An event was held in Victoria’s Parliament on Wednesday to recognise the vibrant Greek-Australian community’s contribution to Victoria. Delayed by a year due to COVID-19, it brought together Greek-Australian community leaders from around the state who mingled and built connections between bites of keftedakia and baklava while sipping Riesling and other beverages.
Instead of being a celebration of the 200-year anniversary of Greek Independence as originally intended, it was just a celebration of being Greek.
Ros Spence, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Community Sport and Youth, said, “As many of you already know, my husband is Greek, and when you are married to someone who is Greek you are indeed married to Greece.”
She shared fond memories of the Acropolis of Athens and the islands.
“I think every island has its own story. It is a very beautiful place and I can’t wait to return to again experience the rich culture, history and architecture of a very beautiful place,” she said, before pointing to the rich contribution of the Greek community to Victoria.
Indeed, many in the room were stakeholders from within the rich Greek community, including Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sports, Major Events and Creative Industries, and Member of the South Eastern Metropolitan Region, Lee Tarlamis. Even more attendees came from local government, but there were also many high-profile pollies missing.
Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis spoke of the importance of these Greeks in high places, especially in regard to advocacy.
“Although synergies are important, it’s the programs and the funding from government that demonstrates goodwill and this is the message I pass on in conversations in Greece,” he said, before pointing to some examples:
The Greek programme’s closure at La Trobe was prevented thanks to lobbying by “Kat Theophanous MP who went to bat for us in funding scholarships at this university and that was part of winning the battle,” he said.
The state government-funded programs for the Greek language to be preserved after a wave of Greeks came to Australia post-2008 following the Greek financial crisis.
Infrastructure works at grammar schools, including Alphington, St John’s College and Oakleigh Grammar, is thanks to funding by the state government.
State funding for other projects such as the Antipodes Festival, the Parthenon Marbles frieze at the 14-storey Greek Centre, and the Centre itself.
Greek Consul General Emmanuel Kakavelakis said, “The dynamics of the Hellenic diaspora in Victoria is also expressed clearly in the success of foremost academics, scientists, entrepreneurs, journalists and artists of Greek descent.”
He pointed to the doctors and lawyers creating their own Greek Australian associations, the many schools and Greek Australian media outlets.
Ms Spence said that 160,000 migrants arrived from Greece to Australia after WW2, but we should not forget those who arrived even earlier, thirty years after Greek Independence when a wave of fortune hunters flocked to Australia following the 1851 Gold Rush.
“Records show that by 1871, as gold had begun to dry, an estimated 146 (Greeks) had already come to Australia, with many buying property and staying to work in restaurants and shops, taking root alongside the Chinese, German and Polish Communities,” she said, adding that today Australia has one of the largest Greek diasporas in the world with 44 per cent of Australia’s Greek community living in Melbourne.
Mr Papastergiadis said, “Many of us thought that this diaspora would shrink post the Fifties and Sixties migration boom. In fact, it hasn’t. The Greek Financial Crisis has ensured that there is a second migration wave post 2008 and is still continuing – despite COVID. It is my view that we have come out stronger and more united.”
Greek Consul General Emmanuel Kakavelakis said that throughout history, alliances between Greece and Australia have strengthened bonds.
“Anniversaries and historical landmarks play an important role in keeping alive the memories of common historical experiences such as Lemnos and Gallipoli commemorations or the Battle of Crete commemorations which take place every year in both countries,” Mr Kakavelakis said.
And if history wasn’t enough, there’s the potential of trade with the volume of trade in goods and services tripling between 2018 and 2019 from 400 million to $1.2 billion just before the pandemic. In 2019, Greek exports reported their highest performance at 188.5 million euros, marking an increase of 19 per cent. In 2021, Australian total investment in Greece reached $345 million while Greek investment in Australia was at $183 million that year.
Meanwhile in Victoria, Mr Kakavelakis groaned that he has no personal life with so many events held by 530 Greek clubs and associations, as well as 29 Greek Australian football teams (27 of these in Melbourne) and a plethora of Greek Australian activities.
Mr Papastergiadis pointed to the Census, which confirmed the importance of the Greek Australian contribution, with Greek being the third most spoken language after English in Victoria.
