In recent weeks a delegation from Pharos Alliance has met with Department of Education & Training, Victoria officials, Sedar Altun, Nicholas Douros and Chelsea McGlashan, following on from our cordial and productive meeting with the Victorian Minister for Education in 2024.
Members of Pharos Alliance also met with Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou.
The meeting with Department officials continued the discussion about various items, including potential support for an after-hours Greek literacy program at Clarinda Primary School, which has an established Greek language program, continued support for the state’s only Greek Bilingual program at Lalor North Primary School, also the Department’s exploration of VIT and permission to teach in order to deal with a shortage of language teachers, and the Department’s ongoing support for the work of Pharos Alliance.
The Consul General graciously received Pharos Alliance at the offices of the Consulate and engaged with them in a discussion about who they are, their work and objectives.
Ms Georgantzoglou was well informed about some of the challenges facing Greek language teaching in the diaspora and welcomed the work being undertaken to halt further decline and to create opportunities for Greek to flourish. She said she is keen to stay connected with Pharos Alliance and is willing to support in her capacity as Consul General in Melbourne.
These were very productive meetings in which the Pharos Alliance was able to make these officials and government representatives aware of its work and of the great need for a more systematic and coherent policy support for the language.
In both meetings, comments were made that the Pharos Alliance is appreciated because it is an umbrella organisation, bringing together all interests and institutions involved in Greek language.
“We take our advocacy role seriously and wish to continue to consult with the community to review our work, take stock of needs and requests from the community and revise and modify priorities if this is needed. Hence, we have organised a series of regular Open Meetings, commencing with one scheduled for 7.00pm on Wednesday 28 May at the Greek Centre,” President of Pharos Alliance, Professor Joseph Lo Bianco, said.
Please RSVP at pharos.au@gmail.com if you wish to attend the open meeting. All are welcome.
