The 29th annual Greek-Serbian Orthodox and Cultural Friendship Day was held at the Serbian Orthodox Parish Hall of “St Stephen” in Plumpton, western Sydney.
The Friendship Day began with a Divine Liturgy by Serbian parish priest, Father Aleksandar Ivanovic. This was followed by the hall event where Father Aleksandar welcomed everyone and thanked the Greek community for their attendance and unwavering friendship.
In attendance were a number of officials and prominent members of the Serbian and Greek communities including the President of the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW, Anastasia Karakominakis; the President of the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Saint Paraskevi at Blacktown, Professor Vlasios Brakoulias; and members of the Association for Greek Australian Teachers of NSW, Queensland and the ACT; among many others.
On the day, all attendees enjoyed a short message sent by the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, which stressed the strong ties between Serbia and Greece in religion, history and culture.
This was followed by a four-hour music and dance program which was curated in Greek and English by Dimitrios Kametopoulos, and by Ilija Glisic in Serbian.
A number of Greek dancing groups such as Kimata Dance School, Sizmos, the Cypriot Community of Sydney & NSW, and the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW, performed traditional dances of Cyprus, Macedonia, Thessaly, the Aegean and Crete.
The Serbian dance groups also impressed with their colourful costumes and the diverse traditional sounds from the north of Serbia and the province of Vojvodina in Central Serbia.
The celebration ended at 6pm with those present leaving enthusiastically after the already strong relations of the Greeks and Serbians were strengthened.
Sydney University SFC’s Stephanie Augoustis won a Golden Boot in the 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Awards on Friday, September 16.
Avgoustis received her award during a formal dinner at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney, which was attended by a number of players, coaches, officials and other high profile guests.
These special guests included former Socceroo legends Rale Rasic and Les Scheinflug, Football Australia Project Manager Community, Robbie Middleby, former Charles Valentine Medallists and Football NSW Life Members, along with the Football NSW Board.
The Club Championship awards were one of the first awards of the evening with Sydney University wrapping yet another one in the NPL NSW Women’s category, while for a record-breaking 16th time, Blacktown City were top of the trumps in the Men’s category.
Referees were honoured soon after with Hassan Jomaa taking out the NPL NSW Men’s category after a sterling season which also saw him earn a spot into the 2022/2023 A-League Men referees panel. Mikayla Ryan clinched top honours in the NPL NSW Women’s category and she too caught the attention of the W-League this time, pushing her cause as a fourth official which was an amazing honour.
The announcement of the Player of the Year and Golden Boot winners in the Under 20/Reserve grade competition were up next.
Augoustis took out the honours in the Women’s Reserve grade notching up 21 goals, while Mt Druitt Town Rangers’ Mabior Garang took out the 20 Men’s scoring 18 for the year.
The Player of the Year awards were up next, and Football NSW Institute’s Siena Arrarte grabbed all the plaudits for an outstanding year in the 20’s, while Sydney FC’s Luka Smyth stood out from the rest of the pack in a big season. No doubt these two players will be knocking on senior club doors in both the men and women NPL competitions and beyond.
Goalkeepers were next on the awards block, and it was Sydney University’s quality shotstopper Courtney Newborn who took out the NPL NSW Women’s category in what was an impressive year for the gun custodian. Manly United’s Jack Greenwood was next up and clinched his respective award after he assisted in the Northern Beaches fantastic run into the finals this year.
The Golden Boot award winners were announced soon after.
The ‘Debbie Tait’ Award for the NPL NSW Women’s Golden Boot was awarded to APIA Leichhardt FC’s Shea Connors who scored 15 goals for the year.
Finally, in the NPL Men’s category, it was a tight contest, but Sydney Olympic’s Irish and former A-League star Roy O’Donovan came through on the final day of round 22, scoring 21 goals, one more than his nearest rival in Rockdale Ilinden’s Alec Urosevski.
It was onto the NPL NSW Men’s ‘Goal of the Year’ award and after 22 rounds there was only one clear winner. In what was a stunning year for goals it came from Manly United’s Brazilian maestro Bruno Mendes that went viral against the Sutherland Sharks in round 14 of the competition.
The Coach of the Year category was next with Sydney University’s quality manager Emily Husband getting the nod from her fellow peers in the NPL NSW Women’s category. Manly United’s outgoing coach Adam Griffiths took out the Men’s category after a splendid season that saw the Northern Beaches narrowly miss out on both the Premiership and Championship.
The time had come for the Player of the Year awards in what was the crucial part of the evening as the suspense was at boiling point for all players involved.
Once again, the clubs voted in a 3-2-1 system after each team put forward their best two players for the 2019 season.
