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Greek Australian women raise over $37,000 for children with cancer

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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Greek Australian women raise over $37,000 for children with cancer

The Organisation of Hellene and Hellene Cypriots of Australia (OEEGA NSW) and the wider Greek Australian community showed their support for children with cancer and their families with a radio marathon held on Wednesday, November 10th.

Broadcast by the 2MM radio station, the radiothon was a success with over $37,000 raised for the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI).

“Our president, Irene Anestis, worked tirelessly for two months leading to the event and although she could not go and meet people due to the restrictions, she managed to collect $23,000 from pledges given via the phone,” the organisation’s Secretary, Sylvia Tserdanis, told The Greek Herald.

The women’s organisation has been supporting the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) for the last 14 years and have so far donated over $414,000 which has helped to purchase essential equipment for specialised scientific research.

This year’s radio marathon, was supported by prominent political and religious personalities. 

This included: the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, the High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Martha Mavrommatis, Greek Australian Labor politicians, Sophie Cotsis and Steve Kamper, Australian Ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos and Archbishop Makarios.

During the fundraiser, messages were heard from scientists of the Institutes as well as a special interview with Greek Australian Professor Maria Kavallaris.

“We deeply appreciate everyone’s support especially during a year like no other,” Ms Tserdanis said and together with President, Ms Irene Anestis thanked for their efforts all OEEGA NSW members, The Athenian Association of NSW President Cathy Vallis as well as the radio presenters – among them our own George Tserdanis- for hosting the radio marathon. 

“We want all children who suffer from cancer, regardless of background, to have a chance in life,” Ms Tserdanis said.

Asked about the organisation’s future plans to support the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI), OEEGA NSW President says that ‘we will continue’.

“I will be fighting for this purpose until I can no more,” Mrs Anestis said. 

Those interested in donating, can still do so until the end of November by depositing their donations at Delphi Bank branches with the following information: OEEGA NSW (CCI), BSB: 941202, Account No: 203990010.

For donations or more information call: 0422 596 980, (02) 8509 5274 or 0419 257 099.

Winners announced for the 2021 HACCI Excellence Awards

The Greek Herald
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Winners announced for the 2021 HACCI Excellence Awards

The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Vic) has recognised the best and brightest of the Hellenic Australian community, with the 2021 HACCI Excellence Awards.

Recognised as the premier business and community awards for the Hellenic Australian community, the HACCI Excellence Awards recognise organisations and individuals that have achieved excellence in their fields.

This year’s recipients are:

• Spiro Stamoulis Lifetime Achievement Award – Niki Savva, Journalist and Author
• Bank of Sydney Business Excellence Award – Fotios Tsiouklas, Entrepreneur
• Innovation Award presented by Directed – Mathew Staios, Clinical Neuropsychologist
• Professional Services Award – Con Giannellis, Intensivist and Physician
• Community Service Award presented by PRONIA – Gina Poulos, Philanthropist
• Woman of Influence Award presented by SalaryMasters – Nola Karapanagiotidis, County
Court Judge
• Sport Award presented by Heidelberg United FC – The Double Eagle Golf Club
• Chris Saristavros Young Achiever Award – Zoe Alexiades, Youth Advocate

HACCI Chair, Fotini Kypraios.

“We are extremely proud and humbled by the calibre of this year’s winners,” HACCI Chair, Fotini Kypraios, said.

“Through their endeavour and tenacity, they represent the best and brightest of our community. Across a multitude of fields and countless years of hard work and commitment, they epitomise the excellence HACCI seeks to recognise through these awards.”

Unfortunately, for the second year running HACCI was unable to hold its annual gala ball due to
COVID restrictions, but instead unveiled its winners online via HACCI’s Facebook, Instagram,
YouTube and LinkedIn channels.

