Walking into Lalor North Primary School on Sunday, May 4, you could feel the buzz in the air for the annual conference of the Modern Greek Teachers Association of Victoria (MGTAV).

Ready to greet teachers at the door, emcee, hand out photocopies, prep the food and even join in workshops is Despina Sarandis, the organisation’s president, whose dynamic presence and enthusiasm is infectious.

“We have an amazing program this year, with the theme Learning Beyond the Book to offer fresh approaches to Greek language teaching,” she tells The Greek Herald.

“We’re a small but mighty team… We have the right people.”

Chrisoula Stamopoulos, former secretary, still sits on the MGTAV committee.

“We have given the reins to the new generation, but I remember the old days when we had double the members. We have 100 members, and while the MGTAV focuses on teachers, we also created Pharos to bring together the entire community—including parents. Our 3^rd parents workshop is on June 8^th,” she says.

“We’re all volunteers, and Professor Joseph Lo Bianco is an amazing workshop facilitator who gives parents great advice. We have Pharos, workshops like this where we train up—I don’t know what more we can do apart from literally going to people’s homes and yanking them to our parent workshops.”

Inside the hall, drama teacher Katerina Poutachidou leads role-playing games that could easily be adapted to the classroom. Teachers act, guess words, and play for memorable learning.

Keynote speaker Peristera (Perry) Papageorgiou facilitates a workshop on using technology and adapting to students’ own teaching styles.

“I’m not telling them anything they don’t already know. But we are encouraging sharing between colleagues and reinforcing their knowledge,” she says.

One highlight is “Greek Language Football,” where students compete in vocabulary-based soccer. Laughter echoes through the theatre, proving that Greek doesn’t have to be all declensions and dictations.

More guest speakers arrive offering diverse perspectives—from music with Archie Argyropoulos to AI presentations by Maria Sabo.  Dr Matt Absalom emphasises strategies that “unlock student creativity” beyond rote learning, Scott Cordwell presents ImmerseMe digital tools, and Amanda Macdonald from ELLA Education Services explores tech-driven strategies for engaging early learners.

The passion for teaching is palpable.

Assistant teacher Vivian Tzavaras says, “I was a student at Aetolian College and now I’m an assistant teacher from Prep to Year 10 and a Greek dance teacher at the school as well. I’m studying science at university, but I hope to continue teaching even after I finish my course.”

Demi Lazarakis, in her second year of teaching Greek at Alphington Grammar, says the greatest difficulty is teaching students from scratch.

“They don’t know the language at all, and that is a challenge,” Demi says.

Kypros Kyprianou, former MGTAV president and principal of the Greek Orthodox Community Schools of Melbourne and Victoria, says times have changed. He worries that we may never regain lost ground, but believes MGTAV is on the right track with initiatives like Pharos.

“I believe that a community, organisations, need to admit that it is now our responsibility to save the language. We cannot rely on legislation to pass through Parliament,” he says. “Even if the promotion of Greek is discussed, the next day another 50 languages will appear.”

Kypros remembers leading the MGTAV in the ‘80s.

“Back then, it was just for teachers with degrees and closed to students and non-degree-holding teachers. Even so, we had at least 200 members and our conferences would draw hundreds. Now there are half the members, and even fewer attending events,” he says.

There may be fewer members, less funding, but the group is just as loud in purpose.

The MGTAV’s next parents seminar is at the Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne), from 1.30-5.30pm on June 8^th

By Ilias Karagiannis and Andriana Simos

A spirit of unity filled the room during a formal luncheon hosted by AHEPA New South Wales in honour of the Presidential Guard of Greece – the Evzones – on Sunday, 4 May 2025 in Sydney.

The luncheon coincided with celebrations marking 91 years since the founding of AHEPA NSW, offering the Greek Australian community a rare opportunity to pay tribute to Greece’s military tradition while also honouring one of its most historic organisations.

The day began with a memorial service at the Parish of the Resurrection of Christ in Kogarah, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the nearby ANZAC Lemnos Memorial.

At midday, the heart of the celebrations beat within Hermes Lounge in Kogarah, where dancers from the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney formed a ceremonial guard of honour as the Evzones entered to loud applause.

The event was emceed by AHEPA NSW Vice President, Nia Gitsas. Among the notable guests were His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, Lieutenant Commander Michalis Tzinieris who accompanied the Presidential Guard during their visit to Australia, Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos (Defence Attaché), and other distinguished members of the Greek Australian community.

AHEPA NSW President Jim Papanayiotou welcomed guests, and the Evzones, with heartfelt words.

“Truly, not just AHEPA but the entire Greek community of Australia, welcomes you and thanks you. Over the past few weeks, you have filled us with pride,” he said, before speaking about AHEPA NSW’s anniversary.

“This year, as AHEPA celebrates its 91st anniversary, we aim to present our best self. If we wish to continue serving the founding principles that inspired our organisation, we must be prepared to make difficult decisions about restructuring our operations.”

The Consul General of Greece, Mr Mallikourtis, delivered an emotionally charged address — his final one at an AHEPA event before concluding his term.

“Just as Australians have the ANZACs, we Greeks have the Evzones. Just as the slouch hat of Australian soldiers in the Gallipoli campaign is an inseparable part of their national identity, so too is the fustanella a symbol of the modern Greek state’s national fulfilment,” Mr Mallikourtis said.

