Australian Greek Welfare Society

Nick Polites, O.A.M.

Executive Director 1976-1986

Niki Dollis

Executive Director 1986-1988

Miranda Di Giorgio

Executive Director 1988-1989

Voula Messimeri-Kianidis

Executive Director 1989 -

Voula has been involved in the community services field for 20 years, with a particular focus on multicultural affairs and women’s issues.

Appointed Executive Director of the Australian Greek Welfare Society Ltd (AGWS) in 1989 she manages an agency with a diverse range of programs including aged & disabilities, childcare, training, counselling and community education.

Previous positions have included family counselling in country Victoria, coordination of a service that focused on occupational health and safety, equal opportunities for girls in secondary education and genetic counselling.

Voula has a strong commitment to social justice and community building and to this end she has served on a number of Boards and advisory bodies.

She has held positions such as:

• Inaugural Chairperson of the Women’s Health Service in the North
• Member on the SBS Advisory Committee
• Chairperson of the Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service
• A founding member and Deputy Chairperson of the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition

Current Positions:

• Chair of Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia
• Deputy Chair of VITS Language Link
• Deputy Chair of Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
• Council member of RMIT University
• Trustee, Radiomarathon Trust (for children with disabilities)

Tertiary Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work
• Post Graduate in Community Development
• Post Graduate in Applied Science: Innovation and Service Management

Other:

• Participant in the Williamson Community Leadership Program,(WCLP, 1995)