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George Kambosos Jr laps up praise from Australian sporting greats and Greek community

Andriana Simos
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George Kambosos Jr laps up praise from Australian sporting greats and Greek community

George Kambosos Jr’s stunning win over Teófimo López to claim the IBF, WBA and WBO lightweight titles would make anyone want to celebrate.

But the enormity of being crowned world unified lightweight champion hasn’t sunk in yet for the proud Greek Australian.

In the hours immediately after etching himself into Australian sporting folklore at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Kambosos told The Sydney Morning Herald he received treatment at hospital before returning to his hotel for a “nice burger” and “to get some sleep.”

“I knew I was going to do this and there really hasn’t been much celebration,” he said.

Kambosos the morning after his fight.

The ‘Michael Jordan’ of Australian boxing:

Of course, this contrasted greatly to the fanfare back in Australia where sporting greats and the Greek community were overjoyed at his victory.

Among the first to send his praise was former WBA world super middleweight titleholder, Anthony Mundine, who declared Kambosos “the greatest boxer Australia has produced.”

“From the greatest sportsman’s Australia has produced to the greatest boxer Australia has produced, congratulations my man enjoy the moment no one can take it away from you. Proud of you!!!!!,” Mundine wrote on Facebook.

Harry Garside, who won Australia’s first Olympic boxing medal in 33 years with his bronze in Tokyo, also said Kambosos was an inspiration to young Australian boxers.

“He turned up to fight and I reckon it’s one of the best boxing outcomes Australia has ever received,” Garside told ABC News.

“He’s the top echelon, he’s the Michael Jordan and he’s come from the same places as us, he’s fought on the same cards and it makes you even more motivated.”

Legendary boxing trainer, Johnny Lewis, agreed and declared Kambosos could be the next Jeff Fenech.

Kambosos (right) could become the next Jeff Fenech. Photo: Getty Images.

“What Jeff Fenech did was marvellous. Jeff was very determined and disciplined, and he could have beaten any featherweight in any era,” Lewis told The Daily Telegraph.

“Now George has to continue on, but he’s every chance and he can emulate Jeff and become an all-time great.”

Greek community in Australia rejoices:

This sentiment was also echoed by Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP, who congratulated Kambosos on his victory in Parliament on Monday.

“[George] goes down in the history books with Lionel Rose, Jeff Fenech, Kostya Tszyu and all the others. I think we’re all proud of his achievements. He worked so hard,” Mr Georganas said in his address.

“He was a sportsman with true dedication, true boxing spirit. I know boxing isn’t as popular as it used to be many years ago but the dedication and the hard work that this person has put in, he was a fantastic person from a Greek migrant background who has done us proud.”

Others from the Greek community also shared their pride in the Greek Australian boxer by posting photos on social media and comments under The Greek Herald‘s article such as: “we are all so proud of you” and “absolute warrior.”

Many were also calling on Kambosos to return to Australia to defend his titles.

Kambosos celebrates his split decision win against Teofimo Lopez in New York. Photo: Getty Images.

Kambosos said he hopes to fight in Sydney or Melbourne at a packed Stadium Australia or Melbourne Cricket Ground, with a list of stars lining up to take their shot at the 28-year-old.

Among them is the undefeated Devin Haney, who holds the only other recognised belt in the division, the WBC title.

“I’m the one being hunted now. I’m not the hunter any more. I’ve got a lot of motivation, a lot of inspiration. I’m very stubborn, if they think they’re going to take these belts off me, they’ve got another thing coming,” Kambosos said.

Melbourne cafe owner, Symeon Kandias, hit with death threat and vandalism

The Greek Herald
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Melbourne cafe owner, Symeon Kandias, hit with death threat and vandalism

Symeon Kandias’ Briki Cafe in Melbourne’s north has been vandalised and a death threat was left behind in what is believed to be a politically-motivated attack.

According to ABC News, a brick was thrown through the window of the Greek cafe on Hutton Street, Thornbury on Sunday night and a threatening note was taped to the door.

“Do what Dan Andrews says and we will burn your shop down and kill you,” it read.

Mr Kandias said he saw glass strewn all over the pavement in front of his shop when he turned up to work in the morning.

The vandalism of Briki Cafe. Photo: 3AW.

“It was a bit confronting, to be honest,” he told the national broadcaster.

According to the Victorian government regulations, it is mandatory for non-essential businesses, including cafes, to ask patrons for proof of vaccination.

Mr Kandias said he couldn’t think of a reason his business was targeted as he has never made a political statement and follows COVID-19 restrictions.

