The Cyprus Community of New South Wales mourns the passing of former President of the Republic of Cyprus, George Vassiliou, and commemorates his life, achievements, and enduring legacy.
Mr Vassiliou maintained strong and enduring links with Australia and the Cypriot diaspora. During visits to Australia in the early 1990s, he encouraged deeper engagement between Cyprus and Australian Cypriot communities. He was also a strong advocate for academic, archaeological, and research collaboration, leading to initiatives involving the University of Sydney, particularly Cyprus-based excavations.
His contribution extended well beyond Cyprus and Europe, influencing regional cooperation in the Middle East and strengthening international relationships, including through engagement with Australian political leaders such as former Prime Minister Bob Hawke
Kyriakos Panayi, Honorary Secretary of the Cyprus Community of NSW, said: “Together with Australia’s Bob Hawke, Mr Vassiliou prosecuted the cause of Cyprus eloquently throughout the world, leading to the passage of significant resolutions in a number of international forums which remain benchmarks in support of Cyprus.”
Cyprus Community of NSW Honorary President Michael Peters Kyriacou said Mr Vassiliou’s legacy continues to resonate strongly with the Community and with policymakers today.
“George Vassiliou stands as one of the great reformers of Cyprus and of Europe,” Mr Kyriacou said.
Mr Kyriacou noted that Mr Vassiliou’s friendship with Mr Hawke was well known. Mr Hawke was a long-standing supporter of the Cyprus Community of NSW, having officially opened the Stanmore building and served as its patron.
“The friendship between these two leaders was genuine and enduring,” Mr Kyriacou said.
“Many see our Community here in New South Wales as facing challenges like those Cyprus faced in the late 1980s — the need for renewal, reform, inclusion, and refocusing. These are precisely the challenges Mr Vassiliou confronted and overcame, leaving Cyprus stronger and more confident within Europe and the international community.”
Mr Kyriacou also recalled that during Mr Vassiliou’s visits to Australia, he placed particular emphasis on engaging younger members of the Community.
“At the time of Mr Vassiliou’s visits to Australia, he held discussions with younger members of the Cyprus Community, urging them to become involved, to help preserve our identity and culture, and to contribute not only to our Community but to Australia — a point he made on a number of occasions during his visits,” Mr Kyriacou said.
Mr Kyriacou said Mr Vassiliou was especially keen to see academic, student, and research exchanges between Australia and Cyprus, including structured youth exchange initiatives.
“All the ideas he spoke about during gatherings held in Sydney more than three decades ago were good ideas then — and even better ideas now,” Mr Kyriacou said.
“That is why the Community has been pursuing internal reform to align itself with what Mr Vassiliou stood for: a forward-looking, dynamic, relevant, and inclusive organisation where young people are engaged and provided with opportunities to enrich their community.”
Mr Kyriacou also recalled a meeting with Mr Vassiliou in 1995, when they discussed the commencement of archaeological excavations at Kato Paphos by the University of Sydney.
“His response was that this should be the first of an enduring relationship — one that would enrich both nations, and particularly our Community in NSW,” Mr Kyriacou said.
Mr Panayi noted that Mr Vassiliou often said that change is difficult but necessary, and that the results are worth the effort.
“We see the fruits of his reforms today,” Mr Panayi said.
“Despite the financial crisis of the last decade, Cyprus has rebounded — a different country now, and a strong performer within the European Union.”
Nick Angelos, long-standing member and former President of the Community, Justice for Cyprus (SEKA) and Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee (PASEKA), said Mr Vassiliou’s achievements were significant both for Cyprus and for the Cyprus issue.
“His reforms propelled Cyprus into a developed economy and a regional hub,” Mr Angelos said.
“His achievements and relationships with the Australian Government are well known. He was able to garner consistent and firm support for the Cyprus issue. With Mr Vassiliou, you knew his advocacy was targeted, effective, and impactful.”
Scholarship and Condolences
The Cyprus Community of NSW has contacted the Vassiliou family to express condolences and to advise of its proposal to establish a scholarship in Mr Vassiliou’s honour, aligned with the areas in which he specialised and showed lifelong commitment, subject to the family’s consent.
“We appreciate this is a difficult time for the Vassiliou family,” Mr Kyriacou said. “Details regarding the scope and terms of the scholarship will be finalised shortly.”
An online condolences book has been posted, and a physical condolences book will be available for members of the community and the public to sign at the foyer of the Cyprus Community Club, 26 Quigg Street South, Lakemba NSW 219.