Speeches at Victoria’s Parliament were in English and Greek-speaking was kept to a minimum. As for the Greek soul, it was only there in a high level. The real Greek community in all its life, robustness and large numbers was busy elsewhere, probably preparing for the Antipodes festival on Lonsdale St this weekend no doubt – provided it doesn’t get washed because of the poor weather forecast.
Hours after Turkey test-fired a short-range ballistic missile, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said that differences with regional rival Greece can be solved through dialogue and negotiations.
Similarly, when Turkey received the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system in 2019 and performed a test firing on the Black Sea coast a few months later, no official announcement was made, save Turkish media which carried the news and relevant images.
Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, reiterated Greece’s “unwavering solidarity” with Ukraine during a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Wednesday afternoon.
During the meeting, Dendias also stressed that Greece “fully condemns any attempts at changing borders by revisionist forces.”
In response, President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Greece for its support and for supplying infantry fighting vehicles (IFC) to Ukraine to help the country during its war with Russia.
“It is important for us that Greece supports Ukraine in overcoming all challenges. And we feel that support,” President Zelenskyy said.
This meeting between Dendias and Zelenskyy came as earlier in the day, the Greek Foreign Minister met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.
l met with 🇺🇦 FM @DmytroKuleba to reaffirm Greece’s steadfast support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of #Ukraine as well as of all states, and reiterate that Greece will continue to stand by Ukraine and the Greek Community in 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/UgiXGtxlGy
Ι laid flowers at the Memory Wall of fallen defenders of #Ukraine In #Kyiv, along with #Ukraine counterpart @DmytroKuleba, paying tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for 🇺🇦 sovereignty and independence. pic.twitter.com/Ujn3FkSjnj
Dendias also confirmed on Twitter that he and Kulebo had to hide in a shelter as air raid sirens sounded in the city and that his Ukrainian counterpart repeated the motto of the Greek War of Independence ‘Freedom or Death’ as they sheltered.
Talks with @NikosDendias during another Russian missile attack on Kyiv. Grateful for his courageous visit and for Greece’s humanitarian, military, and other aid. The long-awaited transfer of Greece’s BMP-1 armored vehicles has begun today. We will always remember this support. pic.twitter.com/mLMfZVRG3l
The Canterbury District Soccer Football Association (CDSFA) of Sydney’s south and inner west hosted their annual volunteer recognition dinner on Friday at Waterview in Bicentennial Park.
In attendance were a number of dignitaries including the Federal Member for Reid, Sally Sitou MP; State Member for Strathfield, Jason Yat-Sen Li MP; State Member for Balmain, Jamie Parker MP; Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown, Khal Asfour; Mayor of Canada May, Angelo Tsirekas; Mayor of Burwood, John Faker; Mayor of Inner West Council, Darcy Byrne; Chairman of Football NSW, Gilbert Lorquet and former Socceroo Jim Patikas.
On the night, which was the first since 2019, eight volunteers of Greek heritage received a CeC Barlow Award in recognition of their outstanding service to promoting and developing football in the Canterbury Association over the past three seasons.
The winners are as follows: Dimitri Tsioukanis (Balmain DFC), Michael Makaritis (Burwood FC), Jerry Bitas (Canterbury Referees Association), Michael Stavrou (Concord JSC), Christina Kambounias and Chris Xenikas (Cooks River Titans) and Alexandra and Peter Georgopoulos (Strathfield FC).
In a Facebook post, Concord Junior SC congratulated Michael Stavrou, writing: “Michael has always taken on the jobs nobody wants to do, organising the kit each year, the pick-up and drop-offs to the Association.”
“His biggest legacy to the Club is his work on MBR [Stadium], the vision, years of lobbying for funds, permissions etc. 2022 is the year we truly got to see the value MBR has added for all our players.”
CeC Barlow Award winner, Michael Stavrou from Concord Junior Soccer Club. Peter Georgopoulos and Alexandra Georgopoulos of Strathfield FC with State Member for Strathfield, Jason Yat-Sen Li MP.
The Kytherian Association of Australia (KAA) took over the Ritz Cinema in Randwick, Sydney on Friday, October 14 for a private screening of Nick Giannopoulos’ new film, Wog Boys Forever.
With the Wog Chariot – a 1969 Valiant – Greek flags and Greek flag bunting flying proudly at the entrance of the cinema, the KAA’s name up in lights and bouzouki music blaring loudly in the Ritz bar, the scene was set for a fun night of unashamed Greekness.
