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.
Ukrainian leaders have agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire proposal, contingent on Russia’s acceptance, following successful negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
The United States has pledged to restore military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, contingent on Russian reciprocity.
“Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation,” a joint statement from the US and Ukraine governments said.
I received a report from our delegation on their meeting with the American team in Saudi Arabia. The discussion lasted most of the day and was good and constructive—our teams were able to discuss many important details.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 11, 2025
“The United States will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the proposal but emphasised that its success depends on Russia’s agreement.
“So we agree, and if the Russians agree, the ceasefire will work at that very moment,” Zelenskyy said in his evening address.
The ceasefire proposal also includes future talks on a minerals deal and humanitarian efforts, such as prisoner exchanges and civilian detainee releases.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga attended the talks in Jeddah, which excluded Russian representatives.
In response to the breakthrough, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European officials welcomed the proposed ceasefire, urging Russia to reciprocate.
“Russia must now agree to a ceasefire and an end to the fighting too,” Starmer said.
Today in Jeddah, our meeting was a serious step forward. Both on the path to peace and in developing the strategic Ukraine-U.S. partnership. This is what a frank, open, and constructive dialogue brings. I thank my counterpart @SecRubio, NSA @michaelgwaltz, and our Saudi friends. pic.twitter.com/4dAx358bps
US President Donald Trump indicated he would likely speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon and suggested that Zelenskyy could return to the White House despite their recent tensions.
As diplomatic efforts unfold, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow, hitting residential areas and escalating tensions on the battlefield.
The Kremlin condemned the attack, which resulted in two deaths and several injuries, while accusing Ukraine of targeting civilian areas.
The situation remains tense as both sides await developments in the peace process.
The White House has today confirmed that Australia will not be granted an exemption from Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, despite efforts from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the exemption request from Australia was considered but rejected, explaining, “American-first steel. And if they want to be exempted, they should consider moving steel manufacturing here.”
The Albanese government insists that discussions with the US are ongoing, though experts initially believed Australia had a strong case due to its usual trade surplus with the US.
Earlier this year, Trump announced 25% tariffs but signaled a possible exemption for Australian steel. Photo: AlJazeera.
However, recent trade data showing Australia’s first surplus with the US in over forty years, driven by gold exports, may have weakened its position.
Australia’s Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan criticised Albanese for not travelling to Washington to argue Australia’s case, pointing out that other Quad and AUKUS leaders had met Trump in person.
“Albanese has failed Australian steel and aluminium workers,” Hogan said.
Trump’s decision follows his dramatic escalation of trade tensions with Canada, where he threatened a 50 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports.
With a distinguished career spanning the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the private sector, Pelagia Markogiannakis has broken barriers in engineering, infrastructure, and project management.
Holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), she has contributed to critical military operations, including Australia’s efforts during the Gulf War and the 75th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign.
Beyond her military service, Pelagia has held bold, transformational leadership roles in infrastructure and project management. She has been a trusted advisor to CEOs, boards, and government on project delivery, asset management, and defence initiatives, and currently serves as Deputy Director of Navy Infrastructure in the RAN Reserves.
Pelagia Markogiannakis.
On International Women’s Day (IWD), Pelagia will be on the panel at The Greek Festival of Sydney’s ‘Hellenic Horizons’ event, supported by The Greek Herald.
In this interview, she discusses her Greek heritage, career in defence, and advice for young women striving to accelerate their paths in engineering, technology, and beyond.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your Greek heritage / upbringing.
My late Father was from Rethymno, Crete, apprenticed as a Baker in Chania and migrated to Australia in the mid-late 50s in his late 20s. By the mid-60s he ran his own Bakery business with many employees in Brunswick, West Brunswick, Dandenong, Balaclava, and he developed the in-house Bakery for Woolworths at Malvern Central. My Mother was from Sparti, Peloponnese. She left her home for Athens at 11 years old and chose to migrate to Australia in the early-mid 50 (as an 18-year-old). When she arrived, she lived with her brother and sister-in-law and worked as a seamstress.
After my Mum met and married my Father, she worked with him. They have four children, me, Emmanouel (Manny), Dimitra (D) and Nicolaos (Nick). My brother Manny and I are both Mechanical Engineers, my sister D is the Chief Purpose Office (CPO) at S & P Global in NYC, my brother Nick is a Builder in Victoria.
