Childhood Dementia Initiative (CDI) has selected eight highly respected leaders, researchers, academics and clinicians to front its world-first Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee (SMAC).
This Australian committee will help guide the strategy to urgently disrupt the impact of childhood dementia on children and families.
“This is a world first. A committee of this calibre has never before come together to focus on childhood dementia. It will be key to positively changing the landscape for childhood dementia in the lab and the clinic,” Megan Donnell, CEO of Childhood Dementia Initiative, says.
The following accepted positions on the Initiative’s SMAC are:
Professor John Christodoulou AM MB BS PhD FRACP FFSc(RCPA) FRCPA FHGSA FAHMS
Tiffany Boughtwood BSc MBA
Professor Marcel Dinger PhD GAICD
Associate Professor Michelle Farrar MBBS FRACP PhD
Associate Professor Kim Hemsley PhD
Associate Professor Leszek Lisowski PhD MBA
Professor Peter R Schofield AO FAHMS PhD DSc
Dr Nicholas J.C. Smith MBBS(Hon) DCH FRACP PhD(Cantab)
The initial focus of the SMAC will be the formation of a National Collaborative Research and Clinical Care Network.
This network will break down the silos in childhood dementia research, bringing together experts from diverse areas to collaborate and accelerate the development of new therapies and improve clinical care.
‘She’s fading away’: Niki Markou fights to save teen daughter after childhood dementia diagnosis https://t.co/3YGyh5gvmS via @Greek Herald
— Lafora Initiative (@laforainitiativ) July 5, 2021
What is childhood dementia?
Childhood dementia is progressive brain damage that starts before the age of 18. There are over 70 types of the disease, each caused by changes in the DNA because they are genetic diseases.
In August, Head of Research at CDI, Dr Kristina Elvidge, told The Greek Herald that 1 in 2800 babies born will develop dementia in childhood.
That’s 129 babies born each year in Australia, one every three days. It is estimated that almost 2,300 Australians are currently living with childhood dementia, which adds up to 700,000 people worldwide.
The signs and symptoms themselves are similar to those you might have seen in an elderly relative suffering from dementia. They include for example, lack of concentration, memory loss, personality and behavioural changes, and even loss of speech and mobility.
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) will launch a pop-up vaccination hub at its Greek Orthodox Church of St George in Thornbury to help the local community get their COVID-19 vaccine.
The GCM has partnered with DPV Health to administer COVID-19 vaccines from Friday 27 August until Monday 30 August.
The GCM has been working with health authorities who will administer age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccines of both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca across the four days. Walk-ins will be accepted from the early morning, and bookings accepted into the late afternoon.
The Church Hall will accommodate ample space for six booths, with plenty of street parking in the area.
Pop-up vaccination hubs are all around Melbourne right now.
GCM president, Bill Papastergiadis OAM, was enthused by the Government’s response to the Community’s offer of support saying: “I am pleased that we are working with the Victorian Department of Health to bring the vaccination closer to people in a setting that’s familiar to them. COVID-19 vaccines are free, safe and voluntary. Choosing to get vaccinated helps protect our family and our community.”
The GCM Treasurer and President of the Hellenic Medical Society of Australia, Assoc Professor Marini Pirpiris, was also enthusiastic of the initiative saying: “I encourage everybody in the Greek community and in the neighbourhood to get vaccinated as it will help keep you and your family safe.”
There will be Greek speaking doctors, as well as translators on site if people wish to seek out advice around the COVID-19 vaccine and any safety concerns they may have.
Community members are encouraged to bring their family and friends along to get vaccinated.
Executive Director and Board Member of Enterprise Greece, Betty Alexandropoulou, discussed the issues of trade and a double taxation agreement between Greece and Australia during the ‘Greek Australian Dialogue Series’ on Monday afternoon.
The conference was attended by over 50 people and was hosted by Katia Gkikiza, the Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia and Paul Nicolaou, Director of the Business Leaders Council, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
‘Potential for further trade’:
Ms Gkikiza kicked off the digital talk by introducing Ms Alexandropoulou and outlining the growth in export trade between Greece and Australia in recent years.
“Last year, the year 2020, they [exports] surpassed 200 million euros for the first time. In fact, Greek exports to Australia grew by almost 7 percent last year despite the pandemic and this year, in the first six months for which we have data, Greek exports to Australia increased by a further 7.9 percent compared to the same period last year,” the Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia said.
