The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has announced the 4th annual Greek Community Cup.
Kicking off on Friday 15 November and running until 7 December, the tournament will be hosted by Mill Park Football Club, bringing together Greek Australian football clubs and fans for another exciting celebration of skill, community and sporting spirit.
Following the success of the previous Greek Community Cup held in January, which featured fierce competition between top National Premier League (NPL) sides including Heidelberg United, Oakleigh Cannons FC, and reigning champions South Melbourne Hellas, this tournament promises another round of thrilling matches.
The Greek Community Cup continues to champion sporting excellence, camaraderie, and community connection. It provides clubs with an excellent pre-season opportunity to trial new players and build momentum ahead of the regular season, while strengthening bonds across generations through shared passion for the game.
Each team will play at least four games, with standard matches played in two 35-minute halves, and the final series matches extending to 45-minute halves. The winning team will receive The Greek Community Cup trophy, with players receiving medallions and prize money for winning clubs.
The tournament also welcomes sponsorship and financial support opportunities for those wishing to contribute to this growing community event.
For team registration, tournament schedule, please visit: Greek Community Cup.
Poetry often expresses our histories. Recovering poetry can also act as a counter-form of history making. For those living in diaspora, poetry recovers “lost worlds” that encapsulate shared experiences that have been blurred, or altogether buried, under canonical framings of the past.
The interplay between poetry and diasporic expression offers an entry into multiple histories. In this sense poetry that emanates from diaspora provides a sense of belonging to more than one history, to more than one time and place.
Indeed, poetry, as penned by Greek Australian Patrick White Awardees, Dimitri Tsaloumas (1994), Antigone Kefala (2022), and П. O (2024), gifts those living in diaspora permission to express belonging to both here and there, now and then.
This year’s 2025 Tsaloumas Memorial Lecture will explore how poets writing from diaspora have grappled with the omnipresent weight of pain and displacement from a land or community, of being an outsider in a new one.
Taking the form of an inter-generational dialogue between poets, writers and scholars, “Poetry, History and Diaspora: Echoing the Past, Poeting from the Present”, will explore the layered ways that poetry captures both lack and excess, loss and separation, while also providing refreshing possibilities for adventures of identity, reimaginings of traditions, and reworkings of affiliations.
Panellists include Nikos Papastergiadis, Angela Costi and George Mouratidis. Chaired by Andonis Piperoglou.
Bio:
Nikos Papastergiadis is an Honorary Professor at the School of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne. He was formerly a Visiting Professor in the School of Art, Design and Media, at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Chair of the International Advisory Board for the Centre for Contemporary Art, Singapore. Co-chair of the Cultural Advisory Board for the Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture, Melbourne.
His current research focus is a project on photography and memory, as well as another on the transformation arts precincts. His publications include Modernity as Exile (1993), Dialogues in the Diaspora (1998), The Turbulence of Migration (2000), Metaphor and Tension (2004) Spatial Aesthetics: Art Place and the Everyday (2006), Cosmopolitanism and Culture (2012), Ambient Perspectives (2014), On Art and Friendship (2020), The Museums of the Commons (2020, The Cosmos in Cosmopolitanism (2023).
His new book the John Berger and Me: A Migrant’s Eye, was published in 2024. He is also the author of numerous essays which have been translated into over a dozen languages and appeared in major catalogues such as the Biennales of Sydney, Liverpool, Istanbul, Gwanju, Taipei, Lyon, Thessaloniki and Documenta 13.
Angela Costi is a poet and writer with a background in social justice, law and community arts. Since 1994, her creative gatherings, including plays, short fiction and essays, have been published, performed, awarded, broadcast and translated. The author of six poetry collections. Her recent chapbook is Adversarial Practice, published in Cordite Poetry Review, which was commended in the Wesley Michel Wright Prize 2024. She received the High Commendation for Contribution to Arts and Culture, Merri-bek Award 2021. She is known as Αγγελική Κωστή among the Cypriot Greek diaspora. She lives on unceded Wurundjeri land.
