The Melbourne University Greek Association (MUnGA) became the latest organisation this week to back financially the new tower of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV), which will be housing the Cultural Centre of the Community.

The Board of MUnGA unanimously decided to donate the sum of $2500 to the new cultural centre. The donation cheque was presented this week by the committee to GOCMV President, Mr Bill Papastergiadis, its Vice-President George Kallianis and Board member Phillip Vassilliadis.

In presenting the cheque, MUnGA’s President, Yiannis Kallianis, stated that “the aims of MUnGA in promoting the Hellenic culture, identity and language in the Antipodes with a key focus on the youth perfectly mirrored with the aims of the cultural centre”.

The President of the GOCMV Mr Bill Papastergiadis thanked MUnGA for its initiative and donation, stating that it was heartening to see that the Hellenic-Australian youth were also throwing their support behind the project.

Current GOCMV board member and former university club committee member Phillip Vassiliadis added that it was promising to see his peers engage and invest in the future of the GOCMV and the Greek Community: “This contribution is a sign of the ongoing commitment of younger generations to their language, culture and heritage”.

MUnGA President Yiannis Kallianis highlighted the importance of university organisations to not only organise social events, which MUnGA itself has traditionally done, but also academic and other socially and community useful initiatives. “This year, the committee focused on academic events, such as the successful presentation with Justice Kyrou organised in collaboration with the Melbourne Law School, as well as giving back to the community, evidenced by our joint donation with the Monash
Hellenic Students Society to “Agapi Care” and now our $2500 donation to the Cultural Centre”, said Yiannis Kallianis.

In addition to the above, MUnGA has initiated negotiations with the head of the University of Melbourne School of Language and Linguistics, in relation to bringing back
Modern Greek to the syllabus. In commenting on the issue,the President of MUnGA stated that “given the passion and high level of interest for the Modern Greek language amongst members, it was our obligation to start such negotiations with the department of Language and Linguistics and they have begun in a very positive manner”.

Established in 2009, MUnGA has now grown to become one of the largest Greek-Australian student organisations, with more than 300 members.