Councillor Angela Vithoulkas has announced her decision to run for Lord Mayor of Sydney this morning in an exclusive interview with the Sydney Sentinel.
The Sydney Councillor will run as a candidate under the Small Business Party, a party she founded in 2018.
The announcement comes as a surprise and gives Ms. Vithoulkas three months to campaign before the election on 4 September.
Ms Vithoulkas is vying for incumbent Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s job alongside Labor candidate Linda Scott and Independent candidate Yvonne Weldon.
If elected, Weldon will be the first Aboriginal-Australian candidate for Lord Mayor and, if reelected, Clover Moore will hold the job for a historic fifth term.
“I am the underdog”: Who is Angela Vithoulkas?
Angela Vithoulkas is a second-generation Greek-Australian who left school early for a successful run in the hospitality industry owning and running businesses.
Angela Vithoulkas was the co-owner of VIVO café in Sydney’s CBD for 16 years. (Source: Sensible Centre)
City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas has served on the council since September 2012.
She was the owner of the VIVO café in Sydney’s CBD for 16 years until 2018.
She’s been described as an ‘inexperienced wild card’ and has been dismissed as a ‘green’ but describes herself as “dead center” politically.
“I know I am the underdog – and I’m OK with that,” she said.
“I’m in it to win it.”
Angela Vithoulkas vows to end Clover Moore’s ‘super-majority’ in Sydney council
Ms Vithoulkas details her seven-point action plan for what she’s described as “a bold new vision for reimagining local government”, including to impose a three term maximum time limit on Lord Mayoral terms.
“Clover has been mayor since 2004 and absolute power with no end in sight fosters a stale environment that’s incompatible with a dynamic, forward-thinking city,” she tells Sydney Sentinel’s Peter Hackney.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clove Moore, who currently holds half of the council’s 10 seats, has held on tight to the role for 17 years.
“There’s a reason why the world’s largest and most powerful democracy has a limit on presidential terms,” she said, declaring she wants future Lord Mayors limited to a maximum of three terms in office.”
Two-thirds of Greeks aged 18-34 live with their parents, according to Eurostat data, which puts Greece in sixth place among 35 European countries.
More specifically, according to a recent survey by the European statistical office, drawing on data mostly from 2019, close to 50% of people aged between 18 and 34 in European Union countries live with their parents.
The corresponding share in Greece and Italy is 69.4% – up 8.7 percentage points since 2011. Scandinavian and Northern European countries are on the lowest rungs of the ladder, with the corresponding rate in Denmark at 17.2% and Finland at 19.5%.
“In Central and Northern Europe, it is taken for granted that when the child turns 18, it marks the coming of age,” Antigone Lyberaki, Professor of economics at Panteion University, told Kathimerini.
The mentality in Greece, she said, is very different as there are very traditional images of societal roles. The lifestyle of living alone because one is independent is not that highly rated, she added, noting that the prevailing mentality is that parents are responsible for their children until they get married – regardless of the age of the “child” in question.
Lyberaki also noted that the financial and coronavirus crises were pivotal and intensified pre-existing trends.
“There is a return home, the crisis has done that,” she said, while also noting that marriages were being delayed, also most likely due to the pandemic.
More young people live with their parents in Australia
More young people are choosing to stay at home and live with their parents in their early adulthood in Australia, according to the Australian Institute for Family Studies (AIFS).
In 2016, 43% of 20–24 year olds were still living with their parents; compared to 1981, when 36% of 20–24 year olds were living with their parents.
As young people get older, they are increasingly less likely to live at home. However they are choosing to leave home later.
Up to the age of 34 years, more young men than young women continued to live with their parents while young people born in Australia, particularly 20–24 year olds, are more likely to live with their parents than young people born overseas.
*With information from: Kathimerini, The Conversation
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on British counterpart Boris Johnson to revise the travel restrictions for Greece which has remained on the UK’s “amber list,” requiring travelers to quarantine for 10 days on return to the country and taking two pre-booked Covid-19 tests whilst in quarantine.
