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George Sourrys’ new novel is a voyage of ancient Greek-inspired enlightenment

John Voutos
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George Sourrys’ new novel is a voyage of ancient Greek-inspired enlightenment

George Sourrys can’t help but let a laugh escape when I ask him how long it took to write his latest novel The Synchronicity of Ulysses. 

“I decided around [2003] that I wanted to write the book. I probably even came up with the title back then. I just didn’t know what I was going to write. I didn’t have the wisdom to be able to write it. I’ve done a whole lot of searching since then.” 

“You can say I’ve been working on it for 18 years but the actual writing was more like six-to-seven years.” 

Sourrys is a writer, investor, and commercial model, but wants to be best known as a philosopher, he tells me. Or rather, a “backyard philosopher,” in his words. 

“I remember I went and saw a guidance counselor who said, ‘Oh, don’t do philosophy. You’ll never get a job out of that,” he says. 

George Sourrys grew up in the “outback desert climate” of Mount Isa, north-west of Queensland, and says he wasn’t out-and-proud about being half-Kytherian in “the middle of nowhere”. 

George Sourrys released his debut novel in March (Left) (Source: StarNow) (Right: Sourced via Instagram @georgesourrys)

“As a child, for some reason, I just wanted to be like everyone else and be Australian, even though I was born in Australia,” he says. 

“It took me a while to realise the power that comes with being Greek.” 

Sourrys later moved with his family to attend boarding school in Brisbane but it wasn’t until a trip to Greece when he was 16, and later 28, that he began embracing his heritage.

“I felt myself to be, at that time, a kind of searcher of secrete knowledge,” he says. 

Just like the ancient Greek philosophers, I felt like I had a kinship with them.” 

It’s hard not to notice the parallels between Sourrys and Ulysses, the protagonist in his novel: both are wisdom seekers inspired by the philosophers of ancient Greece. 

“There are definitely elements of myself in quite a few of the characters.”

“[Ulysses’] journey is similar to my journey,” of course without the “fantastical” aspects, Sourrys says, but it’s his philosophies that form the basis of his novel. 

“That’s my lesson in the book: the world is an amazing place… all the beauty you’re looking for is all around you, you just have to open your eyes to it.”

The Synchronicity of Ulysses is available in book stores and online.

Greek Australian economists on Australia’s COVID-19 property boom

John Voutos
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Greek Australian economists on Australia’s COVID-19 property boom

House prices rose 2.2 per cent in May and more than 10 per cent since the pandemic hit, the latest CoreLogic data shows. 

The news isn’t all positive, UBS chief economist George Tharenou warns, expecting that macro-prudential regulation will be in place by October to eventually slow the boom down. 

“We expect the boom to continue until there is a policy response, which we still think is most likely to be macro-prudential tightening, rather than RBA rate hikes or federal government policy/tax changes (in contrast to New Zealand),” he wrote.

Tharenou is one of Australia’s most senior economists who predicted the five-to-ten per cent price rise in January.

UBS chief economist George Tharenou.

He adds that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) will be watching closely for any signs of deteriorating credit quality, including a rise in mortgages and debt-to-income ratio lending examples, as the market booms. 

His analysis followed CoreLogic’s data this week, adding that the market is on track to hit 15 per cent annual growth within “a matter of months”. 

Effie Zahos, Canstar money expert, urges borrowers to refinance their loans before interest rates rise as variable and short-term fixed mortgage rates remain at or near record lows.

Effie Zahos is a money expert at Canstar (Source: Ovations!)

“Focus on knocking off your home loan debt before 2024, when the Reserve Bank has said it’s likely to increase the cash rate for the first time in 11 and a half years.”

Canstar estimates Australian homeowners could slash over $15 billion from their annual interest bills if they all refinanced. 

“The dilemma for mortgage holders is not so much trying to secure a cheap rate but more so paying off as much as they can now to secure themselves a buffer before rates do go up,” Zahos says. 

Source: Stockhead, ABC News 

‘StaEllinika’ app brings Greek mythology to diasporic preschoolers

The Greek Herald
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‘StaEllinika’ app brings Greek mythology to diasporic preschoolers

Greek mythology courses for diasporic preschoolers and young adults have been added to the StaEllinika app in a joint educational initiative from the Greek government. 

Preschoolers and young adults are set to climb one step higher up Mount Olympus with the interactive and story-driven courses. 

