It was a full house at Bird’s Basement on Friday, July 25, as local Greek ensemble Estudiantina of Melbourne returned to the iconic Melbourne venue with Songs of the Soul – a stirring tribute to rebetiko pioneers Rita Abadzi and Kostas Roukounas.
The sold-out event was a resounding success, drawing music lovers from across Melbourne’s multicultural community to experience the passion and poetry of early 20th-century Greek urban music.
Opening the night were two rising stars of the rebetiko scene – Nicko Zagkountinos and Antonio D’Angelo – affectionately dubbed the “next generation rebetes” from Melbourne. The talented teens, who regularly participate in the Rebetiko Jam sessions at Triakosia every Wednesday, performed a 30-minute support set alongside Con Kalamaras and Alex Petropoulos.
Opening the night were Nicko Zagkountinos and Antonio D’Angelo alongside Con Kalamaras and Alex Petropoulos.
Taking centre stage, Estudiantina of Melbourne captivated audiences with their emotionally rich interpretations of smyrneika, amanedes and classic rebetiko.
The show paid homage not only to the musical brilliance of Abadzi and Roukounas, but to their powerful stories – Abadzi as a pioneering female voice in a male-dominated genre, and Roukounas as a refugee from Asia Minor whose voice still resonates through Greek music history.
Fresh from a successful East Coast tour and the release of their debut album, Estudiantina once again delivered a performance that showcased not just musical excellence but cultural storytelling.
With musicians of Greek, Anglo-German, and Lebanese heritage, the ensemble continues to reflect the diversity and richness of Melbourne’s evolving Hellenic music scene.
For those lucky enough to be in the audience, Songs of the Soul was more than a concert – it was a moving celebration of legacy, resilience, and the enduring power of song.
The Church of Saint Paraskevi in Taigum, Brisbane was consecrated on Saturday, 26 July 2025, coinciding with the feast day of the Holy Virgin and Martyr Saint Paraskevi.
The event marked the first consecration of a Greek Orthodox church in Brisbane in over 65 years.
The service was led by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, alongside Bishops Bartholomew of Brisbane and Iakovos of Miletoupolis, and clergy of the Holy Diocese of Brisbane.
As per Orthodox tradition, the ceremony included the procession and placement of holy relics in the altar, the washing and anointing of the Holy Table, and the marking of church walls with Holy Myrrh.
A large crowd of faithful attended, with hymns chanted by youth from the Greek Orthodox Christian Society of Sydney.
Archbishop Makarios described the consecration as a “great ecclesiastical event,” emphasising that the church is now entrusted to the All-Holy Spirit, who will sanctify all that takes place within.
Bishop Bartholomew expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the clergy and parish, saying: “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this great joy and blessing.”
The consecration was attended by several prominent figures of the Greek Orthodox community, including Theo Bacalakis (Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and President of the Parish of St John the Baptist, Cairns), Costa Stratikopoulos (President of St Paraskevi, Taigum), Luke Comino (President of the Dormition of Our Lady, Mt Gravatt), Sandra Voukelatos (President of St Anna, Gold Coast), and Steve Magdas, Director of the Greek Welfare Centre.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has bestowed one of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s highest honours upon Eleni Raptis for her decades-long dedication to the Parish of Saint Anna in the Gold Coast.
The Archbishop awarded Mrs Raptis the Medal of the Order of the Philochrist at the conclusion of a special Divine Liturgy held on Sunday, July 27, during his pastoral visit to the coastal Queensland city.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has bestowed one of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s highest honours upon Eleni Raptis.
The service, presided over by the Archbishop and assisted by Bishops Bartholomew of Brisbane and Iakovos of Miletoupolis, drew a large congregation of faithful and dignitaries, including Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, representatives of the Greek Consulate, and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and President of the Parish-Community of Saint John the Baptist in Cairns, Theo Bacalakis.
In heartfelt remarks during a celebratory parish luncheon, Archbishop Makarios praised the selfless and enduring contribution of Mrs Raptis and her husband Jim to the local church, describing their support as “invaluable.”
Jim Raptis with Eleni.
He also commended Parish Priest Fr Romanos Stergiou for his tireless ministry, and expressed gratitude to local leadership and the wider parish for maintaining the spirit of Hellenism and Orthodoxy in the region.