“The presence of the Evzones in Australia unites these two worlds and these two symbols, creating a bridge of friendship and forming the foundation of the identity of Greeks in Australia. In this effort, a historic organisation like AHEPA cannot be absent — I commend you for today’s event.”

Mr Mallikourtis continued with a thought-provoking suggestion for the Greek community.

“Too often we spend money bringing artists from Greece, when instead we could be funding postgraduate or doctoral research into Greek-Australian military history. That would yield multiple national benefits,” he said.

“Thank you for your support over the past three years. Stay united — because together, you can achieve so much more.”

Also moving was the speech by Lieutenant Commander Tzinieris, who said: “It is a great joy and honour for us to be in the city of Sydney for these commemorative events.”

“The sacrifices of the ANZAC Corps in the Gallipoli campaign cannot be forgotten. Their actions bequeathed an intangible yet powerful legacy. The legend of the ANZACs has become a fundamental part of national identity in both countries,” Mr Tzinieris added.

“The presence of the Evzones at every community event is a living link between our nation’s glorious past and its present.”

Lieutenant Commander Tzinieris received commemorative gifts on behalf of the Presidential Guard from AHEPA President Mr Papanayiotou, including a replica of the painting Convergence of Glory, a set of commemorative stamps, and a copy of AHEPA’s official album, which includes photos from previous Evzones visits to Australia.

The cultural programme continued with traditional dances performed by the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, including Tsakonikos, Tsamikos and Kalamatianos, accompanied by Olga Kremisis (vocals), Dimitris Tsolakis (clarinet) and Peter Tsenkas (daouli).

A commemorative cake celebrating AHEPA NSW’s 91st anniversary was then ceremonially cut by Bishop Christodoulos, the Consul General and AHEPA President Mr Papanayiotou.

Remaining true to its longstanding commitment to the community, AHEPA NSW used the event as a platform to offer meaningful support to institutions and individuals preserving Hellenism and collective memory in Australia. The following were awarded:

• A donation of $10,000 to St Andrew’s Theological College in Sydney, in support of its theological and spiritual mission in Greek Orthodox education. The donation was received by Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia.
• A $1,000 donation to the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, in recognition of its ongoing contribution to the preservation and promotion of Greek folk traditions, presented to Dimitra Micos.
• Honorary grants to visual artist Angela Kiki Konstantopoulos for her ongoing participation in AHEPA’s cultural events, and to the Hellenic Art Theatre, one of the most vibrant pillars of Greek theatrical creativity in Australia, with the award presented to Steve Economidis and Evelyn Tsavalas.

Additionally, service medals were awarded to former presidents of AHEPA chapters, recognising their long-standing and selfless contributions:

• Emmanuel Aivaliotis (Chapter “Plato”)
• Haroula Themistocleous (Chapter “Antigone”, 2021–2023)
• George Balassis (former President of Chapter “Diogenes”)
• Bill Athanasopoulos (former President of Chapter “Anatoli”)
• Bill Skandalakis (former President of AHEPA NSW Inc, 2018–2023), for his leadership during one of the organisation’s most challenging periods.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a medal marking 50 years of service to George Yakoumidis, awarded by Honorary AHEPA NSW President John Kalimanis.

With visible emotion, Mr Yakoumidis closed the evening with the official Vote of Thanks on behalf of all the honourees.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

In a spirit of unity and celebration, Victoria’s Greek community marked two beloved cultural occasions—May Day and Mother’s Day—on Sunday, 4 May 2025.

The joint event, hosted at the elegant Stars International reception centre, was a heartfelt tribute to life, nature, and the central role of mothers in Greek culture.

Co-organised by the Hellenic Women’s Network of Victoria (HELIADES Inc.), EEAMA, and the Pan-Hellenic Women’s Federation of Australia, the event was warmly embraced by other Greek community organisations and drew a crowd of over 500 attendees.

The celebration seamlessly blended cultural tradition with festivity. A talented live orchestra entertained guests with nostalgic, traditional, and contemporary Greek music, keeping the dance floor lively all day.

Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal and dessert, and the joyful atmosphere was felt in every corner of the packed hall.

A special mention was given to Christos Sardelis and his team for their impeccable organisation and hospitality, which contributed significantly to the event’s success.

A packed wine tasting event titled “From Ancient to Modern Wines” took guests on a journey through Greek viticulture, from the age of Homer to contemporary exports, at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney on May 1.

Organised as part of the Greek Festival of Sydney, the evening blended archaeology, history and trade, offering a fascinating exploration of wine’s cultural role in Greek society—both ancient and modern.

Guests were treated to talks from archaeologists and historians, who examined how wine functioned as a “gift of Dionysos” in ancient Greece, shaping ritual, daily life, and even politics.

Following the historical insights, Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia Chryssa Prokopaki delivered a detailed presentation on the potential for Greek wine exports to Australia, outlining growing demand and opportunities for producers.

Attendees then sampled wines from vineyards across Greece.

“From Ancient to Modern Wines” proved not only to be a celebration of heritage and flavour, but also a toast to future opportunities in Australia’s wine scene.