The call came during a meeting before the start of the NATO Summit in Brussels.
Mitsotakis briefed Johnson “on the improving epidemiological picture in Greece, expressing the view that this permits a lifting of restrictions for British tourists visiting the country on holiday, while asking that the UK not discriminate between different European countries,” according to a press release from the prime minister’s office.
The Greek prime minister also briefed Johnson “on recent developments in Greek-Turkish relations and stressed the need for the de-escalation in tension so as to establish trust and allow dialogue.”
With respect to the Cyprus issue, he reiterated Greece’s position that the next steps for a resumption of talks can be agreed only within the given framework of the UN Security Council resolutions calling for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
The two prime ministers also examined the implementation of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, including the Irish Protocol and the good prospects for the Alliance via the NATO 2030 agenda.
Mitsotakis also thanked his UK counterpart for the invitation to attend the leaders’ summit at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP-26) taking place in Glasgow in November 2021, which he accepted.
By Andriana Simos, Argyro Vourdoumpa and John Voutos.
At least 14 prominent Greek Australians in the areas of community service, visual arts, health, architecture and sport have been recognised today in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for 2021.
Following the announcement on Monday, The Greek Herald had the privilege of speaking to most of these proud Greek Australians to get their thoughts on how it feels to be recognised. This is what they had to say.
Evie Georgas, Queensland:
Evie Georgas.
Evie Georgas has been awarded the Australia Corrections Medal (ACM). She has been recognised for her work with the Queensland Corrective Services (QCS).
Ms Georgas commenced her career with QCS in 1996 as a Custodial Correctional Officer and is now Regional Manager, Sentence Management. Her commitment, expertise and desire to work collaboratively has led to her being held in high regard amongst staff, stakeholders and prisoners.
Ms Georgas tells The Greek Herald she’s honoured to received the recognition and is “very thankful” for the support and guidance she has received throughout her “rewarding career in Queensland Corrective Services.”
“My family have provided me with exceptional support to embark upon a career which can at times, not be entirely understood. I recall the day when I advised my parents that I was going to work in a prison and they waved it off thinking it was just a phase. Little did they know,” Ms Georgas says.
“My interest in working in Corrective Services commenced when I was young as I grew up in Coburg and was curious about what was behind the walls of Pentridge Prison. I thoroughly enjoyed Legal Studies at school and decided to enrol in a Criminology Degree.
“Shortly after commencing this, I was volunteering at a local Community Corrections Centre and was employed shortly thereafter during 1993. I have cross jurisdictional experience across Corrections Victoria and Queensland Corrective Services…
“I thoroughly enjoy working in a complex and challenging environment, collaborating with staff and stakeholders, to achieve the best possible outcomes regarding community safety, while providing prisoners with opportunities for rehabilitation.”
Professor Leonard George Notaras AM, Darwin, Northern Territory:
Professor Leonard George Notaras.
Professor Leonard George Notaras AM has been awarded in the category of Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia, as well as the special COVID-19 Honour Roll. He has been recognised for his distinguished service to medical administration in the Northern Territory and to professional organisations.
Professor Notaras is a proud Kytherian who has held roles in institutions such as the NT Department of Health, the Australian Medical Association NT and Royal Darwin Hospital.
Currently, he is the Executive Director of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre in Darwin, coordinating Australia’s response to COVID-19 and repatriation.
“I can’t overstate the pride with which I hold all of this, but I’ve also got to say that I never take it for granted. I’m very privileged to have achieved what I’ve achieved… but it is a privilege that I share with the people I have the ability to work with,” Professor Notaras tells The Greek Herald.
“My father passed away in 1964 and like a lot of other good Kytherians and Greek folk, he ran restaurants and cafes and as a 12-13 year old, I took over working in those restaurants with my mother… and I had to grow up pretty quickly.
“I guess where I am today, having the privilege of these acknowledgements and having been able to become a doctor and to do other degrees, shows what you can do from relatively humble beginnings in this country and I think that’s a wonderful thing.”