“Sta Ellinika offers a bridge for young Greeks in the diaspora to reach the roots of their cultural heritage,” says the Greek secretary general for Greeks abroad, Ioannis Chrysoulakis. 

Around 30 thousand people have so far signed up to StaEllinika – the Greek Foreign Ministry’s app designed to universalize Greek language and mythology for Greek and English-speaking Greek diaspora. 

The initiative is brought by a collaboration between the Simon Frasier University in Canada and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to universalise Greek language and culture courses. 

Poseidon, Zeus and more feature in the Greek Foreign Ministry’s StaEllinika app.

Dr. Dimitris Krallis, from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies, put the initiative in motion to provide a fun break away from the modern world to visit the ancient world. 

“The next generation of the Greek diaspora will be provided with the necessary tools  to keep the Greek language, culture and history alive and thriving, as a result of the collaboration with our long-time partners at the Greek Government and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and with the support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation,” Krallis says. 

Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, from the education department of the Greek Archdiocese of America, notes the role Greek mythology plays in helping children develop critical thinking skills and creativity. 

“The stories we learn as children shape our minds by instilling values and morals, while also helping us learn how to communicate with one another,” she says. 

“Staellinika’s mythology courses combine playfulness with an exceptional learning experience, appealing to both children and adults alike.”

Traditional Greek Recipes: Gigantes Plaki (Giant Greek Beans)

John Voutos
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Traditional Greek Recipes: Gigantes Plaki (Giant Greek Beans)

‘Gigantes’ beans get their name from, well, being gigantic. Gigantes Plaki are not only a comfort food but a superfood.

These flat, white beans are high in dietary fiber and protein, as well as a good source of vitamin A. The Greek Herald gives the recipe to the staple Greek cuisine just in time for the winter rush.

Ingredients:

  • 200g Gigantes dried beans (or dried butter beans, or quite frankly any dried white beans will do)
  • 1 carrot diced
  • 1 stick celery diced
  • 1 small red onion finely chopped
  • 1 small leek finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
Giant Greek beans. Photo: Larderlove.com.

Method:

  • 1. Place dried beans in a pan and cover with cold water and leave to soak overnight.
  • 2. Rinse the beans and place them in a pan and cover with water and bring to a boil then simmer for an hour at least, you want them tender.
  • 3. Drain and reserve a cup of the cooking liquid
  • 4. Heat oil in a frying pan and saute the onion, celery, and carrot for 5 minutes then add dried herbs and the garlic for 1 minute, set aside till beans are ready
  • 5. Pour the beans into an ovenproof dish and add all the other ingredients plus the saved cooking water
  • 6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees (Celsius) for 30 minutes.

Note that as these are dried beans you will have to soak them overnight.

Kali Orexi!

Source: Larder Love

Rigas Feraios: Pioneer of the Greek Revolution

The Greek Herald
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Rigas Feraios: Pioneer of the Greek Revolution

By Ilektra Takuridu.

Rigas Feraios was a Modern Greek writer, political theorist, and rebel. Rigas Feraios is honored as a Greek national hero as a victim of the Balkan rebellion against the Ottomans and a pioneer of the Greek War of Independence.  

Early life:

Antonios Kyriazis (“Rigas”) was born in 1757 to a rich family in the village of Velestino, Thessaly, Greece (then part of the Ottoman Empire), near ancient Pherae. He was given the nickname Pheraeos or Feraios from the ancient Greek city of “Pherae”, this nickname was given to him by others, and he does not appear to have used this name himself. 

During his early life, Rigas achieved and experienced many amazing things, including living in a monastic community in Mount Athos, working in Constantinople, and studying in Bucharest. Among his worldly journies Rigas learnt of the French revolution and believed that something similar could happen in the Balkans. This inspired Rigas to travel to Vienna in 1792. At that time, Vienna was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, his trip was as part of an effort to seek help and support from French general Napoleon Bonaparte.  

During his time in the city, he operated a Greek-language daily newspaper called Efimeris (i.e. Daily), as the city of Vienna had a large Greek community. He published a suggested political map of Great Greece, this map included Constantinople and many other areas as part of Great Greece even if Greeks were in the minority in those areas.

