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‘Never forget’: Cypriots in NSW mark anniversary of Turkish invasion of Cyprus

Andriana Simos
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‘Never forget’: Cypriots in NSW mark anniversary of Turkish invasion of Cyprus

The 49th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus was commemorated in New South Wales with a wreath laying ceremony and cultural program attended by both Cypriot and Greek communities.

Events kicked off on Saturday, July 22 with a cocktail party at The Cyprus Club in Stanmore, Sydney, in the presence of the Deputy Spokeswoman of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, Doxa Komodromou.

Officials at the cocktail party. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Dr Miranda Adamou (left) with a guest.

The formal function was attended by a number of dignitaries and prominent community members including the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia; the Press Counsellor at the Consulate of Greece in Sydney, Costas Giannakodimos; the Co-Presidents of the Justice for Cyprus Co-ordinating Committee (SEKA NSW), Chris Koulinos and Dr Miranda Adamou; and the President of the Cyprus Community of NSW, Andrew Costa; among many others.

The Deputy Head of Mission at the Cyprus High Commission, Stavros Nicolaou, and the President of the Federation of the Cypriot Community of Australia, Michael Christodoulou, were also present at events throughout the weekend.

Greeks and Cypriots join forces to commemorate the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Listening to speeches.

During the cocktail party, attendees listened intently to a number of official speeches calling for a just and fair solution to the Cyprus problem after 49 years. Cypriot musicians, Marios Charalambous and Giorgos Timotheou, also gave a musical tribute concert on the night.

Chris Koulinos.
Costa Giannakodimos.
Speeches.
Andrew Costa.
Cypriot musicians, Marios Charalambous and Giorgos Timotheou.

Commemorations didn’t end there.

On Sunday, July 23, people attended a memorial service in memory of the fallen Cypriot fighters at the Cathedral of The Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern. The service was presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

Memorial service.

Dignitaries, officials and members of local Greek and Cypriot community organisations later gathered at the Cenotaph in Martin Place for a wreath laying ceremony. The ceremony included a prayer reading, the playing of the Last Post and Rouse, the reading of the Ode, and a minute silence.

Officials at the wreath laying.
Officials at the wreath laying.
Officials at the wreath laying.
Wreaths were laid at the Martin Place cenotaph.

Finally, the day ended with an anti-occupation gathering at The Cyprus Club and a powerful cultural program which was emceed by Ellise Papanikolas.

(L-R) Chris Koulinos, Ellise Papanikolas, Dr Miranda Adamou.
Cypriot musicians (two on right).
Attendees.
Antonis Sammoutis (left) with Stavros Nicolaou (right).
Cypriot dancers.

The program included the singing of the national anthems of Greece and Australia, followed by a dancing performance from the Cyprus Community of NSW’s dance school and a number of speeches from Ms Komodromou, Mr Sammoutis, Mr Koulinos, Mr Costa and Dr Adamou.

Cyprus Community of NSW’s dance school.
Soula singing the national anthems.

Mr Koulinos began the speeches by welcoming everyone to the event, giving a brief history of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and sharing how he fought during the attack.

Ms Komodromou passed on a message of thanks from Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides to the Cypriot diaspora in Australia for their ongoing push for justice for Cyprus.

“The Cypriot community here in Sydney is one of Cyprus’ most vocal ambassadors abroad and it is important for the Government that we continue to strengthen relationships between our Cypriot and Australian communities in every way,” Ms Komodromou said.

Doxa Komodromou.

For his part, Mr Sammoutis said that during the Australia-wide commemorations to mark the 49th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, he has noticed three things about the Cypriot diaspora. That is, their pain for those who lost their lives fighting for Cyprus; their determination to remember and fight for justice; and their concern for current issues that impact Cyprus.

Antonis Sammoutis.

Mr Costa spoke next and announced the establishment of a Wall of Remembrance at The Cyprus Club for all those who lost their lives during the Turkish invasion, as well as those still missing. The wall will be visible for 40 days and Mr Costa invited people to add their own photographs of loved ones.