These statistics were later touched on by Ms Alexandropoulou who stressed that Enterprise Greece is working towards further digitalisation and the promotion of Greek products globally.
“At Enterprise Greece, we help our companies go global by tapping into the most promising markets and finding new business partners abroad,” Ms Alexandropoulou said.
Executive Director and Board Member of Enterprise Greece, Betty Alexandropoulou. Photo: Andriana Simos / The Greek Herald.
“We strongly believe that the potential for further trade development between our two countries [Greece and Australia] is much bigger… if we consider other strong export sectors for Greece, such as industrial, consumer, technology and services.
“In this capacity, I would like to invite you all, as fellow diaspora Greeks, to stand alongside with us on this mission [of global growth].”
Double Taxation Agreement between Greece and Australia:
The issue of a non-existent double tax agreement between Greece and Australia was also on the agenda, with Ms Alexandropoulou explaining that such an agreement would be ‘an important step’ for both countries.
“I would like to mention the recent request by the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria for a double taxation agreement between Australia and Greece,” Ms Alexandropoulou said.
“Such an agreement would be a positive step in increasing transactions of capital, goods, services and peoples moving between our two countries.
“Commercial and financial transactions in general between Greece and Australia will be facilitated with further stability and security. The possibility of such a double taxation agreement will contribute to the expansion of mutually beneficial synergies.”
Katia Gkikiza, the Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia.
Ms Gkikiza confirmed to The Greek Herald earlier this month that moves towards a double taxation agreement are being “coordinated” between Greece, the European Union and the Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs of Greece in Australia, and “there have been positive developments.”
Greece’s ‘brain drain’:
One of the final topics touched on by Ms Alexandropoulou was the issue of ‘brain drain’ in Greece, whereby many talented Greek people migrated during the economic crisis in search of better jobs and quality of life.
Ms Alexandropoulou said Enterprise Greece and the Greek Government are ‘trying to address’ brain drain in three ways: (1) by creating a robust environment in which somebody is comfortable to return to, (2) creating a good job environment, and (3) taxation adjustments.
“This is a long process. It’s not something that happens over one year, but it’s something that we see that there are Greeks returning,” Ms Alexandropoulou said.
“But we love having Greeks everywhere around the world as well. I think it’s one of the biggest communities that is basically widespread around the world and it’s one of the advantages when we’re talking about investments to some of the companies.”
Independent MP Sam Duluk is an unpleasant, insensitive, disrespectful and drunken pest who owes fellow politician, Connie Bonaros, an apology but is not guilty of assaulting her, a court has ruled.
According to The Advertiser, the Adelaide Magistrates Court today formally acquitted Mr Duluk of assaulting Ms Bonaros at a parliamentary Christmas party due to “irreconcilable incongruities” in evidence about the night.
Magistrate John Wells said Ms Bonaros was “unequivocally an honest witness” who neither exaggerated nor embellished her evidence, and praised her courage in coming forward about the events of the night.
However, he said he could not find Mr Duluk guilty beyond reasonable doubt because the account of a second witness – who he found as reliable and as honest as Ms Bonaros – significantly differed from hers.
Standing in the dock, Mr Duluk bowed his head as Mr Wells found him not guilty, The Advertiser reports.
“Your behaviour towards Ms Bonaros does not in law amount to a criminal offence but it was rude, unpleasant, insensitive and disrespectful – you owe her an apology,” he said.
One of Australia’s largest taxi companies, 13Cabs, is making waves by allowing its passengers to choose a fully vaccinated driver for their ride.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Chief Operating Officer of 13Cabs, Stuart Overell, said they were already fielding calls from passengers asking if drivers had been vaccinated so they decided to implement a new plan.
The company will now be collecting COVID-19 certificates for all their drivers, with bookings soon to be made available via the 13Cabs app which will only be serviced by vaccinated drivers.
13Cabs is allowing its passengers to choose a fully vaccinated driver for their ride.
Taxi driver, George Valiotis, is one of the thousands who has welcomed the decision, saying that as a frontline worker it was necessary to do this during “challenging times.”
“We look after our communities, which includes vulnerable passengers and essential workers,” Mr Valiotis told The Daily Telegraph.
“It’s also vital we look after ourselves, our passengers and our communities. We know being vaccinated supports our important work to continue safely.”
