The Greek island of Kastellorizo is being hailed a success for its vaccine rollout, becoming the first in Europe to be totally COVID-free.
Tucked away in a remote part of the Aegean Sea, a few kilometres from the Turkish coast, it’s successfully inoculated all of its 520 residents against COVID-19, with first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Since last March, only one COVID-19 case has been detected on Kastellorizo. The Greek government is trying to protect small islands that do not have large hospitals by vaccinating their whole populations.
The Greek island of Kastellorizo is being hailed a success for its vaccine rollout, becoming the first in Europe to be totally COVID-free.
Greece’s strategy is, therefore, to make all small and remote areas COVID-19-free ahead of the summer. They will promote this strategy internationally, with the hope of giving a new impetus to tourism.
Many travel agencies have already turned their attention to Kastellorizo and, according to Ethnos Greece, they estimate that this year will see a 35% increase in tourism to the island.
Arid and rocky Kastellorizo is said to be an unspoilt paradise. It has an ancient castle and a cathedral-like Blue Grotto – a sea cavern accessible only by lying flat on a boat.
Being so close to Turkey, the colourful island was once part of the Ottoman Empire. So in addition to the typical Greek churches and chapels, you will also find a mosque with its minaret.
Twenty-one (21) Australian women of Greek heritage and from different career paths. Twenty-one (21) voices. Twenty-one (21) stories different but all with the same goals.
To challenge stereotypes, give back to the community and become role models for future generations.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, on March 8 and inspired by the heroines of the Greek War of Independence who helped shape Greece’s modern history, The Greek Herald has launched the “21 Women for Women for 2021” interview series.
Every Friday, for the next five months, from March 5 until Friday July 23, a woman will be featured in The Greek Herald’s print edition (in Greek) and every Monday on our digital platforms (in English).
Just one day to celebrate women is not enough. Let’s at least give them twenty-one.
Enjoy some quotes of the interviews that follow…
1. Suzane Peponis-Brisimis: Founder and Director of White Pearl Foundation
Since Suzane’s mother passed away from a brain tumour in late 2013, she has been raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research through the White Pearl Foundation.
“This really isn’t about personal recognition… I mean that sincerely. If recognition of the White Pearl Foundation serves to gather more recognition and support for brain cancer research and brain cancer patients, then that is fantastic and should be the goal.”
2. Alessandra Kitinas: Australia’s youngest CEO at 15 after launching ‘Freedom Scrub’
“When I learned that it (human trafficking) was happening in my home country and in a place that’s meant to be developed and have so many opportunities for young women and girls, it definitely raised something in me and it was something that I really wanted to make a difference with.”
3. Georgegina Poulos: Global Director of People at T2
“This year’s theme ‘Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world is so important as many women were severely impacted last year during the peak of the pandemic and still are. Flexibility was one of the great outcomes of last year. COVID has shown us that true leaders can lead virtually and by embracing flexibility creates more opportunity for female leaders to thrive both personally and professionally”
4. Emeritus Professor Maria Skyllas-Kazacos: School of Chemical Engineering at UNSW
“My thinking at the time was that once you start a family, that’s it. You can’t really think beyond just having a part-time job. But my PhD supervisor said to me, ‘why should a family stop you from having a career? Just do it.’ It took him to actually tell me I could do it because I didn’t know that I could.”
“It was a childhood dream of mine to be a police officer but my Greek, old fashioned parents, disapproved. I was conditioned to believe that my boundaries could extend no further than being a wife and a mother. So, being a good daughter, I followed their wishes and married a Greek boy and we had two children. At the age of 42, and with the support and encouragement of my husband and children, I applied to join the NSW Police Force (NSWPF)”
6. Eleni Glouftis: First female AFL umpire, Order of Australia Medal (OAM) recipient
“It’s a really humbling feeling and obviously for me, I set out to umpire because I love football being part of the game. From there I’ve been able to help lots of young people see that there are different pathways available to them that we probably haven’t seen before.”