The Wall of Remembrance.
People standing in front of the Wall of Remembrance.

Two attendees walked up on the stage and drew tears from the crowd as they shared personal memories and clutched photographs of loved ones they wanted to add to the Wall of Remembrance.

Woman wanted to add a loved one to the Wall of Remembrance.

Dr Adamou concluded the speeches by stressing that the Cypriot diaspora in Australia stand beside the Cyprus government in its efforts to get justice for the country and its people after 49 years.

Official proceedings concluded with an exchange of gifts between Ms Komodromou and the Presidents of PASEKA, SEKA NSW and the Cyprus Community of NSW.

(L-R) Michael Christodoulou and Doxa Komodromou.
Cypriot musicians, Marios Charalambous and Giorgos Timotheou.

Cypriot musicians, Marios Charalambous and Giorgos Timotheou, ended the night with their resounding musical performance.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

Olympic Rings and Paralympics Agitos arrive in Queensland ahead of Brisbane 2032

The Greek Herald
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Olympic Rings and Paralympics Agitos arrive in Queensland ahead of Brisbane 2032

With the Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitos officially calling Brisbane, Queensland their new Australian home, thousands of people attended more than 30 community celebrations over the weekend to mark the 9 Years to Go to Brisbane 2032 milestone.

Large-scale Olympic Rings and Paralympics Agitos have been on display across iconic locations across South East Queensland in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, over Saturday and Sunday, with local celebrations planned to welcome the Rings and Agitos.

Large-scale Olympic Rings and Paralympics Agitos on display in Brisbane.

This will be the first time both symbols have been on prominent display in Australia since the Sydney 2000 Games.

The President of Brisbane 2032, Andrew Liveris AO, said the Rings and Agitos serve as a “symbolic reminder” that Brisbane has become an “Olympic and Paralympic city of the world” alongside LA, Paris, London and others.

“This is an historic occasion,” Mr Liveris said about the Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitos returning to Australia for the first time in more than 20 years.

President of Brisbane 2032, Andrew Liveris.
City of Gold Coast.
Sunshine Coast, Nambour Showgrounds Equestrian.
Photos supplied.

Local communities are encouraged to visit the Rings and Agitos and capture their own piece of history with a photo, with many of the sites also hosting sporting activations for people to take part in.

Premier of Queensland and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP said the “Olympic and Paralympic City and State will be the biggest single catalyst for change this century.”

“The world is going to discover all the things we love about Queensland and Queensland will be the winner,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

John Pandazopoulos named inaugural Chair of Tourism Midwest Victoria

The Greek Herald
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John Pandazopoulos named inaugural Chair of Tourism Midwest Victoria

Tourism Midwest Victoria (TMV) has revealed its plans to launch as a ground-breaking partnership between industry, and local and state governments, to boost regional visitation. 

As Midwest Victoria’s new peak tourism body, TMV will be focused on driving visitation to the City of Ballarat and the Pyrenees, Moorabool, Golden Plains (south of Ballarat to Rokewood), and Hepburn (Creswick and Clunes) shires. 

Its aim is to position the region as one of Victoria’s premier tourism destinations, showcasing its unique attractions, rich history, and vibrant community.

In another pivotal announcement, TMV also confirmed the appointment of the Honourable John Pandazopoulos as its inaugural and independent Chair following a rigorous and transparent recruitment process.

Greek Australian, John Pandazopoulos, currently serves as the Chairperson of Parks Victoria.

Mr Pandazopoulos has more than 30 years public sector experience as a Member of Parliament, State Minister, Mayor, and Board Member of Statutory Corporations developing, advocating and implementing public policy and investment.

“For me, regional tourism is the essence of what Victoria is,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.

“People know about Melbourne, but it is the diversity of the people and places that exist across regional Victoria that shape the quintessential Victorian experience.”

John Pandazopoulos.

Mr Pandazopoulos will be charged with providing the organisation with leadership and governance, and oversight of the strategic operations. 

