SYDNEY: Over 150 guests gathered at Sydney's Blackbird in Cockle Bay for the Armenian Professional Network’s (APN) final event for 2019, which featured an #APNTALKS keynote address by New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The APN – an initiative of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) – has the goal of connecting Armenian professionals across Australia, and this was definitely achieved during this vibrant networking event.

Legendary Melbourne-based newsman George Donikian – himself an Armenian-Australian – was in town to MC the event and his glowing introduction paved the way for Premier Berejiklian to deliver her remarks.

She took the gathered on her journey, which started as a member of several Armenian-Australian organisations, to her public school education, to her time in youth politics, to when she advised the former Opposition Leader of NSW, to her days working in banking, before returning to politics to win the seat of Willoughby, become a Minister in government, the Treasurer of Australia’s largest state, then that state’s first elected female Premier.



Premier Berejiklian was generous with her time in answering an array of questions from the professionals, who asked about her journey, but also prodded on issues of policy and her thoughts on Armenia, Armenian Genocide recognition and the Republic of Artsakh.

Premier Berejiklian was full of praise for the APN initiative, saying networks such as this will provide an important platform for professional development.

Following the Premier’s contribution, the Armenian Professional Network revealed in a major announcement that it has now created three Forums to connect Armenian-Australians in some of the predominant industries of professionals who have attended APN events. These include:

1. The APN Law Forum – for legal professionals, including lawyers, legal assistants, paralegals, law clerks and law students

APN Committee Coordinators: Jacqueline Chelebian and Alexia Ereboni Yazdani / Group Link

2. The APN Property & Allied Services Forum – for professionals in the property and allied building, realty and construction services

APN Committee Coordinator: Sarah Panosian / Group Link

3. The APN Medical & Allied Health Forum – for all health and medical practitioners including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, psychiatrists, and psychologists, just to name a few

APN Committee Coordinators: Gamer Verdian and Kareen Mekertichian / Group Link

The APN Committee’s Sarah Panosian said: “The intention is to have the Forums run events and initiatives – alongside the APN’S major events during the year – which are targeted towards the specific interests of professionals in those industries. The Forums also have closed Facebook groups to encourage online communication.”

To be a member of a Forum, please contact the APN Committee Coordinators listed in the above list or send a request to join at one of the group links.

“It is the APN’s intention to create additional Forums to reflect the other industries and trades of our Armenian-Australian professionals. To assist us in identifying those other trades and industries, please register your profile on our APN database at https://apn.anc.org.au/,” Panossian added.

This event was the APN’s second major networking event for 2019, and was free for attendees courtesy of a number of sponsors, including Platinum Sponsors: Hero Finance and HYECORP Property Group.



Additionally, the event's Gold Sponsors included digiDIRECT, Spruson & Ferguson, Mercedes Benz North Shore, Service Heroes, Spectrum Camera House, Kids Chompers, Dental Lounge, Bee Wave, Deejay Humbo, Donikian Media, Blackbird Cafe, Photography by Berj and Storyfirst Films, while Bank of Sydney was a Silver Sponsor.

"We would like to extend major appreciation to all our dedicated sponsors, who continue to support the mission and work of the APN,” said APN Committee Chair, Dr. Vik Kortian.

“It is our hope that more people and sponsors will become motivated to be involved with such a growing and significant event within the Armenian-Australian community”.

The event concluded with ANC-AU Executive Director, Haig Kayserian thanking Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Mr. George Donikian, the APN Committee and the event sponsors on the success of their final major event for 2019.

For photos from the APN Launch Party, please click here.