Elderly Greek couple, Nitsa and Spiros Tzavellas, have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the community’s response to a GoFund Me campaign aimed at helping them save their home of 50 years in Earlwood and avoid strata bankruptcy.
It has since raised close to $63,000, with donations now closed.
Many donations were from the Earlwood community, including fundraising at the local Coles supermarket organised by Samantha and Lenya.
Anthony tells The Greek Herald the Tzavelles’ are very grateful and overwhelmed by the support of the community.
“They’re feeling much better. Really relieved. They’re very thankful to the community, very grateful and appreciative, for all that they’ve done for them,” Anthony says.
Nitsa and Spiros are overwhelmed at the support.
“The money will go towards getting everything paid off including the strata, legal fees and all that and we’re hoping that after it’s all paid off, they can finally get those windows fixed.”
Nitsa and Spiros, pensioners aged 78 and 81 respectively, were first caught up in the strata saga in 2019 when their body corporate voted to upgrade the building’s old windows and raise a special levy to pay for it.
The Tzavellases’ initial debt was about $18,000, of which they say they paid $13,000 in regular instalments before receiving legal advice to stop paying.
As of two weeks ago, the debt had grown to $44,000 because of a 10 percent interest rate and the rapidly growing legal costs of the owners’ corporation and strata company.
Now Nitsa says she just wants to thank everybody who donated “with all my heart” for their support.
“People supported me and my husband, and I will never forget this. Everyone saved me to stay in my house,” the Greek woman told The Sydney Morning Herald.
South Melbourne FC’s blind team have been crowned Australian Champions in the National Blind Football Series, Football Victoria has reported.
The team drew 1-1 with Brisbane’s Olympic FC over the weekend during a match at The Hangar, the home of Essendon Football Club.
South Melbourne FC conceded early to a penalty, but the squad fought back and in the second half equalised from open play thanks to Captain Amir Abdi.
The Club said in a statement that players will now “shift their focus to making the Australian squad competing in the Asian Cup in November.”
South Melbourne FC’s success comes after the blind football team put in another dominating performance to defeat Brisbane Olympic FC 2-0 in May this year.
A presentation on the ‘Anzac Digital Tourism Scenarios – Digital Routes of Historical Tourism in Lemnos’ project was held on Lemnos island recently in the presence of a number of Australian Members of Parliament (MPs).
The presentation was organised by the The Lemnos’ Friends of AnzacAssociation in cooperation with the IT company, Aegean Solutions SA. The project is funded by the North Aegean Region and the beneficiary of the integrated action is the Municipality of Lemnos.
In attendance at the presentation were a number of representatives of the Greek State, local authorities and a delegation of Australian and Canadian members of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE/WHIA) including Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP, and the NSW Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis MP.
The event took place in the hall of the Varos Village Boutique Hotel and Residences. It was followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Portianos Commonwealth Cemetery, and a field demonstration of the new app created because of the project.
‘Anzac Digital Tourism Scenarios- Digital Routes of Historical Tourism in Lemnos’ is the first project in the Greek territory in the field of Historical Tourism, which is based on augmented reality and 3D development.
As part of the Association’s social responsibility to the local community, the expatriate MPs visited the landmarks of Lemnos, while an evening was organised in their honour, during which they had the opportunity to get to know the local products and local culture as presented by the Cultural Association of Tsimandria, Lemnos.
To find out more about the project, please visit: www.lemnosanzac.gr. At the end of July 2022, the website will also be linked to the on-site observation of the data.
Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, marked the 48th anniversary since the restoration of democracy on Sunday by laying a wreath at the bust of Spyros Moustaklis – a resistance fighter who opposed the 1967-1974 military junta.
The President was attending an event to honour the heroes of the struggle against the dictatorship at the former EAT-ESA jail.
She was received by Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis and the President of the Junta Resistance Fighters’ Association, Evangelos Giougkis.
Ένα στεφάνι από την Πρόεδρο της Δημοκρατίας @PresidencyGR εκ μέρους όλων των Ελλήνων, στα κρατητήρια της ΕΑΤ- ΕΣΑ στο Πάρκο Ελευθερίας, φόρος τιμής σε εκείνους που βασανίστηκαν κι έδωσαν τη ζωή τους για την πατρίδα, 48 χρόνια από τότε που η Δημοκρατία αποκαταστάθηκε στην Ελλάδα. pic.twitter.com/hzpxRi51eQ
After the wreath laying ceremony, Sakellaropoulou attended an official reception held in the garden of the Presidential Mansion in Athens.
In a speech during the event, the Greek President thanked the resistance fighters for their heroic actions against the military junta.
“We are grateful to the fighters against the dictatorship, to those who risked their lives for the freedom of all of us…” she said.
“The honour given to them has not only historical value, but also a pedagogical function: it reminds us that the defence of democracy is permanent and is our highest duty.”
