SAE Region Oceania, insist on claiming from the Greek government the voting rights of Hellenes abroad, requesting also a representation of the Greek Diaspora in the Hellenic Parliament and the introduction of voting via post.

This stance was reaffirmed by SAE Oceania, during the recent meeting of its members in Darwin.

The participants, expressed publicly their gratitude towards the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia to its President, Mr. Yannis Nikolakakis, as well as the Northern Territory Government and Premier Paul Henderson, who placed the Panhellenic Games of Oceania 2011 under his auspices, by making a promise to provide assistance when needed in all issues which have been raised by SAE Region Oceania and Far East, and more specifically: the issue of Greek Language, the Cypriot issue, FYROM, the Pontian Greek Genocide, and the return of the Parthenon Marbles.

Then, Mr. G. Aggelopoulos, coordinator of SAE Oceania and Far East Region, provided a full report on activities which have been completed up to now and made reference to the progress made and the issue of the “Ark of World Wide Hellenism”, an electronic museum space which will serve the collection of historical data of the Diaspora. The study for this project is being made by SAE and it is being promoted to the EU for funding.

The participants decided to hold the next General Assembly of SAE Oceania and Far East in Melbourne, on Sunday the 11th of April 2010.

The coordinator of the Youth Network, Mr. Ilias Demourtzidis, made reference to the activities of the Youthe Network, emphasizing that efforts have been made to enlarge its database, whilst stressing that the campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles continues, as well as the promotion of a CD for Greek Language learning, the creation of SAE Youth Website and the establishment of an annual prize to honour prominent Youths of the Greek Diaspora in Oceania.

Furthermore, various requests of the community were discussed, such as the creation of a Northern Territory Association and the restructuring of state Associations, the enlargement of their base with “SAE Friends” for people who have not already joined any community organizations and wish to participate in SAE activities.

Regarding the issue of honoring the “Woman of the Greek Diaspora” which is being organized this year by the Prefecture of Thessaloniki, the participants went through this year’s nominations and selected Ms. Alexandra Vatsikidi from South Australia for the representation of Diaspora Woman of Australia.