George Giovas was an inaugural director of The Hellenic Initiative Australia and in October 2025 became THI Australia’s Vice-President.  He is Sydney based and is the Managing Director of Axius Partners.

Q: You have been part of THI Australia since 2014. What has kept you personally committed to the organisation’s mission over the years?

For me, THI Australia has always been about more than fundraising. It is about connection, responsibility and impact.has kept me committed is seeing the real difference THI Australia can make in Greece, particularly for people and communities facing genuine hardship.

Every year I return to Greece and speak with family and friends. They know the work THI Australia is doing, and what strikes me is how grateful they are. They understand that, in the context of Greece’s challenges, our contribution may be small, but to them it means far more than the dollars. It is a sign that Greek Australians have not forgotten them, that we are standing beside them and supporting them through difficult times.

As Greek Australians, many of us have benefited enormously from the sacrifices our parents and grandparents made. THI Australia gives us a practical way to honour that legacy, not just by celebrating our heritage, but by giving back in a meaningful and structured way.

Q: What is one moment during your time with THI that has stayed with you?

Without question, it was visiting the SOS Children’s Village in Athens.

Meeting the children and seeing firsthand the care, love and stability that the village provides was incredibly moving. Many of these children had experienced circumstances that no child should ever have to face, yet they greeted us with smiles, warmth and an incredible sense of hope.

Seeing the difference that organisations like SOS Children’s Villages make and knowing that THI Australia has played a small part in supporting that work, reinforced why our mission is so important.

Another initiative that makes me enormously proud is our Internship Program. Through this program, young Greek graduates from a wide range of industries have come to Australia to gain valuable work experience and develop professionally. Many have gone on to build successful careers back in Greece, and they often tell us that the opportunity provided by THI Australia played an important role in shaping their future. Today, they are our ambassadors in Greece.

Both experiences reminded me that philanthropy isn’t just about writing a cheque. It’s about creating hope, opportunity and a better future. Those moments have stayed with me and continue to inspire my commitment to THI Australia.

Q: What message would you most like to pass on to the next generation of Greek Australians about identity, opportunity, and giving back?

We are at a crossroads. The earlier generation of Greek immigrants to Australia, the people who built so much of our community, are almost gone. Their legacy is extraordinary, but it will not continue by accident. It is now up to the next generation to carry it forward.

That means staying connected to our heritage, our traditions, our faith, our language and, importantly, to Greece itself.

For me, this is a big part of what THI Australia is about. My vision is for THI Australia to give younger Greek Australians the platform, inspiration and opportunity to stay connected and to give back in a meaningful way.

We have all been given extraordinary opportunities in Australia because of the sacrifices of those who came before us. The next generation should be proud of their Greek identity, but also understand that with opportunity comes responsibility.

Giving back is one of the most powerful ways we can honour our parents and grandparents, while helping build a stronger future for Greece and the diaspora.

Q: Your Greek roots are in Akrata / Agia Barbara. You travel back each year. What is it that binds you to this particular part of Greece as a first-generation Greek Australian?

Akrata and Agia Barbara are incredibly special to me because they are where my family’s story began.

Although I was born and raised in Australia, every time I return, I feel an overwhelming sense of belonging. It is the people, the church, the traditions, the landscape and the memories of family that make it feel like home.

Like many Greek Australian families, the Spartan Restaurant was a huge part of our lives.

From a very young age I worked alongside my parents and learnt the value of hard work, discipline, respect and treating every customer well. Looking back, it was an incredible education in business and in life.

Because our “shop” was on Park Street in Sydney’s CBD, it became something of a meeting place for the Greek community. It didn’t matter whether you were wealthy or struggling to make ends meet, everyone was welcome. I met some of Australia’s most successful Greek Australians, along with some of its most colourful characters. But the visitors I always looked forward to most were our family and friends from my parents’ village of Agia Barbara near Akrata. Whenever they walked through the door, it felt like a little piece of Greece had arrived in Sydney.

The customers who left the biggest impression on me were the Diggers who came into the shop (that’s what all Greeks called such businesses) every Anzac Day. Many were veterans of the First and Second World Wars. Even as a young boy, I understood that these were remarkable men who had sacrificed so much for Australia. They would let me try on their slouch hats and even wear their medals. It was a tremendous honour and a memory that has stayed with me all my life. They taught me, without saying very much, the importance of service, humility and remembering those who came before us.

The menu was classic American diner fare, steaks, burgers, cheese on toast, milkshakes and banana splits. But nothing could beat mum’s schnitzel. It was legendary, and to this day I still haven’t found one that comes close.

Looking back, it wasn’t just a shop, the Spartan was a community. Those experiences shaped my values and the way I lead today.

Q: Is there anything else you wish to share with our readers that we have not covered?

I would simply say that THI Australia remains as relevant today as it was when we were founded over a decade ago.

Greece has made significant progress, but there are still communities and individuals who need support. Through THI Australia we have the opportunity to make a genuine difference while strengthening the bonds between Australia and Greece.

I would encourage anyone who feels connected to Greece, specially young Greek Australian professionals, to get involved with New Leaders Australia if you are aged around 26-40 years. Find time to attend an event, volunteer your time, support our initiatives or simply learn more about what we do.

Giving back is one of the greatest ways we can honour the generations that came before us and help create a stronger future for the generations that follow.