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Inaugural Joint Justice Initiative Advocacy Week kicks off in Canberra

The Greek Herald
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Inaugural Joint Justice Initiative Advocacy Week kicks off in Canberra

Associate Professor Dr Melanie O’Brien, President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), visiting from the University of Western Australia in Perth, participated in the inaugural Joint Justice Initiative Advocacy Week at Federal Parliament, Canberra.

An Associate Professor of International Law at the UWA Law School, Dr O’Brien also leads the foremost global historical authority on genocide studies.

The Joint Justice Initiative (JJI) Advocacy Week seeks to build momentum for Australian parliamentary recognition of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides ahead of the annual commemorations of the three genocides. 

Dr O’Brien’s presence provided parliamentarians with ground-breaking insights from her recent book From Discrimination to Death: Genocide Process Through a Human Rights Lens, which heavily focuses on the Armenian Genocide. 

Dr O’Brien has worked closely with Australian Armenian, Assyrian and Greek community organisations for some time, having keynoted the 2018 National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, as well as other commemorative events, including the commemoration for the centenary of the Holocaust of Smyrna in Sydney in September 2022.

“We are delighted Dr O’Brien will be our inaugural guest for the JJI Advocacy Week this year,” Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) Executive Director, Michael Kolokossian, said.

“Australian parliamentarians will benefit from her wealth of experience and knowledge on the genocides, being one of the foremost scholars on this issue. We are proud to have an Australian in this space and believe Dr O’Brien will assist us greatly on our advocacy journey.”

Dr O’Brien said: “Being part of this Joint Justice Initiative delegation is an important way that I can represent the International Association of Genocide Scholars. Our members conduct scholarly work with the goal of preventing and punishing genocide, and aim for our work to influence policy and lawmakers.”

“It is crucial that Australia recognise the genocide of the indigenous Armenian, Assyrian and Greek populations of the Ottoman Empire by the Ottoman and Republican governments, to acknowledge the reality of the crimes committed against the victims, survivors and their descendants – some of whom are Australian citizens – and to contribute to the prevention of future genocides,” Dr O’Brien added.

President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, Peter Stefanidis, stated that a key factor in the success of JJI’s Advocacy Week was the active involvement of youth leaders from the three communities.

“Combining our resources of the key issue of genocide recognition continues to expand as the Australian Hellenic, Australian Armenian and Australian Assyrian communities also develop together the leadership skills of the next generation,” Mr Stefanidis said.

The inaugural JJI Advocacy Week was conducted during one of the last sitting weeks before Armenian Australians commemorate the 108th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Republic of Artsakh approaches its 100th day.

Formed in March 2020, the Joint Justice Initiative is the joint advocacy effort of the three communities towards achieving parliamentary recognition of the genocides of the Armenians, Assyrians and Hellenes from Federal as well as all state and territory parliaments.

Greeks pay tribute to South Sydney rugby league great, John Sattler

The Greek Herald
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Greeks pay tribute to South Sydney rugby league great, John Sattler

Legendary South Sydney Rabbitohs athlete, John Sattler, passed away on Monday, aged 80, after a battle with dementia.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, rugby league remembered the iconic player, who was considered to be one of the hardmen of Australian Rugby League and one of the toughest to ever play the game.

Known as “Satts”, John Sattler is famous for playing almost all minutes of the 1970 grand final with a broken jaw, leading his club to a premiership victory.

He also captained his club to four premiership victories from 1967 to 1971 and played four Tests for Australia – three of them as national captain.

Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas paid tribute to the iconic athlete, saying that no one epitomised “the true spirit of South Sydney” more.

“He bled red and green,” Pappas mentioned. “He was loved by everyone connected with the Rabbitohs, whether it be one of his former teammates who he led to premiership glory, or the man in the street who loved South Sydney just as much as he did.”

Australia’s Prime Minister, and former club director, Anthony Albanese said: “John Sattler was a legendary player who was tough on the field but a true gentleman off it.”