My first language was Greek, and I always went to Greek School and completed Year 12 level. We visited Greece on a couple of occasions as a family and I fell in love with Crete and my relatives. I now go back as often as I can. I’ve taught Greek School at Protypo Greek Centre over the last 20 years but in the last couple of years as a relief teacher.
Pelagia’s parents were always proud of her.
How did your upbringing and heritage influence your decision to join the ADF?
I inherited my sense of adventure from my parents and from my culture. This is what prompted me to join the Royal Australian Navy, but I had to wait as I was 16 years old when I finished HSC in Melbourne. So, I did a deal with my Father. I would do my degree first and then I could join. So, that is what I did.
Serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the ADF, what were some of the most challenging moments you faced during deployments? How did you overcome them?
RESILIENCE is the key to everything. The ability to pick yourself up, and bounce back, find another direction etc. That is the only way to overcome difficult situations.
Pelagia has lived an exciting life.
After an extensive military career, you transitioned to roles such as working for former Governor of NSW, Peter Sinclair, and as Director of Infrastructure Operations for Amazon Web Services in Australia and New Zealand. What motivated you to make these transitions?
The ADF equips you to be able to do a lot of different things well. We are well trained in core skills, but also how to adapt, be flexible and overcome adversity. Employers benefit from my Navy training and experience and the Navy benefits from my civilian work and experience. It’s a win-win!
Pelagia with former Governor of NSW, Peter Sinclair.
What has been the most personally fulfilling moment in your career—either in the ADF or in your current role?
This is an extremely hard question. Each role has provided fulfilling, exciting and inspiring moments.
Reflecting on your diverse career, what advice would you offer to young women aspiring to enter traditionally male-dominated fields, such as the military or technology?
Never be afraid to do something different, or something you don’t think you’re qualified to do. Take courage that there were people before you and there will be others after you. You will not know the impact of doing something on generations to come. We can do anything we want to, whatever we set our minds to and we will prevail in anything we attempt. Have courage, be brave and just try. As my Father said to me as a teenager, “be the best you can be at whatever you choose to do.”
Pelagia hopes to encourage more females into the defence force.
Looking ahead, what initiatives or changes do you hope to see implemented that would support and empower the next generation of women leaders in your fields of expertise?
I’m an egalitarian. The only time I knew I was being paid equal to my male counterpart, was in the Navy. I want to see no gender pay gap legislation like in Iceland (in 2018). I also want to see non-traditional roles (male or female) become normalised ie. more male nurses, teachers etc and more female engineers, tradies etc. I want to see STEM and second language acquisition promoted from primary school. I would like to see biased questions abolished like “Why did you put your career first over having Kids?” or ‘Have you asked your Husband/Boyfriend?”. We have to remove biases by gender, age, religion, colour of our skin, etc. We need to be accepting that there is good and bad in the world and our role is to find the good and make it better. That’s the only way we’ll get to where we need to be especially as we’re already in the 21st century.
Pontoxeniteas NSW proudly celebrated International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 9, at the Pontian House in Earlwood, Sydney.
The event brought together young people, families, members, and friends, including special guest Peter Papoulidis, President of Panagia Soumela Sydney, along with his committee.
In recognition of this year’s global IWD theme, Pontoxeniteas NSW honoured its Pontian Amazones and embraced the spirit of Marching Forward Together with the community.
The Pontoxeniteas Youth Committee, led by Eleni Lambousis, Kiki Moysiadou, and Zoe Karatasas, expertly hosted the event as MCs, demonstrating the next generation’s leadership and commitment to community.
Celebrating Pontian women in leadership
A key feature of the event was a panel discussion featuring three inspirational Pontian women whose leadership and community involvement began at Pontoxeniteas:
Helen Macris – The first female president of Pontoxeniteas (2014), Helen was born in Siberia (now Kazakhstan) and later pursued a successful career in education, teaching ESL at Ashfield for 25 years.
Cathy Dimarchos – A former dance student and Youth Committee member in the 1980s, Cathy is now a Global Advisor-Strategist advocating for social justice and economic security. With over 35 years of experience in finance, business, and counselling, she works internationally, including running programs in Africa for youth, women, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
Esta Paschalidis-Chilas – President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia and Vice President of Pontoxeniteas, Esta grew up as a Pontian dance student and is now a Social Worker, not-for-profit CEO, and former Councillor for Canterbury Council. Her leadership journey has been shaped by the support and mentorship of other women.
Honouring women’s contributions
Pontoxeniteas proudly recognised three women for their service in the Women’s Auxiliary and Pontoxeniteas Committee:
Mrs Effie Tsavdaridis – Former Treasurer of the Pontoxeniteas Women’s Committee.
