The Greek Story Time at Richmond Library will continue following a successful petition signed by Greek teachers, parents and grandparents fighting to keep the program alive.
After Yarra Council allegedly quietly axed the popular Greek-language story reading program in January, many in the Greek community were left in disbelief.
One of them was inner-city Melbourne mother, Maria Tsakakis, who started an online petition to save it.
With a goal to reach 200 signatures, the petition garnered more than that, reaching 339 supporters.
However, Yarra Council said it was not going to be cancelled despite an email stating that the program will no longer be financially supported by the council and whether those involved wanted it to “continue as a community-led session”.
Kindergarten and Greek language teacher, Vicky Petalas has been hosting the free storybook program at Richmond Library since February 2022.
Petalas shared her excitement for the continued sessions.
“Myself, and the parents that come and join me, we’re very excited and so looking forward to it,” she told Neos Kosmos.
“We were really stressed because we weren’t sure what was going on, but we’re happy now that we’re starting again, and we believe that we will have a great year.”
She also detailed the importance of the sessions, which is more than just reading books and learning to speak and read Greek.
“It’s very important, not only to keep the language alive, but to keep Greece alive in the children and in the next generation.”
“Children are growing up in a country where they’re overwhelmed by other traditions.
“They’re very far from Greece, so it’s very important for them to grow up knowing about their country, their homeland, knowing Greek traditions, loving Greece, loving whatever has to do with Greece and of course, learning the Greek language here in Australia.”
Greek Story Time at Richmond Library will continue to run school terms every Wednesday at 11am, beginning this week on March 6.