7. Christina Bacchiella: Community and Engagement Co-ordinator, The University of Sydney’s Indigenous Australian Engineering School
“My instinct for social justice acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have lost contact with aspects of their culture. The richness of Indigenous culture has prompted younger generations to re-engage with their culture and this has also inspired me to delve further into my roots.”
8. Esther Anatolitis: Arts Advocate
“To women who read this, I say ‘thanks’ and ‘congratulations’. Because as all statistics indicate, you are doing more work and get paid less than people who don’t identify as females. In terms of leading through COVID and beyond, women are already doing this. Women are disproportionately represented in all the various frontline health roles. For one day and then well beyond that day, we need to be really proud and confident in talking about what women’s contributions is.”
9. Irini Kassas: Newcastle’s 2018 Young Citizen of the Year & Deputy Chair of International Newcastle Inc.
“I felt like it was something in my blood, something in my character that I wanted to engage with other people, getting to know my new surroundings and what opportunities there were for me.”
10: Associate Professor Lisa Sarmas: Melbourne Law School, Melbourne University
Lisa is an Associate Professor of Law and also identifies with the LGBTIQA+ community.
“I think the real barrier for people entering areas like law is less on the basis of sexuality and gender and probably more on social class. I come from a very proud working class Greek family, but a lot of people working in law come from very privileged backgrounds. That, I think, is what needs to change.”
11. Theodora Ahilas: Order of Australia Medal (OAM) recipient for her service to people affected by asbestos-related diseases
Photo: John Veage/The Leader
“I was lucky to land my dream job in a labour law firm and in 1990, I was junior lawyer to my first asbestos case. This is where my love affair began and has not left for me for 30 years. In that time, I have witnessed the best of the human spirit, I have watched clients give their last breath in dying testimony at all hours day or night to secure finance recompense for their family.”
12. Jenny Zagas: Principal at Lucas Gardens School
The school provides educational programs for students with high and moderate support needs, including intellectual and physical disabilities.
“As a leader, I make decisive decisions about the school, however, I lead with my heart and with empathy. My connections with students and families are paramount as students are at the apex of all we do at Lucas Gardens School.”
13. Niki Sperou: Artist in Residence – Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development, Flinders University
“I look at ancient Greek narratives, mythology and ancient Greek philosophers in a way to interpret science of today. For instance, the myth of Prometheus tells us that humans can be a bit short-sighted with regards to technology and the impact it has. Same with plastic. People created it but they didn’t see how bad it can be for humankind,” says Niki Sperou as she encourages young Greek Australians to keep up their native language skills.
14. Vasso Apostolopoulos: Professor of Immunology and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research Partnerships at Victoria University
“In the 1918 pandemic of the Spanish flu, two million people died and once the spread slowed down, they went back to normality which then, a second wave hit and killed 50 million people. We do not want to repeat history…”
15. Kathy Tsaples: Sweet Greek owner and breast cancer survivor
“I started writing my first cookbook in the chemotherapy chair of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. So, sitting on that chair, I needed to have a vision. Because my prognosis wasn’t a good one, they hadn’t given me long to go, I needed to be able to leave something behind for my sons.”
16. Mary Konstantopoulos: Women’s sport advocate & Founder of ‘Ladies Who League’
“We’re starting to get more analysis of the women’s games, why players are performing the way they perform, the strengths and weaknesses of the coaching staff and it’s becoming more critical and analytical. We’re moving away from simply, ‘oh gee it’s so good women play sport’, to actually covering it in a similar way we do the men’s game, which I think is really important.”
17. Professor Maria Kavallaris AM: Head of Translational Cancer Nanomedicine, Children’s Cancer Institute
“To be able to make a difference to the lives of children with cancer and their families by developing better treatments and improving survival rates is very humbling. Even if you can save one child’s life, that’s an incredible feat.”
18. Angela Lyris: Principal at Strathfield Girls High School & Supervisor at Kogarah Saturday School of Community Languages
“My parents, as well as many other migrants, came to Australia for their children and because they came from poorer families, they really valued education and teachers. I mean we’re educating young people to be the leaders of our world today. That’s pretty important.”