Στην 48η επέτειο αποκατάστασης της Δημοκρατίας τιμήσαμε τους αγωνιστές κατά της δικτατορίας και συμπολίτες μας που συμβολίζουν το άνοιγμα στην κοινωνία. Η δημοκρατία δεν αφορά μόνο την οργάνωση της Πολιτείας, αλλά και τον αδιαπραγμάτευτο τρόπο της ζωής μας.https://t.co/pztHz1Zexppic.twitter.com/af9D8pRP8S
Sakellaropoulou also touched on the Cyprus issue and how the democracy anniversary reminds Greece and its people that Cyprus remains divided after the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.
“The solution of the Cyprus issue, based on the decisions of the United Nations Security Council and the European acquis, is our absolute priority,” the President added.
“Greece and Cyprus remain steadfastly committed to the reunification of the island and the removal of the occupying forces.”
Homes and forests have been destroyed as several major fires are burning across Greece and the recent heatwave has increased the dangers of new ones,Ekathimerini reports.
One wildfire has broken out in southern Greece, burning homes in villages not far from the famous archaeological site of Ancient Olympia and prompting the evacuations of six villages.
According to AP News, the fire broke out on Sunday afternoon near the villages of Krestena and Skillountia, which are south and southeast of Ancient Olympia.
A house is on fire near the village of Krestena south of Ancient Olympia. Photo: Giannis Spyrounis/ilialive.gr via AP.
Fire authorities said the prevailing north-westerly winds were pushing the fire to the southeast, up a mountain and away from Ancient Olympia.
Elsewhere, at least six more significant fires were also burning across the country on Sunday, with three of those burning for several days.
The most extensive, and dangerous, fire is the one at the Dadia national forest, in the region of Thrace, near the border with Turkey, which began on Thursday. The forest is home to rare species, especially vultures, and is mostly made up of highly flammable pine trees.
#Greece | For 3rd consecutive day wildfires are raging at Dadia national park in Evros. One of the most beautiful places in the country is destroyed. No support from EU nor US troops stationed at Alexandroupolis. pic.twitter.com/ECmC9Jje4y
The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy, along with several NGOs, are going to create an emergency station for the treatment of wildlife. The World Wide Fund of Nature (WWF) and volunteer veterinarians are already treating animals brought in by firefighters and civilian volunteers battling the blaze.
The Fire Service is also battling fires at the resort of Vatera, on the southern side of the island of Lesvos, in southwestern Peloponnese and in a remote mountain area in the region of Western Macedonia, near the town of Grevena.
A firefighter tries to extinguishes a forest fire near the beach resort of Vatera, on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos, Greece, Saturday, July 23, 2022. Photo: AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis.
The fire on the Greek island of Lesvos, which required the evacuation of over 450 tourists and locals Saturday, is slowly being controlled, with only scattered blazes late on Sunday afternoon, local authorities said.
Hot and dry conditions, along with gusty winds, have prevailed for weeks in Greece. A heat wave that arrived on Saturday pushed temperatures past 41 degrees Celsius in some places. The heat is expected to persist for several days.
La Trobe University is joining forces with Delphi Bank to bring you their new exhibition showcasing and honouring the Greek-Australian migrant story, ‘Finding Home’.
The exhibition will take place at the Delphi Bank in Oakleigh, Victoria from 18 July – 7 October and will feature a unique collection of items from the University’s Greek archives, Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora.
We’ve partnered with Delphi Bank to bring you ‘Finding Home’, an exhibition honouring the Greek-Australian migration story, featuring a unique collection of items from our Greek Archives. The exhibition is open at Delphi Bank from 18 July – 7 October https://t.co/c5I5Hb2nlL. pic.twitter.com/czdEyKtLHU
Travel + Leisure magazine recently revealed the “10 Best Resorts in Greece” for 2022, as voted by its readers during this year’s World’s Best Awards survey.
Most of the luxury hotels included on the list are located on Mykonos and Santorini. In fact, eight of the 10 winners can be found on those two islands.
An exhibition of Greek linocuts by artist Michael Winters is currently showing in Canberra at the Belconnen Arts Centre.
The exhibition titled ‘My Greece’ is open until August 21 and comprises 45 pieces and is a major retrospective survey of his Greek-themed artworks from 1995 to 2022.
‘My Greece’ is the creation of Canberra’s wandering Philhellene artist who upon visiting Leros in 1965, commenced a long creative relationship with the island and Greece itself.
He lived and worked in Greece for long periods and in 2007 set up a printmaking studio on Leros. Some of the works in the exhibition were created there.
Winters says his intention was to create both a sense of place and also the technical challenge of using layer upon layer of colour in the work.
Helen Musa from CBR City News writes: “His exhibition will cover linocut images of Athens, Monemvasia, Corinth, ancient Olympia and Crete, but the majority will be of Leros, where, in 2007 he shipped his equipment and spent two years making prints and teaching in the adopted homeland of his youth.”
Winters is responsible for several large public murals around the ACT, is still an active painting teacher and is most prominently known in Canberra for his grand exhibition of artworks commemorating Australia’s involvement in Crete during World War II at the Australian War Memorial in 2005.