The government of Cyprus said on Monday it would revoke the passports from Turkish Cypriot officials in the breakaway state in the northern part of the island.
A number of Turkish Cypriot officials, including incumbent leader Ersin Tatar, are known to hold or held passports of the Republic of Cyprus, even though they administer the Turkish Cypriot state.
The east Mediterranean island was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after a brief Greek-inspired coup. North Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey, while the Republic of Cyprus, run by Greek Cypriots, is internationally recognised.
The present Cypriot administration, which made billions selling passports to thousands ranging from Russian oligarchs and a Malaysian fugitive to well-connected Cambodians, said the actions of the Turkish Cypriots undermined the integrity of Cyprus.
Reunification attempts have repeatedly failed, and relations are at a new low in a dispute over offshore energy reserves, a Turkish Cypriot demand that peace talks be placed on a new footing, and Turkish moves to open part of a fenced-in city abandoned by its residents in the 1974 war.
14 Αυγούστου 1974. Η Τουρκία εισβάλει για δεύτερη φορά στην Κύπρο. 47 χρόνια μετά, οι τουρκικές αξιώσεις δεν λαμβάνουν υπόψιν το Διεθνές Δίκαιο. Συνεχίζουμε τον αγώνα μέχρι την τελική δικαίωση. pic.twitter.com/vwbPd1iuzJ
Cyprus would revoke, fail to renew or refuse to issue passports to individuals who participated in the “pseudo state’s cabinet,” or were involved in attempts to reopen Varosha, government spokesman Marios Pelekanos said.
“With their acts and deeds they undermine the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus, in violation of the Constitution,” Pelekanos said.
Turkish Cypriot authorities in July announced a partial reopening of the beach suburb of Varosha for potential resettlement, but it brought a strong rebuke from Greek Cypriots who regard it as a land-grab.
The area has been a Turkish military zone with no settlement permitted for decades.
Local media have reported that Tatar, a strong proponent of Turkish Cypriot independence, obtained a Cypriot passport in 2000. Tatar is the son of a prominent technocrat who acted as an adviser in talks leading to the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960 after independence from Britain.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the Vice President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, met in Athens on Monday to discuss the need for the protection of the Greek and the European borders in light of the situation in Afghanistan.
“We are going through a period of significant challenges, especially on the immigration front, where I believe we are doing our duty, protecting the borders of Greece, which are also the borders of Europe, always with full respect for human rights,” he said.
Mitsotakis said that the EU should support the countries close to Afghanistan and ensure that there will not be additional migration flows to Europe.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the Vice President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
“I have spoken with President Erdogan and I believe we have a common interest in ensuring that migration flows are reduced as close as possible to Afghanistan,” he said.
For her part, Metsola said that “Europe will continue to stand by Greece’s side” and with the member states that are on the frontline of migration.
“Our priority should be the approval of the Immigration Pact as soon as possible,” Metsola said.
It’s been many months since the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines became available in Australia to protect its citizens against COVID-19. Whilst the Federal Government has been criticised for the rollout of these vaccines, there have been recent incremental changes which are enabling younger people to access the jabs as well.
In locked-down New South Wales, last week represented a significant step in that process, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian launching an “ambitious” plan to vaccinate more than 500,000 young people aged between 16 and 39 in the next three weeks.
Elsewhere, Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena also became a mass vaccination centre for one week from August 9 for Year 12 students living in southwest and western Sydney. The plan saw up to 24,000 students vaccinated with their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
The Greek Herald reached out to some of these students, as well as other Greek Australian youth who have already received their vaccinations, and asked them what their experience was like.
Connor Fourfouris, Year 12 student, Age: 18
Connor Fourfouris and School Principal at Tempe High School, Socrates Dassaklis.
When we speak to 18-year-old Connor Fourfouris, he is just returning home from Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
The School Captain from Tempe High School is leading by example after his Year 12 experience was impacted by the NSW lockdown.
“The whole last term we didn’t go back [to school] which does hurt a lot. This term was affected by a lack of face-to-face learning… and also just a lack of social connection with friends,” Connor tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
For Connor, the only answer was to get vaccinated and once his School Principal sent out information to all Year 12 students about Berejiklian’s vaccination drive at the Arena, he jumped at the chance to be the first in line.
“The process was really quick. You just went in, got your vaccine, waited for 15 minutes after and then they did some biohazard thing where they put a swab up your nose… but overall, it took half an hour,” he explains.
