Get ready for an unforgettable night of Greek music as Peggy Zina, one of Greece’s most beloved singers, is coming to the Hellenic Club of Canberra at Woden for a spectacular live performance on Friday, May 2 from 8.30pm. Doors open from 8pm.
Known for her powerful vocals and emotionally charged performances, Zina has been a defining presence in the Greek music industry for over three decades, seamlessly blending traditional Greek sounds with contemporary pop influences.
This highly anticipated concert is part of Zina’s Australian tour, and fans can expect a high-energy and nostalgic evening, featuring both her chart-topping hits and new releases. She will be supported by Charis Georgiou and a full band from Greece, along with local guest Maria Maroulis.
Greek music lovers from Sydney are being encouraged to make the trip to Canberra for the concert and turn it into a full weekend experience. Enjoy dining at the award-winning restaurants within the Hellenic Club of Canberra, explore the beautiful sights of the city, and visit the local St Nicholas Church before heading home on Sunday afternoon.
Concert tickets will go on sale at 1pm on Friday, March 14, exclusively from the Hellenic Club of Canberra’s website. At just $150 per ticket, this is the most affordable Zina concert in the country. Plus, with the Club’s intimate setup, there are no bad seats in the venue.
Get your friends and family together for a night filled with incredible performances, live music, and Greek spirit. Book early on Friday to avoid missing out – this will be a sell-out event.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 2nd May 2025
Doors Open: Show starts at 8:30pm – doors open from 8pm. Arrive early to enjoy dinner and drinks before the show.
Venue: Hellenic Club of Canberra, 1 Matilda Street, Woden
Accommodation: Official ABODE HOTELS CANBERRA – promo code for 15% discount from Fri 2nd May until Sunday 4th May – promo code is PEGGY.
Eleni Tee (nee Glouftsis) is set to make history as the first mother to serve as a field umpire in an AFL game, returning to the field after maternity leave on Sunday, March 16, at Adelaide Oval, where her one-year-old son Levi will be in the crowd.
Tee and her husband, Dillon, a former AFL boundary umpire, welcomed their son Levi last February.
Tee, who has umpired 82 AFL/AFLW games, described the return as both exciting and nerve-wracking, saying, “I’m excited and nervous about all seasons, because you really care about it and want to do your best.”
Despite challenges of returning to umpiring after childbirth, Tee’s recovery was supported by pelvic floor physiotherapy and a careful fitness regimen.
She credits her husband’s support for allowing her to return to her dream job.
“It was such a blessing,” Tee said of Dillon’s help at home.
Photo: Roy VanDerVegt.
Tee also reflected on the AFL’s new four-umpire system, which reduces the physical demands of the role and made her decision to return easier.
“If I was in Melbourne, I probably would have retired,” Tee admitted.
“But because I had the option of being with my family and surrounded by my support network, it has worked.”
AFL officiating head Stephen McBurney praised Tee for her preparation, noting, “Her professionalism and dedication have been outstanding.”
Tee also believes that motherhood will give her a fresh perspective on umpiring decisions.
“You can’t change a decision… but dwelling doesn’t help in terms of your performance,” she said.
With her son Levi growing more interactive, Tee is excited to balance both motherhood and her career on the field, with her family cheering her on.
“He’s lots of fun to watch explore the world, which has been wonderful,” she said.
Young Greek Australian athletes Nicole Striglogiannis and Lucas Mamonitis have secured gold medals at the Cadet World Championship Selection Event in Canberra, earning them the opportunity to represent Australia at the 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah, UAE.
Nicole, a 12-year-old black belt, has been training six days a week for five years and has already claimed two national championships in Perth and Brisbane.
Lucas, a 3rd Dan Black Belt, has won multiple state and national titles and recently finished second in Malaysia, competing against athletes from 18 countries. His ultimate goal is to represent Australia at the 2032 Olympics.
Their coach, Elias of Royal Empire Martial Arts, expressed his pride in their recent achievements at the selection event, stating that their hard work has paid off.
Nicole’s parents, Bill and Catherine, also shared their pride with The Greek Herald, noting that her younger brothers look up to her as a role model.