Lee Christofis, Fitzroy, Victoria:
Lee Christofis.
Lee Christofis has been awarded this year in the category Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. He has been recognised for his significant service to the performing arts, particularly to dance.
Since 1981, Mr Christofis has been a dance critic, arts commentator, producer and broadcaster. During this time, he was the National Vice President of Ausdance (1996-2004), and he’s also worked as a Curator of Dance at the National Library of Australia and in the field of early childhood education in both Melbourne and Brisbane.
“I was very surprised [to be recognised], but very happy about it because it’s important that people who work in the performing arts or who write about the performing arts are recognised as people who have something more to say than is often the case when it comes to things that are intellectual or artistic,” Mr Christofis tells The Greek Herald.
“My parents loved the theatre and we all loved the movies, we always saw Greek movies but we particularly liked American musicals. So you know, you put all those things together and we became much more cosmopolitan in our thinking. But as I got older, the ballet became more important to me and I started studying at the age of 14.”
From there, Mr Christofis says he went from being a dancer at Queensland Ballet, to working in the public service, a Greek travel agent for six months, the retail industry and the General Post Office. All before he ended up in his dream job as a critic and writer.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve had a very interesting career and I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to be a critic and writer because of the growth in my knowledge, deeper understanding and a lot of good friendships with performers and choreographers and musicians.”
Epaminondas Katsalidis has been awarded in the category Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. He has been recognised for significant service to architecture and to sustainable construction innovations.
Since 2001, Mr Katsalidis has been a co-founding partner in Fender Katsalidis Pty Ltd. He is a leader in the integration of art into architecture with notable buildings including the Melbourne Terrace Apartment, Republic Tower and Eureka Tower.
“I’m very proud that this has happened and it’s a reflection of the success of members of the Greek community in Australia. I’m very grateful to my parents that placed such an importance on education and provided the opportunity for me to follow what I was passionate about, which was architecture and design,” Mr Katsalidis tells The Greek Herald.
“I think architecture is an important part of society, culture and the built environment, so in that respect, I’m glad that the government acknowledges the important work that architects do for the community.”
Mr Katsalidis goes on to say that he is also passionate about sustainability and that’s why he was the first person in Australia to develop a new prefabrication and modular construction system for more sustainable and efficient construction of mid to high rise buildings.
“As a species, we over-consume and it’s getting to levels where we have 7 billion people going on 9 billion and it’s pretty obvious what’s going to happen. So there’s an obligation for society to use less resources and construction uses huge amounts of resources so it seems logical that we have a responsibility to try to minimise that.”
John George Kotzas, South Brisbane, Queensland:
John George Kotzas.
John George Kotzas has been awarded in the category Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. He has been recognised for significant service to the performing arts as an administrator and artistic director.
Since 2008, Mr Kotzas has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). He’s also previously held the Artistic Director and Education Officer roles at the QPAC.
Mr Kotzas tells The Greek Herald that he was very humbled to receive the recognition in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and he considers it a “highlight” of his career.
“It’s a significant recognition. I’ve always looked up to people who’ve received these awards in the community… My parents and grandparents would be extremely proud because they always told me to give back to the community and aspire to do my best,” Mr Kotzas says.
“I’ve loved every project that I’ve do. Art helps us understand who we are, build our own sense of identity and how we belong within our own communities.”
Andrew Papadopoulos, Earlwood, NSW:
Andrew Papadopoulos.
Andrew Papadopoulos has been awarded in the category Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia. He was recognised for significant service to motorsport and to driver safety and education.
In the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, Mr Papadopoulos has been a Motorsport Australia Deputy Delegate at the World Motor Sport Council since 2006; President of the FIA ASN (National Sportinf Authority) Development Task Force since 2013, as well as a current member of the Officials Commission and the Single Seater Commission. Currently, Mr Papadopoulos is also a race steward for the Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula E.
“I was born in a little village in Cyprus many, many years ago. We left there when I was seven years old to settle in Sydney. Ever since I could drive, my passion has been cars and motorsport,” Mr Papadopoulos tells The Greek Herald.
