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Olympia Anastasopoulou: Greek National Tourism Office will open in Melbourne

The Greek Herald
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Olympia Anastasopoulou: Greek National Tourism Office will open in Melbourne

By Ilias Karagiannis.

A recent and ongoing demand of the Greek community in Australia will be met in the near future.

Greece’s General Secretary of Tourism Policy and Development, Olympia Anastasopoulou, has confirmed in an exclusive interview to The Greek Herald that a Greek National Tourism Office (EOT) will open in Melbourne, Victoria.

Working tirelessly, quietly but effectively, Ms Anastasopoulou proved to be the driving force behind this initiative and led numerous negotiations around the EOT.

“From the first moment I took over as General Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and having learned to be competitive, militant and unintimidated by difficulties and obstacles, I made a personal bet: the reopening of the EOT in Australia. After a personal and unremitting effort, I wish to announce that it has already been decided to re-establish and reopen the EOT,” Ms Anastasopoulou told The Greek Herald.

“With the help of the Prime Minister’s office, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and myself, all the necessary legislative actions have already been launched, so that EOT has a presence again in Australia in the near future.

“Australia is a market that has a strong expatriate character and is a top priority for our country.

“With the advent of the New Year, all the details will be clarified by the Ministry of Tourism, which is responsible for the establishment of EOT in Australia. With the historic initiative for the community, we expect a tightening of relations between the two countries and of course, a further increase in tourist flows from Australian visitors.”

The Ministry of Tourism has contributed to the existence of direct flights from several countries around the world to stimulate arrivals and facilitate the visitor’s experience. We asked Ms Anastasopoulou if there is an intention by the Ministry to do something similar with Australia.

“Australia is a market that has a strong expatriate character and is a top priority for Greece. The planning actions of our ministry have included the planning of meetings with airlines that can coordinate air links between Greece and Australia,” Ms Anastasopoulou says.

“In the context of these meetings, the possibility of expanding direct air links between Greece and Australia throughout the year, as well as the creation of air links with new destinations in Greece, will be explored.”

Visiting Australia and connecting with the Greek community:

Recently, Ms Anastasopoulou travelled to Canada where she had constructive meetings with the Greek community there. As she reveals to The Greek Herald, a trip to Australia is also imminent.

“The planning actions of the Ministry of Tourism includes a trip to Australia, with which, as I mentioned above, we are connected by inseparable ties and is an immediate priority for the government and our country,” she says.

“During the meetings that will take place there, special emphasis will be placed on the actions that the Greek government can take to attract Australian visitors to our country. In the context of the meetings, the first priority is the Greek community and the development potential and investment opportunities of the tourism sector in your country.

“I particularly express my satisfaction with the increase in tourist flows in our country this year and I do not hide from you that the Greek government will make every effort to attract even more visitors to Greece throughout the year in every corner of our beautiful homeland. We will always stand by the Greek diaspora in Australia, as we know that the Greek diaspora stands by us.”

During her tenure at the Ministry of Tourism, Ms Anastasopoulou has met with the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis, the former Victorian Minister of Health, Jenny Mikakos and recently with the President of the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Northern Territory (HACCI NT), Angela Tomazos.

Ms Anastasopoulou with Bill Papastergiadis.

The Greek Herald asked her about this last meeting and the integration of the Greek community in Australia into the tourism policy of Greece.

“Relations between Greece and Australia are characterised by cordiality, which is based on historical and expatriate ties. The successful route, for decades, of the expatriate element, contributed to the formation, maintenance and further strengthening of Australia’s relations with Greece,” she explains.

“Our expats in Australia are now an integral part of Australian society. Melbourne and Thessaloniki have been Twin Cities since 1984. Australia and Greece are connected by strong historical ties as a result of the joint struggles of the two peoples during the First and Second World Wars, and especially during the Battle of Crete.

“During World War I, Lemnos was the base and the place of care for some 50,000 Australian soldiers and nurses who fought in the Gallipoli campaign. During the Battle of Crete in May 1941, Australian soldiers fought alongside Greeks, New Zealanders and the British against the Nazi invasion. For the anniversary of the Battle of Crete, commemorations take place annually in various cities of Australia, as well as in Greece.

“Also… the level of our bilateral relations [with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia] is reflected in the frequent exchanges of high-level visits.

“As a result of the strong ties between Greece and Australia, a meeting was held with Mrs Tomazos from HACCI NT. At this meeting, our ministry presented the results of the broader quantitative survey on the profile of visitors to our country through the VisitGreece application, as well as the results of a qualitative survey on the travel preferences of Greek expatriates in Australia. The purpose of the research is to record the travel profile of members of the Greek Australian diaspora. The ways to enhance tourist flows by offering alternative tourism products, beyond “sun and sea” tourism, were particularly highlighted.

“It is known that the Greek diaspora is distinguished by deep religious faith and great interest in making visits to places and monuments of religious interest (e.g. Meteora). As a result, important opportunities are opening up for the promotion of religious tourism.

“Also, Greek gastronomy is one of the key strengths that Greek tourism offers and is highly regarded among Australian visitors. In addition, Greece is an extremely safe country not only to travel, but also to stay or work, but of course to invest.”

Message to Australia’s Greek community:

This year was an wonderful year for Greek tourism. We asked Ms Anastasopoulou if she is happy with this year’s performance.

“The country’s brand name has been upgraded worldwide, our image has changed for the better and this has resulted in a strong tourist flow, which creates significant prospects for the development of the Greek economy through tourism.

“The prospects for Greek tourism this year are auspicious, with the first data showing that the season can reach, and possibly surpass, in numbers the “golden” year of 2019. We managed in a year of multiple crises to support -through tourism- professionals in the sector, the primary sector, trade and construction.

“Having said that, funds will be available at the end of the season, however we hope that the revenues from inbound tourism this year will exceed those of 2019. Obviously it is still early for forecasts regarding 2023 and we are happy with the success that seems to be prescribed for the Greek tourism market, however we do not rest.

“We work systematically both for the upgrading of infrastructure and legislative reform, as well as for the digitisation of the tourism product and for the upgrading of tourism education in Greece (upskilling and reskilling).

“The main objectives of the national tourism policy we have set are the extension of the tourist season, the improvement of the competitiveness, quality, authenticity, durability and sustainability of the tourist product and at the same time the strengthening of tourism investments with a low environmental footprint.”

In view of her upcoming visit to Australia, we asked Ms Anastasopoulou to send a message to the Greek community.

“The Greek diaspora in Australia is the solid foundation, the bridge for the development and strengthening of ties, not only of friendship, but of mutual understanding between Greece and Australia,” she says.

“A significant number of Greek expatriates maintain strong emotional ties with Greece, especially with their particular place of origin. Their willingness to visit Greece frequently, as well as the tendency to invest in the renovation of their homes, makes the Greek Australian community a loyal and stable force that always helps Greece in difficult times.

“At the same time, the established presence of the Greek Australian community within Australian society, as well as its intense business activity, is a carrier of transmission and promotion of the Greek brand. A typical example is the established presence of the Greek diaspora and the satisfactory penetration of Greek products in the Australian market, which opens up new opportunities to promote gastronomic tourism, but also wine tourism in our country.

“This is a win-win situation for all of us.

“The opening of an EOT office in Melbourne, launched by the Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is undoubtedly a positive development both for Greece and for the Hellenism of the diaspora in general.

“This is a move with special symbolism as most of you are in the second largest city of Australia (over 300,000), while the establishment of the EOT office has been your constant request for eight years.

“We listen to you and carefully plan together our common course for the wellbeing of all of us. It is more than obvious that when we try something together, when it is a team effort, the result is always much better.”

Constable Randall Kirk to be released from hospital after Queensland police shooting

The Greek Herald
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Constable Randall Kirk to be released from hospital after Queensland police shooting

Australian police officer Constable Randall Kirk is expected to be released from a Queensland hospital soon following surgery.

The 28-year-old was injured during a horrific shooting that killed two other young police officers in Queensland.

“I’m feeling fine, just a little sore,” he said. “My main thoughts are with the other police families at this awful time.”

The young police officer is currently expecting his second child with his wife Breanna next month.

Scene of the crime. Photo: Harry Clarke/Country Caller.

“My wife and I have a young family and would appreciate privacy as we come to terms with this,” Randall said.

He and his fellow colleague Constable Keely Brough were caught up in an ambush by brothers Nathaniel Train and Gareth Train, and Gareth’s partner Stacey at a property in Wiembilla on Monday.

29-year-old Constable Rachel McCrow and 26-year-old Constable Matthew Arnold were both shot dead at the scene.