19. Margaret Skagias: Founder of Caring Kids Charity
“When their parents pass on and there’s someone in the family with a disability, or if it’s their brother and sister, many of these kids end up taking the responsibility for the rest of their lives,” Margaret points out. I just felt like nobody was really noticing them enough, so six years ago I decided to start CaringKids.”
20. Dr Anastasia Hronis: Clinical Psychologist – Founder of the Australian Institute for Human Wellness
“We still have a long way to go when it comes to reducing stigma against mental illness within the Greek and Cypriot cultures. One of the key ways to reduce stigma is to start to talk about it more openly and honestly, and to normalise that mental health concerns are common and need to be addressed. I believe this change needs to be led by influential organisations within the community, including the church, community services and public figures.”
21. Mia Pantechis: Principal Lawyer (Employment Law)
“Progress has been made, but there is still a need for gender diversity initiatives in the legal profession. There is an underrepresentation of women in leadership positions within firms and
gender inequality and power imbalances are a systemic driver of harassment in workplaces….As a community we need to get behind reforms that tackle the issues plaguing Australian workplaces. We need to have a voice when it comes to driving change.”
The Greek Community of Melbourne has invited the community to an evening of discussion, food and music to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021, on Thursday 11th March, at 7.00pm, at the Greek Centre. Dr Eleftheria Zei will present a lecture entitled “Manto Mavrogenous: Between Two Worlds”.
The event will commence with an official message for women of the diaspora by the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Greece’s first female president.
This year’s IWD theme is “Let’s all choose to challenge”.
“Collectively, we all have an important role to challenge inequality and gender bias. We need to celebrate women’s achievements, especially those of women in our community,” a press release by the GCM reads.
The life of Manto Mavrogenous is the life of an unusual woman, an educated native of the islands, who fought during the Greek Revolution in charge of her own army, and lived through the birth of the Greek State. Her personality inspired 19th century European literature, while the Greek State condemned her to oblivion.
Dr Eleftheria Zei has graduated from the Faculty of Letters of the University of Athens and has continued her graduate studies at the University of Paris I (Panthéon-Sorbonne), where she obtained her doctorate thesis on the Aegean between Latin and Ottoman domination. Since 2003 she teaches Modern History at the Greek University, and since 2008 she is a member of the teaching staff at the Department of History & Archaeology of the University of Crete.
“The GCM supports women in community affairs and assisting with pathways through its ΕΣΥ: women inspiring change initiative. This initiative also chooses to celebrate and promote the diversity of women within our community,” the statement adds.
This seminar will be delivered in Greek. It will be a hybrid seminar, so people are encouraged to attend the mezzanine. As the Mezzanine has a limited capacity of 80 persons, seating will be limited to those that have requested a booking here: https://www.trybooking.com/BPLAE
What do you think is the problem with Greek language learning in Australia and do you have a solution?
Today I speak with another Australian born mother and recent grandmother, Christine Gazepis Stravropoulos of the Athenia Association and the Dionysus Theatre group.
Christine says “It takes a concerted effort. I only spoke Greek to my children when they were young.”
Her daughter Amanda, a new mum herself, interrupts to say “we learnt a lot from Yiayia and Pappou.”
“Yes but these days most grandparents may not speak Greek very well themselves,” Christine continues.
Did you go to Greek school?
“Yes and my experiences at the local Church school were not good so I employed a tutor for my children.”
Is that the best way for children to learn Greek?
“I think children need consistency and dedicated effort from their parents and grandparents, Many are from mixed marriages so it complicates things. Children need to be taken to the theatre, to music events and to Greek school. In fact, I have learnt more Greek in the last 10 years from my involvement in the Greek community and the theatre.”
Christine has a good point, language without a context does not work. Children need to have a connection with something Greek, be it a children’s dancing group, a Greek school where they can make friends, or a children’s theatre or Drama Group.