The board will have strong regional representation including five Industry Partner Directors representing different skills, experiences and backgrounds; and five CEOs or authorised delegates from the relevant councils. A state government representative will observe the board.

TMV’s dual announcement comes in response to the Victorian Government’s plans to transition Victoria’s existing Regional Tourism Boards (RTB) to a new network of Visitor Economy Partnerships (VEPs).

VEPs are the result of the government’s Regional Tourism Review and Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan, which provides actions to address challenges and opportunities within the regional tourism market. 

VEPs aim to enhance and strengthen boards so each entity has the structure, resources, strategy and scale to perform its role. 

Midwest Victoria. Photo: Visit Ballara.

Ballarat Regional Tourism (BRT), which played a key role as the region’s interim RTB while the partners worked together to respond to the state government’s new model, represented industry at the co-design process to ensure members had a voice at the table.

BRT will now merge with new tourism body TMV, which will absorb BRT’s core role of representing industry and supporting the growth of the visitor economy.

Key TMV deliverables include a Destination Management Plan (DMP), which will be a critical seven-year strategic plan for the region.

The DMP will deliver actions to support the tourism industry’s continued recovery from the pandemic and help build resilience.

The City of Ballarat’s Visitor Economy Unit will resource the operational work of TMV, and Executive Manager Visitor Economy Sarah Pilgrim will continue to oversee the operations.

The Victoria Government’s new VEP network means TMV will be fiscally supported through a combination of state government funding, local government budget cycles of the partner councils, and industry partner contributions.

Mr Pandazopoulos says he is attracted to the new VEP model as it provides an opportunity to create something that transforms and captures the broader region of Midwest Victoria to give visitors a new reason to visit and stay longer.

“After all, tourism is about sharing the places we love and cherish with others,” Mr Pandazopoulos noted.

“Just look at Midwest Victoria… I see the region as a core part of Australia’s story. These lands have been nurtured and cared for by many first nations communities and we continue to learn from their resilience and creativity.”

Tourism and hospitality businesses in Midwest Victoria are being urged to sign up as TMV Industry Partners to access vital information, support and opportunities with no initial membership subscription cost. 

“Let’s roll up our sleeves and build this new entity together to ensure Midwest Victoria’s tourism businesses have the ultimate chance of success,” Mr Pandazopoulos concludes.

Greek Australian politicians meet with President of Greece’s Parliament

The Greek Herald
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Greek Australian politicians meet with President of Greece’s Parliament

President of Greece’s Parliament, Constantine Tassoulas, met with the newly elected board members of The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE – WHIA) on Friday, July 21.

The PADEE – WHIA is made up of current and former elected officials, who live in foreign countries.

Among those present at the meeting with Tassoulas were two Greek Australian politicians and PADEE – WHIA representatives. They were the Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas (Vice President B), and Federal Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou (Board member).

President Tassoulas meets with Steve Georganas MP.

President Tassoulas opened the assembly with an official greeting, while a message from Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was read to the guests.

In the meeting, President Tassoulas spoke about the consensus for removing the restrictions for Greeks abroad to vote in Greek elections, among other important matters relating to Greece and Cyprus.

He also praised the diaspora community for their endeavours in preserving the Greek language and heritage.

Meetin with Ms Duncan at the Embassy in Athens.

Earlier that weekend, Mr Georganas and Ms Vamvakinou, along with other Greek Australian politicians such as Olivia Savvas MP, Nick Staikos MP, Lee Tarlamis MP and Steve Dimopoulos MP, also paid a visit to the Australian Embassy in Athens, Greece.

There they met with the new Ambassador of Australia to Greece, Alison Duncan, who said she was “very happy” to host Greek Australian MPs visiting Greece as part of the World Inter-Parliamentary Union of Hellenism.

Australian helicopters join fight against wildfires in Greece

Andriana Simos
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Australian helicopters join fight against wildfires in Greece

Australian specialist fire fighting helicopters from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland have joined the fight to extinguish wildfires ravaging Greece this month.