Adelaide restaurateur, Stratos Pouras, closes Cork & Cleaver after 43 years

The Greek Herald
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Adelaide restaurateur, Stratos Pouras, closes Cork & Cleaver after 43 years

Adelaide restaurateur, Stratos Pouras, will close the doors of his iconic steak and seafood restaurant, Cork & Cleaver, for the final time next month after 43 years.

This news comes as the 84-year-old has decided to retire after more than 50 years in the hospitality industry, The Advertiser reports.

READ MORE: Adelaide restaurateur Stratos Pouras celebrates 43 years of family business success

For the last 43 years, Stratos Pouras has been putting in twelve hour days. Photo taken in 1994. Courtesy of Dennis Rogers.

Mr Pouras recently received an offer to buy the building and following discussions with his family, decided it was time for a well-earned rest.

“It’s been a fantastic experience, a fantastic life for myself and for all my loyal staff. We are leaving on a high… very high,” Mr Pouras told the newspaper.

“But it’s time to retire. Nothing is forever.”

Cork & Cleaver. Photo: The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.

Speaking with The Greek Herald back in early September, Mr Pouras said the restaurant was embedded in memories of generations of South Australians and became the first job place for many of the state’s well-known personalities. 

“In the early 80s a very polite blonde girl came in to ask for a job. She was holding a folder with her academic records and birth certificate. She told me her names was Frances Adamson. Her mother, Jennifer Adamson, was the then Minister for Health and tourism in the Tonkin Government and a customer of ours,” he said.

Stratos Pouras was the first boss of South Australia’s next Governor. Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa.

“I hired her and she started waitressing. She was very clever. After 2-3 years she told me that she would go to Canberra to study political science. She left but her mother kept coming and through her I was learning about Frances.”

Frances Adamson is now South Australia’s new Governor and is considered one of Australia’s most accomplished and respected public servants and diplomats.

The moment remains Mr Pouras’ “crowning glory” as he closes the doors on Cork & Cleaver for the last time.

Source: The Advertiser.

Bill Papas’ cousin, Eric Constantinidis, added to Westpac’s legal case

The Greek Herald
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Bill Papas’ cousin, Eric Constantinidis, added to Westpac’s legal case

Bill Papas’ cousin, Eric Constantinidis, has been added as a respondent to Westpac’s legal action against the Forum Group founder, The Australian Financial Review (AFR) reports.

This comes as the bank seeks to recover $720,000 transferred via a share trading account that allegedly breached freezing orders.

Mr Papas’ assets were put under a freezing order by the court on June 28, which was extended on July 2, 9 and 16. 

READ MORE: Bill Papas’ cousins Eric and Bill Constantinidis caught up in Forum Finance investigation.

Papas attended a Xanthi FC game in September.

According to the AFR, documents showed that two payments of $150,000 and $570,000 were made into a National Australia Bank account in the name E. Constantinidis on July 4 and July 7.

In September, MinterEllison, on behalf of Westpac, sent a letter to Mr Constantinidis ordering him to pay back the $720,000.

But correspondence with Mr Constantinidis’ lawyer, Bill Parsons of WH Parsons & Associates, said the money was not Westpac’s and was repayment of legal fees paid on Mr Papas’ behalf, as well as money owed to Mr Constantinidis and his companies.

Bill Papas spotted in Greece.

READ MORE: Bill Papas appears at Xanthi FC game in Greece despite arrest warrant.

“Our client was not aware of a freezing order when he received and made the payments referred to above, nor was he aware of the allegations of a trust for the benefit of Westpac Banking Corporation that you allege,” Mr Parsons wrote in a letter, which was submitted to the Federal Court.

Mr Constantinitis has not been accused of being involved in any fraudulent activities, the AFR reports.

Source: The Australian Financial Review.

SA’s Deputy Premier, Vickie Chapman, launches legal action against Tom Koutsantonis MP

The Greek Herald
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SA’s Deputy Premier, Vickie Chapman, launches legal action against Tom Koutsantonis MP

South Australia’s Deputy Premier, Vickie Chapman, is taking legal action against Labor frontbencher, Tom Koutsantonis, in a bid to halt a parliamentary investigation into whether she has a conflict of interest, The Advertiser reports.

