Bill Papastergiadis is a highly accomplished lawyer and a leader of a number of peak sporting and community organisations. Bill is the Managing Partner of Moray & Agnew Lawyers, Melbourne. This preeminent law firm has over 650 employees nationally and is one of the top 15 largest firms in Australia. Under Bill’s stewardship, Moray & Agnew’s Melbourne office was rated as the fastest growing law firm in Victoria for a number of years. Bill has been ranked in Australia and Asia as one of the top 10 lawyers by the Australasian Legal Business Review and has been consistently ranked in the top 40 lawyers in Australia and Asia for a number of years. In 2017, he was awarded a High Achiever’s Award for his work in Australia Asia Engagement by the prestigious Asian magazine, The Asian Executive. Notwithstanding his successful career as a lawyer, for decades Bill has worked tirelessly in a multitude of leadership roles. Bill has been the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne & Victoria since January 2008. Under his Presidency, the iconic Greek Cultural Centre Tower (15 levels in central Melbourne) was constructed, with significant private fundraising. Bill was instrumental in initiating and obtaining substantial Victorian Government and Federal Government grants for the project. Some initiatives under his presidency include a revamped Greek Lonsdale Street Festival (that welcomes more than 150,000 visitors over one weekend), a reenergised Greek Film Festival, an expanded Greek education program now including 16 schools, Greek comedy programs, Greek music programs and Greek theatre programs. Under Bill’s leadership, the Greek Community of Melbourne has arguably become the leading Greek Organisation in the Global Greek Diaspora, offering services for all Greeks as well as for the wider Australian community. In his capacity as President, Bill regularly represents Victorian and Australian Greek interests in the political arena, frequently meeting with senior Government officials on matters involving the Greek Community relevant to policy, advocacy, funding of initiatives and bilateral Government Agreements. These have included the last 5 Australian Prime Ministers, Prime Ministers Tsipras and Mitsotakis of Greece, President Pavlopoulos of Greece and His Royal Highness Prince Charles. He addressed the Parliament of Greece on the role of the diaspora in Australia, and was invited to present at the Greece International Tourism Conference. Bill has assisted in the ratification of the Agreement between Greece and Australia in relation to Tourist Working Visas. Bill is currently working with both Governments on the ratification of a Double Taxation Agreement and a Bilateral Health Agreement. Bill was appointed by the Government as the Chair of the Community Advisory Group of “Open Horizons: Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections exhibition”. This is the first collaboration between Museums Victoria and the National Archaeological Museum, featuring some of the most significant objects from the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Bill is a Director of The Hellenic Initiative, and has been so since its inception in Australia – facilitating the generosity of the Greek diaspora in Australia to support initiatives that enhance the lives of the people of Greece. THI has donated millions of dollars to charities in Greece. Bill is also the Chairman of the South Melbourne Football Club, which was awarded by FIFA as the Oceania Club of the Century, alongside Real Madrid which was awarded European Club of the Century. Bill negotiated the Lakeside Stadium tenancy deal with the Victorian Government for the Club. The value of the stadium exceeds $150 million. Bill was Chairman of the Board of Alphington Grammar School for a number of years. He has remained a Board member for over 14 years. It is a leading Melbourne school established by the Greek Community of Melbourne. Bill has also been appointed to the Melbourne University Humanities Foundation Board. Melbourne University has been consistantly ranked as the leading University in Australia and in the top 30 Universities globally. Recently Bill has been appointed by the Government as a new Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission. This is a Statutory Body that acts as the main link between communities and the Government providing advise and strategy. In 2019, Bill was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to the Greek Community. The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.