This year, Antipodes Festival is powered by the energy and enthusiasm of the new generation, as over 40 volunteers – mainly third-generation Greek Australians – have stepped up to help organise this major event on the community calendar.
The significant number of young volunteers, averaging 25 years old, showcases the younger generation’s dedication, and commitment to participating in community initiatives and contributing to the success of this major event.
Many volunteers initially participated as performers in past Antipodes festivals, before transitioning to crew members to become more directly involved.
These crew members encompass a diverse group, including relatives or friends of Antipodes and GCM staff, participants from the GCM’s Summer Camp Program, as well as students from GCM’s Adult classes.
One of the Greek-Australian volunteers, Sophia Menidis, feels “fortunate enough to have been brought up being involved in the festival” thanks to her father’s involvement, and every year “looks forward” to celebrating her culture through the festival.
“While we work and do what we can to help out in any way possible, we also get amazing moments where we are all Greek dancing in front of the main stage spontaneously, or meeting some of our favourite Greek chefs after their demonstrations. Working at the festival allows me to show just how proud I am to be Greek and be a part of this community here in Melbourne,” Sophia told Neos Kosmos.
Stephanie Demetrios, returning as a volunteer for the festival this year, shared with Neos Kosmos that she looks forward to spending “a jam packed and full of action weekend, helping out on the ground to make sure the festival runs smoothly, and all attendees enjoy their time.”
“I have been lucky to be able to be a crew member for Antipodes for a few years now. Each year I look forward to not only attending the Antipodes Festival, but even more, fulfilling my role as a crew member alongside other young Greek Australians and others who also have a passion for Greek culture and diaspora communities.”
Another young Serbian-Australian volunteer, Sara Draca, expresses her admiration for the long history of the Greek Community in organising events for both “local and international Greek communities,” supporting Greek-Australian and Greek businesses, as well as fostering connections for multiple generations of Greek Australians “to their family, homeland, culture, and language.”
“Coming from a Serbian-Australian background, I feel very empowered with regards to the future of my own community when I participate in GCM’s secular model for community outreach and education – a migrant community thrives when it remains true to its cultural legacy, but also innovates with events like the Antipodes Festival and Greek Language classes. I’m looking most forward to the dance performances and beautiful live music.”
Thanasis Thanos, originally from Greece, who migrated to Australia approximately ten years ago, quickly became involved with various Greek associations upon his arrival.
After attending the Antipodes festival for the first time in 2015, he “was impressed” by how effectively the festival spread and promoted Greek culture, and as a result he joined the Antipodes crew as a volunteer the following year.
“It is great opportunity to meet new Greek Australians, and others involved, to see all the performances by dance groups and musicians throughout the festival, and to experience the Greek cuisine and culture,” told Thanasis to Neos Kosmos.
He added that all of these aspects, and much more, made him proud that the Greek diaspora can effectively showcase our culture and traditions “to over eighty thousand people in just two days.”
