Pavlos, the son of former Greek King Constantine, is reportedly taking steps to regain Greek citizenship, but a key hurdle remains — the issue of a surname.
Under Greek law, applicants must provide a surname, but members of the former royal family, including Pavlos, have never had an official one.
Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece at King Charles’ coronation. Photo: finance.yahoo.com
They can reapply under a 1994 law, provided they declare their intention to accept Greece’s republican constitution and renounce any claim to a royal title.
Pavlos would need to make this declaration before an Athens registrar and select a surname for official records in order to receive Greek citizenship.
Panathinaikos BC is in discussions to hold the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament in Australia, specifically in Melbourne and Sydney, two cities with large Greek communities.
The Greens are in advanced talks to be in Australia in September 2025, giving many Greeks the chance to see their team up close.
Initially, the tournament will be held in Melbourne in mid-September, alongside FK Partizan, on September 18.
It will then move to Sydney, where two Australian teams – reportedly the Sydney Kings and Melbourne United – will join to compete in the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament on September 21 – 22.
This is a significant move for Panathinaikos, bringing the club closer to the Greek diaspora.
All Saints Grammar at Belmore was not far behind, claiming 91st place. They dropped by five places from 86 in the 2023 HSC. School captain Vasileios Manis received a ‘First in Course’ Award for Modern Greek Extension.
St Euphemia College at Bankstown came in 148th place on the HSC school ranking list for 2024, up from 224th place in 2023. School student Mary Glekas secured the title of ‘First in Course’ for Modern Greek Continuers.
Amid a shake-up in the top ranks of the HSC schools leaderboard this year, North Sydney Boys High School pipped James Ruse Agricultural High School for the second year running.
“We are incredibly proud of Penny’s achievements throughout her time at Renmark High School and look forward to hearing about her future as she moves to Adelaide to pursue her dream career in Medicine,” the post read.
Some 70,000 students in New South Wales have now received their much-anticipated Higher School Certificate (HSC) results, signifying the end of their high school journey.
The Class of 2024 are the largest cohort in NSW and Australian history, with 57,205 students eligible to receive an ATAR, and 18,430, or a quarter of students, completing a VET course.
Around 12 per cent of this year’s HSC results are in the top performance band, 42 per cent in the top two bands, and 74 per cent in the top three bands.
Community and Family Studies: Arsenia Gatziastras, Sylvania High School
Modern Greek Beginners: Ellie Marmara, NSW School of Languages (Petersham)
Modern Greek Continuers: Mary Glekas, St Euphemia College (Bankstown)
Modern Greek Extension: Vasileios Manis, All Saints Grammar School (Belmore)
Spanish Extension: Ajay Kantouros, International Grammar School (Ultimo)
Today, some 1,457 students were also recognised on the ‘All Round Achievers’ list for gaining results in the highest possible band across 10 units of study, while 19,591 students received at least one band six and have been recognised on the ‘Distinguished Achievers’ list.
779 students were placed on the ‘Top Achievers’ list for earning one or more of the top places, and a result in the highest band. The Australian students with Greek heritage on the ‘Top Achievers’ list are:
Business Services Examination: Katerina Alexandridis, St John XXIII Catholic College (Secondary)
Business Studies: Marigold Georgia Sotiropoulos, Queenwood
Community and Family Studies: Arsenia Gatziastras, Sylvania High School
Design and Technology: Mikaela Vassilimis, St Ursula’s College
Engineering Studies: Charles John Spiteri, Saint Ignatius’ College
English Advanced: Christian Spiropoulos, Saint Ignatius’ College
History Extension: Katya Tzannes, Willoughby Girls High School
Italian Extension: Christina Panos, Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney
Italian Extension: Johnathan Lygdas, Sydney Grammar School
Modern Greek Beginners: Ioanna Kalergis, NSW School of Languages
Modern Greek Beginners: Anna Tzotsika, Endeavour Sports High School
Modern Greek Beginners: Stylianos George Vasili, Newington College
Modern Greek Continuers: Mary Glekas, St Euphemia College
Modern Greek Continuers: Alexandros Vidiniotis, St Euphemia College
Modern Greek Continuers: Eleni Koinaris, Secondary College of Languages Kogarah Campus
Modern Greek Continuers: Evangelia Zotos, Secondary College of Languages Kogarah Campus
Modern Greek Continuers: Mikayla Epsimaris, St Euphemia College
Modern Greek Extension: Vasileios Manis, All Saints Grammar
Modern Greek Extension: Mary Glekas, St Euphemia College
Modern Greek Extension: Alexandros Vidiniotis, St Euphemia College
Modern Greek Extension: Leah Katsaros, All Saints Grammar
Modern Greek Extension: Mikayla Epsimaris, St Euphemia College
Modern History: Paul Braoudakis, Sydney Grammar School
Music 1: Rianna Vassilopoulos, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College
Music 2: Benjamin Andronos, Sydney Grammar School
Society and Culture: Mia Tzannes, Willoughby Girls High School
Society and Culture: Sienna Assiouras, Bethany College
Spanish Extension: Ajay Kantouros, International Grammar School
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car congratulated all students on their HSC results this year.
