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Australian Hellenic Medical Charity raise over $30,000 to support Aglaia Kyriakou Children’s Hospital

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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Australian Hellenic Medical Charity raise over $30,000 to support Aglaia Kyriakou Children’s Hospital

The generosity of the South Australian community is once again on display after more than $30,000 was raised to support the purchase of medical equipment for the Aglaia Kyriakou Childrens Hospital as part of the Australian Hellenic Medical Charity Inc (AHMCI) Gala Night. 

The event, held on Friday September 10, at the Adelaide Pavilion began with the necessary introductions from journalist Matthew Pantelis who served as the MC for the evening and was attended by 190 guests and dignitaries including South Australia’s Chief Justice and Patron of AHMCI Chris Kourakis, Commissioner for Mental Health John Mannion and Priest of the Community and Parish of St. George Thebarton, Fr. Diogenis Patsouris.

Photo (R): AHMCI President, Kostas Barkoukis with MC Matthew Pantelis

“I am surprised that Kosta and the Committee are continuing with the same enthusiasm they started some years ago,” the organisation’s Patron Chris Kourakis said in his speech.

“Our work is very important…one day our children, grandchildren and their children will talk about the time when a few Greeks of the diaspora took on this task to keep the Greek spirit in Adelaide alive.”

Since its beginnings in 2017, the charity has contributed more than $400,000 in support of hospitals across Greece with constrained budgets and in need of assistance.

“We would like to thank the people of SA for supporting this wonderful charity. It was a difficult event given the circumstances;” AHMCI President, Kostas Barkoukis, said.

“The foundation is honoured that we will be purchasing an endoscopy unit from local Australian suppliers, providing growth for the healthcare sector in SA and sending the medical products to the Aglaia Kyriakou Children’s hospital that relies on donations.”

“Thank you to our major sponsors and the board members. More specifically, to Vice President Connie Zisos for her crucial business strategies, Prof Andrea Evdokiou and Dr Andrew Zisos for their medical advice. To Tim Stivahtaris for offering his medical product knowledge and logistics, patron Chris Kourakis and Lukasz for their legal expertise and Despina Pastrikos who is our Treasurer and Financial Controller.”

The Panagiotis and Aglaia Kyriakou Children’s Hospital is the second biggest paediatric hospital in Greece and along with the Athens Paediatric Hospital ‘Agia Sofia’ it covers the needs of the paediatric population of the whole country.

*The AHMCI board consists of the following members: Hon. Christo Kourakis (Patron), Kosta Barkoukis (President), Connie Loutas Zisos (Vice President), Lukasz Wyszynski (Secretary), Despina Pastrikos (Treasurer and Financial Controller), Prof. Andreas Evdokiou (Senior Medical Advisor), Sotos Philis (Senior Board Member), George Apostolou, Dr. Andrew Zisos, Tim Stivahtaris, Phillip Limberis.

St John’s College students to launch song focused on mental health for World Children’s Day

The Greek Herald
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St John’s College students to launch song focused on mental health for World Children’s Day

St John’s College students in Prep to Year 12 are banding together to write an original song in support of Kids Helpline and World Children’s Day being celebrated on October 27.

The project aims to bring awareness to mental health issues amongst students across Australia during the current pandemic. The project will also highlight the Kids Helpline service.

Within Victoria and across Australia, student mental health and wellbeing is being severely negatively impacted by the pandemic lockdown. 

  • St John’s College students participating in RUOK? Day activities.

The St John’s College students will be launching an original song with encouraging, supportive and caring words for students all over Australia who may not be feeling ok.

Students wrote the song in recognition of RUOK? Day on September 9. The school’s Performing Arts Coordinator, Ms Shanti Pradhan, and our piano teacher, Mr Huw Gregory, provided the original music.

The song will be performed by students, teachers, family members and even pets. It will be recorded remotely and then launched on World Children’s Day Australia on October 27, 2021.

With increased levels of student stress, anxiety and depression, this song allows St John’s College students to give a message of love and support to other young Australians.

According to the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Services, “music therapy can be effective in meeting the diverse psycho-social needs of children through song writing and improvisation.”

“[Music therapy] can offer opportunities for self-expression and communication. It can also help children identify their strengths, enabling them to maintain a sense of self-esteem and dignity.”

St John’s College is a Prep to Year 12 Independent, Co-educational, Christian Orthodox School in the Northern Suburbs (Preston) of Melbourne.

‘No concession at all’: Cumberland Mayor, Steve Christou, slams lockdown rules

Andriana Simos
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‘No concession at all’: Cumberland Mayor, Steve Christou, slams lockdown rules

Fully vaccinated adults in non-local government areas of concern were allowed to undertake outdoor recreation in groups of five within their LGA or a five-kilometre radius on Monday after a slight easing of restrictions.