Statue of Rigas Feraios in Athens, Greece (Left) (Source: sansimera.gr), Feraios by German painter Peter von Hess (Right) (Source: Wikipedia)

Greek Revolution:

Rigas started his campaign for Revolution by printing brochures and flyers based on the ideology of the French Revolution, such as the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the New Political Constitution of the Inhabitants of Rumeli, Asia Minor, the Aegean Islands, and the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. These brochures were planned to be given to the public to spark a Pan-Balkan revolt against the Ottomans 

Rigas did speak with Commander Napoleon Bonaparte and tried to gain the commander’s trust and loyalty. One notable thing Rigas did was send Napoleon some tobacco made from the root of a Bay Laurel retrieved from a destroyed temple of Apollo. In addition, to help from the French, Rigas aimed for help from Italy and set out for Venice to see the general of the Army of Italy. On his way to Venice, he was tricked by a Greek merchant named Demetrios Oikonomos Kozanites, a Greek merchant. Rigas had his documents taken and was detained by Austrian police in Trieste (Austria was an ally of the Ottoman empire and they were concerned the French Revolution might incite similar violence in its land). Rigos and his companions were handed over to the Ottoman governor of Belgrade, where they were imprisoned and tortured.

During his transfer from Belgrade to Constantinople, Rigas and his five associates were murdered, to avoid the possibility of being rescued by Osman Pazvantoglu, a friend of Rigas. The remains of bodies were dumped into the Danube. Rigas Feraios’s final words were believed to be, “I have sown a bountiful seed; the hour is approaching when my nation will enjoy its wonderful fruits.”

Greek Australian artists selected as YoungArchie finalists

John Voutos
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Greek Australian artists selected as YoungArchie finalists

Greek Australians as young as five years old are among Australia’s best young artists to be featured at the Archibald’s Young Archie exhibition. 

The Young Archie exhibition showcases the works of budding artists between the ages of five and 18 at the Art Gallery of NSW from June 5. 

Gideon Baker, aged 8, was selected as a finalist for his self-portrait drawing ‘Gideon the Great’ in which he draws himself as an Ancient Greek warrior. 

‘Gideon the Great’ (left) is inspired by Ancient Greek warriors like Achilles (right) (Source: Wikipedia)

“I have drawn myself as an Ancient Greek warrior because I love Greek history. History is my favourite subject. I also like Greek mythology, but it’s a bit weird,” he says.

Baker’s artwork is presented in the Young Archie’s five-to-eight year-old category, alongside fellow runner-up Micaela Psomadelis. 

Micaela Psomadelis’ ‘Fires and Flames’ (left) and Lucas Dimopoulos’ ‘Spa’s world – self portrait’ (right)

Psomadelis, aged 7, was selected for her drawing ‘Fires and flames’. 

“I have chosen myself because if I paint myself then I know I am focusing. I chose fire because fire reminds me of hearts, and hearts remind me of love that is shared all around the world,” she says.

Lucas Dimopoulos, aged 7, was given an honourable mention for ’Spa’s world – self-portrait’

“I am floating in the spa and I am scared because I am close to the sun.” 

*The ten finalists from each age category are displayed at the Art Gallery of NSW from 5 June to 26 September 2021 and the honourable mentions at the SH Ervin Gallery.

Greek Australians named among South Australia’s 40 Under 40 for 2021

The Greek Herald
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Greek Australians named among South Australia’s 40 Under 40 for 2021

South Australia’s 40 Under 40 were announced in front of a crowd of more than 300 at the Adelaide Convention Centre last night, and there were two Greek Australians among the award recipients.

They are: CEO of Lumin Sports / Hoap, Ben Tripodi, and Co-Founder and Managing Director of Never Never Distilling Co., George Georgiadis.

Tripodi and Georgiadis were both recognised in the 40 Under 40 list, which celebrates the state’s young business leaders and entrepreneurs.

(L-R) Never Never Distillery owners and founders Sean Baxter, Tim Boast and George Georgiadis at their West Thebarton distillery with their award-winning gin Southern Strength. Picture: Bianca De Marchi / The Advertiser.

Georgiadis also received the Creative Thinker Award which was presented by KWP!

The night itself was a huge success, with a number of special guests in attendance including South Australia Governor, Hieu Van Le AC, and the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Malinauskas MP.

In a speech, the chair of the judging panel, David Rohrsheim, told the award winners and guests that he was impressed with the quality of the more than 230 applicants to the awards and how much each one of them had achieved.

CEO of Lumin Sports / Hoap, Ben Tripodi.

In a speech, the chair of the judging panel, David Rohrsheim, told the award winners and guests that he was impressed with the quality of the more than 230 applicants to the awards and how much each one of them had achieved.

