 44 for adopting both constitutions, 0 against Motion passed. 4.0 Closing meeting: 4.1 Savvas Papasavvas The Special General meeting has ended thank you for attending. 4.2 Meeting closed 4.46pm H ELLENIC C OMMUNITY OF WA - A NNUAL R EPORT 2019: A NNUAL G ENERAL M EETING 22 N OVEMBER 2020
11.0 President’s Report for 2019: Membership:
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 948 770 871 1,113 1,090 939 531 743 231
There were 948 financial members at 31 December 2019. The revised Hellenic Community constitution registered in August 2019, included significant changes to the membership rules. A member who has Paid their membership in any year must pay their next year membership in the first year following or by or by 31 December of the second year following, to retain their membership.
A new member must pay their membership by 31 October in any year for their membership to be recorded in the same year. They are eligible to vote for the first time, at a meeting or election in the following year, provided they have paid their membership two weeks before the meeting or election.
These changes were included in the revised constitution to ensure the membership register reflects the contemporary membership of the Community. We hope the argument over the probationary period between becoming a member and becoming entitled to vote has been settled and there will be no more amendments to the membership rules.
Church of Saints Constantine and Helene:
Sacraments 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Baptisms (Adult) 3 6 6 2 4 10 4 7 7 Baptisms (Infant) 37 53 42 49 35 67 57 48 69 Chrismation 3 4 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 Funerals 50 37 39 48 45 45 25 28 28 Weddings 16 11 19 17 18 16 22 18 25
A key objective our Community is to preserve and to maintain our Church of Saints Constantine and Helene and to facilitate and promote the teaching of the catechism and dogma of the Greek Orthodox Faith.
Very Reverend Father Elpidios worked throughout 2019 for our Church, congregation, and parishioners. Sincere thanks to Father Elpidios for his devotion to the Church and his ecclesiastical duties in support of our Faith and our Church.
My thanks to all who supported Father Elpidios throughout the year. Thank you to John Stamatis, the chanters and Church choir, the volunteers assisting Father Elpidios in the Church Committee, Sunday School or Church Bookshop: Micahel Christie, Kate Fatouros, Dimitri Gougoulis, Peter Kanganis, Kosta Karalis, George Koutlis, Prokopi Koutlis, Nicolette Litis, John V Metaxas, Catherine Papanastasiou, Les Spartalis, Martin Stamatis, Con Tringas Betty Michael, Kon Toufexis, Basil Toufexis, and Freda Vanopulos.
Archbishop Stylianos: In March 2019 our members and parishioners were saddened by the death of our long serving Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and spiritual leader, His Eminence, Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis. Archbishop Stylianos had made numerous visits to Perth during his 44 year tenure. In recent years, declining health limited his ability to travel.
Easter: Easter services were well attended in April 2019. The Holy Friday Crucifixion Procession was shortened with entry into Russell Square at Palmerston Street. This halved the cost of parking bays to be acquired in Aberdeen Street. Holy Saturday Resurrection Service was held in Russell Square, as has been the tradition for many years.
Thanks also Father Piumatti at St Bigid’s Church and to Mr Chad van Heemst at Vanguard Press for allowing our parishioners to use their parking facilities. Their support helps, our Community to celebrate this important religious event in accordance with our Greek Orthodox traditions.
Sunday morning tea and Candle making: Many thanks again to Prokopi and Nicolette Koutlis for supporting of our Community with Sunday morning tea and candle making for our Church throughout 2019.
- 16 - Archbishop Makarios: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese announced in May the election by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Bishop Makarios of Christoupolis as the new Archbishop of Australia. His Eminence visited Perth. Many of our members attended a function in his honour welcoming his appointment as our Archbishop.
School holiday workshop: In October 2019 approximately 65 children and a number of parents attended a School Holiday Workshop at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helene, with Father Elpidios, the Sunday School teachers and volunteers. Children learnt about the orthodox faith, items of the church, and their symbolism, including the Thurible (Thimiato) and baking church bread (Prosphoro). Children prepared, kneaded and stamped their own prosphoro. They discussed the ‘From I Ville To You Ville’ and a short film on Almsgiving and St Nicholas. Thank you to Father Elpidios, Sunday School teachers, volunteers, children and parents who attended the workshop.
Service for chanters: There was a special memorial service at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helene in October for all the chanters who have served at our parish since the laying of the foundation stone in 1924. The memorial service was in October to coincide with the October celebration of St Romanus the Melodist, patron saint of all chanters. St Romanus, who lived in the 6th century, was one of the greatest of Greek hymnographers.
Strategic direction
In February, the central committee arranged a visioning workshop at our Community Centre with strong representation of the current central committee, trustees, John Yiannakis and Steven Paradiss of the SPARC subcommittee. It was an opportunity for our Community volunteers and leaders to discuss practical, relevant, and assessable strategies for our Community now and into the future. Topics discussed included: 1. Constitution, governance, management and operations. 2. Community engagement. 3. Assets, financial management and sustainability. 4. Identifying suitably experienced and qualified persons for central committee, boards, working groups Important themes were identified for new policies and guiding documents for our community’s groups and various initiatives: a. Our culture and religion, our people, and our built assets are the core elements of our community. b. Many subgroups and initiatives sit within these core elements. c. There is no accepted vision for governance and leadership; a document / structure is required for a practical and relevant application of existing constitutions to these core elements. d. Guiding principles and strategies are required to ensure our core elements are understood and strengthened for the future, to prevent fragmentation and dilution of our efforts, toward strength, pride, and prosperity. A report will be drafted, and follow up workshops planned, for strategies for each of our core elements.
Connecting with members
Hellenic Youth: In preparation for Easter, Hellenic Youth held an Ester workshop for 50 young Greek Australians, their parents, and grandparents, organised by volunteers to present Greek Easter customs. Koulourakia making, dyeing eggs red and the symbolism of Easter traditions were presented. Thanks to Garyfalia Lampropoulos and Maria Gogos for organising the workshop.
In July, Hellenic Community Youth presented a Disco Night for 13-17 year olds at Floreat Athena. Over 100 present, danced to a mix of Greek and English music played by DJ Luca. Thanks to Savvas Papasavvas and everyone who made the event possible.
Another successful Hellenic Youth Disco Night for 13-17 year olds was held at Floreat Athena in September with Greek and English music supplied by DJ Mihali and DJ Socrates. Over 100 attended the event. Thanks to Savvas Papasavvas and the other volunteers for organising this function.
A Hellenic Youth Cooking Workshop was held in the Community Centre in September where our youth learnt to prepare traditional Greek food and share their preparations with friends and family. Thanks to organisers Maria Gogos and Garyfalia Lampropoulos.
