The Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales (GOCNSW) hosted a distinguished cross-party delegation from the Hellenic Parliament, alongside representatives of the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, during a special visit to its Saturday Greek School program.
The visiting delegation included Maximos Charakopoulos, Secretary of the Parliamentary Group of New Democracy; Filippos Fortomas, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Hellenism Abroad; Stavros Michailidis, Member of Parliament (PASOK – Panhellenic Socialist Movement); and Konstantinos Barkas, Member of Parliament (SYRIZA – Coalition of the Radical Left). They were joined by the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis.
Representing the GOCNSW were President Con Apoifis, Secretary George Diamataris, and Board Members Manos Fountoulis, Peter Tsintilas, and Stanley Koulouris.
At the heart of the visit was a dynamic, student-led presentation that powerfully demonstrated the strength of Greek language education and student leadership within the Community’s programs. Students confidently took centre stage, showcasing their linguistic skills, cultural understanding, and public speaking abilities through a carefully curated program of performances.
The presentation featured poetry recitations commemorating the historic significance of 25 March 1821, with students including Sakis Tomaras, Haralambos Kapsimalis, and Giannis and Dionysios Marinos delivering works such as “To the Flag” and “Our Flag” with clarity, pride, and emotional depth. The program culminated in a moving rendition of Rigas Feraios’ “Thourios”, followed by a unified and spirited message from the students, reflecting their strong connection to Hellenic identity and heritage.
This student-driven showcase highlighted not only language proficiency, but also critical skills in confidence, collaboration, and cultural expression – key outcomes of the Community’s educational approach. The delegation witnessed firsthand how the program empowers young Greek Australians to actively engage with their heritage while developing leadership capabilities for the future.
The visit continued with a vibrant display from the junior Greek dance students, aged three to eight, who performed traditional dances under the guidance of Mrs Paroula’s dance program. Their performance offered further insight into the breadth of co-curricular opportunities that enrich the learning experience and strengthen cultural connection.
A highlight of the day was the hands-on preparation of traditional koulourakia, led by Mrs Fay, pastry chef from Cake on Road. This experiential activity exemplified the program’s commitment to immersive learning, allowing students to engage meaningfully with Greek traditions, language, and customs in a real-world context.
The GOCNSW commended the dedication and professionalism of its teaching staff and School Principal in delivering a program that not only preserves language, but actively cultivates confident, capable, and culturally grounded young leaders.
The Community extended its sincere congratulations to the students for their outstanding efforts and enthusiasm and expresses deep appreciation to families for their ongoing support.
Visits such as this reaffirm the vital role of Greek language education in sustaining cultural identity across generations, while strengthening the bonds between Greece and the Greek Australian diaspora. Through initiatives like the Afternoon and Saturday Greek Schools of the GOCNSW, the enduring spirit of Hellenism continues to thrive – driven by the voices, leadership, and achievements of its youngest generation.