“I have never experienced anything or [seen] anything like this before here in Melbourne,” he said.

“I am just trying to keep myself and the community safe… If we, the little guys, don’t follow these rules, we won’t survive.”

Briki Cafe owner was one of three businesses vandalised on Sunday.

On Sunday morning, a man was caught on CCTV taking a brick to two other Thornbury hospitality businesses – GRK Greek Kitchen and Bar and the Thornbury Taphouse.

GRK Kitchen and Bar’s, Effie Stratkis, told Nine News the action against small businesses wasn’t fair.

“We don’t make the rules we just follow them, so it’s a shame to take it out on a small business,” she said.

Victoria Police have confirmed they are investigating whether the attacks are linked.

Source: ABC News.

House of Representatives calls on Australian Govt to recognise Greek, Armenian, Assyrian genocides

Andriana Simos
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House of Representatives calls on Australian Govt to recognise Greek, Armenian, Assyrian genocides

The Federal Parliament’s House of Representatives unanimously debated in favour of a motion calling on the Australian Government to recognise the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides on Monday.

According to the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), Trent Zimmerman MP introduced the motion to Parliament, which also had fellow Government members John Alexander MP and Julian Leeser MP as speakers.

Opposition members, Josh Burns MP, Steve Georganas MP and Joel Fitzgibbon MP, seconded the motion.

READ MORE: US President formally recognises Armenian Genocide as Australian PM falls short on remembrance.

“[The genocide] is absolutely something that should be recognised by our government and by this Parliament,” Greek Australian and Member for Adelaide, Mr Georganas, said in his address.

“President Biden has recognised it, many countries around the world have recognised the genocide, and it’s about time that we did too because if we don’t recognise humanity’s mistakes, they are there to be committed again.”

In a statement after the motion to Parliament, the Executive Director of ANC-AU, Haig Kayserian, said “the House of Representatives has spoken.”

READ MORE: WA Senator, Rachel Siewert, pledges to recognise Armenian, Greek and Assyrian genocides.

The House of Representatives calls on the Australian Government to recognise the Greek, Armenian, Assyrian genocides.

“The Australian Parliament’s largest and most representative legislative chamber has unanimously called on Australia’s Government to recognise the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides,” Mr Kayserian said.

“This unanimous outcome rejects Turkish interference in Australian foreign policy and calls on our country’s Prime Minister and his Government to stand with the representatives elected by their constituents and call a genocide a genocide.”

READ MORE: Australia’s Greek community join initiative to recognise Turkish-committed genocide against the Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian citizens.

Greece and Bangladesh take first steps in deal to facilitate legal migration

The Greek Herald
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Greece and Bangladesh take first steps in deal to facilitate legal migration

Greece and Bangladesh signed a declaration of intent on Monday concerning legal migration and the return of undocumented migrants from Greece.

The signing took place in Athens during a meeting between Greece’s Migration and Asylum Minister, Notis Mitarakis, and Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister, Imran Ahmad.

According to the Greek Migration Ministry, the declaration will lead to the establishment of technical talks and the signing of a memorandum of collaboration on issues of legal migration and facilitation of returns of undocumented migrants.

“We want to boost coordination and collaboration with Bangladesh,” Mitarakis said after the announcement.

Ahmad invited Mitarakis to visit Bangladesh in the near future to continue their talks.

Source: Ekathimerini.

‘I will always support the Greek community’: Randwick City Councillor, Alexandra Luxford

The Greek Herald
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‘I will always support the Greek community’: Randwick City Councillor, Alexandra Luxford

Randwick City Councillor, Alexandra Luxford, was first elected to Council in 2017 and has been serving the constituents of West Ward ever since. This year, during the local government elections on December 4, she hopes to be re-elected to continue her fight against overdevelopment and to advocate for a multicultural Glendi in Kingsford.

To find out more about her plans, The Greek Herald sat down with Cr Luxford and discussed her political career and future aspirations.

1. How did you get into politics?

I have always been politically active from a young age. I have been a member of the Labor party for 29 years and I come from a family that was always involved with politics. My father John Procopiadis was a councillor on Randwick Council for 18 years and was also the Mayor during his time. It was only natural when given the chance to represent the Labor party as the West Ward candidate in 2017 that I took up the offer. This was a good fit for me as I have always been a person to champion causes for the betterment of our community.

2. How does your Greek heritage influence your work?

My Greek heritage has given me a sense of diversity. It helps me to relate to people of different backgrounds and cultures, especially the Greek community.

Cr Luxford raised the Greek flag at Randwick City Council this year to celebrate the Greek Revolution bicentenary.

