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Proposed Adelaide city bikeway threat to Greek elderly churchgoers, report finds

The Greek Herald
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Proposed Adelaide city bikeway threat to Greek elderly churchgoers, report finds

A proposed $6m city bikeway will endanger schoolchildren and other pedestrians, especially elderly churchgoers, The Advertiser reports.

Following a decision by Adelaide City Council to consult the public about the East-West Bikeway from Franklin Street to Hutt Street, The Greek Orthodox Community of SA and St Mary’s College commissioned the report to traffic consultant Melissa Mellen.

In her report, Ms Mellen said the two organisations had legitimate concerns about the impact of the bikeway on public safety and access to a school, two churches and a bingo hall.

The consultant said “a number of factors had not been addressed” with the proposed bikeway route, which featured a dog-leg between Flinders Street and Wakefield Street.

“Disappointedly, the safety of vulnerable road users other than cyclists is a key consideration that has been omitted from the assessment,” Ms Mellen said.

Other safety threats were posed to people attending church services, weddings, funerals and christenings at the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel Creek Orthodox Church, along with hundreds of predominantly elderly people who played bingo in an adjacent hall.

Greek Orthodox Community president Bill Gonis said public safety near the bikeway had to become the paramount consideration for the council.

“During the so-called consultation period, Adelaide City Council have not been able to provide any solutions to the concerns which have been raised,” he said.

From her side, Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor mentioned that public consultation on the bikeway closed last month.

Source: The Advertiser

READ MORE: SA’s Greek community hoping to hold meeting with Adelaide City Council over new bikeway plan

Homeowner Theo Koutsomihalis furious with proposed Western Sydney Airport zonings

The Greek Herald
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Homeowner Theo Koutsomihalis furious with proposed Western Sydney Airport zonings

Furious residents say their homes have been left “unsellable”, with one saying his property’s value plummeted from $11 million to only $1 because of proposed land zonings surrounding the new western Sydney airport, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Theo Koutsomihalis says under the latest zonings proposed, his entire 10 acre Luddenham property would be designated as green space – wiping millions from its value after it had previously been zoned as enterprise land.

He said planning firm Urbis had initially valued his land, then zoned as enterprise, at $11m.

However, proposed plans by the State government have designated his entire property as green space – with the firm updating him the property would now be “unsellable” with a value of $1.

“I’m stuck now with a property worth $1 for the next 20 or 30 years, if it ever sells,” he said.

“The other day I literally had to pull the car over and have a panic attack for 45 minutes.

“My kids’ future is gone.”

Mr Koutsomihalis drew the largest cheer at a public meeting of about 200 concerned locals at Luddenham Showground on Tuesday with state politicians and councillors from Liverpool and Penrith.

Full story: The Daily Telegraph

Woman charged with killing 87-year-old Kon Kritikos in brutal attack

The Greek Herald
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Woman charged with killing 87-year-old Kon Kritikos in brutal attack

A woman has been charged over the brutal murder of 87-year-old Kon Kritikos.

Danielle Lee Birchall appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday, just hours after she was arrested over Mr Kritikos’ horrific bashing death. The 45-year-old from Kurunjang is charged with one count of murder.

No details of the circumstances of her alleged offending, or if she knew Mr Kritikos were aired in court for the brief hearing.

Her arrest came after detectives revealed in February they were searching for a female suspect.

Mr Kritikos was allegedly set upon in his Reynard St, Coburg home on November 11 last year.

He died in hospital 13 days later.

Police said he was attacked while he was alone and vulnerable.

His sick wife was in hospital at the time and detectives suspected this was known by his alleged killer.

Following the alleged attack, Mr Kritikos lay dying and helpless in his home for up to eight hours.

Detective Inspector Tim Day, of the homicide squad, described his killing as an “incredibly violent attack on one of the most vulnerable members of our community”.

Ms Birchall was remanded in custody to reappear in court in July.

European Parliament to name room after Greek WWII resistance fighter Manolis Glezos

The Greek Herald
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European Parliament to name room after Greek WWII resistance fighter Manolis Glezos

The European Parliament is planning to rename one of its meeting rooms Manolis Glezos after the Greek World War II resistance fighter and former MEP who died last year at the age of 97.

