Search
Home Blog Page 1204

‘We are proud’: Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister meets with Canberra’s Greek diaspora

Andriana Simos
-
0
‘We are proud’: Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister meets with Canberra’s Greek diaspora

Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister, Nikos Hardalias, was welcomed to the Greek Embassy in Canberra, the ACT on Monday night with a special cocktail event.

The event was attended by about 100 people including a number of dignitaries such as the Ambassador of Greece in Australia, George Papacostas; the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; the Deputy Head of Mission at the Cyprus High Commission, Stavros Nikolaou; the Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP; the Federal Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou MP; His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis; the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra (GOCC), John Loukadellis; the President of the Cyprus Community of Canberra, Georgia Alexandrou; the President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra, Andrew Satsias; as well as many other representatives from community organisations.

All photos copyright: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

On the night, people mingled with the Deputy Defence Minister before he, along with the Ambassador and Mr Loukadellis, gave small speeches.

In his speech, Mr Loukadellis confirmed that 40 Greek flags will be flying around Canberra from Tuesday, October 25 until Friday, November 4. The Hellenic Club of Canberra, Old Parliament House, The National Carillon Bell Tower and The National Museum of Australia will also be lighting up in blue and white on Friday, October 28 to mark OXI Day.

These speeches were followed by a number of traditional Greek dances by the Canberra Hellenic Dancers. Mr Hardalias gave each performer a small coin from Greece as a token of his appreciation.

At the conclusion of these official proceedings, The Greek Herald sat down with Mr Hardalias for an interview and the Deputy Defence Minister spoke openly about the current tensions between Greece and Turkey, as well as his interactions with the Greek diaspora in Australia and his upcoming visit to Adelaide in South Australia.

Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister (centre) with The Greek Herald Publisher, Dimitra Skalkos (left), and Digital Editor Andriana Simos (right).

On the Turkey-Greece issue, Mr Hardalias remained firm in his stance that Greece is calling for peace and dialogue, but they will not negotiate on what they believe to be their rights in the east Mediterranean.

Next, when asked about the bilateral relations between Greece and Australia, Mr Hardalias described the bond shared by both countries thanks to the ANZAC legacy and spoke about the Lemnos Remembrance Trail.

The President of the GOCC, John Loukadellis, was given an award by Mr Hardalias.

“We believe that by March next year, studies on the Lemnos Trail will be complete. The trail will become a reference point to remember the presence of Australians in the region,” Mr Hardalias said.

The Deputy Defence Minister next discussed his upcoming trip to Adelaide where he confirmed that he would be holding meetings with the SA Premier, Peter Malinauskas, and SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Tom Koutsantonis MP.

The interview concluded with Mr Hardalias sending a message to the Greek diaspora of Australia and thanking them for their hospitality during his visit.

“You should all be proud… as we are proud of the way you embrace Greece no matter how far away you are,” the Greek Deputy Minister concluded with a smile.

*All photos by The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

Greek PM and US Secretary of State discuss latest developments in Ukraine and the East Med

The Greek Herald
-
0
Greek PM and US Secretary of State discuss latest developments in Ukraine and the East Med

Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, discussed the latest developments in Ukraine and the Eastern Mediterranean during a phone call on Monday.

According to Mitsotakis on Twitter, the two leaders had a “constructive call” about their “close coordination as NATO Allies to help Ukraine defend against Russia,” as well as about the East Med.

For his part, Secretary Blinken said on Twitter that he “expressed the United States’ appreciation for Greece’s steadfast support of Ukraine.”

“We discussed the importance of promoting regional stability,” the US Secretary of State added. “The United States views Greece as a key NATO Ally and partner.”

This telephone call comes as tensions between Greece and Turkey have heated up in recent months, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hinting a military action.

Turkey also recently summoned the Greek ambassador and protested to Washington after accusing Greece of deploying United States armoured vehicles on two Aegean islands near the Turkish coast.

