A moving evening of history, culture and student achievement unfolded in Melbourne during the closing ceremony of the interactive educational exhibition, “A Virtual Journey to the Library of Ephesus: Personalities of Asia Minor,” hosted at St John’s Greek Orthodox College.
Organised by the Pedagogical Institute “The Hellenism of Anatolia,” the exhibition marked the culmination of four years of educational, cultural and research work and attracted hundreds of visitors, including students, teachers, parents and members of the Greek Australian community.
The event also featured the presentation ceremony for the inaugural Pan-Australian Student Competition “Nikolaos Papadakis – Papadis,” organised by the Oceania Branch of the National Foundation for Research and Studies “Eleftherios K. Venizelos.”
Held as part of commemorations marking 90 years since the death of Eleftherios Venizelos, the competition became one of the Foundation’s major educational initiatives for 2025–2026.
A total of 92 students from 12 schools across Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Darwin and Canberra participated, presenting an impressive range of creative and academic projects inspired by the life and legacy of Venizelos. Entries included research projects, paintings, documentaries, sculptures, literary works, interviews and digital presentations.
The evening opened with the tribute “Parthen,” dedicated to the Fall of Constantinople and the enduring journey of Romiosyni. Asia Minor descendant and literature coordinator of the exhibition, Kaiti Alexopoulou, delivered the opening address, emphasising the importance of preserving historical memory for future generations.
This was followed by emotional recitations of the poems “Parthen” and “I Romaniá ki an perase” by Panagiotis Stamatopoulos and Simela Stamatopoulou, while an audiovisual tribute featuring the Pontian lament “Na ali emas” created a deeply reflective atmosphere.
Prior to the student awards presentation, attendees viewed a short tribute to the life and work of Eleftherios Venizelos, while Oceania Branch President Tony Tsourdalakis addressed the audience on the enduring significance of the statesman’s legacy.
Particular emotion was generated through the screening of the song “O Digenis,” as performed by Venizelos himself in the Hellenic Parliament in 1913, alongside presentations highlighting the Foundation’s educational and cultural work.
The evening was further enriched by live Cretan music performed by Giorgos Sevastakis, Stelios Theodorakis, Kostas Tsourdalakis and Giorgos Kypriotis, who performed mantinades dedicated to Venizelos and transported audiences to the homeland of the great political leader.
Competition results were announced by project coordinator Ms Stamatopoulou, while awards and commemorative gifts were presented by Mr Tsourdalakis.
Among the major winners were Evangelia Petrou and Eliza Blias from the Greek School of the Greek Community of Melbourne (Wollert Campus), who received first prize in the primary school category for their artwork inspired by the pen of Venizelos.
In the secondary school division, first prize was jointly awarded to Anna Tahau from St Spyridon College and Konstantina Klostopoulou from St John’s Greek Orthodox College for their visual and digital presentations respectively.
Throughout the evening, photographs and student works from across Australia were displayed, highlighting the creativity, knowledge and strong connection young Greek Australians continue to maintain with Greek history and heritage.
The event concluded with the playing of the famous “Song of Seikilos,” recognised as the world’s oldest surviving complete song, symbolising the timeless power of memory, music and Greek civilisation.
Organisers said the success of both the exhibition and competition reaffirmed that the Greek language, historical awareness and cultural heritage remain vibrant within the Greek Australian community.
As emphasised during the closing remarks: “Memory must become education, and education must become legacy.”
The Pedagogical Institute “The Hellenism of Anatolia” and the Oceania Branch of the National Foundation for Research and Studies “Eleftherios K. Venizelos” thanked all students, teachers, parents, volunteers, sponsors and organisations who contributed to the success of the initiative and confirmed that further educational and cultural programs are already being planned.
Competition winners:
Primary School Category:
- Encouragement Award: Marissa Georgakopoulou – Aetolian College of Hellenic Language & Culture
- Third Prize: Elora Katsios – Lalor North Primary School
- Second Prize: Adelfi Blana, Paschalina Koutroni and Zoe Retsina – Greek School of the Greek Community of Melbourne (Alphington Campus)
- First Prize: Evangelia Petrou and Eliza Blias – Greek School of the Greek Community of Melbourne (Wollert Campus)
Secondary School Category:
- First Encouragement Award: Christina Koufomanoli – Saint Panteleimon Greek School Dandenong
- Second Encouragement Award: Anna Vasylkova – Darwin High School
- Third Prize: Anatalia Vlachou – Oakleigh Grammar
- Second Prize: Maria Koutsoura – All Saints Grammar and Loukas Kerropoulos – Institute of Greek Language and Culture of the Evangelismos Community, Western Australia
- Equal First Prize: Anna Tahau – St Spyridon College and Konstantina Klostopoulou – St John’s Greek Orthodox College
