South Australia’s Chief Justice Chris Kourakis has called on Adelaide City Council to push ahead with plans for a zebra crossing on Gouger Street, saying he feels “guilty” for not following up on earlier safety warnings before a barrister was struck by a car at the exact location he raised concerns about in 2021.
Speaking at Tuesday night’s council meeting, Kourakis said he first wrote to the council two years ago about the need for a formal crossing between the Samuel Way District Court and the Supreme Court.
“About two years later I was told a barrister had been hit by a car… and it was suspected he had suffered head injuries,” he said.
“I can’t describe to you the sickening feeling… and describe how guilty I felt that for two years I had not followed up on that letter.
“I want to be able to say I did everything I possibly could to ensure the safety of pedestrians on Gouger St.”
The proposed crossing is part of a $15 million Gouger Street revitalisation project, which includes widened footpaths, additional trees and a new median strip.
Photo: Adelaide City Council.
A 145-signature petition lodged this week opposes the crossing and median, arguing they would block right turns from Gouger St into Mill St.
Kourakis said the informal crossing currently used by roughly 700 court staff created a “false sense of security,” and compared the risk to legal tests used in negligence cases.
“The level of risk in a car hitting a pedestrian is obvious and is great. It appears to me that the burden is just a few seconds, or at most a few minutes delay,” he said.
City infrastructure director Tom McCready previously told the council the number of people crossing at peak times supports installing a zebra crossing.
The street design is 70 per cent complete, with the final plan expected early next year and construction scheduled for 2025–26.
Greece’s men’s national basketball team launched its 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign in commanding style on Thursday, delivering a 91–64 rout of Romania at the iconic Nick Galis Hall in Thessaloniki.
The blue-and-white side asserted control from the opening tip-off, storming to an early 15–4 lead within four minutes, fuelled by a dynamic scoring mix from Giannoulis Larentzakis and Alexandros Samodurov. By the end of the first quarter, Greece held a 26–12 advantage and never looked back.
Debutant Nikos Persides announced himself perfectly in national colours, finishing with 17 points on spotless accuracy—going 1/1 from the line, 5/5 on two-pointers and 2/2 from beyond the arc. Larentzakis topped Greece’s scoring with 18 points, hitting 4/7 three-pointers, while Samodurov delivered 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 boards, controlling the paint and glass.
First-time national team appearance Elijah Mitrou-Long also impressed in his maiden outing, dishing 13 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds to complement a well-rounded performance. For Romania, Mihai Maciucea led the visitors with 13 points and 6 rebounds, backed by 9 points from Tzohatan.
Greece’s long-range efficiency shaped the contest, converting 13 of 30 three-point attempts (43 per cent), creating repeated scoring bursts that blew the game open. A buzzer-beating three from Vangelis Bagoris extended Greece’s lead to 29–12 early in the second, prompting a Greek timeout. Romania responded with an 8–0 run to briefly pull within 29–20, but Greece countered immediately with a 16–6 surge, restoring order at 45–26 by the 19th minute.
A 5/8 barrage from 6.75 in the third quarter – including triples from Larentzakis, Mitrou-Long and Samodurov – pushed Greece to a dominant +30 at 66–36 in the 27th minute. The margin peaked at 36 points (81–45) midway through the fourth, sealed by consecutive baskets from Persides and lay-ins from Giorgos Moraitis and Panagiotis Kalaitzakis.
With the win, Greece took an emphatic first step toward securing a place in the final phase of the competition. The national team now turns to its second qualifier on Sunday, 30 November, facing Portugal away from home in the FIBA qualifying window.
The Minns Labor Government has passed legislation ensuring people can continue attending their places of worship without being blocked, harassed or intimidated.
Legislation passed NSW Parliament on Thursday afternoon confirming police have the power to move on protesters who affect someone’s ability to enter or leave their place of worship.
No one deserves to be blocked, harassed or intimidated while trying to attend their church, synagogue, temple or mosque.
The change follows a recent Supreme Court decision affecting the move on powers.
Importantly, this decision did not affect the offence of intentionally blocking, impeding, harassing, intimidating, or threatening a person accessing a place of worship.
