Nick Anagnostou

• CEO & Executive Director - Australian Education Trust (ASX: AEU) 2008-2012
• CEO & Executive Director - Folkestone Education Trust/Charter Hall Social Infrastructure Fund (ASX: CQE) 2012-2019
• Non-Executive Director – Think Childcare (ASX:TNK) 2020-2022
• Non-Executive Director – Accord Early Learning Fund 2022-
• Non-Executive Director – Vision Australia Foundation 2017-

I’m a proud father of three and a long-standing, committed member of the IPS. I believe the time has come to strengthen the governance, transparency, and decision-making of the Executive Committee—charting a more secure, inclusive, and future-focused path for the IPS.

Professionally, I bring deep experience across finance, funds management, and property. I served as CEO of an ASX-listed company for over 11 years and have held board roles in listed, unlisted, and for-purpose organisations. I am an Associate of the Australian Property Institute and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With a Bachelor of Business (Hon) and more than 30 years of leadership and commercial decision-making at the highest level, I’ve guided organisations through adversity and strategic renewal—earning recognition for business excellence along the way.

My leadership style is built on respect—respect for people, their views, and their contributions. I’ve helped grow and transform businesses by creating collaborative cultures grounded in trust, integrity, and clear purpose.

I’m passionate about connection and engagement, and I see enormous potential in a more united relationship with the Ithacan Historical Society, along with other related groups that support our Greek and Ithacan culture. I bring a transparent, independent, and evidence-based approach to decision-making—driven by what’s in the best interests of members and the society’s long-term future.

I visit Ithaca as often as possible and feel deeply connected to our shared heritage. I’m the son of the late Dimitros Anagnostou and Loula Anagnostou (née Raftopoulos “Levendis” from Kolleri), and, together with my daughter Natasha, I initiated the IPS Cyclone Ionas Appeal in 2020. My second daughter Abbey is also a member of the IPS, and my son Joshua wants to join when he turns 18.

The IPS has stood at the crossroads for some time. To be relevant and vibrant, we must enhance member confidence and meaningfully engage younger generations with real purpose and outwardly exhibit our community’s values by direct and decisive guidance. That requires fresh thinking, new leadership, and real initiatives that build community spirit, strengthen our financial position, and strong and evident governance and quality decision making skills and practices. These, together with greater transparency and member engagement, should be a sound base to support a thriving, inclusive, and enduring IPS that not only attracts our people to become engaged, but brings people back to it, providing meaningful value to current and future generations.

I also warmly welcome a conversation—whether you’re a long-time member, recent contributor, or considering joining the IPS. Please feel free to reach out to me at nja35@hotmail.com or on 0408 00 33 59 (AH).

Debbie Argyropoulos

My name is Debbie Argyropoulos (nee Kondelos) and my maternal family roots in Ithaca come from the Paxinos (Bousouli) and Kouvalia families from Lefki.  I am fortunate to maintain a strong living link to Ithaca through my uncle, Professor George Paxinos. I feel that each time I return to Ithaca, I honour my grand uncles, my mother and the broader Ithacan community who worked so hard to establish a new home for themselves and business like my own family's fruit shop that still operates today in Brighton, 65 years later.

For years, Peter Paxinos encouraged me to get involved with the IPS and in 2016 I was invited to join the IPS Centenary Events Team, where I remained active for 9 years. During this time, I also managed the IPS Facebook group, growing it to over 1.5K members. sharing meaningful content that kept our global community engaged. I also organised two pre COVID coffee catch ups in Ithaca, giving international Ithacans who are part of the Facebook group the opportunity to meet and connect. 

Community connection has always been a passion of mine.  I have a deep love for heritage and nostalgia - I often wear my mother's 1950s dresses to events as a tribute to our past and the strength of our women.  Currently, I am the Communications Manager for the Ithacan Historical Society (IHS) a role that allows me to connect with Ithacans locally and across the globe. Through our bookstore and social media outreach, I have had the privilege of helping preserve our rich history while forging new bonds. I've also organised three successful film fundraisers and a cooking class in collaboration with Kali Orexi Melbourne, raising over $6,000 to support the conservation of Ithacan culture and heritage. 

For me, events are not just about fundraising - they are about building community, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating shared experiences that keep our culture alive. I believe that human connection is vital to our well-being and that by coming together, we strengthen the ties that make our community thrive.  

Whether you have just joined the IPS or have been part of it for decades, I'm passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where we can celebrate culture, support one another, and pass our traditions on to the next generation. 

I'm excited to bring fresh energy and ideas to the Society and remain committed to helping it evolve while honouring the foundations laid by those who came before us. 

 

Denise Dellas 

My name is Dionisia (Denise) Dellas and I am a proud Ithacan who has a long association with the Ithacan Club.

A trip to Ithaca in 1975 ignited my love affair with the island, when I stayed at my father’s (Peter Dellas) village in Ag Ioannis. Since then, I have returned many times to watch the sun set over Kefalonia.

My background and experience have been predominantly in Human Resources management where I was involved in major restructures, corporate and operational change management projects, people strategies, relationship building, employee engagement initiatives and learning and development programs.  I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Librarianship.