Things were tight in the NPL NSW Women’s category however, it was Sydney University’s US star Rola Badawiya who was quite simply outstanding and a shining light for her side grabbing the evening’s top honour. The ace striker notched up 13 goals and played an integral role in Sydney University’s Premiership victory.
Badawiya beat the likes of Macarthur Rams’ Mel Caceres, APIA’s Shea Connors and Northern Tigers’ Ashlee Brodigan for the top accolade.
The stage was set for the final award of the evening and that was the NPL NSW Men’s award for 2022, the Gold Medal.
After 22 rounds the award was presented to Sydney FC’s young gun Jaiden Kucharski, who collected his second award of the evening.
After a two-year hiatus, the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney will reopen to the public on Wednesday, September 21 following an extensive heritage restoration to reinvigorate the beachside venue.
The stunning $38 million restoration includes an updated art gallery, flexible cultural spaces including the new Bondi Story Room digital heritage space, a welcome centre and box office, two dining venues, a larger Pottery Studio including a second kiln and new toilets, showers and a family and accessible bathroom and change space.
All other existing rooms inside the Pavilion have also been refurbished and upgraded.
Aerial view of the new Bondi Pavilion. Photo supplied.
Features outdoors include landscaped internal courtyards, a new grand entrance to the north and creating additional east-west connections through the Pavilion, better connection from Campbell Parade to the beachfront, terracotta roof tiles in the original 1928 cordova pattern and 220 solar panels that will power 70 percent of the building’s energy needs.
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, told The Greek Herald the Council’s restoration retains the Pavilion as a community hub and cements its place as a leading arts and culture venue showcasing leading artistic and creative programming.
Mayor Masselos inspects the Bondi Pavilion restoration works. Photo: Waverley Council.
“The building is a showcase of how you can take an old building, making it a 21st century building, keeping the integrity of the building but repurposing it so that it will be again around for another 100 years,” Mayor Masselos said.
Head contractor Buildcorp Managing Director, Tony Sukkar AM, said the team has enjoyed delivering creative solutions that have brought the Pavilion’s new spaces to life and conserved its many heritage features.
“Alongside our sustainability initiatives, we have created community connections and opportunity during the build, adding to the positive legacy of the project,” Mr Sukkar said.
Outside sign. Photo: Construction Photography in Sydney.
Lead architect, Peter Tonkin of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, said designing the Bondi Pavilion restoration was among the most inspiring projects of his career and relished the challenges that come with restoring an old heritage building.
“The Bondi Pavilion is a fine example of how an old building located in a hostile coastal environment can be reimagined through ingenuity and innovation in design,” Mr Tonkin said.
For more than 90 years, the Bondi Pavilion has been a central part of life for residents and visitors to Bondi Beach, providing opportunities that fuel the full spectrum of human emotion and a space for those to engage, create, and curate memories where culture, art, music, ideas, and creativity hum.
Amenities. Photo: Construction Photography in Sydney.
The Bondi Pavilion all-ages community launch will be held at 6pm on Wednesday, September 21 and includes a concert in the courtyard, pop-up exhibitions and activities throughout the building and food and beverage offerings.
“We are delighted to welcome back the community to our beloved Pavilion and for the public to discover and explore all that it has to offer, not just on opening night, but for years to come,” Mayor Masselos said.
The event is free though registration is essential. To register or view the full details of the event, visit the Bondi Pavilion website.
The Foreign Ministers of Greece Nikos Dendias, of Cyprus Ioannis Kasoulides, and of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, held a tripartite meeting on Monday during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
During the meeting, the three foreign ministers discussed a number of security issues related to the South Caucasus and the Eastern Mediterranean.
For his part, Minister Mirzoyan briefed Dendias and Kasoulides on the current situation resulting from the recent Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia.
In response, the Cypriot and Greek ministers expressed their solidarity and support to the Armenian people.
New York | In a 🇬🇷🇦🇲🇨🇾 meeting on the margins of #UNGA, I discussed with #Cyprus@IKasoulides & #Armenia@AraratMirzoyan FMs the escalation of Turkish rhetoric, prospects for solving the Cyprus issue, recent shelling inside Armenian territory by Azerbaijan, EU-Armenia relations. pic.twitter.com/vZJthHHfwy
“Any revisionism, no matter where it comes from, no matter what country it starts from and, in fact, with an attempt to use the energy situation as a weapon against certain states to try to change things on the ground, will meet our resistance,” Dendias said.
The foreign ministers also expressed readiness to continue active contacts within the trilateral format in order to bring it to a qualitatively new level and expand the scope of cooperation.
Queen Elizabeth II has been laid to rest at Windsor Castle near London, the United Kingdom, after a state funeral watched by millions of people around the world.
