In an unprecedented move the Greek Government's spokesperson Mr Kedikoglou has announced the closure of its public radio and television station ERT. Sighting exorbitant costs, mismanagement and the unsustainable nature of the Public broadcaster, the Government, without consultation, shut down ERT and dismissed some 2700 staff within hours.

The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria (GOCMV) in a letter sent to the Prime Minister Mr Antonis Samaras condemned the closure of ERT and highlighted the disappointment of the Greek diaspora in Australia. Additionally, many Greek Community representatives noted the need for responsible management of the Public Broadcaster however such decision defies rational explanation, in a statement issued by the organisation.

Born within the then thriving Greek community in Alexandria of Egypt, Constantine Cavafy (April 29, 1863 – April 29, 1933) was one of the most influential literary figures produced by Greece in the early 20th century and instrumental in establishing modern Greek poetry on the international scene, where he is still being studied and translated into many languages well into the 21st century.

The Greek culture ministry has designated 2013 as the Year of Constantine Cavafy, to mark the 150th anniversary of the world renowned poet's birth. Around the world, universities and cultural organisations are using this anniversary to honour the strong symbolism of Cavafy's poetry.

Mondays 6:30 – 8:30 pm, starting on Monday, July 15, 2013

This post-introductory course is suitable for those with a basic knowledge of Modern Greek.

Beginners Modern Greek for Adults: 10 week course on Thursdays: 6:30-8:30pm; starting on Thursday, July 18 - Cost $150 + $40 for book - Venue: ITHEA, Level 2, 459 Little Collins St. Sign-up for Modern Greek online today, click here.

Beginners Ancient Greek for Adults:10 week course on Tuesdays: 6:30-8:30pm; starting on Tuesday, July 16 - Cost $150 + $40 for book - Venue: ITHEA, Level 2, 459 Little Collins St. Sign-up for Ancient Greek online today, click here.

Beginners Ancient Greek (Secondary School Students): 20 week course on Wednesdays 5:15-8:15pm; starting Wednesday, July 17 – Cost $ 250 - Venue: Alphington Grammar School, 18 Old Heidelberg Rd Alphington * Intermediate Ancient Greek (Secondary School Students) - Saturdays 10am -1pm

Register you interest by emailing at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call at: 0431995055

Wednesdays 5:15 – 8:15 pm; starting on Wednesday, July 17 2013

This course caters for High School students who wish to increase their cultural literacy, investigate the origins of philosophy, science, politics, rhetoric, history and literature, be inspired from the moral insight and virtue of the classical world, read the architects of western civilization in their own words and finally increase their performance at the VCE Classical Greek examinations with a high score scaling reaching up to 15 marks.

By Dr. Christos N. Fifis

In 2011 the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV) becomes 114 years old. The Community was established on 22 August 1897, in Melbourne, at the shop of Grigoris Matorikos, where a number of Greeks gathered to discuss the issue and bring over a priest from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for the religious needs of themselves and those Arab speaking Orthodox people of Melbourne. Many people at the gathering promised various amounts, together with the promises of others who were unable to attend the meeting.

Οn the occasion of the 114th Anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria we are proud to publicly release detailed images of the first minutes of the GOCMV (1897-1916).

The minutes contain hundreds of names of early Greek settlers and through its pages we observe the history of the organisation as it evolved through its first two decades: the establishment of the first Greek Orthodox Church in Melbourne, the contribution of the founding members to the war efforts in Greece and the first constitution of a Greek organisation in Australia.

As a result of an unprecedented number of telephone calls and correspondence that the Greek Community has received from our compatriots in Greece, we wish to stress that in accordance to existing Australian immigration legislation a person that wishes to enter Australia can do so for the purposes of holidays, study or to work in Australia. For your information we note the following: