The HMSA
Careers Day

BIOs:

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ALLIED HEALTH:

THEO PANAGIOTOPOULOS BAppSci, MPhysP - Physiotherapist

Theo is a physiotherapist who has completed a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Physiotherapy Practice from La Trobe University in 2025. He has a passion for musculoskeletal physiotherapy currently working in a private practice setting and at a VAFA football club. He has done a variety of placements in rural and country Victoria, working in hospital, private and community settings. He has experience in the NDIS sector, working as a support coordinator for over a year. He also completed VCE year 12 Greek during high-school. Theo is excited to discuss and share his experiences navigating high-school and university life. 

 

GEORGIA EXINTARIS - Registered Nurse

Georgia is a Registered nurse working in General Practice. Her career started at Monash Medical Centre working in various medical and surgical wards. Currently she is working in a primary care setting providing a wide range of health care services. Daily duties can include administering immunisations, wound care, managing chronic conditions such as diabetes,  and assisting with minor procedures. She also offers lifestyle advice such as smoking cessation and weight management. 

 

Georgia collaborates with doctors, and allied health to ensure holistic care for her patients.   The role is vital in disease prevention, early intervention and promoting overall health within the community

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​​​ALYSIA LICCIARDI BPharm, MBA - Pharmacist, Scientific Advisor at GlaxoSmithKline

Alysia Licciardi is a Scientific Advisor at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Australia (a global pharmaceutical company). Her pharmaceutical industry experience and knowledge is diverse and substantial having worked at GSK Australia for 19 years across several departments including market access, medical affairs, regulatory affairs and medical information. She has contributed to the successful launch of several new medicines and vaccines into the Australian market and has also presented at key scientific congresses.

Alysia is a registered pharmacist by background who has trained and worked in both hospital and retail settings. Having also completed a Masters of Business Administration at Melbourne Business School, she has a strong business acumen and strategic insights which complement her scientific and analytical skill-set.

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ELYSIA MCKINLAY BPsychSc, GradDipProfPsych, MPsych (Ed & Dev) - Psychologist

Elysia is a registered psychologist who completed the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University. She has experience working across private practice, primary and secondary school settings. Elysia cares about fostering positive mental health and helping young people with their learning. Elysia has a strong interest in assessment, and has experience recognising and diagnosing mental health disorders, such
as anxiety, depression and trauma, and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as specific learning disorders, ADHD, and ASD. Elysia takes a warm and empathetic approach when working with young people and their support network, to support the individual to reach their potential.

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TARA KESKESIADIS BMus BASc MSLP - Speech Pathologist, Opera Singer, Author.

Tara Keskesiadis is a speech pathologist, opera singer, and author with a Bachelor's in Music, a Bachelor's in Applied Science, and a Master's degree in Speech Pathology. She specialises in supporting neurodiverse children and those with physical and intellectual disabilities. Tara focuses on implementing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies to enhance communication and improve the quality of life of her clients. Through her private practice, she creates tailored therapy plans to meet the unique needs of each individual, fostering growth in a supportive environment. Tara is committed to professional development and excellence in her field.

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ARTS, ACADEMIA, EDUCATION:

MARIA BAKALIDOU BA - Principal of the Greek Community's Greek After Hours Schools

Maria Bakalidou was born in Orestiada, northern Greece, and has always had a deep passion for the Greek language and working with children. She studied Greek Philology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and became a high school Greek language teacher. In 2012, Maria migrated to Australia with her husband and two daughters, continuing her dedication to Greek education by teaching in community Greek language schools. In 2014, recognizing the need for advanced Greek education among newly arrived migrant families, she founded a school where Greek was taught as a primary language under the umbrella of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria. The school flourished, reaching over 300 students. In July 2021, Maria was appointed Principal of the Greek Community After-Hours Schools in Melbourne. She continues to serve in this role, passionately promoting the Greek language and culture, in Australia

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MR KRISTIAN RASPA M.Crim, M.Teach(Sec), M.Ed(Ldshp&Mgt) - Head of School (10-12) & Director of Hellenism at St John's College

