The New South Wales branch of the Organisation of Hellene and Hellene-Cypriot Women of Australia (OEEGA NSW) is a not for profit organisation consisting of Greek and Cypriot Australian women and mothers who have dedicated themselves to supporting medical researchers in eliminating childhood cancer.
Since 2007 alone, OEEGA NSW has raised over $414,000 for the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney, which has gone towards purchasing vital equipment for specialised scientific research.
This year, the organisation hopes to raise even more money for the Institute through its annual radio fundraiser on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 10am to 8pm AEST.
People tuning into 2MM Radio on the day will have the opportunity to hear the extraordinary progress being made in childhood cancer research at the Institute by Professor Maria Kavallaris and Dr Maria Tsoli.
They will also hear personal stories from families who have been impacted by childhood cancer.
If you would like to make a donation, you can do so in two main ways:
At any DelphiBank branch using the Account name: OEEGA NSW (CCI); BSB: 941 202; Account No: 203990010.
On the day at the 2MM Radio station either in person or by calling (02) 9558 0622.
China Doll owner, Steve Anastasiou, and his wife Tracey have sold their Point Piper home for $10 million following their well-publicised divorce, according to awsforwp.
The three-bedroom, five-bathroom home with four-car garage at 6B Wentworth St comes with a decadent George Livissianis-designed kitchen.
Livissianis is the same designer who did the fit-out at Steve’s three restaurants: China Doll in Woolloomooloo; China Lane in the CBD and Chu by China Doll in Rooty Hill.
The home features open-plan living areas with harbour views.
Other highlights of the home are the private entertainer’s courtyard with barbecue and the downstairs master suite with an enormous bedroom. The marble and mirror ensuite, with a deep bath, opens to a terrace.
It was listed in an expressions of interest campaign via Darren Curtis of Christies, in conjunction with Sotheby’s, with a guide of $9.5 million to $10.2 million.
According to news.com.au, the couple purchased the home for $4.72 million in 2014.
The Organising Committee for the Greek National Day has announced that registrations are now open until December 1, 2021, for Greek community organisations to submit event proposals for the 100th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe next year.
Submissions should be sent electronically to the General Secretariat of Hellenes Abroad at: greeknationalday@gmail.com or by post to P.O. Box 2250, 377 Gore Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
For further information, you can also contact the Chairman of the Committee, Antonis Tsourdalakis, on 0419856736.
Full Press Release:
We are three months before saying goodbye to 2021, which was a milestone year for Greece and Hellenism everywhere.
This year we had the opportunity to honour with pride and respect the 200th anniversary of the most important milestone in modern Greek history: the beginning of the Greek Revolution that led to the creation of the Greek independent nation-state in 1830.
During the year, many organisations participated in the celebrations of the important anniversary for the Greek Nation through various actions that were organised. The program, which was announced in early 2021, involved a total of over 90 organisations and schools from Victoria with more than 140 events.
The events were started by the Organising Committee for the Greek National Day in Victoria, in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Hellenes Abroad, where they organised a competition entitled “Ambassadors 200” which was attended by over 650 students and young people from across the State. Particularly moving was the unveiling ceremony and laying of wreaths at the Monument of the Heroes where all the representatives of various organisations celebrated the national anniversary and paid tribute to the heroes of 1821.
Although the number of events planned was very large, unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure experienced by the State of Victoria for most of the time, this led to the cancellation of several events. For this reason, many organisations and institutions have decided to move the planned events of 2021 to a new date during the year 2022.
Next year is the 100th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe.
The Organising Committee for the Greek National Day, made up of representatives from all the major community organisations in Victoria, has already received proposals for events to take place in 2022. Wanting to include the entire Greek community, it invites private, public or cultural groups, fraternities, federations, women and youth associations and schools, to register their event in time.
The program, which will be published in January 2022, will include actions and events which will be planned and dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe. To emphasise, 2022 is the year that will be dedicated to the high symbolism of the anniversary of this tragedy, but also to the extremely important role played by the Greeks of Asia Minor in modern and contemporary Greek history. Organisations of our community have already planned cultural events dedicated to the Asia Minor Catastrophe and the uprooting of the Greeks from Asia Minor.