“To be recognised on this level, getting an AM for something I enjoy doing, has been great. It’s good for a young Greek kid who knew nothing about cars when we left home to come here and end up with this knowledge and this award.”
Mr Papadopoulos goes on to stress how he is a big advocate for road safety.
“I’ve seen too many incidents where young drivers have hit a telegraph pole because they just didn’t know how to take a corner in the wet.”
George Amarandos, Carindale, Queensland:
George Amarandos has been awarded in the category Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division. He has been recognised for service to the Greek community of Queensland.
Since 1995, Mr Amarandos has been Chair of the Saint Nicholas Nursing Home in Highgate Hill. He has also been Secretary at the nursing home (1983-1995) and a Committee Member (since 1982).
“It was gratifying that [my nomination] came from ordinary members of our community who went to the trouble to do this. That was really good,” Mr Amarandos tells The Greek Herald.
“Back in the ‘80s, when St. Nicholas was opening as a nursing home, that was something different. We had never done anything like that. Forty years later, it’s been embraced by the community. At that stage everyone thought, ‘oh well, how can they put their mother or father in a nursing home?’ The thinking was that you looked after them at home, but we had a good product and it’s been well-received. People in our community still go there…
“What I’m being recognised for is as a result of not doing it by myself but working with other good people. When you work with other good people, you get things done and improve the lives of other people around us.”
Dr Costas Costa, Hurlstone Park, NSW:
Dr Costas Costa.
Dr Costas Costa has been awarded in the category Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division. He is being recognised for service to medicine as a general practitioner.
Dr Costa has held roles at the Doctors Reform Society including being the former national President, the former NSW President, a member for 40 years and now a life member. Dr Costa of course, is also well known for being a General and Occupational Health Practitioner at Hurlstone Park since 1986.
“I grew up at a time when few working class families could afford to see a doctor… Returning home to Australia, I completed my public health degree at Sydney University and became a GP fairly late compared to my peers,” Mr Costa tells The Greek Herald.
“Becoming a GP meant understanding the needs of my mainly migrant and lower socio economic patients, many of whom suffered poor health as a result of their hard work over many years – the cleaners, caterers, factory, construction, process workers.”
Mr Costa goes one to say he has “mixed feelings about the award” and feels “somewhat conflicted.” He says “the irony is not lost on me” that the Commonwealth is awarding him the honour while, at the same time, rolling back Medicare.
He says that disparities in accessing public health care exist now as they did when he first became a general practitioner, saying, “it seems to me looking back over last 50 years, all we may really have left, is our family and the many, many patients we’ve helped along the way.”
Arthur Papadimitriou, Ormond, Victoria:
Arthur Papadimitriou.
Arthur Papadimitriou has been awarded in the category Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division. He has been recognised for service to the galleries sector.
Mr Papadimitriou is the Founder and Director of the Arthur Papadimitriou Collection; an ongoing supporter of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Culture Development at the Victorian College of the Arts and a Donor of the Musee Du Quai Branly in Paris in 2006.
Since 2002, Mr Papadimitriou has been a donor at the Benalla Art Gallery and became a life member in 2004. Interestingly, Mr Papadimitriou has also worked in the education sector in multiple roles.
“Like many Greeks that gave up everything in the hope of securing a better future for their families, my parents arrived in Australia in 1967. My father was proud when I received my French Award in 2006, Chevalier in The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, for services to French and Australian cultures. I know the OAM award would bring a smile to his face, even though he has since passed,” Mr Papadimitriou tells The Greek Herald.
“The Benalla Art Gallery and through people there, this award was possible and in a way it is also for them. Aboriginal art and the first nations people are always deep in my thinking and heart. My aim is to make sure through services to art that all people in Australia appreciate this great country. Finally, without my wife and family support, I could not have followed through with my passion.”
Helen Patsikatheodorou, Mickleham, Victoria:
Helen Patsikatheodorou.
Helen Patsikatheodorou has been awarded in the category Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division. She has been recognised for service to the community of Hume.