At the time, Athens rejected Ankara’s objections as “completely unfounded and incompatible with international law.”

Source: Ekathimerini.

Rishi Sunak to become the UK’s first Prime Minister of Indian heritage

The Greek Herald
-
0
Rishi Sunak to become the UK’s first Prime Minister of Indian heritage

Rishi Sunak will become the United Kingdom’s third prime minister in three months, and the first of Indian heritage, after winning the Conservative Party’s leadership.

The only other MP to declare their candidacy was Penny Mordaunt, who conceded to Mr Sunak shortly before the number of nominations for each candidate was due to be announced.

Mr Sunak will replace Liz Truss, who was forced to announce her resignation just 45 days into her leadership, after her disastrous mini-budget spooked financial markets and caused division within her own party.

At the time of her resignation, Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, expressed his hope that the “political instability afflicting the United Kingdom for a while now finally comes to an end.”

Speaking to MPs privately after his victory today, Mr Sunak shared a similar sentiment and said the Conservative Party must “unite or die” following the unprecedented upheavals in UK politics over the last three months.

Rishi Sunak (centre) poses for a photo with members of the 1922 Committee. Photo: PA VIA AP.

Later in a televised speech, the former chancellor of the exchequer pledged to govern the country with integrity.

“It is the greatest privilege of my life to be able to serve the party I love and give back to the country I owe so much to,” Mr Sunak said.

“We face a profound economic challenge. We now need stability and unity and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together.”

Mr Sunak will meet with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday morning where he will be appointed Prime Minister and asked to form government.

The Tories have now delivered the UK three female Prime Ministers and the country’s first non-Anglo leader, as well as its first and only Jewish leader in Benjamin Disraeli.

‘A way to express our creativity’: Greek Student Short Film Festival returns to Sydney

Andriana Simos
-
0
‘A way to express our creativity’: Greek Student Short Film Festival returns to Sydney

From films about climate change and Indigenous Australians to travel and the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, the Greek Student Short Film Festival returned to Sydney with a bang after two years.

The student festival was organised as part of the 2022 Greek Film Festival this year and was proudly presented by Bendigo Bank, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) and the Greek Festival of Sydney.

Held at Leichhardt’s Palace Norton Street Cinema on Sunday, October 23 from 12.30pm, the festival was attended by a number of young Greek students, their proud parents, grandparents and teachers, as well as various distinguished guests.

Prize winners from St Spyridon. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

These distinguished guests included the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; Press Councillor at the Consulate of Greece in Sydney, Konstantinos Yiannakodimos; the Chair of the Greek Festival of Sydney, Nia Karteris; the President of GOCNSW, Harry Danalis; the Secretary of GOCNSW, Michael Tsilimos; NSW Education Community Languages Schools Program Coordinator, Lyndall Franks; and the President of the NSW Federation of Community Languages, Lucia Jones; among many others.

Officials at the event.

Everyone in attendance enjoyed watching various films from Greek students and schools across Australia. The films centred around the main theme of ‘Returning to our life’ in all forms, whether that was returning to one’s Greek roots, their family or home.

This year’s signature item, which needed to be included in each film, was a spinning top toy and each entry creatively wove it into their productions.

At the end of the screenings, emcee Artemis Theodoris invited Mr Danalis and the Consul General to the stage for short speeches, before the winners of the student festival were announced.

The ‘First Prize for Primary School’ category was won by the GOCNSW Clemton Park Public School Saturday School with their entry ‘Back to normality.’ They were guided by their teacher, Vicki Tomaras.

The ‘First Prize for Secondary’ category was won by the St Spyridon Greek Afternoon and Saturday School with their entry ‘The time machine.’ Their teacher was Helen Pavlidis.

Prize winners from GOCNSW Clemton Park Public School Saturday School.

Following these announcements, Certificates of Participation were handed out to students from St Spyridon College, the GOCNSW Clemton Park Public School Saturday School and High School, and Theodore Boulos for his independent film entry.

