The Australian Museum today announced the 45 finalists selected for Australia’s leading science awards, the 2022 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
Greek Australian Professor Maria Kavallaris is one of those finalists and is in the running alongside three other leading Australian scientists for the University of Technology Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers.
Professor Kavallaris is the founding director of the Australian Centre for NanoMedicine at the University of New South Wales, head of the Translational Cancer Nanomedicine Theme at the Children’s Cancer Institute and a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) principal research fellow.
Professor Kavallaris in her element as she does research for children’s cancer. Source: The Daily Telegraph.
She is internationally recognised as an expert in the cancer microtubule and drug resistance field.
Through a creative program of structured plus individualised mentorship, she has fostered a new generation of research leaders in cancer research and nanomedicine; one that is passionate, innovative and committed to ‘paying it forward.’
Following the award announcement, Professor Kavallaris told The Greek Herald that “the greatest highlight of my career has been the privilege to mentor early career researchers.”
The Eureka Prizes are the nation’s most comprehensive science awards, offering $140,000 in prize money across a broad spectrum of research, from environmental to innovative technologies, citizen science, leadership and mentoring.
The winners of the 2022 AM Eureka Prizes will be announced on Wednesday, August 31 at an awards ceremony held at the Australian Museum.
“I’m extremely shattered that I’m not able to compete tonight,” the 27-year-old said.
“I’ve won this tournament once and am probably playing some of the best tennis of my career and all I wanted to do was come out here and give you guys a show.
“I’m not able to give out my best performance and I’m extremely sorry and I’m going to keep my hopes up that I may be able to continue doubles with Thanasi.”
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, who won this year’s Australian Open doubles, won their first-round encounter against French pairing Nicholas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in Atlanta yesterday.
Greek Australian vocal artist, Tina Stefanou, was shocked to discover that 40 seconds of a song called Outro that she had performed half a decade ago was being used without her consent by a right-wing French media outlet.
“It kind of went viral, and five years later, I find out it was used as their introduction for over 240 episodes,” Stefanou said in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald.
It was an experience that sparked Stefanou to interrogate questions about her identity, agency, ownership and the distribution of data in the digital age.
Themes she says are explored in My Self in That Moment, a contemporary performance directed by Tamara Saulwick that she is starring in this month.
“How much agency do I have of a past self that’s been funnelled through machines? How much of that is me? Well, I don’t know. I don’t know that,” Stefanou said.
Tina Stefanou. Photo: Andrew Kaineder
The vocal artist is set to perform live at the show’s premiere this Wednesday to Friday at The Substation in Newport, Melbourne, accompanied by a polyphonic chorus of 49 tablets.
The work was conceived by creative director, Tamara Saulwick, three years ago and explores the swiftly evolving ability to replicate, deconstruct and distribute a person’s image and voice.
According to the performance’s synopsis: “The edges of self are increasingly frayed as our relationship with devices and systems becomes ever more entangled, fragmenting notions of ‘me’ and ‘mine’.”
Seven Manly players will boycott Thursday’s NRL match after the club’s decision to wear a pride jersey, citing religious and cultural reasons.
The club publicly announced the ‘Everyone in League Jersey’ on Monday, saying in a press release: “Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will proudly wear a rainbow-detailed jersey to celebrate inclusiveness during our Round 20 game against the Roosters at 4 Pines Park.”
The seven players who will boycott, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, include Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley.
News of their withdrawal and objection to wearing the jersey has been the subject of backlash, with the players being accused of homophobia and hypocrisy.
Weighing in on the matter is the Principal of Brydens Lawyers and Chairman of the West Tigers, Lee Hagipantelis.
In an interview on SEN Breakfast with Vossy & Brandy on Tuesday, Hagipantelis acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter before going on to say: “A number of comments were made overnight which caused me some concern, of course, allegations of the boys being homophobic and the like. People need to be very careful with that.”
“But there was also criticism of the boys being prepared to wear a jumper bearing the name of a gambling company but not wearing the pride jumper. None of us are qualified and nor is it appropriate to be casting any aspersions judging someone’s cultural or religious beliefs,” he added.
