I recently attended an online meeting with the New Democracy Minister for Foreign Affairs in Greece, Dr Konstantinos Vlassis, who is also an Orthopaedic surgeon and a Professor in Greece. Many Greeks in Australia own land or homes in Greece, with a few also running a business in Greece or renting out properties there. According to the New Democracy Party, Greeks of the Diaspora should be able to vote in Greece from here.
That everyone of Greek heritage, who has a Greek passport should have the right to vote in Greece may be problematic.
At face value it seems very honourable of the current Greek government to support Greeks of the Diaspora. Or is it? Who is gaining here?
It also seems like a valid that we of the Diaspora have the same rights as every other Greek to vote and affect the Greek nation. But do we? even when we do not live there?
I wonder if all the ex-patriots of Australia get to vote about what happens here?
Firstly, this would by far advantage the conservative parties as most Greek migrants with properties in Greece traditionally support the conservative parties.
Another problem however, is that many of us have no idea about the situation of the Greek people or their needs, their working conditions or tax obligations. Are we truly able to make decisions for them? Are they unable to govern themselves? Do we see ourselves as their saviours because we know better?
I am just throwing a spanner in the works here!
As a person who loves Greece, I would love to be able to help them and their economy. I also have some interests in property in Greece but should I vote? I would love to but in all honesty, I am unqualified to do so as I do not know their needs and what is best for them. All I know is what various political parties tell me when they visit Australia or what biased news I read online.
Aristotle University School of Medicine (AUSoM) in Thessaloniki, Greece, is home to many world-leading educators, physicians, surgeons and medical scientists.
At AUSOM, they emphasize on excellence as a habit in medical studies and achieve it through the most diverse range of medical conditions and treatments. Their University Hospital AHEPA, based on campus, is one of the country’s leading clinical centres, where students gain invaluable experience. However, there are 6 other major hospitals in and around the city where skills are honed under first class supervision.
Their graduates pursue brilliant careers and actively improve health in societies the world over. They succeed because their alma mater prioritizes interdisciplinary medical studies, hands-on experience in the most diverse clinical conditions and therapies, and an ethos of patient-centered medical practice -the very teachings of Hippokrates, at the exact birthplace of modern medicine. For their students, Asclepius, Hippokrates or Galen are not ancient history but living paradigms of ethics, practical skills and of the drive to always change medicine for the better.
The School of Medicine of Aristotle University was founded in 1942. It accounts for more than 30.000 graduates, some of them with a great impact on science and humanity. It is your turn! Open your path to a bright career in medicine with us in Greece today!
The courses are now offered in English and international students experience the thrilling Greek way of living. Additionally to their medical degree, all students receive by completion of the 3rd year a certification in modern Greek language issued by the Aristotle University. Fees are competitive and scholarships of excellence are available supported from the State Scholarships Foundation.
The 13th General Assembly of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Union (PADEE) concluded its three day conference in the Greek Parliament in Athens on 30 July 2021 with a unanimous resolution calling for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures.
The assembly was attended by nearly forty elected legislators of Greek descent from the diaspora, including France, Germany, the USA, Jordan, Canada and Sweden, under the chair of US Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis.
The delegates listened to an impassioned presentation from Ms Elly Symons, the co-Vice Chair of the Australian Parthenon Committee, on recent developments in the international campaign for return and the legal and diplomatic strategies that Greece can pursue to secure the reunification of the sculptures looted by Lord Elgin and held in the British Museum since 1816.
Elly Symons noted that as Greece celebrates the 200th anniversary of the start of its War of Independence in 1821, Hellenes and Philhellenes all over the world are engaged in another battle for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures.
Surveying the recent history of the campaign, Ms Symons recalled that the former Greek Culture Minister Melina Mercouri in her famous address to UNESCO in 1982 declared that the call for return is made in the name of cultural heritage of the world and the voice of the mutilated monument itself that cries out for the marbles to be returned.
But sadly, the British have stonewalled ever since and yet Greece continues to hope misguidedly that eventually England will do the right thing.
Ms Symons reminded the audience that as far back as 2002, the British made their position clear after Greece suggested a long-term loan of the Parthenon Marbles in return for reciprocal and recurring loans of other rare Greek antiquities. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees in correspondence with the Greek government at the time declared that the British Museum “is the best possible place for these wonderful achievements to be on display” and that he could not envisage the circumstances under which the Trustees would ever agree to endorse a loan, permanent or temporary, of the Parthenon sculptures in the museum’s collections.
As Elly Symons observed, the arrogance and hubris of the British Museum is there for all to see. And regrettably, nothing has changed.
According to the seasoned Greek-Australian campaigner:
”A new strategy is needed – one that embraces an array of coherent political, diplomatic and legal tactics designed to bring pressure to bear on the British Museum and the British Government.”