Dance group: The first Hellenic Junior Youth Dance Group aged 5 to 12 years. Within the last 2 years, the numbers have increased to 45 children within the last 2 years. Every Saturday afternoon, volunteers from the Hellenic Community dedicate their time to teach Greek dance from all areas of Greece. Many thanks to the parents and children who attended the Hellenic Community dance group throughout 2019 and to teacher, Kalliopi Reisis. 16 - 17 -
Greek Film Festival: In October and November 2019, the Festival screened two marvellous films. '1968', a docudrama and 'In This Land Nobody Knew How to Cry', a comedy. Both films were very well received by all with great reviews. Thank you to everyone for your support. Thanks to Bob Pearce, Helen Christopher for organising the film festival and to Kate Fatouros, Garyfalia Lampropoulos, and Costas Demetriades.
Childrens' Christmas Celebration: The Childrens' Christmas Celebration was held in the lower hall on Sunday 22nd December following the Sunday Divine Liturgy. Santa visited with gifts for the children.
Functions
Saints Constantine and Helene Lunch: In February following the Divine Liturgy approximately 200 members attended a lunch in the lower hall in support of the Church. Anastasi and Michaileos Karamintzas and Corina Margaris provided the entertainment. Thanks to Prokopi and Nicolette Koutlis for catering the lunch.
Kinisi live: In March, under the stars at the St Andrew’s Grammar Amphitheatre was a family friendly night of singing and dancing. Maria Marouli supported by local act Nikos Karagiannis entertained a large audience. Many thanks to George Triakos of Infinity Electrical, sponsors Taj Siskopoulos of Baklava Kafe and Mr Meli, Michael Sialtsis, Attika Hotel, David Mitchell, Nikos Karagiannis, Harry Navrozidis, and Paul Savvas.
Post Easter Glendi at St Andrew’s Grammar: A great turnout for another successful Easter Glendi; the third year at St Andrew’s Grammar. Thanks to all who gave their time to present this event: Effie Mazgaltzidis, Voula Terzoudi, Thecla Papas, Chrissoroy Palassis, Garyfalia and Natalea Lampropoulos, Vassilis Hatzidakis, and Paraskevas Vasilio, all working behind the scenes and serving food; Panayioti Mavrikakis from Hellenic Aged Care who cooked for day; the volunteers cooking the lambs; and all who supported the Community by attending the function.
Saints Constantine and Helene Feast Day Service, Cake Stall, and Lunch: We celebrated Saints Constantine and Helene Feast Day with clergy and faithful from all parishes and the Monastery of St John of the Mountain. Present on the day was the Greek Consul of Greece Mr Antonios Koliadis, and Mr Peter Katsabanis MLA, Member for Hillarys. There was a successful cake stall and well attended celebratory Community Hall lunch following the service.
Stavrou Lunch: The Starvou Lunch on 16 September 2018 was in support of the wild fires in Greece. Special guests included the Consul of Greece, Mr Antonios Koliadis, Simon Millman MLA, Peter Katsambanis MLA, Mr Joe Radici from the Italian Club of WA. Our members and families supported the victims of the wild fires and we entertained by the Hellenic Community dance group.
Family Dinner Dance: Hellenic Community hosted a Family Dinner Dance at the Floreat Athena Football Club in September for all Hellenic Community members and families. The night was a great success with members coming together to share a traditional Greek feast and listen to Greek music and dancing until late into the night. A huge thank you to the Hellenic Community members for supporting this event and especially Savvas Papasavvas and the dedicated Hellenic Community volunteers who helped organising this event.
Professor David Treloar: A tribute event for the philanthropic efforts of Australian Colonel George Devine Treloar, chaired by historian Dr John Yiannakis, was held on 9 October at the Hellenic Community Centre. Trustees Arthur Mistilis and Con Berbatis joined the Treloar family and members of Perth's Greek Australian community. Associate Professor David Treloar (retired University of WA), younger son of Colonel George Devine Treloar, presented the achievements of his father amongst survivors of the Genocide of the Hellenes. Colonel Treloar served as Commissioner for refugees of the League of Nations from October 1922 to April 1924 for the resettlement of survivors of the Genocide and exodus and settlement of 100,000 Greeks in Thrace during the 1920s. Those present included: Deputy Head of Mission at the Hellenic Consulate in Perth, Ms Katerina Vichou, representing the Consul, Mr Antonios Koliadis and Ambassador H.E. Aikaterine Xagorari, Trustees of the Hellenic Community, Trustee and benefactor Dr Con Berbatis, Genocide scholar and historian Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, Second Vice President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars and Lecturer in international law at the University of Western Australia Dr Melanie O'Brien, Professor Terri Ann White (University of Western Australia), Mrs Maria Anthony (President of the Pontoxeniteas Brotherhood in Sydney,
17 - 18 - representing the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia and Mr Nick Keskenidis, whose forebears settled in Greece's Macedonia and with other members of the Pontian Brotherhood of Western Australia.
Perth Greek Festival: On Saturday 26th October 2019 the Hellenic Community of Western Australia occupied the whole of Russell Square to host a very successful all day Greek Festival. All was underway by 11.00am with the compare Con Laz, from Melbourne, introducing the St Andrew's Grammar Band followed by the St Andrew's Grammar Dance Group. The Hellenic Community Dance Group and the Serbian Centre Maddington Dance Group also entertained the crowd. All performances were outstanding. Consul of Greece in Western Australia, Mr Antonios Koliadis; Mr John Carey, MLA, member for Perth, representing the Minister for Multicultural Interests, Mr Paul Papalia; Mr Simon Millman, MLA,member for Mt Lawley; and Mr Peter Katsambanis, MLA, member for Hillarys; all thanked the Hellenic Community for an innovative and culturally significant Festival. Savvas Papasavvas, then President of the Hellenic Community thanked all those who attended the various Festival events including the walking tours, presentations on olives and on Greek cooking, the Jews in Greece exhibition, Church tours, iconography tours, Festival day in Russell Square and our sponsors. There was a constant flow of people through Russell Square from commencement to late evening. Food stalls, with traditional Greek cuisine, did exceptionally well. We estimated a large attendance based on food stall and bar turnover. The evening’s entertainment on main stage: Anastasis Live, and Giorgos Velissaris, Giota Griva & Nektarios Kokkonis Live, were a huge hit
The Festival also presented as closing events Mr Bob Pearce talk on Great Greek Sea Battles that Changed the World and Simon Millman, MLA, member for Mt Lawley on Return of the Parthenon Marbles.