“Reaching the end of your schooling journey takes grit and dedication, and every student deserves to feel proud of their efforts and everything they have achieved,” she said.
“Whether you are moving into the workforce, furthering your education, going into a traineeship or joining TAFE, I wish all our students the very best as they take their next steps forward.”
*Please Note: The above students are those The Greek Herald could identify on the ‘HSC Top Achievers in Course’ list by their Greek name. If you believe you should be in this article, please send an email to info@foreignlanguage.com.au.
The Technical Director of Sydney Olympic’s Academies, Labinot Haliti, created and implemented a Football Festival for all ages this past weekend.
On Sunday, December 15, Peter Moore Field in Belmore, Sydney was filled with young players from Sydney Olympic’s Academies facing off against the academies of Melita FC. Parents and friends watched on with pride.
The youngsters tested their penalty accuracy against Haliti, who truly demonstrated his technical skills.
Santa Claus, in the spirit of the holidays, took photos with everyone at the stadium. The Sydney Olympic kits were available for parents to wear.
The BBQ was a unique treat for everyone, as was the stadium’s kiosk, which now belongs to Sydney Olympic.
Later, there were fun activities and everyone enjoyed the festive atmosphere.
The Kalavryton Society in NSW ‘Aghia Lavra’ held its annual memorial service at St Euphemia Greek Orthodox Church in Bankstown last weekend, to honour the victims of the 1943 Kalavryta Holocaust, one of the most harrowing atrocities of WWII.
The event featured a religious service, historical reflections, and a wreath-laying ceremony to remember the massacre in which Nazi forces executed nearly all of the town’s male inhabitants aged 12 and older, while women, children and the elderly escaped a burning school.
The event was emceed by John Kikilias, Secretary of the Kalavryton Society. Key speeches were delivered by Jim Papadopoulos, President of the Kalavryton Society; John Papadopoulos, Member of the Kalavryton Society’s Auditing Committee; and Chris Spiropoulos, President of the Greek Orthodox Parish of Saint Euphemia. Each of them emphasised the importance of preserving the memory of the tragedy.
The ceremony included wreaths laid by Mr Papadopoulos; Mr Spiropoulos; Vern Faulkner, representing the Bankstown Sports Club; Kostas Skouteris, representing the Achaian Federation; and Katerina Saul, representing the mothers of all Kalavrytini.
The memorial served as a reminder of the resilience of the Kalavrytan people and a call for peace, justice, and vigilance against future atrocities.
The Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation held a pivotal ‘Town Hall’-style event at the AHEPA NSW Hall in Rockdale on Monday, December 16, gathering approximately 30 community members for a discussion on the future of Modern Greek studies at Macquarie University.
The event provided a platform for updates, open dialogue, and reflections on the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support Greek language education
The event featured addresses from key speakers, including Leon Bombotas and Theo Premetis from the Foundation, as well as a significant contribution from the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis.
Much of the evening’s conversation centered on the future of Greek language education, with particular emphasis on fostering the language within homes and supporting early learning initiatives.