The Government has acted quickly to ensure police can still use move on powers to protect individuals trying to access their place of worship.
These amendments balance community protection with the freedom of political expression.
They are complemented by the suite of legislation the Government has introduced to protect the community from racial hatred, intimidation and harassment.
“No one should be harassed or intimidated trying to attend their church, synagogue, temple or mosque. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and has no place in NSW,” Attorney General Michael Daley said.
“Following the decision of the Supreme Court, we have reintroduced a move on power which balances community protection and the right to protest.
“The Government has acted quickly to ensure NSW Police retains appropriate powers to move on protesters who affect someone’s ability to access or leave their place of worship.”
Torrential rain from Storm Adel has raised fears of new landslides in Tzoumerka, Epirus, where a major slide in Agnanta has threatened homes and businesses after the Agnantitis stream overflowed.
“Landslides have occurred in many parts of the stream bed,” Deputy Mayor Omiros Kapelis said, warning a nearby hotel could also be at risk.
Rainfall reached 156 mm in Pramanta, 150 mm in Theodoriana, and 143 mm in Kataraktis, with officials attributing the danger to saturated, unstable flysch soils.
“What we are facing now are landslides everywhere,” Mayor Christos Hassiakos said.
In Corfu, intense rainfall caused the Potamos channel and Kavalaraina torrent to overflow, flooding riverside areas and disrupting traffic.
“The very heavy rainfall lasted two hours and fell on already saturated ground,” Mayor Stefanos Poulimenos said.
Pope Leo has warned that a “third world war is being fought piecemeal,” urging global leaders not to “give in” to rising geopolitical tensions as he arrived in Turkey on Thursday, November 27, for his first overseas trip as head of the Catholic Church.
Speaking in Ankara alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Leo said the world was facing “a heightened level of conflict on the global level, fuelled by prevailing strategies of economic and military power,” adding: “The future of humanity is at stake.”
Turkey, home to about 36,000 Catholics, is the first stop on a strategic tour that will take the pope to Lebanon on Sunday amid fears of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah after a deadly Israeli strike in Beirut earlier this week.
Leo urged Turkish leaders to embrace the country’s potential as “a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples,” referencing Ankara’s growing diplomatic role in conflicts including Gaza and Ukraine.
The pope’s arrival has attracted intense attention in both countries, with banners of his image appearing throughout Beirut and Turkish media tracking Vatican preparations.
Vatican expert Christopher White said Leo would use the trip to advance his central message of peace, addressing both world leaders and Christian communities.
Athenians gathered under umbrellas on Thursday evening to watch Mayor Haris Doukas light the city’s Christmas tree at Syntagma Square, braving heavy rain to enjoy the annual celebration.
The festivities began with Christmas performances by the Athens Municipality Big Band, followed by the Philharmonic Orchestra. Singer and actor Panos Mouzourakis closed the musical program.
Shortly after 7.30 pm, Mayor Doukas illuminated the 19-metre fir tree, sourced from controlled tree farming in Chryssovitsi, Arcadia, along with the rest of the square’s decorations.
In total, 21,000 metres of string lights were installed across the square.
Ermou Street has also been decorated for the season, while a Nativity scene will be set up at Mitropoleos Square.
Hosted by the Cretan Association of Sydney and New South Wales, the five-day gathering will take place from 2 to 6 January 2026, under the auspices of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand.
The convention will bring together hundreds of participants of Greek and Cretan heritage from across Australia and New Zealand, spanning families, community organisations and the wider Oceania diaspora.
The official program features five days of celebrations showcasing culture, tradition and community connection. Attendees will enjoy an unforgettable harbour cruise across Sydney’s famed waterways, key federation meetings, youth-led events and sporting activities, traditional church services, and multiple dinners and evening celebrations designed to unite generations in the spirit of Crete.
The closing farewell dinner spotlights young Cretan musicians travelling from around Australia in a symbolic moment that underscores the future of Hellenism and Cretan cultural continuity in the region.
The convention will also feature live performances by celebrated Cretan instrumentalists visiting from Crete, including Mihalis Charkiolakis on mandolino and askoumandoura, Giorgos Koudoumougiannakis on lyra, and Vaggelis Bagourakis on lute.