Lee Hagipantelis is the Principal of Brydens Lawyers, NSW’s largest litigation firm. Photo: Brydens Lawyers
Speaking on the legal repercussions, Hagipantelis said the Manly players cannot be compelled to play nor would their employment be at risk if they object on religious or cultural grounds that are legitimately and honestly held.
“The playing contract signed by the NRL players with the club provides lawful authority for the club to direct not only where the boys play but also what they wear. As long as the lawful direction is reasonable,” Hagipantelis said.
“You can’t expect them to play in a clown’s outfit for example but you do expect them to play in a certain strip. Would it be reasonable to expect them to play in a pride jumper? Absolutely, I think we would all agree with that.
“On the other hand, the boys have objected on cultural or religious grounds. Now there are numerous pieces of anti-discrimination legislation which provide that you can not discriminate against someone on the basis of their cultural or religious beliefs.
“If these boys are stood down or they refuse to play themselves, they cannot be compromised or prejudiced so far as their employment is concerned otherwise that would be clearly unlawful.”
On Tuesday, EU member states agreed to cut gas consumption by 15% from next month until March 2023 in an attempt to avert a winter crisis triggered by a sharp reduction of Russian gas supplies to the bloc.
Pointing to the agreement, Greece’s Minister of the Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekas said it “will send a strong message of unity and solidarity against Russian blackmail,” adding that it will reduce “energy dependency on Russian gas.”
Presently, all EU member states will voluntarily strive for the reduction, however, in the event of a complete cut-off from Russian gas, the EU may declare an emergency and make the target mandatory with immediate effect. Cyprus, Ireland and Malta, who are not connected to the EU gas network, would be exempt from such compulsory energy savings.
Η Ελλάδα, στο σημερινό Συμβούλιο Υπουργών Ενέργειας 🇪🇺, πέτυχε την εξαίρεση που ζητούσε για τον υπολογισμό της μείωσης στην κατανάλωση φυσικού αερίου. Η Ευρώπη με τη σημερινή συμφωνία στέλνει αποφασιστικό μήνυμα ενότητας και αλληλεγγύης της 🇪🇺 απέναντι στους ρωσικούς εκβιασμούς. pic.twitter.com/Tk9sQ8Ktx3
— Kostas Skrekas | Κώστας Σκρέκας (@KostasSkrekas) July 26, 2022
The voluntary reduction comes as Russia’s Gazprom said on Monday that it would cut flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany to a fifth of capacity. Prior to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia supplied 40% of EU gas.
Under the EU agreement, the 15% reduction of each member will be calculated based on their average consumption in the past five years.
However, as approved by the EU, Greece’s reduction will be calculated in relation to the previous year as opposed to a five-year average.
In addition, Greece, together with Spain, Italy and Portugal, introduced a successful provision in the plan, whereby in the event of mandatory cuts, volumes of natural gas used by power plants can be excluded.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Minister Skrekas said that the EU will also be analysing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ letter to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in which he proposed “a new demand reduction mechanism” to incentivise “energy-intensive industries to reduce their consumption of gas”.
Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday evening, as the Saudi official began his two-day visit to Athens.
Meeting at Maximos Mansion in Athens, the Greek Prime Minister described it as “an opportunity to reaffirm the strength” of the two nations’ “strategic relationship.”
In a statement at the beginning of their meeting, Mitsotakis continued: “We will sign important agreements and we will have the opportunity to discuss regional developments but also how to further strengthen the important relationship between our two countries, placing particular emphasis on economic cooperation.”
Bin Salman described the relationship between Greece and Saudi Arabia as “a historic one”, adding “I believe we also have historic opportunities, many of which we are going to finalise today.”
Greece has forged close ties with Saudi Arabia in recent years as it seeks allies in the wider region to address long-standing tension with Turkey, mostly over sea boundaries and drilling rights.
The two countries are also planning a data cable link worth 800 million euros that would run under the Mediterranean Sea and be completed in 2025, AP News reported.
