Greek-Australian Cultural League announces winners of its 2025 Literary Competition

The Greek-Australian Cultural League (GACL) has announced the results of its Literary Competition 2025, recognising outstanding original work across poetry and prose in both Greek and English.

This year’s competition attracted a strong field of entries, reflecting the depth of literary talent within the Greek Australian community and the commitment of writers to preserving and promoting Hellenic cultural expression.

Poetry – Greek Language

• 1st Prize: Ξημέρωμα Ζωής – Gerasimos M. Lymberatos
• 2nd Prize: Ελπίς – Vivian Pagourelia–Vasiliadis
• 3rd Prize: Ήρθες Αργά – Andriana Karamitrou, and Ο Μύθος του Άργου – Emmanuel Pippos
• Commendation: Εμείς – Christina Iatrou-Soitaridi

Prose – Greek Language

• 1st Prize: Η κυρα-Ελένη – Niki Farfara Paschou
• 2nd Prize: Η Νηρηίδα της Λίμνης από τη Χώρα του «Ονείρου» – Phyllis Dimakakos, and Το νησιώτικο βιολί – Gerasimos M. Lymberatos.
• 3rd Prize: Οι ρίζες του Μπαχτσέ – Katholiki Giordamnis

Poetry – English

• 1st Prize: Cycles of Time – Phyllis Dimakakos
• 2nd Prize: Hellas, Land of Light – Theofilos Nikolaos Rigas, and The Ascetic – Aris Gounaris
• 3rd Prize: The Shrine of Remembrance – Angelos Terrence Kenos
• Commendations: We must stand together You and Me – Varvara Athanasiou Ioannou AM, and Kafeneion near Mycenae – Jena Woodhouse

Short Story – English

• 1st Prize: How to spend 24 hours in Rye – Stavroula Louras
• 2nd Prize: The Quiet that followed – Helen Karagiozakis
• 3rd Prize: War challenges love – Marina Alexander
• Commendations: White Sails – James Xydias, The Melbourne Milk Bar Kid – Mary Lymberis, and Just like Home – Eleni Montaldo

Panel of judges

Coordinator: Ivy Cafici, GACL Committee Member

Judging Panel:

• Dr Christos Nicholas Fifis – Writer; Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University
• Dr Angela Evangelinou-Yiannakis – Academic & Adjunct Research Fellow, The Graduate School of Education, The University of Western Australia
• Dean Kalymnios – Lawyer, Writer, Journalist

The GACL warmly congratulated all award recipients and extended its sincere appreciation to the judging panel for their dedication, expertise and commitment to supporting literary excellence.