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GOCNSW holds fruitful first meeting with new Consul General George Skemperis

The Greek Herald
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GOCNSW holds fruitful first meeting with new Consul General George Skemperis

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) hosted the new Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, in a productive meeting at its premises to kick off a strong collaboration during his term.

The Community’s Board met with Mr Skemperis at its headquarters in Lakemba on Tuesday, September 16, discussing various topics centred around collaborative initiatives with the Greek Consulate.

It marked the first official meeting between the Community and the Consul General after assuming his post in late August, with the Greek diplomat having earlier visited the Greek Community Club to attend a lecture.

The Consul General expressed immense enthusiasm in formally meeting the Community’s Board of Directors.

“I am very aware of the Community’s extremely valuable contribution for many, many decades to the Greek diaspora here. I am here to continue an already strong cooperation and relationship between the Consulate and the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW,” Mr Skemperis said.

GOCNSW President Harry Danalis highlighted an equal interest in continuing the fruitful relationship between the Community and the Consulate.

“The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW deeply values the longstanding and constructive relationship we have shared with the Consulate of Greece in Sydney,” Mr Danalis said.

“We warmly welcome Mr Skemperis and look forward to working closely with him to further strengthen our ties and collaborate on initiatives that support and promote Hellenism, culture, education and community engagement across generations.”

Mr Skemperis noted a keen interest in collaborating with the Community and its Greek schools on future cultural events.

He also remarked that the strong relationship between the Community and the Greek Consulate is one that must be maintained, particularly ahead of the Consulate’s 100th anniversary next year.

“We intend to organise events for the centenary anniversary that will bring especially the younger people of the diaspora closer to Greece, and that is why we need to work with the Community and the schools to accomplish that,” he said.

Silent heroes and bright futures: Supporting Greek language education in Victoria

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Silent heroes and bright futures: Supporting Greek language education in Victoria

By Theo Markos

Over the past month or so a few articles have appeared in the Greek Australian press discussing the current and future state of the Greek language in Victoria. Concern was expressed and the outlook given appeared somewhat grim.

Regardless of the views expressed, I am of the firm opinion that any discussion regarding the Greek language must only be seen as positive. It clearly indicates that there is still interest out there and a will exists to attempt and address the issue, to “fix” the errors of the past and, maybe, prevent future ones.

The formation of the Pharos Alliance, which has united many of those who share a passion for the maintenance of our language, is certainly a positive step and their numerous activities, meetings and lobbying efforts over the past year indicate that they are heading in the right direction. And there is certainly room for many more who share their aims and objectives to join Pharos and contribute with their thoughts, passion and expertise.

And yes, the road is certainly a long and winding one but positive signs do exist. The fact there is still a large number of after-hour schools operating in our community, three private colleges and a significant Greek language public education sector, as well as the Greek language program at La Trobe university, must not be ignored and should be commended. There are many people working hard in all these sectors to promote the teaching of our language.

The public education sector is an extremely challenging area and it is encouraging that there are many teachers out there working long hours to promote and expand their programs. They’re fighting against the odds especially when one considers that, unfortunately, languages other than English, especially community languages, are not really a priority within the sector and the hours devoted to them minimal. 

I will never forget the words of a school principal many years ago who bluntly told me: “Theo, languages are dead in Australia. Children are better off learning computer languages rather than foreign languages.” So I commend all those teachers who I consider silent heroes, going against the tide without the appropriate support that they require and deserve.

Thankfully there are exceptions and schools that have a more open and positive attitude towards languages. And they have that positive attitude, not only because they believe in the benefits that language learning can bring to Australia but also because they can see how hard the Greek language teachers work and the commitment they have to their calling and their students. Teachers that don’t seek the limelight and just keep on doing what they believe is best for their students.

I applaud Meny at Clarinda Primary, the only school in Victoria where Greek is taught to every one of the 300 plus students!

I congratulate Fotini at Strathmore Secondary College where over 100 high school students are learning Greek, including VCE level.

I admire Connie, Maria and Yiota who are responsible for the only Greek bilingual program in Victoria at Lalor North Primary that I believe is increasing its numbers next year which hopefully will result in an expansion of the program.

As long as we as a community stay vigilant and support the teaching of Greek wherever that may be, there is still hope. So let us continue and encourage the discussion that is taking place. And let us work to increase the hours languages are taught and, where necessary, to support the adoption of better methodologies and evaluation tools. 

