The ACSYA Inc. Inaugural Event at Parliament of Victoria

Melbourne, 18 November 2022— The ACSYA Inc. held an inaugural event as well as a signing ceremony at the Parliament of Victoria in the city of Melbourne. This historic event, hosted at the Legislative Council Committee Room, was to further expand the organisation's programmes and services to support and benefit Assyrian-Australian communities in the state of Victoria.

The signing ceremony was presided over by Stella Kina, President, and Stephanie Basdekis, Vice President. Interstate expansion, according to a statement issued by Kina, has been part of the organisation’s decade-long vision for sustainable development in Australia.

Speaking at the event, Kina remarked “expansion into the state of Victoria has been the ACSYA Inc.’s vision since its inception; we are delighted to have achieved such a historic milestone”. Kina further stated, “today, we take a major stride toward a future where we— as an organisation —shall actively engage in dialogue and bridge our communities' voices across New South Wales and Victoria”.

Stephanie Basdekis, who has been tasked with the role of leading the organisation's Victoria division stated in her address: "we are always looking at ways to further expand our programs and services to support our people and the wider community". Basdekis remarked: "with Melbourne comprising the second largest population of Assyrians— Australia-wide —it was inevitably the most logical measure for the ACSYA Inc. to work towards launching a Victoria division".