An excellent Drama program for children is available at the Hellenic Theatre at Addison Road run by director Steve Economidis and his talented troupe. Singing and music is also a great way to help with pronunciation of Greek words. Listening to Greek songs and watching Greek movies on Youtube from a young age are all good activities.
However, reading to children in Greek from a young age is probably the best way to increase their vocabulary and understanding in context.
If you have young children or grandchildren, or an interest in learning Greek, you are all invited to the launch of my children’s book and song, a free event at Pratten Park Bowling Club Ashfield on Saturday March 20th from 2 to 5pm. Free games, music and refreshments for the kids.
*Eleni Elefterias-Kostakidis is a teacher of Modern Greek and University lecturer. Read her column ‘Insight or Perspective’ in Greek, every Saturday in The Greek Herald’s print edition or get your subscription here.
A battle for the Legislative seat of Hilarys, located about 20 kilometres north of Perth, is on the rise ahead of the 2021 Western Australian state election next week.
Hillarys has been a blue-ribbon Liberal seat since its creation and is currently under the office of Peter Katsambanis. Speaking to ABC News, Katsambanis said he hopes for his final four years of work to be spent helping Hilarys locals.
“The local people want a local person who actually understands their needs,” he said.
‘They don’t want a drive in, drive out member of parliament who comes here when it suits them.
“They don’t want someone who sees Hillarys as a passport to parliament.”
Labor candidate for Hillarys Caitlin Collins hopes to bring voters into the red camp amid unprecedented support for Labor. Photo: ABC News/ Jessica Warriner
In the red corner is Labor’s Caitlin Collins, who ran for Cottesloe in 2017. She said she is set to move locally to Padbury after the election and is hoping to woo voters amid all-time high support in some polls for the party.
“This seat has been held by the Liberals for 30 years, and I think they’ve taken it for granted and they’ve become complacent,” Collins said to ABC News.
“Now people can finally have a strong voice who can deliver for them in Hillarys.”
Mr Katsambanis is hoping to secure a second term in the seat, and said he had been working to get to know the new additions to the electorate.
Peter Katsambanis. Photo: Liberal Party
“It’s been great to get to know the people of Mullaloo and Beldon, who weren’t in the electorate last time, but they’re certainly a key part of the electorate now,” he said.
“In all marginal seats, all we can do is give our best, I’m an absolute fighter, I have never given up on anything in my life.”
Amid his party leader’s comments about the Liberals being unable to win the election, Mr Katsambanis said he had been focused on his own seat, and believed he could win it.
“[Voters] want someone who’s from this local area, who’s going to stand up for the interests of our local area, particularly in the next four years when it’s likely that one party’s going to have total control,” he said.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called on all pharmaceutical companies to ensure they meet their schedule deadlines in the second quarter of 2021, anticipating that there will be a “significant increase” in the vaccination rate.
Mitsotakis met with European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas to discuss inoculations and the vaccination certificate.
“Yesterday (Thursday) we exceeded the milestone of 1 million doses. Greece is moving proportionally faster than many European countries,” Mistotakis said.
“The question now is how to expedite the process so that we can build the wall of immunity which will allow us to return to normalcy.”
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks with EU leaders during an EU summit, via videoconference , from his office in Athens, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 (Dimitris Papamitsos/Greek Prime Minister’s Office)
The Health Ministry revealed yesterday that it is taking inventory of all available beds in the private health sector as the number of hospitalised patients constantly rises. The precurtion is reportedly in case the ministry needs to deploy them at short notice.
“Depending on how the epidemic develops, we are examining all scenarios,” said Deputy Health Minister Vassilis Kontozamanis.
The average daily admission rate of patients with Covid-19 to Attica hospitals last week was 200, compared to 330 nationwide.
According to Vana Papaevangelou, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Athens University, more than 3,200 patients with coronavirus are currently hospitalized with Covid-19 throughout the country, while 196 patients were intubated in the last week. The nationwide occupancy rate of Covid ICUs is 63% while the figure for Attica is 87%.