Deadline for submission of events to be included in the annual program of the Organising Committee for the Greek National Day will be December 1, 2021 and should be sent electronically to the Secretariat at: greeknationalday@gmail.com or by post to P.O. Box 2250, 377 Gore Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065. For further information you can contact the Chairman of the Committee, Antonis Tsourdalakis, at 0419856736.
The board of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria (CCMV) met formerly on Wednesday, October 20 to accept the resignation of Stelios Angelodemou as President and from the Board.
The CCMV Board passed unanimous motions expressing its sincere thanks to Mr Angelodemou for his service over the last four years.
The Board subsequently appointed former Victorian Minister, the Honourable Theo Thophanous, as the new President and Chris Christoforou as Vice President of the CCMV.
In a press release, the CCMV said that over the last four years, the Board worked together to achieve the following:
The establishment of the Halloumi Festival, which attracted thousands of people and showcased Cypriot culture.
The successful acquisition of grants from the Victorian Government of $500,000 and an initial permit for a new building.
lnitiating an important project aimed at documenting the history of Cypriots in Australia with emphasis on the Victorian Diaspora to be authorised by Professor Anastasios Tamis.
Many new community projects including supporting our members, in particular during the pandemic. with food parcels and regular contacts.
Theo Theophanous.
Mr Angelodemou cited personal and family responsibilities he had undertaken in Cyprus and his long absence from the leadership as reasons for his resignation.
New President, Theo Theophanous, thanked Mr Angelodemou for his contribution and conveyed the best wishes from all the members of the CCMV Board to Stelios and his family.
“Stelios was passionate in his support for the CCMV to finally redevelop its building in Lygon St and to have its long history published. We thank him for his service,” Mr Theophanous said.
“The CCMV still faces many challenges and I look forward to playing my part in its historical mission in the Cyprus diaspora.”
Greece’s Interior Ministry launched on Wednesday a new information campaign in digital and print media abroad to inform Greeks who reside outside the country that they should register in the special electoral list apodimoi.gov.gr if they want to vote in the next national elections from their country of residence.
According to Ekathimerini, to qualify for the vote, those interested will have to have lived in Greece for two years in the last 35 years and must have submitted a tax return during the current or previous tax year.
Those who register will have to cover distances to places where polling stations will be set up and can only vote if there are 40 voters eligible to cast their ballots in their districts.
This decision comes after a law voted in December 2019.
Public Power Corporation (PPC), Greece’s biggest power utility, has agreed to sell a minority stake in the country’s sole power grid operator, DEDDIE, to Macquarie Asset Management, PPC and Macquarie said on Wednesday.
PPC last month named Macquarie as the preferred bidder for a 49% stake in DEDDIE. Macquarie’s offer valued the stake at 2.1 billion euros, including debt of €804 million.
PPC sources also said in September that Macquarie’s bid was the biggest privatisation in Greek history.
Macquarie Asset Management will invest in PPC on behalf of institutional investors, including pension funds and insurance companies, PPC and Macquarie said in a joint statement.
Former Socialist prime minister, George Papandreou, announced his candidacy for the leadership of center-left Movement for Change (KINAL), in a televised address on Wednesday evening.
“We need a new change. For the citizens and the country. That is why the democratic progressive party needs to grow again. To join the other progressive forces in Europe and the world, which are staging a dynamic comeback,” he said in his address.
“I decided to run for the leadership of the Movement. I will contribute with all my strength to make our party big and strong again.”
Former Greek prime minister, George Papandreou.
Papandreou ruled Greece from October 2009 until November 2011 when he stepped down and supported the coalition government of Lucas Papademos. Until 2012, he remained president of the socialist Pasok party, which was founded by his father and former prime minister, Andreas Papandreou.
In 2017, Pasok joined the center-left alliance Movement of Change. Today, Papandreou is a lawmaker for the party and is also president of Socialist International.
George Papandreou is the son of PASOK founder, Andreas Papandreou.