New Year Eve: The Hellenic Committee hosted a fantastic New Year’s Eve Party at St. Andrew’s Grammar, in the Palassis courtyard with 380 people who attended. Thank you to Vangelis Karambekios and to Panayiotis Mavrikakis who prepped and planned the mezethes for the souvla. Anastasis Live, provided great music and live bouzouki. Thank you to all our Community members who donated generously, John Zafiropoulos, Dimitrios Tsokos, Larry and John Doropoulos, Con Berbatis, and Evan Kakulas and all who attended and worked tirelessly to help in organising this event.
Northbridge properties
Church of Saints Constantine and Helene: The Church is pivotal to our Community and its objectives. There were no major works on the Church during the year. Repairs for the most part were for air conditioner, fire detection, minor plumbing works and pest control. The structural integrity of the Church is due for a major review and should be completed every 5 years. Some mortar and salting of brickwork on the southern exterior wall will be part of any remedial work.
Community Centre: No major work was undertaken on the Community Centre in 2019. Noise and vibrations from the gymnasium remained a concern. The lease for the gymnasium expires in July 2020. The Committee is adamant no new lease can be agreed to without the prior elimination of gym equipment noise and vibration. The Committee is aware a vacant upper floor will impact Community finances. Finding a suitable tenant may not be possible or may take many months. If the Community decided to manage the upper level, there would be considerable expense in creating marketable space.
Tower House: Tower House was leased in 2019 for 5 years with an option for a further 5 years. This was a welcome achievement given the poor commercial rental market and the restricted interest for this style of building. Restoration work continued till the end of April 2019. An electronic gate was subsequently installed to allow easier and controlled access to the car park for the tenants and parking bays allocated to the Priest and Church helpers.
Consul and Cooperation
Consul of Greece: The Consul of Greece in Western Australia, Mr Antonios Koliadis and family, departed Perth in December after four years of service. Consul Antonios Koliadis was farewelled by the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon Mark McGowan and consular corps. The Hellenic Community and Church of Saints Constantine and Helene hosted an official farewell on Sunday 15th December followed by morning tea.
Saturday School Parents and Carers Committee: President Georgios Tsitiridis and his committee were active in 2018 fundraising to support the Saturday school. Thank you for the support.
18 - 19 - Media
Hellenic Community Radio: Once again, many thanks to Hellenic Community Radio presenters: Saki Pilarinos, Paula Tsakisiris, Louca Letsios, and Garyfalia Lampropoulos for presenting our weekly programs into the second half of 2019. The Committee decided in August to suspend its Thursday and Friday programs. The Hellenic Community found it difficult to have volunteers trained as console operators for these programs. The remaining presenters could not broadcast the extra hours.
Hellenic News: Weekly eNews and advisory condolence notice emails continued during 2019. There were nearly 660 members receiving the eNews email.
Website - hcwa.org: The website was updated with additional links and information in 2019.
Centre for Hellenic Studies
Hellenic Studies doubled its students in the last 2 years from 38 children to 105 children. Along with learning the Greek language, children also enjoy Greek cooking lessons and Greek dance. Each term also brings a cultural event or an excursion/incursion for all children to celebrate and enjoy. For the first time Greek language books from overseas are available to students and seminars have been arranged for Greek language teachers
The Saturday School Parents and Friends has been active with Saturday sausage sizzle as well as souvlakia, frappedes, and sweets fundraisers. Saturday afternoon Greek language classes commenced at the Hellenic Community Centre in Northbridge. The Parents and Friends also organised a disco at Megga Alexandros for students, parents, and teachers with Greek and English music provided by DJ Vic. Thank you to Tom Topalis for supporting the event.
Thank you to the teachers, the parents, and students of the Centre for Hellenic Studies, Savvas Papasavvas and Garyfalia Lampropoulos.
Hellenic Community Benevolent Association
For Hellenic Aged Care, the year began with the Royal Commission into Aged Care hearings and subsequent uncomplimentary headlines of substandard care some facilities. At the same time, along with the aged care sector, Hellenic Aged Care was recasting its policies and procedures to meet the reformatted aged care standards.
The four existing standards were expanded to eight. The previous standards focussed on the policies and procedures Hellenic Aged Care and other facilities had in place to deliver the required outcomes for all residents. The reformatted standards, required a recasting of all policies and procedures to show how Hellenic Aged Care delivered the care and services requested by individual consumers.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission undertook onsite audits of Hellenic Aged Care in April, July, and September 2019. The April visit noted the behaviour management outcome was ‘not met’ and followed up on some matters from a 2018 visit. A plan for continuous improvement was submitted and accepted by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
The July visit cleared the ‘not met’ from the April visit, but raised issues with use of restraints. In the September visit, the standards for personal and clinical care, feedback and complaints, were ‘met’ while organizational governance was ‘not met’ due to an incident and management thereof. Hellenic Aged Care submitted actions to address the issue. This was accepted by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
In the aftermath of the publicity surrounding Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service and the report from the Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes, the newly established Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission became more inclined to issue ‘not met’ assessments across the entire aged care sector. Hellenic Aged Care experience was no different to other facilities in Western Australia.
In addition to his regular pastoral visits and religious services, Father Elpidios held an Anastasi service at Hellenic Aged Care during Holy week for all Orthodox resident and their families. Following Holy week, all Greek Orthodox and other Orthodox residents received Holy Communion at a special Liturgy service with Father Elpidios, Father George, and Presvitara. Many thanks to all our Priests for their ongoing support of our age care residents.
19 - 20 - St. Andrew's Grammar year 3 & 4 students from the Greek Dance Group brightened the day of all residents at the Hellenic Aged Care in December. The Hellenic Aged Care celebrated their monthly Family & Friends Day where all residents, staff, family and friends got together and made a beautiful day out of fun, dance, food and laughter. The students performed 3 dances for the residents. A highlight was residents joining the students in dancing the Zorba.
Hellenic Aged Care incurred a loss of $252,146 in 2019. The loss reflected a 2.7 per cent increase in income and a 5.5 per cent increase in expenditure. Commonwealth grants and subsidies increased 1.4 per cent while salaries, wages superannuation and entitlements increased 5.5 per cent with the main driver the Fair work minimum wage increase of 3.5 per cent in 2018 and 3.0 per cent in 2019.
Many thanks to Yemi Asfaw, Maria Papa, Margaret Kotovski, and all the staff for supporting the residents during a difficult year. See section 12 for the Hellenic Community Benevolent Association and Hellenic Community Aged Care report.
St Andrew’s Grammar
St Andrew’s Grammar announced the appointment of Mr Craig Monaghan as Principal in January 2019.
A maintenance upgrade was commenced in advance of the 2019 school year with ovals, classrooms, lockers, the canteen area, and play areas receiving attention.
