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Teen suicides spark crisis meeting with Angelo Gavrielatos, health and education bosses

A spate of suicides has sparked a crisis meeting of high-level NSW school executives as teachers struggle to connect troubled students with psychiatric services, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The roundtable was called by Education Minister, Sarah Mitchell, to urgently thrash out how to bridge the divide between schools and trained mental health professionals.

It comes during a time where several school-aged suicide clusters have emerged in the past two months.

According to The Daily Telegraph, three teenagers from the Riverina took their own lives last month.

A suicide cluster in the Illawarra has claimed four young lives, including a 16-year-old boy and 17-year-old girl from a Wollongong public school, an 18-year-old from a Wollongong private school and a 16-year-old from Kiama Downs.

The meeting to discuss these teen suicides included the heads of all three school sectors — newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Education, Georgina Harrison, Catholic Schools NSW chief executive, Dallas McInerney, and Association of Independent Schools of NSW chief executive, Geoff Newcombe — as well as NSW Teachers Federation boss, Angelo Gavrielatos, Education Minister, Sarah Mitchell, Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, and Mental Health Minister, Bronnie Taylor.

There was broad consensus it must be easier for schools to refer students struggling from mental ill-health to appropriate clinical care in order to avoid more tragedies.

READ MORE: ‘A slap in the face’: Teachers, nurses react to wage freeze for NSW public servants.

NSW Education Minister, Sarah Mitchell, was also in attendance at the meeting. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles.

“It is quite apparent the relationship between schools and health services is not as strong as it should be,” Mr Gavrielatos told The Daily Telegraph.

“The meeting recognised we are dealing with serious health matters beyond the remit and capacity of schools. The growing incidence of mental health distress manifesting in our schools is of great concern.”

While there were no concrete outcomes from the meeting, there was unanimous agreement more must be done.

READ MORE: NSW Teachers Federation to take ‘whatever action is necessary’ to secure promised pay rise.

Source: The Daily Telegraph.

Greeks angered by North Macedonia’s national soccer jersey in Euro 2020

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Greece has sent a letter of complaint to the President of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Aleksander Ceferin, over the name being used by the North Macedonia team on their national soccer jersey during Euro 2020.

Greek Sports Minister, Lefteris Avgenakis, signed the letter of Greece’s objection after it became clear the team’s jersey had a badge which read ‘FFM’ for ‘Football Federation of Macedonia,’ excluding the word ‘North’ from the Balkan country’s name.

According to the Prespa Agreement signed between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in 2018, the country’s name is now the Republic of North Macedonia.

In this way, based on the customary use of abbreviations for an internationally recognised name, the jersey badge should include an ‘N’ in the abbreviation.

READ MORE: Leaders of Greece and North Macedonia discuss Prespa Agreement.

The North Macedonia team’s national soccer jersey. Photo: Martin Meissner/AP.

In his letter, Mr Avgenakis stressed this and said ‘FFM’ is not a proper abbreviation of North Macedonia, as agreed by both sides in the 2018 Prespa accord.

Mr Avgenakis also asks UEFA to look into the name of the country’s soccer association, Football Federation of Macedonia, saying that it also contravenes the name deal.

This is the first time Greece’s neighbour is taking part in the final phase of the major event. North Macedonia is competing in the 3rd group of the UEFA Euro 2020 along with the Netherlands, Ukraine and Austria.

Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, has also sent a similar letter to his counterpart in North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani.

READ MORE: Dendias: Greece and North Macedonia strengthening mutual confidence.

‘I hope to be back next year’: Stefanos Tsitsipas loses to Djokovic in French Open final

Novak Djokovic won his 19th career grand slam title on Sunday, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the French Open final.

The 22-year-old Greek looked poised in his first grand slam final, going two sets up before it all fell apart against the world No.1.

Tsitsipas won the first set after erasing a set point in the tie-breaker with a difficult forehand winner. In the second set he looked fresher than the 34-year-old Djokovic, who was coming off an epic semifinal against Rafael Nadal.

But Djokovic steadied his game in the third set, which turned in the fourth game, when he converted his fifth break-point chance of the game.

After that, Tsitsipas appeared to lose his way, while Djokovic found his form.

During the changeover before the fourth set, Tsitsipas laid on his back and was stretched out by the trainer, a back injury apparently hindering his movement.

Fifth seed Tsitsipas appeared to be struggling physically but valiantly tried to dig in at the start of the fifth set as the shadows spread across a sun-lit Court Philippe Chatrier.

