Australia is set to have a successful mango season this year, with between nine and 10 million trays predicted to be produced nationwide, ABC News has reported.
But according to Northern Territory Farmers, the industry is still dealing with COVID-related workforce shortages, with some growers unable to take full advantage of a successful mango season in the NT.
Other farmers, such as Leo Skliros from Berry Springs, are also dealing with damage to their mangoes due to rainy weather almost three weeks ago in the territory.
Two of every three mangoes picked at Leo’s farm are rain affected. As many as possible have been sold for juicing, but many will go to waste and piles of them sit underneath mango trees around the packing centre.
Mangoes.
“It’s perfectly good on the inside, but damn ugly to look at,” he toldABC News.
All up, between unpicked fruit, transport shortages and rain damage, Leo, who is also the president of the NT Mango Industry Association, said 40 percent of his crop will go to waste.
“People are down 60 to 40 percent of their workforce — it’s a real challenge,” he said.
Some industry experts in the NT have put these workplace shortages down to a stipulation in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, which only allows farmers to employ Pacific workers for a minimum of six months, when they are needed for much less.
A DFAT spokesperson told ABC News the government was working to increase the number of PALM scheme workers in Australia to around 35,000 by June 2023.
The last fighter from the 2/39 Evzone Regiment, George Gizas, has passed away at the age of 106 in his hometown of Nafpaktos, Greece.
The Evzone Regiment were one of the first ground contingents to fight for Greece against the Italians during World War II.
Έφυγε από κοντά μας και ο τελευταίος μαχητής του ηρωικού 2/39 Συντάγματος Ευζώνων, που πολέμησε το '40 για την ελευθερία μας. Ο θάνατος του Γεωργίου Γκίζα, στον απόηχο της εθνικής επετείου του «ΟΧΙ», μας συγκινεί πολύ. Θερμά συλλυπητήρια στους οικείους του.
“The death of George Gizas, in the wake of the national anniversary of OXI Day, moves us very much. My heartfelt condolences to his family,” Sakellaropoulou’s post read.
In 2021, Gizas was honoured with a medal by the Mayor of Nafpaktos, Vasilis Gizas.
The Mayor also acknowledged Gizas’ death on social media and said: “May his memory live forever!”
Greece has strongly protested a decision by Turkey to deny entry to and detain a Greek regional governor who arrived by boat in Izmir to preside over a regional body’s plenary session.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, governor of Central Macedonia and first vice president of the European Union’s Committee of the Regions, said Turkish authorities did not provide a reason for denying him entry on Saturday and keeping him in a room for over six hours.
“I cannot know what the Turks were thinking. But I can tell you that this act was an act of extreme provocation towards not only a Greek official but also a European official because I was there in my European capacity,” Mr Tzitzikostas said.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, governor of Central Macedonia and first vice president of the European Union’s Committee of the Regions.
“The Turkish authorities checked my identity, my passport and all my diplomatic European documents. They have absolutely no excuse…”
Greece’s Foreign Ministry also weighed in on the issue and said they “unequivocally condemn the unacceptable and totally unjustified detention and entry ban imposed on the governor of Central Macedonia by the Turkish authorities in Izmir.”
.@GreeceMFA statement regarding the unacceptable and unjustified detention and entry ban of the Governor of Central Macedonia Region, Apostolos Tzitzikostas by Turkish authorities
In the end, after protests by both Greece and the EU, Turkey lifted the entry ban, but Tzitzikostas decided to leave anyway and not attend the 13th plenary session of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly, a body over which he presides, on Monday and Tuesday.
Σας ευχαριστώ για τη συμπαράστασή σας. Μετά από ενέργειες της ΕΕ και της ελληνικής πλευράς, η τουρκική κυβέρνηση αποφάσισε να άρει την απαράδεκτη απαγόρευση εισόδου μου στην Τουρκία. Παρόλα αυτά εμμένω στην απόφασή μου να αναχωρήσω αμέσως από τη χώρα και να επιστρέψω στην Ελλάδα.
Crowds gathered in Perth, Western Australia today to witness Greece’s Presidential Guard march proudly down St Georges Terrace for the first time.
The contingent of twelve Evzones marched towards the Council House where they took part in a flag raising ceremony.
All photos copyright: The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
The flag raising ceremony took place in front of a number of officials and dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Perth, Basil Zempilas; the Consul of Greece in Perth, Georgia Karasiotou; and His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea; among many others.
The ceremony began with the singing of the National Anthems of Greece and Australia, before the flags were raised. Mr Zempilas and Ms Karasiotou also gave an address to the media.
“Today is a great indicator of how our two cultures and countries stand together so proudly, have marched together on many, many occasions and now are great friends,” Mr Zempilas said.
“Perth is the sister city with Kastellorizo and Rhodes in Greece and to see the Greek flag proudly flying alongside the Australian flag today is something very special for all of us here at Council House and at the City of Perth.”
The Consul General also said it was “a very proud day for all Greeks here in Australia.”
“Seeing the Evzones always give chills to any Greek around the world. It impresses anyone who sees them and it is a sight worth seeing for everybody,” Ms Karasiotou added.
After this flag raising ceremony, everybody moved inside Council House for a welcome reception held in honour of the Evzones and in the presence of Consuls from across the world.
Bishop Elpidios kicked off formal proceedings with a blessing and this was followed by speeches from Mr Zempilas, Ms Karasiotou and Vice Admiral Efthymios Mikros.
This flag raising ceremony and welcome reception is just one part of the Evzones’ inaugural visit to Perth.
On Sunday, they will take part in a wreath laying ceremony at the State War Memorial, Kings Park, which will also feature a change of guard and tribute to the Cenotaph at around 1.30pm.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
When the COVID pandemic stopped the world in its tracks in March of 2020, many people knew that there would be lasting effects for years to come.
With those effects well in play today, we know due to a recent independent review panel, that those most affected by the pandemic were the students of Western Sydney with months of ongoing school closures and loss of face-to-face learning.
Former chair of NSW Education Standards Authority Tom Alegounarias has said that most school systems were not equipped to deal with the kind of remediations that certain disadvantaged schools will need post pandemic.
“We cannot afford to ignore that the educational impacts will reverberate for years,” Alegounarias said.
“We normally consider equity assistance to be a marginal add-on. There is no OECD system set up to make up for this sort of impact.”
People interested in Greek history will have an opportunity to be fully immersed, as part of an event presented by La Trobe University Library, in partnership with the Society of Hellenic Studies and Research.
The Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora’s 25th anniversary event will enable visitors to walk through the Greek Archives and experience Greek history, culture and the wider Hellenic diaspora.
It will feature a unique collection of items from La Trobe University’s Archives, including photographs, costumes, records, newspapers and much more.
Visitors will witness our collections coming to life through traditional Greek dancing, costumes, food, live music and the official launch of the Greek Costumes Digital Exhibition.
La Trobe Acting University Librarian, Jay Glaisyer says the event will offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at La Trobe University’s Dardalis Archives.
“Archives enrich our understanding of human history and culture. We’re proud to open our doors and make our archives more accessible to the public” says Ms Glaisyer.
Date: Sunday 27 November, 12 pm – 5 pm
Location: The Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora
Corner of Ernest Jones Drive and Heritage Court, Macleod VIC 3085
Established in 1997 at the former National Centre for Hellenic Studies and Research, La Trobe University, the Dardalis Archives of Hellenic Diaspora (known as the Greek Archives) is a vast collection of materials related to Greek history and culture, Greek-Australian migration, and the wider Hellenic diaspora. The Greek Archives are of great value to the local Greek community, as they showcase its history and contribution to Australia.
Elena Carapetis is a South Australian writer who is one of six chosen creatives from across the nation for the 2022 SBS Emerging Writer’s Incubator.
This program is an initiative from SBS in partnership with Screen Australia and state and territory agencies including the SAFC along with the Australian Writer’s Guild.
As part of her selection process, Elena will be joining Highview Productions, supported by the SAFC.
Carapetis will follow in the footsteps of SA writer Ansuya Nathan who was selected for the inaugural Incubator program in 2021, in which she undertook a 12-month paid placement with SA’s Closer Productions, supported by the SAFC.
— Elena Carapetis Ελένα Καραπέτη (@ElenaCaraSays) October 28, 2022
The nationwide initiative is currently in its second year and supports the development of under-represented screenwriting talent in Australia.
Each year, six writers are chosen to join the teams of Australian production companies acclaimed for their delivery of Australian drama, for a 12 month paid placement where they will gain significant work experience and further develop their skills.
Writers are supported by the Australian Writers’ Guild with access to creative and training workshops.
The morning tea was attended by a number of official guests and dignitaries including the Consul of Greece in Perth, Georgia Karasiotou; His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea; and Vice Admiral Efthymios Mikros.
In his speech, Mr McGowan welcomed the Evzones to WA, spoke about the Greek community’s contribution to the state and stressed the “remarkable intertwined history” between Greece and Australia.
“This is quite an honour to have you in WA and as I understand, this is the first time Greece’s Presidential Guard has visited Western Australia. So thank you for making us a part of your itinerary,” the Premier said.
Next to the stage was Ms Karasiotou who spoke about the importance of the Evzones’ visit to WA to mark OXI Day and the “lasting bonds” between Greece and Australia.
Mr Mikros also spoke and conveyed the well wishes of Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, whilst Captain Karkatzoulis spoke briefly about the history behind the uniform of the Evzones.
After this morning tea, there will be a procession of the Evzones on St Georges Terrace, from the Consulate of Greece in Perth, followed by a flag-raising ceremony in front of the Council House this afternoon.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
Maddy Constantine’s poem ‘Yiayia’s Hands’ was recently selected to feature in an anthology that celebrates the work of Australians from under-represented backgrounds.
The Diversity in Food Media Australia’s new book, titled ‘New Voices on Food 2: Past, Present and Future’ showcases the multicultural experiences of young Australians through food stories.