The Parents and Friends was active in the new school year with a sausage sizzle for students and a cocktail evening for parents while their children attended a disco at the school.
His Grace, the Right Reverend Siluan, Bishop of Australia and New Zealand Orthodox Church visited St Andrew’s Grammar in February. He toured the School with then President of the Hellenic Community, Savvas Papasavvas and Father Milan.
The Parents and Friends held another successful Quizz Night in June to support of the School with 12 teams vying for loads of prizes, Thank you to the Parents and Friends for their support.
Craig Monaghan organised an open day at the school for parents and students to learn of the new developments at the school including the gifted and talented program for students.
In December the school announced its success in applying for a ‘Safer Communities Fund’ of $450,000. The grant to enhance security and safety measures through installation of high quality garrison fencing surrounding the school along with areas providing open access to the school grounds. The proposal includes electronically operated gates allowing school to control vehicular access, a significant number of security lights and CCTV cameras to ensure children and their belongings are safeguarded, and an internal public address system to enhance internal communications proper lock down processes.
Many thanks to Board members, and in particular Mr. George Tsitiridis and Mr. Savvas Papassavas; Hon. Vince Connelly (Liberal MP for Stirling); David Lagan (Councillor of Stirling) and Senator Dean Smith.
With the generous support of the Parents and Friends committee, the school has also re-surfaced the basketball courts.
Student number s declined from over 400 in 2018 to less than 380 in 2019. Enrolments did not compensate for the loss of students from year 12 and the middle years.
Thanks to the St Andrew’s Grammar Board, Mr Craig Monaghan, the heads of schools Ms Necole Chamberlain and Mr Wayne Cronin, parents and students, who supported our school in 2019. See section 11 below for a more detailed report on the school in 2019.
Hellenic Admin
Hellenic Admin provides administrative and financial reporting to the Hellenic Community Committee of Management and advises Hellenic Community Aged Care and Saint Andrew’s Grammar. Hellenic Admin manages the information technology for all Community entities comprising communications, computer, and software support. Hellenic Admin costs are allocated between the Hellenic Community entities on a user pays or percentage basis.
Committee Operations
20 - 21 - The committee is responsible to members for overseeing the financial viability and ensure regulatory compliance of all Hellenic Community entities. My thanks to former committee persons Pamela Lampropoulos, Lambi Bakaimis, Garry Spartalis, and Paras Vasilio, and to the current committee members, Maria Gogos, Dimitrios Tsokos, Socrates Bakaimis, Sofia Bazdaric, Vassilis Hatzidakis, Harry Navrozidis, Yanni Ragousis, Paul Savvas, Les Spartalis, and Michael Spartalis.
A Curtin University 2017 report on the Not for Profit Sector in Western Australia recorded only 4 per cent of the sector with income over $10m. This means the Hellenic Community consolidated group is in this top 4 per cent of not for profit organisations in Western Australia. The Committee must oversee the Northbridge, Hellenic Aged Care, and St Andrew’s Grammar operations and be alert to all the attendant opportunities and risks. The demands on their time and the responsibility they carry is increasing.
A strategic reference or guide to frame all decision processes would help promote internally consistent decision making within our consolidated group. We seek to have a compact consolidated group; the key feature being to always frame whatever is done in the context of an overall strategic direction. Without this, there is the risk of fragmentation. A consolidated group, with no reference point, can have competing ideas of purpose taking hold from time to time, risking to operate on an ever widening front, increasing responsibility while lessening the capacity for any meaningful oversight.
A generally accepted statement or statements of where we are headed and how we proceed, ‘in step’, with our entities is a must. Appreciation
Thank you to all new and existing Hellenic Community members for your support in 2019.
Byron Spartalis President 28 July 2020
21 - 22 - 12.1 Annual Report by Chair of School Board - 2019 - St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Grammar School
12.2 Introduction This is such a report as is called for by the Constitution of the School, sub-rule 54.15. The Constitution is the result of major amendments of the previous constitution. Those amendments were agreed to by Hellenic Community Association on 19 May 2019. The Constitution was subsequently registered on 14 August 2019. This the first annual report under sub-rule 54.15. The counterpart provision in the previous constitution, sub-rule 8.14, had a different deadline (end of December rather than end of January) and was in less detail than sub-rule 54.15.
Sub-rule 54.15 reads as follows: The School Board Chairperson shall prepare and deliver to the [Hellenic Community] Association no later than the end of January in the following year, an annual report which will include the financial report outlining financial performance measured against the budget and highlighting all key financial indicators.
I call the present report the 2019 Annual Report.
The requirement in sub-rule 54.15 to deliver the 2019 Annual Report to the ‘Association’ means, in my view, that I must deliver it to the management committee of the Association, called the Committee under the new Constitution. On that body, see below.
The requirement does not, in my view, prevent me tabling it at a meeting of the School Board, including one before its delivery to the Committee. Such tabling means, again in my view, that any such report can be discussed, at that and a later meeting or meetings of the School Board. I tabled a previous draft of this report at the Board meeting of 28 January 2020.
That discussion, together with feedback from the Committee, could indicate what this and future annual reports might also or instead usefully address.
12.3 The new Constitution of the School Effective with the document’s registration, apparently under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA), on 14 August 2019, the School gained a new Constitution to replace its previous one. The new Constitution is significantly longer than the previous one and contains a number of new provisions for the governance of the School. The implications of those provisions are presently being explored by the School and the management committee of the body for which this report was prepared, the Association.
For convenience I set out what appear to be the relevant definitions from the new Constitution, rule 2: Association means St Andrew’s Grammar Incorporated; School means St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Grammar School; School Board has the meaning given in sub-rule 50.1 [on that sub-rule see below]; Committee means the management committee of the Association comprising the members of the Community Committee from time to time; Community means the Hellenic Community of Western Australia Incorporated; Community Committee means the committee of the Community.
12.4 Meetings and Membership of the Board The Board met 10 times in 2019: 1. on 11 February 2019; 2. on 26 February 2019; 3. on 26 March 2019; 4. on 30 April 2019; 5. on 20 May 2019; 6. on 25 June 2019; 7. on 30 July 2019; 8. on 27 August 2019; 9. on 29 October 2019; and 10. on 2 December 2019.