In his homily, the Archbishop reflected on the importance of unwavering faith, drawing inspiration from the lives of Saints Anna and Panteleimon, and encouraged the faithful to remain spiritually steadfast despite life’s challenges.
The visit concluded with a call from the Archbishop for unity and continued support for the Parish of Saint Anna, which he described as “a beacon of Orthodoxy and Hellenism in the city of Gold Coast.”
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has announced the return of its educational and cultural student tour to Athens this September 2025, further cementing the strong ties between Greece and the Greek Australian diaspora.
In a recent meeting between the Governor of Attiki, Nikos Chardalias, and GCM President Bill Papastergiadis OAM, the Governor reaffirmed his unwavering support for the GCM’s initiatives.
“As long as I’m here as Governor, this relationship with the GCM and its students will continue,” Chardalias said.
“In Greece, the GCM’s great work is well recognised not only by the Greek government but also by the Prefecture of Attiki. We are proud to work with the GCM and must invest in the cultural development of the diaspora’s young adults. I will make time to personally meet with these students upon their arrival. This is Greek hospitality.”
Papastergiadis welcomed the Governor’s ongoing support, highlighting the enduring relationship between the GCM and Greece’s leadership.
“Mr Chardalias has long been a strong advocate for cross-national relations. I first met Nick as a Deputy Minister some years ago, and since then, our bond has continued to grow,” Papastergiadis said.
“Our shared respect and mutual trust ensure we can continue to build long-term programs for young Greek Australians. We cannot overstate the value of these tours – they forge lifelong connections and immerse our youth in the richness of their cultural heritage. It’s a journey they will never forget.”
Papastergiadis also commended the Governor’s leadership, adding: “I admire Nick for his energy and passion. We are fortunate to have such strong leaders in Greece who are genuinely committed to engaging with the diaspora.”
The September 2025 GCM Student Tour to Athens promises an unforgettable experience, continuing a legacy of education, heritage, and authentic filoxenia that connects the next generation with their ancestral roots.
Sydney Olympic withstood a late surge to come out on top in an important battle with St George City with a 2-1 win at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday evening to give their finals push a vital boost.
It is a crucial victory for Olympic in their fight for a top six finish, especially as they prepare for an incredibly challenging run of games that will see them face three top four teams as well as rivals Sydney United 58.
The Blues seized the lead in the 11th minute after defender Nathan Grimaldi missed the ball in an attempted header back to his keeper, with Ryan Feutz pouncing on the ball and slotting it into the bottom right corner.
Olympic pushed for a second and nearly found it in the 17th minute after Zac Zoricich found some space on the left-hand side of the box, with the right back releasing a shot on his left that forced a strong save out of goalkeeper Jack Kenny.
The hosts eventually found their second in the 21st minute through a penalty that was won by Ziggy Gordon, with Teng Kuol stepping up to the spot and drilling it down the middle.
St George came agonisingly close to halving the deficit in the 40th minute following a well-worked counter-attack that saw Levi Sciuriaga release a strong strike on goal, with the ball hitting Olympic shot stopper Jack Gibson’s outstretched hand and deflecting onto the post.
Sciuriaga had another chance quickly after in the 45th minute when he managed to dribble find some space down the right side of the box, though Gibson again prevailed as he rushed off his line and got his feet in the way of the winger’s shot.
Olympic’s Dylan Ruiz-Diaz looked to make it three in the 54th minute with a solid effort towards the right side of the net, though Kenny kept it out with a strong diving save.
Ruiz-Diaz had the chance to make up for it in the 59th minute, this time releasing a shot towards the left side of the goal only for Kenny to intervene once more with another committed diving save.
The visitors breathed life into the clash in the 81st minute after a corner kick saw the ball fall to Noah Ovens, who managed to guide it over Gibson to get his team back into the game.
Despite City’s late push, the Blues held on strong to seal maximum points.
Olympic coach Labinot Haliti could not contain his pride in his players following the game.
“The people who are not watching games are missing out on something,” a jubilant Haliti told Football NSW.
“This is the youngest team that has been at the club. Come support and watch how they play and see how much effort they are putting in. The boys are brilliant, and I just want them to be supported.”
