Seventeen young Greek Australians have returned to Melbourne with new friendships, lifelong memories and a deeper connection to their heritage following the Greek Community of Melbourne’s third Greek Youth Camp in Greece.
The cultural and educational program brought together Greek Australian teenagers aged 14 to 16 for an immersive journey through Greece, taking them from ancient sites and cultural institutions to the Hellenic Parliament and, on their final day, a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
This year’s program was made possible through the extraordinary hospitality and generosity of the Region of Attica, which welcomed the students and created opportunities for them to experience Greece well beyond the traditional tourist itinerary.
For the students, it was a chance to experience the culture, history and language they had grown up with in Australia in an entirely new way.
“Being in Greece made my culture feel much more real to me. It was different learning about it at home compared to actually being here and experiencing it for myself.”
The students were accompanied by GCM Board of Management member and Chair of the Youth and Community Engagement Committee Tass Sgardelis, GCM Schools Principal Maria Bakalidou and GCM Camp Program Coordinator Meg Smith.
Experiencing Greece first-hand
Across the program, students explored some of Greece’s most important historical and cultural sites, including the Acropolis, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio and Sounion.
At Mycenae, they walked through the ancient site and learned about the Palace of Agamemnon, while in Nafplio they explored the history of modern Greece and visited the site where the country’s first Governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias, was assassinated.
At Epidaurus, students stood inside one of the ancient world’s most significant theatres, while a visit to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion offered another opportunity to encounter Greece’s ancient history outside the classroom.
Other activities brought Greek culture to life in different ways. At the European Bread Museum, students learned about the role of bread in Greek culture before making it themselves, while a visit to the Costa Lazaridi Wine Estate introduced them to Greek wine production.
Some of the most memorable moments, however, were the unexpected ones.
The Region of Attica adapted parts of the program around the interests of the group, including taking the students to a women’s basketball match, where they watched the home side come back from 14 points down to win.
They also witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, with the Evzones emerging in formation accompanied by a marching band.
“Everyone we met made us feel so welcome. The hospitality was something I’ll always remember, and it made Greece feel like home.”
A personal welcome from Nikos Hardalias
A highlight of the program was a meeting with Regional Governor of Attica Nikos Hardalias, who personally welcomed the students and spoke with them about their experiences in Greece.
The students presented Mr Hardalias with a handwritten card, with each participant sharing something they were grateful for from the trip. Before the meeting concluded, he took the time to read every message.
The meeting reflected the warmth and hospitality the students experienced throughout their time in Attica and the strong relationship that has developed through the Greek Youth Camp.
Inside the Hellenic Parliament
The group was also given a guided tour of the Hellenic Parliament, where students learned more about Greece’s political system and the history of the building.
The visit quickly became an interactive discussion, with students asking about compulsory voting, Greece’s electoral system and how it differs from Australia.
For the GCM chaperones, their curiosity demonstrated how the program can encourage young Greek Australians to engage not only with Greece’s past, but with the country as it exists today.
Meeting the Prime Minister
The camp concluded with an unexpected invitation to Maximos Palace, where the students met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Mr Mitsotakis welcomed the group and spoke with students about their experiences, whether they had visited Greece before, their Greek language studies and their favourite parts of the trip.
He also discussed opportunities for young people in the diaspora to learn Greek through technology, while emphasising the importance of Greek schools and classroom learning in building a lasting connection to the language.
For one student, the experience reinforced a new determination to learn Greek.
“Before this trip, I didn’t really have a strong reason to learn Greek. Now I want to learn it properly, so that the next time I come back, I can speak to people in their language and feel even more connected.”
The visit to Maximos Palace provided an extraordinary conclusion to a program that had already given the students a side of Greece few young visitors have the opportunity to experience.
Building the next generation
For the Greek Community of Melbourne, the Greek Youth Camp is about much more than travelling to Greece.
The program forms part of GCM’s broader commitment to giving young Greek Australians meaningful opportunities to engage with their language, culture and heritage, while building friendships with others who share that connection.
“One of my favourite things about the camp was meeting everyone and becoming so close. I know these are friendships and memories I’ll have for a really long time.”
Over the course of just a few days, the students travelled to Delphi and Galaxidi, took a cruise through the Saronic Gulf, swam in Greek waters, sampled traditional cuisine, and had the opportunity to explore, shop and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of central Athens.
But the lasting impact of the program is what they bring home.
“This trip showed me that my Greek culture is something I can be proud of and something I want to keep learning about. I came here to experience Greece, but I’m going home wanting to know even more.”
The Greek Community of Melbourne looks forward to continuing the Greek Youth Camp and its partnership with Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias and the Region of Attica, creating opportunities for future generations of young Greek Australians to build their own connection with Greece.
Dining and Cooking