One such strategy, described as being the least problematic, is to approach the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion. Such a step would add a powerful legal dimension to Greece’s cultural diplomatic cache.
Ms Symons explained that Greece has been vocal in the General Assembly of the United Nations, having successfully sponsored resolutions for the return or restitution of cultural property to their countries of origin in 2012, 2015 and again in 2018. As she pointed out:
“The cultural diplomacy or soft power exercised by Greece in securing support for this resolution can serve as a benchmark for pursuing an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice which is also the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.”
The advisory opinion procedure actually allows other Member States to take part in the proceedings, presenting both oral and written submissions, and it is anticipated that many States would intervene to argue in favour of the reunification of the Marbles. The Court would be invited to acknowledge that the return is supported by the emerging rule of customary international law that cultural treasures lost in times of occupation or dependence must be returned to their countries of origin.
Ms Symons concluded that the Greek Revolution that we celebrate today will not be complete until the Parthenon Sculptures are finally reunified in Greece and for that to occur the Greek State needs to embrace a combined legal and diplomatic strategy if it is ever to unchain our beloved Marbles from their London prison.
The delegates at the General Assembly warmly applauded Ms Symons and considered a draft resolution moved by the American delegate from the Connecticut House of Representatives, Eleni Kavros DeGraw.
In the resolution it was noted that the Parthenon Sculptures are the most important keys to the ancient history of Greece and constitute cultural property that enhances the identity, understanding, and appreciation for the culture that produced it. The delegates also recalled the resolution (moved by Greece) that was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 13 December 2018 for the return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin that is of fundamental spiritual, historical and cultural value to them.
The General Assembly proceeded to pass the strongly-worded resolution, expressing profound regret at the continuing refusal of the British Government to engage with the Greek Government in meaningful dialogue and bilateral discussions for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, and calling upon the Greek Government to renew and prosecute all diplomatic, political, cultural and legal options available to Greece to secure the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.
The Greeks of the Diaspora have once again shown their passion for this noble cause and the members of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association are to be commended for their work and initiative.
George Vardas
Co-Vice President, The Australian Parthenon Committee
There are renewed calls for a probe into why one of Sydney’s most prized public pools closed up shop for two years after a series of restoration bungles.
The saga at Balmain’s Dawn Fraser Baths, an icon on the inner west harbour, has seen staff previously referred to the Auditor General by their own mayor and resulted in a council general manager quitting over the furore.
Now independent councillor John Stamolis has issued a “please explain” to the council over the extended delay.
Thousands of locals successfully campaigned for the state government to offer a grant to save the pool. Picture: AAP/Flavio Brancaleone
Cr Stamolis is moving a motion at a council meeting next month to call for an investigation into the costs and reasons why the Balmain institution sat behind closed gates for almost two years.
“I’m asking these questions to make them public,” Cr Stamolis said.
“Our community were greatly impacted with two seasons of swimming lost as well as a host of other activities that were not able to be done for two years.
“We were promised 10 to 12 months and 24 months later we’re still talking about this. Look at Telstra Square (in Balmain) two years to build the smallest square in Australia, what is going on there.”
The baths are home to the oldest swimming club in Australia. Picture: AAP/Jordan Shields
Last week Inner West Council said it had to undergo $8 million worth of works after it discovered there were no foundations to one side of the pavilion among other structural issues it had not anticipated.
That coupled with other discoveries like the risk of flooding due to rising sea levels meant more works had to be completed before it could re-open.
Mayor Darcy Byrne announced last week the pool would re-open when the Greater Sydney lockdown is lifted and entry will be free for the first two weeks.
Bronte Halligan opened up the scoring for Australia in the first quarter after sending the ball with speed directly at the keeper, who parried it into the net.
The two sides went goal for goal in the first quarter which ended 3-3.
Lea is goalkeeper at the Aussie Stingers. Photo: Balazs Czagany.
There was a goal-fest to kick off the second quarter with three goals scored in the first 90 seconds, including one from 20-year-old hot-shot Abby Andrews.
A Rowie Webster double prevented an increasing Spain lead as Australia finished the second quarter only one goal down.
Spain’s hot form continued into the third and fourth quarter with three goals in rapid succession, preventing another potential Stingers comeback win.
Back-to-back goals by Judith Forca sealed Australia’s fate, with the Stingers losing the match 15-9.
Despite Aussie goalkeeper Lea Yanitsas making crucial saves, she couldn’t stop the rockets sent by Bea Ortiz and Maica Godoy Garcia, who scored four and three goals respectively.
Spain fielded a handful of left-handed players unlike most teams this tournament, also playing 16-year-old Elena Ruiz Barril.
