The $15 million scheme will support 600 community language schools in Australia
The Australian government have announced that 600 community language schools, including 31 Greek schools, across the country will get a boost in funding.
The $15 million scheme, as part of a program to help keep kids connected to languages, will directly assist over 90,000 students learning 84 different languages at not-for-profit Community Language Schools in every state and territory.
Schools will be able to upgrade wherever they see fit, whether that be through purchasing educational equipment, improving access for disadvantaged students, strengthening online delivery, or setting up another school.
The investment will ensure more kids growing up in Australia can learn the language and culture of their families who have migrated to Australia from overseas, ensuring that diverse traditions, languages and cultures live on for generations.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs of Australia Andrew Giles said these schools not only teach kids languages, but help build communities.
“Community schools don’t just teach kids a new language- they build a community for families of similar backgrounds and help kids connect to elders in their communities,” he said in a media release sent to Neos Kosmos.
He reinforced that the Government’s investment means language, culture and beliefs will continue to pass down through generations.
“We also know that the younger someone starts learning a language, the easier it is for them to pick up. That’s why we’ve made sure that this investment will help more schools open their doors to pre-schoolers, not just school-aged kids.”
Chairman of Community Languages Victoria and President of Community Languages Australia Tassos Douvartzidis confirmed with Neos Kosmos that the grant payments will be made via two payments.
The first being two thirds of the grand amount, which will be paid before June 2024. The second payment, one third, will be paid in June 2025.
“Community Languages Australia acknowledge the federal government’s assistance,” he said.
“I’m pleased to say that all applicants were successfully accepted but 20. These 20 that weren’t, was just to the fact that they aren’t associated directly with community schools.”
He said it is great news for all the schools who all have their own different needs to address with the funding.
The push for government support is longstanding, with Tassos recalling that during the Bob Hawke government he received a telegram promising $35 per student – and now years later, funding has grown exponentially.
He said Executive Director of Community Languages Australia Stefan Romaniw has played a big role in particular in achieving this outcome.
More than $900,000 will go toward supporting Greek schools nationwide.
Below is the full list of Greek schools who will receive funding:
Aetolian College of Hellenic Language and Culture (Vic)
AHEPA Victoria
Cyprus Community of N.S.W.
Greek Orthodox Church and Community of St. Anthony Northern Suburbs
Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of Norwood and Eastern Suburbs
Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia
Greek Orthodox Community of St. George Brisbane
Greek Orthodox Community The Nativity Of Christ Port Adelaide And Environs
Greek Orthodox Parish of St George Rose Bay
Hellenic Academy of NSW
Hellenic Centre for Language & Culture of Australia
Hellenic Community of Western Australia
Hellenic Orthodox Community of Kingsgrove Bexley North Beverley Hills & District
Hellenic Orthodox Parish and Community of Blacktown and Districts
Nestoras College
Omiros College
Protypo Greek Centre
Saint Panteleimon Greek School Dandenong
St. Raphael’s Greek Orthodox Parish of Liverpool and District
The Greek Orthodox Church & Community of Leichhardt & District of St. Gerasimos
The Greek Orthodox Church and Benevolent Society of St. George (Hobart)
The Greek Orthodox Church Community of Bankstown District St. Euphemia
The Greek Orthodox Community and Church Of Canberra and District
The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria
The Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales
The Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District
The Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of Kogarah & District Resurrection of Christ
The Greek Orthodox Parish Northern and Western Suburbs
The Hellenic Orthodox Community of Geelong
The Hellenic Orthodox Community of Parramatta and Districts
Zenon Cultural Centre
