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‘I’m here because of him’: People rally in Sydney to support neurosurgeon Charlie Teo

The Greek Herald
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‘I’m here because of him’: People rally in Sydney to support neurosurgeon Charlie Teo

One of Australia’s most well-known neurosurgeons, Dr Charlie Teo, was greeted by a large crowd of supporters today when he arrived for a fifth, and possibly final day, of a Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) hearing in Sydney.

Amongst the crowd of people were patients and family members wearing T-shirts and carrying signs in support of the surgeon as he faces the potential of restrictions and sanctions on his practising certificate.

Greek Australian, Kathy Samios, was one of the supporters in attendance. She has been treated by Dr Teo ever since she was diagnosed with a brain tumour over 20 years ago.

“I am here because of him,” Ms Samios tells The Greek Herald.

“He’s the only one who will treat me… He’s a good man and he has given me hope. He’s given a lot of people hope.”

Kathy Samios (left) with other Dr Charlie Teo supporters.

Dr Teo is currently facing two complaints of “unsatisfactory conduct” related to the care of two female patients who had aggressive, late-stage brain cancers.

The husband of Patient A – a 41-year-old mother from Western Australia – claims Dr Teo did not tell him and his wife all the risks associated with the removal of her high grade brain stem glioma during a consultation. Dr Teo told her he could remove the brain tumour with a “5 percent” risk of death.

She was told she had an average of six months to live and walked into surgery “cognitively sharp” and able to walk. However, she did not regain consciousness and was left in a vegetative state before she died in March 2019.

The husband of Patient B – a 61-year-old Victorian grandmother – claimed Dr Teo ”acted negligently” and removed “too much” of his wife’s brain.

Neurosurgery experts in the hearing were of the opinion Dr Teo did remove an “unorthodox” amount of healthy tissue – though one said that was normal practice for brain surgeons.

Dr Charlie Teo outside court in Sydney.

These complaints are being heard by the Professional Standards Committee — a low-level, usually confidential disciplinary body run by the state’s medical fraternity.

It will decide whether to uphold, or extend restrictions already placed on Dr Teo’s medical licence, which prevent him operating in Australia without the written consent of an approved neurosurgeon.

Dr Teo has denied any wrongdoing and thanked his former patients for their support outside the hearing on Monday.

“Thank you very, very much for turning up, it’s overwhelming. This whole thing has been very emotionally taxing,” Dr Teo said to his crowd of supporters.

“No matter what happens to me personally I will pledge to you today that we will continue to fight for a cure and treatment for brain cancer.”

Source: The Daily Telegraph, ABC News.

Greek Australian leaders meet with US official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

The Greek Herald
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Greek Australian leaders meet with US official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director of Business Sydney, Ashley Tsacalos, Partner at Clayton Utz and Commodore, and John Stavridis met with Matt Murray, the US Senior Official for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), on February 16 in Sydney.

Matt Murray was appointed as the US Senior Official for APEC in February 2022. In this role, he coordinates US participation in APEC and also oversees the Office of Economic Policy in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Prior to his current assignment, Matt led the State Department’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) as Senior Bureau Official from August 2021 to January 2022, and he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Trade Policy and Negotiations from September 2020 to August 2021.

Matt Murray with Ashley Tsacalos.
Matt Murray with John Stavridis.

Matt has focused on US economic engagement with the Asia Pacific region throughout his State Department career, including as Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Beijing, Counselor for Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Canberra, and Special Assistant for East Asian and Pacific issues in the Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment.

Matt is a Senior Foreign Service Officer who also has served overseas in Beijing, Shanghai, Dar es Salaam and New Delhi and in Washington DC as Director of the 24/7 Watch in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He has master’s degrees from the US Army War College and the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.

The APEC is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. APEC’s 21 members aim to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.

Strong Greek contingent at Indigenous Voice to Parliament event in Sydney

Andriana Simos
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Strong Greek contingent at Indigenous Voice to Parliament event in Sydney

There was a strong Greek contingent at the Inner West Council’s BBQ for the Voice to Parliament event in the Sydney suburb of Petersham on Saturday, February 18.

