Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke, was the special guest of yesterday’s online conference organised by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
During the hour-long session Minister Hawke provided an update on the plans around migration and explained how the government is adjusting its skilled migration program to respond to the current global situation.
In the Q&A session that followed, Mr Hawke had the chance to hear from business leaders and reply to their questions which were primarily focused on workforce shortages in the hospitality, tourism, agricultural and automotive industries due to the international border restrictions as well as the need for the skilled migration list to be adjusted to address the current situation.
‘The Competition for labour has become more intense’
According to recent figures released from the National Skills Commission, online job advertisements have hit a twelve year high with openings now standing at 96.4% above the level recorded in March 2020, the first month of economic restrictions relating to COVID-19.
“The demand and the competition for sources of labour has increased and our migration program will assist you and other sectors in their business endeavours,” said Hawke and emphasized on the importance of the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa for workers in critical sectors that was introduced from the government last year.
According to Minister Hawke more than 20,000 Pandemic event visas have been granted so far.
Photo: Instagram/Paul Nicolaou
Referring to the country’s migration program, Hawke said that the government is taking advantage of the current gap in immigration to relook on how it will be conducted in the future and mentioned that he’s looking into expanding the occupations in the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) as a stop measure to the current labour crisis.
“I know every sector has become critical sector at the moment in one sense and the demand for labour is high. We still have to work to open the borders safely and recognise vaccinations to bring in skilled people,” he said and reiterated the fact that the government will be working in partnership with businesses and sector representatives to address critical shortages.
The Immigration Minister said that the Government is also reforming the Business Innovation and Investment Program to create jobs and support the country’s economic recovery.
“Australia is an attractive destination for investors and these changes will directly benefit emerging enterprises, the commercialisation of ideas, research and development.”
The Minister said the Morrison Government will work in collaboration with other countries to open the borders as soon as it’s safe to do so and acknowledged that migration will play an integral role in the country’s economic recovery.
A recent documentary feature has explored how Australia’s Greek migrant community stamped their mark on football.
The star-studded special features Nick Giannopoulos, Ange Postecoglou, George Donikian, Chris Nikou, and Con Boutsianis as they chronicle the impact of football on their lives and community.
“Football was a church. You went to church, but the real church was afterwards,” media personality George Donikian says in the special.
The ‘Football Belongs’ feature-length special encapsulates the Greek community’s history in Australia and impact on Australian culture through sport.
'Football was a church. You went to church, but the 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 church was afterwards.' 💙🇬🇷
Greek immigrants have stamped their mark on Australia, with their love of football ever-present.
It details how the seemingly unwelcomed Greek migrant community found refuge in Melbourne’s Lonsdale Street and the South Melbourne football club.
“My most vivid memories of those Middle Park days is the pasatembo guy, because he had the loudest voice of anyone I’d ever heard,” Nick Giannopoulos says about watching South Melbourne play.
Football clubs became ‘second homes’ for Greek migrants.
“There was a feeling amongst us all that we belonged to this tribe. It allowed us to find our voice, to express ourselves,” says Nick Giannopoulos.
Nick Giannopoulos shows viewers his signed South Melbourne Football Club (SMFC) jersey (Source: Optus Sport)
The Greek community are passionate about celebrating their culture and community in their own unique way, former South Melbourne player Con Boutsianis added in the feature.
“South Melbourne was tough because if you didn’t perform the crowd were on your back. We used to get cans thrown at us. Used to get spat on sometimes. I’m not saying it’s great, but you know, we were a tough breed,” he says.
“They loved their soccer and anyone that played soccer and did well for Sydney Olympic? Well let me tell you, he was god,” attests former Socceroo’s player Peter Katholos.
‘Football Belongs’ is a celebration of immigration stories and tradition and charts the cultural threats of Australian society through the lens of football.
Football Belong’s second season airs every on Optus Sport. Its hosts are David Davutovic and John Didulica.
George Fountas’ career spanned five decades, appearing in between 50 to 60 films and holding six television credits between the early 1940s and late 1990s.
Fountas starred in the Academy Award winning Zorba the Greek (1964) and Golden Globe winning film Stella (1955).
He is best-known for portraying characters adapted from the novels of Nikos Kazantzakis, a ‘giant’ of modern Greek literature.
The Greek Herald looks back at Fountas’ monumental run during the Golden Age of Greece’s film and television industry.
Fountas starred in the Golden Globe winning film Stella (1955).