The Queen’s coffin was placed into the Royal Vault in Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel after a day of ceremony and pageantry unlike any seen in London since her father’s death in 1952.
The day began with a funeral service in the medieval Westminster Abbey in front of over 500 dignitaries, including royalty, the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, the President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.
Greece’s President arriving at the funeral.Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese (back left) with Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau (front right) entering Westminster Abbey for the funeral. Photo: James Veysey / Shutterstock.
King Charles III led the royal family in a procession behind his mother’s cortege into Westminster Abbey. There they were joined by nine-year-old Prince George, the second in line to the throne, and his seven-year-old sister, Princess Charlotte, who is third in line.
They walked behind their parents, William, the Prince of Wales, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Prince William and Prince Harry as they arrived at Westminster Abbey. Photo: AFP / Marco Bertorello.Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, left, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince George and Catherine, Princess of Wales look at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as they leave Westminster Abbey in London. Photo: AFP.King Charles III walked beside the coffin. Photo: AFP / Ben Stansall.
The funeral service then began once the Queen’s coffin was laid proudly in the Abbey topped by flowers and a card reading ‘In loving and devoted memory, Charles Rex.’ A number of sermons, Lessons and prayers were read out, including one by the new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss.
After the hour-long service, the sombre procession with seven distinct groups followed the coffin from the abbey to Wellington Arch. Once there, the procession continued by car to Windsor Castle.
The route was lined with hundreds of thousands of people wanting to farewell the late monarch on her final journey, as well as several dozen Australian Defence Force personnel and other Commonwealth military.
Mourners threw flowers at the convoy as it passed. Photo: AP / Andreea Alexandru.
The day ended at Windsor, where about 800 guests were present for a final committal service that featured traditions signifying the end of the Queen’s reign.
Towards the end of the service, the sovereign’s crown, orb and sceptre were removed from the top of the coffin — separating Queen Elizabeth from her crown for the final time.
King Charles placed the Queen’s company camp flag atop the coffin, while the Lord Chamberlain broke his wand of office before also placing it on top of the coffin — representing the end of his service to the monarch.
The Queen’s coffin was then lowered into the Royal Vault.
At the end of the Committal Service, The King placed The Queen's Company Colour of the Grenadier Guards on the Coffin.
At the same time, The Lord Chamberlain "broke" his Wand of Office and placed it on the Coffin to signify the end of Service. pic.twitter.com/GyX7Wsa7Ee
Later on Monday night, a private burial service was held in the King George VI memorial chapel — which is inside the Abbey’s St George’s Chapel — with just members of the royal family in attendance.
Students, teachers and parents have been acknowledged for their outstanding achievements, resilience and contribution to public education at the 2022 NSW Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence.
Among the award winners were two educators of Greek heritage. This included Anthony Boros from Regentville Public School who won ‘Public School Parent of the Year,’ and the School Principal at Auburn Girls High School, Anna Tsoutsa, who claimed the ‘Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service.’
The Greek Herald spoke with Ms Tsoutsa to hear all about her contribution to public education.
1. How does it feel to be recognised?
I feel very honoured and thrilled to be recognised for my leadership but really, I must acknowledge the outstanding work of my team that made it happen. My wonderful teachers and staff are the foundation on which our school’s success is built.
Anna Tsoutsa with NSW Secretary of Education Georgina Harrisson.
2. As principal of Auburn Girls High School, what achievements are you most proud of?
As principal, I am proud of so many aspects of our school, but the standout for me is the development of our school’s culture of achievement through a strong work ethic. Our school’s culture of high expectations and hard work has been built over the last eight years with the staff and the students.
Our students are supported academically and pastorally to always strive to achieve their personal best and be the best version of themselves. Showing kindness and respect are key concepts in our wellbeing curriculum.
Our HSC results, NAPLAN and ATAR results and university entries are very important too, but I am most proud of my students’ achievements – whether they have been offered the university course of their dreams or obtained an apprenticeship. Knowing we have made a positive difference to the girls’ lives is what inspires me and my team.
3. You work closely with one of Sydney’s most disadvantaged communities, with many students from non-English speaking backgrounds. What is the importance of developing a tailored curriculum for these students?
Our school is a diverse, vibrant and multicultural learning community. We are a partially Selective and Comprehensive School, so we cater for the learning needs of highly gifted and comprehensive students. Our curriculum and co-curricular courses work in sync to allow each student to achieve in areas of their interests, ability level and aspirations.
Anna is School Principal at Auburn Girls High School.
We offer a very wide range of courses from Accelerated Mathematics and Chemistry, Extension 2 English and Mathematics all the way through to Exploring Early Childhood. Our motto is Learn Lead Succeed, and we a have range of courses to build leadership, enhance learning, positive education for wellbeing and many clubs for the girls’ interests.
