Congratulations to all our colleagues at The Hellenic Initiative on the success of both the crisis relief and economic development programs in Greece to date. We are extremely fortunate to have Andrew N Liveris AO as our Global Chairman and The Hellenic Initiative Australia, a registered charity in Australia, looks forward to marking its own 10 year milestone in 2025!

Following The Hellenic Initiative’s 10^th anniversary celebrations in Athens in July, we took this opportunity to put a few questions to Andrew.

You were recently in Athens for The Hellenic Initiative’s 10-year anniversary and the 6^th Venture Fair. What would you consider is THI’s proudest achievement in this period?  

ANL: Many to choose from, from uniting and focusing the diaspora on Greece and helping our motherland, providing food and shelter and education to those in need, to creating jobs and economic opportunities. 

Please take us back to The Hellenic Initiative’s inception. How did the discussions unfold among likeminded friends?

ANL: It was two of us. George Stamas heard me give an impassioned speech at a Greek American Leaders gathering called Leadership 100 in Florida. I threw out my prepared remarks and seized the moment in front of 200 or so prominent Greek Americans to make the case that our resources and standing should be directed to helping Greece at its time of need. In 2012, Greece was a topic of ridicule and derision in the international press. George and I quickly said we should corral some of the diaspora in the US and our calls to many leaders hit a positive chord. 

And what prompted you to invite a group of Greek Australians to join this international movement?

ANL: Obviously, my roots being an Aussie-Greek and my ability to make the same call to action in Australia – it was also met very positively. 

Among the reports of the economic improvements in Greece, can you describe why the continued assistance of the Greek Diaspora is still urgently required.

ANL: In many ways we have just started. Greece still needs much work to develop a resilient economy – one that stands tall and strong especially on the Eastern border of the EU. It needs to lower its debt; it needs to diversify its sectors; and it needs to re-attract the approximately 500,000 Greeks who left during the depths of the crisis. The Hellenic Initiative is a credible partner that can initiate programs on the economic side as well as help people in need like refugees and the part of society that needs philanthropic support. 

What would you describe are The Hellenic Initiative’s strengths?

ANL: It’s focus and international diversity. We can do more on both, but we have built an initiative that people believe in and want to join. 

You are a proud Kastellorizian. What prompted your parents to migrate to Australia?  Did they have any regrets leaving Greece?

ANL: Leaving war torn Greece around WW1 from my father’s side and WW2 on my mother’s side. No choice. Poverty and a life for their children. They left and never looked back. My father had no desire to go to the country that couldn’t help them, my mother was a little more forgiving.

What is the first thing you like to do when you return to Kastellorizo?

ANL: Sit on my balcony and let my body and mind be transported into tranquility.

And for friends who may not have visited Greece before, what are the go-to destinations you would recommend?

ANL: So many choices. Athens and surrounds. The Peloponnese. Crete. Thessaloniki. The Cyclades, especially the quieter islands. The various Dodecanese islands (especially Kastellorizo!) on and on…  

After decades of living solely in the USA, how have you found the transition of moving back to Australia for several months in the year?

ANL: Australia changed. Mostly for the better. But I had changed. I’m now a Global Australian. Most Aussies think they are but are not. But in the main, it’s still a lifestyle superpower!

We are delighted that your recent appointment as President of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Committee will see you call Australia home for many more months of the year.

ANL: Thank you. It completes a part of my journey.

Following the recent federal election in Australia, what would you identify as the most pressing challenges for the new Government?

ANL: Our new alliances regionally. Our industry and innovation policy. Our energy policy. Our digital policy. And quite a few more.

If you wish to learn more about how you can support The Hellenic Initiative Australia, please contact Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill, Chief Executive Officer on [email protected]