The Australian Men’s Health Forum announced its 2022 Men’s Health Awards last month, highlighting individuals and organisations who are committed to taking action in the men’s health sector. There were five national winners and nine People’s Choice Award winners.
Winning the Northern Territory’s People’s Choice Award was City of Darwin councillor, Jimmy Bouhoris, who was recognised for his leadership work with ‘The Man Walk Darwin.’
The Man Walk is a national initiative that provides an opportunity for men to get together to routinely walk, talk and support each other in a healthy way. The Man Walk Darwin occurs every Saturday morning.
Jimmy was praised for his efforts as a ‘Manbassador’ in making sure the walks continue in the city, recognising they are “a way for blokes to get moving and to have a yarn along the way about everyday issues”.
In a Facebook post, he expressed his gratitude for the award, saying: “It’s a privilege to be associated with so many great people looking to improve men’s health”.
The Men’s Health Awards date back to 2013 and are an opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work being done in Australia from diverse sections of the community to improve the lives of men and boys.
Ten-year-old Sydney girl, Michaela Togias is heading to Manchester in January next year after grabbing the attention of English Premier League Academy scouts.
Manchester United and Manchester City scouts watched her at the Global Football Network showcase in Sydney in April. Across two days of training, players aged 10 to 19 came together to put their skills on display in the hopes of being offered a sporting scholarship.
“There were 60 girls at the showcase and I was a little nervous because I was the youngest and smallest there but I just gave it my all and had fun,” Michaela told The Daily Telegraph.
“At the end of the showcase, the scouts asked to speak to my mum and told her that I have what it takes to play in the UK.”
It was news that not only “put a big smile” on her face, but saw her take one massive step closer to realising her dream of playing abroad.
“To think that in a few months time I’ll be playing in the UK is like a dream come true,” Michaela said.
Michaela Togias. Photo: Jonathan Ng
As for her career aspirations, she hopes to one day be sporting the green and gold, representing her country as a Matilda.
“I hope to one day make my country proud just like Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter,” she said.
Speaking also with The Daily Telegraph was the director of Global Football Network Manchester UK, John Pladas, who said: “I am looking forward to having Michaela over in Manchester in January working with our coaches, playing many games against some of the best players and experience what pro-players experience during her stay.”
“Her selection for the scholarship is well earned and deserved,” he said.
More than 40 multilingual students, among them five Greeks, are ready to help diverse communities access information and essential services after completing the NSW government’s Interpreting Scholarship Program.
“The course was very intensive and very good,” Greek-Australian student Olivia Wilson Zarganis told The Greek Herald about the 20-week course facilitated by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
“I always wanted to go down the interpreter path, but it involves quite a lot of studying, and I work full-time, so it was always too hard. But then I saw this, which worked around a full-time schedule.”
Each of the 42 scholarship graduates will now be able to sit a Certified Provisional Interpreter test allowing them to work as interpreters for Multicultural NSW and fill language shortages.
“Multicultural NSW is Australia’s leading provider of interpreting services, and each of these graduates has a chance to join its ranks and fill shortages in key languages,” said Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure.
The key languages the new interpreters will be covering are Filipino, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Macedonian, Nepali, Portuguese, Serbian, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
Mr Coure said with a growing number of people in NSW speaking a language other than English, interpreters are more important than ever.
“The latest census data shows us that more NSW residents are speaking a language other than English at home,” the Minister said.
The new graduates. Photo credit: Univeristy of New South Wales (UNSW)
“This scholarship program is about tapping into the availability of these languages in NSW, where we can create job opportunities for people to use their language skills and in turn help their communities.”
According to the latest census data, NSW has the second largest Greek and Cypriot populations in the country after Victoria, while the Greek language is one of the top ten widely spoken in Australia other than English.
“I didn’t actually realize how much is involved in interpreting. I thought being bilingual would be enough, but it’s definitely not,” said new interpreter Ms Wilson-Zarganis.
“An interpreter allows someone to communicate accurately with a doctor, a lawyer, a judge, other members of the community (to name a few) and allows access to information – and that is a human right.”
On this day in 1896, the first Olympic Games was held in Athens, Greece after being banned 1,500 years previously.
— Australian Bureau of Statistics (@ABSStats) April 5, 2022
But for the Greek-born interpreter and holder of Australian, Greek and British nationalities – who recently moved to Australia after completing her studies abroad, the program was more than professional development.