Early Life:
George Fountas was born on 13 February 1924 in Mavrolithari, Fokida. He moved with his family to the capital Athens and grew up in Rizoupoli. He began working at his father’s dairy store in Psyrri.
He studied at the Dramatic School at the Athens Conservatory under the tutelage of leading Greek actor Emilio Veakis.
He began his illustrious acting career in the on-stage production of Notis Pergialis’ Bridal Song and the 1944 film A Route In The Aegean.
Career and Death:
Fountas shot to prominence after a few sizeable stints in film and theatre with his performance as the young soccer player Miltos in Stella (1955).
Stella is the tragic Greek retelling of the popular opera Carmen – a love story between a rembetiko singer and soccer player.
George Fountas.
Fountas and co-star Melina Mercouri won Stella the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film for director Michael Cacoyannis in 1955. His infamous quote in Stella – “Go away, Stella, I’m holding a knife!” – was later satirised by Alekos Syssovitis in David Lynch’s 2006 film Straight Storm.
It wouldn’t be Fountas’ first time starring in a Cacoyannis film; Fountas went on to portray Mavradoni in the award-winning, renowned comedy-drama Zorba the Greek (1955).
Fountas went on to add the Best Actor to his trophy cabinet for his performances in With the Shine in the Eyes in 1966 and Fever on the Road in 1967 at the Thessaloniki Festival.
He debuted on television screens around Greece in 1973 in the series Occupation. His television career is most notably marked by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation’s (HBC) 1975 show Christ Recrucified.
Fountas’ career dwindled as he began battling Alzheimers disease. He lost his battle aged 86 on 28 November, 2010 in Athens, Greece.
Renowned Greek restaurant, Perama, will reopen in its original Petersham location in July after it was closed in 2011, Good Food reports.
Perama was known for having an unbroken decade-long run of chef hats up to its closure, as well as its signature caramel baklava ice cream.
It will now be reborn as Perama 2.0 after the building’s landlord approached chef, David Tsirekas, about reopening at the recently vacated site, according to Good Food.
Chef David Tsirekas at the recently vacated site. Photo: Joe Capogreco.
“Thanks to the support of a beautiful hearted individual… he knows who he is and I’m certain you will all meet him when Perama returns,” Tsirekas wrote on Instagram.
Tsirekas tells Good Food the new restaurant will include a smart cocktail bar, as well as a rebranding tweak in line with its updated menu.
The lamb and pork belly will be back, along with some fun stuff Tsirekas has been developing, including gemista rice. Toppings include tomato infused with nori.
“The physical transformation begins next week. The essence will remain the same though. Food, drink and philotimo, that were the pillars of the OG Perama, will return after its ten year absence,” Tsirekas posted on Instagram, under a photo of keys to the restaurant.
The ACT’s Chief Justice sentenced Jayscen Anthony Newby on Wednesday to 20 years jail, with a non-parole period of ten years, for the brutal Tinder date murder of Canberra man, Frankie Prineas.
After the judgment was handed down, the family of Mr Prineas, who were standing outside the ACT Supreme Court, said Newby’s jail term was not long enough and they were in “total dismay.”
Killer ‘laughed’ at news article of murder:
In January last year, Newby, 27, stabbed Prineas 37 times, including in the heart. Chief Justice Helen Murrell described the crime scene as a “bloodbath.”
Mr Prineas was killed at a house in Charnwood in Canberra’s north, while on a Tinder date with a woman Newby had previously dated. It was the first time the two had met.
Newby let himself into the home and attacked Mr Prineas when he discovered the pair in bed. The court heard the distressed triple-0 call made by the woman immediately after the attack.
The murder scene.
“I think he’s dying, can someone come… he was attacked with a knife,” the caller said.
“I can’t look,” she said, when being asked to put pressure on the wounds. “His arm is like, open.”
Chief Justice Murrell refused to allow images of the scene to be shown in court, citing concerns about trauma for staff and others present.
During the sentencing on Wednesday, the court also heard that in a conversation with his mother from Canberra’s jail, Newby laughed as she read an ABC story to him about the killing.
When she asked why he was laughing he said: “because it was hilarious.”
Newby’s lawyer, Beth Morrisroe, told the court it could not form the view there was no remorse, and noted he had pleaded guilty, avoiding a trial. But Chief Justice Murrell disagreed.
Jayscen Anthony Newby. Picture: Instagram.
“I can’t see any substantial indication of remorse,” she said, noting Newby’s laughter at the news article “demonstrates the offenders lack of insight and emotional maturity.”
Outside court, Mr Prineas’s father Victor said today’s sentence had left the family in “complete shock.”