The Bell214ST helicopters have been contracted by McDermott Aviation and were captured helping fight recent fires in Mandra, Attica.

82 wildfires are currently raging across Greece, including on the islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Evia. On Rhodes, the wildfire sparked Greece’s biggest-ever evacuation operation in history.

The water bombing helicopters can been seen using a specialised fast fill system to scoop water and target wildfires from above.

This is the fourth fire season where McDermott Aviation have sent helicopters to support Greece throughout the summer.

In 2021, McDermott Aviation was asked by Greek industrial conglomerate, Mytilineos, to supply four Australian water-bombing helicopters and 20 crew to help fight the devastating fires which ripped through Evia island.

At the time, the helicopters and their crew conducted 155 flight hours, 986 water-bombing operations and more than 2,460 tonnes of water was dropped.

Sydney confirmed to host simply the best NRL Grand Final

The Greek Herald
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Sydney confirmed to host simply the best NRL Grand Final

The 2023 NRL and NRLW Grand Finals will be played in Sydney on Sunday, 1 October following an agreement reached between the NSW Government and the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC).

The Grand Final will be played at Accor Stadium, Olympic Park, with Sydney retaining its traditional role as the home of the competition decider.

Grand Final tickets are expected to be in hot demand, with the 2023 NRL competition one of the closest in history and the NRLW competition going from strength to strength with four new teams added this season. 

Tickets to rugby league’s ‘big dance’ go on sale on Wednesday, August 2.

Accor Stadium in Sydney will host the 2023 NRL and NRLW Telstra Premiership Grand Finals.
Accor Stadium in Sydney will host the 2023 NRL and NRLW Telstra Premiership Grand Finals.

Sydney continues to build its credentials as the major events capital as the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 progresses towards the Final at Accor, the Sydney Marathon’s candidacy to become a World Marathon Major and three UFC mega Pay Per View events.

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said in a statement: “We all love a Grand Final, but this event has become so much more, making a big social and economic contribution to the state.”

The event will attract thousands of fans from interstate and overseas who also visit Sydney’s many attractions, Mr Graham noted.

Steve Kamper. Photo: NSW Labor.
Peter V’landys. Photo: The Guardian.

Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, added: “Sydney is the nation’s birthplace of rugby league and the heart of its passionate fans, so it is fantastic the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals are remaining in their homeplace once again.”

ARL Commission Chair Peter V’landys said the ARL and NSW Government have worked closely to reach an agreement for the 2023 Grand Final.

Mr V’landys thanked Premier Chris Minns and Ministers Kamper and Graham who took “a pragmatic approach to reaching an agreement for this year’s Grand Final.”

“We have a great partnership with the NSW Government and we are grateful for their support of rugby league,” Mr V’landys said.

Sydney Olympic FC equalise match against Mt Druitt Town Rangers

The Greek Herald
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Sydney Olympic FC equalise match against Mt Druitt Town Rangers

Sydney Olympic FC and Mt Druitt Town Rangers shared the points in a pulsating 3-3 draw Round 25 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition played at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts showed their fighting spirit to come back from two-goals down to level the game. Roy O’Donovan and Darcy Burgess scored in the 29th and 31st minute. 

Olympic started the second half energised and found a third equaliser through Fabio Ferreira in stoppage time to snatch a point in what was a high-octane game.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers were comfortable with a two-goal lead after Will Harvey and Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika scored then new recruit Shunta Nakamura put them ahead again before Sydney Olympic’s late equalise broke their heart.

Speaking post-match, Sydney Olympic coach Labinot Haliti reflected on the fighting spirit of his side.

“We had so many chances in the game, hit the post and everything. Being two down, we showed character to come back into it twice,” Haliti said.

“This has been the way of our season thus far, we perform well but don’t turn them into results.”

