GCM Honours Outstanding VCE Achievers

GCM Honours Outstanding VCE Achievers

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) hosted an event to recognise the remarkable achievements of VCE high achievers of Greek heritage. The evening brought together families, friends, educators, and members of the community to celebrate the students’ dedication and academic success. More than 100 attendees gathered at the event to honour the students and celebrate their outstanding accomplishments.

The event, held at the Greek Centre, was attended by a delegation from the GCM Board of Directors, who joined in acknowledging the accomplishments of the students.

The evening began with welcoming remarks by Vick Kyritsis, Assistant GCM Secretary, who set the tone for the proceedings as the event’s host.

GCM President Bill Papastergiadis, OAM, delivered a speech highlighting the significance of education in building a better future:

“"Education has been the foundation upon which our community has built its growth, prosperity, and resilience. Since the establishment of our first school in the 1920s, the Greek Community of Melbourne has remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering a love of learning and preserving our rich cultural heritage. From a modest beginning with one school and 160 students in the 1950s, we now proudly run Alphington Grammar and multiple campuses offering programs ranging from early learning to university collaborations. These achievements reflect the hard work and vision of those who came before us, ensuring that our young people not only excel academically but also remain connected to their Hellenic roots. Our goal is to continue supporting future generations, inspiring them to embrace education as a pathway to leadership and global citizenship."

The Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, also addressed the audience:

“Every year, the GCM organises this event, and I extend my congratulations to your children on their achievements. To the students, I would say: never stop your efforts. Stay connected to your culture and always visit your country. There is no contradiction between Greece and Australia. It is cool to be Greek! Make friends, celebrate your achievements together, and get to know every aspect of Greek culture because that is what it means to be Greek.”

Professor John Chrysoulakis, former Secretary for Greeks Abroad and President of AHEPA International, shared his admiration for the GCM:

It is a great honor to be among such high achievers and students tonight. The GCM is the largest Greek community in the world. It is the best, and I say this from experience, having met many Greek communities. Yours is extraordinary, and I must add, the most active. We will continue to work closely with you to accomplish even more initiatives.”

Professor John Chrysoulakis was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, who was present at the event 

The evening concluded with the presentation of awards to the high achievers, celebrating their excellence. As a surprise, the students were offered membership to the Greek Community, encouraging them to participate in its events and stay connected to their heritage.