“We knew we weren’t going to get justice; we knew it wasn’t going to be great, but we didn’t expect it to be so bad,” Mr Prineas said.
“In nine years, [Newby] will be out and back into our community and hopefully with a bit of luck he won’t do the same thing he did to my son.”
Mr Prineas said the process had been “harrowing” and “disturbing,” and had left the family feeling as though a longer jail term was warranted.
“It was heartbreaking – the evidence that was shown,” Mr Prineas said.
Frankie’s father Victor Prineas, aunt Angela and brother Peter said today’s sentence left them in “complete shock”. Photo: ABC News/Mark Moore.
“The triple-0 call was horrifying, the video that he had of the crime scene was horrific – the whole thing was absolutely horrific and this was the outcome: 10 years. We are absolutely stunned.”
Mr Prineas said his son was “a jewel in a crown.”
“He was cheeky, handsome, respectful, loved by all, he was one-in-a-billion, you don’t get children like that,” Mr Prineas said outside court.
When the sentence was read, members of Mr Prineas’ family did a slow clap in the public gallery, with one saying “have a nice life my friend” as Newby was led away.
Newby did not respond. He will be eligible for parole in 2030.
Volkswagen delivered eight electric cars to Astypalea on Wednesday in a first step towards turning the Greek island’s transport green, a model the government hopes to expand to the rest of the country.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has made green energy a central plank of Greece’s post-pandemic recovery drive, attended the delivery ceremony along with Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess.
“Astypalea will be a test bed for the green transition: energy autonomous, and entirely powered by nature,” Mitsotakis said.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, listens to Volkswagen Group CEO, Herbert Diess, center, during the official launch of a project to introduce and test electric vehicles and sustainable energy systems on the Aegean Sea island of Astypalea, Greece, on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Photo: Alexandros Vlachos/Pool via AP.
The cars will be used by the police, coastguard and at the local airport, the beginnings of a larger fleet aimed at replacing about 1,500 combustion-engine cars with electric models and reducing vehicles on the island, a popular tourist destination, by a third.
The island’s bus service will be replaced with a ride-sharing scheme, 200 electric cars will be available for locals and tourists to rent, while there will be subsidies for the island’s 1,300 inhabitants to buy electric vehicles, bikes and chargers.
Some 12 chargers have already been installed across the island and 16 more will follow.
Financial terms of the deal with Volkswagen were not disclosed.
Some 12 chargers have already been installed across the island and 16 more will follow.
Astypalea, which extends over 100 square kilometres in the Aegean Sea, currently meets its energy demand almost entirely by diesel generators but is expected to replace a big part of that through a solar plant by 2023.
“Astypalea can become a blue print for a rapid transformation, fostered by the close collaboration of governments and businesses,” Diess said.
Greece, which has relied on coal for decades, aims to close all but one of its coal-fired plants by 2023, as part of its drive to boost renewables and cut carbon emissions by 55% by 2030.
In recent months, the Greek government has re-asserted its longstanding demand for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures from the British Museum. This demand was explicitly ruled out by UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, in March this year when he reiterated the government’s “firm longstanding position” that the sculptures “were legally acquired by Lord Elgin under the appropriate laws of the time.”
This provocative statement caused outrage across Europe and the world, with many international committees coming together in one voice to renew their passionate support for the case of the return of the Sculptures.
Ultimately, these expressions of support became a crescendo of neo-Philhellenism and one of the strongest voices among the crescendo was David Hill, who is the Chairman of an Australian committee known as Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Sculptures.
Mr Hill, who is also the former chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, tells The Greek Herald exclusively that his passion for the Parthenon Sculptures and Greece began over 45 years ago when he first visited the country.
David Hill is the Chairman of an Australian committee known as Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Sculptures.
“I first went to Greece in 1973… and it was like a magnet, it was the beginning of a love affair. The relationship became deeper and richer over the years and I became absorbed in the history, spirit and culture of Greece,” Mr Hill explains.
“I visited the Acropolis on my first trip to Greece and after that… I went on to London and an old English friend took me to see the Elgin collection in the British Museum and I think I was struck by the injustice of the marbles being in London.”
From ‘cultural diplomacy’ to litigation:
Ever since then, Mr Hill has been working tirelessly to persuade the UK government to return the Parthenon Sculptures to their rightful place in Greece.
For four years from 1999, Mr Hill was the Executive Director of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles in London. Later, from 2006 to 2016, he was the President of the International Association which encompasses all the committees, and he is now in his current position.
