The Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council has elected its first-ever female Chair.
On Wednesday, 7 December 2022, the representatives of the organisations that are part of the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council held their Annual General Meeting (AGM).
During the AGM, the outgoing Chair of the Council, Jim Papadimitriou, spoke briefly about the Council’s events throughout 2022 including the anniversary events for the Battle of Crete in May, the unveiling of a plaque in Shepparton and the launch of a Commemorative Medal and Commemorative Envelope for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
Mr Papadimitriou also warmly thanked all members for their support during his term.
The committee members proposed Natasha Spanos, who was the current Secretary of the Executive Committee, to the role of Chair.
Natasha Spanos and Maria Maniou with His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasoundas.
Ms Spanos, who has been part of the Council since 2017 representing Oakleigh Grammar School in Victoria, accepted to take up the position and became the first-ever female Chair of the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council.
Maria Maniou was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Council.
On Friday, December, Ms Spanos and Ms Maniou made an official visit to the Consulate of Greece in Melbourne where they met with the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, and discussed the future of the Council. On the same day, they received the blessing of His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasoundas.
The Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council is working on its annual program for 2023 which will be available shortly. Those organisations and associations interested in actively participating in the Council can contact the Chair Ms Spanos on 0449 232 783 or at natashaspanos@hotmail.com.
Team Greece are through to the United Cup City Finals in Perth, Western Australia after Maria Sakkari defeated Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-1 7-5 at the RAC Arena this afternoon.
Sakkari’s win means Greece is 2-1 in the series against Belgium.
Even if Greece lose their remaining two games in the series against Belgium, they will take 1st place in Group A and play in tomorrow’s final in Perth, either against Croatia or France.
The three winners of tomorrow’s three-city finals, based on all their results, will advance to the semi-final stage in Sydney.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis will defend their reigning men’s doubles title at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne this month.
The pair, who are close friends nicknamed the Special Ks, put on a show at the Australian Open in 2021 when the pair first competed in the men’s doubles tournament.
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios defeated fellow Australians, Matt Ebden and Max Purcell, and became the first home pairing to win the Australian Open men’s doubles title since Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge in 1997, according to Yahoo Sports.
Childhood friends Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are Grand Slam champions together! 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/1YKIDuxCJz
According to ABCnews, Kokkinakis confirmed he would be pairing up with Kyrgios again at the Australian Open this year because it’s “a lot less taxing on the body. Mentally it’s a bit easier as well.”
“Obviously, singles is our priority but I think it would be rude not to go out there and have fun with it,” Kokkinakis added.
The Cyprus Community of NSW hosted its annual New Year’s Eve dance at the Cyprus Club in the Sydney suburb of Stanmore on December 31, 2022.
A crowd of almost 400 revellers gathered at the club to ring in the New Year with Greek food, music and lots of dancing.
Guests dancing to the live music. Photo supplied.
There was a live band playing upbeat Greek songs and catering was provided by Paul (previous owner of Steki, Newtown) and Iordanou.
The New Year countdown was followed by the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita by the Club’s president, Andrew Costa and the MC of the evening, Elli Stassi.
Photo supplied.
Mr Costa emphasised that the Cyprus Club has made a strong return and is committed to providing the community with many events, as well as cultural services, dance lessons, meals for seniors and their very own “Kafene” gathering.
Photo supplied.
“We are determined to keep providing regular events during 2023 for all the Greek diaspora, as well as the local community,” Mr Costa said.
Tributes are flowing today for prominent Greek Australian, Christos Tsirkas, who passed away on Sunday, January 1 this year.
Mr Tsirkas was awarded Life Membership to the Australian Labor Party in 2017 and was an active participant in the union movement, multicultural community radio and PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement).
In a statement following Mr Tsirkas’ death, the former leader of Greece’s PASOK Party, George Papandreou, paid tribute to the “tireless fighter for democracy, social justice and the rights of Ecumenical Hellenism.”
Photo: Christos Tsirkas
“He was a person of universal acceptance and enjoyed unlimited respect. He served his fellow men tirelessly and selflessly throughout his life. His contribution and his struggles will give us strength to continue our course,” Mr Papandreou added in his statement.
Greece’s General Secretary of Public Diplomacy and Hellenism Abroad John Chrysoulakis also sent his condolences.
“He will be remembered by all of us as a man who worked hard and with great consistency in many areas: In the commons, in the Church, in Culture, in Letters and Arts, in multicultural community radio, in trade unionism,” Mr Chrysoulakis said.
“His actions and honesty, as well as also his permanent care towards his compatriots and the Greek community, are the reasons why he was so highly regarded and so widely accepted within the community in Australia.”
16-year-old Greek athlete, Vasilis Topalos, has died after suffering a head injury on December 12 at the gym where he trained in Tavros, Athens.