​Kristian Raspa is the Head of School (years 10-12) and the Director of Hellenism at St John's College. He holds a Master of Criminology, a Master of Teaching (Secondary), and a Master of Education (Leadership and Management) from the University of Melbourne. With over a decade of teaching experience, Kristian is dedicated to the promotion of Greek language and culture. His roles in community engagement and curriculum development have made significant contributions to various vibrant Hellenic programs across Victoria. Kristian's efforts have been instrumental in advancing Hellenic cultural initiatives, organizing significant cultural events, and inspiring students to connect with their heritage. His passion for education and Greek culture drives his mission to foster a deep appreciation for Hellenism within the community.

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EFFIE BINDEVIS Bed (Primary), Diploma of Arts (Modern Greek),M.Ed. (Language Learning) - Head of LOTE Alphington Grammar School
Effie Bindevis is the Head of Languages Other than English (LOTE) at Alphington Grammar School. She has been teaching for more than 30 years, 28 of those at Alphington Grammar School. She holds a Bachelor of Education, Diploma in Arts (Modern Greek) and a Masters in Language Learning from the University of
Melbourne. Her extensive experience in language learning includes all year levels from Kinder through to Year 7. She was on the languages committee for Independent Schools of Victoria, presenting at many conferences and developing curriculum material that caters for the changing needs of Greek language learners in Australia. In her many years at Alphington Grammar, she has successfully implemented a Greek Immersion program in the Early Learning Centre which has been recognized by the Department of Education as a standout
‘best practice’ Early Years Language program.

 

JAMES ALEVIZOS BEng(CivInfra)(Hons) - Civil Engineer

James discovered his passion for engineering during year 12 and pursued Civil and Infrastructure Engineering at RMIT University. Throughout his studies, he took on leadership roles, joining the student committees of RUSH (RMIT United Society of Hellenics) and CESA (Civil Engineering Student Association), where he built valuable networks and organised social and industry events. In his final year, James began his career as an Undergraduate Engineer at BMD Constructions, contributing to the Spirit of Tasmania port project in North Geelong, where he gained hands-on experience in site engineering and project management. After graduating, he continued to develop his expertise at CPB Contractors, working on multiple tenders and projects across Melbourne.

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GEORGE EXINTARIS B. Economics (Accounting), FCPA, GAICD - Finance & Administration Director:  Miele Australia & New Zealand  / Company Secretary

George is the Finance & Administration Director at Miele ANZ. He is responsible for a number of functions  in the business:    Accounting & Tax, Financial Planning & Analysis , Property, IT , Legal and is the Company Secretary for Miele Australia .

Over his 30 year career,  he has worked in a number of high profile organisations including Foster’s Brewing Group, Village Roadshow , Orica , Bosch  and currently Miele ANZ.

He has extensive experience across Retail and Consumer goods, and is a firm believer about the need to deliver exceptional  customer experience. 

Outside of work George enjoys spending time with family, following football (Go Hawks  !) and gardening.

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BILLY KAVELLARIS - Architect & Managing Director of KUD 

Billy is the managing director and established KUD in 2002. He has led his team of architects to complete single residential dwelling, high -density residential, public and commercial buildings and major high-rise developments. Billy has taught at the University of Melbourne and has also been a guest critic at various universities.

KUD is interested in architecture as an intellectual and philosophical construct founded on ideas that are materialised and translated into an architectural language. The core of KUD's practice philosophy seeks to engage in conscientious environmental design interventions as a foundation to deliver unique and intelligent architecture to meet their client’s requirements and budgets.

KUD has been widely recognised locally and internationally through leading architectural publications, journals and television, and has received national and international awards for residential and commercial projects.'