This easing, which came after the state hit 70 percent first dose coverage, was taken advantage of across these LGA’s despite the bad weather.

But in places such as Cumberland Council and Canterbury-Bankstown Council, the same gatherings are still forbidden.

People enjoyed picnics yesterday. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer.

Fully vaccinated adults in the LGAs of concern also received minor concessions for outdoor recreation, but with far less flexibility than the rest of Sydney. They can only do two hours a day and can’t include people from other households.

In response, Cumberland Council Mayor, Steve Christou, said the minor change to allow two-hour family picnics in his community is “no concession at all” and the inequity in the rules across Sydney is unfair.

“We’re having a hard time as a constituency trying to figure out why. Why are we under such harsh measures when another part of Sydney is not?” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Mayor Steve Christou has slammed the inconsistent lockdown rules.

Cr Christou compared the thousands of people sunbaking at eastern suburbs beaches over the weekend with the heavy police presence in his community where PolAir helicopters constantly buzz overhead.

“Everyone I know who’s pro-lockdown are the ones who haven’t suffered real hardship. They’re still receiving income. Unless you really go without, you don’t know what it means to go through lockdown,” he concluded.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald.

NSW Financial Crimes Squad opens investigation into Bill Papas and Forum Finance

The Greek Herald
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NSW Financial Crimes Squad opens investigation into Bill Papas and Forum Finance

NSW’s Financial Crimes Squad has started a formal investigation into Forum Finance and its founder Bill Papas, amid serious allegations of a $400 million fraud made by Westpac and two other banks, The Australian reports.

NSW Police referred the inquiries to the Financial Crimes Squad in late July after authorities were earlier alerted to allegations of fraudulent activity linked to equipment leases.

READ MORE: NSW Police push ahead with probe into Bill Papas and Forum Group.

The Financial Crimes Squad has now decided to initiate and pursue an investigation which, depending on material and evidence provided, may lead to charges being laid.

“Detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad are investigating,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said on Monday. “No further information is available.”

Westpac, French bank Societe Generale and Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation have separately lodged Federal Court cases against Forum entities, Mr Papas and his fellow Forum director Vincenzo Tesoriero. 

READ MORE: Westpac slams Bill Papas evidence, Sydney tycoon pleads for cash to fly to Australia.

Papas in Thessaloniki, Greece. Photo: Australian Financial Review Weekend.

Mr Papas has been in Greece since June 21, after failing to show up for a Perth meeting on June 15 with management of WesTrac to explain alleged irregularities in accounts.

While flagging he wanted to return to Australia, Mr Papas then cited a positive COVID-19 test and lack of funds to purchase a return plane ticket as reasons he couldn’t get back.

READ MORE: ‘Extreme anxiety and panic attacks’: Bill Papas breaks silence on Westpac fraud allegations.

Source: The Australian.

Alex Hawke MP announces increased flexibility for citizenship applicants

The Greek Herald
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Alex Hawke MP announces increased flexibility for citizenship applicants

The Federal Government has today announced changes that will streamline the pathway to citizenship for some of the most talented prospective Australians.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke MP, has introduced additional flexibility to recognise the unique difficulties faced by some of our most distinguished applicants for citizenship.

“Australian citizenship is a rare privilege and it should not come easy. Those who apply must meet a range of character, values and language requirements. They must also have lived in Australia for a minimum period to be eligible,” Minister Hawke said.

“However, the unique work and travel demands on some of our most highly distinguished prospective Australians should not preclude them from making the cut. That’s why I have directed the Department of Home Affairs to apply greater flexibility in applying the residence requirement for eligible people.

Alex Hawke MP has announced increased flexibility for citizenship applicants.

“Exceptional people must not be prevented from becoming Australians because of the unique demands of the very work they do that makes them exceptional.”

The Minister will extend the special residence concession to all distinguished talent visa holders and to athletes in the Australian Commonwealth Games team.

Under current arrangements applicants for citizenship must meet the general residence requirement which provides that they have lived in Australia on a valid visa for the past 4 years, and were absent for no more than 12 months in that time.

They must also have been a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and absent from Australia for no more than 90 days during the 12 months before applying.

Currently, the special residence requirement may apply for a range of applicants who due to their work undertake significant international travel and where it is in the Australian national interest including Australian representative sportspeople, ships’ crew, senior businesspeople, research scientists, and distinguished artists.

The special residence requirement provides that an applicant has held a valid visa for the last four years, living in Australia for at least 480 days during that time, and must have been a permanent resident and in Australia for 120 days in the year immediately before applying.

The special residence requirement will now also apply to past, present and future distinguished talent stream visa holders.

For more information visit: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen.