“My poem aims to highlight the special connection second and third generation Greek Australians have with their grandparents, and how this is personified through food,” Maddy tells The Greek Herald.
“So much of our identity in the Greek community is understood through our connection to food.”
Maddy with yiayia Eftychia (Effie)
A third generation Australian of Greek heritage, Maddy has fond memories of her grandparents, Nicholas (Nick), Tryfon and Eftychia (Effie), who immigrated to Sydney from Greece in the 1940s and 1950s.
“My paternal grandfather, papou Nick was the first to migrate, he was only 14 years old at the time. He was from Repanidi in Limnos. My maternal grandfather, papou Tryfon, was next and he was from Manthirea, a small village near Tripoli in the Peloponnese,” she explains.
“My Yiayia Effie was last. She was from a beautiful coastal village on the Ionian coast called Loutsa near Preveza in Epirus. The poem is based on her life, but largely serves as a metaphor for the combined experiences of all my grandparents.”
Maddy’s paternal grandmother, Val, who passed away earlier this year was Australian.
“She was a wonderful cook, and was praised by the Greek community she married into for her ability to prepare traditional Greek dishes,” says Maddy.
“In preparation for her funeral -she was baptised Greek Orthodox after marrying my Papou Nick- my yiayia Effie and I got together to bake bread, as it’s Lemnian tradition to dip bread into wine for mourners to eat at the burial site.
“While baking bread for her funeral I was reminiscing about all the times I watched her in the kitchen, and at the same time it made me appreciate the fact that I still have time to watch my Yiayia Effie do the same,” she explains.
“The poem is based on my Yiayia Effie, but it was written in remembrance of my Grandma Val. I really wanted to capture how these women used their hands and food, to teach us so much about our own identities.”
And it was not only baking that Maddy recalls from her childhood.
“My best memories are the simple joys growing up in a Greek family afforded me. Loud family gatherings, delicious meals waiting for us after school at yiayia’s place, pilgrimages to the villages our grandparents grew up in, buying my first Greek CD, and so many more.
“What I remember growing up and learning from yiayia are things like coming home from school to see the whole dining table covered in handmade hilopites that she was drying out for dinner. Or sitting with my brothers in the living room while she tried her best to teach us Greek with textbooks like the Alphavitario -she would even slip us dollar coins to bribe us into paying attention,” she says.
“My most cherished memory is when she would take us every week to Earlwood on the bus to visit the library, then the Greek video store -she would only let us rent Disney movies in Greek.
“These little adventures didn’t mean much to me at the time but it’s the reason I have any Greek language skills at all today and I know how important it was for her to feel like she was teaching us things, especially since she didn’t have much of an education growing up.”
Yiayia Effie is 80 years old and Maddy says she was touched when she found out the poem was published.
“She surprised me by telling me she also writes poems from time to time, and went to find them to read them to me. They were truly beautiful and I had no idea she had this hidden talent!
“She never told us about the poems because she was embarrassed about her writing skills, given she only had a primary school education in Greece.”
“It means so much to me that I share a love of writing with my Yiayia.”
But apart from sharing food, Greek people also like sharing their culture.
“I can’t wait to read the other entries in the book,” Maddy says.
“Everything from Brazilian family cookbooks, how growing food in Zimbabwe has inspired a Melbourne farm-to-table restaurant, Indigenous cooking lessons to help kids in juvenile detention and connecting to your culinary heritage as a Korean-Australian adoptee.”
“My poem is just one of these stories, and it’s so great that this project allows writers from culturally diverse backgrounds to tell the food stories of their communities.
“I am super proud to be a voice for the Greek community in this project!”
Football NSW’s State Dinner was held on October 29 at the Liverpool Catholic Club in what was a fantastic celebration of community football.
It was a memorable evening for grassroots football identities across NSW in an event that was put on ice for two years due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Football NSW Directors and Life Members all came together to recognise and acknowledge the elite few who have provided consistent and invaluable service at the community level.
State Award winners are nominated by their Association in recognition of their tireless efforts and service to football in their local community.
State Awards formally recognise individuals who have provided consistent and valuable service at any level – Club, Association, Branch or State.
Peter Mallios (centre).
These contributions may include services such as: committee member, coach, manager, match official, canteen manager or grounds person.
Football St George nominated Peter Mallios for the 2022 Football NSW State Award. Peter and Sokratis (“Sok”) Mallios are the only two brothers from the same Association to have both been awarded the Football NSW State Award.
Peter is the current long serving President of Carlton Rovers Football Club, one of the St George Football Association Inc. Member Clubs. Peter has held this leadership position since 2007 and has overseen remarkable success at the Club, both on and off the field. He proudly received his Life Member status in 2020 on the back of his 25 years’ service to the Club.
On the night, referee Theo Dracopoulos also picked up the inaugural Future Leader Award, a new category added to the State Dinner presentations.
Theo Dracopoulos (right).
The Future Leader Award recognises an individual, aged between 16 and 25, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to football at any level of the game (club, association, branch, or state).
Theo lives in Bombala, NSW near the Snowy Mountains and travels an hour to coach young referees and train them.