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ARIANNE LAMBRINEAS MBA - Senior Category Manager at Coles Supermarkets

Arianne currently works in the Confectionery category and determines what products to range in all 860 Coles Supermarkets. Her job involves building long-term relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, analysing global and local trends, bringing amazing products to life and doing a lot of number crunching. She loves working with people, whether it’s empowering those around her or putting customers at the heart of decisions.​

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HELEN MANTZIS - B Bus (Ec), B Bus (Marketing) -Board Member of The Australian Ballet and the Hellenic Museum. Founder of KHGM Consulting & startup app Loopels.

With a dynamic career spanning fashion, retail, real estate, lifestyle, education, the arts, and the not-for-profit sector, Helen Mantzis has been instrumental in shaping the growth and success of some of Australia's most iconic brands. Her journey includes leadership roles in fashion retail marketing, notably as General Manager of Marketing at The Just Group, overseeing brands such as Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Dotti, and Portmans. She later founded her own marketing and project advisory business, acting as a strategic partner to brands and agencies including luxury real estate firm Kay and Burton. Passionate about impact-driven initiatives, she is currently developing Loopels, a startup designed to support individuals facing physical and emotional hardship. Beyond her professional endeavors, Helen Mantzis holds an Economics degree and a Business Marketing degree, and serves on the boards of The Australian Ballet, The Hellenic Museum of Australia, and Melbourne Grammar School. She is also actively involved with philanthropic organizations, including the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

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​​​​MARIA MAVRIKOS B. Arts/Bus Marketing - Managing Director of Structural Challenge, Founder & CEO of Steel Chicks.

Only a handful of women are in leadership roles in the steel industry in Australia, and even fewer have built a steel business from ground to top.

Maria is both; she is the visionary force behind Structural Challenge, the steel fabrication powerhouse she founded in 2000 and has been managing since. During this time, the business has delivered over 1200 major projects and has built an admirable reputation for handling the most complex ones in the market.

As a leader, Maria has always focused on growth, innovation, sustainability and inclusion. She remains as passionate about Australian manufacturing as she was on her first day on the job and is excited about the role it can play in Australia’s future workforce development. This is precisely the mission of her upcoming venture Steel Chicks, a social enterprise aiming to help women grow meaningful careers in the steel industry and support their transition to senior roles.

Currently serving as a member of an advisory group to the Local First Jobs Commissioner, Maria is also a board member of the Australian Steel Institute, a committee member of the Steel Fabricators Association of Victoria and part of the charity organisation ‘The Steel Club of Victoria.’

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FOTINI KYPRAIOS B.A. LLB FGIA FCG (CS CGP) - Founder and Principal Lawyer, Prisma Legal & Board Chair of HACCI Victoria.

Fotini is the Managing Principal Lawyer of Prisma Legal, a commercial, property and corporate advisory law firm, being one of only a handful of B Corp®️certified law firms in Australia, using business as a force for good and practising law with purpose. Fotini has over 24 years’ experience as a governance professional and strategic and trusted legal adviser to private business owners, corporate leaders, family-owned enterprise and not for profit organisations.

 

Fotini is the Board Chair of the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Victoria (HACCI), leading the Chamber in connecting our community’s legacy of entrepreneurialism and rich business network with innovation for the business and professional leaders of the future.

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​​LAW ENFORCEMENT:

SENIOR SERGEANT STYLIANOS (STEVE) SPYROU - Family Violence Command - Strategy, Policy and Legislation Unit.

Steve left school at 16 yrs of age to find work and earn a living. Steve had a number of roles working as a factory process worker at a paper product manufacturer, a driver in the seafood industry and then an Oyster Shucker. Steve enjoyed handling different equipment, working and meeting different people, the competition but also the camaraderie.  

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Steve had a few interactions with the police growing up. He admired how respectful they were and was enjoyed by the way they genuinely enjoyed helping and protecting people. While he was working at the seafood market, Steve applied for a job. The application was a lengthy process because he had heart surgery as a child and he needed to pass the medical and physical assessments.

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In 1985, Steve was inducted and attended the Victoria Police Academy – 39 years on, its all changed, but how Steve feels about what he does for work has not.

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Career Synopsis:

-Commenced in uniform at Heidelberg and Broadmeadows.