Mr Bombotas, in his address, recounted the Foundation’s extensive efforts to advocate for the retention of Modern Greek studies.
He highlighted the proactive steps taken since October 2023, when the Foundation first became aware of the proposed changes. From securing commitments for existing students to complete their studies to lobbying for the continuation of new enrolments, the Foundation’s efforts were wide-ranging and persistent.
“We met face to face with the Dean of the Faculty, Chris Dixon on at least three occasions. It was clear from our first meeting that he was resolved to discontinue the community languages as they do not align with his long term strategy,” Mr Bombotas said.
The Greek Herald worked alongside the Macquarie University Greek Studies Foundation to launch a petition calling on the university to reconsider its decision to discontinue Greek.
Challenges and Reflections
During his speech, Mr Bombotas outlined the rationale behind Macquarie’s decision and acknowledged the changing landscape of education and language learning, noting how digital tools, Artificial Intelligence, and online learning platforms are reshaping how students engage with languages like Greek.
“We have a demand problem. The success of the program over the years, in creating capable teaching staff, has out-paced the demand for Greek studies at a secondary and tertiary level,” he said.
Despite this, he emphasised that while the formal Modern Greek studies program at Macquarie is ending, the Foundation’s mission to support Greek language, history, and culture remains steadfast.
Looking ahead
The Foundation’s forward-looking strategy focuses on new initiatives that reflect the modern educational landscape.
Mr Bombotas shared plans for a five-year strategic direction to be presented to the community in the coming year. Proposals under consideration include funding higher-degree research, supporting exchange initiatives and summer schools in Greece, and deepening ties with Greek Studies departments at other universities.
“While we lament the end of something good, we are now planning for something better and more attuned to the world we’re living in,” he said.
The event’s open Q&A session offered attendees the chance to voice their concerns, share ideas, and pose questions directly to the Foundation’s leadership.
Discussions reiterated the importance of supporting Greek language education from a young age, with several speakers emphasising the role of families and early learning initiatives in sustaining the language within the community.
The annual Christmas Carols by Candlelight event took place on Sunday, December 15, at St John’s College in Preston, Victoria, drawing a large crowd to celebrate the festive season in a heartwarming display of music, tradition, and faith.
Under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA), the event served as a dual journey — one towards the humble manger in Bethlehem and the other towards the beloved homeland and its enduring customs.
The atmosphere was filled with festive spirit, with carols sung by choirs from parishes, schools, associations, and even the Romanian Community of Melbourne.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who graced the event with his presence, reflected on the profound significance of the carols. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining cultural traditions passed down from previous generations, calling them a “precious treasure” to be preserved for the future.
The event was attended by prominent members of the community, including His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, and other senior clergy, as well as the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, and the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis.
The St George Greek Orthodox Church at Rose Bay in Sydney has spread Christmas cheer by packing and distributing more than 500 charity hampers to support homeless communities, soup kitchens, and those in need.
The initiative, part of the church’s annual Community Christmas Charity Hamper Drive, saw more than 70 volunteers come together at the Church Hall on Friday, December 13 to pack an impressive 540 hampers – more than double last year’s total of 250. The effort surpassed the church’s original target of 500 hampers.
These essential hampers will be distributed to local initiatives such as “Feed the People” at St Sophia and Three Daughters at Surry Hills, “A Touch of Kindness” in Martin Place, the soup kitchen at St Constantine & St Helen Newtown, as well as the Wayside Chapel in Bondi Beach and Sutherland Community Services.
The charity drive will culminate with a final distribution of 150 hampers to the homeless at the corner of Phillip Street and Martin Place today at 5.45pm. Several St George Church Rose Bay board members will be on hand to personally deliver the packages.
The effort has been made possible thanks to the generosity of the Friends of St George Church, the Ladies Auxiliary Philoptohos, parishioners, local businesses, and community members who donated items and volunteered their time.
“Together, we’re making a real difference for those in need,” the church said in a Facebook post, reflecting on the power of community and compassion during the holiday season.
