Writer and cultural advocate, Esther Anatolitis has been appointed to the council of the National Gallery of Australia by Federal Arts Minister, Tony Burke.
Anatolitis is the former executive director of the National Association for the Visual Arts and has served on a multitude of boards, led art policy projects and contributed to the creation of new precincts, like Melbourne’s Collingwood Yards.
Anatolitis’ appointment comes as the National Gallery’s Council celebrates forty years of governance. Taking to Twitter this morning, she said she was “greatly honoured” by the appointment.
So greatly honoured to be joining the @NatGalleryAus Governing Council as we celebrate 40 years today – here’s to the next 40!
I’m also particularly proud of this image caption – my parents will be so chuffed when I post the printed copy to Greece (they’re very much not online). https://t.co/wkFmij3eHkpic.twitter.com/l9PKtqR4od
Speaking with The Australian Financial Review, Anatolitis said: “We just had the pandemic, which for most people was the most significant cultural disruption of our time, and we’ve seen just how little support and attention and focus artists were given.”
“When we had health experts saying that we needed to think creatively in order to get out of the crisis, that we couldn’t do the things we’ve done before,” she said.
“This is precisely the time when Australia and the world needs our most creative and critical voices.”
The creative industry veteran said she looks forward to working in her new role and being a part of the post-pandemic recovery efforts that national cultural institutions are currently undertaking.
Further funding is available for festivals and events that celebrate the rich cultural spirit of our State through the NSW Government’s Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants Program.
Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said local groups and community organisations can now apply for a share of $500,000 through the program.
“Community festivals and events are integral to the success of NSW and provide a meaningful way to share in our state’s cultural diversity,” Mr Coure said.
“These celebrations bring the colour and vibrancy of cultures across the world to our local communities.”
“Most importantly, they serve to break down barriers between people by fostering mutual respect and understanding.”
The program has previously funded vibrant events such as Little India Harris Park BusinessAssociation’s 2022 Deepawali Festival in Parramatta, the Australian Korean Association’s Korean Festival in Strathfield and Buddha’s Light International Association’s Moon Festival in Willoughby.
Mr Coure said this funding is in addition to the more than $1 million the NSW Government has already invested in cultural events and festivals this year.
“If you are an organiser of a community festival or event anywhere in NSW, now is your chance to apply for funding to support community harmony.”
The Stronger Together Festival and Events Grants provide between $5,000 and $15,000 towards the running of celebrations held between 1 February 2023 and 30 June 2023.
The grants program is now open. Applications close at 3pm, Friday 28 October, with outcomes announced in early December.
Football South Australia’s annual awards night took place at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday night.
It saw over 950 members of the South Australian football family gather to celebrate the achievements of the 2022 season.
In attendance was Football Australia’s Chairman, Chris Nikou; South Australian Minister for Recreation Sport and Racing, Katrine Hildyard MP; CEO of the Office for Recreation Sport and Racing, Kylie Taylor and CEO of Sport SA, Leah Cassidy.
Amongst those recognised and awarded on the night were eight people of Greek heritage.
For the Men’s National Premier League awards, Adelaide Olympic’s Jason Konstandopoulos was one of ten finalists in the running for player of the year, whilst Adelaide City’s, Paul Pezos, won coach of the year.
In the Women’s National Premier League Awards was Adelaide Comet’s forward, Chrissy Panagaris who was part of the women’s national premiere league team of the year and a finalist for player of the year.
Winning the State League Two player of the year and Golden Boot was Pontian Eagles’ Anthony Dimas, whilst Northern Wolves’ Tanya Dimitropoulos won the women’s division 4 north player of the year.
In the under-18s and reserve award categories were a further three players of Greek heritage, with West Adelaide’s Alex Giannacopoulos winning State League One U18 player of the year, Adelaide Comets’ Ryan Diamantis winning National Premier League U18 player of the year and Adelaide Comets’ Lukas Ikonomopoulos winning National Premier League Reserve player of the year.
The Victorian Association of Argos Orestikon and District (Orestias) has generously donated $50,000 to Fronditha Care.
The significant contribution was made under the auspices of a recent Fronditha Care fundraising campaign which raised over $82,000 for the design and construction of a community garden for the enjoyment of elderly participating in Fronditha Care Social Support Groups.
The garden will be built alongside the Fronditha Care Community Centre, where elders gather throughout the week to connect and socialise as part of Fronditha Care’s Social Support Groups.
This very special garden will be co-designed and built with the participation of elders and the members of the Argos Orestikon and District (Orestias) Association. The garden will have raised beds so elders can join in planting, tending the garden and growing fruits and vegetables. There will also be an outside paved area providing much-needed outdoor space for activities.
Jim Megas, Secretary, speaking on behalf of Association, talked enthusiastically about the reasons why the Association donated the funds to Fronditha Care paying tribute to the great work of the organisation.
“My friends and I have been participating in the Social Support Groups in Mulgrave for some time now, and I have witnessed the staff’s dedication and devotion, and enjoyed the excellent environment of the Community Centre that hosts us every week. When we learnt about Fronditha Care’s plans for a community garden, we were very excited about the chance to contribute,” Mr Megas said.
Leonidas Ouzounis, President of Argos Orestikon, spoke about the history of the Argos Orestikon and District (Orestias) Association and the ability to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to Fronditha Care.
The donation will go towards the Fronditha Care community garden.
Faye Spiteri (Tsolakis) OAM, CEO Fronditha Care, and Penny Hobson Athanasopoulos, Executive General Manager of Community Services, were presented with the $50,000 cheque when they were recently hosted by members of the Argos Orestikon and District Committee.
On behalf of Fronditha Care Mrs Spiteri (Tsolakis) expressed her sincere gratitude for the thoughtfulness of the Association.
“Fronditha Care is grateful to receive such a generous donation from the Victorian Association of Argos Orestikon and District. These funds will go a long way to making the project a reality and the community garden will undoubtedly bring much joy to our elderly. The Board, my team and I, are looking forward to sharing updates on the progress of the garden as it takes shape,” Mrs Spiteri (Tsolakis) said.
“We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to all the other donors who contributed funds towards this project and afforded the opportunity for Fronditha Care to co-design a really unique garden for our elders and community members to enjoy.”
Fronditha Care is a not-for-profit charitable provider of residential and community services in Victoria and NSW, serving the community since 1977. Its more than 730 care staff deliver a culturally centred model of care to over 1,500 seniors every week.
The Hellenic Association of Egypt and the Middle East (EEAMA), in partnership with Fronditha Care and PRONIA, proudly present an information session and panel discussion on Greek Australians and dementia, where experts will provide an overview and the latest data about dementia.
Dementia affects thousands of Greek community members and has a ripple effect on their families and social circle.
It is the second leading cause of death for Australians and the leading cause of death for women in the county. It is estimated that by 2058, 1.1 million people will be affected by the debilitating condition.
This joint initiative aims to provide awareness and information relevant to the Greek Australian community.
Speaking at the event will be Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos, psychiatrist Dr Arthur Kokkinias, clinical neuropsychologist Matthew Staios, and barrister Paul Kounnas.
The event will take place on Sunday, 16th October, from 2pm – 4pm at the Stars International Hall in Preston (1C Bell St). Entrance is free, and light refreshments will be offered.
Reservations essential. Arrival from 1.30pm.
To reserve your place, contact either Fronditha Care or PRONIA by Thursday, 13 October 2022.
Fronditha Care: (03) 9552 4100 or via email: panagiota.kotsakinou@fronditha.org PRONIA: (03)9388 9998 or by email: info@pronia.com.au
Greek Police have named and released a photograph of the 53-year-old shopkeeper they arrested in the Athens district of Kolonos whom they allege repeatedly raped and pimped out a 12-year-old girl.
The man, identified as Ilias Michos, born on December 30, 1969, in Agrinio, is also being charged with human trafficking and illegally possessing weapons.
Michos allegedly raped the girl several times between April and August this year.
Ilias Michos. Photo: Greek Police
He is also being accused of recording the assaults and uploading them to the internet using a fake profile to attract clients to pay him to have sex with the girl.
While it is unknown how many men actually sexually assaulted the girl, there were 213 who expressed their interest.
It has been reported by Balkan Insight that Michos runs a retail business in Athens, where the 12-year-old and her mother worked in his store as employees.
Police have also released the identity of another man, 43-year-old Ioannis Sofianidis.
Sofianidis, born on January 2, 1980, in Nikea, Piraeus is believed to be one of the men whom Michos arranged to sexually abuse the girl.
