Category: Events

GACL Writers’ Group & Workshops with Angela Costi George and Monika Athanasiou

The Greek Australian Cultural League (GACL) has started a writers’ group in order to help nurture and foster the literary hopes and dreams of the Greek Australian and Philhellene diaspora. In order to get this project off the ground, two initial workshops were organised, which were facilitated by writer and poet, Angela Costi.

In the first workshop, participants reacted to prints of paintings and to poems centred around objects. They also wrote about objects that were significant in their lives.  For homework, they were asked to develop the pieces begun at the workshop or write stories of empathy about their forebearers. Before the second workshop, the participants received one-to-one feedback on their work from Angela.

The second workshop involved reading poems that channelled empathy as well as analysis of participants’ work. Two examples were looked at in terms of feedback and all participants had a chance to share the work they had produced in their own time.

The organisers hope that the writers’ group will meet on a monthly basis and that it grows and expands to become a mainstay within the Greek-Australian writers’ community which has many talented and emerging writers in its realms.

On Thursday 9^th July at 6.00 pm, we have the pleasure of launching Stella Sorotou’s book “Exodos” to be presented by Dr Christos Fifis.

Ms. Sorotou explores contemporary social issues through a practice spanning visual art, literature and educational theatre.

Join us for a delightful Poetry Afternoon, a cherished event held during the Antipodean Palette exhibition period, celebrating creativity, culture, and artistic expression. This special gathering provides a welcoming space for poets, writers and enthusiasts to share their work, connect with like-minded individuals, and appreciate the beauty of the spoken word.

This year, the Poetry Afternoon will be held on Saturday, 11 July 2026 at 2:00pm at the Malvern Artists’ Society Gallery at 1297-99 High Street, Malvern VIC.

Please contact Co-ordinators: George or Monica Athanasiou for participation enquires on 0402079178 or infogaclm@gmail.com.

Whether you are a seasoned poet or someone who simply enjoys the art of poetry, we invite you to participate and share your creative voice.

All welcome.

The Greek-Australian Cultural League is announcing the Book Awards for books written by authors who are active and reside in Australia. The books may be written in Greek or English, be bilingual or be translations. The GACL Book Award 2026 will cover books published in 2024 and 2025.

Only books submitted by their authors or translators will be judged. The authors are requested to use the appropriate application form posted on the GACL website and submit three (3) copies of each book before Friday, 10 th July. For bilingual publications, the author must designate the language they wish to submit for consideration. The publications will not be returned.

The number of prizes is limited to ten, one in each category and in each language, provided there is a book worthy of a prize. The categories are:
(a) Poetry
(b) Prose
(c) Theatrical play
(d) History/Study and
(e) Book for children

If, in the opinion of the Judging Panel, other books are deemed to be almost equally notable as the one proposed to be awarded a prize in any category, the Judging Panel may confer an honourable mention in the form of commendation. The commendations are not graded.

If any doubt arises, the Judging Panel decides in which category a particular book belongs. If, in any category, the standard of the books, at the Judging Panel’s discretion, is not the anticipated standard for awarding a prize, then a prize is not given in that category.

The prize in each category consists of:

• Monetary amount, and we are looking for sponsors to support us.
• Certificate and a gift.

The announcement of the results will be organized at a special function towards the end of the year.

For further details please get in touch with the Coordinator, -Paraskevi Dentsas – infogaclm@gmail.com

Books can be posted to – Cathy Alexopoulos- 11 Valleyview Rd, Glen Iris, 3146..

The Greek-Australian Cultural League, as part of its activities this year, has decided to announce two topics for the Literary Competition –

1. For the promotion of the Greek language and contemporary cultural dialogue, the topic: The Greek language traverses through the world and through time
2. With a sense of responsibility towards the historical memory of the Exodus of Messolonghi, the topic: The timelessness ofsacrifice in the modern era
3. You may also choose not to select one of the two topics and write on a topic of your own choice.

The Literary Competition includes works written in the Greek or English language, by writers residing in Australia and over 18 years of age, in the following categories: Poetry and Short story.

With the participation of all of us, the Literary Competition will be upgraded through reaching the widest pool of writers in Australia and, it will give to all our members and friends the opportunity to present their unpublished works to a wider audience. Please submit your works by Friday 17 th July 2026.

The winning entries in each category in each language will be published in the annual bilingual periodical of the GACL, ANTIPODES. The results of the Literary Competition will be announced at a special function to be determined later in the year.

2026 LITERARY COMPETITION RULES

• The Literary Competition covers work written in either Greek or English in the following categories: poetry and short stories, by writers residing in Australia and over 18 years of age.
• Participants are required to complete a registration and entry form, which can be requested from the Literary Competition address: gaclitcomp@gmail.com or completed online
• The adjudication will be separate for each language.
• Participants may submit work in one or all the categories and in one or both languages, with only one piece in each category they choose.
• Works that do not comply with the limits of content, as prescribed below, will be automatically rejected and will not be forwarded to the Judging Panel.
• Submissions with many grammatical and syntactical mistakes will be rejected.
• Content limits: Poem 100 verses (lines); Short story 2000 words.
• All submissions should be the original work(s) of the authors and should not have been submitted in another competition or have been previously published.
• Each work submitted should be signed by a pseudonym (nom de plume) and the same pseudonym should be used in signing all the entries submitted by the same person.
• Each competition entry should be sent only electronically (Word document attachment) to the competition email address: gaclitcomp@gmail.com or submitted online via the website. Additionally, in a separate text sent to the same email address, participants are required to forward their particulars, including the pseudonym, the full name, address, telephone numbers, the number of verses in their poems and the number of words in their short stories (The entry or Application form).
• The Literary judges reserve the right to preclude an entry if it is considered to have too many syntactical or orthographical mistakes.
• The First Prize in each category and in each language will receive a commemorative certificate and a monetary prize. The Second and Third Prizes and any Commendations will receive a commemorative award certificate and books.
• In all categories and languages, the works awarded First Prize will be published in the latest issue of the periodical Antipodes.