-Seconded to the District Support Group at Moonee Ponds – a type of mini–Drug Squad

-One of a small group of people that became a detective while still a constable, at Preston.

-Transferred to the Licensing, Gaming and Vice Squad – Vice Unit – did some undercover work, policed the prostitution industry

-Became a Sergeant in 2001 at Brunswick. 11 years of supervising personnel

-Regional Training Officer at Broadmeadows for nearly 2 years

-Professional Standards Command investigator for 6 years – important to know that while VicPol reflects the community, not everyone is suited to represent VicPol

-Now at Family Violence Command – policy, legislation and practice change/development – victim focussed – justice seeking – trauma reduction

-Committee member of the Victorian Hellenic Police Association – you can find personal interest groups within the organisation

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LAW:

THE HONOURABLE ASSOCIATE JUDGE IERODIACONOU 

The Hon. Associate Justice Ierodiaconou is the Principal Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Before her appointment to the Court in May 2015, she was a founder and Managing Partner of a leading employment and discrimination law firm. Associate Justice Ierodiaconou was a longstanding member of the Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law Advisory Board, University of Melbourne. Her Honour was a member of the Law Institute of Victoria Council, and was Chair of the Diversity Task Force. Associate Justice Ierodiaconou is currently a Wellbeing Commissioner of the International Bar Association.

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BETTY ZERVAS

coming soon

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​YIANNI ZAPARAS B.Com, LLB - Personal Injury Lawyer. Partner at Zaparas Lawyers.

Yianni Zaparas is one of Melbourne’s leading figures in personal injury law. With over twenty years of experience, he has a proven commitment to protecting the rights of injured workers and obtaining only the very best results for his clients. Yianni joined the family business in 2004 at a time when it had 10 employees. Fast forward to today, Yianni has the privilege of managing a business with 200 staff.

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As part of the leadership group of Zaparas Lawyers, one of Victoria’s leading personal injury firms (with a developing presence in Queensland), Yianni is involved in every case that comes through the door. Yianni does his utmost to ensure that each client is provided with the care and support they deserve during what may be one of the toughest times they will face.

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POLITICS:

NICK XERAKIAS BCom (Finance&Marketing) - Partner at GRACosway​​

Nick is a Partner at public affairs and communications firm GRACosway,  providing clients with strategy, policy and political counsel. Nick previously served as a senior policy adviser to a Prime Minister. Prior to this, he served as a senior adviser in the Opposition Leader’s office covering a range of portfolio areas, including Resources and Energy, Climate Change, Environment, Agriculture and Water. 

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Earlier in his career, Nick worked as an adviser in the Federal Government in the Health, Immigration, Employment and Family and Community Services portfolios, and has experience in both federal and state political campaign management.

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Nick is a graduate of Monash University, where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in finance and marketing. Nick is also Chair of the Board at Red Nose Australia. 

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MEDIA/JOURNALISM:

FOTIS KAPETOPOULOS  BA Hon., MA - Journalist for Neos Kosmos, Secretary of Independent Multicultural Media Australia, and head of Kape Communications Pty Ltd

Fotis is an English Language Journalist for Neos Kosmos, Australia’s leading Greek Australian masthead. Between 1993-2001, he was the director for Multicultural Arts Victoria. He has worked for over 35 years in the arts, multicultural services, audience research, policy development and marketing. He was Victorian Premier Ted Bailleu’s Multicultural Media Adviser. Fotis was awarded an internship from the Smithsonian Institution, Washington and an Asialink Arts Management residency in Singapore, for the Arts Council and completed a PhD in multicultural media.

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MARY SINANIDIS BA, MBA - Journalist at The Greek Herald, Communications specialist for the Australian Public Service

​Are you a wordsmith? Ask Mary where journalism can take you. Currently at The Greek Herald, her international career weaves through the vibrant tapestry of journalism, editing, publications and the structured landscape of government communications.