With the entry of Papandreou in the race, the number of candidates has now risen to seven: Pavlos Geroulanos, Pavlos Christides, Haris Kastanidis, Vassilis Kegeroglou, Andreas Loverdos and Nikos Androulakis.
Papandreou said he had informed the incumbent, Fofi Gennimata, of his decision on Wednesday. Gennimata pulled out of the leadership race last week, after she was hospitalised for health reasons.
The first round of elections is scheduled to take place on December 5 and if no one secures a majority of votes, a second ballot will be held a week later.
Victorian-based football referee Hary Milas died late Tuesday.
The Victorian football community is mourning who they describe as a “beloved member” of the community.
“A brilliant referee on the pitch, his communication style, and positive demeanor led him to be universally respected by players, coaches, and colleagues,” Football Victoria says.
They say Milas was known by the community for his “compassion, warmth” and the “infectious personality”.
Milas became a referee with Football Victoria in 1998 and held several different roles in the sporting body during his 23-year tenure.
He regularly volunteered at community events including the Homeless World Cup, Victorian Pride Football match, Victoria Police Soccer Team, and the Reagan Milstein Foundation.
He received the 2016 Victorian Community Official of the Year Award 2016.
Football Victoria is particularly fond of his compassionate style of refereeing, notably his “gracious” and “delicate” approach to a player during the 2008 Homeless World Cup in Melbourne.
“…Hary quietly pulled the player aside and firmly but graciously administered the red card [a foul] in a way that allowed the player to remain dignified,” Football Victoria recalls.
“After the match, the removed player sincerely thanked Hary for his approach, leading Hary to offer him his whistle as a memento of their encounter together.”
The moment inspired the ‘Whistle of Hope’, a congeniality award that has been a part of the game ever since.
“The story of the Whistle of Hope is one of many that depicts Hary’s class and personality,” Football Victoria says.
A Federal Court investigation into Forum Finance has now embroiled a corporate entity run by founder Bill Papas’ cousin.
Court documents show subpoenas have been issued for companies Fort Matilda and Natave.
Natave is a soon-to-be-deregistered company owned by Papas’ cousin Bill Constantinidis, which he says was set up as part of a commercial arrangement with Papas.
Bill says action commenced in September to strike-off Natave after concerns about it were raised.
Fort Matilda is a loan brokerage and investment company that dealt with Papas and his business partner Vince Tesoriero.
Eric Constantinidis, Bill’s brother, runs Forum Finance entity Our Kloud, which took over equipment leases from the initial Forum administrator in July and contacted customers to confirm their direct debit details.
It’s part of Westpac and two global banks’ legal pursuit of Forum and Mr. Papas in the Federal Court over allegations of a $400 million fraud.
The Federal Court on Wednesday moved to issue a warrant for Papas’ arrest and extradition in Greece for “repeatedly disobeying” court orders and seeking to avoid being served with key documents.
Papas fled to Greece in June around the same time Westpac lodged its proceedings against his company Forum Finance.
The court has since heard of credit card transactions by Papas in Greece including several luxury hotel stays.
Westpac’s barrister Jeremy Giles SC argued to the court that these transactions contradict Papas’ claims that he can’t afford to purchase a plane ticket back to Australia.
“There is no basis, let alone a reasonable basis, for thinking that Mr. Papas is likely to return from Greece to Australia on any firm date,” Federal Court Judge Michael Lee said on Tuesday.
“His conduct in relation to this proceeding has been a less than satisfactory one, he has repeatedly disobeyed court orders for the filing of material and provided less than satisfactory to his solicitors.”
Forum’s liquidator McGrathNicol has begun selling assets as it seeks to retrieve funds for creditors.
Today, on International Chefs Day, we are celebrate remarkable chefs around the world and the many things they teach us about different cuisines and delicacies.
We’ve listed some of the top Greek Australian chefs who have made significant contributions to the Australian food landscape.
David Tsirekas:
When people think of Greek Australian chef, David Tsirekas, three words always come to mind – passionate, hard-working and a go-getter. That’s because despite experiencing the highs and lows of working in the hospitality industry, Tsirekas has still managed to successfully bring some of the quirkiest Greek dishes to the Australian cuisine scene.
