City’s only Greek councillor overlooked as Greek representative

City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas has demanded an apology from Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore for sending Greens Councillor Irene Doutney as her representative to the 2013 Greek Festival of Sydney, held at Darling Harbour last month.

Ms Vithoulkas, the daughter of two Greek immigrants, has accused the Lord Mayor of playing politics with the Greek community, opining that as the only councillor of Greek heritage, she was the obvious choice to represent the City if the Lord Mayor could not attend.

In a letter seen by City News, dated March 19, Ms Vithoulkas demanded to know why Ms Doutney was sent as the City’s representative.

“On Sunday 17 March 2013, I attended the official launch of the 31st Greek Festival held at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour at the invitation of the Greek Orthodox Community,” wrote Ms Vithoulkas.

“You invited Cr Doutney to represent you [and] the City, and give a speech on your behalf.

“As the first Greek-Australian woman to be elected to the City of Sydney, I am disappointed that you chose to ask Cr Doutney to represent the City of Sydney, rather than me.”

Ms Vithoulkas, who speaks fluent Greek, said the situation would be analogous to the Lord Mayor sending someone other than Councillor Robert Kok to represent the City at Chinese events.

Mr Kok is a Malaysian-born Australian of Chinese descent who regularly represents the City of Sydney at Chinese community functions. He currently chairs the City’s Chinese New Year Festival advisory group.

“It is appropriate that Cr Kok has represented you and the City at many Chinese functions; in fact it would be ludicrous to imagine that Cr Kok would not represent you or the City at a Chinese function, yet the only councillor of Greek heritage was passed over for this event,” wrote Ms Vithoulkas.

Ms Moore had reportedly failed to reply to Ms Vithoulkas’ letter by press time but a spokesperson for the Lord Mayor said that in a diverse city like Sydney, councillors could – and do – represent a multitude of communities.

“We live in an inclusive city and councillors represent all groups,” said the spokesperson.

“The Lord Mayor has asked a number of different councillors to represent her at various Chinese events.

“The Lord Mayor was unable to attend the [Greek Festival] but speaks often about her admiration for the Greek community in Sydney and the fact that it was Greek women in Redfern who first encouraged her to run for politics.”

Ms Doutney, meanwhile, apologised for any offence caused to Ms Vithoulkas or the Greek community.

“I’m sorry if I offended anyone,” she told City News.

“I must admit I felt uncomfortable at the event when I discovered Cr Vithoulkas wasn’t on the acknowledgement list – that’s why I acknowledged her in my speech.”