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MEDICINE:

​​​​​​​DR JAMES DIMOU MBBS MBA PhD FRACS - Neurosurgeon, Director of Junior Surgical Training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital

James Dimou is a Neurosurgeon-Scientist, affiliated with the University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, with subspecialty expertise in the clinical management and research of brain tumours. Having graduated from the University of Melbourne and then trained in Neurosurgery across several Australasian centres, he became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2017. He then spent a further two years in Canada undertaking clinical and research fellowships in Surgical Neuro-Oncology at the University of Calgary. His PhD was in translational research exploring molecular biology and therapeutic targeting of glioma stem cells. Furthermore, he recently graduated with a Senior Executive MBA at Melbourne Business School that has augmented James’s long-term aim of leading transformative research and innovation in Neuro-oncology.

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DR PAUL ELEFTHERIOU MBBS, B.Biomed.Sci, Dip.Surg.Anat, MHA, GAICD, FRACMA

​Dr Paul Eleftheriou is a Principal at Nous Group in Melbourne, and is the Co-Lead for Digital Health and leads a lot of the hospital, medical research and Department of Health work for the firm. Paul has 12 years experience as a health service executive, most previously as Chief Medical Officer at Western Health, a multi-campus health network with a budget >$1 Billion. He has extensive experience across health administration, ranging from clinical governance and operations through to people management, higher education, clinical informatics, research and commercialisation, within the public and private sectors. Paul has a strong interest in health services research, having published several articles published in high-impact journals with a H-index of 8. He was recently made an Honorary Senior Research Fellow with the University of Melbourne and is an Adjunct Professor at Victoria University. An educator for more than a decade, Paul has been invited to dozens of conferences and workshops as a presenter, facilitator and panellist. Paul was responsible for leading the development of major innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the ‘McMonty’ Hood, the early phase of COVID Monitoring Pathways and the PPE program. 

 

DR BEN FILIPOPOULOS B.Sc, MBBS - Cardiology Registrar & Research Fellow

Dr Ben Filipopoulos is a junior Doctor currently undergoing Physician training with the goal of specialty training in Cardiology. He completed a Bachelor of Science initially at the University of Queensland prior to completing his medical degree at Deakin University in Geelong. He has had a wide breadth of experience to date having worked across a number of specialty areas and is passionate about helping other junior colleagues find their own professional niches within their careers.​

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DR LEWIS KARAPANOS BBMed(Hons) M.D. - Surgical Registrar

Lewis is an enthusiastic fifth-year postgraduate unaccredited general surgery registrar who is working at St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. He is also an Honorary Researcher at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Throughout Lewis' junior medical career, he has focused largely on surgical disciplines, with a particular emphasis on general surgery and ophthalmology. He has a strong interest in global and rural health. Lewis has also volunteered overseas at the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital Ophthalmology Department in Cambodia, and has just finished working almost 1.5 years at Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton. His career goal is to become an ophthalmologist​​​​​​.

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DR ARTHUR KOKKINIAS MBBS, FRANZCP - Adult Psychiatrist, Secretary of HMSA

Arthur is an adult psychiatrist who graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1992 and completed his Fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists  in 2000. He has worked extensively in the public and private sectors with a special interest in GP education and training. 

He has a public appointment at the Royal Melbourne Hospital - Inner West Area Mental Health Service. His private practice is in Richmond. His involvement in HMSA is with a view to strengthen links between medical professionals of Greek origin and to promote quality education within the profession and to the wider community especially to those with limited English skills.  

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DR ARETE KOUTERIS MBBS, FRACGP, FAMAC - General Practitioner, Owner, Principal GP, Education Chair  for the Australian Medical Acupuncture College

Dr Kouteris is the owner and practice principal of a medium sized teaching general practice associated with The University of Melbourne.  She is Education Chair for the Australian Medical Acupuncture College and actively involved in teaching and mentoring doctors in medical acupuncture.   She is an RACGP supervisor for general practice trainees.