The membership of the Board over that period varied. It was as follows: Craig Monaghan, Principal (non-voting member); Ralph Simmonds, Chair (elected at the meeting of 11 February 2019); Bill Allen, Deputy Chair (appointed effective with the meeting of 11 February 2019; resigned effective with the meeting of 29 October 2019) Savvas Pappasavvas (President of the Hellenic Community);
22 - 23 - Antonios Koliadis (left the Board shortly after the 2 December 2019 meeting when he ceased to be Consul for Greece for Western Australia); John Cristopoulos (President of the Parents and Friends Association); Stan Kailis (representative of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia); David Lagan (appointed to the Board effective with the meeting of 29 October 2019); Kia Skonis (from the Parents and Friends Association; left the Committee effective 29 October 2019 when the new Constitution changed the representation on the Board of the Parents and Friends Association, on which see sub-rule 50.1 below) Georgios Tsitiridis; Dimitrios Tsokos; and John Zafiropoulos
The new Constitution of the School, which came into effect on 14 August 2019, provides for the membership of the Board in sub-rule 50.1 as follows: 50.1 The Committee vests the management of the School in a School Board which shall comprise the following: 50.1.1. six (6) persons nominated by the Association, at least two (2) of whom must be financial members of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia Inc, but not members of the Association; 50.1.2. the following persons shall be Ex-Officio Members of the School Board; 50.1.2.1. the Principal of the School; 50.1.2.2. the President for the time being of the Community or their nominee; 50.1.2.3. the President for the time being of the St Andrew’s Grammar Parents and Friends Association or their nominee; 50.1.2.4. a representative of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, nominated by the Archbishop of Australia; and 50.1.2.5. the Consul of Greece for the time being for Western Australia or his representative
It appears that, as at the end of 2019, the Board’s membership is in accordance with those rules, save that it lacks one person to make up the six within rule 50.1.1 and it also lacks the new Consul of Greece for Western Australia.
The latter position has now been filled by the new Consul.
However, in January the Board was notified that John Cristopoulos would not be putting himself forward for a further term as President of Parents and Friends Association. Unless there are no candidates for the position (in which case he will continue as President pro tem, and on the Board), his successor will join the Board.
It is most important in my view that the Board have as much gender and cultural diversity as possible. I would commend such a consideration to the Committee in respect of the choice of new Board members.
The Secretary to the School Board was, over most of 2019, Caitlin Dunne of the School staff.
The Board has a number of sub-committees. The principal one is the Finance sub-committee. It reports to each Board meeting. Other sub-committees report less often.
The Board is working to develop clear terms of reference for each of its sub-committees. See in particular the meetings of 25 June 2019 and of 28 January 2020. Such terms of reference for all but one of its sub-committees were adopted at the latter meeting.
12.5 The Principal Craig Monaghan became the Principal of the School in January 2019. He submitted a report to each meeting of the Board in 2019, with each succeeding report updating it on the work of the School since his previous report. My annual report draws heavily on those reports.
12.6 School facilities Over the course of the year it became evident a number of matters needed attention at the School’s facilities at 2 Hellenic Drive in Dianella. Most significantly, those matters were signage; School playing fields; the basketball court; assembly staging and security facilities: As to the first three of those, we have worked hard at improving the image of the school through positive and effective signage to promote our school and our vision statement. As a result we have worked with an external company to start improving the image of the school. This has been a major success and commented on by internal and external stakeholders alike;
23 - 24 - Nearing the end of 2019 the front and back ovals had deteriorated to a very poor state. This was largely as a result of having no internal staff member who had expertise in preparing and maintaining healthy and green grass. As a result the Board undertook major work to re-turf the front oval and to revitalise the back oval. We have employed ‘Turfcare’ on a fixed term contract to ensure that our fields remain in that state that they should be for our students and relative sports teams; The basketball courts have deteriorated for quite some-time. Significant cracks had appeared and the courts were very unsightly to the road, and largely unsafe to use. The Board undertook to improve these through an innovative resurfacing project. This was partially fundraised by students and there was some contribution to this by the Board. However, the major financial contributors were through the Parents and Friends Association Executive committee. The School is been very appreciative of their commitment and of them assisting us secure this significant improvement to School facilities; The assembly staging area had become unsightly and a poor advertisement for the school, especially when our parents and VIPs regularly attend this space for assemblies. During the summer break of 2019-20 the School undertook to improve the staging and general appearance of this area which will add to the running of primary and secondary assemblies in 2020 and beyond: As to the fourth, security facilities, the School was successful in obtaining in October 2019 a government grant under the programme Safer Communities Fund (Round 4) in the amount of $450,000. This will address a number of security and aesthetic issues. Fencing, electronic gates, an AV system, lighting, CCTV cameras and an intercom will all be added to the School.
12.7 The teaching of Greek language and culture in the School The Principal, with the support of the School Board, arranged for a review of these matters by Dr, Lindy Norris, Educational Consultant and Honorary Research Fellow in Murdoch University. Her document, External Review of Greek Studies St Andrew’s Grammar October-November, 2019, was considered by the School Board at its meeting of 2 December 2019 and its principal recommendations were accepted. An Executive Summary of the document is being forwarded by the Principal to the Committee to familiarise it with the contents of the document. This will be consistently referred to in the 6-year strategic plan that has recently been developed and will guide the School to ensure that the Greek studies program continues in substance and hence builds confidence and reputation over the upcoming years.
12.8 Significant issues with the Student Management Systems
12.9 In November 2018 a decision was made by management and Board to move from MAZE/SEQTA to CIVICA. This decision created significant workload issues and frustrations for the School’s teachers and management. In hindsight the decision was a mistake. The result is that we have removed ourselves from CIVICA contract and have moved back to SEQTA and eventually Synergetic, mid-2020. These movements have set the School back in its development due to changing the SMS three-times within an academic year. Decisions which affect teachers to this degree need to be very carefully planned and discussed openly, looking at what works and what will not work in the future.
12.10 Student numbers I am grateful to the Principal for the text in this and the following sections on our students.
At the end of 2018 there was again significant student loss continuing the pattern of decline in student numbers of the previous six years.
In 2020 there are strong indications from the by the Principal and Enrolments Officer that numbers will grow significantly, in the primary and secondary areas, and in domestic and international students. Based on hard data of leavers and prospective parents the School Board is expecting a significant turn-around in enrolments. This is as a result of the Principal specifically addressing the concerns of parents as their children enter Year 7 and 10 respectively, and of the resultant improvements in programs and learning experiences offered. These led to approximately one-third of the expected leavers (average in the last six years) and significantly more interest among prospective students.
In 2019 a concerted effort by the Principal and enrolments officer to enhance the School’s public profile, website and online platforms and to reach out to its community have generated more than double the number of applications of any other year in the School’s history. The result is that nearly 100 students are starting St. Andrew’s Grammar in February 2020.
This is a significant turn in enrolments compared to the trend in the recent six years as shown by the graph as follows.
