Celebrating the achievements of the Hellenic Australian business and professional community since 1987
For nearly four decades now, the HACCI Excellence Awards acknowledge excellence in business, leadership, philanthropy, innovation, science, arts and culture, sport, and community service; they have been embraced by the Hellenic community as an important celebration of exceptional Greek Australians, and a recognition of their work and achievements.
Join us for the most prestigious annual event in the Hellenic Australian social calendar. On Friday 14 November, we are gathering at the Plaza Ballroom to celebrate the best and brightest among us. More than an awards ceremony, the 39th Annual HACCI Excellence Awards Gala Ball is a night filled with top-class entertainment, music and dancing, an opulent three-course menu, premium Greek wines, delectable desserts, and black-tie glamour. Don't miss out!
Book Now
The 2024 HACCI Excellence Award winners (L-R): John Konstantopoulos, Anastasia Darras AM, Prof Jonathan Carapetis AM, Mike Zafiropoulos AM, Martha Oplopiadis, James Stevens, Jane Aslanidis, Andrew Paschalidis
The achievements of Greek-Australian professionals, business leaders, and community figures were celebrated at the annual HACCI Excellence Awards Gala at Melbourne’s Plaza Ballroom on On Friday 15 November 2024.
The prestigious event, a highlight in the Hellenic Australian social calendar, featured a night of music, dancing, and fine dining as the community came together to honour this year’s standout achievers.
MC Zoy Frangos, a celebrated figure in musical theatre, showcased his charisma throughout the night, weaving songs into his presentation. He also made a special mention to his dual heritage, highlighting his Greek and Indigenous Australian roots with pride and setting the stage for an evening of high achievements and heartfelt stories.
The awards were presented by HACCI Board Members Vicky Alexiou and Helen Kapalos. Flowers Vasette created the spectacular flower arrangements given to the Award winners, and Melvourni coffee set up a Greek coffee station, brewing the signature hot beverage at the end of the opulent, three-course meal.
The gala was also a feast for the senses, featuring performances that ranged from Evangeline Victoria’s soul-stirring violin solos to Elisa Colla’s soaring soprano, each act adding layers of Greek cultural heritage to the evening.
A very special moment came with the presence of the Psaltries Choir of Melbourne, whose byzantine hymns filled the room with emotion.
As the night drew to a close with a vibe of Greek dance party, courtesy of DJ Vath featuring Steve Gold on the bouzouki, the awards left attendees inspired, reflecting on the community’s vibrant contributions to Australia’s multicultural mosaic.
Photo Gallery
Bank of Sydney Business Excellence Award
Professional Excellence Award, presented by BDO
Innovation Award, presented by Directed Technologies
Woman of Influence Award, presented by SalaryMasters
Community Service Award, presented by PRONIA
Sport Award, presented by Heidelberg United FC
Chris Saristavros Young Achiever Award
Spiro Stamoulis Lifetime Achievement Award
The 2023 HACCI Excellence Award winners (L-R): Chris Nikou, Pelagia Markogiannaki, Dina Amanatides, Adrian Sapountzis Spencer, Kyriakos Amanatides, Dina Petrakis, Dean Kotsianis, and Yiota Tassios.
The Hellenic Australian professional and business community gathered at the Melbourne Town Hall on Friday 17 November for the 2023 HACCI Excellence Awards ceremony.
The iconic building opened its doors to welcome the HACCI Award recipients, along with some of Melbourne’s most prominent Greek Australians and members of the broader community.
Close to 350 people gathered at the Town Hall's Main room, which is adorned with Hellenic themed murals, to honour the 2023 HACCI Excellence Award winners, and enjoy a night of music and dance, in true ‘Greek-style’ celebration, including an opulent three-course meal, premium Greek wines, and delectable desserts.
One of Melbourne’s most famous and beloved television personalities, Peter Hitchener OAM, who recently celebrated 50 years as a news anchor, served as Master of Ceremonies, while HACCI Board members Vicky Alexiou and Peter Giasoumi presented the Awards to the recipients.
The 2023 HACCI Excellence Award Winners
The 2022 HACCI Award Winners (L-R): Christos Papadimitriou; Paul Zaparas; Stella Avramopoulos; George Papadopoulos; Effy Alexakis; Dimitrios Salampasis; Harley Moraitis; Angelo Candalepas.
HACCI celebrated the best and brightest of the Hellenic-Australian community for the 36th year in a row on Friday 11 November at the Plaza Ballroom.
The night marked the return of the celebrated annual HACCI Gala Ball, one of the most glamorous events in the Hellenic Australian social media calendar, after two years of hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions.
More than 400 people gathered to honour the 2022 HACCI Excellence Award winners, and enjoy a night of true Greek-style celebration.
Acclaimed actor, director, writer, producer and lecturer Tony Nikolakopoulos was the Master of Ceremonies, while HACCI Board members Vicky Alexiou and Demi Markogiannaki presented the Awards to the recipients.
The event’s entertainment was centered around ‘200 years of Greek music’, a nod to the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution for Independence.
The 2022 HACCI Excellence Award Winners
The 2021 HACCI Award Winners (L-R): Matt Staios, John and Jim Marinopoulos, Zoe Alexiades, Gina Poulos, Fotios Tsiouklas, Con Giannellis.
The 2021 HACCI Excellence Award winners were honoured on Thursday 17 February 2022. The intimate gathering took place at the Botanical Hotel, where HACCI board members welcomed the award recipients and the award partners. The 2021 HACCI Excellence Awards recipients had been announced online in November, through a series of social media posts, but the ease of COVID-related restrictions allowed for this special event.
The 2021 HACCI Excellence Award Winners
HACCI celebrated the best and brightest of the Hellenic-Australian community for the 34th consecutive year on 20 November 2020 night, in its first-ever digital awards ceremony.
The annual event is one of the staples of the Greek Australian social calendar, an opportunity to celebrate excellence, to acknowledge contribution, to applaud innovation, business acumen and the significance of entrepreneurship as an integral factor and a binding element of our community.
However, due to COVID-19 Restrictions, the HACCI Excellence Awards Gala Ball had to be postponed, giving way to the live screened event, screened to thousands of viewers across the globe.
Returning to the role of MC, acclaimed comedian Mary Coustas guided attendees through the event, while an array of esteemed Greek-Australian community leaders presented the Awards.
Coustas was not alone in her task – she was joined by her larger-than-life alter ego – Effie Stephanides, who added a perfectly timed comic relief to the event, challenging HACCI Chair Fotini Kypraios for the organisation’s leadership – and flirting with singer-songwriter Foivos Delivorias, who serenaded her from Athens.
The HACCI Awards 2020 Winners:
