Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented the new MyStreet app at Maximos Mansion, describing it as a digital tool that allows citizens to monitor and report illegal use of public spaces.
“Just as it happened with MyCoast, which brought order to our beaches, I am sure that MyStreet will also bring order to our streets and squares,” Mitsotakis said.
He emphasised that the app’s success depends on municipal cooperation and integration of local data, noting that mayors would benefit politically by supporting citizen access to public spaces.
Mitsotakis added that MyStreet enables citizens, municipal employees, and municipal police officers to check in real time whether public spaces are being used legally and report any violations.
The Ministry of Culture is repurposing the building at 18–20 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street and redeveloping the adjacent plot at 20 Vyronos Street to enhance services for visitors to the Acropolis archaeological site.
The project will open both properties to the public, combining modern infrastructure with educational and cultural facilities while preserving the historic character of the sites.
The building will feature a cloakroom with self-service lockers, additional sanitary facilities, a multipurpose space for children and school groups, and a retail shop operated by the Hellenic Organisation of Cultural Resources Development.
The Vyronos Street plot will be transformed into an open-air multipurpose space that can operate independently or in conjunction with the Areopagitou building.
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni said the initiative “strengthens the infrastructure serving the Acropolis archaeological site and its slopes” while significantly improving the visitor experience.
The project preserves the morphology of the historic building and maintains the open-air character of the adjacent plot.
Flags are flying at half mast at federal and New South Wales government buildings, with others invited to follow suit.
The theme of the day, chosen by the Chabad Community in Bondi, is “Light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance.”
National institutions in Canberra and NSW will be illuminated tonight, along with a commemorative installation, 15 Pillars of Light, across the country.
Photo: Getty.
“The pillars will be lit up … and will serve as a visible symbol of mourning, remembrance, and national unity,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
Australians are encouraged to observe a minute’s silence at 7.01pm and light a candle in solidarity with the Jewish community.
An invitation-only memorial organised by Chabad of Bondi will be live-streamed from 7pm, while the Sydney Opera House will be lit white for an evening gathering.
Odysseas Geladaris began his Australian Open Juniors campaign with a straight-sets victory, defeating Greek-Australian Evan Vassiliadis 6–0, 7–6 (2) in the opening round of qualifying.
The 17-year-old Greek player, ranked No. 77, advanced to the second qualifying round and is now one win away from securing a place in the main draw at Melbourne Park.
Geladaris, who also competed at the J300 tournament in Traralgon last week, is making his debut at a junior Grand Slam.
The Australian Open junior qualifiers are being held in Traralgon, where Geladaris will next face Ireland’s Eoghan Jennings (No. 133).
Jordan Koursaris has embraced life on the water after moving onto a 1966 boat moored at Kangaroo Point’s Dockside Marina following his divorce in 2024.
The 40-year-old purchased the vessel, Mary Rose, for $18,500 after deciding apartment living was not for him.
Koursaris said his total living costs are less than $2,000 a month, including marina fees, storage and a car space.
“So it’s less than two grand a month; less than $500 a week, and that includes all my expenses,” he said.
While the compact boat presents challenges such as limited space and maintenance issues, Koursaris said living on a boat was a long-held dream.
“Living on a boat is very fun … sometimes it’s not too practical, but I’m enjoying it at the moment,” he said, adding he plans to upgrade to a larger vessel later this year.
Adelaide massage therapist Kosta James Gourdeas has formally denied allegations he sexually assaulted a female client, pleading not guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
Gourdeas, 27, of Lightsview, replied “not guilty, Your Honour” as Magistrate Brian Nitschke read a single charge of engaging in sexual intercourse without consent.
The allegation relates to an incident said to have occurred in June 2025 while he was working as a therapist.
According to court records, Gourdeas was working as a subcontractor at a clinic in Unley at the time.
A healthcare profile describes him as an “Australian-based health professional” trained as a massage therapist.
Following the lifting of suppression orders, Gourdeas was remanded on continuing bail and will face the matter in the District Court, with a trial scheduled for April.
Maria Sakkari has been eliminated from the Australian Open after a straight-sets defeat to Mirra Andreeva in the second round in Melbourne.
The 18-year-old Russian, ranked No. 7 in the world, proved too strong for the Greek player, securing a 6–0, 6–4 victory.
Andreeva dominated the opening set, racing to a 4–0 lead with two early breaks of serve before closing it out 6–0 in just 27 minutes.
Despite an improved showing in the second set, Sakkari, ranked No. 53, was unable to turn the match around.
After trading breaks early in the second set, Andreeva broke again in the ninth game to move ahead 5–4 and seal the win after 41 minutes, ending Sakkari’s Australian Open campaign.
WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has called for the state government’s demersal fishing ban to be paused and reviewed, as around 200 fishers protested through the streets of Perth against the decision.
The ban, which took effect on January 1 along the WA coastline from Kalbarri to Augusta, aims to protect at-risk species including red emperor, dhufish and pink snapper. However, protesters and industry figures argue the data underpinning the ban is outdated and lacks transparency.
Zempilas said the government had ample time to manage fish stocks before imposing what he described as a harsh measure.
“The problem the government think they are trying to deal with … is actually a problem of their causing,” he said.
“Nine years, nine years they’ve had to manage the fishing industry and fish supplies and fish stocks in Western Australia. And now they hit hard with this sledgehammer approach.”
He described the ban as “unfair” and said insufficient consideration had been given to the impact on families and livelihoods.
“This ban needs to be rethought, it needs to be paused, and it needs a full parliamentary inquiry,” Zempilas said.
Premier Roger Cook defended the ban, saying the science was valid and the decision necessary for sustainability, adding that he would meet with the WA Fishing Industry Council.
The state government has also allocated $20 million for a compulsory buyback of commercial fishing licences.
What began as a group of Greek and Cypriot Australians catching up for dinner has evolved into a powerful force for good, with the Happy Friday Supper Club (HFSC) hoping to raise $50,000 for the Steve Waugh Foundation ahead of its 16th Annual Awards Night on Friday, 6 February, at the Establishment Boardroom.
Founded in 2009 by a close-knit group of lifelong friends of mostly Greek and Cypriot heritage, the HFSC was never intended to be anything more than a standing monthly dinner.
The rule was simple: the first Friday of every month, no excuses. Sixteen years on, those dinners have grown into 184 shared meals, friendships strengthened, and tens of thousands of dollars raised for some of Australia’s most deserving charities.
Established as an informal, member-led social group, the Happy Friday Supper Club operates without formal hierarchy. Members take turns hosting dinners and selecting venues, prioritising friendship, consistency and community connection over structure or recognition.
“This was never about building an organisation or chasing recognition,” HFSC member Pete Antoniou said.
“We’re literally just a group of mates who didn’t want life to get in the way of friendship, but along the way we realised we could do some real good for people who need it.”
Each month, one member hosts the dinner, choosing the venue and inviting fellow members and guests. The evening is then playfully “reviewed” and scored, with the results culminating in the club’s annual black-tie Awards Night, where the highly sought-after Golden Pepper Shaker is awarded.
While the concept may have started tongue-in-cheek, the Awards Night has since grown into a major fundraising event. Over the years, the HFSC has supported charities including Starlight, Giant Steps, Raising Ryan, The Breast Cancer Foundation, Cure Brain Cancer and Bear Cottage. This year’s beneficiary is the Steve Waugh Foundation, which supports children and families living with rare diseases.
“To know that we are on track to raise $50,000 is incredibly humbling,” Antoniou said.
“This money is coming from people within our Greek-Cypriot-Australian community. These are very likely people you know who just want to do a good thing.
“Every dollar raised comes from goodwill, generosity and a shared belief that if you’re lucky enough to be in a position to help, you should.”
This year’s event will welcome more than 160 guests, bringing together business leaders, friends, family and supporters from across the Greek and wider Australian community.
“HFSC has become something much deeper and more meaningful than we ever imagined,” Antoniou said. “It’s a modern-day parea. Members often describe it as an unofficial ‘men’s shed’, a safe and supportive space where mates look out for each other through the highs and lows of life.
“We’re proud of the money we’ve raised, but we’re just as proud of the culture we’ve built.
“Friendship, generosity and community – that’s what this is really about.”
Event Details
Event: Happy Friday Supper Club – 16th Annual Awards Night Date: Friday, 6 February 2026 Venue: Establishment Boardroom Purpose: Fundraising in support of the Steve Waugh Foundation Tickets available here.
Inside Margaret Court Arena, the Greek flag was impossible to miss. From the moment Tsitsipas stepped onto the court, Greek expatriates, families and young fans filled the stands waving flags, wearing Greek shirts and caps, and chanting his name with pride as he battled through a demanding four-set encounter.
After dropping the opening set, Tsitsipas lifted his intensity and composure, drawing roars of encouragement from the crowd as he fought back to take control of the match and secure his place in the next round. Each momentum shift was met with loud applause, rhythmic chants and spontaneous celebrations from Greek supporters, who created an atmosphere more reminiscent of a home crowd than a neutral Grand Slam arena.
As the match progressed, the cheers grew louder, particularly during crucial points, with fans rising to their feet to urge Tsitsipas on during long rallies and service games. The blue-and-white presence echoed around the arena, underlining the strong connection between the Greek tennis star and the Greek Australian community.
For many in attendance, the match was about more than just tennis. It was a visible expression of Hellenic pride on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages, as Melbourne’s Greek community once again showed its unwavering support for one of Greece’s most recognisable sporting figures.
The Greek Herald captured the moment with images showcasing the impressive turnout and the electric atmosphere as Melbourne Park once again turned blue and white in support of Tsitsipas.
He now faces Tomas Machac in the second round at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, 21 January, in a much-anticipated showdown as the tournament builds into its second week.
