The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) hosted an event to recognise the remarkable achievements of VCE high achievers of Greek heritage. The evening brought together families, friends, educators, and members of the community to celebrate the students’ dedication and academic success. More than 100 attendees gathered at the event to honour the students and celebrate their outstanding accomplishments.
The event, held at the Greek Centre, was attended by a delegation from the GCM Board of Directors, who joined in acknowledging the accomplishments of the students.
The evening began with welcoming remarks by Vick Kyritsis, Assistant GCM Secretary, who set the tone for the proceedings as the event’s host.
GCM President Bill Papastergiadis, OAM, delivered a speech highlighting the significance of education in building a better future:
“"Education has been the foundation upon which our community has built its growth, prosperity, and resilience. Since the establishment of our first school in the 1920s, the Greek Community of Melbourne has remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering a love of learning and preserving our rich cultural heritage. From a modest beginning with one school and 160 students in the 1950s, we now proudly run Alphington Grammar and multiple campuses offering programs ranging from early learning to university collaborations. These achievements reflect the hard work and vision of those who came before us, ensuring that our young people not only excel academically but also remain connected to their Hellenic roots. Our goal is to continue supporting future generations, inspiring them to embrace education as a pathway to leadership and global citizenship."
The Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, also addressed the audience:
“Every year, the GCM organises this event, and I extend my congratulations to your children on their achievements. To the students, I would say: never stop your efforts. Stay connected to your culture and always visit your country. There is no contradiction between Greece and Australia. It is cool to be Greek! Make friends, celebrate your achievements together, and get to know every aspect of Greek culture because that is what it means to be Greek.”
Professor John Chrysoulakis, former Secretary for Greeks Abroad and President of AHEPA International, shared his admiration for the GCM:
It is a great honor to be among such high achievers and students tonight. The GCM is the largest Greek community in the world. It is the best, and I say this from experience, having met many Greek communities. Yours is extraordinary, and I must add, the most active. We will continue to work closely with you to accomplish even more initiatives.”
Professor John Chrysoulakis was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, who was present at the event
The evening concluded with the presentation of awards to the high achievers, celebrating their excellence. As a surprise, the students were offered membership to the Greek Community, encouraging them to participate in its events and stay connected to their heritage.
The students who received an award are
