Melbourne: Oakleigh Grammar School honours the Epic of 28 October 1940
As in every year, and likewise this year being no different, the students of the Greek Orthodox School “Oakleigh Grammar”, in Melbourne, honoured with respect and pride the legendary “OXI” of the 1940s.
On Friday, October 28, the traditional celebration was organised at the School’s sports complex where the students of the Primary and High School took part. The celebration is organised annually by the School’s Greek Department and associated department teachers.
The celebration opened with the playing of the National Anthems of Australia and Greece. This was followed by the School’s Byzantine Choir, where the students sang celebratory hymns under the direction of Professor Mr. Konstantinos Damatopoulos.
The program was filled with songs from all grades of the Elementary School and poems. High School students presented the history of the day, in Greek and English. Masters of ceremonies of the celebration were the Year 10 students, Eleni Kousourakis, in English, and Sotiris Andrinopoulos, in Greek.
The event was graced by the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, who extended a warm greeting to those who were present, while he also spoke about the anniversary of October 28, 1940 and the great “OXI” of the Greeks.
The celebration was also attended by the President of the School’s Management Committee, Mr. Christos Damatopoulos, the Principal of the School, Mr. Mark Robertson, the Local Councillor of the Monash area, Mr. Theodoros Zografou, the Public Relations representative of the Bendigo bank Mr. Apostolos Orfanos, as well as Members of the Oakleigh Parish-Community Board.
The celebration ended with a prayer led by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis. His Grace addressed those who were present and conveyed the festive message and warm wishes of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
The students impressed all the guests, most of whom were grandparents who had come to take pride in their grandchildren!
Ms. Natasha Spanos, responsible for “Student Representative Council” & Greek Culture, congratulates all the students of “Oakleigh Grammar” School who remembered and honoured the heroes who shouted “NO / OXI”, knowing that there is no greater good than the good of freedom !
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