Let’s have a glass half full approach to the issue and remain positive and active and of course, apply pressure and lobby all those bodies that influence the language education agenda in our state.

And in the words of that great Monty Python song let us “always look at the bright side of life.”

Archbishop Makarios pays tribute to Elder Vasilios Gontikakis, influential Athonite theologian

The Greek Herald
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Archbishop Makarios pays tribute to Elder Vasilios Gontikakis, influential Athonite theologian

Elder Vasilios Gontikakis, former Abbot of the Iviron Monastery (1990–2005) and the Stavronikita Monastery (1968–1990) on Mount Athos, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, at the age of 90.

Widely regarded as an emblematic figure of contemporary monasticism and an influential theologian with international reach, Elder Vasilios also had ties to Australia.

In 1977, while Abbot of Stavronikita, he travelled to the country with Elder Paisios the Athonite, later canonised as a Saint and Patron of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who shared close spiritual ties with Elder Vasilios, paid tribute following his passing.

“The blessed Elder Vasilios was a fragrant flower in the Garden of the Virgin Mary, which attracted, rested and sanctified the souls of those who had the blessing of meeting him,” Archbishop Makarios said.

He praised Elder Vasilios’ humility, wisdom, and love, recalling his visits to Australia that brought “spiritual fellowship” to the faithful.

“With the certainty that his blessed soul from today rests in the hearts of the righteous, I wish that his holy earthly life and his lofty theological discourse will continue to inspire the hearts of our devout Christians,” the Archbishop added.

Greek basketball stars bring Panathinaikos spirit to Melbourne’s Stalactites

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Greek basketball stars bring Panathinaikos spirit to Melbourne’s Stalactites

Melbourne’s iconic Greek restaurant Stalactites teamed up with international basketball superstars to celebrate the arrival of Panathinaikos BC in Australia.

On Wednesday, September 17, players Nikos Rogkavopoulos and Jerian Grant stepped into the Stalactites kitchen, rolling up their sleeves to create a special limited-edition dish — the PAO Souvlaki.

The collaboration marked Panathinaikos’ first-ever visit to Australia and their much-anticipated clash with Serbian powerhouse KK Partizan tonight.

To honour the historic moment, Stalactites crafted a souvlaki that paid tribute to the Greens’ iconic colour: their signature gyros, topped with crisp lettuce, tomato, onion and finished with a vibrant green tzatziki infused with mint, dill, and parsley.

The PAO Souvlaki will be made available exclusively at Stalactites until Sunday, September 21, with a portion of proceeds donated to Helping Hoops, a grassroots organisation providing free basketball programs for disadvantaged children across Melbourne.

This is not the first time Stalactites has paired sport with food. The family-run institution famously collaborated with tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2019, serving up the popular “Tsitsipas Souvlaki” during the Australian Open.

With Panathinaikos in town, the restaurant continued its tradition of fusing Melbourne’s love of sport with its proud Greek heritage.

Basketball royalty behind the counter and a new souvlaki on the menu gave Melbourne fans a unique taste of Greece both on and off the court.

Australian Championship secures landmark multi-platform broadcast deal with SBS

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Australian Championship secures landmark multi-platform broadcast deal with SBS

Football Australia and SBS today announced a landmark multi-year, multi-platform agreement to broadcast the inaugural Australian Championship on SBS, SBS On Demand and SBS VICELAND, delivering every moment live and free to fans across the nation. 

The historic agreement makes SBS the exclusive linear television home of the Australian Championship for at least the next two years, showcasing 18 matches on Free to Air Television and live and free on SBS On Demand from the Group Stage through to the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Grand Final.

This broadcast commitment is supported by a package of marketing benefits that will enhance the fan experience and grow the reach of the Australian Championship. 

Fans will be able to follow the innovative competition format with every Saturday match – totalling 12 games – plus knockout fixtures from two Quarter-Finals, both Semi-Finals and Grand Final, broadcast free-to-air on SBS’ primary channel, providing unmatched access to the next era of Australian football. 

The ‘Super Saturday’ double-headers will feature two back-to-back matches kicking off at 1.00pm and 3.00pm AEDT every weekend. 

The highly anticipated opening match between South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC on Friday 10 October will also be broadcast on linear, live and free on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand, ensuring visibility and excitement around this historic match. 

In addition to its free to air broadcast commitments, SBS will be delivering additional innovative content for fans, including multi-lingual podcasts each week of the competition and regular news features. More details will be announced by SBS and Football Australia ahead of the opening round. 