Tsitsipas played a fantastic game. Photo: Roland Garros / Twitter.

But Djokovic got the early break in the decider and although he was pushed hard, he was never threatened again.

There were nerves as he served at 5-4, netting an easy volley and then seeing a Tsitsipas backhand flash past him on championship point. However, Djokovic would not be denied at the second time of asking after four hours 11 minutes.

It was the sixth time in his career Djokovic had overcome a two-set deficit to win – and he did it in front of a vocal Roland-Garros crowd that was very much weighted in favour of the Greek.

In moving just one behind the record of 20 shared by Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, Djokovic became the first player in the professional era to win each grand slam title twice.

After the match, Tsitsipas thanked his Greek fans in the audience and vowed to be back better than ever next year.

“I believe I’m able to play for titles like this. Despite my loss today, I have faith in my game and I very much believe I can get to that point very soon,” Tsitsipas said.

“If I don’t downgrade myself, I see no reason for me not to be holding a trophy one day.”

Source: Sydney Morning Herald.

Greek Australians recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for 2021

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.

They are part of a larger group of 1,190 Australians who’s contribution to their community was noted by their peers as worthy of recognition.

“Each of these individuals are unique and their story deserves to be shared widely and celebrated,” the Governor-General said when announcing the list.

“Collectively, they speak to who we are as a nation. There are countless examples of selflessness, commitment and dedication. There is diversity and there are examples of exceptional achievement in almost every field imaginable.”

Here are the Greek Australians who were recognised:

Dr Michelle Aléna Cretikos, New South Wales:

Dr Michelle Aléna 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.

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. Her commitment, expertise and desire to work collaboratively has led to her being held in high regard amongst staff, stakeholders and prisoners.

As Regional Manager, Sentence Management, she has played an integral role in the operational and cultural transition of sentence management service provision, from a locally managed service, to a regionalised service delivery model with centralised accountability and a state-wide focus.

Her knowledge of centre operations and the role of a Custodial Correctional Officer, Community Corrections and Sentence Management Services has resulted in a significant and ongoing contribution to the safety and dynamic security of the centres she services.

Through her efforts she continues to assist prisoners in their adjustment to the correctional environment, providing increased opportunities for self-improvement and behavioural change.

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 as their Medical Superintendent and General Manager.

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.

In 2019, there was also a Notaras ACHSM Fellowship Program named in his honour at the NT Department of Health and the Australasian College of Health Service Management.

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 also the National Vice President of Ausdance (1996-2004).

Between 1966-1970 he was a dancer at Queensland Ballet and later, in the 1970s, became a board member. 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.

Awards he has received include the National Dance Award from Ausdance in 2009 and the Victorian Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs in 2001.

Epaminondas Katsalidis, Victoria:

Epaminondas Katsalidis. Photo by: Kristoffer Paulsen.

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.

Mr Katsalidis has also developed a new prefabrication and modular construction system for more sustainable and efficient construction of mid to high rise buildings.

When he’s not doing all the above and winning awards such as the Enduring Architecture Award from the Australian Institute of Architects, Victoria Chapter, in 2019, he’s also been an international jury member in the architectural competition for the new Acropolis Museum.

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.

Other roles in the performing arts which Mr Kotzas has held include, but are not limited to, the Vice President of the Executive Council for Live Performance Australia since 2012, and the Inaugural Managing Director of the Brisbane Festival in 1996.

Mr Kotzas has also received the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy) from the Italian Government in 2016.

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.

Mr Papadopoulos has also held President (2009-2020), Vice President (2007-2009) and Director (since 2001) roles at Motorsport Australia (Confederation of Australian Motorsport). He is also the Director of the Australian Institute for Motor Sport Safety since 2007, the current Chair and Director of Rally Australia, and the Former Director of Australian Racing Drivers Club.

When he’s not doing all of the above, Mr Papadopoulos is also known for his work with the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia and he is a Proprietor at Kiss Pallets (Keep It Simple Systems) since 1985.

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. At the 2013 World Games in Colombia, she was a bronze medallist. Between 2016-2017, she was a member of the Victorian Olympic Council Education Committee.

Since 2001, Ms Alexiadis has also been a senior research assistant in steroid receptor biology at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research (HIMR). She was also the recipient of the HIMR Values Award, 2021 for Excellence, Innovation, Collaboration and Community.

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).

