Constantine Malanos
Submitted by: Eleni Malanos
Read Constantine Malanos' life story in the High Achievers section of the site
Date of birth: ---
Place of birth: Mackay Queensland Australia
Date of death: 07.09.2005
Died in: Sydney New South Wales Australia
profession: Retired Lecturer
education: Degree in Applied Science in Industrial Chemistry, Master of Science degree in Mathematics
religion: Greek Orthodox
life story:
Constantine Malanos OAM
In the Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 13 June 2005 Constantine Malanos (72 year old Kytherian) was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) with the citation “For service to the Greek Community in Australia particularly through St Basil’s Homes for the Aged and the Australian Hellenic Education Progressive Association, and to education”.
This prestigious award formally acknowledged this outstanding contribution to the Greek Community particularly for his leadership on the Board of Directors of St Basil’s Homes and in AHEPA, and to his distinguished academic career.
Born in Mackay, Queensland, Mr Malanos’ potential for an academic future was evident through his exceptional school reports, culminating in his being placed 10th in the State in the final year examinations at High School (equivalent to the HSC in NSW). As a result he was awarded an Open Scholarship to the University of Queensland where he graduated with the Degree in Applied Science in Industrial Chemistry.
In 1957 he was recruited by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company in Sydney to apply the (then) new methodology of operations research to the Company’s entire range of activities (sugar, chemicals, building materials, minerals). Mr Malanos formally defines operations research as “the application of the methods of science to complex problems arising in the direction and management of large systems of people, machines, material and money in industry, business, government and defence”. Because this often involved advanced mathematical modelling he studied further and achieved a Master of Science degree in Mathematics at the University of NSW. He realised there was need to train future graduates in this field and in 1969 he was appointed Lecturer in Mathematics at the NSW Institute of Technology (later to become the University of Technology, Sydney). He was soon promoted to Senior Lecturer in Mathematics and retained that position at UTS until his retirement in 1993, during which time he was appointed Director of Graduate Studies in Operations Research in the School of Mathematical Sciences, and Head of Department of Operations Research in the Faculty of Mathematical and Computing Sciences. He played a pivotal role in the development of the Australian Society for Operations Research (ASOR) and was elected by his professional and academic peers as the National President of ASOR 1991-1993.
Mr Malanos is well known for his major contributions to the Greek Community. For over 40 years he has been a member of the Australian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) supporting many fund raising activities particularly in medical research for Thalassaemia and Diabetes. He held many senior positions in AHEPA including 5 years as Supreme Treasurer, 2 years Grand President NSW, 7 years Grand Secretary NSW and 11 years Secretary to his Sydney Chapter Diogenes.
His major contribution to the Greek Community has been in the care of the frail and aged through St Basil’s Homes where he has been a member of the Charity since 1975. He was elected a Director in 1980-1981, Treasurer in 1982, Vice Chairman 1983-1985 and Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1985 to the present (some 20years). St Basil’s now cares for over 380 frail aged through its various facilities, and this number will increase to over 500 when the current development of Hellenic Village, a 100 Bed ageing-in-place facility together with 40 independent living apartments for people over 65 is completed by May/June 2006 at Miranda.
In addition to an outstanding academic career and exceptional service to the Greek Community, Mr Malanos has had an enviable family life with his wife Nina. All five of their sons are University graduates and Con and Nina are also the proud grandparents of four girls and four boys. Con is particularly appreciative of the continued support of his dear wife Nina and his five sons. Con and Nina celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on June 29.
Constantine Malanos, High Achiever