Dr. George Mouratidis is an early career researcher, poet and translator. He is a Fellow of the Literary Studies program in the School of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne, where he writes on the literature of the Beat Generation and Counterculture. He co-founded the literary magazine Kalliope X in 2020 for which he was director and poetry editor and is currently a committee member of the Melbourne School of Literature (MSL) where he teaches Beat poetics. Works include his translation of poet Nikos Nomikos, Noted Transparencies (Owl Press, 2016) and his debut collection of poetry, Angel Frankenstein (Soul Bay, 2018).
Andonis Piperoglou is the Hellenic Senior Lecturer in Global Diasporas at the University of Melbourne. He is a specialist in migration history and has published extensively on Greek Australia. His is editor (with Francesco Ricatti) of Researching Migration on Indigenous Lands: Challenges, Reflections, Pathways (Springer: 2025) and his book, Making Greek Settlers: Racial Inclusions and Exclusions in White Australia, will be published with the University of Illinois Press in 2026. In the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, Andoni teaches subjects on migration and diaspora.
Event Details:
When: Thursday 13 November 2025, 7pm
Panel Discussion Speakers: Professor Nikos Papastergiadis, Angela Costi, Dr George Mouratidis, Dr Andonis Piperoglou
Seminar: Tsaloumas Memorial Lecture: Poetry, History and Diaspora: Echoing the Past, Poeting from the Present
Where: The Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture, Mezzanine Level, 168 Lonsdale St., Melbourne
Language: English
Joint event between the Greek Community of Melbourne and the Greek Australian Cultural League
The West Australian Modern Greek Language Teachers’ Association Inc. (WAMGLTA) has proudly announced that its Chairperson, Dr Angela Evangelinou-Yiannakis, has received the Professional Teaching Council of Western Australia (PTCWA) Outstanding Professional Service Award for 2025.
The award was presented during the PTCWA Presentation Ceremony at the Westin Hotel in Perth on 29 October, by PTCWA Patron Dr Colin Pettit and Minister for Education Sabine Winton.
Dr Evangelinou-Yiannakis was recognised for her exceptional leadership and long-standing contribution to the teaching and promotion of the Greek language in WA.
As founding Chairperson of WAMGLTA for the past nine years, she has played a key role in advancing professional standards, supporting teachers, and fostering cultural engagement within the Greek community.
Her work includes leading the annual “Speak Greek in June” campaign, representing WAMGLTA at major cultural events such as Greek National Day commemorations and the Battle of Crete service at Kings Park, and actively contributing to professional education forums including the PTCWA Presidents’ Forum and MLTAWA State Conference.
Among those attending the ceremony in her support were the Hon. Consul of Greece in Perth, Eleni Georgopoulou, Professor Tanya Fitzgerald, Dean and Head of the Graduate School of Education at UWA, and members of the WAMGLTA committee and wider Greek community.
Steve Georganas MP, Federal Member for Adelaide, has commissioned a landmark report on the preservation of the Greek language across generations in Australia and was tabled in the Federal Parliament on Tuesday, 4 November.
The report was undertaken by Dimity Vlahos who is completing her internship with Mr Georganas. Ms Vlahos is part of the Australian National Internship Program from the Australian National University (ANU).
“Cultivating the Greek language within the Australian diaspora looked at the landscape, the barriers that exist and the frameworks of the Greek language in Australia,” Mr Georganas said.
The report not only looked at the Greek language in Australia but also how it faired compared to other Greek diasporas, such as the USA and Canada. The report showed evidence that the maintenance of the Greek language in Australia faired much better than our counterparts.
“This is promising news and very positive for the Greek language in Australia, it shows that the hard work and effort from Greek communities, churches, Community Schools and educators is working,” Mr Georganas said.