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DR ATHINA PIRPIRIS B.Pharm, MBBS, MMed (Clin Epi), FRACS (Urol), AFRACMA

Urological Surgeon

Athina is a consultant Urological surgeon working predominantly through Eastern Health. Her sub-specialty interests are in functional urological issues eg. incontinence and prolapse. Athina graduated from medicine at the University of Sydney, trained in Urology throughout NSW and Victoria and obtained her Fellowship from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2020. She is in the final stages of completing her MBA and PhD in the pelvic floor ultrasound assessment of males post prostatectomy.

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A/PROF MARINIS PIRPIRIS MBBS, BMedSc, GradDipEpidBiostat, MEpi, PhD, FRACS, FAOrthA

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Marinis is an Orthopaedic Surgeon practicing at the Epworth and Cabrini Hospitals and teaching at the University of Melbourne and the University of Notre Dame. He is a trustee of the AO Foundation, Chair of Community Development of the AO Trauma Asia Pacific Regional Board, Director of the Global Commission of Community Development in Trauma, co-Deputy Director of the Victorian Perioperative Consultative Council and Member of the Victoria State Surgical Subcommittee. He is also the Director of Regional Education in Trauma and Teaching in the Asia Pacific. He is a past Chair of the Victorian Branch of the AOA, past President of the Australian Orthopaedic Trauma Society, past president of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association Trauma Society and past Chair of Orthopaedics at Cabrini Hospital. He is the current Treasurer of the Greek Community of Melbourne, past Chair of Alphington Grammar School and past Steering Committee Mentorship Chair of the AO Foundation. He has a passion for teaching and mentoring and helping students achieve their very best.

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DR BILLY STOUPAS BBioMed, MBBS, FRACGP - General Practitioner, Owner, Principal GP

Dr. Vasilios (Billy) Stoupas is a specialist GP and business owner with a strong background in healthcare leadership, governance, and practice management. As the founder and principal GP of a thriving medical practice, he has built a successful team while navigating the challenges of modern healthcare. With experience in board leadership, media, and medical education, Billy brings a practical and strategic approach to improving patient care and supporting fellow practitioners. A father of three, he understands the demands of balancing work and family while continuously evolving in both business and medicine.

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DR CHRISTOPHER TROUPIS BSc, MD - Radiology Registrar

Chris is a PGY5 junior doctor who is a first year Radiology Registrar at Alfred Health. He completed his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne, subsequently working as an intern and resident at the Royal Melbourne Hospital prior to starting specialty training. His additional interests in healthcare include clinical governance and the use and improvement of workflows within electronic medical records.

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DR STEFANOS HADZAKIS MBBS - Anaesthetics Resident Medical Officer

Stefanos is a junior doctor, who graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S) in 2019. He has experience working in both metropolitan and rural hospitals. He is interested in a career in anaesthesia and critical care medicine. Currently he is completing a master's in public health. As a high school student, Stefanos completed year 12 Greek. He is looking forward to discussing his experiences with highschool and tertiary studies.

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DR KRISTIAN BAZIOTIS-KALFAS MBBS - Intern

Kristian is a junior doctor at Eastern Health with a growing passion for surgery. While organising a surgical conference for medical students in New Zealand, he gained valuable insights into the field, deepening his interest in the hands-on nature of surgery and the complexity of human anatomy. Motivated by these experiences, he is exploring various surgical specialties, with the goal of specialising in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Outside of his medical career, Kristian is an active member of the Pallaconian Brotherhood youth group’s general committee, which focuses on youth engagement and the preservation of Greek culture. He also enjoys playing the piano, finding it to be a meaningful way to unwind and express creativity.

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DR SOPHIE AVRAMOUDAS BBiomed, MD Melb - Psychiatry Registrar, Austin Health

​Dr Sophie Avramoudas is a doctor working at the Austin Hospital, Melbourne.  She is in her first year of training to become a Psychiatrist.  She completed a Bachelor of Biomedicine, followed by a Doctor of Medicine, at the University of Melbourne, and she is currently completing a Master of Psychiatry at the same institution.  Sophie has special interests in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Education, and is excited to explore these interests more over the course of her career.  Outside of medicine, Sophie enjoys performing in theatre and choirs.

