Marios Koutsakos has been awarded an $18,000 Victorian Fellowship which will allow him to study human immune responses to flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Early-career researcher Koustakos is one of twelve fellows and studies microbiology and immunology at the University of Melbourne’s Doherty Institute.
“The fellowship will allow me to visit Washington University (USA) and collaborate with a team there to study human immune responses to influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines,” he said.
“The team I will be working with collects samples from lymphoid tissues (like the lymph node and the bone marrow) which provides for unique opportunity to better understand how vaccines work.”
He has focussed on understanding protective immunity to influenza, especially influenza B, viruses.
He said he hopes to apply the training he receives in the US to vaccine development in Victoria.
He said he first became fascinated by immunology and viruses while studying in London.
“I was amazed by how something so small and relatively simple, when compared to humans, can take over our bodies,” he said.
“Through a series of unlikely but very fortunate events, I then found myself 16000 kilometers further away at the Kedzierska lab at the Doherty Institute, where I became fascinated by human immunology and the complexity of the immune system.”
Liquidators of the Forum Group of Companies have sold off almost 600 abandoned waste digester machines built by waste processor subsidiary Iugis.
McGrathNicol is reported to have received the funds from suspected buyer New Leaf Technologies (NLT) on Thursday.
Former consultants of Iugis set up NLT in 2019, but the key figures have operated in the environmental finance space since 2009.
NLT chief executive Matt Wildsoet said he had big plans for the business and the potential of the waste digesters.
“We’re thrilled to be able to continue the good work and principles of the business and the desired outcomes from an environmental perspective,” he said.
“The hard work that had been done we want to continue and we’re thrilled to be able to do that.”
NLT, similar to the Forum Group, offers customers assistance in securing funding and providing financial solutions to develop and fund “sustainable operations and infrastructure”.
Almost 300 of the machines have been sitting for months in a warehouse in Western Sydney, after being shipped from Iugis’ manufacturing site in Thessaloniki.
Another 300 of the machines are in service around Australia with former Iugis customers.
Customers linked to having the machines include private hospitals, the Pullman Hotel in Hyde Park, and Sydney pub The Fiddler.
The buyer also wins the right to continue servicing the machines leased by the customers, in a similar deal to that struck to sell the printer rental business at the core of the Forum Group.
But the long-mooted deal has been languishing for months, with the final sale requiring approvals by Forum creditors.
The funds from the sale go towards repaying Forum Group’s creditors, who are owed almost $400m after the company collapsed with allegations former chief executive Bill Papas oversaw a years-long scheme to defraud financiers through a false lease invoice scheme.
The Federal Court has heard allegations Mr. Papas funded the Iugis business, which manufactured and supplied the waste digester machines, through the scheme.
Papas set up a manufacturing site in Greece, with his business partner Anastasios Giamouridis, to make the machines.
The site is no longer operating.
Westpac has named Giamouridis in its case, alleging he received $10.7m in funds he was not entitled to.
Giamouridis also owns at least one percent of Mazcon, a corporate entity Papas used to buy the Greek football team Xanthi FC.
Until recently Giamouridis was also CEO of Xanthi FC, however, he resigned and was replaced at the team’s recent annual general meeting.
Year 12 student Steven Kostopoulos has graduated as dux of Oakleigh Grammar in Melbourne with an ATAR of 96.1 and VCE scores above 40.
He was followed by school captain Alexander Logan (91.4) and “hard-working” student Athanasios Millaras (91.15) to be the only three students to graduate with an ATAR over 90.
Just over half of all graduates scored ATARs over 70.
Steven Kostopoulos (middle) with Oakleigh Grammar Principal Mark Robertson and Board Treasurer Sam Vassos (Image: Supplied)
“The results this year are a testament to the determination and resilience of our students who never conceded but continued to push through despite the challenges faced over the past two years,” Oakleigh Grammar said in a statement.
“We are very proud of each and every one of our graduates and wish them well for the next part of their educational journey.”
Year 11 student Maria Andreou (left) also achieved a 44/50 net score in Modern Greek (Images: Supplied)
Year 11 student Maria Andreou also achieved a 44/50 net score in Modern Greek.
“I am very proud of Maria’s success since she managed to excel in very difficult conditions,” a translated statement from Natasha Spanos, coordinator of the school’s language department, said.
Labor unions led by the Greek Communist Party staged a protest during a parliamentary budget debate Thursday.
They demand a return of wage and pension levels that were axed during three successive international bailouts.
Some 2,000 protesters gathered in front of the parliament building in central Athens as lawmakers debated the 2022 budget.
The budget includes a proposed 2 percent minimum wage increase that would take effect on Jan. 1.