There are periods in the eventful history of a place when a decisive leap is required in order to escape the wear left behind by the past. Times when inertia amounts to retreat, as developments overtake those who fail to redefine their direction in time.
Today, Florina is in a period of transition. The move away from lignite-based activity, the search for a new productive model, and the need for greater outward engagement together create a demanding framework for local government.
It is within this context that the forthcoming visit of the Mayor of Florina, Vasilis Giannakis, to Australia will take place, from 15 to 31 January 2026.
The tour of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Shepparton (the Victorian city twinned with Florina since 1977) will not be limited to ceremonial engagements. On the contrary, it forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties with the diaspora, which the Municipality of Florina views as an active partner in shaping the region’s future.
Particular significance is attached to the joint presence of the Mayor with His Eminence Metropolitan Irenaios of Florina, Prespes and Eordaia, at a time when efforts to reopen the Holy Church of Saint Paraskevi serve as a point of reference for spiritual and social cohesion.
At the same time, the triptych of education – culture – tourism constitutes the core axis of the post-lignite strategy, recently reinforced symbolically through Florina’s international recognition as a leading mountain destination.
Ultimately, the visit to Australia reflects a conscious choice, as the Mayor Giannakis reveals in his interview with The Greek Herald, given just hours before embarking on the long journey.
The transition ahead, he explains, must be supported by memory, cooperation and the trust of the people of Florina — wherever they may live, in Greece, Australia or elsewhere in the world.
What does your forthcoming visit to Australia signify for you personally and for the Municipality of Florina, and what key objectives have you set for this tour?
First of all, I would like to warmly thank you for the invitation and the hospitality of The Greek Herald. My forthcoming visit to Australia carries for me a special, deeply personal, yet at the same time profoundly substantive character.
Meeting Greeks — and especially Florinians of the diaspora — is always an emotional experience. These are people who, although they live and create far from their homeland, keep Florina alive within them and never cease to honour their place of origin.
This trip, which I am undertaking together with His Eminence, has very specific objectives. We aim to renew and strengthen the bonds between the Municipality of Florina, our local community, and the Greek diaspora of Australia. We want to engage closely with its associations and organisations, meet with institutional representatives such as the General Consulate, the local Church and local government authorities, and open an honest dialogue about how we can cooperate more closely.
I would also like to make special reference to our efforts — led by His Eminence — to reopen the Holy Church of Saint Paraskevi in Florina, which suffered serious damage during the earthquake of 9 January 2022. One of the main purposes of our visit is to inform the diaspora, which showed great enthusiasm from the very beginning regarding the progress of the restoration works. With its valuable support, we hope the church — an emblematic spiritual and pilgrimage landmark of Florina — will once again open its doors, continuing its history and tradition for generations to come.
In summary, we seek to highlight Florina as a place of deep historical memory, rich cultural and spiritual heritage, and genuine modern development potential. Our aim is to lay the foundations for cultural, social and institutional collaborations that keep the diaspora’s connection to its homeland alive and build bridges of communication, particularly for younger generations.
As part of your visit, you plan to travel to Shepparton, Florina’s sister city since 1977. How important does this relationship remain today, and how can it be given renewed, contemporary meaning?
Over time, the Municipality of Florina has developed a strong network of sister-city relationships, extending from Canada to Australia. The heart of Florinians around the world continues to beat strongly, and it is our duty — and my personal commitment — to ensure that this network functions not merely symbolically, but as a dynamic vehicle for openness, cooperation and ongoing communication.
Within this framework lies Florina’s relationship with Shepparton — a long-standing twinning rooted primarily in the human bonds of Florinian migrants who settled in the area and maintained close ties with their homeland. It is a relationship of deep emotional and historical value.
Today, there is scope to explore realistic and measured ways of renewing this connection, through targeted collaborations or exchanges of experience. I follow with interest certain initiatives undertaken by the Shepparton municipal authority, particularly in the areas of youth engagement and entrepreneurship. Where feasible, I believe there are opportunities to give this twinning a more contemporary dimension, while respecting its history and the real capacities of both municipalities.
Meetings with diaspora organisations are a key part of your visit. What do you hope to gain from engaging with Greeks in Australia, and what role can the diaspora play in supporting local development?
Diaspora organisations are living hubs of culture and among the most effective ambassadors of Hellenic values across the globe. Personally, I am deeply moved whenever I meet their representatives in person or watch videos of events, dances and activities that keep Greek heritage, tradition and historical memory alive — even thousands of kilometres from the homeland.
