Andriana Petrakis (right) at the 2025 Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards on Thursday night. Photo: The Advertiser.
She is currently ranked number five internationally and number two in Australia in the women’s singles category for athletes with an intellectual impairment. In 2023, she was named Tennis SA’s Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability.
Beyond her sporting achievements, Petrakis is a passionate disability advocate and assistant coach for Tennis SA’s Pathway Program, inspiring others with disabilities to take up the sport.
At the awards night, Petrakis expressed gratitude for the scholarship, saying it reflected her “dedication, determination, and hard work,” and encouraged others to pursue their dreams.
This morning, the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) has congratulated Petrakis via Facebook, saying she is a “huge inspiration” to many in the Hellenic community.
“Every person’s lived experience of autism is different – and Andriana has turned hers into a superpower,” GOCSA’s post read.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni visited Jerusalem, reaffirming Greece’s commitment to supporting the Jerusalem Patriarchate and preserving the religious and cultural heritage of the Holy Lands.
According to AMNA.gr, during her meeting with Patriarch Theophilos III, she pledged continued assistance in safeguarding Christian heritage and discussed conservation efforts for the Patriarchate’s archives, including digitalisation initiatives.
📌Η #ΥΠΠΟ Λίνα Μενδώνη πραγματοποίησε επίσημη επίσκεψη στα Ιεροσόλυμα, όπου συναντήθηκε με τον Πατριάρχη Ιεροσολύμων κ.κ. Θεόφιλο Γ’ για τη διαφύλαξη της πολιτιστικής και θρησκευτικής κληρονομιάς των Αγίων Τόπων Τόπων.
Mendoni also visited key religious sites, including the Church of the Resurrection and the Monastery of St. John Prodromos, where she inspected restoration works.
The Patriarch briefed her on plans for a Centre for Theological Studies and Research at the Monastery of the Sacred Cross.
Her visit concluded at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, where she laid a wreath in honour of Holocaust victims and explored potential collaborations between Jewish museums in Athens, Thessaloniki, and the forthcoming Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki.
Cyclone Alfred’s slow and erratic movement has intensified the threat of severe flooding, forcing the evacuation of 7,000 homes in northern New South Wales while over four million Queenslanders brace for impact.
Initially expected to pass quickly, the category 2 cyclone is now set to drag out its destruction over five days, bringing heavy rain, damaging winds, and dangerous surf.
NSW Premier Chris Minns ordered emergency evacuations in multiple towns, including Lismore, which was devastated by flooding three years ago. The cyclone’s approach has also disrupted travel, with over 500 flights cancelled and major airports shutting down.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns of “life-threatening” flash floods, with rainfall reaching up to 800mm in some areas.
Ballina in northern NSW was hit by bad weather yesterday afternoon. Photo: ABC News / Jak Rowland.
Brisbane, set to experience its first cyclone in half a century, is expecting both a storm surge and widespread flooding.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged residents to prepare, cautioning that “it’s the little decisions and little actions that you take today that can make a world of difference.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains in Canberra to oversee the federal response but has refused to rule out calling an April 12 election.
As Alfred’s movements remain unpredictable, authorities stress the need for continued vigilance, with experts warning, “There’s no way Brisbane is going to get out of this.”
George Kambosos Jr is gearing up for his first Sydney fight since 2016, marking a significant moment in his career and a homecoming for the Greek Australian fighter.
His upcoming match at Qudos Bank Arena against Australian young, knockout artist Jake Wyllie on Saturday, March 22 is not just another fight – it is a battle for legacy, national pride, and a chance to honour his Greek roots in front of a passionate crowd.
George Kambosos Jr (centre) is preparing to face Yordan on Saturday, March 22. Pictured here with trainer Anton Kadushin (left) and father/manager Jim Kambosos. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
In an interview with The Greek Herald on Wednesday, March 5, Kambosos spoke of his excitement and determination, emphasising the significance of this fight.
“I want to be a man of my people – Australia and Greece,” he stated. “That’s what I fight for, to keep bringing not only the legacy from my career but bringing honour to both countries.”
His career-defining victory over Teofimo Lopez in 2021 crowned him the unified lightweight world champion, holding the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and The Ring titles.
George Kambosos Jr has moved up in weight to 140 lbs.
He has faced some of the toughest opponents in world boxing, including Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko. He relinquished his IBF and WBO straps to Haney, then lost to Lomachenko.
Now, as he moves up in weight to 140 lbs, he aims to become a two-division world champion – a feat that would further cement his legacy in Australian and Greek boxing history.
Greek pride on the line:
Kambosos has long been a favourite among Greek Australians, and the turnout of Greek fans at his previous fights in Melbourne and Perth has proven their unwavering support.
“I’m expecting the same thing here in Sydney,” he said. “United all together, from all the states, coming together with all the Australians, all the Greeks and everyone else that is supporting me. It means the world.”
George Kambosos Jr is incredibly proud of his Greek roots.