The Greek Herald spoke to Year 10 St Spyridon student, Savvas Aspropotamitis, after the award ceremony and he said he was “honoured” to have won in the ‘Secondary’ category with his school’s film about the Ancient Greek gods reacting to modern society.

“We saw it as a good thing to do and as a way to express our creativity as a class. It feels incredible to have won,” Savvas said.

More students who received ‘Certificates of Participation.’

Savvas’ teacher, Ms Pavlidis, added that she was “really impressed” with her students and the hard work they put in to finalise their film festival entry.

“I just think it’s those extra things you do at Greek school that will remain memorable and I find that these memories will live with us for a long time,” Ms Pavlidis added.

School teachers.

We also had a chance to speak with Ms Tomaras, the school teacher of the winning film in the ‘Primary School’ category, and she said she was happy with how the festival went and thanked the students and teachers for their support.

“It’s been a very successful event and next year I’d like to see more students participating and more teachers on board,” Ms Tomaras said with an encouraging smile.

*All photos by The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

The heartbeat of Hellenism: Antipodes Festival returns to Melbourne with a bang

Chris Spyrou
-
0
The heartbeat of Hellenism: Antipodes Festival returns to Melbourne with a bang

If one were lost over the weekend in Melbourne’s CBD, there were ample Hellenes and Philhellenes adorned in blue and white that could lead the way. 

They were moving as a single body, making their way past road closures and the occasional cyclist to enter a space that could only be described as home.

It was a crowded space filled with the aroma of lamb and sheftalies on the karvouna, loukomades drizzled in honey or Nutella, and coffee emanating from the frappedes, whether sketo, metrio or glyko.

These were the trademark sights and smells of the Antipodes Festival that took place on Lonsdale Street in Melbourne over the weekend – the largest celebration of Greek culture outside Greece. 

Alongside the rides and 80 pop-up market stalls, the Festival’s two-day program, organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), featured face-painting, competitions, giveaways, traditional shadow puppet shows, and a series of traditional music and dance performances. 

Headlining day one of the event was Greek superstar, Nikos Vertis, who entertained the crowd with his greatest hits during a 90-minute performance. 

On the Saturday, a number of officials also gave speeches, including the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews; the leader of the Victorian opposition, Matthew Guy; Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles; Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister, Nikolaos Chardalias; the Mayor of Kalamata, Athanasios Vasilopoulos; Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, Nicholas Reece; and Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis. 

Opening his speech with a boisterous “yiasas!”, the Victorian Premier was met with loud applause and a reciprocating “yiasas.” 

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews.

“It is great to be here in one of the great, Greek cities of the world,” Premier Andrews said, placing the Victorian capital city alongside Athens and Thessaloniki. 

“We of course gather here to celebrate all that the Greeks have given us in Melbourne, in Victoria, in Australia and across the world.”

Shifting from English to Greek, he then proceeded to list all the things the world has to thank Greeks for including democracy, education, architecture, medicine, and the more local favourites: Oakleigh, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne and Victoria. 

State Government pledges $800,000 to continuing the Antipodes Festival:

Following this, the Victorian Premier announced that if re-elected his government would commit $800,00 over the next four years to support the Antipodes Festival “so it can be bigger and better than it has ever been.” 

This promise was followed by Opposition Leader, Matthew Guy, who said: “Tonight Melbourne is Greek and this festival has been a wonderful part of our city’s multicultural foundation.” 

“Whatever happens at the end of the year at the election, this committee who runs this wonderful event will receive $800,000 to keep it going,” Mr Guy added.

Victorian opposition leader, Matthew Guy.

Melbourne: A city ‘built and enlivened by Greek migration’:

For his part, the Federal Immigration and Multicultural Minister congratulated the committee and the volunteers who worked tirelessly to host and run the Festival. 