Ms Patsikatheodorou was Mayor of Hume City Council from 2011-2012 and 2015-2016. Between 2008-2016, she was a Councillor. She is a current Community Member of the Friends of Aileu Community Advisory Committee (a project supported by Hume City Council), and an an Electorate Officer at the Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP, Parliament of Australia.
“Back in 2019, I was approached and asked if my name could be put forward for the Order of Australia Medal. To say I was moved and deeply honoured that someone thought I was worthy enough to nominate me, doesn’t express the emotions I felt then,” Ms Patsikatheodorou tells The Greek Herald.
“I, together with my late husband John Patsikatheodorou, have spent all of our working lives giving back to the community and in particular the Hume community that we love and has needed our support. I cannot believe that I was even considered let alone successful.
“Thank you for the nomination! There are so many worthy people in our community that put endless time and effort to assisting others. I am proud to have left a legacy for my children and grandchildren as well as the Greek community.
*Mrs Patsikatheodorou is still referred to as the City of Hume’s ‘Pink Mayor.’
Faye Spiteri, Melbourne, Victoria:
Faye Spiteri.
Faye Spiteri has been awarded in the category Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division. She has been recognised for service to the community through social change organisations.
Ms Spiteri has been Patron of the Inspire Foundation, Chair of the Centre (2009-2019) and Board Member (since 2008). The Centre was established in 2012 by Ms Spiteri. At Fronditha Care, Ms Spiteri has also held a number of roles including CEO since February 2021.
“Growing up I was a daydreamer – always imagining how life might be a bit more uncommon – spectacular even- and at the same time thinking about how I could make it different,” Ms Spiteri tells The Greek Herald.
“That has never changed– I’m still a dreamer but in a different way- I find awe and wonder in simple things and these are the things that drive me and have sustained me. This is also what has given me the strength and courage to get through very challenging times in life but also the motivation to make a positive difference to the lives of others.
“As a daughter of migrants, a granddaughter of refugees I never imagined my life journey would lead me where it has. I have, largely because of their sacrifices, led a life of privilege. And I have landed where I have because they in fact showed me the way. Whether by example or osmosis they showed me loving care and gave me a solid foundation grounded in care for others.
“I inherited my mother’s passion and drive and learnt to be brave and courageous from my beloved aunt and my father’s legacy was teaching me how to love life. But more importantly perhaps, my mother and aunt, like me, were great advocates of diversity, gender equity and true champions of women and social change. So, in every respect I really believe this accolade belongs to all of them as much as me.”
Maria Alexiadis, Victoria:
Maria Alexiadis.
Maria Alexiadis has been awarded in the category Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division. She has been recognised for her service to karate.
Ms Alexiadis has held many roles at Karate Victoria including: the current Board Secretary, Board Member since 2015, lead state Kumite coach since 2009 (first female Kumite coach for Victoria), coaching education coordinator since 2015 and female/athlete development coordinator since 2012.
At the 2019 Oceania Championships and the 2012 Premier Series A League in Athens, Ms Alexiadis was a gold medallist.
“My work for and on behalf of Karate Victoria is inspired by my journey in a male dominated sport, the amazing athletes I’ve had the pleasure of coaching, competing with and against and the fact that I feel like I can genuinely make a positive difference to the sport and lives of others,” Ms Alexiadis tells The Greek Herald.
“I hope that the Greek Australian community are as proud and inspired by my recognition as I am of my Greek heritage. It is my heritage that has helped shape me into the person I have become… Greek Australians have done and continue to do a lot of good for this amazing country of ours. May this award continue to inspire and encourage people to work hard, persevere, aspire and dream.”
Dr Michelle Aléna Cretikos, New South Wales:
Dr Michelle Cretikos.
Dr Michelle Cretikos has been awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) and has also been named in the special COVID-19 Honour Roll. She has been recognised for outstanding public service to community health in New South Wales.
Dr Michelle Cretikos commenced with NSW Health in 1998, and since that time has been passionate about making a difference to people’s lives through the delivery of health care services, and more recently through high quality, evidence based policy development and implementation.