“It was also quite interesting to meet and connect with people from different nationalities who were doing the course,” she said.
“And we’ve set up a little group now with the Greek cohort. The Greek tutor, Bill Gonopoulos, kept us all in touch. Which is nice because I moved here quite recently, so I don’t belong to a particularly Greek community, which I miss.”
Now Wilson-Zarganis looks forward to taking that next step and start working in the community.
“It sounds like we’re all really needed, actually. They seem to really need interpreters in our languages,” she said.
Through the 2022-23 NSW Budget, the government has committed $8 million per year for two years to boost the NSW Government’s languages services, including an expansion of its Interpreter Scholarship Program.
With Australia’s inflation rate reaching 6.1%, Sydney cafe owner Nelly Kalamvokis has spoken of the pressure on her business to keep customers happy, whilst also trying to support her family.
Nelly Kalamvokis opened Honey & Walnut Patisserie in Dulwich Hill last December with her husband Peter and friends Peter and Angela.
“We’re really impacted by rising costs – whether it be coffee, milk or our produce,” Nelly told news.com.au.
“We’re seeing a decline in people wanting to spend too much and we’re worried. With the rising costs, as a new business, we’re scared to raise our prices to cover what we are paying,” she added.
The mother-of-three said their decision to not raise prices has made it harder to pay grocery and household bills at home.
With the most recent increase in milk prices, Nelly said the cost of making their spanakopita doubled and in order to cover costs, they would need to raise their coffee and baked goods prices by 12 per cent.
However, Nelly and cafe owners alike are also contending against the rising cost of coffee making more broadly.
In March, president of the Cafe Owners and Baristas Association of Australia, David Parnham, told ABC News that coffee lovers could be paying up to $7 for a regular cup by the end of the year, citing global shortages in beans and the cost of shipping.
“The cost of shipping has become just ridiculous. It’s nearly five times the container prices of two years ago,” Parnham said.
Despite these compounding costs, Nelly said their patisserie won’t be cutting corners to lessen the burden on themselves.
“Our number one thing is quality, as well as having a range … and we pride ourselves on having a quality range with high-quality range produce,” she concluded.
Greece’s Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias visited Vietnam on Monday where he met with the Southeast Asian nation’s President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Upon arriving in Hanoi, Foreign Minister Dendias met with his Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son, discussing bilateral and economic relations, as well as a series of collaborations in education and sport.
Speaking to journalists following the meeting, Dendias said: “I consider that Vietnam, a country of 100 million inhabitants, with a rising economy of almost 400 billion, is an interesting conversationalist for Greece in the Southeast Asian region.”
#Hanoi | 1st meeting with @FMBuiThanhSon. Talks on strengthening 🇬🇷-🇻🇳 relations in many of areas, including economy, shipping & tourism, 🇪🇺-🇻🇳 relations, international developments & cooperation in international Organisations. pic.twitter.com/uukgojOwWa
Foreign Minister Dendias also announced that Greece will erect a bust honouring Ho Chi Minh in the city of Edessa in northern Greece.
“Let me tell you a little-known fact about our two countries. President Ho Chi Minh, the founder of Vietnam, fought on the Macedonian Front from 1916 to 1917 while serving in the French army,” he told reporters.
“We therefore agreed that a bust of him should be erected in Edessa to highlight this fact.”
Dendias then attended a special ceremony in the Vietnamese capital where he delivered a 50,000 euro donation on behalf of Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in support of the nation’s Olympic program for young athletes.
During a special ceremony tdy in #Hanoi, I delivered to 🇻🇳Dep.Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Hoang Dao Cuong, a donation by @GreeceMFA to support #Vietnam‘s Olympic Committee and in particular the program: “Young talented athletes in Vietnam”. pic.twitter.com/zQDwkUmbmG
Speaking alongside Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Toursim, Hoang Dao Cuong, Dendias said the donation not only seeks to help disadvantaged young athletes, but promotes the “Olympic Spirit”.
“The Olympic Games, which were organised for the first time 2,800 years ago in my country, Greece, are the ultimate symbol of universality, of peaceful coexistence among all peoples – in an environment without differences and inequalities,” he said.
Dendias was then received by Vietnam’s President, Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh.
During his meeting with the Prime Minister, the pair held “constructive talks” and discussed their shared commitment to the United Nation’s Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
I was received today by #Vietnam PM, Pham Minh Chinh. Constructive talks on 🇬🇷🇻🇳 economic relations, #EU – Vietnam cooperation & shared commitment to #UNCLOS. pic.twitter.com/xwJCFUsSjt
Firefighters from France and Norway have arrived in Greece to help the Greek Fire Service combat the wildfires ravaging the country.