Despite the heat, attendees stood in Petersham Park and held signs in different languages, including Greek, calling for a Voice to Parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Greek contingent. Photos supplied.
Greek sign for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

A Voice to Parliament for Australia’s Indigenous communities has been the subject of heated political debate in recent months with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promising to hold a referendum on the issue before December 2023.

Constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament would enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice to the Parliament on policies and projects that impact their lives.

Mr Albanese was in attendance at the Inner West Council BBQ and he called on political leaders not to miss the opportunity for reconciliation with Indigenous people by opposing the upcoming referendum campaign.

Anthony Albanese and Linda Burney, left, at the Inner West BBQ for the Voice to parliament at Petersham Park. Photo: Flavio Brancaleone / Sydney Morning Herald.

“I will reach out to any parliamentarian across the political spectrum. Because this should not be the subject of partisan debate. This should be the moment where we come together as a nation,” Mr Albanese said.

This speech drew loud applause from the crowd in attendance.

One Greek attendee, Inner West Councillor Zoi Tsardoulias, told The Greek Herald it was great to see everyone gathering in support of Indigenous Australians.

Inner West Councillor Zoi Tsardoulias (left) was at the event.

“It’s imperative as Greek Australians we support the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to achieve reconciliation,” Ms Tsardoulias said.

The Indigenous Voice to Parliament issue has gathered support from some members of the Greek community across Australia.

A statement endorsing the Voice was shared with The Greek Herald in January this year and among the signatories were over 250 Greek Australians from the education and arts sectors, as well as students and community activists.

Peter Poulos MP suspended from Liberal Party for six months

The Greek Herald
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Peter Poulos MP suspended from Liberal Party for six months

Upper House MP Peter Poulos has been suspended from the Liberal Party for six months after revelations he shared explicit pictures of fellow MP Robyn Preston to another Liberal Party member.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Poulos will not contest the upcoming NSW election.

“The effect of the suspension is that Mr Poulos is disendorsed as a Liberal candidate for the Legislative Council at the coming election,” a NSW Liberal Party spokesman said.

“While Mr Poulos has apologised for his actions to the person concerned and to the community, his conduct fell short of the standard of behaviour expected of members of our Party.”

Last week it was revealed Mr Poulos leaked explicit photos of Ms Preston to a Liberal Party member during a pre-selection battle five years ago. The photos were from the 1980s when Ms Preston modelled for Penthouse magazine.

Mr Poulos apologised for the “regrettable mistake” and resigned from his position as parliamentary secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra. Ms Preston urged the media to “move on.”

NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, said he was “appalled” after learning of the email Mr Poulos had sent.

“When that situation occurred years ago I was appalled, horrified and disgusted,” Mr Perrottet said.

The NSW Liberal Party said it will now fill Mr Poulos’ vacancy on the ticket in line with the requirements of its constitution.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

National HACCI team meet new Greek Consul General and Trade Commissioner in Sydney

The Greek Herald
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National HACCI team meet new Greek Consul General and Trade Commissioner in Sydney

A delegation of representatives of the Hellenic Australian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) including the Board Chairs and Presidents of HACCI Victoria, Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales met with Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis, and Trade Commissioner, Chrysoula Prokopaki.

HACCI VIC Board and HACCI National Federation Council Chair Fotini Kypraios, HACCI VIC Director of Trade Arthur Baoustanos, HACCI NT Board Chair Angela Tomazos, HACCI SA Board Chair Kostas Koutsonas, HACCI SA Board Member Alex Demetriou, HACCI WA President Dr Elena Limnios and HACCI NSW President George Mavrakis welcomed the opportunity to discuss with the Consul General and Trade Commissioner about a series of issues affecting Greek Australian trade relationships, and the business ecosystem in both countries.

The Consul General and Trade Commissioner welcomed the news of the establishment of a national presence of Hellenic Chambers of commerce throughout Australia, which would serve to efficiently disseminate important updates and information from Greece regarding pressing issues that impact Greeks of the Australian diaspora.

These include updates relating taxation, passports and identity documentation processing and dealings with property in Greece.

Importantly, the HACCI National Federation can also serve as a conduit for the dissemination of information about new online efficiencies introduced by the Greek government that are readily accessible to Greeks in Australia and could alleviate delays and frustrations currently caused by the heavy reliance on state based Consular Services.