Above all, I hope for an open and honest dialogue. I want to listen to the thoughts, ideas and concerns of Greeks in Australia, and especially Florinians of the diaspora, so that our relationship is not one-sided but open and reciprocal. The experience, knowledge and passion they possess represent invaluable capital for our region.
The role of the diaspora in supporting local development can be decisive. Through the transfer of best practice, networking, strengthening Florina’s outward orientation, and supporting cultural, educational and social initiatives, the diaspora can contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. Together, we can design initiatives that bring generations closer, empower young people, and transform nostalgia for the homeland into a creative force for our shared future.
Beyond symbolism, are there specific areas — such as culture, education or tourism — where you see real scope for cooperation between Florina and the four Australian cities you will visit?
The Municipality of Florina is currently in a critical phase of transition, moving away from a lignite-dependent model and towards new, sustainable development opportunities. Along this path, the triptych of education – culture – tourism forms the cornerstone of our vision for the future.
As a Municipal Authority, we are implementing a consistent and comprehensive place-branding strategy, connecting our cultural heritage with our tourism offering to shape an authentic, modern and sustainable identity. Encouraging signs are already evident: Florina was recently awarded Best Mountain Destination in Greece by the Greek National Tourism Organisation at the World Travel Market exhibition held last November in London.
Within this context, cooperation with the dynamic communities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Shepparton is not only possible but highly promising. The diaspora can serve as a strategic ally in strengthening Florina as both a cultural and tourism destination. At the same time, in the field of education, we aim to develop partnerships with educational and academic institutions, deepening the connection of diaspora youth with the Greek language, history and their place of origin.
Our goal is for these collaborations to be practical, long-term and meaningful. This visit to Australia represents a substantive step in that direction — linking Florina’s vision for the future with its people, wherever they may live.
How can local government ensure that international contacts lead to practical exchanges of experience and best practice that benefit citizens?
Local government today operates in a far more complex and demanding environment than in the past. International contacts must move beyond ceremonial gestures and translate into practical exchanges of experience and best practice, delivering tangible benefits for citizens. This requires planning, continuity and meaningful institutional cooperation.
Since 2019, when my fellow citizens first entrusted me with the office of Mayor, I have prioritised the active connection between the Municipality of Florina and Florinians around the world, firmly believing that our potential extends beyond geographical boundaries.
In practical terms, this means structured partnerships, knowledge exchange and joint initiatives in areas such as education, culture, social policy and local development. It also means drawing on the diaspora’s experience in modern governance models, innovation and the management of complex social challenges.
In an era marked by geopolitical shifts, energy uncertainty and global crises, local communities must become more resilient and outward-looking. Local government can — and must — act as a force for stability, cooperation and “soft diplomacy”, using international relationships to strengthen social cohesion and everyday life.
This is our aim in Florina: to turn international engagement into tangible outcomes that enhance quality of life and strengthen our communities in an uncertain world.
Finally, what message would you like to send to Greek Australians — particularly those of Florinian origin — who follow developments in their homeland with interest?
Above all, I wish to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to them for upholding the ideals and values of Hellenism and passing them on with dedication from generation to generation, unchanged across time and distance.
I want our compatriots of Florinian origin to know that we do not forget them — just as I am certain they do not forget us. The love with which they keep the memory of the homeland alive moves us, inspires us and fills us with pride.
They should know that the Municipality of Florina regards them as an active and inseparable part of its identity, and I hope that through our work we will make them proud.
Florina — this sacred land of Macedonia — remains their home, and everyone is always welcome.
Anna Giannis Interiors has been commissioned by South Melbourne Football Club (SMFC) to design the Official Player Suits in time for the launch of the official Oceania Professional League (OPL) which kicks off in Auckland on 17 January 2026.
This collaboration marks a considered expansion of Anna Giannis Interiors into the sporting arena, aligning the brand’s design-led ethos with the discipline, heritage, and performance culture that defines elite sport.
The partnership with South Melbourne FC, is one of Australia’s most iconic and successful football institutions reflects shared values of excellence, legacy, and attention to detail.
The Oceania Players League (OPL) x SMFC Player Suit has been designed to represent modern professionalism while honouring tradition. Tailored for players and management, the suit balances refined structure with contemporary elegance, offering a confident, unified identity that extends beyond the field. The launch underscores the importance of presentation, leadership, and brand consistency within professional sport.
Anna Giannis Interiors Founder and Creative Director Anna Giannis said the collaboration was a natural fit.