The French contingent consists of 25 firefighters that will remain in Attica until the end of August.
The Norwegian unit, who arrived on Sunday, consists of 27 firefighters. They will be stationed in the central Peloponnesian city of Tripoli alongside a Finnish team of 48 firefighters expected to arrive later today.
This comes as the Greek Fire Service reports that 49 fires are currently burning across Greece.
In a ceremony held at the Fire Service Academy, welcoming the French unit and farewelling the 29 firefighters from Romania, Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, Christos Stylianides, remarked: “It is a special day for us Greeks.”
With firefighters from #France 🇫🇷 & #Romania 🇷🇴 participating in the #UCPM 🇪🇺 pre-positioning pilot project in #Greece
A warm thank you to each and every one for your support 🙏
— Χρήστος Στυλιανίδης – Christos Stylianides (@StylianidesEU) August 1, 2022
“We are in a difficult period, where in France you are also facing many forest fires. Your presence, dear friends, proves once again how strong the ties are between the Greek Fire Service and the corresponding French one,” he said.
“At the same time, it confirms the strong historical ties between our two countries, Greece and France.”
In a tweet following the event, the Minister added “Your presence is practical proof of fraternal ties.”
The arrival of more than 200 firefighters from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Romania, Norway and Finland between July and August has occurred in the context of the pre-positioning pilot project implemented through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
The new teams are replacing the 28 Romanians who left the country on July 29.
In Fairfield City, Odontologie Dental Carewon ‘Most Outstanding Dental Services’ for its commitment to providing patients with a high quality and ethical dentistry experience.
The dental surgery in Lansvale has been owned and operated by Ikarian migrant, Dr George Sakoutis, for 35 years. In the early years, his mum helped out as a nurse at the surgery, while his dad worked as the receptionist with his ‘big voice.’
Dr George Sakoutis with his team.
Dr Sakoutis tells The Greek Herald he’s proud of how far the business has come and he’s “excited” to be acknowledged by the community in the Local Business Awards for the second time.
“Like many of us, I’m a migrant to the area and we were always challenged to do better, to do more, to go above and beyond, and I guess that frames us as a beacon of light and we’ve been acknowledged for quality and care,” Dr Sakoutis says.
Local Business Award for Odontologie Dental Care.
“I just want to thank our customers and promise them that I will continue to provide the care that they so deservedly need.”
Elsewhere in the Liverpool Local Business Awards, Mobile Mechanics To You from Edmondson Park also won in the ‘Most Outstanding Automotive Services’ category.
The mobile mechanical business was first opened by Con Kavalieros five years ago and offers all types of vehicle servicing, repairs and maintenance for new or old cars, as well as cars under warranty.
Con Kavalieros, owner of Mobile Mechanics To You, with his family.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Mr Kavalieros says he was “very shocked” to win the award, but also “so appreciative and humbled” by the recognition.
“I’m certainly not the cheapest mechanic out there – I don’t want to be, but I’m definitely not the most expensive either,” Mr Kavalieros says.
“What I offer however is a good, honest and quality service at a fair price, with the convenience of not having to leave your home or office. I try to look after my customers like family, which is how I’ve built a reputation on trust and loyalty.
Con Kavalieros.
“I’ve got visions of growth and expansion which I’m working on now. The sky is the limit really, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
To top it all off, the Greek-owned ZagSeafood at Stockland Wetherill Park also won in the Fairfield City Local Business Awards in the ‘Most Outstanding Seafood Outlet’ category.
The Liverpool and Fairfield City Local Business Awards acknowledge the drive and dedication required to succeed in business and recognises the best in local industry across over 25 categories.
*Please note: If you are a Greek-owned business who won in the Awards, please send us an email to info@foreignlanguage.com.au.
The Reverend Father Dimitrios Papaikonomou has been officially named as the new Chaplain of All Saints Grammar school in Sydney’s south-west suburb of Belmore.
Father Dimitrios brings his background in Theology, Education and Pastoral Counselling to the new role.
In a recent message to the school community, the priest said he was “greatly encouraged by the joy with which I was received into the school by students, teachers and parents alike.”
“In the past few weeks, I have met many students and enjoyed the enthusiasm with which they approach learning the Word of God and their education in general,” Father Dimitrios said.