Glezos was elected to the European Parliament on the leftist SYRIZA ticket at the age of 91 in 2014, receiving more votes than any other Greek MEP candidate. He had also served in the House from 1984 to 1985.

In a press release on Tuesday, the European Parliament described Glezos as “a major figure in the national resistance against fascism.”

He was best known for being one of two resistance fighters who took down the swastika from the Acropolis during the Nazi occupation of Athens, in May 1941.

The meeting room being renamed after him is located in the Altiero Spinelli building in Brussels.

Two other buildings will also be named after Clara Campoamor and Sophie Scholl in honour of International Women’s Day.

READ MORE: Police officer injured during protest against police violence in Athens

Police officer injured during protest against police violence in Athens

The Greek Herald
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Police officer injured during protest against police violence in Athens

Greek police said an officer was seriously injured in the head as clashes broke out Tuesday evening at a protest of some 5,000 people in Athens against police violence.

The demonstration follows an uproar over viral video footage showing an officer beating a man with a baton during a patrol to check that people were following Covid-19 restrictions on Sunday.

An AFP photographer at the scene of Tuesday’s protest said clashes broke out after a group of around 200 masked protesters headed towards the police station in Nea Smyrni, the calm Athens suburb where Sunday’s beating had taken place.

The demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at a police station and police responded with tear gas and water cannon, AFP reported. Around a dozen dustbins were set on fire, prompting firefighters to intervene.

Police said the injured officer had been rushed to hospital, while some protesters had been arrested even before the clashes broke out for possession of Molotov cocktails and iron bars.

Mitsotakis, Tsipras trade barbs over protest rallies

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis accused the main opposition of undermining the measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus by calling for protests, amid hightened tensions following an apparent incident of police brutality in a residential Athens suburb over the weekend.

“SYRIZA’s official call for participation in citizen protest rallies in the midst of the pandemic is an act of great irresponsibility,” Mitsotakis said in a statement on Tuesday.

Mitsotakis said the call “is an affront to our healthcare workers struggling day and night.”

On its side, SYRIZA responded that the prime minister is “in panic due to the incompetence of his government.”

“We inform him that the only one who has the power to motivate citizens – regardless of party affiliation – to mobilize in the middle of a lockdown, is his policy and himself,” it added. 

*With information from Kathimerini, AP

Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney celebrates 1821 Greek Revolution with creative Annual General Meeting

Andriana Simos
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Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney celebrates 1821 Greek Revolution with creative Annual General Meeting

It was that time of the year again when members of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney gathered at the Grove Conference Centre for their Annual General Meeting (AGM).

But in an exciting turn of events, the Lyceum changed the meeting up a little bit this year to reflect celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821.

Members of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney. Photo: Facebook.

Over 60 new and existing members gathered to discuss the Lyceum’s future plans and finances, including representatives from the Athenian Association of NSW, the Kytherian Association of NSW, the Dionysus Theatre Company, the White Pearl Foundation and the St George Philoptochos Rose Bay.

All the guests were greeted at the door by four Greek youths dressed in the traditional costume of an Evzona (for the two boys) and an Amalia (for the two girls).

RELATED: Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney: The first Greek women’s association in Australia [Part 1].

Three paintings of Greek Revolution heroines by artist, Angela Kiki, were on display. Photo: Facebook.

Three paintings of Greek Revolution heroines by artist, Angela Kiki, were also on display throughout the AGM, with Angela later taking the time to explain how these women contributed to the Struggle.

“We wanted to give our AGM the flavour of 1821 and being a woman’s organisation, we want to place emphasis on the role of Greek women during the Revolution,” President of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, Liana Vertzayias, tells The Greek Herald.

The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney gathered at the Grove Conference Centre for their Annual General Meeting (AGM). Photo: Facebook.

Adding to this revolutionary “flavour,” was a special talk from Elfa Moraitakis, CEO of SydneyWest Services, who spoke about the organisation’s work supporting migrant woman with a number of issues they face today.

RELATED: The future of The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney and its breathtaking exhibitions [Part 2].

“Elfa was our special guest speaker because she related nicely to what the Hellenic Lyceum was known for when it first started – Greek women acting as social workers to help migrants who had just arrived from Greece,” Mrs Vertzayias says.

