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The Assassination of Kapodistrias in 1831
Seminar Date: Thurs 17 Sept 2026 @ 7pm Melbourne
Location: Level 12, The Greek Centre, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Presenter: Jonathan Zervis Language of Presentation: English
Entry: FREE |
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Abstract
Count Ioannis Kapodistrias was one of the most distinguished politicians and diplomats of the 19th century. As the first Governor of Greece, from his election by the Third National Assembly of Troizina in 1828 until his assassination in Nafplio in 1831, he is widely recognised as the founder of the modern Greek state, an ardent reformist, and an architect of its independence. This presentation contends that had the foundational reforms of Kapodistrias been firmly established at statehood, Greece would have displayed far greater institutional leadership and economic resilience today. His assassination by members of the Mavromichalis family, one of the most prominent landowning clans of Greece, immediately halted these reform initiatives. Tragically, the subsequent appeasement of the very landowning elites that Kapodistrias challenged, alongside the calculated promotion of factionalism and the preservation of patronage networks, deeply entrenched itself in Greek politics. It is this shift that fundamentally altered the political trajectory of the Hellenic State and its successor.
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About Jonathan Zervis
Jonathan is a political scientist by academic background, holding a Master’s degree in Politics and Public Policy from Macquarie University. He currently serves as a Councillor of the Greek Orthodox Community (GOC) of St George Brisbane QLD and a Board Member of GOC St George Aged Care & Disability Services. Previously, he was a Main Committee Member for the Greek Orthodox Community of the Gold Coast QLD and taught at the St Anna Greek Ethnic School. Complementing his academic foundation, he brings extensive experience to the community services sector, where he has held diverse roles spanning frontline client support, team leadership, and workplace health and safety management.
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Join us at The Greek Centre
This is an in-person only event, join us on Level 12, at The Greek Centre. Join our speaker at The Greek Centre, submit questions during the Q&A, and enjoy conversing after the presentation. We look forward to seeing you at The Greek Centre.
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Sponsors
This seminar is sponsored by Efi Gounaris.
During the course of the year considerable expenses are incurred in staging the seminars. In order to mitigate these costs individuals or organisations are invited to donate against a lecture of their choice. You too can donate for one or more seminars and (optionally) let your name or brand be known as a patron of culture to our members, visitors and followers, as well as the broader artistic and cultural community of Melbourne. Please email: info@greekcommunity.com.au or call 03 9662 2722. We thank the following corporate sponsors:
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See the Full 2026 Seminar Schedule
The Greek History and Culture Seminars are organised and hosted by The Greek Community of Melbourne and provide the opportunity for everyone to experience the long and fascinating history of Greece and Greek culture in its various forms and stages, aspects of which have formed the foundation of Western civilisation.
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The Greek Community of Melbourne is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Non-Profits Commission ABN 14004258360
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