“I decided to get it then because during times of uncertainty, all medical advice is pointing to vaccines. So just get it. If everyone gets it as soon as possible, then things will start going back to normal.”
Stella Mullane, Cardiac Technologist, Age: 23
Stella Mullane.
Stella Mullane, who is Greek from her mother’s side, is currently working as a cardiac technologist at a public hospital in Sydney.
The 23-year-old tells The Greek Herald she was offered the Pfizer vaccine in March this year as a healthcare worker and decided to get vaccinated ‘to protect myself, my patients, and my family and friends from COVID-19.’
“This was a very exciting time for me, as like many other Australians I had been waiting for the vaccine since the beginning of the pandemic,” Stella says.
“I was relieved to receive the vaccine as I knew this meant I was less likely to contract or pass on the virus. This made me feel safer at work and at home, knowing I was doing all I could to protect those around me.”
Stella is now fully vaccinated with both doses of the Pfizer vaccine and says she experienced no serious side effects besides some ‘arm soreness’ and ‘mild fatigue and dizziness after the second dose.’
This positive experience means she’s one of the first people to stand up and encourage others who are vaccine hesitant to seek reliable medical advice and get vaccinated.
“Do your bit for your community – abide by current restrictions, get tested if you have symptoms or are a close or casual contact and go get vaccinated! Remember, your actions can make a huge difference,” she stresses.
Thomas Psaros, Year 12 student, Age: 17
Thomas Psaros.
Thomas Psaros is a Year 12 student from Kingsgrove High School and he tells The Greek Herald he was vaccinated with both doses of the Pfizer vaccine back in March because his dad is an essential worker.
“We were given a text by the NSW Government and they said for us to apply as soon as possible. As soon as we applied, maybe a week later, we were eligible to go,” Thomas explains.
“We went into Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and it was perfect. You went in, got the jab, everyone was treated well, there was no confrontation. It was very, very easy.”
Since then, Greater Sydney was put into a strict lockdown and Thomas’ final year of schooling drastically changed. He was left to deal with ‘constant changes’ and the social element of schooling was ‘taken away.’
This has made the 17-year-old even more vocal about the importance of getting vaccinated to protect everyone.
“If you’re going to go out and knowing the fact that you have a chance of hurting someone or maybe even putting them in danger, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for that,” Thomas says.
“Especially for your grandparents, for my yiayia and pappou, knowing they’re at a higher risk [of contracting COVID-19], I wouldn’t want to be responsible for hurting anyone’s grandparents or hurting mine.”
Theodore Kouventaris, Medical Student, Age: 23
Theodore Kouventaris.
As a medical student on hospital placements, Theodore Kouventaris received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine in March/April this year at the Westmead Vaccination Hub.
He tells The Greek Herald the decision to get vaccinated was ‘very easy’ for him after he did his research, and the vaccination process was ‘very quick.’
“I had registered beforehand [to the hub], so when I arrived all they had to do was confirm my details. The vaccination workers were reassuring, experienced and professional,” Theodore says.
“After the vaccine, I was monitored for 15 minutes for any allergic reactions. Both times I had very mild symptoms from the vaccine, some tiredness and soreness that night which were resolved by the next day.”
Now, Theodore is helping spread the positive message about getting vaccination to other youth who might be hesitant.
“These vaccines have been tested and they do work. They reduce symptoms, severe illness, ICU admissions and deaths from COVID-19, and they make it less likely to pass the disease on to others,” he stresses.
“I could not bear the thought of my loved ones ending up intubated in the ICU due to COVID-19, when we have free access to safe and effective vaccines in Australia.”
Those Sydneysiders who fit the criteria for an urgent appointment can book in at one of several priority locations via the NSW Government website.
Mateja Sardelis, along with five other girls in a band known as G-Nat!on, made history on The Voice Australia on Sunday night as the biggest group to ever audition for the competition.
They definitely didn’t disappoint.
Sardelis, 16, Isla Ward, 17, Taylah Silvestri, 18, Emma Caporaso, 18, Alessia Musolino, 17 and Rylee Vormelker, 17, had the audience on their feet after their showstopping rendition of ‘Teeth’ by Aussie boyband, 5 Seconds of Summer.
Their audition saw them turn the chairs of all four judges – Guy Sebastian, Rita Ora, Jessica Mauboy and Keith Urban.