Elfa Moraitakis, CEO of SydneyWest Services, gave a special talk. Photo: Facebook.

The proud President herself concluded the event by reciting a poem from Percy B. Shelley called “Hellas” and inspired by the Hellenic Spirit.

This year, the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney is celebrating its 70th anniversary on July 18, and they are also holding a preview of their upcoming major exhibition to mark the 1821 Greek Revolution this Sunday, March 14 at 3.30pm at the Kogarah Church Hall (16 – 20 Belgrave Street, Kogarah). Everyone is welcome.

Mr Grigor’s: Popular Greek-owned cafe in Sydney closes after lease not renewed

The Greek Herald
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Mr Grigor’s: Popular Greek-owned cafe in Sydney closes after lease not renewed

Mr Grigor’s, a popular Greek family-run cafe on the northern beaches, closed its doors for the last time on Monday after failing to come to an agreement on a new lease with the landlord.

Maria and Bill Panagiotopoulos opened Mr Grigor’s at Allambie Heights five years ago and had built up a loyal community following.

But according to The Daily Telegraph, on January 10 this year Maria and Bill were handed a letter from an estate agent, representing the owners of the Allambie Heights shopping centre, telling the couple that they had 30 days to vacate the premises.

As part of their lease, the couple had to indicate to landlord Darren Jones, by the end of July 2020, if they were going to exercise the option to renew the lease for another five years.

Customers outside the popular Mr Grigor’s cafe and restaurant at Allambie Heights on Monday morning as Maria and Bill hand out free coffees. Picture: Jim O’Rourke / The Daily Telegraph.

Due to the pressures of trying to keep the business above water during the COVID crisis, and the poor health of her elderly father, Maria told The Daily Telegraph they missed the deadline to alert Mr Jones, a former mayor of Warringah Council, that they wanted to renew the lease by about two weeks.

Maria said they wrote to Mr Jones to make an offer on the lease, but that was rejected.

“We worked hard, up to 100 hours every week each, to make this place a success. Now, since COVID restrictions lifted, our business is up 20 to 30 per cent. But we have to go,” Maria told the media outlet.

“I have never had a community wrap their arms around us like this community has. It’s been wonderful.”

For more than three hours on their last day, Maria and Bill, along with their daughter Chloe, were making and handing out free coffees to their loyal customers.

Mr Jones told the Manly Daily on Monday that the couple failed to meet their obligations in relation to exercising an option to renew the lease.

“It was nothing to do with me. It was their call, not mine,” Mr Jones said.

Meanwhile, Maria and Bill are clearing out Mr Grigor’s this week and contemplating whether to open another restaurant in, or near, the northern beaches.

FULL STORY: The Daily Telegraph.

Morrison Government provides funding boost for female entrepreneurs

The Greek Herald
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Morrison Government provides funding boost for female entrepreneurs

The Morrison Government is encouraging female entrepreneurs in Reid to take advantage of funding to build their business and create local jobs under the Boosting Female Founders Initiative.

Member for Reid, Dr Fiona Martin MP, said a total of $11.6 million is on offer under the second round of the initiative, while also expanding the program to offer expert mentoring and advice for eligible candidates. 

“As a former small businesswoman, I understand the struggles of starting your own business.” Dr Martin said.

“I encourage female entrepreneurs with great start-up concepts in Reid to apply for funding under the successful Boosting Female Founders Initiative.

“Through this initiative we’re helping Aussie female-founded businesses launch their great ideas not only here, but on the global stage.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, said it was fitting that applications for round two of the in-demand initiative are opening on International Women’s Day.

“Female entrepreneurs are underrepresented in our innovation and technology sectors, often because they face greater obstacles in getting early-stage finance,” Minister Andrews said.

“The first round of the Boosting Female Founders Initiative saw more than 50 female-founded and led businesses share in nearly $12 million to scale up, create new jobs and take on new markets.”

The Boosting Female Founders Initiative provides grants of between $25,000 and $400,000 to Australian start-up businesses that are majority owned and led by women.

The Initiative was announced as part of the 2018 Women’s Economic Security Statement, and expanded under the 2020 Women’s Economic Security Statement.