Traditional Cretan dance groups representing local and interstate associations will attend, perform and lead cultural showcases throughout the week.
With some event tickets already close to capacity, attendees are urged to register and secure their bookings before the deadline to avoid disappointment.
New information has come to light about internal challenges facing the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) in the lead-up to its Annual General Meeting (AGM) this Sunday, November 30.
Two senior figures – Vice President Dr Stan Salagaras, and Administrative Council (AC) member Arthur Flabouris – have outlined the governance and operational concerns that led to their resignations, offering their perspective on pressures contributing to staff turnover and organisational strain previously reported by The Greek Herald.
Senior leaders cite governance failures
Flabouris said the challenges extended far beyond communication problems, pointing to a broader concern about transparency that made it increasingly difficult for the AC to carry out its responsibilities. He noted that GOCSA operates with an estimated $20 million annual turnover, employs approximately 200 staff, and holds around $70 million in property assets, but said the AC was repeatedly unable to obtain the reporting required to oversee an organisation of this scale.
“We were elected to carry out the will of members, but requests for information went unanswered,” he said. “We couldn’t get the reports we needed, and the communication between the AC and the SC broke down completely.”
He added that the AC had twice written to the President in recent months outlining governance and workplace concerns they considered serious, but said they received no written response or proposed solution.
“The AC wrote to the President twice… We received no response, no solutions, no follow-up,” Flabouris said.
Flabouris added this lack of transparency also extended to staff departures, with the AC saying they were not being given access to resignation letters or explanations for why personnel were leaving.
“How can you fix problems when you’re not told what they are? It made it near impossible for us to understand the issues across the organisation – and that’s supposed to be our role,” he said.
Both Flabouris and Dr Salagaras confirmed they were not offered exit interviews, despite President Peter Ppiros telling The Greek Herald last week that such processes are conducted “where possible.”
Key barrier
Dr Salagaras, who also chaired the Ridleyton Greek Home for the Aged (RGHA) Committee, said attempts to stabilise operations and address emerging risks were repeatedly blocked.
“We had clear pathways to fix the problems,” he said. “We put forward practical solutions, but without support or follow-through, nothing changed.”
The reforms he proposed included:
a long-term aged care master plan
an external operational review to prepare for new Aged Care Act requirements
reinstatement of HR, IT and property management roles following key staff departures
timely monthly financial reporting and completion of the FY26 budget
clearer processes to address workplace matters raised by staff and external agencies
According to Dr Salagaras, these initiatives were raised multiple times but were not progressed prior to his resignation.
Both departing leaders said their concerns centred on the involvement of some members of the Supervisory Committee, who they believe were influencing governance and operational matters to a degree they considered disproportionate. This, they said, stalled key processes, contributed to unresolved complaints and created instability across several business units.
These internal accounts build on earlier issues reported, including high staff turnover and vacant senior roles across the organisation. To date, The Greek Herald understands there has been nine resignations, two more since our report last week, and two remaining on indefinite stress leave. The Director of Clinical Services at RGHA resigned on Wednesday night.
AGM materials do not address governance concerns
Despite the extent of disruption, the AGM agenda lists only standard procedural matters that are mandatory inclusions with no reference to vacant management roles or the governance concerns raised by AC members.
Similarly, the nine-page President’s Report highlights cultural activities, events and programs but does not address the operational pressures affecting day-to-day continuity.
For some members, the absence of these matters raises questions about transparency and whether the AGM will address the stability needed to ensure continuity across GOCSA’s services.
Members expected to seek clarity at crucial meeting
The Executive Committee, led by President Peter Ppiros, has acknowledged the concerns raised publicly in recent days.
In a statement to The Greek Herald last week, Mr Ppiros stressed that staff turnover has been treated respectfully, recruitment is under way, and the Board remains committed to transparency, quality reviews and uninterrupted delivery of services.
He said the Executive welcomes constructive feedback within a framework of respectful dialogue, and encouraged all members to attend the AGM and participate in open discussion on governance, workplace culture and membership processing.