The document by the health ministry said the inventory request is being made “due to the emergencies created by the spread of Covid-19 and in order to properly prepare the country for the protection of public health.”
Andrey Rublev beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) on Saturday (March 6) to advance to the final in Rotterdam and extend his winning run in ATP 500 events to 19 matches.
Fourth seed Rublev broke Tsitsipas twice in the opening set and put the second-seeded Greek away with a dominant tie-break to secure victory in 97 minutes.
Rublev, through to a fourth straight ATP 500 final, will face Marton Fucsovics on Sunday after the qualifier from Hungary swept past Borna Coric 6-4, 6-1. World number eight Rublev is bidding for his eighth career title. The Russian holds a 7-2 record in tour-level finals.
“(I play tennis) to play at the best level, to play at the best tournaments, to try to compete, then to go deep and to try to win them,” Rublev said.
“A final is always special, so I am going to try to do my best tomorrow.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas Calls Naomi Osaka a “great human being”
Stefanos Tsitsipas has attributed Naomi Osaka’s incredible form to the ‘Souvlaki’ as the Greek commends Osaka for lifting the women’s game.
Tsitsipas said he is “happy” for the Japanese tennis player, adding that she has been playing “unbelievable tennis”, especially in Grand Slams.
He added that he was delighted to see “women’s tennis being taken over by such an inspiring, such a charming player like her”.
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 18, 2021 Japan’s Naomi Osaka after winning her semi final match against Serena Williams of the U.S. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
The reigning US Open champion picked up her second Australian Open title this year, becoming only the second woman since Maria Sharapova to win four Grand Slam championships.
Adding that it was “really good for the game to have players like her”, Tsitsipas said he is convinced that the Souvlaki she ate ahead of the Australian Open final may have had something to do with how it turned out for her.
“She had Greek food apparently, and I’ll just tell her one thing: I think it was all because of Greek food,” the World Number 6 said.
SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros’ sexual harassment complaint sparked a a review into State Parliament’s workplace culture. Now, the MP has urged every other Member of Parliament to also support all recommendations made by the former acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner in her report handed down last week.
In June, former Liberal MP, now independent, Sam Duluk will face trial after being charged with assault for allegedly slapping Ms Bonaros on the behind at a Christmas function at Parliament House in 2019.
The alleged assault initiated a long-overdue inquiry into sexual harassment in state parliament. The 166-page report was handed down on Tuesday by acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner Emily Strickland with 16 recommendations for change.
Up until now, Ms Bonaros has been careful not to publicly comment on the Commissioner’s inquiry.
Independent MP Sam Duluk (pictured right) arrives at the Magistrates Court in December last year with lawyer Domenic Agresta. Photo: Dean Martin/News Corp
“There is no turning back from here – there has to be action now,” she says in her first in-depth interview since the report was released.
“This cannot be swept under the carpet – not in today’s environment and not while I’m around,” she says in the lead-up to International Women’s Day on Monday.
“We now have a clear and defined road map to get us out of this quagmire. There is no excuse for not implementing all 16 of the Commission’s recommendations.”
Bonaros expressed her anger and sadness over the stories and accounts presented by the commissioner.
SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros on the steps of Parliament House, North Tce, Adelaide.. Picture Mark Brake/News Corp
“It beggars belief that we’ve managed to sweep this under the carpet for as long as we hav,” she said.
“If we can’t get it right, how on earth can we expect any other workplace to get it right?”
She added a centralised human resources department was long overdue.
“The fact that any workplace doesn’t have an HR unit in place in line with what the commissioner has outlined is simply outdated,” she said.
“We are operating in an archaic, outdated system based on conventions of a bygone era.”
Revithia sto fourno, baked chickpeas, is something everyone must make at least once – it’s just that good. Using only five of the most ordinary of ingredients, this positively perfect authentic, rustic peasant dish is a cinch to make for the modern home cook.