“Over the years I’ve worked with the Chairman of the Board of the British Museum, various arts and culture ministers in the UK government, and I’ve worked with, I think, 11 Greek culture ministers and six Prime Ministers. I also give… my views to the Greek government on a regular basis,” Mr Hill explains.
The British Museum has refused to return the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece.
“Most of my work is trying to persuade the British to give the sculptures back and trying to generate more public opinion and support for the return of the sculptures.
“You’ve got the situation now where, particularly over the last 20 years, most of the public opinion polls around the world strongly support the marbles going back… the problem is we haven’t changed the mind of the British.”
To do this, Mr Hill says, “the Greek government ought to litigate or to sue” because the strategy that has been employed since Melina Mercouri has been “cultural diplomacy,” but it has produced “no results.”
“I think it’s a Greek cultural thing. In Australia, America, Britain, if you can’t agree on an important issue, seeking the decision of an independent court or tribunal… is considered a civilised thing to do,” Mr Hill describes.
“But there are a lot of people in Greece who think it is almost a declaration of war, they feel uncomfortable, they feel it’s an aggressive thing to do. So trying to persuade the Greeks they should explore their legal options is proving very difficult.”
The role of Philhellenes in facilitating reunification:
One way Mr Hill desperately tried to persuade the Greeks to pursue litigation was in 2014 when he took three of the best international lawyers to Athens to advise then-Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, of the Greek government’s legal options. These three people were Geoffrey Robertson QC, fellow barrister, Amal Clooney, and the late Professor Norman Palmer.
Mr Hill says that at the time, Mrs Clooney had just married famous actor, George Clooney, and this star factor ensured the spotlight was firmly focused on the reunification of the sculptures.
“I’ve never seen anything like it… but what it did was it made the marbles the news story around the world,” Mr Hill explains to The Greek Herald.
Of course, it must be mentioned though that to this day the UK government and British Museum are still no closer to returning the Sculptures, and Mr Hill says Philhellenes and the Greek diaspora need to keep pushing and building public support.
This could involve supporting Greece through organisations such as the Hellenic Initiative, or even attending events such as the upcoming Australian book launch of Geoffrey Robertson QC’s new book, ‘Who Owns History,’ at The Governors Centre in Moore Park on June 5.
Every little bit helps and as Mr Hill stresses, it’s only a matter of time before the sculptures are rightfully returned to their homeland.
“It’s not often in history that a great wrong can’t be righted. In this case, it can be. They can be returned where they belong – to Greece. At the end of the day, it’s wrong for the British to keep them there… and I’m confident… that eventually right will prevail,” Mr Hill passionately concludes.
*NOTE:If you’d like to attend Geoffrey Robertson QC’s book launch, which is organised by the Athenian Association of NSW in collaboration with the Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Sculptures, it will be held on Saturday, June 5 at 6pm at The Governors Centre (558 Cleveland Street, Moore Park, NSW, 2021).
On May 27th 2021 in the Boardroom of Jackson McDonald the Battle of Crete Memorial Committee of WA (BCMC) unveiled their concept design for a memorial to the 1941 Battle of Crete.
The memorial, to be located within the Saw Avenue precinct at Perth’s King’s Park, will commemorate the courage, sacrifice and commitment of those who served and endured the battle. In particular, Australian service personnel with direct links to Western Australia and the people of Crete, who on so many occasions risked their lives to assist them.
The proposed memorial has received support from the Federal and State Governments as well as the RSL WA. In principle support for the project has also been received from the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) who are responsible for Kings Park.
Prominent WA artists Smith Sculptors have been chosen to develop the design. The BCMC has also partnered with the National Trust (WA) who have acknowledged the project as a worthy one and have set up a donations section under the heading ‘Battle of Crete Memorial Fund’ on their website. Donations made through this avenue are fully tax deductible. This was an important partnership to help make this memorial a reality.
Basil Georgiou, senior partner with Jackson McDonald, welcomed the invited guests before Mr Bill Evangel, the President of the Greek Australian RSL WA and Chair of the BCMC said a few words about the origins of the Committee and its achievements to date.
Major (retired) Mike McDonald then gave an informative overview of the Battle of Crete before unveiling the preferred design. A design that was well received by those in attendance, which included special guests the Hon Colin deGrussa MLC Shadow Min for Veterans Affairs, His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyaneon, The Chief Justice of WA Peter Quinlan SC, Judge Stephen Lemonis, the Consul of Greece Ms Karasiotou, former Governor of WA and BCMC member, Dr Ken Michael AC, Battle of Crete veteran Arthur Leggett (aged 102), representatives of the armed services as well as many leaders of Hellenic organisations.