Bailouts financed by other eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund when Greece was on the brink of bankruptcy during 2010-2018 resulted in repeated salary and pension cuts.
The minimum wage was reduced by more than 20 percent in 2012.
About half of the decrease was restored after the bailouts ended, and the minimum currently is 758.33 euros ($857.23) on an average monthly basis.
Greek Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said despite the 6.9 percent growth forecast for this year, spending on the health service and income support during the pandemic allow for only modest increases in social spending.
Shortly after the release of the fifth instalment of her ‘Ikoyenia’ series of books titled “Christmas With my Family” we took the opportunity to sit down with Greek Australian journalist and author Stephanie Timotheou to discuss all about her recent work and why reading is a great way for kids to learn more about the Greek language and culture.
–Stephanie, what can you tell us about your fifth book of the Ikoyenia series, that recently hit the book stores – without spoiling the plot?
Christmas With My Family is a beautiful rhyming story about the true meaning behind Christmas. It blends a little bit of religion with loads of fun and festivity. But the heart and soul of it is about spending time with family on Christmas Day and appreciating what we already have.
– What gives you inspiration to keep writing?
My kids! I started the series when I was a mum of one and now that we’ve welcomed our second little bundle of joy, it makes me even more excited to extend the Ikoyenia series. I love being able to give them something they can cherish forever and hopefully I can, in turn, inspire them to do whatever their hearts desire – just as I did.
-How did the pandemic impact your writing and what advice would you give to other aspiring writers?
My best advice would be: just keep writing! Even if you think what you’re writing is terrible.
During the pandemic I had huge moments of doubt and writer’s block. It was hard to keep a momentum going when there were so many other things on my mind. But I was persistent and continued writing – even at 3am after an idea would come to me in my sleep.
-When you’re not writing, what do you like to read?
Sadly, I haven’t read anything other than children’s books in about three years! Our favourites at the moment are The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland and various Little People Big Dreams books.
– If you had 15 words to persuade someone that the Ikoyenia series should be their childrens’ next read, what would you say?
Bond with your child through story time while also learning Greek – it’s a win-win situation!
*Christmas With My Family is a special edition book and limited copies are now available at www.ikoyenia.com.au
By Maria Dalamaras, Creative Director of Rio Consulting Group
We don’t know about you, but our office Christmas tree was up early this year. We are super excited about Christmas and we know you are too!
‘Christmas’ is trending on Social Media platforms. It’s clear we’re all looking forward to Christmas, with mentions significantly higher. To no surprise, with a disastrous year due to the Australian bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all looking forward to the Christmas sparkle.
This holiday season we expect online shopping to hit record levels. With many events and celebrations spent in lockdown, now is the time to gift and be merry!
So here we are with a handy survival guide to help you with your holiday marketing.
Use Email Marketing: Free, easy to control and guaranteed to reach your audience. New to email marketing, check out our favourite Email Marketing platforms: MailChimp and Klaviyo.
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram- time to get creative!
Stories: a great way to give consumers a real life experience by sharing information and being collaborative through quizzes and polls
Messenger bots: a chat that can help your customers with any questions
Posts: a visual and immersive way for consumers to discover your products and services
Shop links: link your online shop to your platforms
Google: Your customer is window shopping online, are you visible online?
Website: With many customers shopping online it’s important your website is in it’s best form
Gift Vouchers: The ideal gift for all ages! Simplify your gift vouchers by having an option to buy and receive them online.
Holiday trading hours: Use all your social platforms to help share these important dates and times.
Paid advertising: Social media platforms are a great way to shine during the holiday season! A lot of your other Christmas marketing ideas may include some aspect of social media, and one way to make sure those initiatives are seen is to pay for social media ads. The first step to running social media ads is to determine which platform to use. Instagram and Facebook are both excellent options for retailers.
Add Christmas flair to your brand: Temporarily update logo, and social media platforms to get into the holiday spirit
Create a ‘Countdown to Christmas’: An ideal Christmas marketing campaign engages your audience and keeps your business top of mind. Counting down to Christmas while sharing promotions is helps engagement
Build customer loyalty: Local businesses are known for their ability to build real relationships with their customers. Thank your customers for their support!
Getting into the Christmas spirit offers new marketing opportunities. Many of these holiday marketing tips can be profitable all year-round, but giving them a holiday spin taps into the unique market trends happening this time of year.
*Maria is a Marketing and Business professional at Rio Consulting Group, connecting local businesses with their customers.
From Greek dancing by the Canberra Hellenic Dancers to Greek music by Kefi band, the Greek culture and heritage was on full display at the National Museum of Australia on Thursday night.
Over 100 VIPs were in attendance at the National Museum to catch a glimpse of the new Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes exhibition which has just opened to the public and will run until May 1, 2022.