With GOCSA responsible for aged care, community care, cultural programs, language schools and multimillion-dollar assets, the upcoming AGM is shaping into a crucial moment for the organisation’s direction and credibility.
The Greek Herald will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they unfold.
The Albanese Government’s proposal to require global tech giants to pay for Australian journalism returned to national focus this week, with ABC’s 7.30examining the reforms and the growing pressures facing newsrooms across the country.
The program brought together a broad mix of industry voices – including Nine Entertainment CEO Matt Stanton, former ACCC Chair Rod Sims, Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino and The Greek Herald publisher Dimitra Skalkos – to assess the impact of Meta and Google ending key funding arrangements.
Ms Skalkos’ participation added a multicultural newsroom perspective to the national policy discussion, reinforcing that the pressures on journalism are being felt across all parts of the industry – not only within the major networks.
As The Greek Herald approaches its 100th year of continuous publication – and remains the only daily Greek newspaper operating outside Greece and Cyprus – the issues raised in the program speak directly to its longstanding mission: delivering trusted journalism in two languages to a deeply engaged national readership.
A century of continuous publishing – and a globally unique role
Founded in 1926, The Greek Herald is among the few Greek-language newspapers worldwide still publishing daily. Its readership spans older migrants who rely on in-language reporting and younger generations seeking cultural context.
“We reach older migrants who need in-language news, and younger generations who want cultural context and nuanced reporting,” Ms Skalkos said.
This dual responsibility – both linguistic and cultural – has shaped The Greek Herald’s identity for decades.
“Our audience is strong and deeply engaged. What’s changed isn’t the demand for our journalism – it’s the financial model that underpins it,” she said.
“We break stories inside communities where culture and trust matter, and that work takes resources. Without stable revenue streams, it becomes harder for any newsroom to plan long-term.”
Founded in 1926, The Greek Herald is among the few Greek-language newspapers worldwide still publishing daily.
Industry-wide pressures reshaping Australian journalism
The pressures described on 7.30 – including the loss of up to 100 journalists at Nine after Meta withdrew from news agreements – reflect structural changes affecting newsrooms across the sector.
Advertising revenue has contracted, government communication spending is increasingly fragmented, and most digital ad dollars are captured through Google and Meta’s programmatic systems. For a national daily multicultural outlet, these trends have a pronounced impact.
Ms Skalkos said these pressures are systemic.
“The pressures we’re dealing with aren’t unique – they’re systemic. What’s changed is the structure that funds journalism, not the value of the journalism itself,” she said.
The program also highlighted concerns about Artificial Intelligence companies scraping news content without agreements in place, with major publishers reporting extremely high volumes of scraping activity.
Early termination and the instability facing smaller publishers
The 7.30 segment examined the fragility of earlier funding arrangements, noting that one of the agreements involving Google and participating publishers – including The Greek Herald – ended two years ahead of schedule. Ms Skalkos said the early termination had material consequences.
“The agreement was designed to run for five years, and it was pulled in its existing format two years early. It was a shock,” she said. “We had planned digital growth and backend infrastructure around that five-year runway, so an early termination disrupts momentum for any newsroom.”
She said discussions are continuing regarding the unfulfilled final two years.
“Our media alliance, PIPA (Public Interest Publishers Alliance), is in discussions with Google to see whether there can be a positive outcome for those remaining two years of funding. We believe something constructive will come out of that process, but right now the discussions are ongoing, so it’s not clear yet,” she said.
Ms Skalkos also acknowledged the organisations that helped secure access for multicultural and independent outlets.
“We are incredibly grateful to PIPA and the Minderoo Foundation. Their advocacy ensured we weren’t excluded when the original agreements were first secured,” she said.
Dimitra Skalkos’ participation in the program added a multicultural newsroom perspective to the national policy discussion.
What the News Bargaining Incentive actually proposes
Ms Skalkos said the Government’s proposed reform is a constructive step toward creating greater stability for small and multicultural publishers.
The News Bargaining Incentive would require global tech companies earning more than $250 million in Australia to either enter funding arrangements with local publishers or face a levy tied to their Australian revenue. The goal is to encourage longer-term, more reliable partnerships, rather than the voluntary model that previously allowed platforms to withdraw without consequence.
