The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) celebrated the conclusion of another successful year for its Greek Language Schools with a festive End-of-Year Christmas Concert last Friday, at the Olympic Hall in Adelaide.
The event featured student performances, traditional Greek carols, and the announcement of the inaugural recipient of the Gonis Gardiakos Scholarship.
Nearly 200 students from GOCSA’s ten campuses showcased their talents during the two-hour event, attended by families, school staff, and special guest Brett Shuttleworth, CEO of Community Languages Schools SA.
Himo Tsakalos, GOCSA Schools Coordinator, praised the students’ dedication: “Attending Greek school after a long day is an incredible accomplishment. Today, we celebrate their achievements and the pride they bring to their families.”
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the first Gonis Gardiakos Scholarship winner, Year 7 student Ilektra Varanaki.
The scholarship, established in memory of the late Bill Gonis OAM, a former GOCSA president, will cover five years of tuition for Ilektra, supporting her continued Greek language education through high school.
Expressing their gratitude, Ilektra’s parents, Marianda Kaouri and Manousos Varanakis, said: “We are very proud of our daughter and thankful to GOCSA for their generous contribution.”
GOCSA President Peter Gardiakos emphasised the importance of preserving Greek heritage through language education.
“Learning Greek connects our children to the history, culture, and traditions of Greece, instilling pride and a sense of belonging. By investing in language education, we keep our collective identity alive.”
Vice President Peter Gonis echoed the sentiment, highlighting GOCSA’s decades-long commitment to nurturing the Greek language.
“Language is at the heart of culture. For over 90 years, we’ve worked to keep Greek alive in South Australia. We encourage all students to persevere, knowing future opportunities for success await them.”
More photos below:
