The next generation of Greek Australians is capturing the voices of their elders in an ongoing collaboration between Neoléa and Adelaide High School, at the Pan-Laconian Society of South Australia.
As part of the ongoing cultural initiative “Our Greek-Speaking Community,” Year 9 Greek language students from Adelaide High School visited the Pan-Laconian Society’s Kafeneio Lakonias to begin documenting the lives, stories, and wisdom of its senior members.
Each student will produce a short biography and video tribute – a heartfelt keepsake for families and an enduring archive for future generations. The project aims to connect young people with their heritage through authentic, hands-on storytelling.
“Thanks to Neoléa for capturing these precious moments between the generations,” Dimitra Rozaklis, Greek teacher at Adelaide High School, said.
“The broader community enriches the lives of our students. The kindness and filoxenia of the Laconians and of course, the delicious food, made this day unforgettable. I’m truly blessed to come from such a supportive community.”
Anastasia Mavrides, Chair of Neoléa, added, “This project is about more than just recording stories – it’s about building bridges between generations. We’ve loved working with Dimitra and Adelaide High School to share these stories in meaningful ways. Seeing the room filled with conversation, music, and laughter was a powerful reminder of what community is all about.”
The day’s activities went beyond interviews: students presented a handcrafted bench to the Pan-Laconian Society as a gift, enjoyed a musical performance by two of their peers, and shared a lunch generously prepared by club members. The room was filled with warmth, energy, and the buzz of meaningful connection.
Neoléa, the youth platform of the Greek Orthodox Community of SA (GOCSA), partners with schools offering Greek language to create engaging cultural projects; from oral history interviews to creative arts linked to heritage.
For the young participants, seeing their peers actively engage in cultural preservation is inspiring and reinforces the value of community involvement.
*All photos by Anastasia Mavrides.