Source: InDaily.

“Adelaide sometimes can be a ‘wait your turn’ sort of place,” said the manager of the SA Venture Capital Fund Portfolio, who is also young enough to qualify for the awards.

“This is a room that knows that tomorrow will not be a better time to pursue their dreams.”

Congratulations to all the award recipients!

Source: In Daily.

Veteran steps in to help Natalie Tsokas buy headstone after council clears son’s gravesite

The Greek Herald
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Veteran steps in to help Natalie Tsokas buy headstone after council clears son’s gravesite

A fundraising page set up to help Natalie Tsokas buy a headstone for her eight-year-old son, Oliver Tiainen, after his grave was cleared by a Queensland council, has been inundated with donations from across the country.

Just yesterday, the final $8000 portion of the fundraising goal was donated by an “anonymous veteran” and Ms Tsokas told ABC News she will now finally be able to give Ollie the memorial he deserves.

‘I’m just so overwhelmed’:

The anonymous veteran told ABC News that “no member of the Australian community should be made to suffer as Ms Tsokas has.”

“As a veteran, (myself) and other ADF ex and serving members sacrifice their time and sometimes their lives to protect the Australian community,” he told the media outlet.

“No member of the Australian community should be made to suffer as Ms Tsokas has, and mental health and well-being is just as important for the civilian community as it is in defence. 

Scenic Rim residents Natalie Tsokas, Lucy Syme, Julia Davenport-Free, Kyle Davenport-Free and Kate French-McClean at Tamborine Mouintain Cemetery. Photo: ABC Gold Coast, Tara Cassidy.

“Trauma such as losing a son is enough without being further punished by a government agency when you are just trying to mourn their passing and heal your pain.”

The anonymous veteran said he hoped the donation and resulting permanent head stone would allow Ms Tsokas and the community to “mourn and grieve in peace.”

Hearing the news, Ms Tsokas said her family were shocked and overjoyed at the veteran and wider community’s generosity.

“It’s just amazing, I just jumped up and down with my whole family… I had no idea it was happening, my friend just said someone has just donated the rest of the funds. I’m just so overwhelmed, it’s been such a rollercoaster,” Ms Tsokas told ABC News.

So far the fundraising page has raised over $15,000 in total, which Ms Tsokas said would cover the cost of the headstone and grave cover.

“I wanted to be able to afford this for my son, and give him the best I could, the best possible resting place… I didn’t want to ask anyone, but the truth is I really did need it,” she concluded.

Ollie’s grave before and after it was tidied up by Ms Tsokas. The council later cleared the entire site. Photo supplied: Natalie Tsokas / ABC.

Council, family dispute:

Last week, Ollie’s grave was stripped bare by the Scenic Rim Regional Council, who removed everything including a border, candle and his name-bearing cross.

According to ABC News, the council said items at the grave were unauthorised and left it as just gravel and dirt, devastating Ms Tsokas, who said it had been all she could afford to honour her son’s memory.

READ MORE: Queensland mother Natalie Tsokas furious with actions of local Council.

The Council also said Ollie’s grave was stripped of items only after being in “regular contact” with Ms Tsokas. She denies this claim, saying while they had been communicating about the issue, she felt she had completed what was asked of her.

Ollie’s grave site was entirely cleared by Scenic Rim Council last week, with his mother since placing petals and a small candle where he’s buried. Photo: ABC Gold Coast, Tara Cassidy.

“Everything they asked me to do, I did it, but they just kept changing their minds about what they needed me to do,” she told ABC News.

“September last year was our last correspondence … after that a person in the community contacted them telling them to leave me alone as I was grieving and also in isolation so couldn’t attend the grave.

“I mean, this is all within months, in my mind, my time has stood still, my son just died.”

When questioned about whether it would consider reviewing its cemetery policies, following public backlash to Ms Tsokas’ experience, Scenic Rim Regional Council said it would “in due course.”

Source: ABC News.

Opinion: Open letter to all AHEPANS of NSW

The Greek Herald
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Opinion: Open letter to all AHEPANS of NSW

The Greek Herald has received this open letter from Kyriakos (Kerry) Koliadis regarding his thoughts on AHEPA in New South Wales. Mr Koliadis is from the AHEPA Chapter Ippokratis and also considers himself a prayer reader and community current affairs activist.

Read his full piece below.