David Tsirekas at the site of his new restaurant, Perama 2.0. Photo: Andriana Simos.
This quirkiness all started back in 1997, when Tsirekas was first offered his sister’s partnership at Perama restaurant in Petersham. The restaurant won multiple Sydney Morning Herald good food guide hats until it eventually closed in 2011.
Tsirekas later moved onto Xanthi Greek restaurant, which had the largest wine list in the Southern Hemisphere. But ultimately, the high-pressure environment saw Tsirekas’ dream sadly come crashing down and he had to close the restaurant in 2014.
Since the closure of Xanthi, Tsirekas has been the Executive Chef at Universal Hotels, working on the development of the restaurant 1821, and he has also held a number of consultant roles for venues in Chicago, The Greek Club in Brisbane and Zeus Street Greek.
Now, he’s focused on bringing Perama restaurant back as Perama 2.0.
In September 2020, thousands of Greek Australians across the nation erupted in applause as Dezi Madafferi and Penny Kerasiotis from Team Greece were crowned champions of Channel 7’s cooking show, Plate of Origin.
Just one short year later and the Greek cousins say that once they entered the cooking competition together their lives altered forever.
In January this year, Penny extended her shop Miss Penny Cakes in Melbourne and has created a few Greek cake mixes such as coconut syrup cake and kourabiethes, as well as other staples including chocolate cake, vanilla cake and cookie mixes.
Dezi, who worked for Country Road for 20 years, also decided to launch her own seasoning range which includes her best-selling ‘Gyro Gyro Souvlaki’ seasoning. The seasonings can now be found in 12 Victorian stores, one Queensland store and online.
Matt Germanchis. Photo: Courtesy of Merivale / Broadsheet.
Matt Germanchis has worked in some of Melbourne’s most prestigious restaurants, including Pei Modern, Movida, The Press Club and Pandora.
But in 2016, he and partner Gemma Gange swapped the CBD for the Surf Coast, opening Captain Moonlite, a now-closed seafood-centric diner that quickly became a top Victorian restaurant.
Its enduring, ever-popular offshoot, Fish by Moonlite, is a fish’n’chipper that punches well above its weight.
More recently, he’s also added executive chef at the Lorne Hotel to his resume and in an interview with Broadsheet, he says people can expect to see him work “with seafood.”
Anna Polyviou:
Award winning pastry chef, Anna Polyviou. Photo: Delicious.com.
Award winning pastry chef, Anna Polyviou, has made quite a name for herself in Australia’s dessert scene.
Polyviou began working at the Hotel Sofitel in Melbourne and has created a successful career in the hotel world. Polyviou is credited for Sydney Shangri La’s renowned culinary reputation, where she has created legendary, unique dessert experiences.
In 2014, Polyviou won the award for best dessert in Australia for her modern reimagination of the traditional carrot cake. Since then, Anna has published her first cookbook, ‘Sweet Street,’ and has featured as a guest judge on Masterchef Australia.
Alex Xinis:
Alex Xinis. Photo: Courtesy of Nostimo / Broadsheet.
Brisbane export, Alex Xinis, has returned home after years abroad. Whilst overseas, he did a two-year stint at two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Funky Gourmet, in Athens and more recently, was executive chef for Modern Greek Food Group in London.
When in Australia he headed up Melbourne Greek institutions Press Club and Hellenic Republic before launching his own meal-delivery venture, Almost Like Yiayias, last year.
Now, he’s fronting Brisbane institution, Nostimo, inside The Greek Club as its new head chef in residence.
Considered Melbourne’s dessert hero, Kathy Tsaples is a passionate Greek chef with an inspiring success story. She grew up learning all about traditional Greek food and culture from her family.
After overcoming stage three breast cancer and releasing her first cookbook, Tsaples went on to open her ‘Sweet Greek’ store in Melbourne’s Prahan Markets and has since published a second cookbook.
From pastitio to baklava, her store sells authentic Greek cuisine, passing on generations of traditional Greek food.
