The Hellenic Centre for Language and Culture of Australia Inc. is the product of dissolution and frustration about the various strategies employed thus far in the maintenance and promotion of the Greek language in Australia, in particular in NSW.
So much has been promised and so little has been delivered. The time lost is time taken away from the education of our children in a culturally and linguistically diverse society. The physiological decline of the number of Greece-born Australian citizens is at odds with the rapid decline of children numbers, who do not attend Greek education and/or cultural studies.
This is actually the frightening issue that appears to be in the “too hard” basket of those responsible for the maintenance of such a rich and diverse language. The Hellenic language.
Evidence suggests that in just a few years, the number of students who WILL NOT be attending some formal Greek language education will outnumber two to one, those who actually attend.
The Hellenic Centre for Language and Culture of Australia Inc. (HECLCA) cannot promise that it will change the processes, however it understands the need to complement the existing Greek organisations in promoting the Greek language and Culture, and assist within its means and objectives, which are as follows:
> To aid and further the work for the promotion of the Greek language and Culture in Australia.
> To establish, acquire and operate schools and teach the Greek Language and Culture in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Departments of Education of each State in Australia and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of the Hellenic Republic.
> To collaborate with any organisation, regardless of background, language or culture, who have the same or similar objectives.
> To promote the cultural and moral education of its students and the members of the wider Australian community.
> To print and publish any newspapers, periodicals, books or leaflets that HECLCA may think desirable for the promotion of its objects.
> To do all such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.
All the schools operated under the auspices of the Hellenic Centre for Language & Culture of Australia shall not discriminate in any way shape or form when accepting application for student enrolments. On the contrary, it will encourage students from other communities to attend classes and be taught the Greek language and culture.
We shall under-promise in the hope that we can deliver a bit more. At least we shall try our best.
Our websites are available for your perusal and comment www.heclca.org.au and www.aristotelis.nsw.edu.au
Of course we are here to answer any questions that you may have. And, like most Greeks, we love entertaining our guests frequently, so please drop in at any time.
