THI Australia’s New Leaders launched a Melbourne network. The organisation continued its work across health, food security and diaspora programs over the six-month period. Chief executive Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill provided the update.
Support over the period helped expand access to healthcare and strengthen partnerships in Greece. It also brought a new generation of Greek Australians together. The update covers the Melbourne launch of New Leaders. It also details the opening of the Social Dental Clinic in Thessaloniki, operated with Doctors of the World Greece. Other sections cover public health, food security, and children’s healthcare. The update includes an Emfasis Hope Spot session in Athens.
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THI Australia New Leaders
THI Australia New Leaders brings together the next generation of Greek Australians. This community serves people aged approximately 26–40 years through a network.
More than 200 guests also joined the Melbourne launch on 7 October, hosted by PwC Melbourne. A highlight was an ‘In Conversation’ with Mark Bouris AM, the initiative’s inaugural Patron, and journalist Sharnelle Vella. The conversation is available to watch online.
THI Australia acknowledged Theo and Mandy Andrianakos and the Nikolaos Andrianakos Foundation, the inaugural sponsor. Their support also helped bring the initiative to life.
With communities already taking shape in Melbourne and Sydney, New Leaders will continue to grow across Australia. Annual contributions will also support three partner charities selected by New Leaders. The charities are Emfasis Non-Profit Foundation (homelessness), Boroume – Saving Food, Saving Lives (food security), and Pediatric Trauma Care (children’s health).
THI Australia plans to launch New Leaders Sydney in 2027. Mark Bouris and a special international guest will join the event. Also, with partners across the US, Greece, Canada and the UK, THI Australia plans a New Leaders weekend in Greece. Details will be shared over the coming months through the THI Australia New Leaders | Connect WhatsApp announcement group.
People interested in THI Australia New Leaders can sign up to join the community. They will gain access to the Sydney launch event.
Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill visits Emfasis Hope Spot in Athens
In July, CEO Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill joined an Emfasis Hope Spot session at the National Gardens in Athens. She reconnected with people supported by the program and saw its work firsthand.
Dedicated professionals and volunteers deliver Hope Spot. The program also offers practical assistance, human connection, and a sense of belonging to people experiencing hardship and social exclusion.
Emfasis produced a short video of the partnership. The video is available to watch online.
Social Dental Clinic opens in Thessaloniki
Access to dental care can make a lasting difference to a person’s health, confidence and wellbeing.
Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill’s update also covers the clinic’s opening on 19 July 2026. THI Australia joined colleagues from Doctors of the World Greece (MdM-Greece), local government representatives and volunteers in Thessaloniki. Together, they opened the Social Dental Clinic.
THI Australia President George Kailis and his wife, Rose Kailis, visited the MdM Greece Open Polyclinic in Thessaloniki. It was their first visit. The new dental clinic provides free oral health care. Also, it serves people, including children, who might otherwise be unable to access treatment.
In the first seven months, the team provided free dental care to 121 new beneficiaries through 237 visits. It also conducted 5 outreach visits, reaching 72 students in primary schools in Thessaloniki and Chalkidiki.
THI Australia brings partner charities together in Athens
In Athens, THI Australia brought together partner charities and Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, H.E Alison Duncan. They discussed a refreshed strategy and shared priorities. They also considered the challenges facing the communities they support.
The partners exchanged ideas and learned from one another. They also discussed how closer collaboration could extend their collective impact.
Nikos Trivoulidis and the Benaki Museum hosted the meeting at the Ghika Gallery.
Public health project results
The update also reports on THI Australia’s six-year partnership with Doctors of the World Greece. The work has helped socially vulnerable people across Athens access essential healthcare, psychosocial support and critical social services.
During the six years, the Project reached more than 32,000 beneficiaries and provided more than 77,000 consultations.
In addition, the 2025-2026 results report a 6.6-euro social return on investment per 1 euro allocated to the Project.
Volunteering at the farmers’ markets
THI Australia’s partnership with Boroume – Saving Food, Saving Lives is its longest-running program. It turns surplus fresh produce into food support for vulnerable communities. During 12 months, the program rescued and redistributed 198.92 tonnes of produce. As a result, the program helped avoid an estimated 1,563,511 kgs of CO₂ emissions.
Volunteers are central to this work. They collect fresh food from farmers’ markets and help ensure it reaches people in need. Additionally, THI Australia notes that people travelling to Greece can consider volunteering.
Medical equipment for Florina
The General Hospital of Florina received approximately €15,000 worth of medical equipment for children in Northern Greece. It includes patient monitors and portable oximeters. Diagnostic equipment includes electrocardiographs and jaundice meters. This equipment helps hospital staff provide essential care to young patients.
Thanks to donors, Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill’s update also reports more than 30 completed projects across Greece with Pediatric Trauma Care.
THI Australia also shares updates on LinkedIn.