I am a first generation Greek Australian born to parents who migrated to Australia in the 1950’s from Rhodes. Whilst embracing my Greek heritage I am also a very proud Australian. (http://curiousworks.com.au/stories/the-princess-and-the-bird-meet-eat-episode-6/) Throughout my childhood I was expected to speak Greek at home and although I did not attend Greek Language School my father made it a priority to teach my brother and I to read and write Greek. As a parent of 2 children, I ensured that they went to Greek Language School as youngsters and I always encouraged them to speak Greek when visiting their grandparents.
Throughout their education they also picked up a third language, which they studied for many years. It is my belief that all primary and secondary schools should be supported and encouraged to provide their students with the opportunity to study a new language, ideally, with the option to begin in Foundation class and continue right through to VCE. Let’s not forget the neuroscience behind the benefits of studying a new language, but also because Australia is made up of a plethora of diverse cultures and the study of languages provides the students with the opportunity to appreciate and experience these cultures without necessarily travelling.
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Daniel Ednie-Lockett
Daniel Ednie-Lockett is the founder of Language Connection, a not for profit which runs language exchanges and conferences for native speakers and learners of English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Daniel speaks fluent Japanese and Mandarin and has worked as a TV presenter in Mandarin in China for the last two years.
Helen Kapalos
I began my career as a reporter on ABC Radio in Newcastle in 1994 before moving to SBS after winning a national scholarship. In 2001, I was approached to join the Nine Network as a reporter on National Nine News where I covered breaking news events such as the Waterfall train disaster and the historic Sydney Gang rape trial. I played a key role in the 2004 Athens Olympics coverage, where I reported for several news and current affairs programs from the Greek capital and across Europe. Upon my return I was appointed host of the Late News program Nightline. In addition to that role, I presented a weekly news segment on the Network's flagship current affairs program Sunday, alongside host Jana Wendt.
GARANG DUT
First Sudanese refugee to obtain a Medical degree in Victoria
Dr Linny Phuong
State Finalist Young Australian of the Year 2013
Fablice Manirakiza
Maintaining language culture is very important not just to me but to all the diversity communities as well as the wider community of Australia, English is my second language, I understand the importance of it, not just in our everyday life but also in connecting with the world politicly, economically and other aspects, but to most of us this wouldn't slow us in maintaining our main language, the world of today is about creating and sharing we should all be proud of who we are and share our cultural across the world, but it all start with your own identity of where you come from, I believe maintaining language is important to achieve all the desire of making this world a better place.
Robert DIPIERDOMENICO
"I was born to play in Grand Finals," says Robert DiPierdomenico, somewhat humbly.
Helen Hatzikalis