Nicole herself said, “I trained hard and worked hard. I’m so happy to have this opportunity to represent Australia in Dubai. I’m nervous but excited at the same time. Looking forward to travelling overseas as this will be my first time out of Australia.”
Both athletes are now preparing for the World Championships, where they will compete against the best in their age group on the international stage.
The bail application for Angelo Gargasoulas, the younger brother of Bourke St killer James Gargasoulas, has been delayed after his lawyer took up another case mid-application.
Angelo Gargasoulas, 33, sought bail in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 11 for the second time after being charged following a police raid at his Carlton home in August 2022.
Gargasoulas is accused of running a GHB Uber racket, with police uncovering evidence during the raid, including 10kg of 1,4-butanediol disguised as aloe vera bottles, fraudulent documents, and a notebook with fake IDs.
Police became aware of the operation after a co-accused, Simon Simoudis, allegedly informed them about Gargasoulas dropping off a box of 1,4-butanediol in July 2022.
In his second bail bid, Gargasoulas requested release to live with Mohammad Che-Azuha, a friend he met on the gay dating app Grindr, at his Carlton address.
Gargasoulas’ first bail application, made in December, was denied when he proposed staying at a friend’s house where convicted sex offender John Buckley resided.
Police opposed the latest application, citing Gargasoulas as a “flight risk” due to fraudulent identification documents and his alleged access to the dark web.
Senior Constable Sean Cronin also highlighted Gargasoulas’ history of drug dealing to fund his lifestyle and described the proposed bail address as unsuitable.
Che-Azuha, who currently lives with Buckley, expressed his support for Gargasoulas, stating that he had been through a lot and didn’t deserve to stay in prison for long.
Gargasoulas’ lawyer, Thibaut Clamart, was absent when the bail hearing was resumed after a delay, as he had taken on another case. The court adjourned the application to March 18.
Construction on Melbourne’s highly anticipated contemporary gallery and urban garden, The Fox: NGV Contemporary, is set to begin, marking a major milestone in the city’s arts precinct transformation.
Lendlease, led by Executive General Manager for Victoria Construction Bill Alexandrakis, has been awarded the contract to build the new 30,000 square metre art gallery and part of the Laak Boorndap garden.
The gallery, located behind the current National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), will be the largest of its kind in Australia and feature a sweeping rooftop terrace along with new hospitality and events spaces.
Laak Boorndap, an 18,000 square metre garden, will include biodiverse planting, sculptures, and spaces for relaxation.
The development is part of a larger $1.7 billion overhaul of the Arts Precinct, which also involves the redevelopment of the Arts Centre’s Theatres Building and is set to open in 2028.
Alexandrakis commented on the project, saying, “Our experienced team will work alongside the project and design teams to create a celebrated, city-shaping cultural landmark that will create a new global destination for the arts.”
The gallery aims to be a major cultural draw, as noted by NGV Director Tony Ellwood, who called The Fox “the premier institution in Australia for audiences to experience, learn and enjoy groundbreaking new work by contemporary practitioners.”
The development is also a significant step forward for local employment, with over half a million hours of work dedicated to training cadets, apprentices, and trainees throughout the project.
Subway Australian U-23s Head Coach, Tony Vidmar has selected a 23-player squad for the Doha International U-23 Cup to be held during the March FIFA Men’s International Window.
The tournament features U-23 sides from Croatia, Egypt, Qatar, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As part of their participation in the Doha International U-23 Cup, Australia will face Croatia (19 March), UAE (22 March) and Qatar (25 March).
The squad will assemble in Qatar from 16 March, in what will be their first activity of 2025 as they begin working towards their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Qualifiers in September.
Vidmar has almost exclusively selected players from the Isuzu UTE A-League Men competition, with the exception of Mohamed Toure (Randers FC) who has been in strong form in the Danish top-flight.
The experienced trio of Patrick Beach (Melbourne City FC), Adrian Segecic (Sydney FC) and Jordi Valadon (Melbourne Victory FC) all return. Valadon will be joined by club teammates Kasey Bos, Josh Rawlins and Jing Reec.