Embedded in our curriculum is a focus on the development of future focussed skills including innovation, problem solving, teamwork and communication, thus equipping our girls with the skills required to transition effectively into the world of further study and work.
4.What is the value of a good education for students from non-English speaking backgrounds?
Having come from a non-English speaking background myself I am very aware of the challenges faced by the girls. I was very fortunate that my parents instilled in me from a young age the importance of education and the need to work hard to achieve what you want from life.
Our parents here are similar to my parents, they want their daughters to achieve but many don’t have the English language or academic skills to support them. We value the trust that our parents place in us and work hard to equip our girls, through our many programs and support structures, with the skills, personal qualities and determination to “Learn, Lead, Succeed” in a rapidly evolving and fast changing world filled with endless opportunities.
Anna’s award.
Our girls are the future leaders and role models of our modern society. Many of our alumni are now professors, doctors, educators, CEOs, engineers and solicitors making significant contributions to our society.
I once heard the saying that “Education is a great equaliser in a very unequal world” and that is certainly proven true at Auburn Girls.
5. What is your next project in the field of education?
My next project is to continue to lead Auburn Girls High School into the next phase of improvement to become a centre of excellence in girls’ education.
*Please note: If you are a person of Greek heritage who also won in the Awards, please send us an email to info@foreignlanguage.com.au.
The traditional Sardella Day 2022 festival took place with great success on Sunday, September 18 at the Mytilenian House in the Sydney suburb of Canterbury.
An event inextricably linked to tradition, the sea and fishermen, the Sardella Festival was revived under the initiative of the Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney & NSW.
There were over 400 people in attendance, enjoying live music, traditional island dances and of course, a culinary feast of sardines cooked in a variety of ways by acclaimed chef, Aris Chatzigeorgiou. Plomari ouzo was also in offer on the day.
Photo: Takis Triadafyllou.
Photo: Katerina Proestos.Photo: Olivia Korkidas.
The musical program was organised by the OPA OPA band with singers Yiannis and Stratis Keligiannis, whilst the dances were performed by the Sydney Greek Dancing School’s adult group as instructed by Maria Houliaras.
The Kytherian Association of Australia (KAA) is holding a Greek taverna night with a twist on Saturday, October 1 at the Mytilenian House in the Sydney suburb of Canterbury from 6.30pm.
The event, Mamma Mia: ABBA’s Back, will give attendees a chance to relive music from the Swedish supergroup, ABBA, as well as the soundtrack of the 2008 romance film set in Greece.
“People can dance and sing to all the ABBA hits with our live ABBA band, ABBASBACK,” President of the KAA’s Centenary Committee, Andrew Malanos, told The Greek Herald about the event.
With tickets priced at $60 per person, people will also be able to enjoy a Greek taverna dinner, music by DJ Darcy, a Santorini photo wall, ABBA prizes and giveaways, and free soft drinks.
All ages are invited to attend, including high school students, as everyone celebrates the KAA’s centenary this year.
Westpac’s case against alleged fraudsters, Bill Papas and Vincenzo Tesoriero, won’t be heard until at least early 2023, The Australian has reported.
The delay comes after a new judge, Justice Tom Thawley, took over the marathon case.
When presiding over the case for the first time in the Federal Court on Friday, Justice Thawley said given issues with finding a judge available for three weeks at this stage in the year, the hearing would most likely occur in February.
Bill Papas.
The change of judge comes after Mr Tesoriero succeeded in having Justice Michael Lee recuse himself from hearing the case, which he had been set to preside over in October, arguing the judge had developed a biased opinion of the Melbourne businessman.
Greek Australian young gun and Port Adelaide FC player, Mitch Georgiades, has been named the winner of the 2022 Four’N Twenty Mark of the Year at the Brownlow awards on Sunday night.
Georgiades won the award for his actions in Round Sixteen of the 2022 Toyota Premiership Season when he got up on the shoulder of Fremantle opponent Brennan Cox and brought the mark down.
Georgiades beat out fellow finalists GWS Giants’ Toby Greene and Melbourne’s Charlie Spargo.
At a ceremony where the 20-year-old accepted the Alex Jesaulenko Medal and his prize of $10,000, Georgiades laughed as he remembered the hanger.
The winner of the 2022 @fourntwenty Mark of the Year is 🥁
“I was pretty tired at that stage – think it was the end of the quarter,” he said. “I saw the ball come in and just had a jump – lucky it just stuck… Unfortunately missed the goal, but that’s it.”
Georgiades had two entries in this year’s Mark of the Year race, which is voted for by fans.
He’s the second Port Adelaide player to take home the title, after Chad Wingard won back in 2014.