Guests feasted on Greek grazing tables comprising of abundant amounts of spanakopita, dolmades, tiropites, olives, paximathia and tarama. There was even ipovrihio – the vanilia spoon sweet in water – which some haven’t had since their childhood.
After guests caught up with one another in the private bar and balcony reserved for the KAA, everyone collected their movie combo of popcorn or choc tops and made their way to the privately reserved cinema to watch Wog Boys Forever, the third instalment of Giannopoulos’ Wog Boys franchise.
Most guests had a Greek background and upbringing, and could relate to the humour of the movie and the cinema was often filled with loud laughter from the guests.
The event organiser, Toula Varipatis, told The Greek Herald after the event that everyone had a great night.
“All generations attended this event. For most of us, having seen Wog Boys and Kings of Mykonos, we couldn’t wait to see what Nick Giannopoulos had in store for us in his third instalment,” Ms Varipatis said.
“Others, who grew up with Acropolis Now and the Wog Boy movies, were introducing their children to it for the first time. This movie cemented all the generations. If the ipovrihio didn’t take us back to our Greek childhood, the funny moments in the movie certainly did.”
While hopeful that the Australian economy does not fall into a recession, Yellow Brick Road founder, Mark Bouris says its merits should not be overlooked if needed to protect living standards.
Appearing on Samantha Armytage’s podcast Something to Talk About,the Greek Australian entrepreneur said inflation needed to be brought under control as a matter of urgency to ensure Australians could afford repayments and still put food on the table.
Drawing a comparison to the US Federal Reserve’s “aggressive approach” of cutting interest rates, he said: “I don’t think our Reserve Bank is showing the same amount of tenacity towards chasing this reduction in inflation as much as the US is.”
“The Reserve Bank’s job is to look after the welfare of all Australians as well as the prosperity of all Australians.
“Recessions control inflation. The thinking around this is that you’ll never forget it. And from then on, you’ll have a certain caution around how you spend.”
Bouris’ statements bear a striking similarity to former Prime Minister Paul Keating’s “this is the recession that Australia had to have” in the early 1990s, a recession that Bouris said was effective in keeping inflation steady from 1995 to 2022.
The former host of The Apprentice Australia said frivolous spending was at an all-time high, which he attributed to internet shopping and credit card use.
“We’ve got to build this caution a little bit more than we have in the past because it’s too easy to spend today,” Bouris said.
He added that if inflation wasn’t controlled, young people and lower socio-economic demographics would be hit the hardest.
“Because they can’t afford to buy food and/or find a house to rent. And we have a rental inflation environment going on at the moment,” he said.
“Also, their lifestyle, their standard living gets affected, because they can’t find a house to rent which is near where they work, which means they’ve got a lot more travelling to do … it’s a nightmare for them.”
Delivering on its election commitment, the South Australian Government will invest an additional $4 million over four years to support our communities to keep their languages alive among younger generations.
A community language school is a non-profit making, after-hours language and culture school open to all students, irrespective of their linguistic background.
These schools are run by dedicated volunteers who ensure language, history and culture are shared with the children of our diverse community.
Community Language Schools SA is the peak member body that supports 98 fully accredited community language schools in South Australia teaching 48 community languages.
In consultation with Community Language Schools SA, Multicultural Affairs in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet funding incorporates service improvements and additional resource requirements.
Community Language Schools SA has determined it can achieve high impact results for new and existing community language schools in South Australia.
This is the first instalment of the government’s election commitment. This funding will focus on:
Governance and compliance training packages
Increase in Community Language School SA staffing
Deliver face-to-face school personnel training courses in the north of Adelaide
As a first step, Community Language Schools SA in conjunction with an industry provider, will develop and deliver a governance and compliance training package for community language schools.
The training package will include assistance for schools to develop a plan for their ongoing governance and to ensure compliance with the legislative requirements for running a community language school in our state.
The second priority activity will be to increase staffing at Community Language Schools SA to provide intensive case management and curriculum development services for new and existing community language schools for an initial 12 months.
The third priority activity will be for Community Language Schools SA to deliver some of its face-to-face school personnel training courses (teacher workshops and child safe workshops) in the north of Adelaide.
All training is currently provided at Hindmarsh and Goodwood. Relocating the training to the north of Adelaide will make it more accessible to a large proportion of community language school staff.