Mr Giles then passed on the well wishes of Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and described Melbourne as “a city that’s been in large part built and enlivened by Greek migration.” 

“An event like today, which is about a celebration of culture, is also a sharing of Greek culture with the wider community which is so important,” Mr Giles said. 

It was a sentiment shared by Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister, Nikolaos Chardalias, who said: “I am deeply moved to be here in Melbourne today, where the heart of the motherland beats so hard.” 

“The city is filled with people who love Greece. We are grateful for that love in Greece, because you are the ambassadors who ignite the Greek flame wherever you are and often under difficult circumstances,” the Greek Minister said.

Victorian Premier renews calls for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece:

During the formalities, the Victorian Premier also unveiled the completed Frieze of the Parthenon Marbles on the GCM’s Greek Centre. 

Mr Andrews, whose government funded the monument, demanded the return of the Parthenon Marbles. 

“I again call upon the United Kingdom government for the immediate return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece,” he said. 

The frieze’s Greek creators, Kostandinos Vousis and Panagiotis Vasilakis from The Art of Marble and Stone, told The Greek Herald about the initiative of the GCM, the Victorian Government and the Greek Ministry of Culture. 

“It is a huge work for all Australia,” Mr Vasilakis said.

“Australian culture is richer because of it and the Greek community has been pivotal in its creation.”

The emblematic work took one and a half years to complete, and under difficult circumstances due to COVID-19. 

The frieze’s Greek creators, Kostandinos Vousis and Panagiotis Vasilakis.

Also speaking with The Greek Herald about the frieze was the President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis, who said: “The replicas of the Parthenon Marbles that adorn our 15-storey cultural centre are a direct link with our cultural heritage.” 

“The frieze is a strong symbol of the Hellenic culture in Melbourne. We thank the State Government, the Greek Ministry of Culture and the kind donations and support by the Tsalikidis family, the Koukouvitakis and Karamitos families, as well as Merkon Constructions. Importantly we thank the Greek sculptors,” Mr Papastergiadis said.

President of GCM Bill Bill Papastergiadis seated next to Victoria’s Premier, Daniel Andrews and Federal Immigration Minister, Andrew Giles.

In his official speech, the Mayor of Kalamata, Athanasios Vasilopoulos said: “A few minutes ago, the Parthenon frieze was unveiled at the Greek Centre.”

“Two pieces are missing because they are not at the Acropolis Museum, and they need to return there, but it is worth mentioning that the sculptors are from Kalamata,” the Mayor added.

“I can’t describe in words what I have felt the last few days. In Melbourne I saw a Greece outside of Greece but more vibrant, more creative and more humane.”

Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister meets with Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee

Argyro Vourdoumpa
-
0
Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister meets with Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee

After attending the Antipodes Festival in Melbourne this weekend, Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister, Nikos Hardalias flew to Canberra and on Monday morning met with Australia’s Assistant Defence Minister, Matt Thistlewaite, as well as members of the Joint Standing committee for Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade.

Over a working lunch organised by Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas, the Greek Minister briefed the committee on matters relating to Greece’s Military and Defence, the geopolitics of the Aegean and the East Mediterranean as well as matters relating to Ukraine and NATO.

The two parties also discussed ways to further strengthen their collaboration and explored the possibility of Military exchanges between the two nations.

L to R: Steve Georganas, Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nikos Hardalias, Maria Vamvakinou

At the meeting also were Chair of the Committee Shayne Neumann, Solomon MP Luke Gosling, federal member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou, Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Peter Khalil MP, Nationals MP Michael McCormack and Senators David Fawcett and Deb O’Neill.  

According to The Greek Herald’s sources there is also a proposed meeting tomorrow with Deputy prime minister of Australia and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles.

Speaking to The Greek Herald Mr Georganas said “it was an honour to arrange the working lunch”.

“This was a valuable opportunity to exchange views and ideas and for our committee to be briefed on Greece’s current role in NATO and the EU,” he said.

