The Aetolian College of Hellenic Language and Culture celebrated its fifth anniversary with a gala attended by over 350 guests at the Stars International Reception Centre in Preston, Melbourne.

Founded through the historic merger of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’s afternoon and Saturday schools in Victoria, the College honored five years of preserving Greek education, Orthodox faith, and Hellenic heritage.

The Message Behind the Milestone

• Archbishop Makarios’ Message: Read by Bishops Evmenios and Kyriakos, the Archbishop emphasized that education is an inseparable part of the Church’s pastoral mission, stating, “Greek education is not the accumulation of information, but a way of thinking… and a way of life.”
• Preserving Identity: Consul General of Greece Dimitra Georgantzoglou and Board Chair Antonios Tsourdalakis praised the institution as a vital modern reform rooted in the legacy of the 1960s Greek migrant pioneers.
• Five Years of Progress: The College highlighted its key milestones, including a comprehensive curriculum aligned with Victorian standards, adult language classes, and new international sister-school partnerships.

Honoring Decades of Service

One of the night’s most emotional moments was the presentation of honorary awards to 11 veteran educators who have dedicated between 40 and 60 years to Greek-language education in Australia:

Andreas Tsitsanis, Georgia Lianou, Eleftheria Laouta, Patroklos Georgiou, Koula Theocharou, Sokratis Tsourdalakis, Efstathia Asimakopoulou, Amalia Vasileiadou, Giorgos Seferlis, Kostas Dimaras, and Stamatis Sklavounos.

The evening concluded with live music, a violin performance by educator Georgia Rapou, and traditional routines—including a massive, collaborative Zorba dance performed by students from all campuses.