24 - 25 - St. Andrew's Grammar Enrolment data 550 530 532 510 497 490
470 467 450 452 439 439 430 410 402 390 387 370 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
12.11 Major Student achievements in 2019 a. Academic results: NAPLAN: The academic NAPLAN achievements of St. Andrew’s students have continued to be outstanding in 2019. Year 3,5,7 and 9 NAPLAN results were again significantly above State and National Averages on all domains tested once again. Our Primary and Secondary teachers should be congratulated on these fine NAPLAN results. WACE/ATAR: The class of 2019 was known to be a weak cohort through the standardised testing throughout their tenure. However, even taking this into account unfortunately the WACE/ATAR results were somewhat disappointing. We had some outstanding results with a top student achieving an ATAR as good as any student in the state; however, with a cohort of only 13 students one or two low marks greatly affects the median score. Even so 85% of our students were offered a place at university at one of their preferred choices with over 60% achieving their first preference. With an experienced group of teachers, the moderation results overall showed some work is needed. This is the variance between School based assessment and the raw ATAR exam scores. Our new Head of Secondary School will be working hard to address ATAR placements, ATAR results and better moderation reports in 2020. Australasian Champions Word Mania: Run by Literacy Planet for Years One to Nine students, Word Mania is based on a digital word building exercise that challenges students to create as many words as they can in three minutes from 15 randomly generated letter tiles. In the three weeks of the competition, students in Australia and New Zealand spent a total of 13.8 million minutes playing the game, which has been shown to improve literacy scores. Perth schools including Trinity College, Scotch College, Perth Modern, Guildford Grammar and Shenton College are among those who compete in Word Mania. Against all odds, St. Andrew’s Grammar’s Year 9 students won top spot In Australia and NZ. b. Sporting highlights: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia National School Event (GOAANSE), Adelaide 2019: The St. Andrew's Grammar Volleyball girls won their first ever shield at GOAANSE since joining the competition 14 years ago, winning the Volleyball Tournament. The girls went undefeated six games in a row! Their ability to perform well under intense pressure situations was a credit to them. We're all very proud of their achievements. Perth Glory Academy School: St. Andrew’s Grammar has become the first school in Perth to be a Perth Glory Academy School. This is an incredible achievement by our school and we are very proud to have established a long term partnership with such a high quality brand as Perth Glory. A professional soccer coach will be at St. Andrew’s Grammar to coach and train our soccer students in a specialised class and as an alternative to their current sports classes or during before school sessions. They will also get to compete in new soccer competitions which we will be given access to through this program, which will test our students against the
25 - 26 - best that Perth has to offer. This also means that there will be a significant number of students joining us over the coming years so as to gain the same privileges that our soccer students will have from next year onwards. c. CCA/Cultural/Arts/Service highlights: Co- Curricular (CCA) program: In 2018 we had only 5 after school activity and sporting programs and in 2019 we extended this to well over 35 programs on offer to our students in sports, music, arts and culture. There were three CCA Fairs where students and parents attend and put themselves forward for the different CCA electives either that or lunchtimes and after-school. It would be fair to say this program has been a significant success and was led extremely well by Mr Whitaker and significant support from our enter team of teachers. Mock Trials: Hosted by the Law Society of Western Australia, our team of students accepted the roles of barristers, solicitors, witnesses and court staff and present a case before a judge in a real courtroom. The competition helps to enhance students’ skills in analytical thinking, problem solving, presenting information in a structured way, public speaking and team collaboration. Our students were extremely successful beating much larger and more prestigious schools such as St. Mary’s along the way.
12.12 School financial report for 2019 I am indebted for the following to the Finance Sub-committee, and particularly Paul Butler. d. 2018: The audited financials for the 2018 year provided an operating surplus of $8,252 compared with an operating deficit of -$160,440 for the 2017 year. The closing cash position in the 2018 accounts was $199,470 as opposed to $131,997 at the conclusion of 2017. Considering the Financial Result and the Balance Sheet activity, the auditors included in their report the following comments:
Auditor’s comment STATEMENT BY COMMITTEE (Page 1) (iv) at the date of this statement, there are reasonable grounds that St. Andrew’s Grammar Inc. will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.
NOTE 1 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Page 13) “(K) Going Concern The financial report has been prepared on a going concern basis. The Committee believes this is appropriate because the Association has appropriate finance facilities in place.” e. 2019 The 2019 Budget was drafted to have a small surplus. During the year, however, with student numbers slightly less than the (finally) budgeted number, the revised result, after operating and non-operating activities, was reduced to a possible deficit of -$183,511. With continued reviews and management the school’s Draft financials for the end of December 2019 include: • A closing cash position of $347,679, although this amount includes receiving a Government Grant of $401,632 received in 2019 but due for expending in 2020. • Prior to extra-ordinary items a result, including operating and non-operating activities of -$66,327. Excluding depreciation this result is +$245,244.
The School Board has endeavoured to include a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) review of the school’s finances to assist in determing the efficiency of the school’s financial operations as well as assist in forward planning. In each case a benchmark comparison has been or will be adopted as a financial goal. The KPI’s chosen, have been or will be adopted based on: • Lending institution’s requirements • Educational institutions expectations e.g. Departments of Education, similar Independent Schools, National School benchmarking facilities.
Initially the Board has begun reviewing: • Earnings Before Interest and Depreciation (EBID) and EBID as a percentage of Operating Revenue. Banks and other lending institutions use this as part of their decision making in assessing an institutions ability to service loans. An EBID as percentage of Operating Revenue in excess of 10% is a goal the Board has considered as an initial step. This is consistent with lending institutions requirements.
Prior to Extra-ordinary items the current EBID as percentage of Operating Renue is 5.2%.
• Interest Cover. The EBID result/Interest payments. This is to be gretaer than 1.75, as designated by the school’s bank for its current loan(s).
Prior to Extra-ordinary items Interst Cover for 2019 is 3.49 26 - 27 -
• Salary expenditure as a percentage of Operating Revenue. The Board, at this stage, believe this should be 72%
Prior to Extra-ordinary items Salary expenditure as a percentage of Operating Revenue for 2019 is 75.8%. All KPI values improved during the year when compared to the revised budget outcomes. Other KPI’s to be reviewed and to be adopted include: • Cash movement as a percentage of Operating Revenue (Minimum 3%) • Debtors as a percentage of fee income (Maximum value to be determined).
Adopting a Key Performance Indicator or Analytics approach, including Income Statement results, Cash results and Balance Sheet items, will assist in providing a financially sustainable school.
The Budget for 2020 has been adopted in Draft form and will be finalised and adopted once the student numbers have been confirmed at the February student census, in early February. Significant changes have been made to staffing ratios, as well as reviews of key functions within the school, enabling the budget to provide a surplus, and timelines to meet KPI values to be met.