Greece extends pandemic support as economy seen rebounding this year

The Greek Herald
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Greece extends pandemic support as economy seen rebounding this year

Greece said on Monday it will pump more money into its economy to prop up businesses and households battered by the pandemic, as a stronger-than-expected growth forecast for the year gave it the fiscal leeway for a raft of relief measures.

The country emerged from a decade-long financial crisis in 2018 but saw its economy slump again by 8.2% last year amid restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, which also hurt its vital tourism industry.

This year, the economy is set to rebound by 5.9%, higher than the 3.6% previously forecast, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday, as he outlined a series of tax relief measures.

READ MORE: ‘Greece is changing’: PM vows crackdown on migrant traffickers, rules out snap elections.

Greek Finance Minister, Christos Skaikouras, on Monday said that projection was “absolutely realistic. It may even prove to be conservative.”

The government would spend 4.4 billion euros in the second half of the year, bringing the total amount of pandemic support for 2020-2022 to 42.7 billion euros, Staikouras said.

Finance Minister, Christos Skaikouras.

Economic measures include: the abolition of tax on parental gifts of property, cash and shares of up to 800,000 euros; 30 pct of electronic spending for 18 categories of services will be subtracted from taxable income, up to the sum of 5,000 euros; a complete overhaul of the “tax lottery” where 1,000 tax payers can win up to 1,000 euros each with every lottery draw; and a discount for green and digital investments and incentives.

Greece is also mulling its first issue of a green bond, Staikouras said, joining a number of European countries that have issued green debt to finance projects with environmental benefits.

Source: Reuters.

Greece: Mandatory tests for the unvaccinated, COVID-19 booster shots for over 60s

The Greek Herald
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Greece: Mandatory tests for the unvaccinated, COVID-19 booster shots for over 60s

Greece will make a COVID-19 booster vaccine available to vulnerable groups from Tuesday, Health Ministry experts said, hoping to curb a rise in Delta variant infections.

Authorities would start making booster jab appointments available from Tuesday to persons with compromised immune systems and individuals over the age of 60.

“It can be administered 6-8 months after the second dose,” said Maria Theodoridou, chair of the Greek National Vaccination Committee.

“For the immuno-compromised it can be given even 4 weeks after the second dose.”

This booster shot comes as Greece on Monday introduced mandatory weekly testing for all unvaccinated workers.

READ MORE: No vaccines, no dinner: Greek restaurants accepting only vaccinated customers.

Α student checks her temperature as she arrives at a junior high school in Athens on Monday. Photo: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris.

Public and private sector employees will have to pay for weekly tests or carry a vaccination certificate to gain access to their place of work, while unvaccinated children at high schools, which reopened on Monday, are being given test kits distributed at government expense.

READ MORE: Greek health care workers strike against mandatory COVID-19 vaccines.

Similar restrictions will also apply at sports stadiums, museums and archaeological sites, as well as indoor leisure areas like cinemas and restaurants.

The country reported 1,608 new COVID-19 infections and 51 related deaths on Monday, bringing the total number of infections since the pandemic began to 616,765 and the death toll to 14,223.

Greece, with a population of 11 million people, has so far administered more than 11.8 million first shots. About 56% of the population is fully vaccinated. It hopes to increase that figure to up to 70 percent in an attempt to build wide immunity against the virus.

READ MORE: Greek and Australian Prime Ministers hold call to discuss COVID-19, vaccines and trade.

Source: Reuters.

Greek youth get creative and bake baklava rolls during Sydney’s lockdown

Andriana Simos
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Greek youth get creative and bake baklava rolls during Sydney’s lockdown

Greek youth came together via Zoom on Saturday for an online cooking session where they learnt how to bake moorish baklava rolls.

The online lesson was organised by Youth In Action, which runs under St Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Burwood, and was hosted by mum-of-two, Stella Skembes. The lesson began with a prayer from Parish priest, Father George Liangas.

“When I was asked to present a live lockdown cooking session for the youth, I was really excited to help,” Stella tells The Greek Herald.

The zoom class. Photo: Facebook.

“I absolutely love baking for my family and friends, so this was a great opportunity for me to share what I love doing in a whole new way!”

With the help of her daughter, Dimi Skembes, Stella was able to give cooking instructions from two different camera angles to everyone on the Zoom, including families from other Greek Orthodox parishes as well.

“All participants, ranging from primary school students to those in their 20s, had fabulous results. Looked beautiful, tasted divine!” the parish board wrote on a Facebook post.

Stella adds she was “so happy” to see people’s baklava creations and believes everyone had great results.

“Youth In Action really is full of great ideas and I was proud to help bring one of these ideas to life!” Stella says.

“You could really tell those who participated had a great time and this made me very very happy. It was a wonderful way to spend a lockdown afternoon.”