As the Executive Director, Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, she led the Ministry of Health’s response to music festival harm reduction. This required her to work across government with music festival organisers, private medical providers and other stakeholders.
More recently, Dr Cretikos significantly contributed to the development and implementation of public health measures to limit COVID-19 transmission in NSW.
Professor Eugene Athan, Geelong, Victoria
Prof Athan, who is director of the Barwon South West Public Health Unit, has been awarded an OAM for service to infectious diseases medicine.
The 55-year-old father of two adult kids said it was a “great honour” and he was very humbled and appreciative.
“Because of the time cycle of the awards process, this relates to the work I’ve done over the last 20 years prior to Covid,” he told Geelong Advertiser.
Thousands poured into the Darwin Esplanade over the weekend to get their filling of yiros, baklava and Mythos beer as the Darwin GleNTi returned with a bang.
The festival, which was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is organised annually by the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia (GOCNA) and this year it marked 200 years of the Greek Revolution.
NT Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, also attended the GleNTi. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
The Kalymnian Brotherhood of NT with their octopus. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Loukoumades. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Local visitors and interstate travellers were definitely not disappointed as they enjoyed the best Greek food and drinks Darwin has to offer and at times were even served by the Northern Territory Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, himself, as well as his entire Cabinet.
“Everyone was impressed to see Mr Gunner behind the bar taking orders and pulling drinks. There’s no resting or shaking hands. He, and other members of the Cabinet, did exactly what other volunteers did,” Nicholas Poniris, President of GOCNA, tells The Greek Herald.
From there, attendees were also entertained by a number of Greek dancing groups, and a special ‘Greek Agora’ stall was set up for the groups to raise much needed funds to purchase the Greek costumes they use for their special dance routines.
Opa School of Hellenic Dance Darwin. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Greek Traditional Dancing Group. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
“I first got my feet on the GleNTi dance floor when I was seven in 2001. I performed at the GleNTi for most of my life and then began to get involved in other ways. Every year it grows and becomes more popular,” Georgia Politis, who was an attendee and the official photographer of the GleNTi, tells The Greek Herald.
“To think twenty years ago there was just a crane holding up some lights without many tents to what it is now, is amazing.”
Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Greek Orthodox School play. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Whilst people were eating, mingling and enjoying themselves, they were also serenaded by the beautiful voice of Martina, as well as the music of the All Star GleNTi Band and later, international Greek singer, Dimitris Basis.
Later in the day, players from the Hellenic Football Club were also officially handed their trophy after they won against Darwin Olympic on Wednesday in the GleNTi Cup. The crowd cheered as the young men collected their well-deserved prize.
“The GleNTi lived up to the expectations of what we knew would happen. Interstate travellers were even saying that next year they’ll postpone their trip to Greece by a week so they can attend. There’s more pressure now,” Mr Poniris concludes.
The Hellenic Athletic Club collect their winning trophy. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Dimitris Basis. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
The All Star GleNTi Band. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
Martina. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography / Republished with permission.
From a young age, Paris Cockinos started messing around with drones and instantly knew there was a chance for him to grow his passion into a successful business idea.
With a $10,000 loan from his father, Cockinos purchased six drones and within two weeks had sold the lot. By Christmas of 2012, at the ripe age of 19, he’d sold 100 drones and a business was born.
Now, Cockinos of Sphere Drones has his eyes set on a $100 million revenue company that is riding the wave of commercial drones in Australia. Already he counts among his clients Rio Tinto, Fortescue Mining and Surf Life Saving Australia.
“There are 2200 organisations in Australia with licences to operate drones in Australia… and 700 people are being trained every month to become drone pilots. The market potential is enormous,” Cockinos told The Australian.
There are 2200 organisations in Australia with licences to operate drones in Australia.
A recent report by Deloitte Access Economics commissioned by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications found the growth of the drone sector is expected to deliver significant cost savings to businesses of about $9.3 billion over the next 20 years, with $2.95 billion of efficiencies in agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries, $2.4 billion in mining and $1.34 billion in construction.
