Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott today announced the Andrews Labor Government will provide $20,000 towards the Speak Greek in March campaign.
Now in its second year, Speak Greek in March promotes the Greek language in the community and encourages upcoming generations to learn Greek. The campaign includes lectures, competitions, exhibitions and promotion in schools.
The campaign runs throughout March to coincide with the first term of the school year as well as a number of Greek cultural activities, including the celebration of Greek Independence Day and the Lonsdale Street Festival.
Greek is the second most popular language other than English in Victoria. According to the 2011 Census, approximately 117,000 Victorians spoke Greek at home.
By encouraging more people to speak Greek at home, at school, or at social gatherings, the Victorian Greek diaspora will become stronger.
In 2015, 2,879 students studied Greek in government primary schools, secondary colleges and the Victorian School of languages. Greek was taught by 22 teachers in 11 primary and 6 secondary schools. A total of 127 students studied Greek at VCE Level.
The Department of Education and Training also provided funding to 37 accredited Greek community language schools which provided a Prep – Year 12 Greek language program to 6,169 students.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott
“Melbourne is proud to be the third largest Greek speaking city outside of Greece and one of the best ways to preserve and share its culture is through language.”
“Victoria’s diversity is critical to our success as a state. Initiatives such as Speak Greek in March help to maintain and promote that diversity, not just for Greek Australians, but for all Australians.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
"Preserving community language is an important way for migrants to stay connected to their culture and for future generations to develop such a connection.”
"As a bilingual speaker myself, I recognise the enormous contribution that the Greek language has had in mathematics, science and other fields of learning.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020