I am proud of my Greek heritage and this year, I felt it was important for our city to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Greek independence. I put forward a motion in council which saw Greek flags and banners flying throughout Randwick City. This was a wonderful achievement for myself and the Greek community as we were able to recognise the benefits the Greek community made to help our city flourish through their cultural and commercial activities.

In my first year on council as Deputy Mayor in 2018, I was able to address the Greek community at the Epiphany ceremony, welcoming fellow Greeks to our city in their mother tongue. I will always support the Greek community in whichever way I can.

3. What have you achieved so far as a Councillor?

During my four years on council, I have delivered upgrades to local parks such as Kokoda Park in Kensington and been instrumental in ensuring future upgrades to playgrounds at Fitzpatrick Park in Kensington and Snape Park in Maroubra.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, I supported local sporting groups in the area by voting to waive ground hire fees so that kids still had sports to enjoy in what was a tough time on the community.

I have a 100% voting record against overdevelopment across Randwick City, opposing the gross high-rise complexes which don’t benefit the community in any way.

Cr Luxford at SES headquarters.

I have led the charge at Randwick City Council to save our local bus services from the Liberal government’s cuts and privatisation. At council, I have been supported by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union who came to speak to my motions.

I pushed for an up-to-date traffic study to be done to help us better understand the traffic in the area and what we can do to alleviate a lot of problems for our local community.

4. What are your plans if you are re-elected this year?

I will continue to fight overdevelopment by opposing high-rise plans that will increase congestion and put additional pressures on local schools and hospitals and support the local community and local businesses in any way I can.

I will make sure to preserve our green spaces by maintaining our beautiful parks and improving sporting facilities, as well as continuing to keep up the fight against the Liberals’ cuts to local bus services in Randwick City.

Cr Luxford with her family.

I will also continue to work on a multicultural Glendi to be held in Kingsford, following in the footsteps of my father John Procopiadis who organised the Springtime Greek Glendi, which was held several times at Kensington Oval. It helped to bring Greek culture to the forefront of Randwick City with Greek music and Greek dancing. I would love to see this happen again, incorporating the diversity of our community.

5. What message do you have for our readers and the Greek Australian community more broadly?

The support of the Greek community is something I value and treasure. We are a strong and proud voice in the community. Supporting Greek-Australian candidates ensures our voice will always remain powerful and our language, culture and heritage continues to thrive.

6. Is there anything else you’d like to say?

I am passionate about the area I live in, having lived in Kensington for over 50 years. I understand the issues facing the community and I am devoted to continuing to deal with the issues and achieve positive outcomes. I will listen, take on people’s concerns and be their strong voice on council. 

On December 4, I ask that you vote 1 in Group B if you live in West Ward of Randwick City Council to help get me re-elected.

Greek culture celebrated at the World of Food Festival 2021 in Perth

Andriana Simos
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Greek culture celebrated at the World of Food Festival 2021 in Perth

There was plenty of Greek dancing, sweets and filotimo on display at the World of Food Festival 2021 in Perth, Western Australia on Sunday.

Hundreds of people attended the festival which was organised by the Consular Corps of WA and was hosted at the WA Government House Gardens.

  • Photo: Consulate of Greece in Perth / Facebook.
  • Photo: Consulate of Greece in Perth / Facebook.

For the first time this year, the Greek stall was joined by a dedicated European Union stall, which celebrated the food, culture and diversity of EU member states such as Estonia, Italy and Spain.

While attendees were making the most of their favourite cultural delicacies, including melamakarona and bougatsa from The Greek Plate, a main stage was also set up where dancers showcased traditional cultural dances.

  • Photo by Richard Wainright.
  • Photo: Consulate of Greece in Perth / Facebook.

Students from St Andrew’s Grammar in WA made the Greek contingent proud with their dynamic performance of Greek folk dances.

The EU Anthem, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” was also performed on stage.

  • Photos: Consulate of Greece in Perth / Facebook.
  • Photo by Richard Wainright.

“Well done to the organisers of this event. So much great food to try and take home. Wonderful performances from a wide variety of cultural groups with performers from all ages – and a beautiful setting,” one attendee wrote on social media.

It’s clear the event went without a hitch and we can’t wait to see what’s planned for next year’s extravanganza!

Haris Strangas: The young Australian of Greek heritage running in the NSW local elections

The Greek Herald
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Haris Strangas: The young Australian of Greek heritage running in the NSW local elections

The NSW local government elections are set for December 4 and according to ABC News, there are quite a few diverse, young Australian candidates this year.

Among the list is Haris Strangas, a young Australian of Greek heritage who is running for a seat in Sutherland Shire for the Liberals.