(L-R): Angela Tomazos (HACCI NT Board Chair), Arthur Baoustanos (HACCI VIC Director of Trade), Alex Demetriou (HACCI SA Board Member), George Mavrakis (HACCI NSW President), Dr. Elena Limnios (HACCI WA President), Paul Nicolaou (Business Sydney), Kostas Koutsonas (HACCI SA Board Chair), Fotini Kypraios (HACCI VIC Board Chair). Photo: Effy Alexakis.

Mr Mallikourtis also emphasised the integral role a national network of Chambers will play connecting the third and subsequent generations of Greek Australians. He emphasised that the strength of our community is not determined by the individual achievements of a generation of Greek Australians, but in the collective achievements of the Greek Australian community.

HACCI National Federation Council Chair, Fotini Kypraios, noted that the individual success of Greek Australians is undoubtedly renowned, however increasing collaborative activities on a national level for lobbying and undertaking collective initiatives is an issue that needs further attention moving forward. This is an issue the unification of HACCIs around Australia via the formation of a national federation seeks to resolve.

“The Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and Industry welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Consul General, Yannis Mallikourtis, and Trade Commissioner, Chrysoula Prokopaki; we had a very productive discussion, exchanging ideas about the ways to fulfill HACCI’s potential as a facilitator for professionals from Greece and Australia, in their effort to conduct business,” Ms Kypraios said.

“Both countries have set up systems to remove any obstacles for investment, employment, and trade opportunities. HACCI knows that it is important to ensure the smooth flow of information; we are looking forward to liaising between businesses and professionals from both countries, strengthening and broadening our respective networks.”

The meeting was a very encouraging encounter with many ideas shared and enthusiastic commitments by all to stay connected.

READ MORE: HACCI Federation announce new partnership with South Australian chamber.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 hits theatres this September

The Greek Herald
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My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 hits theatres this September

Grab your popcorn cause My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is set to hit theatres worldwide on September 8 this year.

According to a press release from Focus Features, the highly anticipated third film in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise stars Nia Vardalos alongside John Corbett, Louis Mandylor, Elena Kampouris, Maria Vacratsis, Andrea Martin, Elias Kacavas, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone and Melina Kotselou.

Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Gary Goetzman produced the film, with Paul Brooks, Scott Niemeyer and Steven Shareshian serving as executive producers.

“We filmed our family reunion entirely in Greece which was thrilling for us all. Plus, we ate for free,” Vardalos said after the release date was announced.

“You are all invited to the big fat family reunion!!” the actress later added on Instagram.

There’s no details yet on the plot of the new movie, but 2016’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 followed the story of Toula Portokalos-Miller and her husband Ian years after their marriage and as their daughter applies to colleges.

Source: Focus Features.

Greece’s first Jewish mayor Moisis Elisaf laid to rest

The Greek Herald
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Greece’s first Jewish mayor Moisis Elisaf laid to rest

Greece’s first Jewish mayor, Moisis Elisaf, was laid to rest on Sunday afternoon in the Greek city of Ioannina.

A number of officials were present at the funeral, which was held at the city’s Romaniote Synagogue. These included Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou; Parliament Speaker Konstantinos Tassoulas; and Metropolitan Maximos of Ioannina, representing the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The Ambassador of Israel in Greece, Noam Katz, and the United States, George Tsunis, also spoke at the memorial service before the burial.

Parliament Speaker Tassoulas hailed Elisaf as a person who “confronted bigotry, intolerance and segregation and, by fighting these blights of human nature, achieved results…”

Elisaf, a doctor who had been elected mayor as an independent in 2019, died on Friday at 68, after a brief battle with cancer.

In a statement at the time, President Sakellaropoulou extolled his “rare integrity of character” and said he was an “opponent of intolerance and fanaticism, who built bridges between people and inspired with the ethos and his vision.”

Source: Ekathimerini.

Skier AJ Ginnis secures Greece’s first world medal on snow

The Greek Herald
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Skier AJ Ginnis secures Greece’s first world medal on snow

In a historic moment for Greece, Alexandros Ioannis ‘AJ’ Ginnis claimed a silver medal in the Alpine skiing world championships slalom race on Sunday, finishing just 0.20 seconds behind gold medallist Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway.