“We also discussed the current political and economic environment in Greece and Australia and how we can assist and work together.”

In September, the Federal Member for Adelaide, tabled a notice of motion calling on the Australian Government to support the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. 

George Karagounis plays legends match, teaches youngsters soccer drills in Sydney

The Greek Herald
-
0
George Karagounis plays legends match, teaches youngsters soccer drills in Sydney

By Takis Triadafillou.

Euro 2004 legend, George Karagounis, taught soccer skills to young children before partaking in the ‘Karagounis Legends Game’ at Leichhardt’s Lambert Park on Sunday, 23 October.

The gates of the Sydney park opened at 2pm, with the Football Brilliance Academy under Nick Mouzourakis and Karagounis conducting a training session for children. The session was attended by over 1,000 people.

This was followed by the charity match kick-offs at 5pm with Academy teams playing against each other and the winners receiving a trophy.

Next was the ‘Karagounis Legends Game’ where Karagounis’ 11 players played against a mixed team of ex-football stars and current professional footballers.

The game impressed spectators watching on the day and ended with a score of 4-3 in favour of Karagounis’ team.

Some notable players from both teams include Chris Hatzianestis, Panny Nikas, Bill Zanitas, George Economou, Peter Katholos, Nick Mouzourakis, John Theo, Haris Gaitatzis, George Mastrogiannis, Michael Tsigalis, Aris Triantafyllou, Mario Phillipou, Ilias Tritsaris, Nikos Mitrou, Chandou Laki, Terry Patalis, Cardozo and Henry Paschalidis, among many others.

At the end of the match, sports fan both young and old mingled with Karagounis and took photographs, while he signed jerseys.

A Bloody Great Night Out raises funds for blood cancer research at Sydney hospital

The Greek Herald
-
0
A Bloody Great Night Out raises funds for blood cancer research at Sydney hospital

On October 21, the Foundation for A Bloody Great Cause and The Bloody Great Committee hosted over 560 guests, dressed in sparkling, evening wear and wearing a splash of red for A Bloody Great Night Out! at Le Montage in Lilyfield in Sydney’s inner west.

Due to COVID-19, the 2021 dinner had to be postponed, so everyone was ready to have a fabulous night of dancing, entertainment and raise much needed funds for blood cancer trials and research at Concord Haematology Clinical Research Unit.

“We sincerely thank all the local community, businesses and patients and their families and all the medical staff that came along and generously supported our fundraising efforts. This wonderful result gives hope to our patients with blood cancer,” Professor Judith Trotman, Head of Department Haematology at Concord Repatriation General Hospital, said.

MC Christian Bracci (centre)- with Mr John Sidoti MP, & Mayor Angeko Tsirekas.

Dr Nicole Wong Doo, Director of the Clinical Research Unit, added: “We are thrilled that our target to raise $160,000 to fund two additional clinical research nurses, was smashed. Our amazing, generous supporters raised over $180,000! Now more patients with life-threatening blood cancers can participate in our clinical trials. Being able to fund two more nurses will allow us to access millions of dollars’ worth of innovative medicines, long before they are publicly funded.”

“For many patients, participating in a clinical trial is their only hope for a cure and a better quality of life. I sincerely thank every member of The Bloody Great Committee for their tireless voluntary efforts organising this event and supporting our important work and our patients,” Dr Doo said.

Professor Judith Trotman & Marie Piccin Foundation Chair with Donors from Way – in Network and Eve Chen.

Since 2005, over 1000 patients with blood cancer have participated in clinical trials at Concord Hospital, but there are always many more patients with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma who need help.

“It is our reputation for quality and independence that has made us an international research leader and ensures we truly deliver world-class care, locally. We are so encouraged by the community’s support as this ensures our financial viability and guarantee our independence,” a very grateful Professor Judith Trotman said.

Masters of ceremonies Christian Bracci and Lara Meli.