Bishop Elpidios then addressed the gathering reading a message from His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia, one of the patrons of the BCMC. The final speaker was Mr Richard Sandover, the other BCMC patron. His uncle was Major Ray Sandover, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd/11thBattalion on Crete.
The elements of the proposed memorial
The proposed memorial design, developed by SmithSculptors, is based on a ‘broken column’ made of polished marble, a symbol from the Greek tradition that signifies a young life cut short, often in battle. At the base of the column is to be backed by polished granite and will feature four bronze figures in relief.
Three of the figures are military, one civilian. At the front of the memorial facing North, the direction that the enemy had come from in the battle is the relief based on the image of an Australian ‘Digger’ of the 2nd / 11th Battalion circa 1941. To his left, is a relief based on the image of a Greek soldier.
Facing to the west, this image symbolises the enduring bonds of friendship between the Greek and Australian people. Facing to the south, is an image in relief of a Royal Australian Navy Rating (sailor). This Sailor will be depicted wearing a cap tab for HMAS PERTH. The location of this relief, symbolises the fact that the British Naval forces operating around Crete, including the HMAS PERTH, HMAS NAPIER and HMAS NIZAM, ‘covered the backs’ of the soldiers fighting on land.
To the right of the Digger, facing east, will be a relief depicting a Cretan female civilian. This image acknowledges the role played and the price paid by the civilians of Crete during the battle and subsequent German occupation. It recognizes that women experience some of the worst aspects of war, but they are often the glue that holds families together.
The relief faces east and greets the dawn with hope of better days to come. The circular stepped base of the memorial will be of non-slip polished granite and the colour is envisaged to depict the light of the Cretan daytime sky.
Around the edge of the base will be an inlaid wreath of inter-twined eucalyptus leaves in green and brown. The word ‘eucalypt’ also has a Greek origin. The base of the memorial will also contain a map of the island of Crete and an information podium clad in polished granite, capable of containing several A3 sized bronze plaques to carry information about the battle.
The evening was a success with all those present leaving the event in a very enthusiastic frame of mind with positive messages of support for the project.
To learn more about the project visit battleofcrete.org.au and nationaltrust.org.au or follow the Battle of Crete Memorial Committee WA on Facebook.
Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, met recently with the new Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Mr Darren Bark.
At the meeting, held on May 25 at the Consulate-General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Karras warmly congratulated Mr Bark on the commencement of his role on May 17 and wished him every success in his new position.
Mr Karras and Mr Bark discussed a number of topics of common interest, focusing closely on the Jewish-Australian and Greek-Australian communities of NSW.
A special mention was made to Mr Bark’s predecessor at the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Mr Vic Alhadeff, for his outstanding contribution to the harmonious multicultural society of NSW during his many years of service.
Mr Karras and Mr Bark reconfirmed the willingness of Greek-Australian and Jewish-Australian communities of NSW to continue their close cooperation in worthy causes, to the benefit of Australian society and look forward to continuing the long and fruitful relationship between the two communities.
A Greek Australian is among three women who brought paedophile Dimitrios Patsantzopolous, known as Jimmy Patsan, to justice.
In a bid to help other victims, Nina Kiriakidis, Naomi Gwyn, and Lauren Burrows, shared their story with the Daily Telegraph.
Kyriakidis, now aged 53, was just eight when the abuse started in 1976 and continued for four years.
Patsan, a local barber and church member, was a neighbour and father of her best friend. She was abused at Patsan’s house which her mother thought was a refuge for her children as she worked late.
Child abuse survivors Nina Kiriakidis, 53, Naomi Gwyn, 39, and Lauren Burrows, 36, are telling their story in a bid to help other victims. Picture: The Daily Telegraph/Peter Lorimer.
Naomi, now 39, and Lauren, now 36, were preyed on by Patsan between 1990 and 1992 after he started a relationship with their mother. Naomi was aged nine when it began, Lauren was just six.
It took eight years of a police investigation and court proceedings, where Patsan’s lawyers had argued his medical condition left him unable to properly advise them before a judge found nine counts of child abuse proven.
Patsan, now in his 80s, will be formally sentenced next month.
“I will describe it as eight years of sheer spiritual, emotional, mental and physical terror,’’ Nina tells the publication.
“I’ve often thought would I do this again.
“I owe it to humanity to prevent and potentially reduce this criminal behaviour for future generations and, of course, I owe it to my little self.”