Source: ABC News.

OEEGA NSW raise $30,000 for the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney

The Greek Herald
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OEEGA NSW raise $30,000 for the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney

The New South Wales branch of the Organisation of Hellene and Hellene-Cypriot Women of Australia (OEEGA NSW) has raised $30,000 for the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) in Sydney.

The organisation raised the funds through their annual Radio Marathon held in November in collaboration with Sydney’s 2MM Radio station.

At a small presentation ceremony today, the OEEGA NSW Committee presented representatives from the CCI with the $30,000 cheque.

Present at the event was President of OEEGA NSW, Irene Anesti; Senior Scientist at Brain Tumour Group, CCI, Dr Maria Tsoli; CCI Relationship Manager, Nadya Landey; and a representative from 2MM Radio Station; among others.

Ms Anesti spoke and thanked everyone for their support, with a special thanks to 2MM radio station for helping to promote the fundraising radio marathon.

Dr Tsoli later told The Greek Herald that the donation will support three children enrolled in a personalised medicine clinical trial called ‘Zero Childhood Cancer.’

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald.

Nick Kyrgios confirms French Open 2023 return after six years

The Greek Herald
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Nick Kyrgios confirms French Open 2023 return after six years

Tennis star, Nick Kyrgios, has confirmed he will return to play in the 2023 French Open after a six year absence.

Kyrgios has been a long time critic of the French Open, also known as Roland Garros, and once described it as the “worst” grand slam event. 

The athlete admitted the decision had nothing to do tennis and that he would prefer to stay home, but would be playing at the French Open because his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi wants to visit Paris, France. 

“Yes, I’m playing the French Open, my girlfriend wants to see Paris, so why not?” Kyrgios told The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH). “It will be good for me to earn some more money, although I would have preferred to stay at home.”

Kyrgios has previously said he doesn’t enjoy playing on clay-court tournaments, preferring to focus his strength on the grass court seasons.

The tennis player has never progressed beyond the third round at the French Open but is still confident he can get great results on clay.

“I’ve played well on clay, I’ve beaten [Roger] Federer, [Stan] Wawrinka, I’ve played a final on clay [at Estoril in 2015],” Kyrgios told The SMH.

Photo: Tennis World

“But usually at that time of year, I like spending time at home. Because if I don’t, then I’m traveling for eight months a year, it’s too much.” 

Kyrgios and his girlfriend Hatzi have been together for a year.

“I’ll easily take time with my family and my girlfriend and enjoy experiences around the world and earn that type of money rather than play a week away in something where I wouldn’t be able to be with my girlfriend and I’m not getting paid that well,” he concluded.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald.

READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios: Australian public’s lack of ‘respect’ behind Davis Cup snub.

Food for Thought Network for Greek Australian women and friends holds Annual General Meeting

The Greek Herald
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Food for Thought Network for Greek Australian women and friends holds Annual General Meeting

On Sunday, December 11, Food for Thought Network (FFTN), an inclusive Greek Australian Women’s Network, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) online with a global audience.

Patron of the FFTN, Vasso Apostolopoulos, said she has been impressed by the quality of work that Food For Thought Network has been doing for the last 21 years.

“I met the founder Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou when she was starting this not-for-profit network and back then, when she told me about the network, I thought… what is she on about?” Apostolopoulos said in a press release.

“21 years later I now know that Varvara knew better than all of us and had the foresight and resilience to grow this Network for the benefit of all of us women.”

The mission of FFTN is to promote awareness about barriers and enablers to women’s development inspiring positive change in individuals and the community in general, providing opportunities for connecting, different generations, professions and cultures. 

During COVID-19, The Network was elevated to new heights with Varvara’s creation of the learning platform ‘Greek Australian Women and Friends Around the World Forum,’ which acted as a platform for connection, information and empowerment and drew a global audience.  

Most of the current committee of volunteers, Maria Makris, Dr Maria Karidakis, Maria Maikousis, Georgia Pernitzis, Irena Lelou and Helena Kidd, connected deeply during this time participating in the 42 zoom sessions.

The team has been working well together for the last two years, organising events and working on a long-term project of collecting the stories of our older women our unsung heroines age 80+.

Six events were organised during 2022 taking into consideration the centenary anniversary of the 2022 Asia Minor Disaster, the pandemic and climate change. These are three very important issues that have affected and continue to affect women more and are in line with the Network’s mission.