“Sport, like design, is grounded in discipline, teamwork, and precision. Working with South Melbourne Football Club and the Oceania Professional League has allowed us to translate these principles into a sartorial expression that reflects strength, pride, and modern identity,” she said.
South Melbourne FC welcomed the partnership, noting the significance of aligning with a respected Australian Interior design studio known for its commitment to craftsmanship and timeless design.
SMFC Co-President, Bill Papastergiadis said, “We are so proud to have a collaboration with an international designer to create the Officlal Player Suit as part of our OPL competition.”
Andrew Mesourouni, Co-President, stated, “We welcome Anna Giannis Interiors to the Hellas family and thank them for their support. Our players and technical staff will be on the world stage dressed and aligned with a professional brand.”
The official launch of the Oceania Professional Leagues SMFC Player Suit brought together players, club representatives, and industry partners to celebrate the intersection of sport and design. The last time there was an official suit was 1999/2000 when SMFC went to Brazil for the FIFA Club World Cup tournament.
This initiative reinforces Anna Giannis Interiors’ ongoing commitment to meaningful collaborations that extend design beyond traditional spaces and into lifestyle, identity, and community.
Controversial Cypriot-Australian poet Koraly Dimitriadis, who was recently runner up in the Eyeland Book awards in Greece for her poetry book, Just Give Me The Pills, will launch her fourth poetry book, That’s What They Do, at the beginning of February.
Dimitriadis, who has won prizes internationally for her poetry including American Book Fest, explores through the poetic form the different ways a person can experience abuse.
“Abuse can come in all sorts of ways, and sometimes it is not in the form that we expect,” Dimitriadis says. “Often in those cases it has us wondering, “am I imagining this? Am I to blame?” No, you are not!”
Through this collection, Dimitriadis explores emotional abuse in friendships, romantic relationships, family dynamics, abuse that governments and society inflict, and also, more topically, abuse she has suffered in the Australian arts sector.
Dimitriadis explains that her frequent travel has largely been driven by feeling marginalised within Australian literary circles, saying she was sidelined and excluded in ways that made it difficult to continue working locally. As a result, she sought opportunities overseas and found meaningful support within the Cypriot arts sector, which helped sustain both her practice and resilience during a challenging period.
She notes that recent controversies, such as the removal of Palestinian author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from Adelaide Writers Week, have brought broader attention to how exclusion can operate within the literary world, whether through external pressures or internal dynamics.
While acknowledging the toll her experience has taken on her mental health and career, she emphasises her determination to continue speaking openly about the issue and to persist in her work.
Other topics explored in the collection is violence against women, including the recent Tom Silvagni case. One of her poems, included in the book, amassed over 200,000 views to date on her social media.
“I do write a lot of what I like to call “opinion poetry”. Rather than writing opinion articles, like I have in the past for the media, I write a poem because it allows me more freedom to say what I want to say, because the media has become so much more censored,” she says.
Dimitriadis has had her commentary published extensively throughout Australia, including international publications in The Washington Post, Al Jazeera, The Independent (UK) and The Guardian.
That’s What They Do will be launched officially on Sunday, February 8 at 3pm at the popular Cypriot restaurant and events space, Capers in Thornbury. It will be launched by lawyer, mediator and musician Emily Highfield who will be in-conversation with Dimitriadis and will also perform a few songs acoustically in Greek and English. Dimitriadis will also perform her trailblazing poetry. Bookings are essential.
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) Schools continue to actively invest in the academic success of their students by delivering targeted and contemporary educational initiatives throughout the year.
As part of this commitment, the VCE Summer Seminar 2026 will once again be offered as a two-day intensive preparation seminar for students studying VCE Greek.
The seminar will take place on 20 and 21 January 2026 at the Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne) and is designed for students intending to study Greek at VCE level, particularly those aiming for strong results and high study scores.
This well-structured and highly effective program is designed and delivered by qualified and experienced teachers, with extensive expertise in preparing students for the VCE Greek examinations.
Throughout the seminar, participants will have the opportunity to:
gain a clear understanding of the structure and expectations of the VCE Greek examinations,
develop essential oral and written communication skills,
build confidence through focused, exam-style practice,
secure a valuable head start for the new academic year.
The VCE Summer Seminar 2026 provides students with a unique opportunity to strengthen their skills, consolidate their knowledge, and approach the VCE examinations with confidence and preparedness.
Dates:
Tuesday 20 January 2026, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm – Oral Examination & Writing
Wednesday 21 January 2026, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm – Listening & Reading Comprehension
The cost is $95 for one day and $170 for both days. Book your spot here.