Between 1989-2009, Mr Amarandos was also Chair of the Board at Greek Orthodox Care, and has been a Committee Member since 2004. At the same time, Mr Amarandos was the Vice President of the Greek Orthodox Community of St George in Brisbane from 2009-2011, Secretary since 2015 and 1989-2001 and Committee Member since 1988.

In 2020, Mr Amarandos received the medal of the Christ Loving, Greek Orthodox Church in Australia.

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. He has also been a member at the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia), as well as the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (since the 1980s).

Between 1990-2007, Dr Costa was a Foundation Fellow at the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine. From 1994-2018, he was an Affiliate at the Australian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Currently he is a member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Dr Costa of course, is well known for being a General and Occupational Health Practitioner at Hurlstone Park since 1986. Other roles he’s held include: Medical Officer, Save the Children Fund (1980-1981); Resident Medical Officer, Royal North Shore Hospital (1979); and Resident Medical Officer, Sydney Hospital (1977).

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.

This includes: Teacher, Malvern Primary School, Department of Education Victoria, since 2009; Teacher, Seaford Park Primary School, Department of Education Victoria, 2002-2008; Teacher, Cranbourne Park Primary School, Department of Education Victoria, 1997-2002; and Teacher, Papunya/Mt Leibig Primary School, Department of Education Northern Territory, 1994.

Mr Papadimitriou has also received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France in 2006.

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).

Currently, Ms Patsikatheodorou is also the Treasurer of the Dallas Neighbourhood House, as well as a Board Member of the Meadow Heights Community Foundation, a Board Member and Former Treasurer at the Meadow Heights Education Centre, and a Member of the Community Reference Group at the Hume Community Change Maker Program. She is also an Electorate Officer at the Office of Maria Vamvakinou MP, Parliament of Australia.

When she’s not doing all of the above, she’s also worked with multicultural groups including the Greek Orthodox Community of Broadmeadows and Districts as Treasurer, and has also worked in the childcare and health sector.

Ms Patsikatheodorou’s roles in this sector include, but are not limited to, Founding Director of the Broadmeadows Multicultural Early Learning Centre, circa 1988; and Founding Member of the Neurofibromatosis Association of Victoria (15 years).

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, President and Chair of the Board of Directors (2018-2019), Acting Chair of the Board of Directors (2018), Vice President (2011-2018), Board Director (2010-2020), Member of the Governance Committee (2011-2018) and a Former Convener of the Communications Sub-Committee.

Ms Spiteri has also held a number of professional and advisory roles such as: Non-Executive Director, Parkinson’s Victoria, since 2019; Non-Executive Director, Centre for Muslim Wellbeing, since 2019; and Strategic Lead, Yarra Action Plan, Resilient Cities and Towns, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria, 2019 – 2021, among many others.

Other awards received by Ms Spiteri include the Australian Multicultural Marketing Awards; an Inductee of the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll in 2019; and the Victorian Premier’s Achievement Award in 2001.

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.

Prof Athan originally hails from Sydney and grew up in Melbourne, and has lived in Torquay since he started working at Barwon Health.

He has played a key role in education and research, andis a professor at Deakin University and an honorary professor at the University of Melbourne.

He has contributed to or co-authored more than 180 peer reviewed articles, chapters and papers in medical journals and books.

Co-founding the Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases in 2013 is another of his impressive achievements.

He was director of the infectious diseases department at Barwon Health from 2004, and was promoted to director of the region’s newly-formed public health unit last year.

* Please note the below list includes the names of those who are recognised as Greek. If you know someone else, please email us at greek@foreignlanguage.com.au.

Promising debut for Greek young gun Peter Mamouzelos

Rabbitohs young gun Peter Mamouzelos was one of six players who re-signed with the club last week. On Saturday, he made his official NRL debut after coming off the bench for the South Sydney side’s 24-10 victory over the Newcastle Knights.

Peter Mamouzelos was introduced as a late replacement for Damien Cook, who was resting after starring for the NSW Blues in the 50-6 thrashing of the QLD Maroons.

The Greek Australian stepped on in the 32nd minute, less than 60 seconds before Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston got his second of the night. The future club legend finished the match with a hat-trick and stunning performance.

Photo: John Bonanno / Rugby League Review

Mamouzelos only spent 32 minutes on the field, but in that time made 41 passes and 21 tackles, boasting an impressive tackle efficiency percentage of 95.5. Mamouzelos made only 2 runs in the time he was on, getting 21 running metres.

The Greek Australians defensive efforts helped the South Sydney side maintain their top-four position on the NRL table.