Kealey Adamson (Macarthur FC), Ethan Alagich (Adelaide United FC), Rhys Bozinovski (Western United FC) and Clayton Taylor (Newcastle Jets FC) have had their consistency at club level rewarded with selection.
Subway Australian U-23s Head Coach, Tony Vidmar said he was looking forward to facing strong opposition at the beginning of a new cycle.
“This is a great tournament to be a part of and will provide an excellent experience for the group as we work towards our Asian Cup Qualifiers in September,” Vidmar said.
“We’ve brought together a squad who are getting plenty of minutes at their respective clubs and are performing well. We feel the opposition and the conditions they’ll face in Doha offer a different test for them within the national team pathway.
“We want to continue developing these players individually and building depth across the age group, our involvement in this tournament is another important part of that.
“I’m excited by the quality both within this group and on our extended monitoring list and am looking forward to connecting with the players and staff to lay the foundations for the year ahead.”
AUSTRALIAN U-23 SQUAD | DOHA INTERNATIONAL U-23 CUP | 17-26 MARCH
Name
Position
Current Club
Junior Club / Member Federation
Kealey ADAMSON
Defender
Macarthur FC
Lindfield FC / Football NSW
Ethan ALAGICH
Midfielder
Adelaide United FC
Valley View SC / Football SA
Nathanael BLAIR
Forward
Perth Glory FC
Marrickville FC / Football NSW
Patrick BEACH (Gk)
Goalkeeper
Melbourne City FC
Glenmore Park FC / Football NSW
Kasey BOS
Defender
Melbourne Victory FC
Point Cook SC / Football VIC
Rhys BOZINOVSKI
Midfielder
Western United FC
Spring Hills Stallions FC / Football VIC
Ethan COX (Gk)
Goalkeeper
Adelaide United FC
Salisbury United FC / Football SA
Yaya DUKULY
Forward
Adelaide United FC
Para Hills Knights SC / Football SA
Matthew GRIMALDI
Forward
Western United FC
Watsonia Heights FC / Football VIC
Aydan HAMMOND
Forward
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Fairfield Hotspurs SC / Football NSW
Corey HOLLMAN
Midfielder
Sydney FC
Seaforth FC / Football NSW
Anthony PANTAZOPOULOS
Defender
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Brunswick City SC / Football VIC
Nathan PAULL
Defender
Central Coast Mariners FC
Heathcote Waratah FC / Football NSW
Dylan PERAIC-CULLEN (Gk)
Goalkeeper
Central Coast Mariners FC
Woden Valley SC / Capital Football
Oscar PRIESTMAN
Midfielder
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Seaforth FC / Football NSW
Joshua RAWLINS
Defender
Melbourne Victory FC
Dianella Junior SC / Football West
Jing REEC
Forward
Melbourne Victory FC
Blacktown Workers FC / Football NSW
Adrian SEGECIC
Midfielder
Sydney FC
Lidcombe Waratah Junior SC / Football NSW
Aidan SIMMONS
Defender
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
St George FC / Football NSW
Clayton TAYLOR
Forward
Newcastle Jets FC
Rouse Hill Rams SC / Football NSW
Mohamed TOURE
Forward
Randers FC, Denmark
Croydon FC / Football SA
Jordi VALADON
Midfielder
Melbourne Victory FC
Glen Eira FC / Football VIC
Kane VIDMAR
Defender
Western United FC
West Torrens Birkalla SC / Football SA
MATCH DETAILS:
Subway Australian U-23s v Croatia U-23
Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Venue TBC
Kick-off: 8.30pm local / 4.30am AEDT (Thursday, 20 March)
UAE U-23 v Subway Australian U-23s
Saturday, 22 March 2025
Venue TBC
Kick-off: 8.30pm local / 4.30am AEDT (Sunday, 23 March)
Qatar U-23 v Subway Australian U-23s
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Venue TBC
Kick-off: 9.15pm local / 5.15am AEDT (Wednesday, 26 March)
Sydney is set to host a historic and culturally significant event in 2025, as 14 members of the Greek Presidential Guard, known as the Evzones, arrive in the city to participate in ANZAC Week commemorations.