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DENTISTRY:

Dr LOULA KONIDARIS BDSc, Master of Health and Medical Law (Uni Melb) - Dentist and Dental Consultant at the Dental Association, Victorian Branch.

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Loula completed a Bachelor of Dental Science in 1989 at the University of Melbourne. She worked and later co-owned two dental practices in Melbourne for over twenty years. Once her first child was born in 1998

she continued clinical practice part time. In 2019 Loula completed a Master of Health and Medical Law, also at Melbourne University. 

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She currently works two days a week in general clinical practice and two days a week as a Dental Consultant for the Australian Dental Association, where she is involved in dento legal matters. Her role at the Dental Association offers her the opportunity to assist dentists with advice including regulatory matters and litigation. Loula also handles concerns from members of the public regarding explanations of treatment, dissatisfaction with treatment or any concerns with the profession.

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She has recently been appointed secretary of the board for a not for profit organisation, Dress for Success Victoria. This organisation helps women in vulnerable situations prepare for job interviews with coaching, cv preparation, styling and providing clothes for interviews and the initial stages of employment. Loula has also taken part in the Dental Health Foundation, providing her clinical treatment pro bono to members of the community who would otherwise could not access dental treatment.

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DR DEAN BAZIOTIS-KALFAS BBiomedSc (Monash), DDS (Melb) - Dentist

Dean completed a Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Melbourne after studying Biomedical Science with a minor in Business Law at Monash University. He is working in private practice at Family Dental Care in Doncaster East. He has a special interest in orthodontics, oral surgery and implantology, which developed through clinical exposure, seminars and observations. These interests have led him to explore clear aligner therapy, surgical extractions and guided implant placement.

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Throughout his training, Dean gained experience in community health, public hospitals and private clinics, treating diverse patient populations with a broad range of dental needs. He has been actively involved in outreach programs such as Smile Squad and the Teddy Bear Hospital, which focus on improving access to care for underserved children while promoting education and preventive dentistry.

 

Beyond clinical practice, Dean has contributed to research on collective intelligence among general dentists and AI integration in treatment planning, highlighting their role in optimising patient outcomes. He has also held leadership and teaching roles, serving as DDS2 Class Representative and Education Officer for IPEP-HSN, and has taught Greek to students in Grades 3-9 at Pythagoras Greek School.

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SCIENCE:

PROF VASSO APOSTOLOPOULOS - Distinguished Professor, Professor of Immunology, Head of the Healthy Lifespan and Chronic Diseases Program, RMIT 

Vasso is the Head of the Healthy Lifespan and Chronic Diseases Program within the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT University, Australia. She holds the title of Distinguished Professor and is a Professor of Immunology. Her expertise spans multiple disciplines, with extensive experience in immunology, X-ray crystallography, medicinal chemistry, cellular biology, and clinical & translational research. She has contributed significantly to the development of drugs and vaccines, with a focus on improving human health and longevity.

 

Before joining RMIT University, Vasso worked and/or visited several universities and medical research institutes worldwide, including Oxford University (UK), the Scripps Research Institute (USA), Mater Research Institute (Qld), John Curtin School or Medical Research ANU (Canberra), and the University of Melbourne. She led the Immunology & Vaccine Unit at both the Austin Research Institute, the Immunology and Vaccine Group at the Burnet Institute and served as the Immunology Program Leader at the Centre for Chronic Disease VU. Additionally, she was the Program Leader for the Mechanisms and Interventions in Health and Disease Program at Victoria University. From 2018 to 2022, she was part of the senior executive team at Victoria University, serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Associate Provost, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Research Partnerships. Vasso also led the Immunology and Translational Research Group at Victoria University and is currently the Program Director for Immunology at the Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science. She has also held the role of Chief Scientific Officer at 4Gvaccines and serves on multiple boards, including the Committee for Wyndham, the Greek Australian Society, and several journal editorial boards. Additionally, she is the Director of VAConsulting Services.