Ioannis Sofianidis. Photo: Greek Police
Speaking with Greek TV Broadcaster ANT1, government spokesperson Yiannis Economou said yesterday: “This man and the others who lined up to abuse this 12-year-old child are criminals who have committed horrific and loathsome acts.”
Referring to Michos specifically, Economou said he could face a life sentence before saying: “He is a rapist, on whom the full severity of justice should be visited.”
“We must learn all the rest of the names. No tolerance for criminals, no tolerance for child molesters, no tolerance for all those that do such horrible things.”
Greek government spokesperson, Yiannis Economou.
Michos’ wife, an elected councillor with the Athina Psila faction on the Athens city council, was expelled from her post on Tuesday, Ekathimerini reported.
Municipal sources said that in the circumstances, it was impossible for her to continue to perform her duties.
The grandmother of the 12-year-old victim has accused Michos’ wife of offering her family 10,000 euros in an attempt to cover up the case.
A man in his 30s was shot dead by police outside The Greek Club in South Brisbane on Tuesday after he allegedly lunged at them with a metal pole,The Courier Mail has reported.
The fatal shooting occurred just after 3 pm when police were called to the Edmondstone Street property because an “intoxicated” man, matching the description and clothing of a male involved in an earlier disturbance at a business on Fish Lane, was acting “irrationally.”
Police allege that whilst stationery in a marked van, the man attempted to open the rear doors of the vehicle and rushed at an officer while armed with a metal rod.
“A taser was deployed however it was ineffective and police fired their weapons,” Queensland police said in a statement.
“Immediate first aid and CPR was provided however the man died at the scene.”
Police and ambulances on the scene of the fatal police shooting. Photo: ABC News /Marton Dobras
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said the man was “attempting to pull his pants down”.
“The man was armed with a 30-centimetre metal rod with a handle attached,” he added.
“The officers attempted to subdue him using a taser. That was ineffective.”
He said the Caucasian man in his 30s was shot three times by the two officers.
The incident is under investigation by the Ethical Standards Command and is also subject to oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission, Queensland police said.
The Hellenic coast guard said on Tuesday that the body of a woman was located near the wreck site and that another six people are believed to be missing.
The overcrowded yacht had left Turkey last Monday, October 3 and was headed through Greek waters for Italy when it veered off course.
Migrants, most of them from Afghanistan, gather at an old school used as a temporary shelter on the island of Kythera, southern Greece, Thursday, October 6, 2022.AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis.
At the time of the sinking, residents and emergency services rushed to help, using ropes and improvised slings to rescue 80 refugees, 13 of whom were taken to Kythera’s hospital.
Despite strong winds initially hampering the search, two women and six men were found dead in the incident last week.
Amongst those still missing is an Egyptian man suspected of having captained the vessel.
One survivor, a Syrian man, has been charged with belonging to the migrant-smuggling ring that arranged the passage, for which migrants paid 9,000-10,000 euros each, AP Newsreported.
Athens has blamed the tragedy on Ankara’s unwillingness to implement the agreements it has signed with the European Union to prevent migrant boats from reaching European shores.
“As long as Turkey does not apply the laws, as long as it backs traffickers, as long as it does not honour the agreements it has signed, we will unfortunately also be faced with such tragedies,” government spokesperson Giannis Oikonomou told journalists at a regular briefing last Thursday.
The South Australian government has launched its ‘New State of Mind’ campaign which shines a light on the remarkable people who call the state home.
Amongst the global leaders in engineering, emerging big-screen stars and football players is Greek Australian disability advocate, Christina Vithoulkas.
The Insta-Famous paraplegic drift car racer is breaking down the stigma of spinal injury, using her social media to normalise disability.
Vithoulkas, who was injured in a 2018 dirt bike accident, said she wasn’t scared of her injury, but rather knew that her life was going to change completely.
Speaking with The Advertiser, she detailed how whilst in the hospital she had an “epiphany”.
“Everyone in the room had been conditioned to think that if you are paralyzed, your life isn’t as valuable as it was before,” she said.
“So I made the decision on that day that I was going to make this the best thing that happened to me.”
It was a major mindset reshift that she also credits to the unwavering support of her family.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family,” she said.
