Finest Students of Greek Studies Honored in New South Wales

In the packed auditorium of the State Parliament of the New South Wales, distinguished students were honored during the presentation ceremony of the annual Excellence in Greek Studies.

For the 19^th year, the Association of Greek-Australian Teachers in New South Wales-Australian Capital Region-Queensland honored students and teachers who studied the Greek language, history and culture in 2013.

Primary school students, students who excelled at the final HSC exams in 2013, as well as students of Greek Language and Culture of the University of Sydney received commemorative medals and Association certificates. In total, sixty five distinctions were offered to students and teachers.

The president of the Community Relations Commission Vic Alhadeff with origins from the Jewish community in Rhodes underlined his personal relationship with the Greek language and people.

“Scientific research proves that by studying a second language a student improves the creativity of mind and at the same time the ability to confer in his/her own language. Learning a foreign language offers new opportunities, promotes ideas and extends anyone’s knowledge and perspective,” stated Mr. Alhadeff.

The president of the Association, Dr. Panayiotis Diamantis noted that “the students honored tonight, regardless of their origin, are in a way Greeks since they have received Greek education. It is them who honor us by participating in Greek learning, either as students or as teachers.”