Oakleigh Grammar students, staff, parents and distinguished guests gathered to commemorate OXI Day, honouring Greece’s historic refusal to surrender to Fascist Italy on 28 October 1940 and the courage and resilience of the Greek people during the Second World War.
The annual commemoration celebrated the school’s Hellenic heritage through performances of Greek music, poetry, drama and traditional dance, highlighting the enduring values of freedom, unity and peace.
The ceremony opened with a Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country, followed by the Australian and Greek national anthems and a prayer led by Rev Fr Stavros Kakavas.
The Year 6 Choir performed hymns before Oakleigh Grammar Principal Mark Robertson addressed the gathering, followed by the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou, who highlighted the importance of preserving Greek history, culture and traditions for future generations.
Students from Prep to Year 6 presented a series of performances reflecting on the events of 1940 and their historical significance.
Year 9 student Athena delivered The Story of 28 October, recounting Greece’s defiance of Mussolini’s ultimatum, while fellow Year 9 student Emily presented ANZAC during WWII in Greece, exploring the shared wartime experiences of Greek and Australian servicemen.
The musical program featured traditional and patriotic Greek songs, including Βάζει ο Ντούτσε την στολή του by Year 2, Η Σημαία by Year 1 and Η Ελλάδα ποτέ δεν πεθαίνει by Prep students.
Year 3 performed Αν όλα τα παιδιά της γης, conveying a message of peace and unity, while Year 4 presented Δεν χορταίνω να βλέπω τον ήλιο, accompanied by traditional Greek dancing.
Year 6 student Danai recited the poem ΟΧΙ, while Year 5 staged a Greek play. The Middle School Greek Dancing Group concluded the performances with traditional dances celebrating the school’s cultural heritage.
Beyond the school assembly, Oakleigh Grammar students and staff participated in OXI Day commemorations across Melbourne.
Student Representative Council members and Middle School leaders attended the Doxology at Sts Anargiri Parish, while other students joined the service at St Eustathios and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Australian Hellenic Memorial and the Shrine of Remembrance, organised by the Hellenic RSL.
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