Proudly carrying the Greek flag alongside the Australian flag, Kambosos embraces his dual heritage, a sentiment deeply embedded in his fighting spirit.
“You can see I’ve got the Greek flags there, with my religion as well. It means the world to me,” he said.
Kambosos’ father and manager, Jim Kambosos, also spoke about the significance of the fight on March 22. He highlighted the importance of hard work, discipline, and the values passed down from their Greek roots.
“We know how far George has gone. He’s a former undisputed champion of the world in the lightweight division. This has been a hard, tough road for us… but eventually he got to the top,” Jim said.
Jim Kambosos (second from right) is proud of his son and his determination.
A fight for legacy and the future
Kambosos’ upcoming fight is more than just a stepping stone in his career – it is a statement. He is aware that his opponent is dangerous, but remains focused and prepared.
“This is an extremely important fight,” he emphasised.
“Legacy is at stake… I want to knock this guy out… A statement has to be made.”
George Kambosos Jr is ready to fight for his legacy.
Speaking about his preparation and mindset, Kambosos said, “I’m feeling extremely energised, feeling great, feeling strong. Sparring has been unbelievable, and sometimes I think I should have moved up [in weight] a little bit earlier the way I’m feeling right now.”
Training in Sydney has allowed him to stay close to his roots while remaining fully dedicated to the fight.
“It’s great to be back in Sydney, and I know the fans will be behind me,” he said.
George Kambosos Jr said it is great to be back in Sydney.
A homecoming to remember
With eight years since his last fight in Sydney, anticipation is high. His last match in the city, against Brandon Ogilvie at Luna Park, was a sold-out event, and a similar atmosphere is expected this time.
Kambosos’ return is not just a sporting event; it is a moment of cultural pride for Greek Australians and boxing fans alike.
*Comment by the founder and inaugural chair of ‘Speak Greek in March’ (SGM), Mike Zafiropoulos AM on the 10th anniversary of the campaign (2015-2025)
The idea of organising the “Speak Greek in March” campaign came to me at an Omiros graduation ceremony, where I was asked to present the awards to students who had excelled in modern Greek. One of the students, who was born in Australia, spoke to me with such eloquence in Greek, that made me think we could do more as a community to preserve our language, particularly as for some time we were witnessing a constant decline of students seeking to learn Greek.
I felt that as an organised community, we had to give greater priority in retaining our mother tongue and promote and highlight its importance as the language which enriched many languages of the world and continues to serve as the source for new words of discoveries in technology and science.
We had to stimulate all stakeholders, the national school system, the community schools, parents and grandparents, community organisations, the church, etc., to consider this a vital issue, if our identity in the diaspora had to be maintained. What made me optimistic was that our ancestors performed the Herculean feat of maintaining the language under more than 400 years of occupation by the Ottomans.
The challenges we are facing, despite the official acceptance by Australian governments of the policy of multiculturalism/multilingualism, included the lack of further immigration from Greece, the high percentage of intermarriages, and the fact that we were moving into the 3rd and 4th generation in our settlement.
Furthermore, English continues to dominate the global language scene and even our homeland. Despite being a source for new words in other languages, it has started to absorb a dangerous proportion of English words in its vocabulary.
So, I started developing some plans and was able to convince several key people in the community to get together, consult with the community and governments in both Australia and Greece to implement appropriate strategies. I chose March because of the beginning of the school year and because it included several Hellenic celebrations.
During the campaign, while serving as chair of Fronditha Care, I ensured that its board meeting in March was conducted in Greek, defying some 40 years of being transacted in English.
The continuity of this initiative, which celebrates a decade since it started, has been taken recently by Pharos, which will be announcing their plans. It would be good, however, if all community organisations during this month undertake some activity to honour the most sophisticated language in the world, which continues to be spoken for some 4,000 years.
Want to participate in ‘Speak Greek in March’? Share your Greek-language event ideas with Pharos at pharos.au@gmail.com
On 28 February 2025, refinancing was completed, with Avari Credit 46 Pty Ltd replacing CCL and Sydney Wyde as the Community’s secured lender. Consequently, the receivers Neil Cussen and Michael Billingsley, appointed in October 2024, officially ceased their role on 24 February 2025, returning full control of the Cyprus Club, its operations, and assets to the administrators.
Next steps for members
In its latest update to members and creditors, EY provided an update on the Community’s financial restructuring and outlined the next steps for its future governance and property strategy:
Property strategy review: Seeking updated proposals for the club and its real estate.
Property advisory committee: Comprising EY’s Real Estate Team and member representatives to assess options.
New board formation: Identifying candidates for election.
Constitution review: Updating governance structures to align with current needs.
General meeting: Holding an EGM or AGM for members to vote on key decisions, including the new board, constitution, and property strategy.
Membership reinstatement and new applications
The administrators have confirmed that any member who has been banned or expelled will have the opportunity to apply for reinstatement to the Community.
A process will be established by the administrator, and applications will be reviewed and assessed by the incoming future board based on the merits of each application.