The manoeuvre is Ms Chapman’s latest bid to scuttle a select committee into her scrapping of plans to build a deepwater port on Kangaroo Island.

Ms Chapman claims Mr Koutsantonis repeatedly accused her on Twitter of lying to parliament in what she has labelled as ‘disgraceful behaviour.’

Tom Koutsantonis MP.

Ms Chapman issued a lawyer’s letter to Mr Koutsantonis on Friday, demanding a public apology and retraction of any suggestion that she lied to parliament, along with the $100,000 payment within 14 days – or she will commence defamation action.

In a defiant statement to The Advertiser, Ms Chapman declared: “Bring it on. It is well past time for the matter to be removed from this kangaroo court to a competent court.”

Mr Koutsantonis indicated he would seek to defend his statements.

“This appears to be a last-ditch, desperate attempt by Vickie Chapman to distract from the inquiry and save what’s left of her political career,” an Opposition spokesman said.

Mr Koutsantonis added: “I’m happy to defend myself and I look forward to the outcome of the select committee’s final report.”

Source: The Advertiser.

Deputy Opposition Leader and VIC Health Minister attend South Melbourne FC match

The Greek Herald
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Deputy Opposition Leader and VIC Health Minister attend South Melbourne FC match

Deputy Opposition Leader, Richard Marles, was present at Lakeside Stadium on Friday where South Melbourne FC frustrated Melbourne City’s attack for most of the first 60 minutes of their FFA Cup match.

South Melbourne came close to equalising the match in the second half with a stunning free kick by Schroen that was saved by the fingertips of the Melbourne City goalkeeper.

Before a strong home crowd that brought back the memories of the National Soccer League days, South Melbourne was gallant in its defeat, ultimately losing 3 nil.

In the pre-match event, Mr Marles spoke about the importance of clubs like South Melbourne FC to the cultural and sporting fabric of Australia. He said that these clubs played a vital role in shaping our country and that South Melbourne stands as one of the iconic football clubs in Australia. He also said that its successful history speaks for itself and he welcomed its return to top flight football in the near future.

The club’s no.1 ticketholder, Victorian Health Minister, Martin Foley, was also in attendance. Minister Foley highlighted the need for South Melbourne to be included into its rightful place in the football community in Australia and pressed for the urgent implementation of a Second Division. 

Minister Foley said that South Melbourne deserved to be playing football in a national competition as quickly as possible and implored the FFA to quickly implement the Second Division. Mr Foley emphasised how Lakeside Stadium was an integral part of South Melbourne FC.

Although South did not win the match, Club President, Nick Maikousis, was satisfied that South relived its glory days with the presence of a capacity COVID crowd and a spirited performance by the team which had limited time for its preparation. 

This support of the team’s performance was also given by Andrew Mesorouni (Football Director) who praised the efforts of the team and its coach Esteban Quintas. 

Mr Mesorouni said: “the team’s pregame tactics to deny Melbourne City FC scoring opportunities worked for well for over an hour. Although our opponent was a stronger team, our game tactics was to be defensive with counter attacking football. We are proud of our players and the result was respectable given we had not played competitive football for 3 months.”

South’s Chairman, Bill Papastergiadis, thanked Mr Marles and Mr Foley for making themselves available for the match and for showing their strong support for the Club. 

Mr Papastergiadis said: “Martin Foley has demonstrated over a long period of time through his actions that he is worthy number 1 ticketholder. He has intervened successfully in all of the major hurdles the club has faced. His work in maintaining the integrity of Lakeside for South is immeasurable.”

“Martin has been a strong advocate for the Club’s re entry to top tier football and he has been at the forefront of our discussions with the FA on such matters. We cannot thank him enough.”