According to Ekathimerini, Vasilis was feeling unwell during training at his gym and went to the bathroom where he fainted and hit his head. He underwent surgery and was in a critical condition in intensive care before passing away.
Greek Sports Minister Lefteris Avgenakis has ordered an official investigation into Vasilis’ death.
In a Twitter post, Minister Avgenakis wrote: “Many questions remain, but I am confident that the ongoing investigation will shed abundant light on every aspect of the unexplained circumstances of his fatal injury.”
Η αθλητική οικογένεια της χώρας μας θρηνεί τον χαμό του νεαρού πυγμάχου πρωταθλητή,Βασίλη Τόπαλου. Πολλά τα ερωτηματικά,αλλά είμαι βέβαιος ότι η εν εξελίξει έρευνα θα ρίξει άπλετο φως σε κάθε πτυχή των αδιευκρίνιστων συνθηκών του θανάσιμου τραυματισμού του.
The Hellenic Boxing Federation (EOP) also made a statement, claiming a lawsuit would be filed “against all those responsible.”
In the statement, the EOP expressed their grief for the loss of the young athlete: “Our Golden Child, our smiling Vasilis, the born champion with a heart of solid gold. Unspeakable sadness for the Hellenic boxing family.”
Vasilis was said to be an extremely talented boxer according to a Facebook tribute by the Belvedere Boxing Club where the young boxer visited in May 2022.
A huge vasilopita weighing 5,000 kilograms was baked in the Athenian suburb of Peristeri on December 30 to celebrate the New Year.
The vasilopita consisted of 50,000 pieces and 200 lucky coins, and was created by 200 people from dozens of neighbourhood bakeries in collaboration with the Bakers Guild of Athens, Suburbs & Surroundings (SAPP).
The New Year’s Day cake was made using 4000kg of flour, 2000kg of butter, 1000kg of sugar, 500kg of powdered sugar, 50kg of baking powder, 2000 eggs, 1500 oranges, 50kg of cognac and 4 boxes of vanilla.
The mayor of Peristeri, Andreas Pahaturidis, in the presence of thousands of citizens, cut the vasilopita on December 30, and of course, everyone got a piece.
Welcoming remarks were made on the day by Attica Regional Governor Georgios Patoulis and SAAPP President Panagiotis Sahinidis.
Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar accused Greece on Monday of undermining talks on confidence-building measures (CBM) between the two Aegean countries, Ekathimerini has reported.
During a visit to TCG Anadoly, the future flagship of the Turkish navy, Akar said Greece is trying to deliberately increase tensions with Turkey in a bid to deflect public attention from problems at home.
We’re coming to the end of another year and there have been some fantastic community stories which have captured the attention of The Greek Herald’s readers in 2022.
1. Greek Australians recognised in the Australia Day Honours List 2022
At least six Greek Australians were named by the Governor General on January 25 on the Australia Day 2022 Honours List. They were a small but significant portion of the total number of 1040 Australians recognised on the list.
“To the individuals being celebrated today; thank you for your contribution to Australia and congratulations on being recognised by your peers and your nation,” the Governor-General said in a media statement.
2.Name day celebrations through the eyes of a young Greek Australian
Young Greek Australian, Anastasia Fokianos, shared with The Greek Herald what name days meant to her.
3. History made as Greek Orthodox church service opens parliamentary year
Greek Orthodox church service opens parliamentary year.
In a historic first, the Ecumenical Service marked the commencement of the Australian Parliament at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox church on February 2 in Canberra.
The service was held in the local Anglican, Catholic or Presbyterian churches in previous years, making this event the first time the service has been held in a Greek Orthodox church.
4. Meet Tina Kokkalis
Tina Kokkalis
What started as a quick phone conversation to congratulate Tina Kokkalis on being chosen to sing both the Australian and Greek national anthems at George Kambosos Jr’s mega-fight in Melbourne today, quickly turned into an impromptu stand-up gig.
Having been doing the rotations as a live Greek performer around Australia since 2006, Tina more readily describes herself as a corporate professional, an ex-solicitor, a wife and a mother-to-two before referring to herself as a professional singer.
5. Begona Untold Stories
Despina Sahinidis
Despina Sahinidis was only 18 when she left her village, Agioi Anargyroi in Kozani, with a one-way ticket, to Australia.
In May 1957 she travelled alongside 900 brides on the old Spanish ship Begona but she was not coming to Australia to get married. Rather, to reconnect with one of her brothers who had settled in Melbourne a year earlier.
6. Nick Giannopoulos on ‘coming full circle’ with release of new film Wog Boys Forever
This time around, Nick, who played Steve ‘The Wog Boy’ Karamitsis, and Vince, who played Nick’s long-time buddy Frank, were in their mid-life years navigating love, friendship and work.