This partnership announcement follows the news that five matches from the Australian Championship (two Quarter Finals, two Semi Finals and the Final) will be broadcast live and free into the Pacific Islands via Football Australia’s partnership with Pacific Aus TV. 

Key broadcast highlights: 

  • SBS will be the exclusive free-to-air broadcast partner of the Australian Championship for the next two years with an option to extend. 
  • All fixtures streamed live and free on SBS Live and SBS On Demand, ensuring fans never miss a minute of the action. 
  • 17 of 55 matches broadcast live and free-to-air; commencing with ‘Super Saturday’ double header matches plus access to Finals Series matches televised nationally on SBS, bringing quality football content into millions of homes. 
  • The much-anticipated opening match between South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC broadcast free-to air on SBS VICELAND, setting the stage for a highly competitive and unpredictable inaugural season. 
  • The Championship Final will be played on Saturday 6 December at 3:00pm AEDT, following coverage of the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 Final Draw which will be broadcast on SBS. 

Football Australia Interim Chief Executive Officer Heather Garriock said, “Our partnership with SBS is a landmark moment for Australian football and the Australian Championship.”

“Accessibility sits at the heart of this agreement. Whether you’re watching on free-to-air television or streaming on SBS On Demand, every fan—from the city to our local football communities—can experience the very best of the Australian Championship through our Super Saturday format,” Garriock added.

“The historic opening clash between South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC is a fitting way to launch this competition—two iconic clubs, a national audience, and the country watching via VICELAND. It’s going to be a blockbuster start to the next era of Australian football. 

“SBS shares our passion for uniting the game and our commitment to making it accessible to everyone. Together, we’re not just broadcasting matches—we’re building a national platform that celebrates Australian football’s storied past whilst also investing in future generations.”

SBS Director of Sport, Ken Shipp, said, “As the spiritual home of football in Australia, SBS is the natural home for the Australian Championship, an aspirational competition that will create a pathway for many of Australia’s brightest young players from the sport’s grassroots to the highest-level competition in the land, the Isuzu UTE A-league Men’s competition.” 

“SBS’s football offering now includes compelling competitions at every level and for every fan – including, of course, the FIFA World Cup 2026ᵀᴹ,” Shipp added. 

The Australian Championship will bring together 16 teams in a dynamic and sustainable format, featuring eight Foundation Clubs and eight invited NPL champions from the National Premier Leagues (NPL). This innovative format bridges state-based competitions with the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s pathway, helping reshape the national football pyramid and unlock new opportunities for clubs and players.

Further announcements, including commercial partnerships and the official Season Launch will be made in the lead-up to the competition’s historic debut on Friday, 10 October 2025. 

Former Sydney teacher Bill Kafataris found guilty of grooming minor

The Greek Herald
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Former Sydney teacher Bill Kafataris found guilty of grooming minor

A former southwest Sydney school teacher has been found guilty of grooming a minor for sex following a two-week retrial.

Vasilious “Bill” Kafataris, 57, showed no emotion as a Parramatta District Court jury delivered its verdict on Wednesday, September 17, after four days of deliberation.

The offences occurred between January and April 2014. Kafataris was arrested in May 2021 when police raided his Bankstown apartment.

Jurors heard he sent explicit messages and gifts to a 15-year-old girl and maintained contact by giving her money, cigarettes, food and drinks.

Prosecutors said he had a sexual interest in teenage girls and a tendency to act on it, with witnesses providing supporting evidence.

In May last year, Kafataris pleaded guilty to separate charges of sexually touching a person aged 17–18 under his care.

He remains on bail and will return to court on September 26 for sentencing.

Source: Daily Telegraph.

Panathinaikos EuroLeague players touch down in Melbourne

The Greek Herald
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Panathinaikos EuroLeague players touch down in Melbourne

The excitement around the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament in Australia has reached new heights, as the second wave of Panathinaikos players — fresh from EuroBasket duty — has officially landed in Melbourne.

Head coach Ergin Ataman led the group, which includes EuroLeague stars Kostas Sloukas, Dinos Mitoglou, Vasilis Toliopoulos, Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, Alexandros Samodurov, Juancho Hernangomez, and Omer Yurtseven. Their arrival completes the squad, following the earlier travel of management, staff, and other players.

Despite enduring a 24-hour journey via Dubai immediately after a gruelling EuroBasket campaign, team captain Sloukas struck an optimistic note.

