My parents, who were Greek migrants to Australia, taught me the value of hard work, resilience and optimism. They made the journey to Australia after World War Two and the civil war in Greece, seeking a better life.

Unable to work in his profession, my father opened a corner store and worked very, very long hours in the business that he ran with my mother, while making sure us kids had access to great educational opportunities, music and dancing lessons, Greek school and lots of picnics and family events.

As a child, I saw firsthand their resilience and optimism, the support they had from the surrounding Greek community and the support they in turn gave others as passionate and active leaders in the community. I also witnessed the power of the sisterhood – how women in the extended family and community supported each other.

Those early experiences have helped me forge a successful career in the community sector, as a champion of migrants and refugees, women, and other vulnerable people. I am very proud of my dual Greek-Australian heritage.