People mingling outside the exhibition. All photos copyright: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.Officials inside the exhibition.
Among these special guests were people such as the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, George Papacostas; the ACT Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja; the ACT Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tara Cheyne; His Grace Bishop Bartholomew; the President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra (GOCCC), John Loukadellis; and the President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra, Andrew Satsias.
On the night, these guests were first treated to a Welcome to Country by Ngambri Custodian, Paul House, before a number of officials stood to give speeches, including the CEO of the National Museum, Dr Mathew Trinca; the Director of the British Museum, Dr Hartwig Fischer; Minister Cheyne; Australian journalist, Mary Kostakidis; Senator Seselja and Bishop Bartholomew.
People who gave speeches on the night.Bishop Bartholomew and Father Petros blessed the exhibition on the night.
Ms Kostakidis spoke proudly of her Greek heritage during her speech, praised the National Museum for holding the Ancient Greeks exhibition and spoke briefly about the Parthenon Marbles dispute between Greece and the British Museum.
The Bishop, along with the parish priest of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Canberra, Father Petros Kipouros, also did a small blessing ceremony for the exhibition.
Canberra Hellenic Dancers.
Kefi Band.
Following this, attendees were invited to view the exhibition and its 170 artefacts from the British Museum’s collection of Greek treasures dating from 800 BCE to 200 CE. Whilst this was happening, the Canberra Hellenic Dancers gave an amazing Greek dancing performance to music by Kefi band.
Later, people moved into a never-before used gallery in the National Museum for a formal sit-down dinner catered by Broadbean Catering, which is owned by Savvas Dimarhos. Attendees were served incredible food including a mouth-watering baklava ice cream.
All in all, it was a fantastic evening enjoyed by everyone in attendance.
Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes is at the National Museum of Canberra from 17 December 2021 to 1 May 2022. Tickets $28. For bookings see: https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/ancient-greeks.
* All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
From the minute people walk into the Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes exhibition at the National Museum of Australia, their eyes are instantly drawn to the spectacular statue of Nike, the Greek ‘Goddess of Victory.’
The statue is one of the centrepieces of the exhibition, along with 169 other objects from the British Museum’s collection of Greek treasures dating from 800 BCE to 200 CE.
The Greek Herald got an exclusive preview of this exhibition during today’s media launch and can confirm that the wide-range of black-figured amphoras and marble reliefs depicting scenes and people from Ancient Greece definitely didn’t disappoint.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra (GOCCC), John Loukadellis (left), speaking with ACT Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tara Cheyne (right).
‘No items of contention’:
The artefacts invoke a sense of pride in the Greek culture and heritage and this was a point the President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra (GOCCC), John Loukadellis, touched on in his speech during the launch.
“I find it very fitting, very respectful that as we walk into this amazing theatre here today that the first piece that greets us is the Goddess Nike or the Goddess of Victory,” Mr Loukadellis said.
“The way I see it, this exhibition, with great thanks to the British Museum and our friends here at the National Museum, is a great Nike [victory] for everyone around Australia who love their culture, who love the ancient civilisation stories and who also is a friend of history.”
Mr Loukadellis also said the exhibition holds ‘no items of contention’ from the British Museum and encouraged everyone to visit.
Exhibition not possible without Greek community support:
During the media launch, a number of other prominent members of the Canberra community also gave speeches including the CEO of the National Museum, Dr Mathew Trinca and the ACT Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tara Cheyne.
Dr Trinca stressed how delighted he is to finally be able to bring the Ancient Greeks exhibition to Canberra following a 12-month delay due to COVID-19. He also thanked the Greek community for their support.
Dr Mathew Trinca.
ACT Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tara Cheyne.
“Had it not been for the Greek Australian community here in Canberra, that has come so strongly to come and support this presentation, I’m not sure we would have received it,” the National Museum CEO said.
“But I can’t wait to see people come into this exhibition and really enjoy what it tells us about the common imagination we have about the Greek world and how it informs our present but also, in a sense, just a simple opportunity to come together.”
Minister Cheyne reflected Dr Trinca’s comments and said it’s a privilege to finally be able to view the British Museum collection.
“It is a celebration of Greek culture and history seen through that prism of competition which informed all the aspects of the ancient Greek world, including childhood, society and sport,” Minister Cheyne said.
In his message, Dr Fischer praised the “formidable working relationship” between the National Museum of Australia and the British Museum as they collaborated closely to ensure the exhibition went ahead. He also spoke briefly about the exhibition.
“Ancient Greek artefacts form a vital part of the British Museum’s collection and this exhibition brings together some of the most fascinating objects…” Dr Fischer said.
“So we look forward to hearing our local audience respond to these objects and sculptures.”
