19/09/2025
My migration had a great influence on what I became…”
Vivi Koutsounadis Germanos, 1943 -2025
It is with great sadness that our organisation announces the passing of one of our founding members and former Executive Director Vivi Koutsounadis-Germanos.
Vivi was born in Chios in 1943 and emigrated with her family to Australia in 1954, growing up in her parent’s milkbar on Regent Street in Redfern. It was there that she formed a strong relationship with both the local Indigenous Australian community and migrant communities in Sydney. The injustices she witnessed and the challenges she saw both communities face, shaped her beliefs and values and led her to pursue study in psychology and counselling and eventually a long career in welfare and social justice.
Vivi was a Founder of the Ethnic Childcare, Family and Community Services Cooperative, now known as Ethnic Community Services. She also served as the Executive Director of ECCFCSC from 1979 to 2017.
She helped establish the Ethnic Child Development Unit which began with research into latchkey children and saw the first funding of $73,000 (recurrent grant) from the then Department of Childcare. The legacy of this project is the Bicultural Support Program, a UNESCO-recognised Best Practice model for Early Childhood Education and Care that continues to provide support to multicultural children and families, including those from humanitarian backgrounds, almost 50 years later. Bicultural Support Program
The work of the ECCFCSC also paved the way for the establishment of the Addison Road Community Childcare Centre in 1988, formally opened by then Prime Minister of Australia Bob Hawke. Vivi also served as the President of the Addison Road Community Centre for many years. A road at the Addi Road Centre has been named after her. Addi Road Community Organisation
Vivi also helped found the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) in 1995 and served as Chairperson for many decades. Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW
She was awarded the Human Rights Medal in 1998 for recognition of her three decades of advocacy and community work across a broad range of social welfare areas. “Her work also included Aboriginal welfare, childcare, women's issues, aged care and disability issues. A strong advocate of equal rights, Vivi has worked at both a grass roots and policy level of many community-based organisations; lobbying for resources and funding on behalf of disadvantaged groups.”
In 2002, she went to the United Nations, where she lobbied the high commissioner of refugees about the need to tackle the problems experienced by children in detention. Vivi received the Officer of Order of Australia in 2008 for her contribution to social justice issues.
Despite retiring in 2017, Vivi continued to advocate for the most disadvantaged and marginalized members of Australian society. She continued to serve the community in various roles and capacities.
She was a great mentor and friend to many, her legacy will continue to inspire our organisation in our work and advocacy for multicultural children, families and communities into the future.
Our sincerest condolences to Vivi's family and friends, Vale Vivi!