Aged 20, Mamouzelos joined from the Maroubra Lions and has been a mainstay in the Rabbitohs’ Jersey Flegg side throughout 2019 and 2021. He is quick out of dummy half in the Damien Cook mould and has represented Greece in seven matches including World Cup Qualifiers throughout 2018 and 2019.

READ MORE: Rabbitohs re-sign Greek Australian talents

“We’re really excited to have re-signed Lachie, Blake, Pete, Davvy, Terrell and Josiah. We see them as playing key roles in the future of our NRL squad at this Club,” Mark Ellison, Head of Football at South Sydney, said last week.

“Lachie, Blake and Pete are all best mates, inseparable at training and outside of footy, and they have similarly strong combinations on the field as well having played and trained alongside each other for the past three years.”

Another Greek Australian star who also re-signed last week, Lachlan Ilias, is yet to make his NRL debut.

Kingsgrove High School students kickstart their futures with new Future Links initiative

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Students at Kingsgrove High School have taken part in the new Future Links initiative to observe their options and dreams post-school. 

Mayor of Bayside Council, Joe Awada, and Member for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis, were in attendance and parted their wisdom onto the students. 

“It’s fantastic to be back at my old school, I was here many, many years ago,” Sophie Cotsis, a Kingsgrove High School alumni, said at the event.

“You’ve come a long way from when I was here thirty years ago and I’m very proud to be speaking to all of you here today.

“Whatever you choose now, or if you don’t know what you want to do, it doesn’t matter.”

Mayor of Bayside Council Joe Awada (left), Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis (right) Photos: John Voutos/The Greek Herald.

Mr Awada echoed a similar sentiment.  

“Rapid developments in technology, innovation and globalisation mean the career choice you make today might not be the career you have in twenty years time,” he said.

“There are close to twenty-five exhibitors here today, don’t be afraid to ask questions. They are here to help.”

Artemis Theodoris, Kingsgrove High School’s career advisor, organised the event to encourage students from all year groups to initiate their various post-school career options. 

Students flocked to the pop-up stores. Photo: John Voutos/The Greek Herald.

Kingsgrove High School principal Olga Sofo also says the event is about being aspirational for the students. 

The students flocked to stores set up by tertiary education institutions, as well as options for military training and trade apprenticeships. 

Chrysanthos ‘Chris’ Michas is a year 12 student at Kingsgrove High School and said his career aspiration has changed over the past two years. 

Chrysanthos Michas is a Yr. 12 student at Kingsgrove High School. Photo: John Voutos/The Greek Herald.

“…especially with how different my subjects are now,” he told The Greek Herald on the day.

Kingsgrove High School offers modern Greek as one of the three language options for young learners and boasts a large part of Sydney’s Greek community. 

“I would say about 70 percent of our staff are Greek,” Paul Witherly, deputy principal at Kingsgrove High School, told The Greek Herald.

Sydney Greek restaurant, Aristotle’s, forced to close following owner’s alleged kidnapping

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Stuart MacGill and Maria O’Meagher have been forced to close down their Greek restaurant Aristotle’s in Sydney’s Neutral Bay. 

The restaurant is one of the many casualties of rising rent fees and slow business downturns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Unfortunately we have had no success with [rent negotiations] as [our landlord has] decided that Covid is over and wanted to increase the rent, so our only action being to close the doors,” the pair wrote.

“Additionally, as you would be aware, we and our families have also been under a great deal of personal stress with what has happened to Stuart.” 

https://www.facebook.com/aristotlesneutralbay/posts/2261494783986851

The closure follows a bizarre series of events which saw former cricket star MacGill allegedly kidnapped and held at gunpoint over a drug dispute in south-west Sydney in April. 

O’Meagher’s brother, Marino Sotiropoulos, was one of the four men later arrested over the alleged plot. 

Mr Sotiropoulos was charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm, participating in a criminal group, and supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug. 

The other men involved were Son Minh Nguyen, as well as brothers Frederick Schaaf and Richard Schaaf. 

The captors were still pressuring MacGill to hand over $150,000 in an effort to recover money from a dodgy drug deal days after the kidnapping, a court heard last month. 

Police have since cleared MacGill of allegations he was involved in illegal activity and that he was “purely a victim” in the incident. 