For her part, Dr Withycombe went into detail about what is on offer during the exhibition, making special reference to the two objects the National Museum was able to select specifically for Ancient Greeks.
These are: (1) a black-figured amphora showing the Greek warrior Achilles slaying the Amazon Queen Penthesileia (about 540–530 BCE), signed by Exekias, the renowned Athenian potter and painter; (2) and a marble relief known as the Apotheosis of Homer (about 220–200 BCE) signed by its maker, Archelaos of Priene.
“We just hope that people are able to come and see the exhibition, people from the Greek community but also the wider Australian public. We just think that in a time when you can’t travel and you can’t have holidays, this really will be this immersive holiday experience,” Dr Withycombe concluded.
Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes is at the National Museum of Canberra from 17 December 2021 to 1 May 2022. Tickets $28. For bookings see: https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/ancient-greeks.
* All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
A bid by the managers of St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner to avoid giving evidence has forced a delay of the inquest into the deaths of 50 residents.
According to ABC News, former St Basil’s chairman Kon Kontis and facility manager Vicky Kos are fighting against giving evidence over their handling of the deadly outbreak in July 2020 out of fear they could incriminate themselves.
“On legal advice, I object to giving evidence on the ground that it may tend to incriminate me in relation to an offence under Australian law,” Mr Kontis said.
A new Multicultural Community Wellbeing Campaign urges all young people, their families and friends in NSW to “stay connected” and, if needed, seek mental health support from the new Australian Government funded mental health service, Head to Health.
NSW Multicultural Health Communications Service (MHCS) and NSW Primary Health Networks (PHNs) collaborated with Settlement Services International (SSI) and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to put the campaign together.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman MP, said all Australians should feel supported and able to access mental health services when and where they need them. This includes making services and resources available in their own language.
“It can be hard to reach out and ask for help, and even harder to name what you need when there is a language or a cultural barrier, or you don’t feel safe,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.
“That’s why this campaign is so important. It uses the experiences of young Australians from multicultural backgrounds to encourage others to reach out for support. There is plenty of support available, we just have to make sure those that need it, know about it and feel safe to reach out.”
NSW Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the initiative will spark important conversations among our young people.
“The past two years has been incredibly tough on everyone especially for our young people so it is wonderful to launch a campaign that will strengthen mental health strategies and supports across the board.”
NSW Health Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright said while our collective mental health has deteriorated during the pandemic – there is still cause for hope.
“The pandemic has caused a lot of stress and hardship, but it has also brought forward many meaningful and positive conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
“As we continue to adapt our lives to living with the virus, make mental health an ongoing topic of conversation. Talk about it around the family dinner table, at community gatherings and with your friends. Importantly, if anyone you know is struggling with stress, depression or anxiety, reassure them that these are all treatable – especially if you get help early on.”
A partnership with SBS to produce a suite of videos in English and Mandarin on ways to “Stay Connected”.
Radio advertising on SBS language programs and community radio in Arabic, Assyrian, Bangla, Cantonese, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Nepali or Vietnamese – complemented by interviews with health professionals about mental health on community radio, in community languages.
A partnership with SSI and youth mental health advocates with lived experience to produce meaningful campaign resources in a range of languages.
The ANU COVID-19 Impact Monitoring Survey showed that anxiety and worry levels were highest during lockdowns amongst young people 18 to 24 years, Indigenous Australians and those who speak a language other than English.
Unfortunately, ongoing social isolation prompted by loss of employment, restrictions on recreation and reduced social connection continue to be a problem even as COVID-19 restrictions are lifting, and mental health conditions like anxiety continue to be a major concern post-lockdown.
MHCS Director Lisa Woodland said that it is vital for young people and their families to know that there are in-language mental health support services available for them.
“Our aim is to promote key messages to the community through trusted media channels to help increase meaningful conversations between young people, their peers and family members around mental health.”
This initiative urges anyone with mental health concerns who may not be able to access psychological support, to reach out to a new free mental health service, Head to Health, by calling 1800 595 212. Eleven Head to Health services are now open and taking calls across NSW and ACT and work closely with existing providers including GPs and hospitals, referring people to more intensive mental health care or social supports if needed.
The campaign is an example of collaboration between organisations funded by the Australian and NSW governments to address community mental health concerns.
“The collaboration between NSW PHNs and NSW MHCS is an example of our shared commitment to working across federal and state programs to address health challenges together,” said Dr Michael Moore, CEO of Central and Eastern Sydney PHN on behalf of NSW PHNs.
NSW PHNs involved in this initiative are Central and Eastern Sydney, Nepean Blue Mountains, Northern Sydney, South Eastern NSW, South Western Sydney and Western Sydney PHNs.
