ARS GLOBAL

The Armenian Relief Society, Inc. is the oldest Armenian women's organization, established in 1910 in New York City. Since its foundation, the ARS, Inc. has provided educational and humanitarian assistance to Armenians everywhere. Today, the ARS, Inc. has entities in 24 countries where members of the Society contribute to their communities and the larger world for the betterment of all humankind.

The ARS, Inc.'s programs include building, operating, and subsidising Armenian language schools, community centers, and nursery schools; sponsoring orphans and orphan meal programs in Armenia and Artsakh; granting scholarships to deserving and outstanding students; building a long-need community infrastructure in Javakhk, Georgia, and providing critical maternal care and general health services to the Gyumri, Armenia region which was struck by a devastating earthquake in 1988. This is just a small sample of our outreach and social relief efforts around the world.

The ARS, Inc. also collaborates with international humanitarian and government organizations, such as USAID, World Health Organisation, World Council of Churches, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and various Red Cross affiliates. The ARS, Inc. is proud to be a roster member of the United Nations' Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC) and is an active participant in ECOSOC's many working groups.

ARS AUSTRALIA

The Armenian Relief Society of Australia was founded in 1965, with a handful of ladies who had migrated from different parts of the globe.

Having been daughters of 'Homuhis' (ARS members), they had seen the need to establish the same in Australia, and on August 22, 1965 the first committee was formed in Sydney for the founding 'Sosseh' chapter:

Chairperson
Isgouhi Momjian

Secretary
Mary Nercessian

Treasurer
Azadouhi Aposhian

Vice-chairperson
Azniv Loussikian   

Vice-secretary
Ovsanna Proudian

Advisory
Anjel Darakjian

Advisory
Arpine Arsenian

Having grown substantially and very rapidly, it soon became an organisation with three chapters expanding to Sydney's West, where the 'Arax' chapter was formed in Fairfield in 1979 with over 50 members. This was closely followed by interstate expansion in Victoria, with the formation of the 'Nayiri' chapter in Melbourne in 1982.

Today, the Armenian Relief Society in Australia has over 310 members and has accomplished to build a very reputable name for itself as a community-based organisation, which aims to assist in the needs of Armenians and the greater Australian public.

Current Committees

Regional Executive Board

Suzy Sarafian - President
Sirvart Shirinian - Secretary
Lucy Pampalian - Treasurer
Gina Mazloumian -Vice-President
Mary Deukmedjian - Vice-Secretary
Annie Setrakian - Representative "Arax" Chapter (Fairfield)
Kalousd Ipradjian - Representative "Nayiri" Chapter (Melbourne)

Sosseh Chapter - Sydney

Rita Keosseian - President
Elizabeth Sarian - Vice-President
Osan Deukmadjian - Secretary
Roza Nazloumian - Treasurer
Hilda Dilanchian - Advisory

Arax Chapter - Fairfield

Alice Tachjian - President
Ovsanna Zoboyan -Vice-President
Eugenie Nahas - Secretary
Maggy Badelian - Treasurer
Lena Vartanian - Advisory
Lily Bedrossian - Advisory

Araz Chapter - Ryde

Arshik Bedrossian - President
Nina Kaprielian - Vice-President
Sona Zeitounian - Secretary
Sossy Gharibian - Treasurer
Mary Eurdekian - Vice-Treasurer

Nayiri Chapter -Melbourne

Vanouhi Mardirossian - President
Ara Hovivian - Secretary
Seta Demirjian - Treasurer
Sona Mengolian - Advisory

Ongoing Benefectors

Mr. & Mrs. Haroutun & Dzovig Matheossian
Miss. Serpouhi Sona Matheossian
Jim & Artemis Tzakos
Mrs. Ossanna Karamanian & Family