AGRAFIOTIS RAPTIS Konstantinos GCMALLEGOS Aden Kai Melbourne Grammar SchoolAndrikopoulos Sotorios Oakleigh GrammarANDRONIKOS Aoide Aitken CollegeANTONIADES Emily* Ivanhoe Grammar SchoolANTONIADIS Peter GCMBABATZANIS Georgina Loreto Mandeville HallBAHTSEVANOGLOU Constance* Santa Maria CollegeBALIS Sophie Francesca Caulfield Grammar SchoolBELEGRINOS Stefannie GCMBOUBOURAS Alexa Octavia Presbyterian Ladies' CollegeCONSTANTINOU Eleni Mary Balwyn High SchoolCOURMADIAS Lachlan John * Camberwell Grammar SchoolDASSIOS Nikita Haileybury College KeysboroughDassios Athanasia VSL South OakleighDELIOS Leah Victoria Ivanhoe Grammar SchoolDELLAPORTAS Stephanie Grace Ruyton Girls' SchoolDEMOSTHENOUS Georgi John Monash Science School ClaytonDERMITZAKIS Jordi Salesian CollegeDIMOS-FOUNDAS Stephanie Eleni* Sacre CoeurDIONYSSOPOULOS Polly Taxiarches Greek School of Mentone and DistrictFANTAS Madeleine Cornish CollegeFLORATOS-VAKALIS Zoe Ellie Caulfield Grammar SchoolFOSCOLOS Evelyn Our Lady of Sacred Heart CollegeFOTINOS Madeleine Sarah Greensborough Secondary CollegeGalazoula Artemis GCMGANAS Emmanuel De La Salle CollegeGARDIAKOS Amelie Elektra Kardinia International CollegeGASIS Dimitri Melbourne Grammar SchoolGEKAS Dylan George Antonios Overnewton Anglican Community CollegeGIAKOUMATOS Christos Salesian CollegeGIANAKIS Eleftheria Stonnington School of DanceGOLDING Alexandros GCMGOLDING Paris GCMGOURVELOS Kayla Olivia* Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar SchoolGOUZANIS Christian Lucas* Camberwell High SchoolHOGIOS Aurora Myee Mentone Grammar SchoolIOANNIDOU Afroditi GCMKAKOUFAS Samuel Andrew* Caulfield Grammar SchoolKALLIS Joanna Victoria Braybrook CollegeKALOGERAKIS Stamatis Ivanhoe Grammar SchoolKaragianni Anastasia Konstantina VSL South OakleighKARPATHAKIS George St Kevin's College ToorakKATIFORIS Zara Eleni* Sacre CoeurKELLIS Jonathan Melbourne Grammar SchoolKOUKOURIKIS Melina Panayiota Siena CollegeKOUMIDES Savina Nasia GCMKOUROUMALIS Benjamin Gerard Mernda Central P-12 CollegeKousourakis Helen Oakleigh GrammarKRASSARIS Alexi Nicholas Caulfield Grammar SchoolLeon Stephanie* Loreto Mandeville ToorakLEONDIS Scarlett Ourania Geelong Grammar SchoolLEONIDIS Max Edward Balwyn High SchoolLIMBERIS Theodore Melbourne Grammar SchoolLOUKA Dimitra GCMMALLIOS Lukas Paul Whitefriars CollegeMARAMIS Andrea McKinnon Secondary CollegeMARAMIS Andrea McKinnon Secondary CollegeMELLIOU Myrto Brunswick Secondary CollegeMenouchos Georgios VSL South OakleighMILIONIS Amelia Bella Loreto Mandeville HallMOLIVAS Elias Sheng Staughton CollegeMOURATIDIS George* Alphington Grammar SchoolMURPHY John Paul Xavier CollageNEZOS Billie Jane Korowa Anglican Girls' SchoolNIKOLOUDIS Nikolaos Lalor Secondary CollegePAGANIS George Xavier CollagePANTELOPOULOS Eva Firbank Grammar SchoolPAPALEO Adelia Caterina University High SchoolPARADISIS Matilda Maria Mentone Girls' Secondary CollegePASAKOS Marco Stefanos Dunley* Ballarat GrammarPASPALIARIS Mischa Anastasia* Methodist Ladies CollegePAZINAS Minas GCMPETRIS Ashton Martin Haileybury CollegePirpiris Georgios* Melbourne GrammarPOLITES Nicolas George Yarra Valley Grammar SchoolPSEGIANNAKIS Angelique* Frankston High SchoolPSOMAS Aidan* Caulfield Grammar SchoolREKAS Teona Caulfield Grammar SchoolRISVANIS Hugo Christos St Bede's CollegeROMANIDIS Yianni St Kevin's College ToorakROUBOS Anastasia Firbank Grammar SchoolSalmas Elena GCMSAPOUNTSIS Stella Martini Loreto Mandeville HallSFINAS Kalliopi* Doncaster Secondary CollegeSIDERA Rafaela GCMSKLAVENITIS Eleni Anna GCMSTAMBANIS Oscar Camberwell Grammar SchoolTRIPATZIS Simon Nicholas* Scotch CollegeTSIOUTRAS Yahna Star of the Sea CollegeTSOULOS Eleni Maria Maribyrnong CollegeTZOUBA Natalia GCMTZOUNOS Jaxon Bacchus Marsh GrammarVALCANAS Joseph Andrew* De La Salle CollegeVELLAS Georgia Loreto Mandeville HallVESDREVANIS Sophia Julia Doncaster Secondary CollegeVOSNIDIS Nicolette Anastasia* Caulfield Grammar SchoolVOSSOS Peter Achilles Haileybury CollegeZAFIRIS Chris Trinity Grammar SchoolZOIS Stephanie Elise East Doncaster Secondary CollegeZOUROS Rose Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar SchoolZUVELA Chloe Alice Mount St Joseph Girls' College
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