Spain’s Roser Tarragó also spent the 2019 season in Australia with the Drummoyne Devils.
Greek authorities warned the public against unnecessary work and travel on Friday as temperatures hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 °F) in Athens and the ancient Acropolis, its most visited monument, was briefly forced to close.
Temperatures have been high in much of the country in recent days and are expected to reach 44 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, the National Meteorological Service said, warning of a high risk of wildfires during a “dangerous” heatwave.
“We are constantly recording maximum record temperatures all these years, which means that climate change is here,” said Stavros Solomos, researcher at the Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology of the Academy of Athens.
“We are expecting to have more frequent, more intense heatwaves,” he said, as well as “tropical nights” – where temperatures do not fall below 25 to 30 degrees.
The Parthenon temple is seen atop the empty Acropolis hill archaeological site, closed to the public during a heatwave in Athens, Greece, July 30, 2021. REUTERS/Costas Baltas
The Acropolis, which looks out over the capital, closed for a few hours as it does when temperatures rise, to protect tourists from the heat.
The heatwave was characterized as dangerous because it was expected to last several days – at least until next Friday, with the peak expected on Monday and Tuesday, said Theodoros Kolydas, head of the weather service.
Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis warned of “extremely high temperatures” and urged people “to show the highest degree of responsibility and cooperation”.
He added: “I also want to appeal to our fellow citizens to avoid unnecessary travel in the heat but also unnecessary work.”
A man fishes during a heatwave in Alimos suburb, south of Athens, Greece, July 30, 2021. REUTERS/Costas Baltas
Earlier this month, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyiannis appointed a chief heat officer, the first in Europe, to help tackle extreme heat.
“Welcome to global warming! It’s very hot, it’s very oppressive,” said George Papabeis, a Greek-American tourist, as he made his way through central Athens.
More than 1,000 people died in 1987 in Greece’s deadliest heatwave, with scorching temperatures for over a week.
Firefighters have tackled more than 40 wildfires in the last 24 hours, the fire brigade said, fanned by winds and high temperatures. A raging blaze north of Athens on Tuesday burned at least a dozen homes before being brought under control.
The Milwaukee Bucks is becoming the new home for Greek players in the NBA after selecting Greek player Georgios Kalaitzakis in the NBA draft on Thursday.
Also selecting Sandro Mamukelashvili of Seton Hall, the Bucks made these moves a week after their parade that celebrated their first NBA title since 1971.
Milwaukee started the night with the 31st overall pick, the first selection of the second round. The Bucks selected 6-foot-10 forward Isaiah Todd but traded his draft rights to the Indiana Pacers. Todd, who played for the NBA G League Ignite this past season, later got traded to Washington.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the second half of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns in Milwaukee, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Bucks got two of the last seven picks in this year’s draft – No. 54 and No. 60 – as well as two future second-round picks. Mamukelashvili went 54th. Kalaitzakis was taken with the 60th and final pick in the draft.
Kalaitzakis is a 6-7 forward who spent the 2020-21 season with Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League. The 22-year-old averaged 2.6 points, 1 rebound and 8.2 minutes in 27 games in the Greek Basket League and EuroLeague.
Haralambos ‘Harry’ Corones M.B.E was a “perennial”, “exuberant”, and “impish” hotelier, businessman, and freemason and is known as “the uncrowned king of the West”.
His career extended from cafés, silent-picture cinemas, vaudeville shows, all the way to hotels, but he’s best credited for naming Qantas’ first five aircrafts – Hermes, Atlanta, Apollo, Diana, and Hippomenes.
Corones also opened the first cinema in the remote suburb of Charleville in south-west Queensland.
His extensive legacy in the town is survived by the 90-year-old heritage-listed Hotel Corones.
Hotel Corones opened in 1929 and stands in Charleville today (Left: Hotel Corones) (Right: Fay Fordham on Pinterest)
Early life and career:
Haralambos ‘Harry’ Corones was born in Frylingianika, Kythera, Greece to fisherman Panayiotis Coroneos and Stamatea Freeleagus on 17 September, 1883.
Corones completed his military service as a first aid orderly at 21 years old. He emigrated to Sydney, Australia three years later and arrived on 10 August, 1907.
Six weeks later he moved to Brisbane to be with his mother’s relatives and work in the Freeleagus brothers’ oyster-saloon in George Street.
He moved to Charleville in 1909 where he bought and ran the Paris Café and a silent-picture cinema and vaudeville show with performers across New South Wales and Queensland in remote south-west Queensland.
He became an Australian citizen in June 1912 and married Eftehia, daughter of Father Seraphim Phocas, at the Holy Trinity Church in Sydney’s Surry Hills on 29 April, 1914.
