SYDNEY: Following a successful tenure of five years as Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), Michael Kolokossian has moved into a role on the National Board of the peak public affairs body of the Armenian-Australian community, paving the way for a new structure in the organisation’s office.
Political Affairs Director, Sebastian Majarian – who served under Kolokossian for over two years – will be the most senior person in the revamped office, along with Administrative Assistant, Lara Ferhad, while the Board will advertise for additional hires to bolster the team.
The Board of the Armenian National Committee will be Chaired by former Executive Director, Vaché H. Kahramanian, while former Administrative Assistant, Sarine Soghomonian has taken on the role of Vice Chair. Soghomonian’s former colleague, Olivia Dilanchian completes the executive positions on the Board as Secretary.
Joining Kolokossian in Advisory positions on the Board are newcomer, Rev. Dr Krikor Youmshajekian, who also serves as the current Executive Director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council, as well as former Board members, Haig Kayserian, Khajaque Kortian, Gisele Kapterian, Tamara Kotoyan, Hratch Loussikian and Greg Soghomonian (Honorary Chair).
“We welcome the participation and contribution of Rev Youmshajekian, who is no stranger to our community and the causes for which the Armenian National Committee of Australia advocates on its behalf as a long-time leader of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Australia and the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia,” commented Kahramanian.
“We also welcome Sarine Soghomonian and Olivia Dilanchian to our revamped Board executive, and along with Michael Kolokossian, they represent a new generation who have served in our office and are prepared to provide support as we build for a new dawn of advocacy on behalf of the Armenian-Australian community,” Kahramian added.
Soghomonian said: “We are fortunate to ring in 2026 with an office graced by Sebastian Majarian and Lara Ferhad, and will look to add to their resources as we tackle Australian Government support for the release of Artsakh prisoners of war still held in Baku, as well as securing the right of return of Artsakh Armenians to their homes.”
“We will continue to advocate for Australia’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide and work alongside our community organisations in securing all their needs from those in public office,” Soghomonian added.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) held their annual planning day earlier this month, which also included guest, Kaylar Michaelian – the permanent representative of the Republic of Artsakh in Australia, who will work with the organisation on initiatives to prevent further injustice to the native Armenians ethnically cleansed from their millennia-old homes. Michaelian and the ANC-AU will come forth with further announcements on how the Australian Friends of Artsakh Network will lead efforts to bring light to and prevent the campaign of cultural and religious erasure being embarked upon by the genocidal regime of Azerbaijan.
