The 2011 Australian Hellenic Memorial Foundation student competition prizewinners were announced on Thursday 28 October at a memorial service for ‘OXI Day’. Over 468 students entered the competition ensuring its presence again next year.

Students won prizes for first, second and third in their various categories. Those awarded with prizes (in no particular order) were: Nicollette Caruana; Lida Garifalia Kehagias; Georgia Pipiliaridis; Jackie Santi; Sara Emmanouilidis; Mary Lioupas; Siana Patrikakos; Maria Marinelis; Thalia Papamichael;Bianka Traiforos; Emma Sideridis; Anastacia Radimisis; Emmanuel Papadakis; Elaina Nikolakakis; Fotis Tsiouklas; Cristopher Seoud; Tatiana Iordanidi; Terrence Mavropoulos; Yiannis Gesos; Evan Maheridis; and Theodora Diakoumakos.

The aim of the competition, now in its second year, was to educate students by exploring Greek and Australian involvement in Greece during the World Wars.

Steve Kyritsis, president, Australian Hellenic Memorial Foundation, said this competition will educate the children on the reasons why bonds are shared between Australia and Greece, and of the turbulent times both countries witnessed during war years.

“They will look at the friendship that exists between Australia and Greece since World War I, when the Anzacs were welcomed on the island of Lemnos.”