This visit commemorates 125 years of Australians and Hellenes fighting side-by-side for their shared ideals and homelands. The year 2025 also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, making this visit a cornerstone of the Australian Hellenic community’s tributes to those who sacrificed so much for our present and future.
From the battlefields of Lemnos Island, Macedonia, and the Gallipoli Peninsula during World War I to the liberation of the Aegean Islands in World War II, Australians and Hellenes have stood united in defending freedom and democracy. This shared history continues to inspire generations, and the Evzones’ visit is a powerful reminder of this legacy.
Key dates:
While a detailed timetable will be released in the coming weeks, here are some key dates and events to mark on your calendar:
Monday, April 28 (Evening): A Doxology service will be held at The Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. This solemn service will set the tone for the week’s commemorations.
Thursday, May 1 (Lunchtime): “ANZACs of Greece Luncheon” at Beta Grande. This event will celebrate Greek-Australians’ contributions to the ANZAC legacy.
Friday, May 2 (Lunchtime): A Guard of Honour Ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney. This will be a poignant moment to reflect on the sacrifices of servicemen and women.
Saturday, May 3 (Early Afternoon): The grand event of the week will be held at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park. The Evzones will participate in a march and flag-raising ceremony, a highlight of the ANZAC Week commemorations.
More details to come
In the coming weeks, a detailed schedule of events will be released, providing more information on how you can participate in this historic occasion.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a member of the Greek Australian community, or simply curious about this unique cultural exchange, there will be something for everyone.
The Hellenic Writers’ Association of Australia has announced the reorganisation of its Executive Board following the resignation of President Roma Siachos and Secretary Evangelia (Lia) Argyropoulou.
The new Executive Board is as follows:
President: Ioannis Sachinidis
Vice President: Evangelos Plokamakis
Special Secretary: Evangelia Baksa
Secretary: Katerina Kousi
Treasurer: Pavlina (Paola) Haidouli
Counsellor: Odysseas Krypotos
The newly formed Executive Board aims to continue the Association’s work by strengthening its activities and fostering collaboration among its members.
Its primary mission remains the preservation, maintenance, and promotion of Greek cultural heritage, as well as the cultivation of love and respect for Greece.
For more information or to become a member of the Association, please contact via the website or email at hellenicwritersau@gmail.com.
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister of Greece, Pavlos Marinakis, recently met with the Australian Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan, highlighting the important role of the Greek diaspora in Australia as a vital connection between the two nations.
Following their meeting, Marinakis remarked, “Australia has a living Greek ‘cell’ far from home,” underscoring the strong cultural bond between Greece and Australia.
The discussion focused on enhancing trade relations, exploring opportunities in areas of mutual interest, and how both countries could work together to address common challenges.
They also exchanged views on fire protection strategies, a pressing issue for both nations.
Marinakis and Ambassador Duncan’s talks reflect a continued commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering collaboration on key issues affecting both Greece and Australia.
Australian Winter Olympian Belle Brockhoff is in “good spirits” after being airlifted to a hospital in Greece following a serious back injury during a race at the Snowboard Cross World Cup in Georgia.
The 32-year-old Victorian, a triple Winter Olympian, was initially flown to a hospital in Tbilisi, Georgia, before being evacuated to Greece for surgery after suffering a fracture of the L1 vertebrae.
Brockhoff, who had just returned to competition after recovering from a broken wrist, landed on her coccyx during the crash but fortunately suffered no neurological damage.
The accident occurred less than a year before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Photo: Instagram.
A member of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia medical team is accompanying Brockhoff, with her girlfriend also flying to Greece to support her.
“Currently, our medical team are working with the medical emergency service personnel and the hospital in Greece to ensure that Belle receives the best care possible,” said Geoff Lipshut, CEO of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia.
“Belle is in good spirits, and I am very pleased that her partner has been able to fly to Greece to support her during this time.”
Following surgery, Brockhoff is expected to remain in Athens for up to two weeks of rehabilitation before returning to Australia to continue preparations for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
