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 |
GCM |
|
ALLEGOS Aden Kai |
Melbourne Grammar School |
|
Andrikopoulos Sotorios |
Oakleigh Grammar |
|
ANDRONIKOS Aoide |
Aitken College |
|
ANTONIADES Emily* |
Ivanhoe Grammar School |
|
ANTONIADIS Peter |
GCM |
|
BABATZANIS Georgina |
Loreto Mandeville Hall |
|
BAHTSEVANOGLOU Constance* |
Santa Maria College |
|
BALIS Sophie Francesca |
Caulfield Grammar School |
|
BELEGRINOS Stefannie |
GCM |
|
BOUBOURAS Alexa Octavia |
Presbyterian Ladies’ College |
|
CONSTANTINOU Eleni Mary |
Balwyn High School |
|
COURMADIAS Lachlan John * |
Camberwell Grammar School |
|
DASSIOS Nikita |
Haileybury College Keysborough |
|
Dassios Athanasia |
VSL South Oakleigh |
|
DELIOS Leah Victoria |
Ivanhoe Grammar School |
|
DELLAPORTAS Stephanie Grace |
Ruyton Girls’ School |
|
DEMOSTHENOUS Georgi |
John Monash Science School Clayton |
|
DERMITZAKIS Jordi |
Salesian College |
|
DIMOS-FOUNDAS Stephanie Eleni* |
Sacre Coeur |
|
DIONYSSOPOULOS Polly |
Taxiarches Greek School of Mentone and District |
|
FANTAS Madeleine |
Cornish College |
|
FLORATOS-VAKALIS Zoe Ellie |
Caulfield Grammar School |
|
FOSCOLOS Evelyn |
Our Lady of Sacred Heart College |
|
FOTINOS Madeleine Sarah |
Greensborough Secondary College |
|
Galazoula Artemis |
GCM |
|
GANAS Emmanuel |
De La Salle College |
|
GARDIAKOS Amelie Elektra |
Kardinia International College |
|
GASIS Dimitri |
Melbourne Grammar School |
|
GEKAS Dylan George Antonios |
Overnewton Anglican Community College |
|
GIAKOUMATOS Christos |
Salesian College |
|
GIANAKIS Eleftheria |
Stonnington School of Dance |
|
GOLDING Alexandros |
GCM |
|
GOLDING Paris |
GCM |
|
GOURVELOS Kayla Olivia* |
Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School |
|
GOUZANIS Christian Lucas* |
Camberwell High School |
|
HOGIOS Aurora Myee |
Mentone Grammar School |
|
IOANNIDOU Afroditi |
GCM |
|
KAKOUFAS Samuel Andrew* |
Caulfield Grammar School |
|
KALLIS Joanna Victoria |
Braybrook College |
|
KALOGERAKIS Stamatis |
Ivanhoe Grammar School |
|
Karagianni Anastasia Konstantina |
VSL South Oakleigh |
|
KARPATHAKIS George |
St Kevin’s College Toorak |
|
KATIFORIS Zara Eleni* |
Sacre Coeur |
|
KELLIS Jonathan |
Melbourne Grammar School |
|
KOUKOURIKIS Melina Panayiota |
Siena College |
|
KOUMIDES Savina Nasia |
GCM |
|
KOUROUMALIS Benjamin Gerard |
Mernda Central P-12 College |
|
Kousourakis Helen |
Oakleigh Grammar |
|
KRASSARIS Alexi Nicholas |
Caulfield Grammar School |
|
Leon Stephanie* |
Loreto Mandeville Toorak |
|
LEONDIS Scarlett Ourania |
Geelong Grammar School |
|
LEONIDIS Max Edward |
Balwyn High School |
|
LIMBERIS Theodore |
Melbourne Grammar School |
|
LOUKA Dimitra |
GCM |
|
MALLIOS Lukas Paul |
Whitefriars College |
|
MARAMIS Andrea |
McKinnon Secondary College |
|
MARAMIS Andrea |
McKinnon Secondary College |
|
MELLIOU Myrto |
Brunswick Secondary College |
|
Menouchos Georgios |
VSL South Oakleigh |
|
MILIONIS Amelia Bella |
Loreto Mandeville Hall |
|
MOLIVAS Elias Sheng |
Staughton College |
|
MOURATIDIS George* |
Alphington Grammar School |
|
MURPHY John Paul |
Xavier Collage |
|
NEZOS Billie Jane |
Korowa Anglican Girls’ School |
|
NIKOLOUDIS Nikolaos |
Lalor Secondary College |
|
PAGANIS George |
Xavier Collage |
|
PANTELOPOULOS Eva |
Firbank Grammar School |
|
PAPALEO Adelia Caterina |
University High School |
|
PARADISIS Matilda Maria |
Mentone Girls’ Secondary College |
|
PASAKOS Marco Stefanos Dunley* |
Ballarat Grammar |
|
PASPALIARIS Mischa Anastasia* |
Methodist Ladies College |
|
PAZINAS Minas |
GCM |
|
PETRIS Ashton Martin |
Haileybury College |
|
Pirpiris Georgios* |
Melbourne Grammar |
|
POLITES Nicolas George |
Yarra Valley Grammar School |
|
PSEGIANNAKIS Angelique* |
Frankston High School |
|
PSOMAS Aidan* |
Caulfield Grammar School |
|
REKAS Teona |
Caulfield Grammar School |
|
RISVANIS Hugo Christos |
St Bede’s College |
|
ROMANIDIS Yianni |
St Kevin’s College Toorak |
|
ROUBOS Anastasia |
Firbank Grammar School |
|
Salmas Elena |
GCM |
|
SAPOUNTSIS Stella Martini |
Loreto Mandeville Hall |
|
SFINAS Kalliopi* |
Doncaster Secondary College |
|
SIDERA Rafaela |
GCM |
|
SKLAVENITIS Eleni Anna |
GCM |
|
STAMBANIS Oscar |
Camberwell Grammar School |
|
TRIPATZIS Simon Nicholas* |
Scotch College |
|
TSIOUTRAS Yahna |
Star of the Sea College |
|
TSOULOS Eleni Maria |
Maribyrnong College |
|
TZOUBA Natalia |
GCM |
|
TZOUNOS Jaxon |
Bacchus Marsh Grammar |
|
VALCANAS Joseph Andrew* |
De La Salle College |
|
VELLAS Georgia |
Loreto Mandeville Hall |
|
VESDREVANIS Sophia Julia |
Doncaster Secondary College |
|
VOSNIDIS Nicolette Anastasia* |
Caulfield Grammar School |
|
VOSSOS Peter Achilles |
Haileybury College |
|
ZAFIRIS Chris |
Trinity Grammar School |
|
ZOIS Stephanie Elise |
East Doncaster Secondary College |
|
ZOUROS Rose |
Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School |
|
ZUVELA Chloe Alice |
Mount St Joseph Girls’ College |