On 7.30, Assistant Treasurer Mr Mulino described the reform as essential to safeguarding democratic accountability, while Mr Sims said that without a mechanism like this, platforms would continue using news content without payment.
Meta and Google declined interviews but confirmed they will review the proposal.
The program also noted the broader international backdrop, including recent comments from US President Donald Trump cautioning countries against imposing new financial obligations on American tech companies. The Australian Government has downplayed any direct conflict, but the context adds weight to the reform effort.
Ensuring the reforms support diverse newsrooms
Ms Skalkos noted that the effectiveness of the reform depends on whether it delivers certainty across the sector.
“If this reform is going to work, it has to ensure access across the full spectrum of publishers – metropolitan, regional, independent and multicultural,” she said.
“Because if you lose us, you don’t just lose diversity – you lose visibility into whole communities across Australia. And that’s how information deserts form.”
Multicultural outlets like The Greek Herald regularly report on governance, community institutions and cultural developments that may otherwise receive limited coverage, forming a crucial layer of Australia’s public-interest news ecosystem.
Multicultural outlets like The Greek Herald regularly report on governance, community institutions and cultural developments that may otherwise receive limited coverage.
A century of service
As The Greek Herald approaches its centenary in 2026, Ms Skalkos said its purpose remains consistent: to inform, scrutinise and serve its community with integrity.
“We’ve been here for 100 years, and our commitment hasn’t changed,” she said. “Our community expects reliable journalism, and we will continue delivering it.”
She said the reforms present an opportunity to strengthen the health of the wider media ecosystem.
“This is a moment to build a system that recognises the full breadth of Australian journalism,” Ms Skalkos said. “When every publisher – large, regional, independent and multicultural – has access to stable frameworks, the public is better informed. That’s the outcome that matters.”
As the policy process continues, The Greek Herald will remain actively engaged.
“We’re watching with interest to see how the final model takes shape,” Ms Skalkos said. “What matters most is ensuring a fair and lasting structure that supports public-interest journalism across the country.”
An extraordinary celebration of Hellenic heritage unfolded at The University of Queensland’s RD Milns Antiquities Museum on Wednesday evening, as the exhibition ΝΟΣΤΟΙ | Homecomings: Stories of the Ionian Island Diaspora in Queensland officially opened to the public.
The opening night was attended by Greece’s Honorary Consul-General in Queensland, George Mastrocostas, who delivered a keynote address reflecting on the ancient Greek concept of nostos – a return home that spans far beyond geography.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, Professors Alastair Blanshard, Lisa Featherstone, and Kim Wilkins, as well as community leaders, academics, and representatives of the Kytherian and Ithacan communities.
The exhibition marks the first time stories from Queensland’s Ioanian island diaspora have been intertwined to form a unified cultural narrative. The artefacts presented – ranging from personal letters to community archives – have been deeply sourced from families across the state and include photographs, handwritten correspondence, migration records, and treasured heirlooms.
Speaking to a packed audience of diaspora members, theologians, and academics, Mr Mastrocostas said: “Nostos means the return home, but not merely a physical return. It is the spiritual journey back to one’s roots, one’s identity, one’s truth.”
His remarks honoured generations of Ionian Islanders who left their homelands – Kythera, Ithaca, and the broader Ionian archipelago – to build new lives in Queensland, carrying with them an enduring love for Greece, a fierce commitment to family, and the fortitude to thrive through uncertainty.
The exhibition’s collection draws from historically significant materials, including oral histories, artefacts, and letters documenting personal migration journeys, grief, triumph, separation, and cultural continuity.
Mr Mastrocostas also acknowledged the institutions and community organisations whose joint efforts made the exhibition possible, paying tribute to: The University of Queensland, RD Milns Antiquities Museum, The Kytherian Association of Queensland, Ithacan Society of Queensland, and community families who contributed objects and testimony.
The exhibition is the result of months of archival collation, community consultation, and academic partnership, led by cross-disciplinary teams spanning classical studies, cultural history, migration studies, and anthropology.