Pan Macedonian Federation of SA Greek Women’s Association celebrates 30th anniversary

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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Pan Macedonian Federation of SA Greek Women’s Association celebrates 30th anniversary

One of South Australia’s Pan Macedonian Federation six societies, the Greek Women’s Cultural Association, Vergina, celebrated on Sunday September 12, their 30th anniversary with a special concert afternoon held at the Hellenic Macedonian Cultural Centre in Mile End, Adelaide.

“From the early 1950s to 1972 it is considered the twenty year period of mass or chain migration during which the greatest number of Greek immigrants arrived in Australia. Just half of these immigrants were women who arrived mainly as dependent siblings, wives or brides. Greek women endured many challenges due to their gender and ethnic background,” President of the Vergina Greek Women’s Cultural Association, Maria Genimahaliotis said in her opening speech.

“It was during a cocktail reception which celebrated the fifth conference of the Macedonian Associations in Adelaide in 1991 that a decision to form the ‘Vergina’ Commitee was first discussed. The ladies at the conference unanimously made this historical decision to form an auxiliary women’s committee to socialize and promote the Macedonian culture.”

The Commitee was formed in July 1991 and during its existence has contributed to numerous multicultural events held in the state.

“It is important for the next generation to understand what their mothers and grandmothers had to endure in order to maintain and promote their culture. We need to celebrate and look forward in maintaining this link to Macedonia,” Ms Genimahaliotis told The Greek Herald.

President of the Vergina Greek Women’s Cultural Association, Maria Genimahaliotis

The nearly 80 attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a tribute to Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis from local musicians Chris Panteli (Bouzouki), Mihalis Gribilos (Keyboard), John Sioutis (Drums), Steve Papadopoulos (Guitar) and Stamatis Dimitrakopoulos (Vocals) led by Tsambika De George and indulged in traditional pies prepared by the Association’s members.

Photos by: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa

Dr Chris Profyris among 30 leading neurosurgeons defending Dr Charlie Teo

The Greek Herald
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Dr Chris Profyris among 30 leading neurosurgeons defending Dr Charlie Teo

Dr Chris Profyris is among 30 leading neurosurgeons who have leapt to their colleague Charlie Teo’s defence after he was accused of operating on the wrong side of two ­patients’ brains.

Also on the list supporting Dr Teo are Dr Andre Grotenhuis, Dr Ales Aliashkevich and Dr Giovanni Broggi among many others.

In a statement seen by The Daily Telegraph, the doctors from Australia and abroad say they are “saddened” to read stories that “only serve to diminish the outstanding work Charlie has contributed to the neurological profession over many years.”

“As neurosurgical colleagues of Dr Charlie Teo, we have worked with, been taught by and consulted with him on many complex cases over the last 20 years,” the statement said.

“We believe Charlie’s commitment to teaching, research, and patient care over this period has been of the highest quality.

Dr Chris Profyris among 30 leading neurosurgeons defending Dr Charlie Teo against allegations.

“His commitment to brain tumour awareness via his charitable work has translated into much needed funds for research, world-class publications, advancement of knowledge and heightened public consciousness about this devastating condition.”

A Sydney Morning Herald story in August referred to the case of Bradbury woman ­Michelle Smith, who underwent a craniotomy in 2003 to remove a tumour after suffering debilitating seizures.

According to that story, specialists who ­reviewed MRI scans from Ms Smith’s brain surgery more than 10 years later were “horrified” when they “suspected” Dr Teo “had not only failed to ­remove her tumour, he had operated on the wrong side of her brain.”

Dr Teo, who is in Germany as part of an overseas sabbatical where he is discussing neuroscience with leading surgeons in Europe and the US, strongly denied the claims.

“For the record, I have never, ever operated on the wrong side of the brain in my entire career,” he told The Sunday Telegraph in August.

Dr Charlie Teo.

The statement in support of Dr Teo has also been signed by:

Dr Ales Aliashkevich

Dr Giovanni Broggi

Dr Marc Coughlan

Dr Robert Dodd

Dr Brian Dlouhy

Dr Michael Donnellan

Dr Peter Gardner

Dr Amit Goyal

Dr Andre Grotenhuis

Dr Nikolai Hopf

Dr Ralph Mobbs

Dr Chris Profyris

Dr Warwick Stening

Dr Michael Sughrue

Dr Tim Sui

Dr Asheesh Tandon

Dr Tseng Tsai

Dr Harish Babu

Dr Tyler Atkins

Dr Dr Jacky Yeung

Dr Scott Wait

Dr Yashar Kalani

Dr Daniel Guillaume

Dr Peter Nakaji

Dr Pankaj Gore

Dr Gert Tollesson

Dr Omar Arnaout

Dr Mohammed Elhammady

Dr Mike DeCuypere

Dr Caroline Hayhurst

Source: The Daily Telegraph.

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