Είχα τη χαρά να υποδεχτώ σήμερα στην Αθήνα τον Πρίγκιπα Διάδοχο του Θρόνου της Σαουδικής Αραβίας, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Η επίσκεψή του είναι μία ευκαιρία να επαναβεβαιώσουμε τη δύναμη της στρατηγικής μας σχέσης. https://t.co/wPB3dbVukQpic.twitter.com/MfxpOLdR8t
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) July 26, 2022
“By connecting the electricity grids, we can provide Greece and south-east Europe through Greece with much cheaper renewable energy and we will sign a memorandum of understanding on this today,” the Saudi official said.
“We are also concerned with hydrogen and how to turn Greece into a hub for Europe in terms of hydrogen, this is a game-changer for both countries. We are also working on the interconnection of the telecommunications network.”
Bin Salman said these works will “change the position of Greece and Saudi Arabia” and “support Europe … with much cheaper and efficient energy and renewable sources.”
The Saudi official added that the pair have “a rich agenda” for discussion, ranging from investment and trade to security.
The Crown Prince’s visit to Greece marks his first trip to a European Union country since the killing in 2018 of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul which triggered widespread international condemnation. Bin Salman has denied any involvement despite a U.S. intelligence report made public last year, saying it was likely he approved the killing.
Many Greek-owned businesses and individuals have won in their respective categories at the Inner West Local Business Awards this year.
In the ‘Outstanding Automotive Services’ category, MPSR Group came out on top for providing a user friendly, professional and welcoming automotive repair service and workshop.
The automotive repair shop was first opened in 1980 in Shepherd Street, Marrickville by Greek migrants and brothers, Nick and Elias Karavasilias.
In 2019, Nick’s son and daughter-in-law, John and Sarah Karavasilias, decided to branch out and open MPSR Group, which cemented the continuation of the family legacy.
MPSR Group won in the Inner West Local Business Awards.
Since then, the couple have invested in state-of-the-art equipment and management systems, such as Lowbake spraybooths, Car-O-Liner alignment systems and the I-Bodyshop software, to maintain a high quality of repair.
In an interview with TheGreek Herald, Sarah says her husband is so “thankful for the support and recognition after a difficult two years.”
“He is very proud and honoured to represent the Greek community in establishing this trailblazing company servicing the community,” she adds.
John and Sarah Karavasilias.John and Nick Karavasilias.
Elsewhere, The Souvlaki Boys in Marrickville won in the ‘Specialised Retail Business’ category for the third year in a row.
Nick and Arthur Alepidis opened Souvlaki Boys in the heart of Marrickville in 2016 and have gained a loyal following ever since for their lamb backstrap, pork neck, pork belly and chicken souvlakia.
Their success comes with the help of their father, Greg Alepidis, who started his business trade in Canterbury as part owner of Advanced Poultry and sold his shares in 2016.
Arthur tells The Greek Herald that it’s “an honour” to win the award again and thanked customers for their support because “without them it wouldn’t be possible.”
“We’re over the moon and excited to have won, especially for my father and ourselves in the family business,” Arthur says.
“A big thanks to my dad as well because without him this business wouldn’t exist. My brother and I have come in here and learnt the ropes and we’re just trying to maintain the business the way my dad had it and just keep his legacy going.”
Clem’s Chicken Shop in Newtown were also crowned winners in the ‘Fast Food / Takeaway’ category.
Clem’s has been run by the Tsakalides family for 40 years since 1982. The shop was first opened by married couple, Despina and Clem, and is now being run by Despina and her children, Spiro, Panagioti and Barbara.
Spiro and Panagioti from Clem’s Chicken Shop in Newtown.
The shop originally sold barbeque and fried chicken, but it has since expanded into bakes as well such as traditional moussaka, and salads.
Spiro tells The GreekHerald that it “feels very good” to have won in the Local Business Awards.
“It’s validation from the community… so it’s a big deal,” Spiro says.
Staff at Clem’s Chicken Shop.
“We want to thank our customers from the bottom of our hearts for all the support they’ve given us over the 40 years. It isn’t possible without them and the team we have behind us as well.”
To top it all off, Nina Alidenes won ‘Most Outstanding Restaurant’ and ‘Business of the Year’ for her restaurant One Penny Red.
The Inner West 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 Kogarah Church Philoptohos Society hosted its inaugural St Elesa Food Initiative Annual Fundraiser on Saturday, July 23 at the Emporium Function Centre in Bankstown.