INGREDIENTS
250gr of dried chickpeas (soaked overnight and boiled for one hour or until tender. Drain but save the liquid)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
2 tsp salt & fresh ground black pepper
2 ½ cups of chopped onions
METHOD
Pre-heat your oven to 200°c. Using your casserole dish, create a layer with onions and crushed rosemary, salt & pepper. Next, add a layer of cooked chickpeas.
Add 3 cups of the saved liquid and the extra virgin olive oil. Stir gently to combine slightly, with the aim of leaving the onions on the bottom.
Cook for 2 hours loosely covered and then uncovered for additional 30mins (total cooking time — 2 1/2 hrs)
Serve as a main dish, accompanied by smoked trout, olives or feta cheese and fresh bread.
A celebration of Greek culture was the theme of the night as the community took part in the official launch of the Greek Festival of Sydney at Enmore Theatre on Friday night.
There were a number of political officials and leaders of the Greek community that spoke at the event, including Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, Very Rev. Prohoros Anastasiadis, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Martha Mavrommati, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Hon Scot Farlow, representing NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Geoff Lee MP, Opposition leader Jodie Mckay MP, and Inner-West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne.
Starting off the night was an acknowledgement of country by an Indigenous performer, who connected with audience members after speaking about his Cypriot wife. This was followed by a performance by the Paroula Greek School dancers.
Paroula Greek dancers. Photo: The Greek Herald
Speaking at the event, Consul General of Greece in Sydney Christos Karras said the Greek revolution is a “critical chapter” in Greek history and the formation of the modern Greek state.
“2021 will be a milestone for Greece and the worldwide celebrations for this landmark anniversary, to give us the opportunity to reflect on Greek culture, on the Greek way of life and the potential of Greeks in the homeland and abroad,” Christos Karras said.
“The Greek festival of Sydney showcases Greek cultural and artistic heritage in life, celebrating Greek art, literature, history, food and music.”
Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, with his wife and Paroula. Photo: Vasilis Vasilas
Very Rev. Prohoros Anastasiadis spoke at the event on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, who is currently in Constantinople with the Holy and Greek Synod.
“We’ve gathered this evening for two reasons. Firstly to reflect, and secondly to admire and thank,” Fr Anastasiadis said.
“To reflect on 200 years of independence. To reflect on the ideals of bravery, courage, the struggles and all that is right. To reflect on 39 years of the Greek festival, a festival that aims to promote all that is Greek, our orthodox faith, our language and our culture.”
Cretan Presidents Terry Saviolakis and Tony Tsourdalakis. Photo: Vasilis Vasilas
High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus Martha Mavrommati was very vocal about the “passion” that should be felt by Greeks as they celebrate 200 years of the Greek War for Independence. Mavrommati gave thanks to Australia for being able to gather in a theatre. A luxury that won’t be enjoyed by Greece, Cyprus, and the many other countries in the world.
“Cyprus participated in the Greek revolution, but Cyprus continues its own struggle for freedom of our country. So let us tonight enjoy the music so our children have a future of this world because it is a beautiful multicultural country,” Martha Mavrommati said to thunderous applause.
“So let us say, god bless Australia, god bless this multicultural country, god bless Greece and Cyprus.”
Speakers at the Enmore Greek Fest. Photo: The Greek Herald
Inner-West Council mayor Darcy Byrne opened his speech by introducing people to the “Hellenic Republic of the Inner-West”.
“Here in Enmore, here in the Inner-West, is the birthplace of Australian multiculturalism and the beating heart of Greek-Australian culture. We made the decision to rename central Marrickville as Little Greece,” Darcy Byrne said.
Sydney’s political and cultural leaders continued speeches until the performances of the Kostas Mountakis’ Tribute Concert, which was performed live on Thursday night, took to the stage to satisfy the audiences musical bones. Also performing on the night was George Doukas and the D Strings and Iho Nyx.
The Greek Fest was the first official event of the 39th Greek Festival of Sydney, organised by the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW.
Kostas Mountakis’ Tribute Concert performers. Photo: The Greek Herald
