The Laconian Federation of NSW celebrated the achievements of four outstanding young members of the community at its 2025 HSC Awards Event, held at the Zarax Cultural Centre in Enfield on Sunday, May 31.
Family members, friends, community leaders and distinguished guests gathered for an afternoon dedicated to recognising academic excellence, celebrating Greek heritage and encouraging the next generation of Greek Australians as they embark on the next stage of their lives.
Laconian Federation of NSW President Maria Lekas welcomed attendees and congratulated the students on reaching an important milestone.
“The completion of your HSC studies is a significant achievement, reflecting years of effort, commitment and perseverance made possible through the support of your families, teachers and mentors,” Ms Lekas said.
“As young people with roots in the proud region of Laconia in Greece, you come from a heritage built on strength, honour, resilience and perseverance.”
Ms Lekas also acknowledged the presence of Consul General of Greece in Sydney George Skemperis, Detective Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald APM, Commander of the NSW Police Inner West Area Command, and The Greek Herald Publisher and Managing Director Dimitra Skalkos.
She further recognised the centenary milestones being celebrated this year by both the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney and The Greek Herald, noting their longstanding contributions to the Greek Australian community.
The students honoured on the day were Andrew Caramanis, George Georgopoulos, Nina Kosmas and Paula Legas.
Following the presentation of certificates, the students took part in a discussion about their HSC experiences, future aspirations and the role their Greek heritage continues to play in their lives.
Paula shared her plans to pursue a career in primary education, telling attendees she had commenced university studies in primary teaching, a path she had always wanted to follow.
George reflected on the influence of his Greek Australian identity, saying his heritage had played an important role in shaping who he is.
“Absolutely,” he said when asked whether his heritage had influenced his future direction. “As Greek Australians, we’re custodians of one of the most sophisticated cultures on earth, and that will help us in our path.”
Andrew spoke candidly about the challenges of Year 12 and the importance of maintaining balance during one of the most demanding periods of his education.
“The hardest part of Year 12 was definitely trying to maintain balance and keep my head in one straight line,” he said.
Andrew credited the support of his family and his continued involvement in community activities with helping him stay grounded throughout the year, while also reflecting on how his career ambitions had evolved since leaving school.
Nina shared one of the most valuable lessons she learned during her HSC journey, recalling advice from her English teacher that remained with her throughout her studies.
“She always taught us to believe that you’re stronger than you think, and that you know more than you think,” Nina said.
The audience laughed when Nina revealed that one of the first things she did after finishing the HSC was celebrate by burning her study papers and giving herself a clean slate before beginning the next chapter of her life.
Together, the students offered thoughtful reflections on perseverance, ambition and self-belief, providing a fitting reminder of the qualities that had contributed to their success.
The afternoon also featured a panel discussion with Mr Skemperis, Detective Superintendent Fitzgerald and Ms Skalkos, who shared insights from their respective careers and experiences.
Speaking about his journey into diplomacy, Mr Skemperis reflected on his longstanding passion for history and archaeology and encouraged young people to trust their instincts when making important decisions.
“Follow your gut feeling, your heart, when there are important choices to make in your life,” he said.
Mr Skemperis also spoke about the strength of the Greek diaspora in Australia, praising the community’s commitment to preserving cultural traditions while emphasising the importance of maintaining the Greek language for future generations.
Detective Superintendent Fitzgerald drew on more than three decades of policing experience, speaking about leadership, lifelong learning and community service.
Reflecting on her own educational journey, she encouraged students to remain curious and continue learning throughout their lives.
“Your studies never finish. Knowledge is power,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of integrity, describing it as one of the most valuable qualities a person can possess.
“If you have integrity in your work and in your family, that will take you a long way,” Detective Superintendent Fitzgerald said.
Ms Skalkos spoke about taking over The Greek Herald at the age of 28 and the challenges of leading a century-old publication through a rapidly changing media landscape.
“It was terrifying,” she said. “But you realise how much support you do have around you, and you really need to lean on the people around you.”
Discussing the evolution of media, she noted that while The Greek Herald remains committed to its heritage, adapting to new technologies and platforms has been essential to ensuring its continued relevance.
“You have to evolve. You can’t stay stagnant in any industry,” she said.
Asked what advice she would offer young people, Ms Skalkos encouraged students to remain adaptable when life takes unexpected turns.
“Life is fluid. You can plan as much as you want. Sometimes things don’t go to plan, and it’s okay if you have to pivot,” she said.
The discussion concluded with Mr Skemperis entertaining the audience with stories from ancient Sparta, including examples of the famous Spartan wit and the prominent role women held within Spartan society.
Closing the event, emcee Linda Legas thanked the panellists, students, families and supporters for their attendance and acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Federation committee.
She encouraged families to continue nominating future HSC graduates so the initiative can grow in the years ahead, describing the recognition of young people as one of the Federation’s most important responsibilities.
“Seeing so many young, talented Laconians here today gives us all great pride and confidence for the future,” she said.
The event concluded with refreshments and informal discussions among attendees, with the achievements of the students remaining firmly at the heart of the afternoon’s celebrations.