George Kambosos Jr defends IBO world title win against Maxi Hughes

The Greek Herald
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George Kambosos Jr defends IBO world title win against Maxi Hughes

George Kambosos Jr has publicly defended his win against Maxi Hughes on Sunday after critics claimed it was a “robbery,” FOX News reported.

The Greek Australian boxer took Englishman Hughes’ IBO world title during a lightweight match in Oklahoma, the United States, over the weekend and is now the mandatory challenger for the IBF belt.

Hughes was on top in the opening rounds of the match but Kambosos worked his way into the fight and ended the Yorkshireman’s seven-fight winning streak.

The win has caused controversy with a commentator calling the scorecard, which read 114-114, 115-113, 117-111, “ridiculous” and “disgusting.”

Kambosos took to Twitter to defend his title and wrote in the post: “A close fight is not a robbery!” He suggested spectators rewatch the fight rather make “biased commentary.”

“Many people have gone back [to watch the fight], done that and seen the decision was fair and correct,” Kambosos said, also showing respect to Hughes in the post.

“It was an honour to share the ring with another warrior and family man like myself.”

Kambosos now holds a career record of 21-2.

Source: FOX News

One dead, multiple injured in Patras motorway bridge collapse

The Greek Herald
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One dead, multiple injured in Patras motorway bridge collapse

Police have arrested four employees of a construction company in connection with the collapse of a section of a motorway bridge which killed one person and injured at least 12 more, in Patras, Greece, on Sunday.

The safety manager and three employees of the construction construction company were arrested by police due to questionable safety measures, reported amna.gr.

A section of the bridge collapsed on Sunday, trapping people underneath, killing one and injuring 12. Four people are in serious condition in hospital.

Collapse bridge in Greece
Photo: DayFR Euro.

A section of the bridge, at the entrance to the city of Patras, in southern Greece, had structural problems with repair work commencing in 2021, according to Ekathimerini.com.

Prior to the incident, the Achaia police department closed the section of the bridge from July 20 for maintenance work.

The bridge was ready for demolition on Sunday but the closed section collapsed onto a group of people standing underneath.

Source: Ekathimerini.com

Wildfires still ravaging Rhodes as others erupt on Corfu and Evia

The Greek Herald
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Wildfires still ravaging Rhodes as others erupt on Corfu and Evia

Firefighters fought overnight to contain 82 wildfires across Greece, 64 of which started Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far.

According to Ekathimerini, the most serious fire is on the Greek island of Rhodes, which sparked Greece’s biggest-ever evacuation operation in history.

Some 19,000 people were evacuated from several locations on Rhodes as wildfires burned for a sixth day. Greek authorities said 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels.

Wildfires on Rhodes sparked Greece’s largest ever evacuation operation. Photo: Eurokinissi/AFP/Getty Images.

Currently, a total of 49 fire engines with 266 members crew and 16 teams of firefighters on foot, as well as water trucks and volunteers are battling the blaze on Rhodes.

There’s also been great international support. A total of 31 firefighters from Slovakia with four water trucks, two French firefighting aircraft, two Turkish aircraft and an aircraft from Croatia are in Rhodes.

Elsewhere, a large fire broke out in the northern part of the island of Corfu on Sunday afternoon, adding yet another tourist destination to those affected by large wildfires.

A message was sent via the emergency number 112 for the evacuation of the settlements Santa, Megoulas, Porta, Palia Perithia and Sinies on Corfu.

“It is a difficult situation,” Mayor of North Corfu, Giorgos Machimaris, who is in Megoulas, told state-run news agency AMNA.

On Evia, Greece’s second- largest island, another fire blazed as authorities told residents of four southern villages to evacuate to the town of Karystos, west of where the fire was advancing.

These latest fires come as Greece has been hit by a heatwave over the past week.

A relative respite from the heat Monday, with highs of 38 degrees Celsius forecast, will be followed by yet more high temperatures starting Tuesday. However, it should get significantly cooler on Thursday, with temperatures in the low-to mid-30s Celsius, the country’s Meteorological Service said Sunday night.

Source: Ekathimerini.

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