Many of the trial patients attended the night and were involved in the fundraising activities and many shared their stories.

Masters of ceremonies, Christian Bracci and Lara Meli, both volunteers on the Bloody Great Committee, kept the audience motivated with their commanding style.

Mary Nassibian Dancers.

Entertainment was provided by Violin by Mel, acoustic guitar by Haematology registrar Dr Patrick Tunney, Ophir the Magician, a special performance by the Mary Nassibian Dancers and live music by the fabulous Party Latte. A beautiful tribute to Mary Nassibian, highlighting her contribution as a founding member of the fundraising committee, ended the night’s entertainment.

It was a wonderful night of friendship, celebrating partnerships between medical teams, patients, community members and volunteers. David Osborn a patient who has been on a clinical trial said “not only do these doctors, nurses, and their teams save your life but they become part of your family – I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me”

The local community can still help us raise funds by making a tax deductible donation at
www.abloodygreatcause.com.au/make-a-donation/

Launching of Kalamata Place paves the way for possibility of Darebin Square in the Peloponnese

The Greek Herald
-
0
Launching of Kalamata Place paves the way for possibility of Darebin Square in the Peloponnese

By Mary Sinanidis

The naming of Kalamata Place at Darebin was initially the idea of former minister John Pandazopoulos, however touchdown was scored when Cr Emily Dimitriadis revived the idea in Darebin Council after it had gone cold. She pointed to a “group effort” and told The Greek Herald that Saturday’s official launching of Kalamata Place in Thornbury would not have been possible had it not had the backing of prominent Greek Australians, including former minister Jenny Mikakos, who spent many a night planning with Cr Dimitriadis. 

After years in the making, Kalamata Place was cause for celebration. It wasn’t an easy venture and required a lot of campaigning and collaboration. Ange Kenos told The Greek Herald of his experience when he tried to change the name of Heffernan Lane to a Greek placename at the time when he was executive director of HACCI. He wrote letters, talked to people, got the backing of Melbourne City Councillors but it fell through due to a lack of collaboration. “One businessman in particular said that ‘if it helps my opposition, who are also Greek, then I don’t want it’,” Mr Kenos said. 

“Hats off to all those who worked together for Kalamata Place.” 

The official launch brought together not only prominent Greek Australians but a large Greek delegation, including Kalamata’s Mayor Athanasios Vasilopoulos, Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Hardalias, and a bevy of army officials and photographers. Australian officials also came to support the move, including Ged Kearney MP, Federal Member for Cooper, Sheena Watt MP, Lee Tarlamis MP and Kat Theophanous MP who also reiterated the state government’s $20,000 funding for the Papaflessas Brotherhood, and of course Darebin’s Mayor Lina Messina. 

They all admired the symbolic mural whose creation Jenny had suggested at the 63rd Annual Dinner Dance of the Papaflessas Brotherhood to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Kalamata. 

Papaflessas Brotherhood’s President Steve Gotsis had to stop a few times to wipe away tears during his heartfelt speech. “For our community, the naming of this laneway represents the struggles our parents endured. And in this unfamiliar country, but with a strong family and worth ethic they managed to blend and assimilate in Australia and the Australian way of life,” he said.

Syd Grant’s son, Robert and the newspaper article talks about his dad, a digger, in Kalamata. Photo: The Greek Herald/Mary Sinanidis

“Kalamata Place will be a reminder to everyone and our children that from the Fifties, our forefathers contributed to the evolution of Australia. But the naming is also another connection between this area and Greece. It was from the many streets and lanes from these surrounding suburbs that many young Australian men and women answered the call in the dark days of the 2nd World War, the war that would take many of them to Greece in April and May 1941.”

Syd Grant, was one of those men, and his son Robert was present to celebrate the naming of Kalamata Place. His father was a private in the 2/8th Battalion who travelled from Victoria’s western district to take part in the defence of Greece. He was one of the diggers who suffered numerous air attacks as they moved south from the Aliakmon River to Kalamata to await embarkation to Crete. 