As companies cotton on to the benefits, they are increasingly looking not just for the drones themselves but also training and support, maintenance and advice.
That’s where Sphere Drones comes in, The Australian reports. The company is building out a holistic solutions business that helps companies ramp up the benefits from running fleets of drones. So far they have assisted 3000 corporate clients in that journey.
Surf Life Saving Australia has been a particularly large contract, growing from a trial of 30 drones for shark monitoring and swimmer safety to 190 drones today.
But to deal with the changing times and new clients jumping onto the drone bandwagon, Cockinos’ business has had to undergo a significant overhaul of operations.
Surf Life Saving Australia has a fleet of 190 drones to monitor for emergencies and sharks. Photo: The Australian.
“We were using Excel to collect our customer records and information was everywhere,” Cockinos told The Australian.
Now all customer data is centralised in Salesforce, giving not only a holistic view of the entire customer base across the range of services Sphere Drones provides, but also insights into how to convert customers into higher-value services.
“We’re capturing mounds of data on our customers that allows us to follow up with them to ensure they are being looked after,” Cockinos said in the interview.
“If someone comes to us looking for a new part, or a specific technical product to fit to meet a purpose, that gives us an in to have a deeper conversation about their wider needs. Everyone knows that whatever information goes into the system will power the next stage of growth.”
And speaking of growth, even with COVID, Sphere Drones is growing at 30 to 40 percent this year, and is forecast to beat that next year. All profits have been ploughed back into the business and the company is exploring a capital raise to build out its managed services platform.
On this day, the Greek public remembers composer and musical theorist Manos Hadjidakis. Widely considered one of the greatest Greek songwriters of all time, his legacy has been maintained through modern Greek music in the second half of the 20th and into the 21st century.
Born in the northern town of Xanthi, Greece, on October 23, 1925, his love for music came from an early age, starting piano lessons at age four.
In 1943, he met the revered surrealist poet, Nikos Gatsos, who would go on to become his favourite lyricist and work with him on the vast majority of his vocal compositions.
Composer and musical theorist, Manos Hadjidakis.
Hadjidakis is mainly responsibly for helping usher in a new era of Greek music in the post-WWII era, elevating the earthiest strains of Greek folk and popular song into respected art forms.
In the process, he found tremendous popular success in his home country, chiefly through his work as a pop songwriter, and became familiar to international audiences through his movie soundtracks.
The critically acclaimed personality received an Academy Award in 1960, for Best Original Song for his song Never on Sunday from the film of the same name.
Dying in Athens on 15 June 1994 at the age of 68, from acute pulmonary edema, the City of Athens dedicated Technopolis in his memory in 1999.
Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled out of the Wimbledon warm-up event in Halle, Germany, on Monday because of personal reasons after surrendering a two-set lead in his defeat against Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s French Open final.
Tsitsipas outplayed the Serbian world number one for the first two sets at Roland Garros, but his maiden Grand Slam final ended in defeat, ultimately losing 7-6(6) 6-2 3-6 2-6 4-6 in a gruelling contest over four hours and 11 minutes.
Greece’s Tsitsipas accepted a wild card into the ATP 500 grasscourt event in Halle and was also scheduled to play doubles with his younger brother Petros.
Stefanos Tsitsipas pulled out of the Wimbledon warm-up event in Halle, Germany.
“He will be replaced by lucky loser Yannick Hanfmann in the singles draw,” the ATP said.
The 22-year-old revealed in an emotional social media post on Monday that he had learned of the death of his paternal grandmother only five minutes before the French Open final.
“Five minutes before entering the court my very beloved grandmother lost her battle for life,” Tsitsipas wrote on Facebook.
“A wise woman whose faith in life, and willingness to give and provide can’t be compared to any other human being that I have ever met.
The meeting between Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erogan, in Brussels on the sidelines of the NATO Summit “broke the ice” between the two countries, Greek government sources said on Monday.