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Greece, Turkey to mutually support international body bids

The Greek Herald
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Greece, Turkey to mutually support international body bids

Foreign Minister of Greece, Nikos Dendias and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, met during the International Donors Conference on Turkey and Syria. The event was co-organized by the European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

According to ekathimerini.com, it was announced that Ankara will vote for Greece’s candidacy in the elections for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2025-26.

On the other side, Athens will support Turkey for general-secretary of the International Maritime Organization.

Dendias thanked Cavusoglu for the neighbour country’s support following the rail collision at Tempe. The Foreign Minister of Greece was the first European minister that showed his support to Turkey after the deadly earthquakes.

Source: ekathimerini.com

Victoria celebrates Greek Independence Day with parade at Lakeside Stadium

Giorgos Psomiadis
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Victoria celebrates Greek Independence Day with parade at Lakeside Stadium

Greeks of all ages were standing outside the Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park, Victoria on Sunday afternoon. There were families, unions, dancing groups, a wave of blue and white flags, people wearing traditional Greek costumes, and elderly people holding their grandchildren on their shoulders with pride.

Youth dressed in traditional Greek costumes. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Giorgos Psomiadis / Mary Sinanidis.
The youth.
Attendees at Lakeside Stadium.
Youth waving their Greek flags.

After three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greek community gathered to honour the heroes of the 1821 Greek Revolution for the first time at South Melbourne FC’s Lakeside Stadium and not Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. The event was organised by the Victorian Council for Greek National Day.

“It is so emotional to think of what people went through to give us the freedom they have now. Even though I’m not a Greek, it is very touching and very moving,” Victoria Ramos told The Greek Herald on the day.

Father and son.
Proud youth.
Clergy also took part in the march.
School drumming units.

The ceremony started with a minute of silence for the victims of Greece’s deadliest train crash at Tempi. After that, the Oath of the 1821 Revolution was read loudly and the crowd repeated its words with a roar. An 1821 banner, as well as the flags of Greece, Australia and Cyprus, also appeared in front of the main stage. This was followed by all the Greek Orthodox College Drumming Units who set the tempo for the start of the parade.

Spectators.
Drummers.
There were thousands in attendance.

Greeks from the Australian Federal Police led the march, with ex-servicemen and women, as well as elderly organisations following close behind. Schools of the Greek Community of Melbourne, of parishes, inter-communities and independent schools, as well as language and culture schools also took part. All marched in front of the stage and were applauded warmly by the thousands of spectators.

The march begins.
Proud participants.
Young female dressed in traditional costumes.
AHEPA Greek School contingent.

Among the spectators were a number of officials including Archbishop Makarios of Australia; the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis; Kat Theophanous MP; David Davis MP; Keith Wollahan MP; Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta; the Chairman of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day, Tony Tsourdalakis; the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis; and Chair of the Board of Directors of Parks Victoria, John Pantazopoulos; among many others.

Officials.

Some of these guests gave official speeches. Archbishop Makarios referred to the words of General Theodoros Kolokotronis and said: “first we fight for our faith and then for our homeland.”

Mr Kakavelakis said: “The Greeks in Australia are the biggest proof that you might be able to get a Greek out of Greece but you will never get Greece out of the Greeks.”

Emmanuel Kakavelakis.
More attendees at the march.

Ms Theophanous, representing the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, passed on the Premier’s respect and admiration for the Greek culture, tradition and heritage to those present.

Mr Davis spoke next and said the fight for Greek independence “is a symbol for the whole community of Victoria, Australia and across the world.”

Smiles all round.
The event was for young and old alike.
Banners were held by participants.

Mr Wollahan, representing the leader of federal opposition Peter Dutton, spoke about the struggle of Greek parents and grandparents who migrated to Greece from Australia.

“Looking at this parade, looking around you now, not only you have survived, you thrived,” he said.

Mr Tsourdalakis concluded the official speeches and said: “We feel proud that after 202 years, we have the opportunity to raise the flag and say “Zito” for the holy struggle of 1821.”

People preparing to march to celebrate Greek Independence Day.
Lakeside Stadium hosted the march.
More young marchers.
The march was held at Lakeside Stadium for the first time.

