Greek Community of Melbourne AGM gears up for elections
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV) will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, 15 June 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Andrianakos Centre, Alphington Grammar. Members will be updated on the organisation’s finances, key initiatives, and the upcoming election, for which the date will be decided during the AGM.
Those wishing to nominate as candidates must submit completed forms by 5:00 PM on Saturday, 14 June. Forms are available via request at info@greekcommunity.com.au
Financial recovery and investment
The GOCMV continues to improve its financial position. The organisation posted a reduced loss of $980,000 in 2024 (excluding EBITR), compared to $2.3 million in 2023. A GCM representative said that it holds more than $120 million in assets, with debt remaining just above $4 million.
“The GCM is in a stable financial position,” a spokesperson said. “We are managing debt, investing in new revenue streams, and delivering programs to benefit both members and the broader community.”
“The GCM holds over $120 million in assets, while its debt sits just above $4 million”
“The financial result in 2024 was, as was promised in 2023, a better result and one of managed debt as the GCM pursues new revenue streams,” the GCM representative said.
The organisation also noted that it is pursuing fair compensation from the Victorian Government for the compulsory acquisition of the Bulleen property, having received an initial $11 million and now pursuing further compensation through the Supreme Court.
Government Support and Infrastructure Works
GOCMV has welcomed support from both federal and state governments. A $1.8 million commitment from the Albanese government will support upgrades across its City and Prahran sites—though the funding is reimbursable and tied to expenditure milestones.
“We’ve already commenced detailed planning, design, and project management,” the representative said.
“The target is to deliver these projects within 18 months.”
Membership system modernised
In 2024, GOCMV transitioned to GlueUp, a cloud-based membership management system that automates renewal notices and enables members to manage their profiles independently.
“All financial members from 2024 are eligible to renew at any time in 2025, including at the AGM,” the Board confirmed. “No members have been deleted.”
The current membership stands at 1,536, with those whose memberships have lapsed remaining on the database and continuing to receive communications and offers.
“Automated reminders are sent each December, and every GCM newsletter contains a standing renewal notice,” the spokesperson added.
Delay in AGM and audit clarified
This year’s AGM was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances in the audit process. General Secretary Nikos Koukouvitakis provided this explanation:
“There was a delay in finalising the audit due to a number of complicating factors. As you know, our audit transitioned from PwC, which had served our Community for many years, to Crowe Australasia. The audit began in September 2024. Unfortunately, the assigned auditor fell seriously ill, which caused disruption. In the first quarter of 2025, the lead auditor was replaced and the audit process resumed.”
The GCM representative reiterated that despite delays, the audit was conducted in line with legal standards and pertains to the 2024 financial year.
Member concerns and criticism
A group of long-term members has written to the Board and also shared their views with Neos Kosmos, calling for the postponement of the AGM. They cite a reported financial loss of $1.625 million for 2024 and $2.905 million in 2023, expressing concern about financial management, transparency, and governance.
The letter was signed by Christos Fifis, Kostas Karamarkos, Con Kazantzis, Marietta Kokkas, Apostolos Kounelis, Costas Markos, Theo Markos, Effie Maltezos, Eleni Maltezou, Jim Skazas, Stratos Vakkas, and Vasso Zangalis.
They argue the AGM report does not include the auditor’s independence declaration, which they claim is required under Section 60-C of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Act.
In response, the GCM Board has reiterated that there are no extenuating legal concerns and that the audit remains compliant with the requirements of the ACNC. The Board welcomes questions but maintains confidence in the organisation’s operations.
Looking ahead
As the GOCMV prepares for its AGM, the focus remains on financial responsibility, community engagement, and delivering long-term projects.
“We are always open to dialogue,” the spokesperson said.
“But our priority is to keep building for the future—strengthening our institutions and services for current and future generations.”
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