Recently, I decided that I wanted to contribute to the community and made a career change joining the Aged Care sector as a Community Support Worker.  In this new rewarding role, I am privileged to work with predominantly elderly Greeks in their homes so they can remain independent.  It is truly humbling to hear the many stories of their migrant journeys and the enduring family legacies they are leaving behind.

Most of my life has been dedicated to mentoring, guiding, developing, influencing and engaging people. I would like the opportunity to bring these skills to the Committee so we can further engage the different generations and continue to build an inclusive, contemporary club that will remain relevant and drive growth for future generations.  I strongly believe that people are the centre of all the decision making within the Club, supported by the appropriate governance structures. 

If I was elected, I would:

• Support the development of a modern, future pathway for all aspects of the IPS 
• Encourage greater member communication and engagement: i.e. quarterly meetings, workshops

• Review and strengthen the IPS website to be more accessible, contemporary and engaging
• Actively support and drive decision making that upholds the IPS constitution and purpose
• Further strengthen and embed governance frameworks within the IPS
• Develop strategies to engage and attract younger Ithacans to participate in the IPS
• Collaboratively work with the IHS towards a common vision

 

My strengths are my empathy and relationship building skills inherited from my mother Maria Dellas nee Kostos (Ag Sarandes) and capacity to get things done.  I am pragmatic and action orientated with a strong desire to bring a different set of skills and approach to the IPS. 

My contact details are: denise_dellas@hotmail.com

Penny Maroulis 

My name is Penny Maroulis, and I would like to introduce myself and seek your support in the upcoming election for the IPS Executive Committee.  

I have strong family ties to Ithaca from both parents.  I was born in Athens, and as a child spent much time in the villages of Ithaca, both in the north and south of the island.  I feel now is the right time to offer my skills and experience as part of the Executive Committee, to strengthen, grow and unite the Club, which means so much to us all.

I have extensive legal, corporate governance and executive management skills from over 25 years’ experience in law firms, government, and financial services.  Combined with my interest in history, I feel that I would be able to make a significant contribution to the Executive Committee. 

I hold a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and started my career in corporate law at Mallesons Stephen Jaques.  I have worked in law reform and legal policy at the Department of Justice and with Victoria Police, where I led a multi-disciplinary team developing corruption prevention initiatives.  I was then appointed as the Executive Advisor to the Chief Commissioner of Police.

I am a governance specialist with my current role being Company Secretary at BankVic (a mutual bank with over 120,000 members).  I advise the Board of Directors on all governance issues, including policy, regulation (ASIC), board composition, diversity, renewal, and constitutional reviews.

I have a special interest in Classical History and Archaeology (I hold a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Classics and Archaeology), an ideal complement to my other professional skills and experience.

My personal Ithacan family background:

• Peter Paxinos, former President and Honorary Life Member, is my uncle (my mother Spyridoula is Peter’s sister).
• My grandmother (Nancy Paxinos), served as Vice President of the IPS Ladies’ Auxiliary Committee in the 1940s.
• My father’s family is from Vathi – the Maroulis (Komieri) family and the Manolatos Family in Kannelata.

I would be honoured to have your support and trust in the upcoming election. I would use my skills and experience to unite members across all generations and drive initiatives to strengthen and enhance governance, member engagement and participation.  

Please feel free to contact me to share your thoughts on how we can shape a strong future for the IPS.

Penny Maroulis

Email: maroulispenny@gmail.com

Mobile: 0455 020 585

Peter Raftopoulos 

• IPS Events Committee (2016 - 2024).
• IHS Treasurer (2017 - 2021)
• IHS President (2021 - present)
• Not-For-Profit Board Director (2021 - present)

My family comes from Exoghi, Kollieri and Platrithia, and I enjoy returning to Ithaca regularly to maintain my connection. I have been an active member of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society for ten years, and for much of that time, I have served on the IPS Events Committee. I also helped create our Ithacan Immigration Museum exhibition, which was part of the IPS Centenary celebrations in 2016.

Since 2021, I have been President of the Ithacan Historical Society. Under my leadership, the IHS has strengthened its engagement with the Ithacan community in Melbourne by organising various events that appeal to diverse interests and showcase our work. I promote open days at the club to connect members in person, and during the pandemic lockdowns, I held sessions on Zoom. I also help organise popular cooking classes, lectures by historians and authors, and special film screenings to raise funds for preserving Ithaca's history.

The IHS has developed an international profile through its efforts to promote the history of Ithaca, primarily through our financial support for the historical archive in Vathy, which has exceeded $25,000 since 2022. Additionally, we have hosted community events in Ithaca and published several new books about Ithacan history.

Over the past year, my team has modernised the IHS by launching a new website that serves as a platform for sharing updates on research about Ithaca's history. We are currently working to make the IHS's extensive collection of photographs and oral history recordings accessible to our members through our website.

My team is also leading an initiative to establish a university fellowship focused on revitalising research activities related to Ithaca's archaeology.

I am eager to join the IPS Executive Committee to strengthen the relationship between the IPS and the IHS, ensuring that we work together harmoniously as a united, collaborative and vibrant Ithacan community.

As a board member of the IPS, I will bring over 30 years of experience from my professional role as a financial management advisor to senior management. 

I also bring experience as a board director of a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting public school education through both government and private funding. I strongly advocate access to education for people of all backgrounds and mentor university students from underrepresented backgrounds to help them transition successfully into their chosen professions.

Nick Varigos