Ginnis, who learned to ski at Mount Parnassus in Greece, became the first Greek skier to make it to the World Cup podium and win a medal in a Winter Olympic sport.

“You put Greece on the map,” Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, told Ginnis before handing him the silver medal at the awards ceremony.

Ginnis stood second after the opening run and held on to his position to finish 0.20 seconds behind Kristoffersen in the final race of the competition.

“It’s just a dream, the last two weeks. History for Greece, best moment in my career,” Ginnis said. “I can’t believe it. I don’t know what happened. During the run, I thought it was not enough and I just gave everything in the last gates.”

Ginnis was born in Greece and learned to ski at Mount Parnassus, a 2.5 hour drive from Athens. At 12, he moved to Austria with his father, a ski instructor. He then moved to the United States and competed for the US ski team at the 2017 worlds.

Due to a series of injuries – he’s had three ACL surgeries, one MCL plus operations to repair “a bunch of meniscus and cartilage damage” – Ginnis struggled to provide results for the US team and the American men’s slalom squad was disbanded after the 2017-18 season. That’s when he decided to start racing for Greece.

He is now coached by two friends, Sandy Vietz and Gaby Coulet.

“He went to chase his dream for Greece after so many injuries and he never let go,” Coulet said. “He’s a role model of perseverance and also sportsmanship.”

Source: ESPN.

Maria Stefanidis’ Cypriot heritage inspired her new book ‘The Invisible Thread’

Eleni Patsalides
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Maria Stefanidis’ Cypriot heritage inspired her new book ‘The Invisible Thread’

After retiring ten years ago from her career as a cosmetologist and hairdresser, Maria Stefanidis decided to focus on a new passion – writing.

In her new book, The Invisible Thread, Maria uses aspects of her own life experience as a Cypriot migrant who moved to Australia in the 1960s. In an interview with The Greek Herald, Maria details her journey to writing the book.

Thank you for speaking with us, Maria. Tell us about yourself:

I live in rural New South Wales with my husband and adorable, blind dog. The unhurried and restful lifestyle allows me to organise my day to fit in with my writing schedule.  

It also gives me time to think. I describe myself as a compulsive thinker! I process my thoughts deeply, always trying to find ways of being inventive. I never was academically inclined.

In hindsight, it was partly because it was difficult for me to be raised in Australia in the sixties as a Cypriot immigrant.

It was a time when there was a great influx of migrants, most ended up in Bonegilla, the migrant camp. The Australians thought we’d bombarded their country so it would be easy to understand why they were ill-disposed towards the ‘New Australians,’ as we were called.

Secondly, a Greek girl was supposed to be meek and self-effacing. She was expected to be raised in the same manner as her mother back in her native homeland. However, the average person back home in those days lived in a sightless world where adversity, dogmata beliefs and ancient traditions got in the way of practicality and realism.

Maria Stefanidis.

As an adolescent I had no choice but to be my own best friend! I had to find ways to amuse myself-even if it be jotting down the number plates of the vehicle’s passing through our street-whilst my parents worked in their milk bar seven days a week.  

For a better life, they’d said. In retrospect, after having witnessed first-hand the way in which my relatives in Cyprus could be happy making the most of what little they had, I couldn’t make sense of this ‘better life,’ that my parents were in pursuit of in a foreign country.

Can you detail your journey to writing?

After a long career as a cosmetologist and hairdresser I retired some ten years ago to concentrate on writing. My first historical/fictional novel, The Sunny Side of the Street, was published in 2015.

I managed a diploma from the Australian College of Journalism in 2002. This was after the completion of a course of studies in the theory and practice of writing bestseller novels. It would be a pleasant presumption to think I had the mindset to do so. By no means did I do the course with the belief I’d be taught to write. Nobody can teach you that. One must write with the ink that drops from the heart.

I did the course essentially to learn the knack of plotting, pacing and suspense, and character structure. All of which are important elements to good writing. Prose is really all about freedom, for it enables the author to both explore and conceive without restrictions. For me it’s therapeutic.