“Even when there’s stuff that I’m willing to accept I can’t do .. my sister will make sure I can do it, even if she has to carry me. She will do anything in her power to get me to do stuff that she can do.”
As to her advice for those in a similar situation or going through hardship she said: “there is always a way, even when you think you can’t.”
“You realise over time there’s not actually much you can’t do, it’s just the way you look at it and you just go about it a different way.
After an extraordinary encounter with a man walking in southern Queensland holding a Greek flag and an ANZAC Remembrance Flag, author Deborah Wheeler knew she had to stop and find out more.
The subsequent conversation changed Deborah’s life and led to her new book ‘Silk Clouds and Olive Trees: Stories from the Battle of Crete.’
In an interview with The Greek Herald, Deborah talks about this book and how it was the gateway to a friendship with the late Battle of Crete veteran, Alf Carpenter.
1. Tell us about ‘Silk Clouds and Olive Trees: Stories from the Battle of Crete.’
One day while driving to a nearby town in southern Queensland, I saw a man walking along the side of the road carrying a Greek flag and an ANZAC Remembrance flag. I knew I had to stop and speak to him. So in essence, this book was born from a road side conversation.
Andreas Lionakis was doing a walk from Brisbane to Wallangarra and back, some 520 kilometres. This walk was done in memory of his father, Tim Lionakis, who had fought alongside the Allies against the German invasion of Crete. I had never heard of the Battle of Crete and as I listened, I was fascinated and acknowledged I need to learn more.
2. What is your connection to the Battle of Crete and in particular, the late Alf Carpenter?
During Andreas’ walk, many people stopped to talk with him and some were able to tell him stories of their relatives who had fought in the battle. I knew some of the people who spoke with Andreas and so I contacted them. After hearing their stories, I knew I had to record these stories before they were lost.
Alf’s name came up during my early research as he had a connection with another soldier I was writing about. I rang Alf and told him my story. Needless to say, Alf was more than happy to speak and share his story with me. In total, the book records the stories of twelve Australian and New Zealand soldiers.
When I was compiling the final chapter of the book, where I record the names of all the ANZACS who are buried in the Suda Bay Cemetery, I received a shock. It was not until this moment that I realised my father’s cousin was one of the men buried on Crete. Private Albert Edgar Geale, NX13466, 2/2nd Infantry Battalion was killed by the Luftwaffe on June 1, 1941 after the Allies had surrendered to the German forces.
Being the only Second World War veteran still alive with connections to my book, Alf was able to verify many things I had written about. So much so that he wrote the Foreword for the book. It was such a humbling experience to have such a knowledgeable and generous man work so closely with me. We spent hours on the phone talking not only about the war but about many aspects of Alf’s long and eventful life. He was a real character and someone I came to admire and love as anyone who knew him can attest to.
3. Why do you think it’s so important to record the history of the battle?
Alf was one of only a handful of veterans still living who experienced the battle firsthand. It is essential we capture this knowledge as it puts a different perspective on war history. The facts and figures recorded in military files is very valuable but firsthand stories from the men involved, those who were on the front lines, is priceless. This is where we learn about the on-the-ground incidents, the feelings they experienced and the lifelong friendships forged in some indescribable conditions on the battlefields.
Film director, Jeff Hughes, was at the launch of my book in Brisbane and he helped organise a Zoom link so Alf was able to be a part of the event. Afterwards Jeff approached me and asked if we could look at doing a documentary on Alf’s life. Once I explained this to Alf, he was happy to be a part of our joint venture.
You realise just how important it is to record the memories and history of the Battle of Crete when we lose our few remaining veterans. Fortunately, we now have Alf’s story recorded in ‘Silk Clouds & Olive Trees: Stories from the Battle of Crete’ and also in his film ‘Second Generation ANZAC: The story of Alf Carpenter.’
As many at Alf’s funeral on September 15 commented, he will never be forgotten and when we have the opportunity of hear him talk whenever we watch his film. Alf loved the Greek people and this love was returned by the Greek people. We may have lost Alf but his story will go on for all time.
4. Is there anything else you want to say?
I encourage all veterans to take the time to tell their stories, name their photos in whatever format this may take. It is too late for us to learn and understand what you experienced and who you shared these experiences with when your time with us comes to an end. History is important but never more so than when it gives us the opportunity to keep someone’s story alive for all time. Your story is important, please share it while you can.