READ MORE: Here are the candidates of Greek heritage running in the NSW Local Government elections.

“I want to give back to the community that has given my family and I so much. I am passionate about supporting small businesses through the reduction of red tape,” Mr Strangas told the national broadcaster.

The NSW local government elections are set for December 4.

Research by the New South Wales government found people aged between 18 and 30 are the most under-represented in local government, making up 16 percent of the population but only 4 percent of councillors.

Mr Strangas, whose running mate Hassan Awada immigrated from Lebanon in his 20s, said that young people brought a “youthful exuberance and new ideas to the table.”

He hopes to see more youth elected.

“In recent years, I have personally seen an increase in candidates from diverse backgrounds representing the Liberal Party. I hope to see this trend continued.”

Source: ABC News.

St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Darwin resumes Sunday services

The Greek Herald
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St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Darwin resumes Sunday services

Normal service was resumed at Darwin’s St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday with Father Joel Xanthos back at the helm, NT News reports.

According to the newspaper, attendees were tight-lipped about why Father Joel was back but said the service had been cleared by the NT chief health officer and police.

This comes after the Cavenagh St church suspended its Sunday service on November 21. Instead, a collapsible table was set up outside and covered in candles, pictures of saints and bushels of basil.

READ MORE: ‘Disrespects the ethos of OXI Day’: Greek Community of NT condemns anti-vaccine mandate protest.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was closed for its Sunday service on November 21. Picture: Zizi Averill / NT News.

“A sad day for Darwin’s Greek Orthodox community with our church being closed,” a hand written sign said. “…Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on Father Joel.”

In early November, a service was marred when angry parishioners rounded on NT Opposition Leader, Lia Finocchiaro, and Darwin Lord Mayor, Kon Vatskalis, protesting mandatory workplace jabs.

READ MORE: Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis condemns anti-vaccine mandate behaviour at Greek church.

Father Joel has also been criticised by leading Greek community figures and health authorities for describing COVID vaccinations as “experimental biological agents.”

Source: NT News.

Steph Kyriacou cashes in $112,000 before setting sights on LPGA tour

The Greek Herald
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Steph Kyriacou cashes in $112,000 before setting sights on LPGA tour

Rising Australian golf star, Steph Kyriacou, has ended her Ladies European Tour season by banking a 70,000 euro ($112,000) windfall, ABC News reports.

Kyriacou won a 50,000 euro bonus for finishing third in the Tour’s season-long Order of Merit. She also finished joint-fifth on Sunday at the concluding Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana, which earned her another 20,000 euros.

It was a welcome birthday present for Kyriacou who turned 21 this week and who is now up to 77 in the world golf rankings.

Kyriacou is now flying to Alabama in a bid to earn her card at the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) qualifying series.

Steph Kyriacou’s father Nick has been her caddie for the past year, travelling with her around the world. Photo: Getty / Andrew Redington.

“I’m happy I played well and got third, also happy I have the opportunity to go to the States and try to get on the LPGA Tour,” Kyriacou, who spent some of this season and all of last travelling with her father who acted as her caddie, said.

“It has been a good year but I can’t wait then to go home.”

Source: ABC News.

Patricia Karvelas announced as the new host of ABC’s RN Breakfast program

Andriana Simos
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Patricia Karvelas announced as the new host of ABC’s RN Breakfast program

Presenter and journalist, Patricia Karvelas, has today been announced as the new host of ABC’s RN Breakfast program, replacing Fran Kelly.

According to The Australian, Karvelas’ appointment was widely tipped within the media industry for weeks once Kelly revealed on October 17 she was stepping down from her role after 17 years.

Karvelas is the current host of RN Drive and will move to the breakfast timeslot in 2022.

READ MORE: ABC’s Patricia Karvelas opens up about difficult childhood and entering the field of journalism.

Patricia Karvelas has today been announced as the new host of ABC’s RN Breakfast program, replacing Fran Kelly.

“I look forward to setting the national agenda every weekday morning and providing the conversations and interviews that will keep ABC audiences well-informed of the issues that affect them,” Karvelas said in a statement after the announcement.

“I have huge shoes to fill.”

Fans of Karvelas have been overjoyed at the news on social media, prompting the journalist to thank them for their support.

Kelly also congratulated Karvelas on her appointment.

“Patricia is a natural fit for RN Breakfast,” she said. “I will exit on Thursday knowing my beloved RN Breakfast is in great hands.”

Karvelas and Kelly will continue to work together on The Party Room podcast, where they discuss news and events from Parliament House in Canberra.

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