Greek migration has played a foundational role in forming modern Australia, with the Greek language serving as a key threat connecting generations of Greek Australians. However, recent studies show a concerning shift from Greek to English, particularly among young generations. This shift manifests in hybrid forms such as “GrEnglish” or “Greeklish”, where English words are interwoven into Greek speech.
“Community languages like Greek are more than just words. They’re about belonging, identity, and intergenerational connection,” said Mr Georganas, a second generation Greek Australian.
“Preserving multilingualism strengthens social cohesion and deepens Australia’s understanding and approach to multiculturalism.”
The report examines generational differences in language use, noting that while first generation migrants often maintain fluency, second and third generations may lack emotional attachment to the language.
This phenomenon, known as the “3-G Problem,” refers to the decline of minority languages within three generations. Remarkably, Greek defies this trend, with a 21% retention rate among third-generation Greek Australians.
Community centres, particularly Greek Orthodox churches, play a vital role in sustaining language and culture. These institutions foster belonging and support language schools, many of which are non-profit and community-led.
In South Australia alone, over 40,000 people claim Greek ancestry, and the state offers a wide range of language learning options.
“Protecting the Greek language is essential to maintaining cultural identity and ensuring that future generations remain connected to their heritage,” Ms Vlahos said.
Councillor Jim Grivas has been elected the new Mayor of Manningham, at the Annual Meeting of Council on Thursday 6 November.
He was unanimously chosen by his fellow Councillors to lead Manningham Council for the coming year, alongside Councillor Deirdre Diamante, who was elected as Deputy Mayor.
In his acceptance speech, the Ruffey Ward Councillor and Manningham resident of more than 25 years said it was a great privilege to serve the diverse community as Mayor.
“With this privilege comes a responsibility: as custodians of Manningham, we must ensure we leave our city stronger, more inclusive and better prepared for future generations,” Cr Grivas said.
Strengthening community engagement, enhancing sustainability initiatives and supporting local business and innovation will be a focus for Cr Grivas during his second Mayoral tenure.
He returns to the role after serving as Manningham Mayor in 2013/14, and as a previous Councillor in the 2012-16 Council term.
“Our community is at the heart of everything we do – and I am looking forward to working with my fellow Councillors to leave a legacy that we all can be proud of,” Cr Grivas said.
Newly elected Deputy Mayor, Cr Diamante, congratulated Cr Grivas on the appointment, and spoke of her commitment to continuing to work together to get the best outcomes for Manningham.
“I’ve lived in Manningham all my life, and my goal is that it will be a place that my children and grandchildren will know and love in the future,” Cr Diamante said.
Manningham Council CEO Andrew Day echoed the sentiments of Council and congratulated the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on behalf of the organisation.
Councillors thanked Cr Diamante for her service as Mayor over the past year – including her commitment to supporting local businesses, residents impacted by the North East Link Project, and older adults.
I came across a book of short stories in English by author Konstantina Sozou-Kyrkou, called Black Greek Coffee, whose cover includes the subtitle “Want to see the darker side of Greek life?”
“Perfect,” I thought, for this writing of my ‘A Darker Side of Greece: Part II’ article. See Part 1 here.
Upon finishing the book’s 23 moving and relatable short stories, I decided to refer to a few that resonated with me in the sense that they reflect some growing ‘trends’ universally perhaps, but to me, in my long-lived experience in Greece, reveal a “darker side” of life in Greece today.
One of the book’s short stories, “The Stubborn Beaker,” has as its heartbreaking theme an elderly person in a nursing home (I won’t give spoilers). This practice of immediate family not being able to look after elderly parents in Greece is increasing, and apart from employing mainly foreign workers in-house to look after them, nursing or care homes for the aged are on the rise.
An aunt of mine with mild dementia ended up in nursing homes in Athens. Her son worked abroad, while his wife in Athens had a job and their young child, as well as her own mother, to look after.
At first, my aunt was in a decent, though expensive, establishment whose location was on a very busy road, where even its small rear courtyard gave off whiffs of traffic odours and noise.
