Winners announced for Victoria’s 8th Greek Public Speaking Festival

The Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria has announced the winners of the 8th Greek Public Speaking Festival, celebrating the achievements of students learning and promoting the Greek language across Victoria.

The annual festival provides students of all language abilities with an opportunity to engage with and showcase their Greek language skills through public speaking, poetry and literature.

Open to all students studying Greek, the competition is divided into two sections: the Recitation of Poetry or Literature and the Demostheneia public speaking competition.

In the poetry and literature section, students recite selected poems and literary extracts from renowned Greek poets and writers, while the Demostheneia requires students to prepare and deliver speeches on selected topics within strict time limits tailored to their year level.

This year’s festival attracted more than 100 entries from primary and secondary school students, highlighting the continued enthusiasm for Greek language education among young Victorians.

All participants receive certificates in recognition of their efforts, while students placing first, second and third are awarded medals and prizes.

To celebrate this year’s participants and officially present awards to the winners, the Association will host a special Award Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 6pm at St Panteleimon Church Hall, Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong, located at 19 Herbert Street, Dandenong.

The Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria congratulated all students involved in the festival for their dedication and excellent effort, praising their contribution to the preservation and promotion of the Greek language and culture in Australia.

Winners:

Demosthenes Year 5&6

• 1^st: Aella Grimanis – Oakleigh Grammar
• 2^nd: Samantha Kehaidis – Oakleigh Grammar
• 3^rd: Chris Vergos – Oakleigh Grammar

Demosthenes Year 7&8

• 1^st: Irini Hatzimanolis – Alphington Grammar School
• 2^nd: Phillip Ioannidis – Alphington Grammar School
• 3^rd: Penelope Balaskas – Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and District Saint Panteleimon of Dandenong

Demosthenes Year 9&10           

• 1^st: Paraskevi Caraccia – Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and District Saint Panteleimon of Dandenong
• 2^nd: Christina Koufomanoli – Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and District Saint Panteleimon of Dandenong
• 3^rd: Anastasia Caraccia – Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and District Saint Panteleimon of Dandenong

Demosthenes Year 11&12         

• 1^st: Jana Bouralexis – Greek Community of Melbourne School
• 2^nd: Zoe Spilias – Greek Community of Melbourne School
• 3^rd: Foti Efstathiou – Greek Community of Melbourne School

Poetry Recital Year 3&4             

• 1^st: Eleni Karefilakis -Aetolian College Reservoir Campus
• 2^nd: Nina Kyrkylis – Oakleigh Grammar and Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and District Saint Panteleimon of Dandenong
• 3^rd: Christos Tsioukis – Alphington Grammar School

Poetry Recital Year 5&6             

• 1^st: Angelique Tsioukis – Alphington Grammar School
• 2^nd: Alexandros Argyropoulos – Greek Community of Melbourne School
• 3^rd: Nikoletta Koljatic – Alphington Grammar School

Poetry Recital Year 7&8             

• 1^st: Junxi  Tu – Alphington Grammar School
• 2^nd: Richie Wang – Alphington Grammar School
• 3^rd: Zoe Chhabra – Alphington Grammar School

Poetry Recital Year 9&10           

• 1^st: Georgia Skliros – Alphington Grammar School
• 2^nd: Georgos Koufomanolis – Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and District Saint Panteleimon of Dandenong
• 3^rd: Christina Lablache – Alphington Grammar School