Greek community rallies to save La Trobe University Modern Greek program

Greek community activists have launched a new fundraising drive to sustain La Trobe University's Modern Greek language program, which faces potential closure due to financial constraints. The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has pledged to cover the cost of maintaining the program for three years, committing $30,000 annually to support the initiative. This comes amid growing concern over the program being the sole tertiary-level offering of Modern Greek in Victoria following La Trobe's decision to suspend its Advanced Modern Greek stream. The GCM organized a meeting earlier this month at the Greek Centre in Melbourne, bringing together educators, academics, students, and community leaders to explore strategies for saving the program. During the discussion, Professor Joseph Lo Bianco outlined the need to raise $91,500 over three years to enable the advanced stream to resume operations in 2027. The GCM’s contribution forms part of a broader campaign aimed at securing the program’s future, with calls for additional support from Greek organizations, businesses, and individuals across Australia. All donations collected will be directed straight to La Trobe’s Modern Greek program. The GCM has previously played a key role in preserving the program, having successfully mobilized community support in 2020 through a similar fundraising effort. GCM President Bill Papastergiadis OAM, who spearheaded that campaign, emphasized that maintaining the advanced Greek program at La Trobe remains a collective responsibility. “Maintaining the advanced Greek program at La Trobe is as important today as it was in 2020,” Papastergiadis stated. “The effort is the responsibility of all of the community, and we want to help facilitate that effort and provide La Trobe Modern Greek with the support it needs to not only secure the program, but to see it thrive.” Papastergiadis also highlighted the necessity of long-term structural reforms to ensure the program’s sustainability. He noted that new governance protocols must be established to prevent recurring crises. “New governance protocols will need to be examined for this program to ensure its long-term survival,” he added, stressing the importance of immediate dialogue with La Trobe’s Greek program coordinators. The GCM plans to release detailed information on how to make donations shortly, urging the wider Greek Australian community to come together in support of the program. With the current state of funding uncertain, the success of the campaign hinges on widespread participation and sustained engagement from the community. The GCM’s commitment marks a renewed push to safeguard one of the few academic opportunities for advanced Modern Greek study in Australia. As the campaign gains momentum, the focus remains on ensuring the program continues to serve both educational and cultural interests within the Greek diaspora.