Upon visiting my aunt there once, I noticed that her hair had greyed immensely and was unkempt, whereas in the past she’d go to the hairdresser’s every week to maintain her stylish coiffure. Even aged 75 she had naturally dark brown, almost black, hair of which she was very proud.
I asked my aunt if she’d like her hair dyed and styled, and then spoke to the nursing home manager. After all, the nursing home’s fancy brochure claimed a hairdresser was employed there regularly. I stressed that her hair colour was to be the way she wanted it, as it was when she had been first admitted: in her natural dark brown-black.
Greek foreign minister in Australia
It took a few more visits for me to mention this again, while also noticing my aunt’s dementia worsening. The staff reassured me “the doctor was aware and looking into it.”
When I went back to visit her, her hair was still unkempt, but a bright burgundy colour! It really didn’t look like a hairdresser’s work. Her dementia had further worsened. I wonder what really went on there most hours, as they did seem understaffed.
In her next nursing home – which was cheaper – my aunt was bedridden with bedsores and potentially heavily medicated. I made a fuss and threats. They had no wheelchair to take her around since she was weak and could no longer walk, so I bought her one. They were also understaffed and though I visited and called and complained almost daily, things weren’t changing. I never managed to see her in the wheelchair. She died not long after.
The next short story I chose, titled “It’s a Girl,” refers to a father being very upset that the second child is born female (he already has a daughter). He ignores the child and is grumpy, to say the least, towards his wife, which leads to him unofficially ‘adopting’ a neighbour’s teenage son as the son he never had, feeling that at last he can bring up a male according to his macho belief system.
The boy disappoints him after being put in a difficult situation to prove his masculinity through hunting (a bit of a spoiler).
For me, this story brings to mind online “influencers” such as Andrew Tate, whom many young men have grown up following. Tate espouses that “a man’s true obligations are protection and provision.”
Strange sorts of social media blabberings from people such as Tate cause expectations for young men, creating confusion and much psychological pressure and pain. Not encouraged to express their feelings, in case they seem ‘weak,’ young men often resort to ‘gang’ violence amongst themselves – a relatively new and unfortunately common phenomenon now in Greece.
Furthermore, many young men in Greece don’t want to marry because they feel a threat and subsequent disadvantage in that if a woman leaves them “she has more rights and gets everything – kids, house and money.” Along similar lines, wages here in Greece are generally low, as is the birth rate, and thus young men feel disempowered and bitter, unable to afford their own home let alone start a family.
Issues of misogyny can also become manifest in scenarios of negative social media messaging (see incel culture too) for young men, combined with being in an insecure economic environment which leaves little hope for future betterment. This affects young women too, who are aware that pornographic-type sites are often marketed as money-making, empowering prototypes.
All this, in the context of busy parents working and trying to make ends meet, sees constant mobile phone access becoming the cultural purveyor of ‘life’ for youth. Fortunately, the Greek way of life includes strong community ties and not just in a nuclear family setting.
The important roles of extended family relationships too cannot be underestimated. Furthermore, recognising and advocating for responsible roles of government, teachers, the Church, and of our Greek community as a whole are also fundamental. Such ethical guidance in wisdom, self-respect and kindness offers a counterbalance to forces of exploitation and darkness, by instilling hope that all is not lost.
Liberal Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos accused the “TikTok-loving” minister of ignoring the lease paperwork for 140 days, while Canterbury-Bankstown Councillor Harry Stavrinos urged the government to “honour its $40 million pledge.”
Hoenig’s office told The Daily Telegraph the delay was due to an initially invalid council proposal, but confirmed a decision is now imminent. Temporary construction works have been approved while the lease is finalised.
Athens has achieved two major accolades on the European tourism scene, reaffirming its position as one of the continent’s premier cultural and travel destinations, according to tovima.com.