With respect to new memberships and renewals, the administrators are working with Community management to re-establish processes for new member applications and membership renewals in accordance with the Community’s constitution.
Investigating historical financial concerns
The administrators acknowledge concerns about past financial misconduct and invite members with relevant information to come forward.
As the Community moves forward, member engagement will be crucial in shaping its future and long-term stability.
Upcoming member information session
An information session at the Stanmore clubhouse will be held in the coming weeks. Details will be provided via post, email, and the clubhouse noticeboard. Members are urged to engage in a respectful and constructive manner.
For all membership reinstatement applications, members are encouraged to contact the administrators directly at CyprusCommunity@au.ey.com.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia will be on the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate which will convene from 1 March to 31 August 2025.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate recently announced the new composition of its Synod, which will be presided over by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The full list of new members includes:
Makarios of Gortyna and Arcadia
Andreas of Arkalohori, Kastelli, and Viannos
Athenagoras of Belgium
Paisios of Leros, Kalymnos, and Astypalaia
Damaskinos of Kydonia and Apokoronas
Sevastianos of Atlanta
Athenagoras of Kydonia
Maximos of Selyvria
Makarios of Australia
Maximos of Switzerland
Iakovos of Ireland
Iakovos of Mexico
The Synod will play a crucial role in the governance and decision-making of the Ecumenical Patriarchate during this period.
Fronditha Care hosted “In Conversation” with Mary Coustas as part of its annual event celebrating International Women’s Day.
In a thought-provoking and inspiring discussion led by Faye Spiteri OAM, CEO, Fronditha Care, Mary shared stories and personal reflections on building resilience, the importance of being ambitious and how she has overcome the obstacles in her career to succeed as an actor.
She spoke honestly and candidly about the challenges she faced along the way, emphasising that determination and self-belief were key for her in breaking through.
A highlight of the event was her heartfelt performance as the beloved character ‘Effie’, bringing laughter and joy to the audience while reinforcing the powerful and poignant message that all women possess inherent strength. And that women need to take responsibility for carving out their future irrespective of what they aspire to be.
With over 90 attendees joining both in person and online, the conversation sparked meaningful discussion about gender equality, the next generation and the shared experiences of women from all backgrounds.
Closing the event, Mrs Spiteri noted how inspirational and thought-provoking the conversation was and said: “Today we were moved and challenged to think about a different outlook for ourselves as women. Mary’s main message and consistent theme through the anecdotes and experiences she shared, is that we are each responsible for our own destiny and while you should seek out mentors and those who can champion you, you must always take ownership of your future”.
Eighty Eight Seafood and Grill, a popular restaurant in South Australia’s Old Noarlunga, has closed permanently due to rising business costs, including skyrocketing fish prices, and the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
Owner Bill Moularas, 37, cited these financial pressures as the reason for the closure.
“It’s heart-wrenching. Recovering from Covid was hard but the last three years has been harder and harder … costs have only gone up and profit margins are shrinking,” Moularas said.
“We ran the numbers and the restaurant had to be full every night just to break even. This has been on the cards for a while … it’s just been mentally draining.”
Moularas noted that the price of fish has surged by more than 60% over the past five years, with salmon now costing $65/kg, flathead $70/kg, and kingfish more than $80/kg.
He added, “People have less money to spend now, and all business costs are rising, everything from insurance to wages, power, and rent.”
Eighty Eight Seafood and Grill opened in September 2019 as a sister restaurant to Seafood Chest, a fresh seafood store that has been in operation since 2007.
While the restaurant has closed, Seafood Chest will continue to operate.
Moularas highlighted the ongoing crisis in the hospitality industry, with many long-standing venues shutting down due to financial struggles.
“People are just starting to realise it now. Places that have been around for 20-30 years are closing because they can’t make any money,” he said.
He urged customers to support their local businesses, stressing the difficulty of running a small business today.
“There’s a lot of hospo people out there struggling… People need to back in their favourite corner store or it won’t be around anymore, and you’ll be kicking yourself,” Moularas warned.
The State of Victoria hosted a special reception this week to mark the beginning of Holy and Great Lent, organised by Premier Jacinta Allan.
The event brought together Christian leaders from various traditions, emphasising the importance of inter-Christian dialogue in fostering social cohesion.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA) was represented by Their Graces Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne and Bishop Evmenios of Chora.
Also present at the reception were members of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), including President Bill Papastergiadis OAM.
Bishop Evmenios addressed the gathering on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. He conveyed blessings for the Lenten period, highlighting it as a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, and preparation for the Lord’s Resurrection.
Bishop Evmenios also referenced the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a milestone symbolising Christian unity, despite differing traditions.
He underscored the importance of peaceful coexistence and cooperation in the face of modern global challenges, calling on Christian leaders to promote reconciliation and support for others.
The GOAA thanked Premier Allan for recognising the role of Christian leaders in upholding the state’s core values.