7. Cooking his way through life: Meet The Real Greek Chef
Giannis (The Real Greek Chef)
Giannis or The Real Greek Chef not only has a place in our homes with the scrumptious authentic recipes he generously shares through his social media channels but also a place in our hearts for his authentic personality.
After making an impact in the Melburnian culinary scene for two years with his Reservoir restaurant, ‘The Real Greek Chef of Melbourne’ embarks on a new journey in Adelaide, the home town of his wife Fotini – who is also the creative mind of the business.
Throughout The Greek Herald‘s interview, the Greek Australian restaurateur extends warm smiles to everyone that passes through his doors and exchanges jokes with the employees who are more like family. It’s obvious that the business is a second home to him.
9. Jim Kambosos on his relationship with George Kambosos Jr
Jim and George Kambosos ahead of world title fight against Devin Haney. Photo: The Greek Herald/Chris Spyrou
Proud father, Jim Kambosos, always supported George from the sidelines of the rugby field on Saturdays and followed him around the globe in his quest to conquer the lightweight division. This was a luxury made possible thanks to Jim’s parents.
After only minutes of being in the same room with these two, it becomes apparent that Jim, the manager, is an organised and methodical businessman, whereas Jim, the father, is a storyteller who is quick to poke fun and deliver a wicked one-liner without warning.
10. Young debutantes dazzle at the Kytherian Association of Australia’s Centenary Ball
Kytherian Association of Australia’s (KAA) historic Centenary Debutante Ball 2022
In a dazzling spectacle, young girls in white dresses and young boys in tuxedos made their official debut at the Kytherian Association of Australia’s (KAA) historic Centenary Debutante Ball on May 14.
Held in The Winx Stand at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, the ball attracted over 1,000 people who enjoyed a sit-down three course meal as they shared some of their favourite memories from the 100 year history of the KAA.
11. Greek Australians share how it felt to return to Greece for summer camp
Words such as ‘unforgettable’ and ‘one-of-a-kind’ are being used to describe the camp, which was launched by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) this year in cooperation with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (GMFA) through the General Secretary of Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad.
When The Greek Herald arrived at the Greek Day Canberra festival at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Kingston on June 19, it felt as though we had just landed in Greece.
These festivities, which were organised by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, were the perfect opportunity for people of Greek and non-Greek heritage to gather and experience what the Greek culture has to offer.
13. From Kythera to Rugby League: Peter V’landys on how Greek parents influenced his career
Peter V’landys
He’s the man everyone credits with ‘saving’ rugby league in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic; and the man who announced that the NRL Grand Final would return to Sydney this year in a move praised by many sport fans.
In a Zoom interview with the Chairman of the Australian Rugby League (ARL) Commission and CEO of Racing NSW, Peter V’landys,The Greek Herald could instantly tell there was more to the man than just sport. Beneath the tough boss veneer is a man who worked hard to assimilate into Australian society and make his Greek migrant parents proud.
14. NSW government under pressure to compensate taxi licence owners
Steve Kamper MP (right) has been a campaigner for taxi licence owners like Kerry Koliadis (right) for years. Photo: John Veage.
The NSW Government faced increased pressure by thousands of taxi licence owners as they demanded fair compensation for financial losses incurred since the introduction of rideshare services to the transport industry.
15. Maria Vouyioukas’ fish and chip shop still going strong in remote Queensland after 44 years
Maria Vouyioukas
Maria’s journey to owning Five Ways Fish Bar all began in 1965 when her family first migrated from Greece to North Queensland, where her father worked as a cane cutter and her mother picked vegetables.
Maria says her parents didn’t want her to go to university so “they thought it was a good idea if I had my own business and they chose to put me in a fish and chip shop.”
The Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Interior, Michalis Stavrianoudakis, has urged the Greek expatriates of Australia through The Greek Herald to register on the platform apodimoi.gov.gr so they have the right to vote in the 2023 national elections.
In his exclusive interview with our newspaper, Mr Stavrianoudakis reveals that to date only 4,000 voters have registered – a number which, he says, is very small.
He argues that in case of re-election of the New Democracy Party, an attempt will be made to improve the law of voting of expatriates, but for this to happen, there must be several more registrations in order to show a tangible interest of the expatriates in the flagship initiative.
With the elections being just around the corner he indirectly but clearly states that the registration of expatriates should be done by mid-February, where he suggests the election will likely be announced.
In fact, through The Greek Herald, Mr Stavrianoudakis called on Greek organisations in Australia to organise a teleconference in order to inform them as best as possible about the law, even in the presence of the Greek Minister of Interior, Makis Voridis.
Escalated efforts to increase diaspora voting:
Mr Stavrianoudakis has served as Mayor of Dafni from 2002 until 2019 when he switched to the Ministry of Interior. He welcomed The Greek Herald to his office at the Ministry of Interior on Stadiou Street in Athens this month and his anxiety about the expatriate vote was evident.