A Call for Entries

The Greek-Australian Cultural League (GACL) is pleased to announce that this year’s Antipodean Palette group art exhibition will take place from 3-12 July 2026 and invites artists to apply to participate. This event celebrates the diverse works of artists within the Greek-Australian community.

Now in its 16th year, the Antipodean Palette has become an annual highlight in the Greek- Australian Cultural League’s calendar and an important forum το present and discuss works influenced by our different cultures. Preparations for this exciting event are underway and established as well as emerging artists are encouraged to participate.

The exhibition will be held at the Malvern Artists’ Society Gallery, 1297- 99 High Street, Malvern. The gallery will be open Monday to Friday 10 am – 5 pm and at weekends 11 am – 3 pm.

Artists are invited to express their interest to participate by contacting the Exhibition coordinator, Rita Macarounas, by 31 May 2026 via email: antipodeanpalette@gmail.com or by submitting their interest online via the button below.

We look forward to your entries!

The GACL is a non-profit organisation established in 1970, supporting the creative endeavours of Greek-Australian writers, artists and musicians. Awarded a Medal for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs & Meritorious Service to the Community, the GACL contributes to the enrichment of literature and the arts by organising many successful annual events.

This year, the periodical is dedicated predominantly to the Greek language and contemporary cultural dialogue as well as the important historical memory of the Exodus of Messolonghi. Most ambitious topics which will include interesting articles, personal accounts, and researched analysis, in Greek and English. This special issue will be overseen by the Editorial team, which will be responsible for the collection of the articles from appointed writers.

Anyone interested in contributing an article in either language, please get in touch with the Editor, Cathy Alexopoulos – gacl.editor@gmail.com

The periodical will be launched on Sunday 18 th October, 2026, at a venue to be announced.

We are seeking sponsors for this special publication. The back cover is available for advertisements at $ 2,000.00, while a half-page advertisement is available for $650.00. We appeal to you, our members, friends and supporters, to respond.

Works Submitted must be sent electronically in Word document format, (attachment) by clicking on the button below or otherwise please get in touch with the Editor Cathy Alexopoulos – gacl.editor@gmail.com:

We are seeking sponsors for this special publication. The back cover is offered for advertisements for $ 1,800.00, while a half page advertisement is offered for $ 600.00. We appeal to you, our members, friends and supporters, to respond.

15th Annual Art Exhibition: Antipodean Palette 2025

A Call for Entries

The Greek-Australian Cultural League (GACL) is pleased to announce that this year the annual Antipodean Palette group art exhibition will take place on the 12-22 of June, 2025 and invites artists to apply for participation. This event celebrates the diverse works of artists within the Greek-Australian community.

Now, in its 15th year, the Antipodean Palette has become an annual highlight in the Greek – Australian Cultural League’s calendar and an important forum to present and discuss works influenced by our different cultures.

Preparations for this exciting event are under way and emerging as well as established artists are encouraged to participate.

The selected artists and their works will be featured in the GACL’s annual bilingual ‘Antipodes’ periodical, this year celebrating its 51st year in circulation.

The exhibition will be held at Steps Gallery, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton. The gallery will open Tuesday to Friday 10.00am – 5.00 pm, and during the weekends 11.00 am – 3.00 pm. The launch of the exhibition will take place on June 14th 2025.

Artists are invited to express their interest and apply for their entry application online via
email: antipodeanpalette@gmail.com or via the button below. Applications close on Friday May 9th at 5:00pm.

We look forward to your entries!

The GACL is a non-profit organisation established in 1970, supporting the creative endeavours of Greek-Australian writers, artists and musicians. Awarded a Medal for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs & Meritorious Service to the Community, the GACL contributes to the enrichment of literature and the arts by organising many successful annual events.

It is established by now that we organise a Poetry Afternoon held during the Antipodean Palette exhibition period. This year, it will be held on Sunday 21st July 2024 at 1:30 pm at Steps Gallery, 62 Lygon Street, Carlton.

Co-ordinators: George and Monika Athanasiou. Contact: gathanas2@bigpond.com.

Please speak with George or Monika for your participation. All welcome.

The Greek- Australian Cultural League is announcing the Book Awards for books written by authors active and residing in Australia. The books may be written in Greek or English, bilingual or translations. The GACL Book Prize 2024 will cover books published in the years 2022, 2023.

Only books submitted by their authors or translators will be judged. The authors are requested to use the appropriate application form posted on the GACL website and submit three (3) copies of each book before Friday 12 July 2024. In the case of bilingual publications, it is up to the author to designate the language of the publication that they wish to submit for consideration. The publications will not be returned.

The number of prizes is limited to ten, one in each category and each language, provided there is a book worthy of a prize. The categories are:

(a) Poetry
(b) Prose
(c) Theatrical play
(d) History/Study; and
(e) Book for children

The prize in each category consists of:

• Monetary amount and we are looking for sponsors to support us.
• Certificate and a gift.

The announcement of the results will be organized at a special function towards the end of the year.

For further details please contact the Coordinator Vasiliki Laiou telephone 0407 542 089, email: vasilaiou@gmail.com, or infogaclm@gmail.com.