For further information, contact the Greek Community of Melbourne.
The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW’s Home for the Aged has cancelled its planned ‘Greek Paniyiri @ GOCHA,’ which was scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 18, due to a forecast of rainy weather.
The event, to be held at the Greek Community Home for the Aged in Earlwood in collaboration with the Panipirotiki Enosis of NSW, was set to celebrate Hellenic culture with traditional food, music, dancing and family-friendly entertainment.
The paniyiri was intended to bring together multiple generations of the Greek Australian community, offering younger attendees an opportunity to experience Greek traditions while allowing older residents to reconnect with familiar customs and flavours.
A young Greek visitor injured in a swimming accident at Cottesloe Beach faces a devastating road ahead, with doctors advising Ioannis (Giannis) Vidiniotis has less than a five per cent chance of walking again, after a medical emergency while swimming with family on New Year’s Eve.
Giannis, who flew in from Athens to Perth, Western Australia two days earlier, was enjoying a calm swim with relatives when the incident happened.
Giannis struck his head on a sandbank and sustained a broken collarbone and catastrophic spinal fractures.
“This is the hardest reality for our family to face,” Giannis’ cousin Aristea Kazantzidou said.
“Giannis went into the water feeling safe – the next I saw him floating face down. None of us could have imagined how quickly everything would change.”
Aristea pulled Giannis from the water and immediately commenced CPR. A bystander named Lloyd, an anaesthetist, rushed to assist, along with lifesavers from Cottesloe Beach who provided critical emergency care.
Paramedics from St John also arrived promptly and continued life-saving treatment at the scene.
“We cannot thank Lloyd, the lifesavers and the paramedics enough,” Aristea said. “Their actions have given Giannis a slim chance.”
Giannis was transported to Royal Perth Hospital, where he is expected to remain for at least six weeks under intensive medical care. Doctors have advised that once stabilised, he will face an agonising six-month rehabilitation program at Fiona Stanley Hospital, focused on intensive physiotherapy and neurological recovery.
“The staff, doctors and nurses at Royal Perth Hospital have been extraordinary,” Aristea said. “Their compassion, skill and commitment have carried us through the darkest days.”
Medical specialists have now confirmed the severity of Giannis’ injuries, advising the family that his chance of walking again is less than five per cent – a prognosis that has shattered the family and underscored the unpredictable dangers of the ocean.
“This is a stark reminder that Perth’s beaches, no matter how calm they appear, can be treacherous,” Aristea said.
“We want people to enjoy our coastline, but also to understand how quickly things can go wrong.”
In response, the Hellenic Community of Western Australia has launched a GoFundMe appeal to support Giannis and his family with extensive medical, rehabilitation and long-term care costs. As an international visitor, the financial burden is significant and ongoing.
“The support from the community has been overwhelming,” Aristea said. “Every donation, every message, reminds us that Giannis is not fighting this battle alone.”
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has called on Iran to refrain from executing protesters, citing the case of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, during talks in Athens with Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel.
“We call on the regime in Iran to refrain from imposing and executing penalties on citizens demonstrating in support of freedom,” Gerapetritis said on Wednesday, referring to Soltani, who was detained last week and whose family said he faced imminent execution.
“The death penalty imposed on young people, as a consequence of exercising a universal right, is a disgrace that cannot be tolerated by the international community. We call for absolute avoidance of any such action,” he added.
Gerapetritis stressed that “fundamental rights, among them freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, must be respected by all,” describing the use of force resulting in loss of life as “abhorrent and absolutely condemnable.”
Erfan Soltani.
According to relatives and the Norway-based human rights group Hengaw, Soltani was arrested at his home in Fardis, west of Tehran, and sentenced to death following what they described as a rapid and opaque process.
Hengaw said on Wednesday it had “serious and ongoing concerns regarding Soltani’s right to life,” though his execution had reportedly been postponed. Iran’s judiciary has not commented.
During the Athens meeting, Gerapetritis and van Weel also discussed NATO cohesion, cooperation between NATO and the European Union, and collective security.
The Greek minister warned that weakening global multilateralism fuels insecurity, adding that Greece, as an elected member of the UN Security Council, views the United Nations as the appropriate forum for safeguarding peace.
“The rules of international law and the principles of the UN charter, especially respect of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, are absolutely not negotiable features of peaceful world order,” Gerapetritis said.
