The Australian Hellenic Memorial Foundation, with the support of Mr Vasilios Gkokas, the Greek Consul for Educational Affairs, will hold the fifth annual Australian Hellenic Memorial School Competition throughout all Greek schools in Victoria, including schools that incorporate Greek in their curriculum.
The Australian Hellenic Memorial was erected in the Domain Gardens of Melbourne in 2001 as a means of acknowledging the sacrifices made by ANZAC soldiers who fought alongside Greeks during the Second World War.
President of the foundation, Steve Kyritsis, said that the competition is a way of commemorating the joint efforts by both countries, and their soldiers, toward the Greek cause during the War.
“It’s been well highlighted, the contribution of the ANZACs to the Greek campaign in the Second World War, but it’s important to go further in schools,” he said.
“The number of Australians who served in Greece in the Second World War was just over 17,000. Out of the 17,000, 841 Australians lost their lives and are buried on Greek soil,” he said.
Participation in the competition has grown from 250 in its inaugural year in 2010, to close to 500 in 2013.
Despite its connection with Victorian Greek schools, Mr Kyritsis welcomes contributions from all students at those schools, regardless of ethnicity.
The competition is open to all ages from year one to year 12 and students are welcome to submit a drawing, painting, poem, essay, or an interview with a veteran.
According to Peter Andrinopoulos, member of the Board of the Australian Hellenic Memorial Foundation, entries can be posted to PO Box 2932, Cheltenham, Victoria, 3192, or alternatively, if entries cannot be posted then arrangements can be made with schools to pick up the items.
All contestants will receive a badge and a certificate of participation, with winners receiving cash prizes from $50 to $400.

The competition closes on Friday 12 September, 2014, with competition winners set to receive their prizes on Sunday October 12, 2014, at the Australian Hellenic Memorial.

For further information on the competition contact Peter Andrinopoulos on 0416 020 865 or Emanuel Karvelas 0400 629 597.