Furthermore, the publication of Varvara’s book ‘Her Voice: Greek Women and Their Friends’ profiles 30 professional Greek women and 12 of their non-Greek friends living and working in Australia, sharing their inspirational personal and professional stories through their own words. 

42 role models overcoming everything from racism, sexism, ageism, bullying, harassment and excelling in all aspects of life has elevated the status of this Network globally. 

On Sunday at the AGM, the Network was delighted to see the way the team works together, demonstrating exemplary leadership. The Network welcomed two new members, Kelly Tsagournos and Dr Tina Kamma-Loger.

The highlight of the night was the amazing presentation of guest speaker, Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, to discuss the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. While Dr Itsiopoulos’ work is on the healthy eating pillar, she also noted that there are another five pillars to good health, and they should be looked at as well.

To find more about Food For Thought Network and become a member please check the website and follow us on social media.

Apostolos Christou sets Pan-Hellenic record at Melbourne swimming championship

The Greek Herald
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Apostolos Christou sets Pan-Hellenic record at Melbourne swimming championship

By Bill Roumeliotis.

Greek swimmer, Apostolos Christou, has made it into the world final for 100m backstroke in the 16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2022 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Tuesday.

The championships began on Tuesday in Melbourne, Victoria where Christou swam in the 100 metre backstroke race and qualified for the final.

“I am doubly happy. Firstly, because I qualified for the final and secondly because I set a new Pan-Hellenic record,” Christou told The Greek Herald immediately after his race.

Christou.

Christou holds the Pan-Hellenic record in the World Final of the 100 metre backstroke with a time of 49.66.

“I’m excited, but I’m not stopping here. I will give my best in the final for something even better,” he said.

Christou will compete in the 100 metre backstroke at 8.30pm tonight. It will be aired live on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Greek Australian students among top in NSW for 2022 HSC results

Andriana Simos
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Greek Australian students among top in NSW for 2022 HSC results

The Higher School Certificate (HSC) first in course awards for Year 12 students in New South Wales have been revealed and among the top students are at least three Greek Australians.

Anargyros Efthymiou Kallos from the Secondary College of Language, Ashfield Boys Campus came first in the state for Modern Greek Continuers and Modern Greek Extension.

Anargyros told The Greek Herald he wanted to thank his family, current teacher Maria Lomis, and classmates for their support during his HSC, and encouraged all Greek Australian students to learn Greek.

“Speaking Greek at home, thanks to the persistence and initiative of my father, made me fall in love with the language and the culture,” Anargyros said.

“As part of being an active member of the diaspora, we all assume a responsibility to preserve our sense of Greekness or Hellenism, whether that be through language, culture, history etc. Engaging with the Greek language has been a most cherished experience, and I hope to further enrich my knowledge going into the future.”

Anargyros Efthymiou Kallos. Photo: The Greek Herald.

For Modern Greek Beginners, Anna-Maria Parissis from the NSW School of Languages came first in course.

Toby Maroulis from the Northern Sydney Institute – Meadowbank College came first in NSW for his Electrotechnology Examination.

For Classical Greek Continuers and Classical Greek Extension this year, Thomas Henderson from Sydney Grammar School topped the state.

These students were part of 126 of the state’s highest-achieving students recognised by the NSW Education Standards Authority in a ceremony on Wednesday.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet addressed the top students from 2022. Photo: Janie Barrett.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet spoke at the ceremony and said it was an amazing achievement to top a HSC subject.

“I hope you’re very proud of your hard-won success,” Perrottet said in a video message. “It is inspiring to see your resilience and perseverance to be awarded the top result you’ve worked so hard for.”

Of the 135 awards given out, public schools took out 54 first-in-course places, which included 36 top prizes for students studying at language schools.

Thirteen awards went to students from fully selective schools, 15 were from Catholic schools and 59 were from private schools.

About 65,000 students will receive their much-anticipated HSC results by SMS, email and online from 9am on Thursday, December 15.

*Please Note: The above students are those The Greek Herald could identify by their Greek name. If you believe you should be on this list, please send an email to info@foreignlanguage.com.au.

NSW Government injects a further $1.4 million into community-led projects

The Greek Herald
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NSW Government injects a further $1.4 million into community-led projects

More than 65 organisations have received funding from the NSW Government to facilitate projects and initiatives to drive greater unity and harmony in diverse communities. 