Mrs Gefsi Kouklidis – Dedicated committee member of Pontoxeniteas.
Mrs Maria Tsakiridis – Long-serving committee member of Pontoxeniteas.
Pontoxeniteas extended heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to these remarkable women for their commitment and continued support of our association.
Cultural performances and community spirit
The event was enriched by traditional Pontian dance performances, with students, under the guidance of teacher Christina Iwannidou, delivering a mesmerising display of the unique dances traditionally performed by Pontian women.
Live Pontian music accompanied the dancers, with young musicians providing the authentic sounds and rhythms that brought the performances to life.
Guests also indulged in a spectacular High Tea table, featuring an array of delicious treats that were almost too beautiful to eat.
The celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) organised by AHEPA NSW Inc was a successful tribute to the 190th anniversary of the arrival of the first female Hellene migrants in Australia.
Once AHEPA NSW Inc President Jim Papanagiotou welcomed everyone to the event, the Keynote Speaker, photographer and historian Effy Alexakis took the audience through the experiences of Hellene women in the Antipodes from 1836 to the present drawing on the photographs of her Archive.
Migrants. Grandmothers. Mothers. Aunts. Cousins. Wives. Widows. Workers. Owners. Creators. Professionals. Volunteers. From the earliest days of the Australian Hellenic community, Hellene women contributed to every aspect of community life.
“In the cases of the Hellene women of the 19th and 20th centuries, we know very little detail beyond their names and other such facts,” Ms Alexakis stated.
“The last 40 years, we took interviews from tens of women of different generations. A question which has preoccupied us is who and why Hellenic identity and Hellenic language were lost amongst those early generations of Australian-born Hellenes.”
Speaking in Hellenic, the MC, Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, spoke about the life of Aikaterini Plessos Crummer, the first Hellene woman of the Antipodes. From her birthplace in Epiros, to the ‘liberated besieged’ port of Mesolonghi, to her marriage on the island of Kalamos and to her migration to Sydney, Plessos led a life of adventure, happiness and tragedy, as did so many tens of thousands of Hellene women migrants to Australia.
The tribute event organised by Chapter Antigone of AHEPA NSW Inc was honoured to host the Trade Commissioner of the Consulate-General, Chrysa Prokopaki, members of the media, and representatives of many other community organisations.
The event concluded with Ch Antigone President Jenny Kaporis thanking everyone involved in organising as well as attending and making it a great success.
Estudiantina of Melbourne is set to deliver an extraordinary evening of live music at Bankstown Sports Club on March 30, 2025, with a spectacular tribute to two of Greece’s greatest musical icons: Vasilis Tsitsanis and Sotiria Bellou.
This tribute concert will be complemented by the much-anticipated album launch of ‘Journey to Rebetika,’ marking a night of cultural celebration that fans will not want to miss!
As part of the event, Estudiantina will perform their raved-about tribute to Tsitsanis and Bellou, whose timeless contributions to Greek folk and rebetiko music continue to inspire generations. The tribute, which has garnered glowing reviews, promises to be a stunning celebration of their powerful music and legacy. Expect emotive renditions of their most beloved songs, delivered with Estudiantina’s signature passion and skill.
The ensemble will bring classic melodies to life with their mastery of traditional instruments, including the bouzouki, guitar, accordion, violin, double bass, drums, and piano. These instruments form the heart of the Rebetika sound, and Estudiantina’s musicians will deliver a captivating performance that blends authentic techniques with contemporary flair, ensuring a dynamic and immersive experience for all attendees.
In addition to the musical tribute, the event will also serve as the highly-anticipated album launch for Estudiantina’s latest project, ‘Journey to Rebetika.’ The album, a melodic exploration of the soul-stirring Rebetika tradition, has captured the hearts of music lovers globally and will provide the perfect soundtrack to this exceptional night of celebration.
The Bankstown Sports Club will come alive with the sounds of Greece, featuring a carefully curated program that blends traditional Greek melodies with fresh, modern interpretations, bringing these musical legends into the present day. This is a unique opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of Greece through the lens of Tsitsanis & Bellou, two legends whose music continues to touch the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Don’t miss out on this unique event, which promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Greek music, culture, and artistry.
Tickets are available now, and fans are encouraged to secure their spot early to experience this magical evening!
