By George Tserdanis
It was an exceptional evening in every sense at Livadi Restaurant on Friday, November 7, where the Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation hosted a special event celebrating its ongoing commitment to the promotion of Greek language learning.
The highlight of the night was the announcement of the Foundation’s first student delegation to Greece – a group of 12 students from Australia who will travel to the University of Ioannina in early 2026 for a month-long program of Greek language classes and cultural excursions, including visits to historic sites such as Dodoni.
The 12 selected students will attend daily two-hour Greek language classes at the University of Ioannina while also exploring the region’s historical and cultural landmarks. The initiative aims to strengthen bonds between Australia and Greece through education and cultural exchange.
More than 140 guests filled Livadi’s elegant dining rooms and terraces, far exceeding expectations. The evening featured music, dance performances by Papapetrou’s troupe, and a series of inspiring speeches that drew enthusiastic applause.
Speakers included Foundation members Panayiotis Tsanis and Theo Premetis, Foundation CEO Leon Bombotas, and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, who added humour to his remarks by noting that he himself was a proud graduate of the University of Ioannina.
Numerous community organisations attended the event, including the Mytilenian Brotherhood, which sent a 10-member delegation and contributed to the night’s fundraising efforts. In total, more than $30,000 was raised, with the Samian Brotherhood making the largest donation of $5,000.