At this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards-considered a global benchmark in the tourism industry-the Greek capital was named Europe’s Leading Cultural City Destination and Europe’s Leading City Tourist Board.
In the first category, Athens triumphed over some of Europe’s most celebrated cities, including Paris, London, Prague, Rome, Venice, Dubrovnik, Edinburgh, Lisbon, Porto, and Palma de Mallorca. In the second, it outperformed major rivals such as Madrid, Lisbon, Rome, London, Berlin, and Batumi.
These latest distinctions add to a growing series of international awards Athens has received in recent years. In 2023, the city was recognized as the World’s Leading Cultural City Destination and Europe’s Leading City Break Destination, solidifying its reputation as one of Europe’s most attractive urban getaways.
According to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, this new success is the result of a united effort among residents, tourism professionals, and cultural contributors who bring life and creativity to the city every day.
Mayor Haris Doukas noted that the honors reflect Athens’ ongoing transformation-where history meets the modern era, culture merges with everyday life, and tradition harmonizes with innovation.
With a clear vision for sustainable development and cultural excellence, Athens continues to strengthen its presence on Europe’s tourism and cultural map-an open, forward-looking, and confident city that proudly embraces its identity while captivating visitors from around the world.
Greek Paralympic champion Charalambos Taiganidis has broken the world record for continuous open sea swimming, completing an incredible 149 kilometres, according to cyprus-mail.com.
His support crew hailed the achievement, saying it sends “a global message of endurance and humanity.”
Taiganidis began his journey on Friday from Paphos port, aiming to reach Ayia Napa marina by Sunday, covering a planned 160km route.
The final stretch proved to be the most difficult, as the crew described it as “a fierce battle with the elements.” Strong headwinds of 3 Beaufort struck early in the morning, later intensifying to 5–6 Beaufort, making the sea rough and conditions increasingly dangerous.
Exhausted after the extraordinary effort, Taiganidis was taken aboard the escort vessel just 4.5km short of his intended destination, after judges confirmed he had already surpassed the existing record.
The team emphasised that “the athlete’s safety and health were everyone’s top priority.”
Upon reaching Larnaca fishing port, Taiganidis was transported by ambulance to Larnaca General Hospital for medical checks and preventive treatment.
“We are immensely proud of Charalambos, who proved once again that limits exist only to be overcome,” his crew said.
They added, “This feat is not just a record; it is a victory of the soul, solidarity, and a beacon of inspiration for everyone, especially the children we supported with this effort.”
Traditional Cretan food comes directly from farm to table for an authentic slow food experience at Dounias Taverna. Dounias offers a perfect marriage of agrotourism (or agritourism) and food tourism in a scenic, rustic setting. At this traditional Greek taverna, dishes from the Cretan diet revive the flavors of a time when Greeks lived closer to the land.
The first time we looked for Dounias Taverna, or Ntounias* Traditional Gastronomic Center of Cretan Food, we didn’t find it. It is located in the village of Drakona, 19 km from Chania, Greece. With Drakona situated 525 meters above sea level, we need about an hour to wind through hairpin curves in the foothills of the White Mountains of Crete to reach it. The narrow roads may challenge some drivers, but passengers can enjoy spectacular views of silvery-green olive groves descending valleys and extending toward bare peaks. In that grand landscape, Dounias is so unassuming that you can miss it (as we did) at one of many sharp bends in the road.
Keep your eyes open for several small wood fires burning beneath clay pots, a frying pan, and a small domed oven on a covered outdoor platform. This—and the woodpiles—are the taverna’s most distinctive features. The modest red-tiled, cream-colored building with dark green doors and solar panels covering most of the roof is less striking. Inside, exposed wooden beams hold up the ceiling, and large windows let natural light into the two rooms that are packed with customers on winter weekends. A pleasant, elevated outdoor seating area across the road offers cool breezes and views of the landscape in the summer. (Six steps with railings lead up to it; a sturdy wooden roof protects some of the tables, while a green tarp is spread above the others.)