“We escalated our efforts to register more expatriate Greeks on the platform in the last quarter. We are now entering the pre-election period. Elections will be held in 2023. Now, whether these are done in March, April, or May does not matter. Time is running out and the next four months will be very important,” Mr Stavrianoudakis said.
“The platform, which has been open for four to five months, has collected few registrations and this is despite hundreds of thousands visiting it. Maybe a million, but it’s a number that needs confirmation.
“As we speak, applications for registration do not exceed 4000.
“This is because, firstly, several expats never learned about the platform and secondly, some felt that they did not meet the criteria and as a result they did not get involved.
“Our goal when we went to the Greek Parliament in 2019 was simple. Those who were registered on the electoral rolls to obtain the right to vote from their place of residence must have submitted a tax return. Most of them do because they have real estate in Greece, for example.
“This was not accepted mainly by the Left in Greece. This reform required 200 votes in the Greek Parliament to become state law. Unfortunately, it did not meet the criteria we wanted.
“A second problem was that many did not believe they met the criteria. However, as I mentioned in my recent visit to America to the expatriates there, not everyone may have the right to vote, but there are many who have.
“It is certainly not hundreds of thousands of potential voters but it is not only the 4,000 who finally signed up.”
The need for instant registration:
The Greeks abroad who have resided for two years within Greece in the last 35 years and have submitted a tax return in the current or previous tax year, have the right to register in the electoral rolls.
The Ministry of Interior has been trying in recent weeks, however, to escalate the information within the expatriates to increase registrations.
“We ran a campaign last summer to find out the criteria. I don’t know what impact it had after all. We heard some expatriates complain that they did not hear about the campaign, which I consider unlikely, since the campaign ran in all the expatriate media in the world,” Mr Stavrianoudakis said.
“About two weeks ago we held a teleconference with 25 Federations of expatriates in America in the presence of the Minister Mr Voridis. From the aftermath of this teleconference, I can say that it turned out to be very successful.
“Some even jokingly mentioned that not so many people had gathered together before. In New York, I held a meeting with the Archbishop Irineos and there will be an attempt to activate potential voters in the churches of America as well. A similar campaign will take place in Europe, where many younger people have fled because of the crisis.
“I pointed out to them a risk that exists if not immediately registered. The Greeks leave everything to the last minute but I want to point out that after the elections are called, a complete processing of the data will be practically impossible, so the beneficiaries will have to move immediately.
“In November, I had been to America and I told expats that you have time to register in November, December, January and maybe February. I don’t know when the election will be called, of course, but it won’t be easy to process a voter’s data at the last minute.
“The validity of the law provides for up to three days from the announcement of the elections. This, however, is practically very difficult. Let me say something else here as an example: If a Greek Australian decides to register on February 26, and elections are called on the 28, he is not listed for the first election. But he is for the second election- if, of course, they take place.”
The call to Greek organisations in Australia:
The Greek Herald asked Mr Stavrianoudakis if he would be satisfied with having 10,000 people registered on the platform.
“My personal goal is much bigger. If citizens from England, Germany, Italy and Cyprus register, we will have a much higher number on the platform,” he said, while avoiding mentioning a specific number.
A constant demand of the expatriates in Australia, like all expatriates, remains the change of the law and the removal of certain criteria. Mr Stavrianoudakis stressed that participation in the upcoming elections is important since, among other things, it will be a lever of pressure for a possible review of the current legislation.
“I said in my meetings with expats that we don’t have to waste our time saying we disagree on the law,” Mr Stavrianoudakis said.
“But let’s go one step further. If only 3,000 to 4,000 register on the platform, who will go to the next Parliament to say that the expatriates showed interest in Greece? No one. They will tell you for example that 90,000 were entitled to register and only 5,000 registered…
“In case of re-election of the New Democracy Party, we will try 100% to improve this law. But our request will be more enhanced if 40,000 expatriates register on the platform instead of 4,000.
“The participation of those who are currently entitled will also be an incentive for the next Parliament to demand further improvement of the conditions. We cannot sum up how many thousands are eligible to vote from abroad. But surely they are not this few.
“It is very important, through this pool of people, whether they are in Australia, or in America, or in Europe, especially the youth… if there is no interest from them you realise that it will be extremely difficult to come to such a discussion again in the future.”
Concluding this interview, Mr Stavrianoudakis addressed a call to Greek organisations of the Australian community to follow the example of America and organise a teleconference for information on the expatriate vote.
“If there is interest from Australian organisations for an informative teleconference, we are at their disposal. I wish we could go to Australia and have meetings in person, but that’s hard. It would be a pleasure to talk to the expatriates of Australia,” Mr Stavrianoudakis concluded.