The students who received an award are 

 
AGRAFIOTIS RAPTIS Konstantinos      GCM
ALLEGOS Aden Kai  Melbourne Grammar School
Andrikopoulos Sotorios  Oakleigh Grammar
ANDRONIKOS Aoide  Aitken College
ANTONIADES Emily* Ivanhoe Grammar School
ANTONIADIS Peter  GCM
BABATZANIS Georgina     Loreto Mandeville Hall
BAHTSEVANOGLOU Constance*     Santa Maria College
BALIS Sophie Francesca  Caulfield Grammar School
BELEGRINOS Stefannie    GCM
BOUBOURAS Alexa Octavia Presbyterian Ladies' College
CONSTANTINOU Eleni Mary Balwyn High School
COURMADIAS Lachlan John *     Camberwell Grammar School
DASSIOS Nikita    Haileybury College Keysborough
Dassios  Athanasia      VSL South Oakleigh
DELIOS Leah Victoria    Ivanhoe Grammar School
DELLAPORTAS Stephanie Grace   Ruyton Girls' School
DEMOSTHENOUS Georgi     John Monash Science School Clayton
DERMITZAKIS Jordi Salesian College
DIMOS-FOUNDAS Stephanie Eleni*      Sacre Coeur
DIONYSSOPOULOS Polly    Taxiarches Greek School of Mentone and District
FANTAS Madeleine  Cornish College
FLORATOS-VAKALIS Zoe Ellie    Caulfield Grammar School
FOSCOLOS Evelyn   Our Lady of Sacred Heart College
FOTINOS Madeleine Sarah Greensborough Secondary College
Galazoula Artemis GCM
GANAS Emmanuel    De La Salle College
GARDIAKOS Amelie Elektra      Kardinia International College
GASIS Dimitri     Melbourne Grammar School
GEKAS Dylan George Antonios   Overnewton Anglican Community College
GIAKOUMATOS Christos    Salesian College
GIANAKIS Eleftheria     Stonnington School of Dance
GOLDING Alexandros      GCM
GOLDING Paris     GCM
GOURVELOS Kayla Olivia* Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School
GOUZANIS Christian Lucas*     Camberwell High School
HOGIOS Aurora Myee      Mentone Grammar School
IOANNIDOU Afroditi      GCM
KAKOUFAS Samuel Andrew* Caulfield Grammar School
KALLIS Joanna Victoria  Braybrook College
KALOGERAKIS Stamatis    Ivanhoe Grammar School
Karagianni Anastasia Konstantina    VSL South Oakleigh
KARPATHAKIS George      St Kevin's College Toorak
KATIFORIS Zara Eleni*   Sacre Coeur
KELLIS Jonathan   Melbourne Grammar School
KOUKOURIKIS Melina Panayiota  Siena College
KOUMIDES Savina Nasia   GCM
KOUROUMALIS Benjamin Gerard   Mernda Central P-12 College
Kousourakis Helen Oakleigh Grammar
KRASSARIS Alexi Nicholas      Caulfield Grammar School
Leon Stephanie*   Loreto Mandeville Toorak
LEONDIS Scarlett Ourania      Geelong Grammar School
LEONIDIS Max Edward     Balwyn High School
LIMBERIS Theodore Melbourne Grammar School
LOUKA Dimitra     GCM
MALLIOS Lukas Paul      Whitefriars College
MARAMIS Andrea    McKinnon Secondary College
MARAMIS Andrea    McKinnon Secondary College
MELLIOU Myrto     Brunswick Secondary College
Menouchos Georgios      VSL South Oakleigh
MILIONIS Amelia Bella   Loreto Mandeville Hall
MOLIVAS Elias Sheng     Staughton College
MOURATIDIS George*      Alphington Grammar School
MURPHY John Paul  Xavier Collage
NEZOS Billie Jane Korowa Anglican Girls' School
NIKOLOUDIS Nikolaos     Lalor Secondary College
PAGANIS George    Xavier Collage
PANTELOPOULOS Eva Firbank Grammar School
PAPALEO Adelia Caterina University High School
PARADISIS Matilda Maria Mentone Girls' Secondary College
PASAKOS Marco Stefanos Dunley*      Ballarat Grammar
PASPALIARIS Mischa Anastasia* Methodist Ladies College
PAZINAS Minas     GCM
PETRIS Ashton Martin    Haileybury College
Pirpiris Georgios*      Melbourne Grammar
POLITES Nicolas George  Yarra Valley Grammar School
PSEGIANNAKIS Angelique* Frankston High School
PSOMAS Aidan*     Caulfield Grammar School
REKAS Teona Caulfield Grammar School
RISVANIS Hugo Christos  St Bede's College
ROMANIDIS Yianni  St Kevin's College Toorak
ROUBOS Anastasia  Firbank Grammar School
Salmas Elena      GCM
SAPOUNTSIS Stella Martini     Loreto Mandeville Hall
SFINAS Kalliopi*  Doncaster Secondary College
SIDERA Rafaela    GCM
SKLAVENITIS Eleni Anna  GCM
STAMBANIS Oscar   Camberwell Grammar School
TRIPATZIS Simon Nicholas*     Scotch College
TSIOUTRAS Yahna   Star of the Sea College
TSOULOS Eleni Maria     Maribyrnong College
TZOUBA Natalia    GCM
TZOUNOS Jaxon     Bacchus Marsh Grammar
VALCANAS Joseph Andrew* De La Salle College
VELLAS Georgia    Loreto Mandeville Hall
VESDREVANIS Sophia Julia      Doncaster Secondary College
VOSNIDIS Nicolette Anastasia* Caulfield Grammar School
VOSSOS Peter Achilles   Haileybury College
ZAFIRIS Chris     Trinity Grammar School
ZOIS Stephanie Elise    East Doncaster Secondary College
ZOUROS Rose Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School
ZUVELA Chloe Alice      Mount St Joseph Girls' College