For more details on “My Greece”, at the Belconnen Arts Centre click here.
Florida-based company Orama Ventures announced on Wednesday that a group of leading global companies would join forces to develop the required infrastructure for the entry and operation of eVTOL (Electrical, Vertical Take Off and Landing) in Greece, until 2026.
Orama Ventures LLC is the investment arm of O Lifestyle International that is based in Luxembourg. Greek construction firm Aktor has been selected as its first local partner.
EVTOLs are aircraft with electric propulsion systems, capable of vertical take-off and landing, without requiring the existence of a runway.
They can transport up to six passengers with zero emissions and minimal noise levels, and at a cost per kilometer completely comparable to that of a conventional taxi.
They are designed to be located in urban centers, either in available open spaces or on suitably configured building rooftops.They are also ideal for regional destinations, mainland and island territory.
While consultations with various government agencies and potential partners from related sectors of activity in Greece are set to continue throughout 2022, Orama intends to proceed with the acquisition of the required properties and the licensing procedures for the construction of the first Vertiports in 2023.
As the halftime whistle blew at the Bulldogs v Rabbitohs NRL game at Accor Stadium recently, hundreds of students from 40 dance schools across Sydney rushed onto the field to take part in the 2022 Bulldogs Dance Spectacular.
Directly opposite the goal posts was 27-year-old Australian of Greek and Cypriot heritage, Renae Neou, crouched down and cheering on her 30 students participating in the group performance.
“I was just so proud of the girls and so happy we got the opportunity to be a part of something like this,” Renae tells The Greek Herald.
Her student Andreana Daris shared the same excitement, telling The Greek Herald: “It was a really fun experience to dance with my friends and also feel the exhilaration that the players feel when they’re on the field.”
“It’s not every day you get to dance with a couple of thousand people watching, let alone in a stadium, so it’s pretty cool that the girls now have that experience and story to tell,” Renae adds.
Students of Boom Chaka Laka School of Dance performing with 40 other schools at the 2022 Bulldogs Dance Spectacular. Photos: Chris Spyrou
Renae is the proud founder of Boom Chaka Laka: a dance school, entertainment company and dessert business.
It’s an entrepreneurial journey that started quite literally with a boom when Renae, at 18 years of age, accidentally blew up her red Holden Viva.
“How was I supposed to know the orange teapot meant the car needed oil?” the now 27-year-old asks earnestly.
At the time, Renae had just graduated high school and was working part-time as a choreographer whilst completing her Certificate IV in performing arts.
“I was regrettably in the market for a new car, so I picked up a second job as a kids entertainer,” she says.
Whilst it was a job that saw her become known as “Emma Wiggle,” “Elsa” or the girl behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume, it was a job that made her realise her love for working with children.
Renae with her team of kids entertainers. Photo: Supplied to TGH
“In 2014 I had completed my certificate and enrolled straight away in a teaching degree,” Renae says.
“I was working for two different kids entertainment businesses, had picked up some dance gigs and started to teach hip-hop and tap classes in Sydney.”
In 2018, after completing her bachelor of education, Renae launched Boom Chaka Laka.
“We started as an entertainment business hosting parties and events right across NSW, doing everything from birthdays to festivals,” she says.
“One of my favourite memories to date has to be the Parramatta Let’s Go Greek Festival in 2019 when our Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man danced sousta with Maria Stavropoulou.
WATCHBoom Chaka Laka at the 2019 Let’s Go Greek Festival:
“It’s always fun seeing the kids and even the yiayiades and papoudes in awe that a cartoon character is smashing out a traditional dance right in front of them.”
When I ask what impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on her business, Renae lets out a laugh.
“I had the bright idea of opening the Boom Chaka Laka School of Dance in my garage in February 2020 and in March the state was locked down,” she says.
“Opening my own dance school had been my dream for the longest time and I wasn’t going to let the pandemic stop me. Like a lot of other businesses, we went online.
“For my students and even myself, dance gave us all a break from the dullness that we were living through. It was the colour and fun we all needed.”
Today, the school runs eight classes per week in Sydney’s southwest for tiny tots, juniors and seniors, specialising in hip hop, jazz, ballet and contemporary.
For Andreana, who has been there since the school’s inception, she says Boom Chaka Laka is like an extended family.
“Being a part of Boom Chaka Laka means being able to socialise while at the same time learning new techniques and moves that make you a better dancer,” she says.
“I love BCL because I can relate to all the other dancers. There are a few of us that are Greek so we get to laugh and joke about our families but it really is a multicultural school that accepts and embraces everyone.”
Photos: Alissar Hamoud / The Creative Lane.
Finally, I ask Renae, who now holds well over a decade of experience in the industry, what view she has of dancing, to which she says: “We dance to make ourselves and others feel something.”
“It makes people feel this unique sense of togetherness and freedom – nothing can compete with that.
“In terms of teaching, whenever a student comes in not knowing anybody and leaves making a lifelong friend, that’s when my job is done,” she concludes.