Robert said his father named his farm Kalamata, and he would travel to Thornbury to buy Kalamata olives to remind him of Kalamata and its people.

What’s next? 

Now that Kalamata Place has been launched, The Greek Herald’s initiative for the City of Kalamata to reciprocate with a Darebin placename has already been met with enthusiasm. At the cocktail party following the launch, The Greek Herald brought together Darebin Mayor and Kalamata’s Mayor to discuss the idea.

“I love the idea,” Mayor Messina said. “How can we make it happen?” 

Dancing Kalamatiano after the ribbon cutting, Cr Emily Dimitriadis leads the way
Jenny Mikakos, Darebin Mayor Lina Messina and Kalamata Mayor Athanasios Vasilopoulos discuss The Greek Herald’s initiative for Darebin place name

Kalamata’s Mayor was all too happy to make suggestions. “The Papaflessas Brotherhood would need to submit a written request giving reasons as to why we should have a Darebin Square in Kalamata. Point to the Australian links in Kalamata, the ANZACs who fought there, the migration, the fact that there is a Kalamata Place in Darebin,” Mayor Vasilopoulos said. “And we will consider it.” 

Ms Mikakos listened carefully nearby, not saying much but soaking it in while pondering her recent trip to Greece and visiting the Australian War Memorial in Kalamata. And soon Papaflessas Brotherhood’s President Steve Gotsis was drawn into the conversation just as it gained momentum. “Maybe Greek Australian MPs could hop on board,” said another bystander.

Should the idea gain traction it would be a huge honour that Kalamata could bestow on heroes like Syd who defended Greece, the many migrants who left Kalamata and made the city of Darebin their home and, in this way, Kalamata Place would not just be a happy ending following lots of campaigning but the start of more to come. 

*All photos by The Greek Herald/Mary Sinanidis

READ MORE: Papaflessas dinner dance celebrates Greek name for Aussie laneway

Kathy Kostoglou: The Victorian cooking pastitsio for flood victims

The Greek Herald
-
0
Kathy Kostoglou: The Victorian cooking pastitsio for flood victims

Residents of the northern Victorian town of Echuca are currently experiencing a flood crisis, with the Murray River reaching its highest level in more than 100 years.

Despite the issuing of evacuation orders, many residents have stayed behind to protect their homes and each other.

Locals keep watch on the water level. Photo: David Caird

Amongst those supporting the community is Kathy Kostoglou who runs a local pharmacy and is keeping a vital supply of medications available for residents.

Kathy, who has lived in the area for 23 years, told ABC News that she considered herself lucky that her home had avoided serious flood damage, noting that some of her neighbours had not been as fortunate.

“They’ve all been fully affected, water is in their houses, they’ve evacuated to Melbourne because they’re so disturbed and they know it’s not over yet,” Kathy said.

“I don’t think we’re out of the worst of it yet and the anticipation is knocking us around.”

Emergency accommodation has been set up in Swan Hill for displaced Gannawarra Shire residents. Photo: ABC News /Francesco Salvo

In her spare time, Kathy has been making dozens of meals for her neighbours who have been affected by the floods, whipping up trays of pastitsio.

“Food is scarce at the minute here and we’ve obviously not got a lot of things open,” she said.

“I’m already thinking ‘how are we going to help people in Rochester, how are we going to help people in Echuca?’

“We have the best community, I’m so honoured to live here. I am so privileged to be a part of Echuca-Moama. What I’m witnessing from our town pulling together is that a lot of hands make life easy.”

READ MORE: Thousands ordered to evacuate as more flooding expected for Victoria, NSW and Tasmania

SOURCE: ABC News


1...1,2031,2041,205...1,981Page 1,204 of 1,981

Stay connected:

Other

© 2024 The Greek Herald. All rights reserved.