SYDNEY: Last Sunday, over 250 parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, Alumni and students of Hamazkaine’s Galstaun College participated in a Walkathon to celebrate the school's 25th Anniversary.

The Walkathon, which started in Ryde and ended at the steps of the Sydney Opera House, was organised by the College’s Parents & Friends Association with the special co-ordination of Hagop Boghossian.

Boghossian said: "The initial plan was to have 25 volunteers walk 25 km to mark the 25th Anniversary of the College and with the target of raising $25,000 for the College.  Due to an overwhelming response, it soon became a much larger venture with the Walkathon having 3 stages."

Stage 1 entailed the 25 walkers starting from the Ararat-Nairi Hall at Santa Rosa Park in Ryde and walking to the Armenian Cultural Centre in Willoughby.

In the week leading up to the Walkathon, the numbers of the walkers from Ryde to the Sydney Opera House doubled to 50. Joining in from Ryde with the parents, grandparents, Alumni, students and friends of the College were Head of College, Carolyn Blanden and College teachers, Eddy Demirdjian, Sally Band, Vicki Vartanians, Karine Movsisian, Bill Manthopolous, Greg Chahrozian, Haig Lepedjian, Aida Sarian and Betty Marashlian, as well as certain College Board members. College Business Manager, Patrick McHugh was busy co-ordinating logistics and support supplies for the walkers, including the recently acquired College Minibus.

The commencement of the Walkathon was to be launched by the Mayor or Ryde, Clr. Artin Etmekdjian however due to ill health he was unable to attend. The walkers set off from Ryde in the early hours in near perfect weather and were warmly greeted with cheers from more participants as they arrived nearly 2 hours later at the Armenian Cultural Centre.

The NSW Minister for Transport and Member for Willoughby, The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian gave a brief address and the students lead the community in the Hayr Mer prayer. Numbers swelled at the second stage and included many more parents and some younger students who walked from Willoughby to Kirribilli.

By the time the Stage 2 walkers had arrived at Kirribilli, the numbers had reached to over 250. At this point everyone, young and old, joined in the final leg in walking across the majestic Sydney Harbour Bridge, down through the historic Rocks precinct to the steps of the Sydney Opera House, where they gathered for a group photo.

The tired but jubilant walkers then proceeded to the adjacent Sydney Botanical Gardens for a family picnic and a well deserved break, making the most of the picture perfect weather and beautiful harbour foreshore.

During brief formalities, special thanks and acknowledgments were made of the official sponsors - Mr & Mrs Ara Kopoushian (OnlineLighting.com.au – principal sponsor), Mr & Mrs Sarkis Der Bedrossian (Classique Watches), Mr & Mrs Sako Nalbandian, Mr & Mrs Hagop Boghossian, Mr & Mrs Hagop Der Tateosian and Mr Hovaness Manoukian as well as all the tireless organisers.

Boghossian added: "Walkers will be collecting their sponsorships including addition sponsors during this week.  Please encourage them and our community College with your support."

The next major event dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of Hamazkaine Arshak & Sophie Galstaun College will be a Gala Concert hosted by the Regional Committee of Hamazkaine on 12 November 2011 (6:00pm) at the new Concourse Chatswood – 409 Victoria Avenue Chatswood. Contact the College on 9970 6984 to secure tickets.