The Foundation for Hellenic Studies at UNSW held a fundraiser at the Hermes Lounge in Kogarah, Sydney on Sunday, July 15 to raise funds for its Greek Studies Programme.
The event was the first time in 30 years the Foundation has called upon the Community’s support. It has come about due to the depletion of funds arising from the historic low interest rates of recent years and increased university costs.
The event opened with a message of support from Archbishop Makarios of Australia, which was read by Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia who also blessed the proceedings.
Other speakers were Dr Vasilis Adrahtas, the Convenor of Greek Studies at UNSW, who emphasised he would speak only in Greek as it was the object of the day. He went on to say that it was a community priority to support and maintain the Greek language as it was a unique characteristic of identity.
“The most significant issue [we face] is retaining knowledge of the Hellenic language amongst the next generation. This is above all what defines us as Australian Hellenes. Our task is to keep Hellenic language alive amongst the next generation,” Dr Adrahtas said.
Costa Vertzayias, the Chairman of the Foundation, spoke about the big picture of languages in Australia. Whilst multiculturalism was promoted and worked well, government policies effectively entrenched monolingualism in Australia. This, coupled with universities operating as corporate businesses, has led to the marginalisation of language studies. It means that the community must maintain languages.
Mr Vertzayias stressed that this does not bode well for the future and gave an example of how 20 years ago 14 universities in Australia taught Greek, but this has now been reduced to four. Thirty years ago, there were 1,000 candidates for modern Greek in the Year 12 Higher School Certificate, last year it was less than 100. He emphasised that Hellenic associations should get behind a major campaign to save, promote and maintain Greek. Functions like today can only help in the short term, he said.
Mr Vertzayias also stressed that a Pan-Hellenic Endowment Fund should be established to guarantee not only Greek at universities, but the needs of the community as a whole for the generations that will follow.
“The potential sale of the [Hellenic Village] property at Kemps Creek – which belongs to our community and not only to the member-associations – has the potential to put Hellenic Studies on to a secure footing. The universities are demanding the community fund Hellenic studies. It is up to us all to support the study of Hellenism,” Mr Vertzayias said.
Harry Mavrolefteros, the newest trustee on the Foundation and past President of Hellsoc UNSW, then spoke about the establishment of the 1821 Scholarship Fund. The purpose of the Fund was to encourage more students to take Greek as a subject so as to counter the university argument that there is not sufficient interest in language studies. Beginning in 2025, individual donors will provide $1,821 towards the expense of each student who studies with the Program, subject to conditions set by the Board of Trustees.
Paul Nicolaou, a longstanding trustee of the Foundation and tireless worker for the community, was the day’s emcee. Mr Nicolaou thanked the major sponsors – Bowerhaus jewellery, Harry Mavrolefteros, Connie Dimas Jewellery, Optica, John Skufris and Stella Sorotou.
Guests present on the day included Fr. George Liangas; Harry Danalis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) and a trustee of the Foundation; Cr. Sam Stratikopoulos; Nia Karteris, Chair of the Greek Festival of Sydney; Poppy Stavrianos; and Christina Efthymiadis AM. Organisations represented at the function were the GOCNSW, the Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of St Nektarios Burwood, the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, AHEPA NSW, Panachaian Association of NSW, HELLSOC UNSW, Daughters of Penelope (AHEPA), Panarcadian Association of NSW, Pontian Association of Sydney, Macquarie University Greek Studies Foundation, Kalavryta Association of NSW, OEEGA NSW, Hellenic Art Theatre, and ELKA.
The following donations were announced:
- Greek Orthodox Community of NSW: $3,000
- Hellenic Lyceum: $2,000
- Kalymnian Association: $1,500
- Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of St Nektarios, Burwood: $1,000
- Dion Vertzayas: $1,000
- Athenian Association: $500
- Dr James Giallussi: $400
- Castellorizian Association: $200
- Theo Menounos: $200
- Patty and Vicki Spiropoulos: $100
An amount of $7,390 was made from tickets, raffles and book sales. There was also an anonymous donation of $11,160 made earlier in the year. As the target to meet the 2025 costs has not been met, individuals or associations who wish to donate may do so by contacting: 0430 457 089.