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said each of the 69 groups had received a share of $1.4 million in funding through the NSW Government’s Stronger Together Projects grants program. 

“Due to an overwhelming amount of interest and more organisations wanting to run programs in their communities, we increased the original funding allocation of $400,000 to $1.4 million,” Mr Coure said. 

“This benefits more organisations and, of course, the communities they run the programs in.

“The increase in funding was only made possible thanks to the NSW Government’s strong economic management.” 

Since 2021, more than $2 million has been allocated through the Projects Grants program, which has been shared by 100 organisations to run initiatives in their local communities. 

“The NSW Government recognises the important role organisations play in their respective communities,” Mr Coure said. 

“These organisations understand their communities better than anyone, and that is why we empower them to deliver this work by investing in their projects.”

The grants support 12-month projects and range in value from $20,000 to $40,000. Each of the successful organisations will use the funding to facilitate their programs and initiatives in 2023. 

For more information about the Stronger Together Projects grants program, visit multicultural.nsw.gov.au/grants. 

Unrest in Greece as thousands protest after death of Roma boy shot by police

The Greek Herald
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Unrest in Greece as thousands protest after death of Roma boy shot by police

In the Greek streets of Athens and Thessaloniki, thousands of protestors have marched in a bid to call for justice after a 16-year-old Roma boy was shot by a police officer.

The boy, who has not been officially named, reportedly drove from the service station without paying for 20 euros of petrol.

He was taken to hospital after the shooting on December 5 and underwent emergency surgery. The young teen remained in intensive care but died eight days later. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday.

“Today… despite the enormous efforts of staff in the intensive care unit, the patient died,” The Guardian reported a statement made by Thessaloniki’s Ippokratio hospital.

Despite repeated calls from his relatives and community leaders for protests to remain peaceful, violence has broken out in Athens and Thessaloniki. Greek media reported protestors blocking roads and setting tyres on fire on Tuesday.

Protesters march during a protest rally following the death of a teenager, in northern city of Thessaloniki, on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. Photo: AP Photo/Dimitris Tosidis.

Thessaloniki police said about 50 people from a university campus threw several molotov cocktails during riot at a police unit stationed nearby.

It was estimated 2,500 people were demonstrating in Thessaolinki where the teenager lived and died, calling out the discrimination the Roma community faces in Greece.

“It wasn’t the gas, it wasn’t the money, the cops shot because he was Roma,” the protestors in Thessaloniki chanted.

The police officer accused of firing the shot has been under house arrest since Friday on a felony count of attempted manslaughter with possible intent and a misdemeanour count of illegally firing his weapon.

Source: The Guardian, Ekathimerini

EU corruption scandal: Eva Kaili denies involvement after 1.5 million euros in cash seized

The Greek Herald
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EU corruption scandal: Eva Kaili denies involvement after 1.5 million euros in cash seized

Greek MEP Eva Kaili has denied involvement in an alleged bribery scandal involving World Cup host Qatar at the European Parliament, in.gr has reported.

“Her position is that she is innocent. She has nothing to do with financing from Qatar, nothing, explicitly and unequivocally,” her lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, told Greek TV on Tuesday.

Police in Belgium seized more than 1.5 million euros in cash in the Brussels homes of MEP Kaili and former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri.

As reported by Belgian daily Le Soir, federal police found around 600,000 euros in Panzeri’s home. The remainder was found in Kaili’s home, which she shared with her life partner Francesco Giorgi, as well as in the possession of her father, Alexandros Kailis.

Picture of the cash seized. Photo: Le Soir.

“Part of the money you showed in the photos belonged to Ms Kaili,” Mr Dimitrakopoulos said.

“But she was not alone. Her partner was also there and he will give explanations about how the money was found there.”

This comes as the Plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday decided to terminate the term of office of Kaili as vice-president and strip her of her duties. The vote was passed with 625 in favour, one vote against and two abstentions.

“In view of the ongoing investigations, the European Parliament has decided that Eva Kaili is no longer one of its Vice-Presidents,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said on Tuesday on Twitter.

“This decision is effective immediately. We will continue to fully cooperate with relevant national law enforcement and judicial authorities.”

Four people imprisoned in this case, including Kaili, will appear before a preliminary investigating magistrate to testify on Wednesday. A decision will then be taken on whether to detain them pending trial.

Source: Ekathimerini and in.gr.

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