Pharos Alliance seeks support to revitalise Modern Greek in Victoria

·

On Saturday, 11 May 2024, members of the Pharos Alliance called a press conference with Greek language media in Melbourne, to seek support for the work Pharos is doing in promoting, maintaining and revitalising Modern Greek in Victoria.

The key message was that it is important for the media to work with Pharos as it seeks to achieve its objectives. Pharos asked the members of the media to understand that it is:

– Urgent the media shares our message about the value of choosing Greek, for students at all levels

– Urgent the media promote positive stories (saving LaTrobe, success of Lalor North Primary School Bilingual Greek Program etc), avoid alarmist reporting while still being truthful and expressing concern about the state of Modern Greek in Victoria

– Important to encourage retention

– Important to appeal to parents

Pharos also sought moral and in-kind support for Pharos’ work.

The panel of speakers included: Despina Sarandis, President of the Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria (MGTAV), who provided a brief history of Pharos, its objectives, the make up of the Alliance of volunteers, the activities undertaken and plans for 2024 and beyond; and Emeritus Professor Joseph Lo Bianco, Pharos Facilitator, who asked those present to promote Pharos as the community wide alliance that it is, to promote Greek in government and non-government schools, to promote the benefits of learning Greek, to promote Greek at VCE and to commit to a regular Pharos presence in their media outlet.

Other Pharos members in attendance were Dr Stephie Nikoloudis, Greek Studies Coordinator at LaTrobe University, educator Yiota Stavridou and MGTAV committee member Denise Diakodimitriou.

Following the presentations, an open discussion allowed those present to exchange ideas and to agree to a stronger collaboration going forward, with concrete plans for the promotion of the work of Pharos.

The next Pharos event is the parent seminar on Raising Greek English Bilinguals in Melbourne, facilitated by Professor Joseph Lo Bianco. It will take place on Sunday 9 June at the Greek Centre.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Democracy on the big screen: Youth shine at the 13th Greek Student Film Festival

13th Greek Student Film Festival - staged within Sydney's 30th Greek Film Festival - filled the cinema with laughter and plenty of Greek.

Panayiota Dimopoulos’ OXI Day artwork takes pride of place on The Greek Herald cover

Panayiota Dimopoulos from Oakleigh Grammar designed The Greek Herald’s OXI Day cover, capturing the shared history of Greece and Australia.

Greek and Cypriot leaders honour OXI Day with messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora

Greek and Cypriot politicians and diplomats have issued messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora ahead of the OXI Day celebrations.

Greek Film Festival wraps 30th year with a triumphant Sydney finale

The curtain fell on the 30th Greek Film Festival in Sydney on Sunday night with a sold-out screening of Athens Midnight Radio.

Pan Macedonian Federation of SA launches the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival

On Friday, October 24, the Pan Macedonian Federation of South Australia officially launched the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival.

You May Also Like

20 years since Athens Olympics: Sydney event to honour Greek Australian contribution

AHEPA NSW are inviting people to a unique function to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Olympic and Paralympic Games of Athens 2004.

Sofia Vembo: the Greek ‘Singer of Victory’

Sofia Vembo became known for her performance of patriotic songs during the Greco-Italian War, when she was dubbed the "Singer of Victory."

A taste of Greece in Sydney: the best new Greek restaurants in town

With the opening of various Mediterranean inspired restaurants across Sydney, that mediterranean holiday might be closer than you think.