Hellenic Research Studies and Scholarly Sources in Australia

Abstract

Research in Hellenic Studies in Australia has a history of over one hundred years, dating from the establishment of the Departments of Ancient Greek Studies in the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne. However, no interest was officially displayed in Modern Greek language, civilisation or culture until 1968, when the Department of Classical Studies in the University of New England recognised the need to accommodate Modern Greek studies, incorporating literature and folklore. 1968 was ironically the tragic year when most European countries, as well as Australia, reassessed the importance of classical languages, undervaluing their priority in education curriculum planning and vocational enhancement.