Wood fires and a farm visit: Traditional Cretan food at Dounias when our children were small
Cooking over the wood fires’ open flames outside the taverna building, potato chunks sizzle in a blackened frying pan of bubbling olive oil, and greens boil in a large pot of water. Steam escapes from covered ceramic pots as thick local sausages meld with whole green peppers. The flickering orange firelight can mesmerize visitors, but the owners stay on their toes. Stelios Trilyrakis hurries over to turn the sausages, stir a full pot, check on the potatoes, and add more greens to boil.
When we first encountered Dounias over a decade ago, the outdoor cooking area had not yet been set up. Instead of looking at a menu, we were invited into the kitchen to see the wood-burning oven and clay pots full of fresh food there. After we’d filled our stomachs with a variety of dishes based on fresh local produce and meats that were either from the owners’ farm or locally sourced, Stelios brought out several extra dishes for us to try.
As my husband attempted to do justice to that wealth of flavor, Stelios and his wife Emorfili Onoufriadi urged one of their young children to escort me and my small kids on a tour of their farm. We wandered along dirt paths on the hillside below their restaurant, visiting the family’s rabbits, pigs, chickens, and a cow. We had driven past some of their rare brown cattle—Cretan Gidomouskara (meaning “goat’s beef,” given their goat-like feet)–on the way into the village.
With the motto “slow food and agritourism,” Dounias now offers pre-planned educational farm experiences that can include vegetable picking, gathering wild plants, milking, cheese production, and traditional Cretan cooking lessons, as well as visits to small-scale, family-owned enterprises such as a vineyard, a winery, and beehives in nearby villages. Apartments are also available for rent next to their restaurant.
In the past, after they had become too busy to invite customers into the kitchen to order food, Stelios would quickly explain the offerings of the day from memory–and tell us when we’d ordered enough. Now there are official menus, logos on their aprons, paper placemats showing their clay pots, brochures, and a website in six languages. Musicians sitting around one of the small, square wooden tables next to our group one Saturday in September played Greek tunes by Theodorakis and Hatzidakis on a classical guitar, an accordion, and a beautiful bouzouki.
Tastes of the past: “our grandmothers’ recipes” for high quality traditional Cretan food
Stelios and Emorfili used to work as cooks in city restaurants, but that showed them that “our food culture had lost its way,” as Stelios says in a video on their website. So they “decided our mission would be to show our friends our grandmothers’ recipes.” They left the city and opened up the taverna surrounded by a farm where they “use what we grow, just like my grandmother did” and “show people how we cook without electricity, in earthenware, using fresh, seasonal produce” straight from nature.
Even as its international fame continues to grow, Dounias continues to live up to their motto of “slow food and high quality.” We recently enjoyed a spectacular Cretan salad with mizithra cheese, beets, greens, potatoes, carrots, rusk, peppers, onions, and corn; coarse homemade wholegrain bread with olives, oregano, and olive oil; savory vegetarian dishes where the ingredients blended perfectly in slow-cooked sauces; plus local meats baked in the wood-burning oven. In addition to a favorite green bean stew, a savory eggplant dish had me—who doesn’t care for eggplant—coming back for more.
My husband thought I offended Stelios once by asking if the potatoes were fried in olive oil. Of course they were; what else? The restaurant earned the Quality Label of Cretan Cuisine, which required an exclusive use of extra virgin and virgin olive oil in cooking, including deep frying. Two ancient olive trees near the taverna signal the importance of this key feature of the time-tested traditions of the Cretan diet.
*In the Greek alphabet, N and T together make the “D” sound, although this is not usually transliterated as NT, but as D. The Greek word ντουνιάς (ntounias) is a poetic term for “world” or “earth” that may be used to emphasize vastness.
*Originally published on Greek Liquid Gold: Authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (greekliquidgold.com). See that site for recipes with olive oil, photos from Greece, agrotourism and food tourism suggestions, and olive oil news and information.
