A toast to the truth: Greek Australian media honoured at Melbourne’s Greek Consulate

·

By Mary Sinanidis.

“Ah, the Fourth Estate,” says Greek Consul General of Melbourne Emmanuel Kakavelakis, whenever he encounters Greek Australian journalists.

For the third year running, Mr Kakavelakis held an event to honour Melbourne-based media groups four days after the feast day of St Minas, known as the patron saint of journalists.

The Greek Herald, Australia’s only daily print diasporic publication and the oldest surviving newspaper in Melbourne newsagencies since 1926, could not be missing. Also present were journalists from the multitude of the city’s radio and media groups.

consul general melbourne event
Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, deeply engrossed in a conversation with Andrea Demetriou. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.

President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis, joked on the day that the Community will soon open its own fimes.gr news site.

Humour aside, Mr Papastergiadis said Greek Australian media was robust despite local papers having suffered a blow due to the rise of social media.

“You [the media] take credit for this because you are doing it largely from a position of love. You are not doing it for financial gain as you are encountering significant difficulties in your current environment,” he said.

Mr Kakavelakis thanked the groups present, stating “you treat us more politely than you should” while adding, “it is important not to mince words but also not to ‘gauge each other’s eyes out’.”

consul general melbourne event
Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis and Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Greek Consul of Melbourne.

Despite community media playing a unifying role, Mr Kakavelakis pointed to the importance of objectivity.

“Our local media doesn’t suffer from provincialism, an illness that harms many other diasporic outlets,” he said.

Later, he told The Greek Herald how much he reads and appreciates the professionalism of the newspaper and its leadership’s efforts to offer jobs and promote quality journalism.

consul general melbourne event
3ZZZ morning radio presenters.
consul general melbourne event
Drinking and mingling with Consulate staff doubling up as bartenders for the night.

Mr Kakavelakis also touched upon the streamlining of the consulate’s operations, stating that Greek Vice Consul Georgia Botsiou is leaving her post to return to Thessaloniki with no plans to replace her. Ms Botsiou told The Greek Herald that she has nothing but pleasant memories from her eight years in Melbourne and time in New South Wales but she was eager to return to Thessaloniki to be with her son.

Andrea Demetriou, a keynote speaker of the evening, highlighted the artworks of her sister, the late Christella Demetriou, who lived in Melbourne following their family’s migration to the city as refugees from occupied Cyprus. Christella, an artistic polyglot, excelled as a painter, composer, bouzouki instrumentalist, poet and athlete. Her works are currently on display at the Greek Consulate of Melbourne.

consul general melbourne event
Andrea Demetriou, spoke of her late sister Christella Demetriou’s work.

Mr Kakavelakis said he encountered Christella’s artworks at an event by Demokritos and they “spoke to him” and he hoped the display of the works at the Greek Consulate would speak to others also.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Matt Pillios named Kay & Burton’s 2025 Victorian Agent of the Year

Star real estate agent Matt Pillios has reclaimed his place at the top, being named Kay & Burton’s 2025 Victorian Agent of the Year.

Greek astronomer to present at Melbourne seminar on preserving the stars

For millennia, humanity has looked up in awe at the night sky, finding in its silent beauty a profound source of inspiration.

Historic Plaka landmark from iconic Greek film to be restored

The “Kokovikos House,” is named after the fictional couple in Giorgos Tzavellas’ bittersweet classic starring Konstantinou and Kontou.

Melbourne’s Sunday morning strollers walk, talk and keep Greek alive

On a crisp Sunday morning at Merri Creek, a group of walkers from the Sunday Morning Strollers, winds its way along the leafy green trail.

A sweet favourite: Niki Louca’s authentic baklava recipe

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for baklava with The Greek Herald.

You May Also Like

George Timotheou continues football dream with Adelaide United less than one year after heart surgery

George Timotheou has made his next step on his journey to becoming one of Australia's top defenders, recently signing a two-year deal with A-League side Adelaide United.

Plans of new cultural centre in South Australia shown for the first time

The proposed new cultural centre will be built near the local Greek church in South Australia and the plans have been released to the public.

Former High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Ambassador Philippos Kritiotis, passes away

The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement confirming the death of former High Commissioner in Australia, Ambassador Philippos Kritiotis.