Hellenic Culture 

Schools, communities, clubs, Greek Australian organisations and thousands of Greek Australians gathered at South Melbourne Football Club at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park on Sunday 14 April, for the annual parade commemorating Greek Independence Day, officially celebrated on 25 March.

Oakleigh Grammar students, staff and Board Members attended the well-organised Greek Parade. Students proudly marched by raising the flags of their two homelands. Oakleigh Grammar had the privileged this year to open the parade. Students Sotiris Bakalis, George Zikas, Jessica Peraic and Michaela Millar hold the four official flags (Greek, Australian, Cypriot and Archdiocese) and accompanied Reverent Father Philip Papagiannopoulos who was holding the 1821 Banner. Our Oakleigh Grammar Drumming Union was involved by being part of the official parade drummers. For the first time, selected students from our school participated in the official parade choir and they sang the Australian and the Greek National Anthems.

Another big annual event took place on Sunday 21st of April.  The Society of Kalamata ‘23 March’ invited Oakleigh Grammar to the commemoration of the 83rd Anniversary of the Battle of Kalamata.  Students attended a special service at the Australian Hellenic Memorial and paid their tribute to ANZACs and Greeks soldiers who lost their lives during WWII.

Congratulations to all students who gave up their personal time and represented Oakleigh Grammar by participating in all these significant events.

Natasha Spanos

Hellenic Culture Coordinator