The judges fought fiercely to coach the band, with Mauboy exclaiming “wow” repeatedly and Rita even getting up on stage before saying she wanted to become their seventh member.
“I’m going straight for the kill,” Rita said. “Your vocals are incredible and you all sound great together.”
G-Nat!on’s Taylah Silvestri, Isla Ward, Mateja Sardelis, Alessia Musolino, Emma Caporaso and Rylee Vormelker who will be performing on The Voice this year. Picture: Dean Martin.
“I promise you I will take you all the way.”
The pitch saw G-Nat!on ultimately choose Rita as their coach. The superstar singer exclaimed in excitement.
G-Nat!on was formed after the six met at Adelaide’s Australian College of the Performing Arts, and their soaring harmonies and sharp dance moves garnered them a fan-following with gigs at Carols by Candlelight and Adelaide’s iconic Christmas pageant.
They girls hope The Voice would mean they can share their inspiring message, and original music, to a broader audience.
Cultural Infusion CEO and Founder, Peter Mousaferiadis, was today awarded the Silver Medal at The Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards, sponsored by The Religious Freedom & Business Foundation in cooperation with the United Nations Global Compact’s Business for Peace initiative.
Peter was awarded alongside business leaders from around the world, including Intel CEOs, Pat Gelsinger and Sandra Rivera, and Tyson Foods Chairman, John Tyson. Recognised for their efforts to bridge cultural and religious divides, ten business men and women from UK, US, Iraq, Israel, India, Australia, and Japan were honoured.
The Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards recognise individuals for their contributions to peaceful and inclusive societies. Peter was awarded the silver medal for his work as a pioneer in using cultural and artistic expression as a means of promoting social cohesion and interfaith understanding.
Peter strongly believes in the importance of embracing religious freedom.
“This Global Business and Interfaith Peace Silver Award recognises what every single one of us can do to bridge the divide and recognise the importance and benefits of faith and religious freedom (including those with no religion) can have on business, the economy and flow on benefits to the community,” he explains.
Peter Mousaferiadis wins silver at Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards.
“By embracing religious diversity it not only strengthens our communities but also promotes tolerance, respect, understanding, equity and equality and ultimately builds cultural and religious harmony.
“Our transformational analytics tool Diversity Atlas is now being used by organisations across the globe to make their settings more equitable, inclusive and representative through a data driven approach.”
Cultural Infusion’s Diversity Atlas platform is a world-first data analytics tool able to provide comprehensive insights into the extent and type of cultural and demographic dimensions of diversity. The survey platform is now being used by think tanks and a range of multinationals to map their global workforce.
Diversity Atlas allows teams and organisations to measure and understand the differences and connections between diverse groups thereby acting as a catalyst for better performance and equity. It features more than 8500 religions and branches, 8000 cultures and more than 8000 speech communities and languages.
The child of Greek migrants growing up in Melbourne’s Western suburbs in the 1960s and 1970s, Peter, born Panagiotis Mousaferiadis, was shaped by the multicultural landscape of the area and time. Before becoming a conductor, he was deeply influenced by and interested in studying religion.
In 2002, he founded the internationally recognised organisation Cultural Infusion, which builds global harmony through intercultural action within education, ICT and the arts.
In 2009, he directed and produced the Parliament of the World’s Religions and today is still a Global Trustee of the United Religions Initiative.
The winner of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Intercultural Innovation Award, Peter also produced the winning slogan “Diversified We Grow” for the UN’s “Do One Thing for Diversity” campaign. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and was admitted to the Asia Peace Innovators Forum.
In 2017, Peter was issued with the Peace Ambassador Award from the Center of Peace Studies in Sri Lanka.
Held in tandem with the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, The Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards were held in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Seoul in 2018 in collaboration with the UN Global Compact, and Tokyo in 2021. The 2021 jury comprises high-level experts, including from the European Union; the NGO religious freedom community; and the business and peace community.
Nominees must have launched or spearheaded policies, programmes or initiatives that contributed to increasing interfaith understanding and peace in the workplace, marketplace and/or local communities.
Recognising business leadership in advancing interfaith understanding is at the core of the awards. Current or past CEOs, who have demonstrated leadership in championing interfaith understanding and peace are eligible.
The Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards are presented biennially by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, a US-based nonprofit. The foundation helps educate the global business community about how religious freedom is good for business and how they can promote respect for freedom of religion or belief.