The event was attended by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, His Grace Iakovos of Miletoupolis and other members of the clergy.
Over 300 attendees enjoyed a wonderful family night filled with generosity, food and dancing.
All photos by Eirini Alligiannis.
Leo and Andrew Stefadouros of Olympic Marble donated a beautiful hand created mosaic icon of St Elesa to help raise funds via a raffle.
The event was also sponsored by: Acropolis Funeral Services, Auctus Strategy, C&C Chickens, Delphi Bank, Envirosystems Technologies, Euro Funeral Services, Fokas Beyond, John Skufris – Ray White Commercial South Sydney, SOS Physiotherapy, St George Prescription Centre, and Premier Northpak Packaging.
Bishop Christodoulos addressed the audience on the night and provided insights into how the St Elesa Food Initiative came to fruition and has developed over the past two years to support nine crisis shelters and provide meals to rough sleepers across Sydney.
Archbishop Makarios gave a speech as well and congratulated the Initiative on their achievements and thanked all the volunteers involved. He also reminded the attendees of the importance of giving, especially during the current economic conditions, and that a smile can go a long way when wanting to help and support your fellow man.
The audience also heard from Vivian Stavis, Manager of the Lillian Howell Project, who accommodates young women who are experiencing homelessness. Vivian recalled her clients delight at the home cooked meals that arrive each week, especially the rizogalo (rice pudding) and invited the volunteers to come to the shelter and teach the young ladies how to prepare it for themselves.
A wonderful family night was had by all. Children enjoyed the free photobooth and face painting, whilst Tasso from Greek Bouzouki Entertainment Sydney entertained the crowded dance floor.
The Kogarah Church Philoptohos Society raised $55,000 for the St Elesa Food Initiative. These funds will be used to provide meals, clothes and other needed item to those in need across Sydney.
Justin and Elizabeth Georgopoulos have permanently closed the doors of the popular Justinian’s Cafe & Dessert Bar at Macarthur Square in Sydney’s south-west after seven years.
The Greek Australian couple announced the news on Facebook and said they are “disappointed” to have to close the multi-award winning business but the last few years have been difficult.
“The last couple of years we have seen through lockdowns, restrictions, a devastating break in, 9 months of dealing with the massive construction site that continues to encroach on our premises and finally lease negotiations,” Justin and Elizabeth wrote on the Facebook post.
“We can assure you we gave it our all and put up our best fight through every challenge.”
The couple’s decision to close the cafe and dessert bar has been met with cries of disappointment from the locals on social media.
“Absolutely guttered for such a worthy small business. We love the food and atmosphere there it’s like a second home!” one Facebook user wrote.
“So sorry to hear this. I love coming to your cafe. Staff are wonderful, food fantastic and feel good when there,” another Facebook comment read.
In response, Justin and Elizabeth have thanked their customers and “amazing team” for all their support.
“We have loved getting to know you all over the years. Many of you have become part of our Justinian’s family,” the couple concluded.
“Seeing your smiles, having a chat, a laugh or an 80’s sing-along has been a blast, and memories that we will treasure forever.”
Christina Chiotakis married the man of her dreams in May amongst 245-million-year-old fossils and giant dinosaur skeletons at the Queensland Museum.
Speaking to ABC News, Christina described how she met her now-husband Rupert Say at the museum in 2015, where they both work as guides.
“Our love was a slow burn… because at his first shift I made him clean up vomit,” she said in the interview with journalist, Jessica Hinchliffe, and stressed that they were inseparable from then on.
It’s no surprise then that the Queensland couple settled on a more prehistoric theme for their wedding.
Their photos were taken at the Lost Creatures exhibit and their other loves, Star Wars and Harry Potter, also featured with a Sorting Hat and droids littered throughout the museum.
“It was a perfect fit for us to be married at the museum – it was very us,” Christina, who is also a palaeontologist at the museum, said.
Now, after a honeymoon on the Sunshine Coast, what’s next on the agenda for the couple?
“We might renew our vows one day back here at the museum but we just have to make sure there are still fossils on display then,” she concluded.