In what was a high-tempo and fiercely contested encounter, both sides created several goal-scoring opportunities, but were ultimately let down by wasteful finishing and superb goalkeeping at both ends.
Despite missing seven key players, South Melbourne struck first through Charlie Leech in the 25th minute. However, the hosts responded in the second half, with Sabit Ngor James levelling the scores in the 65th minute.
The result sees Heidelberg United maintain their position at the top of the table with 55 points, narrowly ahead of Avondale (52 points), who face a tough away fixture next Saturday.
Celebrity chauffeur George Plassaras was injured in a serious head-on collision in Sydney’s east early Saturday morning, after a Rolls Royce allegedly driven by a drunk 23-year-old woman crashed into his Mercedes-Benz.
According to 9News, the incident occurred at around 3:30am on New South Head Road in Rose Bay, when Plassaras – who has chauffeured stars including Kyle Sandilands – became trapped inside his vehicle following the crash.
Emergency responders worked to free the 52-year-old, who sustained serious neck, back and leg injuries and was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment.
Local resident Brian Kandakji told 9News: “In the 21 years I’ve been here, I’ve seen some terrible accidents, but this one is probably the worst one.”
The driver of the Tiffany blue Rolls Royce, identified as LanLan Yang, was not injured. She was arrested at the scene after failing a roadside breath test and taken to Waverley Police Station, where she allegedly refused to undergo a breath analysis.
Yang has since been charged with causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle, and refusing or failing to submit to a breath analysis.
She was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 15 August.
Football Australia has confirmed the completion of another milestone for the Australian Championship, with the conclusion of a third National Second Tier (NST) Request for Proposal (RFP) Application Process on Monday 21 July 2025.
Following the announcement on 31 October 2024, that the NST competition would commence in 2025, Football Australia also committed to a third NST Request for Proposal (RFP) process to select additional clubs to participate in the Australian Championship.
This third NST RFP process was expanded to target clubs outside of the initial Expression of Interest process and predominantly from underrepresented States and Territories.
At the conclusion of this process, Football Australia did not receive any fully compliant bid proposals but was encouraged with the prospect that additional clubs may be in a stronger position to join in the future.
The outcome of this NST RFP process reinforces Football Australia’s commitment to ensuring the competition is set up to succeed with strong clubs and an appropriate format and structure to provide a commercially appealing model for the NST, operating under the Australian Championship brand, to grow sustainably in the future.
.@FootballAus has confirmed the completion of another milestone for the #AusChampionship, with the conclusion of a third National Second Tier (NST) Request for Proposal (RFP) Application Process on Monday 21 July 2025.
— Australian Championship (@AusChampionship) July 27, 2025
Over the past two years, Football Australia has actively engaged and evaluated as many as 25 clubs against the NST RFP framework providing us with a deep understanding as to the capacity of these clubs to meet technical and financial benchmarks resulting in eight Foundation Clubs.
With the competition launching on Friday, 10 October 2025, Football Australia will continue to monitor club standards and performance within the confines of the Australian Championship to evaluate club development both on and off the field before determining any further NST RFP processes.
The eight Foundation Clubs of APIA Leichhardt FC, Avondale FC, Marconi Stallions FC, Preston Lions FC, South Melbourne FC, Sydney Olympic FC, Sydney United 58 FC, and Wollongong Wolves FC have been granted automatic access to play in the Australian Championship for a period of up to 5 years conditional upon continuing to meet key licensing standards.
Friday, 10 October – South Melbourne FC v Sydney Olympic FC at Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne
Saturday, 11 October – Preston Lions FC v NPL Premier (NSW)* at BT Connor Reserve, Melbourne
Following six rounds of group stage matches, the top two teams from each group will advance to a knockout Finals Series, culminating in the Championship Final on 6 December. This structure has been designed to ensure the competition model is sustainable while maintaining a high degree of competitive integrity and commercial appeal.
Football Australia Interim Chief Executive Officer, Heather Garriock, said, “The Australian Championship is a priority for Football Australia and an exciting new addition to our domestic football calendar which brings together historic Foundation Clubs and NPL champions to celebrate the very best of domestic club football in Australia.”
“This is another important milestone we have completed as part of a rigorous due-diligence process to ensure the long-term success of the Australian Championship,” Mr Garriock added.