“Despite the long trip, we are fresh,” he said, underlining the team’s readiness for the tournament’s premiere.

With both contingents now united, the Greens are set to showcase their talent in front of the diaspora, honouring the legacy of late club leader Pavlos Giannakopoulos and offering Australian fans a rare chance to see Europe’s giants up close.

Greek Australian singer Vassy to represent US at Russia’s Eurovision rival

The Greek Herald
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Greek Australian singer Vassy to represent US at Russia’s Eurovision rival

Australian-born singer Vassy, real name Vasiliki Karagiorgos, will represent the United States at Russia’s Intervision music competition after R&B artist B. Howard withdrew days before the event, organisers announced on Wednesday, September 17.

Intervision, a revival of a Soviet-era Eurovision alternative from the 1960s and 1970s, is scheduled to begin on September 20. Russia was banned from Eurovision in February 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Born in Australia to Greek immigrants, Vassy gained US citizenship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her website describes her as “one of the most recognisable figures” in electronic dance music, noting collaborations with David Guetta and Tiësto. In 2023, she became the first woman to win the ICON award at the Electronic Dance Music Awards.

While Intervision promotes itself as a “depoliticised” music festival, President Vladimir Putin appointed senior Kremlin officials to its organising committee.

Vassy’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights was reportedly removed from her Wikipedia page ahead of the competition, according to Novaya Gazeta Europe.

Organisers said Howard, originally slated to perform for the US, withdrew for “family reasons,” with dozens of other countries expected to participate.

Mitsotakis rules out sovereignty talks, keeps focus on EEZ dispute with Turkey

The Greek Herald
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Mitsotakis rules out sovereignty talks, keeps focus on EEZ dispute with Turkey

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reiterated that the nation is willing to refer the delimitation of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with Turkey to the International Court, provided Ankara recognises that this is the only dispute.

“Greece will never discuss either issues or demilitarisation or, obviously, grey zones or sovereignty issues. For as long as these issues remain on the table, the harder it will be to resolve our great difference, which is the delimitation of maritime zones, that is, of the EEZ and the continental shelf,” Mitsotakis told Antenna TV in his first interview since the Thessaloniki International Fair.

Addressing concerns over the Turkish research vessel Piri Reis and a Greek Armed Forces exercise, he said: “I would like to convey a message of calmness to all Greek citizens. The exercises we are conducting are all scheduled. We always hold them this time of the year, between September 15 and 20.”

He added that the Government Council for National Security had discussed the Piri Reis but “we have not yet seen any movement in the field, but it is not something that greatly concerns us.”

Mitsotakis emphasised Greece’s readiness for “open dialog, sincere conversation, with Turkey,” while stressing that Athens’ stance rests firmly on international law.

On a possible meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York, he said: “This prospect does not yet exist. The intention is there on both sides to find time.”

Domestically, the prime minister said citizens will soon see results from measures announced at Thessaloniki, including tax cuts and higher incomes.

On housing, he confirmed rent refunds for tenants, restrictions on the Golden Visa program, and new incentives to return vacant apartments to the rental market.

Commenting on the OPEKEPE farm subsidies scandal, Mitsotakis admitted: “It was the government’s responsibility to put this organisation in order, we did not succeed … That is why we were forced to take very drastic measures and essentially abolish OPEKEPE and to transfer it to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue.”

On migration, he said the government will decide early next month whether to extend a suspension of asylum procedures. He also confirmed the next general election will take place in spring 2027, with no changes to the electoral law.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Gavdos migrant boat video sparks debate amid surge in arrivals

The Greek Herald
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Gavdos migrant boat video sparks debate amid surge in arrivals

A video filmed on Gavdos island has gone viral, showing locals pushing a migrant boat into deeper waters near Sarakiniko beach, sparking online debate over their actions.

Some viewers claimed the beachgoers were refusing aid, but the footage shows no aggression. The migrants appear unharmed and do not react negatively.

@alexanagn4 #gavdos2025 ♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος – alexanagn

Greek coast guard sources clarified the move was intended to stop the boat from becoming stuck in shallow waters, adding that the vessel was bound for the nearby port and accompanied by a Frontex patrol ship monitoring the area.

The video comes as Crete faces a sharp rise in arrivals from North Africa. Since September 12, more than 880 people have landed on the island, swelling migrant numbers to about 1,200 and straining local facilities. The Greek government has moved to address the situation.

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