“I look forward to meeting the rest of the students and guiding all to a deeper appreciation of our Orthodox faith and the role it can play in our daily life.”
Head of School, Elfa Lillis, praised the appointment of Father Dimitrios as Chaplain.
“I warmly welcome Reverend Dimitrios to All Saints Grammar and look forward to working together to maintain our strong commitment of faith and community,” Mrs Lillis said.
Father Dimitrios is also the new All Saints Greek Orthodox Parish Priest after Father Kyrillos Zisis returned to his native Victoria to serve at Saint Eustathios Greek Orthodox Church in South Melbourne.
As I walk into a newly-renovated room at Maroba aged care home in Newcastle, Sydney on Thursday, July 21, I was instantly greeted by the huge and cheeky smile of 105-year-old ANZAC and Battle of Crete veteran, Alf Carpenter.
“Lovely to finally meet you,” Alf said softly, while firmly shaking my hand and maintaining eye contact.
For me, the moment was a poignant one.
Having previously spoken with Alf over the phone for an interview to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete last year, I jumped at the chance to meet him in person and join the President of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW, Terry Saviolakis, and Vice President, Emmanuel Vitetzakis, on their trip to Newcastle to present Alf with the award of Honorary Life Membership of the Cretan Association.
Members of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW meet with Alf Carpenter. Photos: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
The award ceremony itself took place at Maroba with Alf surrounded by his care staff and closest friends.
Mr Saviolakis approached the front of the room first and gave a small speech explaining how at the Cretan Association’s last Annual General Meeting (AGM), members unanimously voted to award Alf with honorary life membership “on behalf of the Greek Australian community and the Cretan people for his service in the Battle of Crete and Greek Campaign in 1941.”
The life membership.
After Mr Saviolakis presented Alf with the honorary award, Mr Vitetzakis gave Alf a white sariki (Cretan head scarf) on behalf of the Vice Governors of the Region of Crete, Mary Lioni and Kosta Fasoulakis, who visited Australia earlier this year for the Battle of Crete commemorations but were unable to visit Alf due to COVID-19 restrictions.
During his speech, Mr Vitetzakis explained to the residents the significance of the sariki and how it is worn to remember the tears and mourning of war.
The sariki offered by the Cretan Association to Alf.
At the conclusion of these official proceedings, Alf cheekily piped up and asked “may I say something?”, drawing loud applause and laughter from everyone in attendance.
“Ladies and gentleman, this is indeed an honour. Thank you for anointing me as a life member of the wonderful Greeks,” Alf said, before describing what it was like fighting in the Battle of Crete as a Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion.
Alf Carpenter.
The 105-year-old later continued this reminiscing over morning tea as myself, Mr Saviolakis and Mr Vitetzakis listened to him share memories from his childhood and the war.
At one stage, Alf was enjoying a lamington, an Australian staple, and even shared how “that was exactly how my mum made them.”
Morning tea with Alf.
All in all, it was a fantastic day of nostalgia and pride, something which Mr Saviolakis summed up nicely as we said our goodbyes to Alf and I asked him how he felt.
“It was truly an honour and privilege to formally recognise 105-year-old ANZAC, Alf Carpenter, as a life member of the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW today,” Terry answered.
“It was an unforgettable experience to visit Alf.”
Indeed it was.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Two managers at St Basil’s aged care home in Fawkner will be made to give evidence about the deaths of 50 residents after a failed Supreme Court battle,The Sydney Morning Herald has reported.
St Basil’s Home for the Aged chairman, Kon Kontis, and director of nursing, Vicky Kos, have both refused to give evidence at an inquest on grounds of self-incrimination.
They went to Victoria’s Supreme Court to stop State Coroner John Cain forcing them to give evidence at the inquest about the events of July and August 2020, when 45 residents at the aged care home died with COVID-19 and another five perished from suspected neglect.
Kon Kontis, the former chairman of St Basil’s Fawkner. Photo: Jason South.
In a decision handed down by Justice Stephen O’Meara on Monday, Mr Kontis and Ms Kos lost their case.
Mr Kontis and Ms Kos had tried via four avenues of appeal to avoid giving evidence to the coroner.
They argued that forcing them to give evidence to the coroner would risk the integrity of the accusatorial system of criminal justice in matters being heard in other courts.
There is no word yet from the Coroners Court on when the pair’s evidence was now likely to be heard.