The two NATO allies agreed “to leave behind the tension of 2020, despite the very important disagreements that exist,” the same sources said after the meeting, adding that the climate was positive.
The two sides agreed to avoid provocations that could lead to “situations that will be difficult to manage.”
The Greek side, according to the same sources, has every intention to advance the positive agenda that was recently formulated jointly by the competent Deputy Foreign Ministers (Kostas Frangogiannis and Sedat Onal).
Kyriakos Mitsotakis (left) and Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) meet at NATO to discuss Greece-Turkey relations.
At the same time, the talks on the delimitation of maritime zones, must continue in the context of international law.
In addition, Mitsotakis raised the issue of refugees, saying Greece is willing to cooperate with Turkey, to “avoid a repeat of provocations” such those that occurred in Evros in March 2020.
In this context, Mitsotakis conveyed that it would be a sign of good will for Turkey to accept the 1,450 immigrants, whose asylum applications have been rejected by the Greek authorities. The Greek request for the returns has been pending since last January, while the European Commission has also intervened, without result.
Erdogan spoke at a think tank event later in the day. Source: Reuters / Ekathimerini.
For his part, Erdogan said in a video address to a think tank event later that day, that a revival of dialogue with fellow NATO member Greece to resolve long-standing disputes will serve “stability and prosperity” in the region.
“I believe that reviving the channels of dialogue between (Turkey) and our neighbor and ally, Greece, and the resolution of bilateral issues will … serve the stability and prosperity of our region,” Erdogan said.
On Twitter, Mitsotakis agreed but stressed that although “differences” between both countries remain, “Greece and Turkey are neighbors and cooperation on issues of common interest is to the benefit of all. Dialogue therefore is always important.”
With Greek delicacies, traditional dances performed by young students and heartfelt speeches Adelaide’s community commemorated on Saturday, 12 June the 200th Anniversary from the beginning of the Greek War of Independence in an event hosted by Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP at St Anthony’s Community Centre in Prospect.
In his speech, delivered in Greek, Steve Georganas welcomed the attendees and explained that as an Australian politician of Greek heritage he felt it was his duty to his constituents to organise an event for this historical milestone.
“This is not a political gathering. We are here today to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting for freedom and celebrate our common roots and heritage,” said Georganas.
Steve Georganas delivering his speech.Greek Orthodox Church of St Anthony Community Centre. Image: Supplied
“We should also acknowledge all those first Greek migrants to Australia who made their own little, personal revolutions. They established a new life far away from home and fought to keep the Hellenic language, faith and culture alive for their children and grandchildren.”
“Australia is our home and I am proud to be representing a population of 14.000 Greeks in my electorate. The Hellenic spirit needs to live on through the new generations,” he said.
L to R: Alexandra Vakitsidou, member of the Community of Port Adelaide; Tom Koutsantonis MP; Steve Georganas MP; Prof. Andreas Evdokiou, Andrea Michaels MP. Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
In attendance were Tom Koutsantonis MP, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Transport; Andrea Michaels MP, Member for Enfield; Tony Zappia MP, Member for Makinand Prof. Andreas Evdokiou, President of the Cyprus Community of SA as well as other state politicians and representatives of community organisations.
Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
In his address, Tom Koutsantonis MP gave a brief account of the facts that led to the Greek War of Independence and spoke about the passion of Hellenes for freedom which inspired an entire generation of intellectuals, poets and philosophers.
“Lord Byron wrote a poem which became a best seller in the UK and this is where he found the money to fund the resistance,” said Koutsantonis before he went on to read Byron’s poem, The Isles of Greece.
Event attendees.
Koutsantonis also spoke about the Greek Genocide in history and the role of religion in the preservation of the Hellenic culture.
Andrea Michaels MP, expressed her gratitude that in a difficult year Adelaide’s community is able to celebrate the Hellenic culture and thanked St Anthony’s Parish priest, Fr Nicholas and the volunteers for their efforts.
The event concluded with Greek dances from students of St George College and the Messinian Association of SA and a moving video presentation put together by Unley High School Students.