Additional investment is intended to support the growth and development of community language schools in our State and the State Government’s commitment to growing a bilingual community in South Australia.
“The SA government is committed to supporting our diverse community and more importantly its young leaders,” SA Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Zoe Bettison MP, said.
“Our goal is to continually support and promote cohesion within the diversity of South Australia’s multicultural society keeping in mind that our forever growing multicultural communities and our children are an integral part of our future as a society and as a State.”
Following several sold-out sessions since opening last Thursday, October 13, the 2022 Greek Film Festival has announced additional Sydney screenings.
“These encore screenings are an excellent last chance for Sydneysiders to catch some of the most talked-about titles at this year’s Festival,” Festival Chair, Nia Karteris said.
Audiences will be treated to additional screenings of the award-winning films Smyrna, Eftihia and Echoes of the Past.
About the films
Smyrna follows Filio Williams, an elderly Greek American woman who goes to the island of Lesvos to help the refugees.
Almost a century earlier, her family had lived on the island when they themselves were refugees, fleeing Smyrna after the destruction of the city.
Filio’s grandmother’s diary records the family’s turbulent history, shaped by tragic international developments. Filio is accompanied to Lesvos by her reluctant granddaughter, and different generations of women in the same family come together in space and time, as past and present become
Still from Smyrna.
Eftihia by award-winning Greek director Angelos Frantzis, is the biggest Greek film production of 2019. It is a film inspired by the life of Eftyhia Papagiannopoulou, a lyricist who created a massive volume of timeless popular songs, set to music by Tsitsanis, Kaldaras, Ηiotis, and Hadjidakis, among others.
She travelled from Smyrna to Greece, with only one little pillow clutched between her arms. On board the ship that took her away from her home forever, she decided she would never let life pass her by.
She vowed to live on her own terms. Her name means ‘Happiness’ but destiny made sure she knew very little of it.
Still from Eftihia.
Echoes of the Past is a fictional drama inspired by a true event: the massacre committed by invading German troops at Kalavryta, Greece, in December 1943.
When the Greek government launches a claim for war reparations, Caroline Martin, a high-flying lawyer, visits Kalavryta to investigate.
An unexpected encounter with the last survivor of the tragedy, Nikolaos Andreou, leads them both down a dark chapter of history. As the traumatic past comes to light, its painful echoes grow stronger than ever.
Still from Echoes of the Past.
The extra sessions at Palace Norton Street, Leichhardt are as follows: Thu 20th Oct, 6:30pm: Echoes of the Past Fri 28th Oct, 6:30pm: Eftihia Sat 29th Oct, 7:00pm and 7:15pm: Smyrna
Southeast Sydney man, Jake Linardos, has faced court, being accused of fraud after he cashed a betting slip worth $9787 that he found in August 2020, The Daily Telegraph has reported.
The 12-person jury in the Sydney District Court heard last month that Linardos found the slip on the floor at the Doncaster Hotel in Kensington, held onto it for a few days before claiming the winnings at another establishment.
The slip, unbeknownst to Linardos, belonged to former South Sydney Rabbitohs player, Beau Champion.
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs player, Beau Champion.
After realising he had lost the slip, the ex-NRL star took steps to find it. Linardos was then contacted by police who had identified him using CCTV and Covid check-in registers.
“About two weeks later police called me in and I told them exactly what happened,” Linardos said.
“I gamble a bit and I’d hate to lose that much money so I wanted to give it back.
“I wanted to give it to the police but they said it was a private matter and that I had to meet the owner on the street. I didn’t even know who the owner was and it could have been dangerous so I said no. So then after that they charged me.”
The Doncaster Hotel in Kensington, Sydney.
After only 34 minutes of deliberation, the Sydney jury found him not guilty of the offence of obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
His lawyers argued that there was no deception over the ownership of the betting slip because there was nothing on it that identified the owner.
Following the return of the non-guilty verdict, the prosecuting lawyers said they will try to make Linardos stand trial next February on a charge of larceny (theft of personal property).
Champion said the money has not been returned to him and Linardos said he is no longer in a position to return it.
“The money’s all gone now because I had to pay my lawyers,” Mr Linardos said.
“I was trying to do the right thing. I didn’t rob him or anything.
“I just found a ticket and was trying to do the right thing but then I got charged instead.”