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced on Tuesday, January 13 that the Central Coast Mariners club participation agreement had been forfeited, with the league assuming interim control of the club while it undertakes a process to secure a long-term owner.
Mr Hanlin has since responded publicly, outlining his involvement with the club in the months leading up to the APL’s intervention and his position following the league’s decision.
Funding and proposed takeover
Mr Hanlin said he began funding the Mariners in September 2025, acting as a financial stabiliser during a period of uncertainty. He said that in October 2025 he executed a binding contract of sale to acquire full ownership of the club.
“That contract was genuine, enforceable and active,” Mr Hanlin said. “I was a willing, ready and financially capable buyer.”
According to his statement, Mr Hanlin claims to have injected more than $2 million into the club over approximately six months. He said the funding covered player wages and staff entitlements, operational and matchday costs, sponsorship commitments, payments to creditors, and the engagement of personnel.
Football operations
During the same period, the Mariners underwent a number of football and operational changes.
Mr Hanlin said the investment was aimed at strengthening the squad and football program.
“We recruited an excellent playing group and invested heavily in improving the club’s football operations,” he said.
“To see that effort undone in this way is a crying shame for the players, staff and supporters.”
Those developments came during a broader transition at the club, including the departure of head coach Mark Jackson shortly before the start of the 2025–26 A-League season.
Approval process and communication
Mr Hanlin said that while his ownership application was under consideration, it did not result in a formal outcome from the APL.
“No written determination was ever issued – no approval, no rejection, no conditional approval,” he said.
He also said communication during the latter stages of the process lacked certainty.
“We were left funding the club’s survival with no clarity, no timeline and no engagement,” he said.
APL timeline
The APL has said that as part of its ownership approval process it sought further information from Mr Hanlin relating to legal and compliance matters connected to his prior business activities.
On December 22, the league said it had not received the requested information from Mr Hanlin, “despite outstanding requests.”
The APL said it was informed on December 27 that the proposed asset sale agreement with Mr Hanlin had been terminated.
“We understand that Mr Hanlin was aware of this termination,” APL chair Stephen Conroy said.
APL chair Stephen Conroy.
On December 29, the APL said it was advised of the intention to hand back the club’s participation licence, leading to the forfeiture of the agreement and the league’s assumption of interim control.
Responding to the sequence of events outlined by the league, Mr Hanlin strongly criticised the process.
“What has occurred with the Central Coast Mariners represents one of the most opaque, damaging and disappointing governance failures I have witnessed in Australian sport,” Mr Hanlin said.
“To remove a licence without consulting a contracted buyer who was actively funding and improving the club is extraordinary.”
Mr Conroy has rejected suggestions the process was mishandled, saying the league applies strict standards when assessing prospective owners.
“The APL takes the process of considering new owners very seriously and as such follows a rigorous process, and we don’t apologise for that,” he said.
Financial exposure and outstanding issues raised
In his statement, Mr Hanlin said he is now seeking clarity on a number of outstanding issues following the abrupt end to the proposed takeover, including how funding and investment he says was provided in good faith – including his own – will be recognised, and how existing creditors of the club will be treated as the APL oversees the interim period.
The APL has said it will oversee the club during the interim period and has reiterated that it applies a rigorous process when assessing prospective owners, while not commenting publicly on individual bidders or internal approval processes.
The league has confirmed it will continue to manage the club while a long-term ownership solution is pursued.
Media reports have indicated that other potential investors may be considering interest in the Mariners, including overseas groups linked to Queens Park Rangers, a London-based club owned by an international investment group, though no formal bids have been confirmed.
Thanasi Kokkinakis’ return to singles competition has been cut short after the hometown favourite withdrew from his Adelaide International round of 16 match due to a lingering shoulder injury.
The 29-year-old pulled out of Wednesday night’s clash with Valentin Vacherot, handing the fifth seed a walkover win, after failing to recover from a gruelling opening-round upset of American Seb Korda, his first singles match in 12 months.
Kokkinakis required repeated treatment on his shoulder during the three-set victory and admitted post-match he was uncertain he would be fit to continue.
Photo: Instagram.
“It’s tough obviously, it has plagued me my whole career,” Kokkinakis said.
“It puts a dampener on the win for sure, I know my tennis is in a good spot but it’s just the arm and shoulder I need to get right.
“I already know what (recovery) tomorrow is looking like for me and I don’t love it.”
The withdrawal casts serious doubt over Kokkinakis’ availability for this month’s Australian Open.
Vacherot will now face the winner of the match between Rinky Hijikata and top seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