Source: news.com.au

GCM Seminar: Communal notables (kodjabashis) and their role the Late Ottoman Empire

Socrates D. Petmezas, Professor of Modern Economic and Social History will present an online lecture entitled : The communal notables (kodjabashis) and their fiscal and political functions and role in the Christian communities in the Late Ottoman Empire, on Thursday 17 June, at 7.00pm, as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars, offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne.

After a brief introduction on the position of the “Communes/Communities” – and of its communal leadership (kodjabashis) – in the interpretative tradition of Greek historiography, the characteristics of the kodjabashis (as communal leaders and dominant social elite) within the Community and the englobing society, as well as their role in the Ottoman tax administration and state structure will be analysed.

Τheir political role and the conditions for the reproduction of their political and social position will also be examined, as will the study of intra-communal conflicts, their causes and functions. Finally, some concrete examples of community tax functions (such as the cases of Hydra or Zagora on Pelion) as well as the classic example of the communal structure of the Peloponnesian taxation and administrative System in the second period of Ottoman domination (1715-1821) will be explored.

Socrates D. Petmezas, born in Athens (1957), graduated from the Economics Department of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki and continued his postgraduate and doctoral studies in Paris, in the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS). He completed his PhD, in 1989, under the supervision of Helen Antoniadis Bibicou and since February 1990 he has been teaching in the University of Crete. Since 2001, he is also a collaborating member of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies/FoRTH and the president of its Scientific Council. Presently he is the President of the Greek Economic History Association and a member of the management committee of the European Rural History Organization.

When: Thursday 17 June 2021, 7pm

Where: This is an online lecture and can be followed on Zoom, Facebook and Youtube

18-year-old Apostle Broikos faces severe drug dealing charges

Apostle Broikos, 18, of Burnside, was arrested by South Australian police as part of international law enforcement Operation Ironside.

His co-accused on several of the charges include Comanchero bikie boss Cain Robert Dalwood, as well as one of Dalwood’s right-hand men, both of whom are charged with conspiracy to murder over an alleged Norwood assassination plot.

Alongside his uncle Theodore Tasman Broikos, Apostle Broikos appeared in a bumper session in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday where he was remanded in custody despite his lawyer highlighting his age.

Broikos is charged with trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug at Yamba, in the eastern Riverland, on May 19, 2021.

The maximum penalty for that charge is a fine of up to $1 million, life imprisonment or both.

His co-accused on that charge, his uncle Theodore, Mark James Press and Dalwood, were all remanded in custody.

Press and Dalwood are also accused of conspiracy to murder, one of several alleged plots disrupted by Operation Ironside.

Apostle Broikos is also charged with manufacturing and trafficking in a controlled drug at Morphett Vale between January 1 and August 19 last year.

Broikos and many of his co-accused will appear again in court on July 1, when many of the state’s criminal lawyers are expected to ask for bail on behalf of their clients.

Source: Adelaide Now

Mitsotakis open to ‘positive agenda’ with Turkey

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Outlining the framework that will govern his discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday in Brussels, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was open to “a positive agenda” noting, however, that it should unfold in a “gradual, proportionate and reversible way.”

Addressing the start of the ministerial meeting of seven Mediterranean countries in Athens (MED7), Mitsotakis said the positive outlook to Turkey will depend on the maintenance of the current de-escalation “and [on the condition] that Turkey participates constructively in the dialogue and respects the conditions set by the EU,” acting in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The phraseology used by Mitsotakis with regard to the conditions for a positive agenda for Turkey is part of the text of the conclusions of the European Council last March. 

Monday’s meeting on the sidelines of the NATO Summit will most likely take place after Erdogan’s talks with US President Joe Biden. 

The Maximos Mansion is also focusing its efforts on a meeting that is planned between Mitsotakis and Biden next fall.

Until then, perhaps in August or early September, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken may visit Greece as part of a discussion with his counterpart Nikos Dendias to sign the renewal of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA).

With regard to the Cyprus issue, Mitsotakis reiterated during his MED7 address that Athens’ firm position for a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem is based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in accordance with the relevant United Nation Security Council resolutions and fully in line with the European acquis.

He ruled out the possibility of a two-state solution that Ankara has been trying to introduce over recent months.

He also referred to the Libyan issue, saying that the October 2020 ceasefire agreement should be implemented and that all foreign forces, fighters and mercenaries should leave Libya.

Greece was represented at the MED7 by Alternate Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis. 

​​​​​​The MED7 summit of country leaders will take place in September in Hania on Crete and by that time may include nine countries, if in the meantime the application for membership from Slovenia and Croatia have been accepted.

Source: Ekatherimini