“This RFP process has been an invaluable exercise in terms of providing a clear picture as to the current state of readiness across the domestic club eco system in Australia, and we will continue to monitor the progress of potential clubs.
“I want to thank all the Foundation Clubs and Member Associations who are working very hard to establish this new competition and make sure that it is set up for continued long-term success.”
CommBank Junior Matildas Head Coach Michael Cooper has confirmed a 33-player extended squad ahead of the ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championships 2025™ to be held in Indonesia from Monday, 18 August to Friday, 29 August.
The squad, which will be cut to 23 prior to the competition, were drawn in Group C earlier this week alongside Singapore and Thailand, with Group A featuring the host nation Indonesia, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste, and Group B made up of Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
The ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championships 2025™ will be the first time this group of CommBank Junior Matildas represent Australia, as well as their first international competition.
Michael Cooper said that every player in the squad has earnt their place and he is excited to lead the team in their first international competition.
CommBank Junior Matildas Head Coach Michael Cooper has confirmed a 33-player extended squad ahead of the #ASEANU16W to be held in Indonesia from Monday, 18 August to Friday, 29 August.
“It is exciting for us to begin to lay the foundations for the next generation of CommBank Junior Matildas,” Cooper said.
“Over the last few months, the team and I have been watching and assessing emerging talent from across a range of Australia’s elite youth development pathways and the extended squad is a reflection of this.
“We’ve worked closely with Member Federations and clubs to ensure we’re casting the net wide and giving players the opportunity to show what they can bring to the national team setup. This has included talent identification at the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships last week.
“With that said, the door is open for individuals not named in this extended squad to be part of the future of the Junior Matildas training camps and tournaments.
“What is key to me is that we have players and staff that buy into our culture where development, performance and growth is just as important off the pitch as on.
“We are keen to create a challenging and supportive environment within the CommBank Junior Matildas that inspires young players to dream big and to take ownership of their journey. It is important that every member of the team buys into this as well.
“Our role is to introduce the CommBank Junior Matildas to international competition, guide them through their first experience of representing Australia, while also preparing the team for the Qualifiers later this year.
“The ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championships 2025™ is the first crucial step in preparing for the upcoming AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026™, and it will help us identify the strengths of the group and how to best support them as we enter other international competitions.”
The ASEAN U-16 Women’s Championship is an international women’s youth football tournament organised by ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and this is its fifth edition.
Returning after a five-year hiatus, the 2025 AFF U16 Women’s Championship features nine participating teams, maintaining the number from previous editions held in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
A notable change this year is the group format: instead of two groups, the teams are now divided into three groups of three, playing in a single round-robin format. The top team from each group and the best-performing second-placed team will advance to the semi-finals.
A joint session was held between the Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad in the Hellenic Parliament and the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA), led by Committee President Philippos Fortomas.
The meeting focused on finding better ways to promote Greek national issues and preserve Greek culture in communities abroad.
The session took place as part of PADEE’s 15th General Assembly, which brought together more than 40 parliamentarians and senators of Greek origin from legislative bodies and state parliaments around the world, including Greek Australian politicians such as Tom Koutsantonis MP and Connie Bonaros MLC.
“The 15th General Assembly constitutes a milestone, because it is taking place at a critical juncture, where geopolitical stability, cultural cohesion, and democratic cooperation are challenges that concern all of Hellenism,” Mr Fortomas said.
He stressed that preserving Greek language and culture, as well as strengthening parliamentary diplomacy on national issues, are top priorities for both the Greek government and Parliament.
“That is why our goal is to facilitate the participation of all Greeks of the diaspora in the political life of the country, to strengthen educational and cultural networks, to safeguard the Greek language in younger generations, and to build bridges of academic, technological, and business cooperation,” Mr Fortomas said.
“Because Greek identity is not merely ancestry. It is values, historical consciousness, collective memory, and creative action. And this Greek identity, you keep alive in the Parliaments, in the schools, in the organisations and in the communities where you serve.”
PADEE President and Rhode Island State Senator in the US, Leonidas Raptakis, thanked the Committee for the chance to meet and exchange views with Greek MPs.
He also presented recent initiatives, actions and resolutions by PADEE aimed at defending Greek issues abroad, and pointed to specific areas where stronger cooperation between Greece and the diaspora is possible.