Ralph Simmonds Chair 30 January 2020
27 - 28 - 13.0 Hellenic Community Benevolent Association (HCBA) - Hellenic Community Aged Care Report 2019
13.1 Aged care environment: Along with the public hearings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, the sector was implementing policies and procedures to meet the new standards effective from 1 July 2019. The four existing standards of: Management systems, staffing, and organizational development. Health and personal care. Resident lifestyle. Physical environment and safe systems. were recast into eight standards: Consumer dignity and choice. Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers. Personal care and clinical care. Services and supports for daily living. Organizations service environment Feedback and complaints. Human resources. Organizational governance.
The new standards shifted the focus from the provider delivering care and services to residents, to assessing if the care and services requested by the individual residents are being met by the provider. This was a clear shift in focus from aged care institutions with residents, to the aged care residents within institutions.
This was against the back drop of public hearings of the royal commission into aged care and commentary critical of the Commonwealth aged care regulatory regime arising from care issues at Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission took over the functions of the Aged Care Quality Agency from 1 January 2019.
According to the sector performance data published by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the were 481 new expected outcomes ‘not met’ in site audits and review audits and assessment contacts from July-December 2018 and 741 from January-June 2019. It seems the Commission was more ruthless than its predecessor in finding fault in visits to facilities.
The aged care sector has been under financial strain for some time. The Stewart Brown report for financial year ending June 2019 stated: The financial performance of the aged care sector, and specifically the residential care segment continues to be a significant concern. The residential care operating results for FY19 declined in real terms even after the $320 million subsidy injection for the last quarter. Without further targeted and required funding initiatives, including from both the government and consumer, the forecast trends are such that the continued viability of a number of approved providers may be under substantial strain.
Their report for the six months to December 2019 states: The residential care operating results for the six months to Dec-19 declined significantly mainly due to care expenses increasing at a much higher rate (6.8%) than care revenue (1.48%). The Operating Result ….. has decreased from a surplus of $3.20 per bed day (pbd) in the Dec-18 six months to a deficit of $6.43 pbd for the Dec-19 six month period, a decline of $9.63 pbd.
Hellenic Community Aged Care has faced similar financial challenges. Income increased 2.7 per cent in 2019 while expenses increased 5.5 per cent. This meant a widening of the 2018 deficit of ($34,800) to ($252,146) in 2019.
Stewart Brown reported national occupancy was 93.9 per cent at December 2019 compared to 94.9 percent in December 2018 and 94.4 per cent in 2017. Hellenic Aged Care occupancy decreased to 93 per cent in 2019 from 96 per cent in 2018 and 95 per cent in 2017. This was part of the usual cycle of increasing and decreasing occupancy. Total income increased $214,346 with the accommodation charge increasing by nearly $100,000 and grants and subsidies income increasing $71,938 in 2019. Almost all of the grants and subsidies increase I 2019 was due to adjustments from previous periods including 2016, 2017, and 2018 and some earlier years. Expenditure increased $431,692 with salaries, wages, superannuation and entitlements increasing $325,648. Provisions accounted for about $30,000 and the Fairwork minimum wage increase accounted for $179,000.
13.2 Residents and care: In 2019 there were 95 admissions (72 in 2018): 39 permanent and 56 respite.
28 - 29 - Hellenic Community Aged Care - Resident admissions: Year 2019 2018 2017 2016 Permanent 39 26 31 30 Respite (1) 56 46 31 41 Total 95 72 62 71 (1) Includes multiple admissions by same resident
39 permanent admissions represented a 42 per cent change in residents. The respite admissions equates to each respite place being occupied 14 times.
According to the Department of Health “2018-19 Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act, the average age of permanent admission into residential aged care was 82.3 years for men and 84.6 years for women.
Hellenic Community Aged Care: Age distribution of residents on admission (2016-18 figures revised) Year <70 years 70-80 years 80-90 years 90+ years 2019 6 14 35 12 2018 1 6 18 12 2017 2 6 25 15 2016 3 10 24 11
Average occupancy was 96 per cent in 2018, 95 per cent in 2017, and in 2016 and 96 per cent in 2015.
Hellenic Community Aged Care - Length of stay - Permanent admissions: In residence at 31 Departed in 2019 Departed in 2018 Departed in 2017 Departed in 2016 December 2019 < 1 year 27 14 8 9 13 1-3 years 28 10 8 7 6 3-5 years 16 3 7 7 8 5-7 years 4 9 3 3 2 7- 9years 1 1 0 1 0 9+ years 8 1 2 0 2 Average 3.1 2.6 3.0 2.5 3.2
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission undertook onsite audits of Hellenic Aged Care in April, July, and September 2019. The April visit noted the behaviour management outcome was ‘not met’ and followed up on some matters from a 2018 visit. Australia wide, behaviour management, in terms of frequency, was the second highest ‘not met’ in Commission audits and contacts with providers in January-March 2019 and fourth highest in April-June 2019. Hellenic Aged Care submitted a plan for continuous improvement of behaviour management as a result of the April 2019 visit. The plan was accepted by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
The July visit cleared the ‘not met’ from the April visit, but raised issues with use of restraints. A plan was submitted and accepted by the Commission involving the purchase of low beds, a request to visiting general practitioners to review resident medications, reviewing restraint practices, and staff training. In the September visit, the standards for personal and clinical care, feedback and complaints, were ‘met’ while organizational governance was ‘not met’ due to an incident relating to a resident transfer and interaction with the family. Hellenic Aged Care submitted its actions to address the issue. This was accepted by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
13.3 Human resources: At 31 December 2019, Hellenic Community Aged Care had 149 employees. There were 10 permanent full-time, 80 permanent part-time (86 part-time in 2018 and in 2017and 87) and 60 casual employees (44 in 2018 and 45 in 2017). There were 19 appointments in 2019 (17 appointments in 2018 and 21 in 2017) and 20 departures (13 departures in 2018 and 21 in 2017).
Period of employment of employees as at 31 December 2018 (with 2017, 2016, and 2015 comparatives): 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Less than one year 34 15 20 17 19 1 year - less than 3 years 24 30 27 30 28 3 years – less than 5 years 21 19 19 21 16 5 years – less than 7 years 15 16 11 10 18 7 years – less than 9 years 10 6 14 19 27 9 years plus 45 44 41 29 14
29 - 30 - 149 130 132 126 122 Staff turnover increased slightly in 2019 compared to 2018. Employees with less than one year of experience increased as a proportion on total employees compared to preceding years. The proportion of employees with more than 9 years of experience has trebled since 2015.
Hellenic Community Aged Care has retained its diversity of cultural backgrounds across all staff classifications.