The event concluded with chanting of the ‘Hymn of War’ by the Byzantine Music School choir, as well as the playing of the national anthems of Greece and Australia.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Giorgos Psomiadis / Mary Sinanidis.

Kytherians return to Roxy Theatre in Bingara for nostalgic dinner dance

Andriana Simos
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Kytherians return to Roxy Theatre in Bingara for nostalgic dinner dance

Kytherians from across Australia congregated at the Roxy Theatre in the New South Wales town of Bingara over the weekend for the Kytherian Association of Australia’s (KAA) ‘Back to Bingara’ event.

The event started with a nostalgic dinner dance on Saturday, March 18 where over 70 people from places such as Brisbane, Inverell, Taree, Port Macquarie, Junee, Manilla and Sydney danced the night away and smashed plates.

People at the dinner dance.
More attendees.

Also in attendance were Toni Risson, author of Aphrodite and the Mixed Grill, with her husband, as well as Peter Prineas, Sophia Alexander and Joanne Psaltis, the grandchildren of Peter Feros. Mr Feros was one of the original three men who built the Roxy theatre building in the late 1930s.

At the dinner dance, Carmen Southwell, who was representing the Gwydir Shire Council, welcomed everyone to Bingara and the iconic Roxy Theatre.

Full house.
People always enjoy a quick selfie.

Mr Prineas also spoke and gave a brief history of the theatre and how Kytherians Emanuel Aroney, George Psaltis and Mr Feros erected the Roxy building comprising the cafe, the cinema and a row of three shops in the late 1930s.

John Wearne, who was instrumental in having the Roxy Theatre restored, also gave a speech on the night about the importance of maintaining the theatre and its history.

Peter Prineas.

With the dinner dance coming to an end, those in attendance returned to their local hotel rooms for the night. They visited the Roxy Cafe the next morning for breakfast before returning home.

The President of the KAA, Barbara Zantiotis, told The Greek Herald she was really happy with how everything came together.

Over 70 people attended the dinner dance.
Breaking plates and dancing.

“Emanuel Aroney, Peter Feros and George Psaltis worked tirelessly 87 years ago to bring their dream of the Roxy Theatre to fruition,” Ms Zantiotis said.

“It’s wonderful to be here today and I look forward to celebrating the 90th birthday of the complex in 2026.”

Melbourne’s Greek Independence Day function heralds new post-COVID era

The Greek Herald
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Melbourne’s Greek Independence Day function heralds new post-COVID era

By Mary Sinanidis.

Many guests arrived a little frazzled at the South Melbourne Hellas FC Stadium on Sunday to attend an event held by the Greek Consul General to Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, for Greek Independence Day. Obstacles included Grand Prix works causing blockages and the Run for Kids marathon causing traffic mayhem.

Australian Hellenic War Memorial President Steve Kyritsis (left) and former Afghanistan veteran Ken Tsirigotakis (centre).
(L-R) Evelyn and Sarah Craig (President of the Hellenic Museum).

Even so, nothing could dampen spirits at the function – the first March 25th reception since the swanky 2019 affair at Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum. It was also the last year the parade took place at the Shrine of Remembrance after booing and plastic bottles were thrown at Greek deputy parliamentary speaker George Varemenos by way of protest against the Prespes Agreement.

Then COVID-19 darkened the next two years, marring the 200th anniversary of Greece’s Independence Day.

Sunday’s celebrations marked the dawning of a new era with a new Consul General, a new Archbishop, a new parade venue and an official reception overlooking a football stadium with past South Melbourne Hellas players emanating from a large screen between other footage showing the beauty of Greece and reels from other sponsors. Guests were numerous, nibbling on dim sims, falafels and other multicultural delicacies, including spanakopita and souvlaki.

(L-R) Vicky Papazoglou, Christina Despoteris and Bruce Atkinson (former president of the Legislative Council of Victorian Parliament).

Tony Tsourdalakis, Chairman of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day, told The Greek Herald he was pleased with the celebration – the first in Melbourne attended by an Archbishop.

“When Archbishop Makarios arrived in Australia, we discussed the National Day parade in our first meetings,” he said.