***

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am writing to you as an 80 years old AHEPAN MAN that strongly believes in peace and brotherly love.

I understand that A.H.E.P.A. in NSW started on 15/8/1934 in the small town of Werris Creek north of NSW.

The philosophy of those first AHEPANs was peace, solidarity, brotherly love and strong feelings about our Christian Orthodox religion.

I have AHEPAN relatives in four States in the USA: Florida, Merylands, Mishigan and Connecticut. My nephew Mr Emmanuel Stergakis is President of Chapter ELPIDA in Hartford Connecticu USA.

Two years ago Emmanuel came to visit us. I took him to Greek Radio 2MM and he spoke on air so passionately about the work AHEPANs are doing in the United States. He also mentioned about the fund raising for the re-construction of St Nicholas Church that was destroyed in the 9/11 attack.

Today, here in NSW, I understand that certain AHEPANs, brothers and sisters, have opted to resolve their differences through the courts of law, instead in a peaceful manner according to A.H.E.P.A.’s philosophy and tradition. The result so far is that a lot of money has been wasted that could have been used for the Good of A.H.E.P.A. and the Community.

I wish to see that from now on, all of us unite as good AHEPANs, good Orthodox Christians and good Hellene-Australians, to work for the good of the Order of A.H.E.P.A. and the Community.

With great respect and brotherly love.

KYRIAKOS (KERRY) KOLIADIS.

READ MORE: AHEPA NSW Rockdale headquarters to be sold following meeting with creditors.

Admiral Andreas Miaoulis: 5 facts about the naval leader of the Greek Revolution

The Greek Herald
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Admiral Andreas Miaoulis: 5 facts about the naval leader of the Greek Revolution

Admiral Andreas Miaoulis is a well-known politician and commander of the Greek fleet during the 1821 Revolution.

On this day in 1835, Admiral Miaoulis passed away. To mark the occasion, we list our top five facts about the important naval commander.

1. His real last name:

Miaoulis’ real last name was Vokos or Bokos. People say he was nicknamed Miaoulis for two reasons. One is that his sailors gave it to him when he gave them the order “One gum!” to paddle at the same time. The second is that it came from a Turkish kettle he bought called “Miaul.”

2. Involvement in shipping companies:

From his teenage years, Miaoulis was involved in shipping companies. He made a fortune during the Napoleonic Wars, when he broke the English naval blockade under Admiral Nelson and supplied the Spanish cities. 

In 1816, Miaoulis handed over the shipping companies to his son Dimitrios and he himself engaged in trade.

3. Role in the Greek Revolution:

During the proclamation of the Revolution in Hydra, on April 28, 1821, Miaoulis signed, together with other shipowners, a document that they would bear the expenses for the naval operations of the Struggle. 

In autumn of the same year, he took over as admiral of the Hydra fleet and on September 28, he was confronted for the first time with a Turkish naval squadron in Pylos. In February 1822, he destroys a Turkish frigate and damaged other ships in the port of Patras. In October 1823, Miaoulis defeated the Turks at Artemisio and Oreos.

On August 29, 1824, Miaoulis defeated the Turkish-Egyptian in Gerontas. The losses of the enemy amounted to 27 ships, among them the imposing frigate “Asia.”

During the second siege of Messolonghi in 1826, Greek ships under his command assisted the besieged by providing supplies. On the eve of the exodus, Miaoulis repeatedly failed to break the siege of the city and told residents that no help from the sea was possible.

Triumphant welcome to Andreas Miaoulis in Hydra by Aimilios Prosalentis.

In 1827, by decision of the Third National Assembly, the command of the fleet was assigned to Lord Cochran and Miaoulis was demoted to captain.

4. Friendship with Ioannis Kapodistrias:

When Ioannis Kapodistrias took over as Governor of Greece, he assigns Miaoulis to be Commander of the Aegean Fleet. The Miaouli-Kapodistrias cooperation lasted until August 1829, when the two men came into conflict over Kapodistrias’ policy towards the Hydra shipowners, who demanded preferential treatment in exchange for their contribution to the Struggle.

5. Death and Legacy:

Miaoulis died in Athens on June 11, 1835. He was buried in Piraeus, on the right coast of the port, which was named Akti Miaoulis. Later, his bones were recovered in a grave at the entrance of the School of Naval Trials.

A big festival, called Miaoulia, takes place in Hydra every year on the weekend closest to June 21, to honour Miaoulis.

Source: San Simera.

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