 

A world-renowned researcher, Vasso has been recognized with over 100 awards, including, Commander of the Phoenix Battalian, the Premier’s Award for Medical Research, Young Australian of the Year (Victoria), Greek Australian of the Year, and Woman of the Year. She was named one of the most successful Greeks abroad by the prestigious Times magazine. Vasso is also credited with developing the first immunotherapy method to stimulate the immune system in the early 1990s, a technique that is now utilized by hundreds of laboratories worldwide. This groundbreaking work led to over 25 Phase I, II, and III human trials of vaccine formulations for breast and ovarian cancer, attracting significant investment from pharmaceutical companies.

 

Vasso is deeply committed to the advancement of immunotherapy and has applied her research to various diseases, including diabetes, drug addiction, and Alzheimer’s disease. Her research is dedicated to understanding disease mechanisms and developing novel interventions for cancer, mental health disorders, diabetes, chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and autoimmunity, using vaccines, drugs, and natural bioactive compounds. She is particularly focused on improving healthy aging and strives to advance her research programs to improve the quality of life for aging populations.

 

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Vasso co-developed the global ELPanvir consortium (pan anti-virals) of researchers from Europe, the USA, Canada, and Australia to investigate the development of pan-anti-virals and improve pandemic preparedness.

 

With over 500 research papers published and 20 patents to her name, Vasso has supervised more than 70 Honours, MSc, and PhD students. A sought-after speaker at international conferences, she is ranked in the top 0.13% of researchers globally. Her remarkable career continues to shape the fields of immunology, translational medicine, and public health.

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FATHER JOHN FRANGOS B.Sc(tox), PgDip(Theol), MApSc(tox) Toxicology and Risk Assessment Consultant 

Fr John Frangos is a Greek Orthodox priest and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Toxicology and Risk Assessment.

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DR BETTY EXINTARIS B.Sc (Hons), PhD, GCHE - Associate Dean Learning & Teaching, Associate Dean Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

​Dr Betty Exintaris is a urology researcher by training and a passionate, dedicated and innovative educator with over 20 years teaching experience in higher education. In her academic career Betty has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improving the overall student experience through the development of teaching resources, training and engagement programs and embedding skills in undergraduate curriculum. Her contributions have been recognised both nationally and internationally through multiple awards, grants and invited conference presentations. She has been voted Lecturer of the Year 11 times.

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IT:

BILL PETRIDIS - MBA, MSCS, MEng(IT) - Head of Technology at St Kilda Football Club

With over 20 years of experience in IT leadership, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, Bill Petridis has shaped technology strategies across government, education, and professional sports. As Head of Technology at St Kilda Football Club, he drives innovation, cybersecurity, and digital advancements in the AFL landscape. Holding an MBA, a Master’s in Cybersecurity, and a Master’s in IT Engineering, Bill has led major technology initiatives at universities, councils, and corporations. Passionate about mentoring the next generation, he enjoys sharing insights on career pathways in technology, problem-solving in IT, and the future of digital transformation.

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VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS:

ANTONIA TSAMIS BA - Festival coordinator, Precinct Coordinator of the Greek Quarter

With over 20 years of experience as an Event Manager and Festival Coordinator in the live performance and events industries, Antonia considers herself not just a team player but also a leader, with great attention to detail. Throughout her career, both in Australia and abroad,  she has managed a variety of events and festivals, often needing to problem solve and make decisions on the go while delivering high-calibre events and ensuring high levels of stakeholder satisfaction. Antonia brings a wealth of expertise to project management and delivery thanks to her extensive experience.

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JOEL SYMONS BDes(DigMedia) - Sound designer and Audiovisual producer

Joels is a freelance sound designer and music producer who specialises in electronic music and foley art, with work in both sound effects for film as well as making his own music. Joel is currently being mentored by the media team at the Greek Centre in videography and video editing and he is training to be a multimedia specialist who can apply knowledge from various media to any project. Joel is currently also being mentored by podcast and radio program producers to gain further experience.