Struggle has been a constant companion of the migrant experience. Alphington Grammar School, now one of Victoria’s leading educational institutions, stands as a testament to the perseverance, vision, and dedication of its founders. But the journey to this point was far from easy.
As 94-year-old Leonidas Argyropoulos reflected while touring the school, “The difficulties we encountered in starting this school were clearly worth it, given its academic successes, community feel, and infrastructure transformation. I feel proud of what the school has become — and equally proud to have been part of the team that, 36 years ago, saw the need for this school. There was significant opposition at the time, but we persisted with our vision and made it happen.”
Recently, the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) honoured some of the key individuals behind the school’s founding with a special presentation acknowledging their initiative and commitment. While not all the key figures could attend — and some are sadly no longer with us — their legacy lived on through their children, who were present to receive commemorative plaques.
Honourees included:
- Savvas Papasavas, represented by his son Lazaros Papasavas
- Peter Katsimandakos, represented by his son Steve Katsimandakos
- Stylianos Koukouvitakis, represented by his son Nick Koukouvitakis
- Leon Argyropoulos, present in person
- George Fountas, who was unable to attend
In attendance were the current and recent chairs of Alphington Grammar being Bill Papastergiadis OAM, Michael Karamitos, and Nick Koukouvitakis, and Dr Vivianne Nikou, Principal of Alphington Grammar School.
Each founding family received a commemorative plaque — a small but meaningful token acknowledging their years of service and the legacy they helped build.
Reflections from the founders and their families:
Leonidas Argyropoulos shared:
“We began with a modest vision and great determination. Against all odds — financial, political, and internal — we laid the foundations for a school that today stands as a proud testament to our heritage. I personally invested in scholarships to ensure access for all, because education is the cornerstone of community.
“It wasn’t easy. Some people within our own ranks tried to stop us. There was real resistance. But I believed in this school we had a dream to bring to fruition. We pushed forward. And now, look at it. The school is thriving. We’re on our way to 1,000 students. This is more than a school — it’s a living legacy of our culture, language, and religion. That’s what it means to be Greek. And that’s what we’ve built here — together.”
Lazaros Papasavas, speaking on behalf of his father, said:
“For my father, the school was a legacy. Education meant more than learning — it was a link to identity, language, and history. He and the other founders were ahead of their time in recognising that a school could serve as a cultural anchor for our community. I remember how he spoke about the need to preserve the Greek soul through the education of our children. To him, the school was a sanctuary of values, a place where the next generation could learn who we are, where we come from, and what it means to be Greek in Australia.
“Along with the other founders, he was ahead of his time. They understood early on that our community needed more than national celebrations and cultural festivals. It needed a steady beacon — a school — that would serve as a cultural anchor. It wasn’t easy. There were challenges, disagreements, even doubts. But he never saw this as something temporary. He saw it as a lifelong mission, as an institution that would stand the test of time. And today, when I see the children speaking Greek, dancing traditional dances, and singing with pride, I know his vision became reality. This school is living proof that the Greek heart continues to beat strong — right here, in Melbourne.
Steve Katsimandakos recalled:
“It was always a team effort for my parents. They were in this together — with emotion, with passion, and with a sense of duty to the community. I remember the long nights around the kitchen table, the discussions, sometimes heated, always full of purpose. There was frustration, of course — financial challenges, pushback from some quarters, the constant pressure of building something from nothing. But what stands out the most is the unwavering belief. My father never wavered. Not once. He believed, deeply, that what they were doing mattered — that they were building more than just a school. They were building a future for generations to come, a space where Greek language and culture could live on in the hearts of our children.
To him, the school was a promise. A promise that we would not forget who we are. That we would not let go of our heritage. That our children would grow up with pride in their roots. And seeing what it has become today, I know they were right to believe.”
Stylianos Koukouvitakis, added:
“We need to remember that there was considerable backlash from some board members at the time. To increase their chances of success, the founders went so far as to propose buying the school themselves on behalf of the community and acting as guarantors — until such time that the community could take it off their hands.”
Leadership reflections:
Principal Dr Vivianne Nikou spoke about the significance of the occasion:
“Today’s ceremony gave us the opportunity to reflect on and honour the bold vision of our founding forefathers. Since opening our doors, we have educated multiple generations of Greek Australians and Philhellenes. The school has exceeded the expectations of the early years — a remarkable example of what determination and the Hellenic spirit can achieve.”
Michael Karamitos, Current School Chair stated:
“It was a true honour to thank the founding members of AGS. These individuals had the vision and commitment 35 years ago to acquire the school and lay the foundations for future generations to receive a quality education while promoting our culture and language. Their legacy will continue onwards.”
GCM President Bill Papastergiadis OAM offered a wider perspective:
“When starting a school from scratch, having a clear and compelling vision is critical. The GCM Board of the late 1980s understood that Alphington Grammar was more than just an educational institution — it was a means to empower a growing community and nurture global citizens grounded in Hellenic values. These early board members, all volunteers, faced daunting challenges: sourcing land, funding, staffing, and gaining community trust. Despite the odds, they stayed true to their vision and adapted to the evolving educational landscape. Today, Alphington Grammar is a respected, multicultural institution — a result of their tireless efforts and leadership. We must acknowledge this legacy to fully understand our place in Australia.”
The event served not only as a celebration of the past, but as a powerful reminder of Alphington Grammar School’s enduring mission: to nurture excellence in education while preserving and promoting Hellenic values and identity.
