The Greek Conference 2004, which took place in Crete at
the end of May 2004, was an outstanding success, said its Chairman,
Melbourne lawyer, Eugenia Mitrakas.
Australian Ambassador to
Greece, His Excellency Stuart Hume (left), with Conference Chairman,
Eugenia Mitrakas and Nobel Prize winner, Peter Doherty.
With delegates and participants from many countries, the Conference
was launched by the Australian Ambassador to Greece, His Excellency
Stuart Hume and debated issues of ethics, etiquette and culture
in the context today's professional responsibilities.
Federal Court Judge, Graham
Hill (left) with Conference Chairman, Eugenia Mitrakas.
"We had highlight speakers from Greece, Australia, USA,
Canada and New Zealand", said Miss Mitrakas. She continued
that there were "many outstanding presentations, including
contributions from the 1996 co-winner of the Nobel Prize, Professor
Peter Doherty, Professor Ed Dauer from the University of Miami,
Dr Kostas Pantos, formerly from Melbourne, but now an IVF expert
in Europe, Judge Konstantinos Vardavakis of the Supreme Court
of Greece (Arios Pagos) and leading coronary surgeon, Professor
Jim Tatoulis.
Professor David Wexler,
University of Arizona (left), with Conference Chairman, Eugenia
Mitrakas.
In addition, Professor Spyros Marketos from the University of
Athens, led a segment considering the Hippocratic Oath and its
applicability and relevance today, the panel including Melbourne
doctor, Anthony Lolatgis.
"There were a lot of very significant issues to be addressed
and they were covered in depth", said Miss Mitrakas. "As
a matter of policy, we ensured all presentations strictly related
to the Conference's theme, with sufficient time for debate". |
|
The Conference was organized by the Association of Greek and
Affiliated Panhellenic Interests (a not-for-profit charity) in
conjunction with organizations based in Athens and with the support
of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
Miss Mitrakas said that many of the participants were also able
to attend the 63rd commemoration of the Battle of Crete. She said
many were present at the official ceremonies at the Australian
Memorial in Rethymnon and at the Commonwealth War Cemetery at
Suda Bay, as well as visiting the Monastery at Prevelli.
Apart from the professional program, the Conference contained
relevant and themed cultural segments, with the final evening
including a performance by the Heraklion based Xylouris Group,
under George Xylouris. "I was at their charity concert in
Melbourne a few months ago and as soon as I heard them, I knew
that they would be perfect for the evening", said Miss Mitrakas.
In addition, the Municipality of Rethymnon, through their Cultural
Director, George Drygianakis and in conjunction with the Conference's
Tassos Ioannides, organized a concert of classical and contemporary
Greek music featuring Melbourne-born concert violinist Ioannis
Lambos and the Rethymnon Choir.
The concert, held at the Odeum Neratzes Minaret in the Old Town,
for the Conference's delegates, was according to Miss Mitrakas
a memorable performance.
Miss Mitrakas reported that the Conference had returned an operating
surplus, which would be donated later this year to charity. "The
principal beneficiary of the 2004 Conference will be medical research
being undertaken into thalassaemia by the Cell & Gene Therapy
Unit at the Royal Children's Hospital", she said. |