I consider myself a descriptive writer who strives to produce powerful and memorable characters, whether likeable or sinister. I want my readers to experience the place, culture and era that I’m writing about so it’s important to keep the story authentic both in dialect and character traits.

How has your Cypriot heritage inspired your writing?

My Cypriot heritage has been an integral part of my writing journey. I’ve remained heavily acquainted with my birthplace Cyprus since holidaying, working and living there throughout the years.

Maria’s new book ‘The Invisible Thread.’

In fact, the inspiration for my new historical/fiction novel The Invisible Thread – about to be released soon – takes place in the heavily Turkish populated village of Rizokarpaso, in the north of Cyprus. It begins in 1940-1964.

It was a time when Greek and Turkish Cypriots lived in discord as neighbours because of the inter-communal conflict between the two ethnic groups. Thus, once again I was obliged to introduce realistic aspects of the Cypriot culture and social behaviour of the characters in the narrative.

I had planned on writing a sequel but after taking a rather long break I decided to write for a much broader audience. As a result, I’ve just finished my new historical/fictional novel The Invisible Thread.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I was obliged to introduce realistic aspects of the Cypriot culture and social behaviour of the characters in the narrative. Overall, the book is interlaced with multiple twists and turns, unexpected surprises and intriguing characters – both likeable and menacing – and the witty humour is a subtle diversion to the melancholic parts of the narrative that will keep my readers interested.

First day of Pontians’ Synapantema in Melbourne full of hugs and dancing

Giorgos Psomiadis
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First day of Pontians’ Synapantema in Melbourne full of hugs and dancing

Pontians from all over Australia arrived on Friday evening in Melbourne, Victoria for their three day yearly meet up.

The first day of Synapantema started with ‘Parakath’ the warm welcoming from this years’ organisers, ‘Akrites of Pontos’ in Victoria. Hugs, kisses, lots of emotions and of course, hours of Pontian music and dancing from Pontians of all different ages, created a festive atmosphere.

On the stage, young Pontians, with their music skills and beloved sound of the lyra, urged those present to stand up and dance.

Haris Tsairis, the young president of ‘Akrites of Pontos,’ said to The Greek Herald: “Synapantema is one of the biggest festivals in Melbourne, maybe in Australia too. This is what draw me to get involved with the Pontian topics, for the first time. I went to a Synapantema, I saw all the youth together, we danced, we sang, we drunk, and never left it.”

After his warm welcome to the Pontians of all different states, the music began. One of the singers of the night, Kostas, told us that the Pontian youth community is very strong.

“Synapantema is done every year. It’s a chance for every Pontian of Australia to come to a place and have fun. It is important because it brings all the youth of Pontian culture to meet together and dance,” he says.

Peter Stefanidis, President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, said: “Synapantema is not only about bringing the youth together and having fun. As an organisation we have the need to create the next leaders. To do this we have to bring them together, and them to work close with each other.”

Synapantema, an idea that was born 20 years ago, started as a small dance on a Saturday night.

“It had 80 adults and 20 young people,” Peter recalls. From that point it has grown spectacularly with its budget getting higher every year. He says that it was the youth who were constantly asking him for the Synapantema to take place.

This is also what Maria Anthony, Pontoxeniteas NSW President, highlights as the biggest benefit – the youth.

“What is important is our youth, the next generation. If we don’t have these national events then we don’t get to know each other. They have the opportunity to meet and have a weekend of just Pontian music,” she says.

“It’s the only time they can have a whole weekend with Pontian music only. We keep them engaged wanting to learn about their history and their music and through dancing they can learn the Pontian language. They sing as they dance.”

President of the Pontian Brotherhood of South Australia, Nazareth Nalpantidis Chisholm, shared her excitement for the fact that after three years, Pontians are getting together.

“This is where we are able to see the rest of our family, the Pontians and to enjoy ourselves and come together,” she says.

Synapantema brings an energy and a fight for the Pontians to keep going and keep the youth close to continue the legacy in the future. 

“Knowledge comes with music and dance,” Nazareth adds. “And that’s where we also struggle. We need new people to come to know this. To want to engage with musical instruments such as the lyra so they can keep on playing them.”

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald /Giorgos Psomiadis.

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