Draft:Kris Pavlidis
Kris Pavlidis is an Australian social worker, community former local government politician. She served on the City of Whittlesea council from 2005 until its dismissal in 2020, including terms as Mayor of Whittlesea in 2006–2007 and 2017–2018.[1][2] Pavlidis is known for her advocacy on multiculturalism, gender equity and migrant and disability issues, and for her leadership in community organisations, including the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV), PRONIA, the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA), and the Whittlesea Interfaith Network.
Early life and education
[edit]Pavlidis is of Greek heritage and grew up in Australia in a Greek-speaking household.[3] She holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Master of Social Work. She began her career as a policy coordinator and social worker for ADEC (Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities) between 1989 and 1998.[4]
Local government career
[edit]Pavlidis was elected to the Whittlesea City Council in 2005 and re-elected across four terms until 2020. She served as mayor from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2017 to 2018, becoming the first Greek Australian woman to hold the role.[5] In interviews, she emphasised the importance of drawing on her social work background in local governance and encouraged more women to pursue council roles.[6] Her service ended when the Victorian Government dismissed the council in 2020 due to governance failures.[7]
Community leadership and advocacy
[edit]Pavlidis served as Chair of the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV) from 2017 to 2019,[8] and is a current board member of FECCA as Senior Deputy Chair.[9] In 2020, she was unanimously elected President of PRONIA (formerly the Australian Greek Welfare Society), where she oversees aged care, disability and community services for Greek Australians.[10] She also founded the Whittlesea Interfaith Network in 2006.[11]
She has been a strong voice on multicultural and migrant issues, advocating for inclusive public policy and improved translation and settlement services.[12] She was among eight suburban mayors to publicly support Victoria’s South Sudanese community in 2018 amid racialised media coverage.[13]
Awards and recognition
[edit]Pavlidis received the 10-Year Service Award from the Municipal Association of Victoria in 2015.[2] She has also received awards from the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the VLGA Champions for Gender Equity initiative.[5] In 2022, she was featured in the bilingual book Greek Women of Influence: 1821–2021.[14][15]
Media and interviews
[edit]Pavlidis has been interviewed in various media outlets, including *Neos Kosmos*, SBS Greek, and public radio. In 2020, she took part in the Immigration Museum’s "Becoming You" exhibition, recounting her experiences growing up Greek in Australia.[16] In parliamentary submissions and podcasts, she has spoken on topics including migrant employment, youth empowerment and gender equity.[17]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Kris Pavlidis elected Whittlesea mayor". Northern Star Weekly. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ a b "Past Councillor Service Award Winners: 10 Year Service Awards – Kris Pavlidis, 2015". Municipal Association of Victoria. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Kris Pavlidis on Greek language and sandwiches in Immigration Museum's 'Becoming You'". Neos Kosmos. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Annual Report 1996–1997" (PDF). Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ a b "Feminism, Gender Equality and the Migrant Experience". Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Greek Australian Mayor Kris Pavlidis Vows to Increase Women's Role in Politics". Greek Reporter. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Whittlesea council sacked over 'dysfunction', replaced with interim administrator". ABC News. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Mayor of Whittlesea City Council, Cr. Kris Pavlidis is the new ECCV Chairperson" (PDF). ECCV. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Pavlidis no longer ECCV chief, but continues her work with FECCA". Neos Kosmos. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "PRONIA unanimously elects Kris Pavlidis as President". Neos Kosmos. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Celebrating 15 Years of the Whittlesea Interfaith Network". Al Siraat College. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Inquiry into Early Childhood Engagement of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities" (PDF). Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ Webb, Carolyn (13 August 2018). "End 'racist fearmongering' say mayors as they back Sudanese community". The Age. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ Andrinopoulos, Peter (2021). Greek Women of Influence: 1821–2021. Society of Kalamata 23 March.
- ^ "Greek Women of Influence: a bilingual book celebrates the contribution of women". SBS Greek. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Kris Pavlidis on Greek language and sandwiches in Immigration Museum's 'Becoming You'". Neos Kosmos. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Inquiry into Sustainable Employment for Disadvantaged Jobseekers" (PDF). Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 2025-05-10.