His involvement with Qantas began when he bought 100 original shares in the company in 1922. He catered for the airline, supplying picnic hampers and sit-down meals for transit passengers in a converted hangar at Charleville airport.
Harry Corones and aviation pioneer Nancy Bird in Charleville, Queensland, 1935 (Photo: State Library of Queensland)
Hotels remained his focus, however. He leased and demolished the Norman in Charleville in July 1924 to begin construction of the 50,000 euro luxury Corones Hotel.
Hotels and aviation went hand in hand for Corones. Charleville was a stop-off point for the aviation industry and hosted a suite of visiting celebrities, including the Duke of Gloucester, Gracie Fields, and Peter Dawson.
In 1929, after five years of planning and construction, the new hotel contained a lounge and writing room, a dining-room for a hundred and fifty people, a private and a public bar, a barber’s shop and a magnificent ballroom seating 320 people at a banquet. Upstairs were ornate bathrooms, 40 rooms and a private lounge. It was “the best equipped and most up-to-date hotel outside the metropolis”.
There are now daily tours through the Hotel Corones celebrating the grand vision of architect William Hodgen and Corones himself.
Legacy:
Poppa and Nana Corones with three of their children (Photo via SBS Greek)
The Charleville Hospital nurses’ quarters were named the Harry Corones Block.
He served on local fire-brigade board along with the hospital’s board and was member of the original committee of the ambulance centre into his later years.
He was appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1965.
Harry Corones died aged 88 on 22 March, 1972, at his resident hotel in Charleville.
His wife died two years later.
He is buried with Anglican rites in the local cemetery.
NSW Health’s Dr. Jan Fizzell and NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward fronted a weekly conference with multicultural media on Wednesday.
Australia’s vaccination rollout remained the primary topic of discussion as the state’s daily cases of COVID-19 continue to climb.
Dr. Jan Fizzell reminded the Greek Herald that people who would like to protect their families from COVID-19 can get the AstraZeneca vaccine now with or without a booking.
“Some workers (including border workers and health care workers) have had their families invited to come forward and be immunised because they’re at high risk,” Dr. Fizzell says.
She adds that the “small risk with the AstraZeneca vaccine” pales in comparison to “the very definite risk of COVID-19 infection”.
“If you are offered the vaccine and over 18, the best vaccine to get is the one that you can get in your arm.”
Minister Natalie Ward added that there is “no greater endorsement” of the AstraZeneca vaccine than from the state’s chief health officer Dr. Kerry Chant.
The pair went on to say they were “heartbroken” and “disappointed” at anti-lockdown protests in Sydney last weekend, with Dr. Fizzell taking the opportunity to remind the risks it posed in overwhelming the health care system.
“The equivalent of one of our big hospitals would have their entire intensive care unit full at the moment if we put all the COVID cases in one place,” Dr. Fizzell says.
“That’s a whole lot of beds that aren’t available for a whole lot of people who may need them.”
“There were more than 10,000 calls to Crime Stoppers about people who attended the protests, which is proof that the community absolutely rejects the actions of those people, Minister Ward added.
Minister Ward went on to promote the state’s pilot program of live interpretation of the daily COVID-19 public heath conferences in languages other than English and the NSW government’s $6 million funding package for asylum seekers in need of emergency support.
Ward says she is open to the idea of an elderly bubble, similar to the singles bubble, to facilitate care for elderly family members, with Fizzell reiterating NSW Health’s preference for a single designated carer.
Staff at one of South Australia’s biggest ‘super-spreader’ sites were recently moved to hotel quarantine for their final week of quarantine.
Joseph Vaccaro is a chef at the Greek on Halifax and says he was a week into his isolation period at home when he was contacted by SA Health on Monday.
“We were more than happy to do everything required from our own home, which is exactly what we were doing,” Mr Vaccaro tells Adelaide Now.
He was told he would be transferred to medi-hotel, the Pullman Hotel, despite testing negative for COVID-19.
“It was awkward, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Now it is totally unpleasant.”
A cleaner deep cleans the Greek on Halifax (Left: ABC News/Michael Clements) (Right:Picture by Emma Brasier)
Mr. Vaccaro worked in the kitchen at the Greek on Halifax on the night of July 17 when a positive case of COVID-19 visited the restaurant.
A staff member later tested positive.
Mr. Vaccaro describes SA Health’s move as an “absolute over-reaction” and a “complete farce” and says conditions inside the hotel are poor.
““I’ve been locked in this airtight room since Monday.”
He tells Adelaide Now that the kettle in his room was also replaced multiple times after it tripped the power.
He says the situation has also stressed his mother, who has Parkinsons and for whom he provides care.
About 100 people were moved to medi-hotels on the basis that they had been at high-risk “super spreader” sites.