Mr Papastergiadis was equally impressed with Richard Marles’ understanding of South’s history in the pre-game speech Marles made. 

Mr Papastergiadis said: “Richard Marles not only had an impressive understanding of South’s tremendous achievements, but equally he spoke with clarity and passion about the relevance of the Hellenic history of the club with its success.”

“Richard understood and appreciated the importance of migration and multiculturalism in the development of football in Australia. He is a strong advocate on these issues,” Mr Papastergiadis concluded.

The Zavros family are stranded in SA’s Simpson Desert due to heavy rain

The Greek Herald
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The Zavros family are stranded in SA’s Simpson Desert due to heavy rain

Orios Zavros, his wife and two children were travelling across Australia on the trip of a lifetime when they found themselves stranded in South Australia’s Simpson Desert a few days ago.

Their campervan became bogged due to heavy rain.

According to news.com.au, the shocking turn of events came just days after the family shared a post to their Instagram account declaring they had made it to Birdsville in Queensland.

“Bring on the Simpson Desert,” they wrote, alongside a picture of their van.

News reports say the travellers set off their emergency beacon about 10am on Friday after becoming stuck in their modified Mitsubishi Canter about 150 kilometres northwest of Oodnadatta in South Australia’s Simpson Desert.

The beacon led to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) sending a plane from Melbourne’s Essendon Airport to deliver essential supplies to the Perth family. Food, water, DVDs, sweets and nappies were included in the delivery.

“They are safe and well and in contact with the police,” SA Police said in a statement.

Orios Zavros, his wife and two children. Photo: Instagram.

The AMSA and SA Police are coordinating a rescue effort which will begin when weather conditions improve in the coming days.

Several family and friends have taken to social media to wish the family well and share their confidence the family will make it out safely.

Orios’ mum, Theo, and dad, Lagis Zavros, spoke with the family on ‘a very crackly satellite phone’ on Sunday. They were hugely relieved to find the family is coping well with their predicament. 

Source: news.com.au.

90-year-old, Stelios Prassas, is the oldest athlete to finish the 38th Athens Marathon

The Greek Herald
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90-year-old, Stelios Prassas, is the oldest athlete to finish the 38th Athens Marathon

At 90 years of age, Stelios Prassas was the oldest athlete to finish the 38th Athens Marathon on Sunday.

Prassas’ family were waiting for him at the Panathenaic Stadium when he arrived at the finish line and walked the last few steps with his grandchildren.

90-year-old, Stelios Prassas.

The winner of the Marathon was Costas Gelaouzos, who became the fastest Greek over the classic course on Sunday with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes and 49 seconds.

The previous best time by a Greek athlete over this difficult, hilly course was 2:17:56 by Nikos Polias, who finished 24th at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Polias was among those congratulating Gelaouzos at the Panathenaic Stadium.

Greek runner, Costas Gelaouzos, crosses the finish line to win the 38th Athens Marathon. Photo: AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis.

Panagiotis Bourikas was the runner-up with 2:22:33 and yet another Greek, Haralambos Pitsolis was third with 2:24:05. 

The race resumed this year after a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year’s marathon was cancelled due to COVID-19. Photo: The Greek Herald / Panagiotis Dalatariof.

There were 9,558 runners registered to line up at the start in the village of Marathon, less than half the record 20,041 who ran in the previous race in 2019. And there was a notable absence of elite international athletes.

Greece’s Gloria-Tziovana Privilegio won the women’s race in 2:41:30, nearly seven minutes ahead of her closest rival. She was 23rd overall.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Greece’s Gloria-Tziovana Privilegio won the women’s race in 2:41:30. Photo: AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis.
  • The Athens Marathon. All photos / video: The Greek Herald / Panagiotis Dalatariof.