“His predecessor would not come to Melbourne as it was held on the same weekend as in Sydney. Archbishop Makarios said he did not want to differentiate between Melbourne and Sydney and wanted to be present at both. We thought we could solve the problem by following the model of the Cretan Federation.”

VIP guests at the Consul event.

Mr Tsourdalakis said that in future there would be flexibility so that the parade would not clash with Grand Prix dates, estimating that 5,000 people attended the parade at the new venue, despite problems, which gave welcome respite to elderly people who took advantage of the seating area.

John Pantazopoulos, Chair of the Board of Directors of Parks Victoria, told The Greek Herald it was a shame not being at the Shrine.

Function attendees.
Invited guests.

“I hope someday we can revisit that as a community. But, you know, it’s great to be here, and we made whatever efforts we could. At Parks Victoria, we pulled out all the stops with the Grand Prix Corporation giving us access to the site. Traffic is bad, but the weather is good. We’re Greeks. We’ll make it work,” Mr Pantazopoulos said.

“Where we put the parade pales in comparison to the achievements of the amazing people we are here to honour.”

Kris Pavlidis, head of the Whittlesea Multicultural Communities Commission, told The Greek Herald that she always feels a “tingle” at such events.

Everyone enjoyed themselves at the event.
The Consul’s event heralded a new era for Greek Independence Day celebrations in Melbourne.

“I am very proud of my Greek Australian heritage. Today is an opportunity to come out, put egos aside and work together, to collaborate,” she said. “At the end of the day there is power in numbers. We say that in politics, but it is true.”

Her sentiment was shared by AHEPA Vice President George Keskerides, who said “we should all work together,” adding the parade this year felt “a little bit more isolated” and he wished that 2019 hadn’t been politicised.

Politics aside, people mingled. Arcadian Vice President Betty Kosmas and Mr Keskerides made plans for an upcoming function while others discussed plans to collaborate for the good of the Greek community. Then everybody left the function room for the main event – the parade.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald.

Canberra’s Cypriot community hold memorial to honour EOKA freedom fighters

The Greek Herald
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Canberra’s Cypriot community hold memorial to honour EOKA freedom fighters

Canberra’s Cypriot and Greek communities came together on Sunday, March 19 to honour the heroes and heroines of the EOKA (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) struggle against British colonial rule from 1955 to 1959.

EOKA was an underground nationalist movement of Greek Cypriot freedom fighters dedicated to ending British colonial rule in Cyprus and to achieving the eventual union (Greek enosis) of Cyprus with Greece.

People at the mnimosino.
High Commissioner Antonis Sammoutis (left) and Georgia Alexandrou (right) with Cypriot youth.

In a statement to The Greek Herald, President of PASEKA (Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus) and the Cyprus Community of Canberra, Georgia Alexandrou, stressed the importance of EOKA freedom fighters and their actions.

“EOKA heroes were inspired by the Greek Revolution against the Ottomans in 1821 and chose to start their “Agona” on the 1st April 1955, one week after the Greek National Day celebrations,” Ms Alexandrou said.

“EOKA heroes fought for the country’s self-determination against the British, advocating union with Greece. Although a union with Greece was not achieved, in 1960 Cyprus became free of British rule and an independent country.”

These heroes were remembered during a mnimosino service at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Kingston on Sunday morning.

Mnimosino.

The service was led by Father Petros and was organised by the Cyprus Community of Canberra and SEKA (Justice for Cyprus) ACT.

Throughout the service, children of Cypriot background were dressed in traditional costumes and proudly held the flags of Cyprus and Greece.

In attendance, and witnessing the solemn occasion, were a number of special guests including the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; the Ambassador of Greece in Australia, George Papacostas; the Deputy Head of Mission at the Cyprus High Commission, Stavros Nicolaou; Colonel Ioannis Fasianos from the Embassy of Greece; President of Justice for Cyprus ACT, Nectaria Volis; President of the Greek Community of Canberra, John Loukadellis; President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra, Andrew Satsias; and Ms Alexandrou.

Church attendees.
Officials.
Mr Sammoutis gives a speech.

Following the mnimosino service, everyone joined in singing the national anthem of Greece before Mr Sammoutis addressed the crowd.