In total, it will provide $52.2 million of competitive grant funding plus $1.8 million in mentoring services from 2020–2021 to 2024–25.

Applications for the current funding round will be open until 22 April 2021, and can be submitted at business.gov.au/bff.

George Clooney calls for the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece

Andriana Simos
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George Clooney calls for the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece

American actor, George Clooney, has again called for the UK to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece in a letter to a group of scholars, professors and cultural figures.

According to the Greek newspaper Ta Nea, Clooney recently told Janet Suzman—the Chair of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles—that “the Parthenon Sculptures must be returned to their original owner.”

READ MORE: Australia takes the lead in demanding the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

“There are a lot of historical artefacts that should be returned to their original owners, but none more important than the Parthenon Marbles,” Clooney continued.

George Clooney has again called for the UK to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

Suzman confirmed to The Art Newspaper that the actor made the comments.

Clooney has expressed his confidence about the future restitution of the Parthenon Marbles before, during a trip to Berlin in February 2014 to promote the film The Monuments Men.

READ MORE: The Plundered Past of the Parthenon Sculptures: How the Greeks can get back their marbles.

The actor’s comments drew criticism from Boris Johnson, the then-Mayor of London, who said Clooney was “advocating nothing less than the Hitlerian agenda for London’s cultural treasures.”

George and his wife, human rights lawyer, Amal Alamuddin-Clooney, have always advocated for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.

At that time, Clooney’s wife, Anglo-Lebanese human rights lawyer, Amal Alamuddin-Clooney, was advising the Greek government on its efforts to reclaim the marbles. The Greek government ended up turning down her suggestion to take the British to the International Court.

READ MORE: How the Parthenon Marbles brought power couple George Clooney and wife Amal together.

Some have called for the repatriation of the sculptures for more than 40 years. British officials have argued that Athens cannot sufficiently display the treasures. The Greeks have since built a world-class exhibition space in view of the Acropolis for that purpose.

Greece, Israel, Cyprus sign deal to link electricity in world’s longest undersea power cable

The Greek Herald
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Greece, Israel, Cyprus sign deal to link electricity in world’s longest undersea power cable

Plans to connect Israel, Cyprus and Greece with a 2,000 megawatt undersea electricity cable took a key step forward on Monday, when the three countries signed an agreement to speed up technical work on the project.

Cypriot Energy Minister, Natasa Pilides, hosted a ceremony in the capital Nicosia on Monday with her Israeli counterpart, Yuval Steinitz, and Greek Minister, Kostas Krekas, participating via online link.

Pilides said that with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, the three ministers agreed on the need to expedite permits and approvals to conduct feasibility studies and to coordinate with their respective national electricity regulators on how best to proceed.

READ MORE: Greece, Israel and Cyprus to sign EastMed agreement.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend the signing of a deal by their respective Energy Ministers to build the EastMed subsea pipeline. January 2, 2020. Photo: Reuters / Alkis Konstantinidis.

Pilides said the deal boosts cooperation “in supporting the planning, potential development and implementation of the EuroAsia Interconnector, as an additional element of the emerging Eastern Mediterranean Energy Corridor.”

Pilides called the project a “cornerstone” of the countries’ efforts to transition to a green economy that will protect the environment while promoting economic growth.

She said the cable will help the three countries meet their commitments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which aims to limit carbon emissions, while helping to diversify the energy supply of fossil fuel-dependent Cyprus.

READ MORE: Greece and Israel Foreign Minister’s “eye to eye” on military cooperations.

The project’s first phase is expected to be operational by 2025.

The European Union’s executive Commission has said the cable is a “key project of common interest” that makes it eligible for EU financing.

Pilides said some of the project’s additional benefits include enhancing energy supply security and allowing the three countries to be potential energy exporters.

READ MORE: Greece and Israel complete historic $1.68 billion defence agreement.

Cyprus is working on a separate deal with Greece and Egypt on a similar cable connecting the three countries.

Israel, Cyprus and Greece have also teamed up for a planned $6 billion undersea pipeline to carry gas from new offshore deposits in the southeastern Mediterranean to continental Europe.

Source: AP News.

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