Total salaries and wages (including superannuation and employee provisions) increased 5.9 per cent in 2019 and 2.3 per cent in 2018.
13.4 Workplace: There were two worker’s compensation claims in 2019 (none in 2018 and 2017). One of the 2019 claims is ongoing the other has settled.
There were 3 incidents involving staff in 2019 (5 in 2018 and 17 incidents during 2017). Two resulted from resident behaviours; one involved a kitchen related burn. There were no visits to general practitioners from these incidents and no work absences. Staff worked a total of 163,441 hours in 2019 (160,265 hours during 2018) and an average hourly pay rate of $31.88. Over $251,000 was expended on repairs and maintenance in 2019, $230,000 in 2018 and $219,000 in 2017. Major expenditures involved replacing carpeted corridors with easier to maintain vinyl floor covering, replacing heavy wooden glass doors with lighter aluminium, and repairs to the pump station for the fire sprinkler network.
13.5 Education and learning: There was over $46,500 expended on training in 2019, $50,000 in 2018, and $44,000 in 2017. There is compulsory training for all staff in fire safety, manual handling, infection control, and occupational health and safety. Aged care specific on-line training was introduced in 2019. All staff and Committee have access to mandatory training covering the eight aged care quality standards and other modules relevant to residential aged care. All staff are required to complete at least 4 additional education sessions per year.
13.6 Volunteers: Board representation: The Hellenic Community Aged Care Subcommittee for 2019 comprised the Committee of Management of Hellenic Community Benevolent Association Inc.
Volunteers and support Many thanks to the Hellenic Womens’ Association, the AHEPA Daughters of Penelope, Father Emmanuel, the Christian Ladies Union of Evangelismos, Father John and the St Nektarios Parish, and Central Philoptochos of St Tabitha for your ongoing support of our residents in 2019. Father Elpidios visited Hellenic Community Aged Care for blessings and Holy Communion. Many thanks to Thecla Papzoglou, Tony and Florence Elder, Saki Pilarinos, Arthur Phillips, and Chrissaroy Palassis for their support of our residents.
13.7 Facility Operations: Thanks to all the Hellenic Community Aged Care staff. Acting Site care manager, Yemesrach Asfaw, worked with Maria Papa and Margaret Kotovski in overseeing the day-to-day clinical and associated operations of the facility. Hellenic Admin continued to provide overall financial and human resources support.
Extending the in-house electronic recording system continued throughout 2019. An upgrade of CCTV cameras continued in 2019. Television monitors were installed in all wing dining areas to broadcast daily activities, daily midday and evening menu selections, time, day, weather information, and background music.
13.8 Period ahead: The Visioning Workshop facilitated by the Hellenic Community produced some practical concepts for refurbishing Hellenic Community Aged Care to a unique facility with a different offering from contemporary nearby multi-level residential aged care facilities under construction. Concepts being investigated were to recast the central courtyard as a village square and reconfigure the clinical administration area into a multiuse reception and meeting place. The concept involved rehousing clinical administration and Hellenic Admin in an adjacent building.
Management had already planned reopening the original reception by relocating the Chapel to another wing. This will be completed in 2020.
Byron Spartalis President 28 July 2020
30 - 31 -
Report of the Trustees of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia Inc (HCWA) for the Financial Year 1 January to 31 December 2019 April 2020
The Duties, Powers and Responsibilities of the Trustees are specified in the newly registered HCWA Constitution in Rules 64.2and 64.3 For example : Rule 64.2. Duties of the Trustees 64.2.1. The duties of the Trustees shall be to: 64.2.1.1. ensure that the Committee complies with the Constitution and the statutes under which it and the Affiliates operate; 64.2.1.2. safeguard the interests of the Association in accordance with the objects of the Association; and 64.2.1.3. safeguard the interests and rights of the Members under the Constitution.
The Trustee's participation in the following matters flows from the above Duties and a preparedness as long serving members of HCWA to question and give informed advice to the HCWA Office Holders and Committee of Management (CoM) and the HCWA affiliates. During 2019 Trustees attended numerous meetings with the Community President and Committee, Committees of the Affiliates ( SAG Inc and HCBA) representatives of the St Andrews School Board and individual members. The Trustees have reported on Matters throughout 2019 in the weekly issues of the HCWA eNews.
The following items outline the matters that the Trustees have contributed to, or offered counsel to the HCWA and its affiliates in the Community’s interest. Trustees were members of the HCWA Constitution Review Subcommittee which resulted in new Constitutions of the HCWA, SAG Inc and the Hellenic Benevolent Association being registered in 2019 Trustees participated in the in February 2019 HCWA Planning Workshop #1 Trustees participated in discussions in 2019 with incoming St Andrews Grammar Principal Mr Craig Monaghan. Obtained clarification on the sources of revenue of the HCWA in the financial report presented at the April 2019 AGM Organised a workshop informing the HCWA Election Committee of the election process and documentation. Oversaw the June 2019 elections. Attended the production of the HCWA Election marked rolls to the unsuccessful candidates for inspection Met with the Consul of Greece Antonios Koliadis and discussed matters relating to his concerns Offered advice and support of the Perth Glory Academy at SAG Supported the HCWA Greek Festival in October 2019 Presented papers at the November2019 HCWA Planning Workshop #2 on Committees and the maximising of HCWA asset (Dianella) values. Attended meetings in the preparation of two reports entitled ‘Fundraising for the Hellenic Community of WA’ (Close at Hand Consultants, November 2019: 33 pages) and ‘Due diligence of the Saint Andrew’s Estate in Dianella ‘(Element Town Planning, Due Diligence of the Saint Andrews Estate, September 2019: 21 pages). The reports were funded by the Berbatis family and endorsed by the Trustees.
The reports listed above analysed the demographics and assets of the HCWA and resulted in recommendations on efficiently improving the cash flow and values of the assets of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia. The reports have been submitted to the HCWA Committee for consideration. The two reports (attached) are very important for the HCWA, SAG Inc and the HCBA to respond systematically to the consequences of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) experience which have had adverse financial effects on the world and national economies and on Hellenic Community bodies.
Trustees: Peter Vlachou Chair, Loula Papandreou, Arthur Mistilis, Con Berbatis, George Georgiou.
Nov 22 2019. Final Report - Fund raising for the HCWA.pptx https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0v62psguEMni9CmC8XFvHf8xg#Nov_22_2019._Final_Report_- _Fund_raising_for_the_HCWA%5F
Sept 11 2019. Elements Town Planning - St Andrews Planning Report.pdf https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0-VjeKLwAU5-ZjS0BaYWAvSgA#Sept_11_2019._Elements_Town_Planning_- _St_Andrews_Planning_Report_(1)
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