Mr Sammoutis started his message by reading out a statement from the leader of EOKA, General Degeni, encouraging freedom fighters to never give up on Cyprus. He then outlined the will of Greek Cypriots for unification with Greece and how many young lives were sacrificed for this dream.

Cypriot youth.
Mr Sammoutis.

“We gather every year to commemorate our heroes and to renew our promise to them that we will continue our fight until Cyprus, a member of the European Union, is liberated and unified,” Mr Sammoutis stressed.

The commemoration event concluded with people mingling amongst themselves and remembering those lives lost.

Hellenism on display at AHEPA NSW Inc’s Greek Independence Day event

Andriana Simos
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Hellenism on display at AHEPA NSW Inc’s Greek Independence Day event

Hellenism was on proud display in Rockdale, Sydney on Friday, March 17 as AHEPA NSW Inc, in cooperation with Βayside Council, celebrated Greek Independence Day.

The celebrations started with a flag raising ceremony in the Forecourt of Bayside Council from 6pm, before there was an official program of Greek dancing and poem recitals at AHEPA NSW Hall.

Flag raising.

In attendance at the hall were a number of official guests including the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; Member for Rockdale, Steve Kamper MP; Mark Buttigieg MLC; Georges River Council Mayor Nick Katris; and the President of AHEPA NSW Inc, Bill Skandalakis; among many others.

Some of the officials guests.

Emcee and Secretary of AHEPA NSW Inc, Panayiotis Diamadis, kick started the official proceedings by welcoming everyone in attendance. This was followed by a number of small speeches by Mr Mallikourtis, Mr Buttigieg and Mr Skandalakis.

The event concluded with performances by students of Earlwood Public School and the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney Dancers.

Greek dancing at the event.

Greek basketballer Angeliki Vintsilaiou to play for Hobart Chargers

The Greek Herald
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Greek basketballer Angeliki Vintsilaiou to play for Hobart Chargers

By Bill Roumeliotis.

Greek basketball player, Angeliki Vintsilaiou, will continue her playing career in Australia for Tasmanian team, Hobart Chargers.

The 24-year-old recently completed her season with SKK Polonia Warszawa, and has previously played for Elazig Il Ozel Idare in Turkey and Dinamo Sassari in Italy.

Angeliki led SKK Polonia to the playoffs of the Polish Championship and helped the team win the bronze medal in the European Women’s Basketball League. She finished the season with 10.6 points, 2.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per 21.3 minutes.

Greek basketballer Angeliki Vintsilaiou.

Her results saw Angeliki receive an offer by the Hobart Chargers to play for the summer National Basketball League 1 (NBL1) season.

Angeliki will be the first Greek woman to compete in the Women’s Basketball Championship in Australia.

“I am very happy to be coming to Australia. I will be very happy to meet as many Greeks as I can,” Angeliki told The Greek Herald exclusively.

“I arrive in Australia on Saturday, March 31. I wanted to spend Easter in Greece with my family, but my new team wants me with them as soon as possible.”

Plans unveiled for new Greek Orthodox parish in the Northern Territory

The Greek Herald
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Plans unveiled for new Greek Orthodox parish in the Northern Territory

The architectural plans for a new Greek Orthodox parish to be established in Darwin, the Northern Territory have been unveiled.

A delegation of officials from the new parish revealed the plans during a meeting with Archbishop Makarios of Australia in Sydney on Wednesday, March 15.

The delegation included the first priest of the new parish, Father Christos Tsoraklidis, and members of the Parish Council.

The plans show the new parish will be named in honour of Saint Savvas the New of Kalymnos.

The new parish will be named in honour of Saint Savvas the New of Kalymnos.

With development of the new parish still in its early stages, Mackillop Catholic College in Johnston will serve as a base for Divine Services until a permanent location is found for the new parish in the Palmerston area.

Father Christos will serve the first Divine Liturgy on Saturday, March 25 this year at the College.

The new parish is an initiative of Archbishop Makarios and its establishment will be monitored by Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Archiepiscopal Vicar of Adelaide.

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