Event Details:
Event:Vasilis Tsitsanis & Sotiria Bellou – A Musical Tribute by Estudiantina of Melbourne
On Friday, March 7, the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) hosted a remarkable event at Olympic Hall, Adelaide, celebrating the achievements and contributions of women throughout history and within the community.
The gathering, held in honour of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, was a moving tribute to the courage, strength, and unwavering spirit of women from all walks of life.
This year’s IWD theme, March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls, set the tone for an evening of reflection, inspiration, and recognition. The event aimed to celebrate women who, despite numerous barriers, continue to thrive and shape their communities.
Guest speakers included the Hon Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Arts, Small Business, Consumer and Business Affairs, and Dr Alexandra Theodoropoulou, Consul General of Greece in Adelaide. These distinguished speakers shared insights and personal career journeys, inspiring attendees with their stories of perseverance and leadership.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of volunteer awards, recognising outstanding contributions to the community. Effie Katianos, Anna Andritsakis, and Victoria Botsos were honoured for their dedication and service, receiving warm congratulations and appreciation from the audience.
Entertainment was provided by the Meraki Ensemble, adding a musical touch to the evening’s celebrations.
As the evening concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of appreciation for the strength and resilience of women in their community, looking forward to future celebrations that continue to uplift and honour their contributions.
For the first time since 1994, Greek culture made a triumphant return to the Moomba Festival Parade, thanks to the efforts of the MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture.
The parade, held in Melbourne, Victoria, was a celebration of unity, heritage, and community, with people gathering under the Greek flag to showcase their rich traditions.
“We paraded for our cultural identity, for our biggest supporters, our entire community, and even our most vocal critics—no matter who you are, or where you’re from,” the group stated on social media.
The MANASIS contingent was led by the FROURA Hellenic Australian Honorary Guard, followed by rows of dancers dressed in traditional attire from various regions of Greece. The performance merged elements of a traditional Greek parade, complete with drummers and flag-bearers, with free-flowing ‘patinada’—a vibrant roving dance that brought energy and life to the streets of Melbourne.
Beyond the parade, MANASIS also hosted an hour-long presentation at the ‘Dance Hub’ by the Yarra River, where they demonstrated traditional dances, invited audiences to participate in a Zorba workshop, and ended with a spirited ‘glendi’—an open celebration of Greek hospitality and culture.
The significance of this return was not lost on participants, as nearly all those involved had not been born the last time Greek representation featured in the Moomba Parade.
“Today, we single-handedly broke a 31-year drought, bringing back Hellenic representation to one of our country’s biggest cultural festivals,” the group remarked proudly.
The Moomba Festival, known for its theme of inclusivity and celebration, has been a staple in Melbourne since 1955, attracting over 100,000 attendees annually, with the 2025 event expecting approximately 1.4 million visitors. The parade itself was televised on Channels 9 and 9Now, ensuring that those unable to attend in person could still witness the revival of Greek culture at Moomba.
Dimosthenis Manasis (left) with Sooshi Mango.
MANASIS Director and Instructor, Dimosthenis Manasis, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I stand in awe of everyone involved in today’s event through MANASIS and our FROURA, and I hope you’re all as proud of our students as I am.”
Recognising the responsibility of representing not just his school but the broader Greek Australian community, Dimosthenis also extended an open invitation to dancers, musicians, and students from Melbourne’s Greek cultural organisations and language schools to join future events, including this year’s Greek National Day parade.
A pedestrian was struck by a bus on Hackney Rd in Adelaide’s east during peak hour, prompting renewed calls for a pedestrian crossing, with local shop manager Pat Kominos stating the accident was “inevitable.”
Emergency services were called to the scene just after 8.45am following reports of a serious collision, leaving one person injured and debris scattered on the road.
Kominos, who manages Vailima Gardens Retirement Village, said she had been campaigning for almost two decades for a safe pedestrian crossing in the area.
A pedestrian has been rushed to hospital after being hit by a bus on Hackney Road during peak-hour. Police are pleading for all road users to take care over the busy long weekend. Four pedestrians have lost their lives in SA so far this year. #7NEWSpic.twitter.com/lpCXglpJdq
“We’ve been rallying for almost 17, 18 years to try and get a pedestrian crossing, make it safe for people to cross,” she told The Advertiser. “This was just our worst nightmare.”
Kominos believes a couple in their mid-50s were attempting to cross Hackney Rd when the man was struck.
Following the accident, Hackney Rd was reduced to a single lane between Cambridge St and Vailima Court.
Kominos and other residents are urging authorities to finally implement long-overdue safety measures before another tragedy occurs.
