The 2017 Spirit of Hellenism Award, an initiative conceived by Hellenism Victoria, came to a close last week and according to member John Vithoulkas it achieved its objective.

Open to all Victorian year 10 students, the competition was a chance for participants to research the story of Greek migrants and develop a presentation that showcased their contributions to Australian society with shortlisted entries judged by a panel.

“At its core, this competition seeks to unite generations. The difficulty in the diaspora is that generations can grow apart. A first-generation [person who]speaks Greek and grew up in difficult conditions is very different to a third-generation [person who] speaks English and is growing up in the digital age in a metropolis. The Spirit of Hellenism competition was designed to bring the generations together, to a position where both are strengthened by each others experiences,” Mr Vithoulkas said, after presenting awards to the top four entries on Sunday 19 March as part of the Dodecanese Ensomatosi event at Axion Estin in Northcote.

Taking out the first prize – two flights to Greece – was Oakleigh Grammar’s Kiriaki Gilinas. The year 10 student managed to capture the emotions of her grandmother leaving Greece and starting a new life in Australia in the form of a poem.

Asked what it felt like to hear her name announced for the top prize, Kiriaki told Neos Kosmos “it was very emotional, it was amazing. My yiayia and pappou were so happy, my yiayia even cried.”

The 15-year-old said she is quite creative, and enjoys writing so thought a poem would be the perfect medium in which to tell her grandmother’s story.
“I chose my yiayia because I really look up to her and she’s taught me a lot, and I thought she fit the criteria perfectly,” said Kiriaki for whom the win is particularly sweet given she’s never been to Greece.

“Winning means a lot… I get to experience more of my culture.”

The win has also inspired Kiriaki’s parents to travel as a family to Greece for the first time, and are looking to go at the beginning of September.
Also awarded was Theano Salta who was gifted a laptop for her impressive documentary, in which she’d utilised impressive research and archival sources to tell the story of how Greeks have contributed to Australia.

Zacharias Smyrnis was awarded for his artwork, which while demonstrating his undeniable talent also told of the connection he has with his grandmother and the Greek myths she told him as a child.

Maria Martha Kapetanea was awarded the Fronditha Prize. She interviewed Fronditha Care volunteer Dimitri Kalodima and transformed their exchanges into a moving poem that captured the feelings of a Greek migrating to Australia.

Mr Vithoulkas thanked all students who participated, along with their families and teachers for the support, and the clubs that created the initiative.
“Looking at their final work, all the research, all the mediums and all the entries were united by their pursuit of the spirit of Hellenism; by their love for ellinismo, their respect for ellines. They took different paths but all showed respect for the past,” Mr Vithoulkas said during his speech.

“Today prizes have been given out, but the real reward is the links to Hellenism you have discovered. May you hold the beauties of Hellenism within you and may your Hellenism assist and enrich you in everything you choose to do.”

To view the students’ work, visit www.hellenismvictoria.com and follow the links.