Mitsotakis to raise issue of Parthenon Marbles return with British Prime Minister

The Greek Herald
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Mitsotakis to raise issue of Parthenon Marbles return with British Prime Minister

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has said he plans to raise the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum in a meeting with British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, next week.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Mitsotakis said that the 2,500-year-old sculptures had been “stolen” from Athens “and we need to discuss this issue in earnest.” 

“It would be an amazing message from what Boris Johnson calls ‘Global Britain’ if there is some movement on this issue and they look at it from a completely different perspective,” Mitsotakis said in the interview.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave an interview to The Daily Telegraph.

“I am sure that if there was a willingness on the part of the government [of the UK] to move, we could find an arrangement with the British Museum in terms of us sending abroad cultural treasures on loan, which have never left the country.”

This interview came just days after the Greek Prime Minister called on the UK to return the Parthenon Marbles to Athens at an event in Paris celebrating UNESCO’s 75th anniversary.

“The UK should move to a bona fide dialogue with Greece. And I urge them to do so. After all, this year marks the 200th anniversary of Greece’s war of independence. There could be no better time than now, in which to reunite the missing section of the Parthenon sculptures – in their birthplace – in Greece,” he told the assembled heads of state.

However, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, dismissed the appeal for their return to Greece earlier this year.

“I understand the strong feelings of the Greek people – and indeed Prime Minister Mitsotakis – on the issue,” Johnson told Greek newspaper, Ta Nea, earlier this year.

“But the UK government has a firm, longstanding position on the sculptures, which is that they were legally acquired by Lord Elgin under the appropriate laws of the time and have been legally owned by the British Museum’s trustees since their acquisition.”

Tuesday’s talks will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two men in which the cultural row is formally raised. 

Source: The Guardian.

‘I want to be number one’: Andriana Petrakis earns title in inclusive SA Tennis Championships

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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‘I want to be number one’: Andriana Petrakis earns title in inclusive SA Tennis Championships

It was an all-South Australian affair last weekend at the 2021 Peter Smith PWII Open Championships Women’s Singles event with Adelaide’s Andriana Petrakis taking out the title from Joanna Klaosen.

‘I want to become an Australian champion,’ Andriana,19, told The Greek Herald. 

An athlete on the autism spectrum Andriana Petrakis has been playing tennis for ten years competing in state tournaments and climbing the ranks to become part of the Australian national team. 

“I love hitting the ball and learning techniques. Forehand It’s my favourite shot,” she said.

Andriana Petrakis with her siblings

But apart from a killer forehand Andriana has a bright wide smile and an attitude towards life that many would envy. 

Last year she won the Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability award and now she wants to use her achievements to inspire other people with disabilities. 

“Tennis has helped me improve my skills, strengths, weaknesses it has made me a better person and an athlete. It also helped my autism,” she said. 

“To everyone who has special abilities I say keep strong, stay positive, be happy, learn every day and work hard to succeed.” 

Andriana’s father and her biggest fan, Peter Petrakis, shared his pride and said that his daughter started playing tennis as an alternative to occupational therapy. 

“We couldn’t afford it and we thought tennis would be a cheaper alternative to help her improve her hand-eye coordination and social skills. We didn’t expect her to get to this point,” Peter said and shared his message with parents of neurodiverse children.  

“Andriana was diagnosed with autism when she was nearly two years old and my wife and I were not sure how to help her. She spoke her first word when she was five and we were excited but the doctors had prepared us that Andriana might not talk or make progress. But she did.

“Don’t give up on your children. If they have a disability, keep going and do your best to help them.”

Apart from one of SA’s finest athletes Andriana Petrakis helps others in the community through her career as a tennis/pickleball coach with South Australia’s first disability sports organisation registered with the NDIS.

“I want to continue and develop myself as a leader and use my public speaking skills to motivate. I also want to become number one tennis player in Australia and maybe the world’s two.”

We have no doubt she will get there. 

Keep smiling and good luck Andriana! You’ve got this. 

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