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Five students band together to form the only active Greek youth group in WA

Andriana Simos
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Five students band together to form the only active Greek youth group in WA

In July this year, five students from the University of Western Australia decided to band together to create the Greek Students Association. Currently the Association is the only active Greek Youth group in WA and the only Greek club at any university.

Such an amazing achievement deserves to be recognised and for that reason The Greek Herald spoke with the founding President of the Association, Athena Paizes, who shared with us the future vision of the group for Greek students.

1. How did the idea for a Greek Students Association come about?

We started as just five students who realised the lack of an active Greek student society, not only at UWA, but across Perth. In July, we decided to come together to create the Greek Students Association. We were amazed at how much interest this sparked.

Members of the Greek Students Association.

Today we have over 70 members and are continuing to grow. We come from a range of Greek backgrounds, but all have a strong love of our Greek heritage and a longing to connect with other like-minded people. We have had great interest and engagement in our club at UWA and in the Greek community.

2. What is the main aim of the Association?

The Greek Students Association aims to provide all Greek students and philhellenes an opportunity to share and celebrate Greek culture, language, history and traditions.

Greek dancing at an event.

3. You are the founding President of the Association. How does that feel?

I am very honoured to be the founding President of the Greek Students Association. When I found out that there was no Greek club at UWA, or at any Western Australian University, I felt a responsibility to change this. We were motivated to create the club for our own enjoyment, but we also hoped to create a lasting society for the future generations to connect with their Greek culture.

I have felt incredibly proud to be Greek and to share this experience with my friends. We have achieved so much in such a small amount of time. The biggest challenge was establishing ourselves as a club and gaining recognition. However, we have been incredibly successful with this and have enjoyed every step along the way. This is just the beginning and we are excited for what is to come.

Greek Students Association members get together.

4. Are there any upcoming events?

Not at the moment! We have had a busy semester getting involved in campus activities and hosting a few events of our own, including a Movie Night and our sold out Greek Taverna Night. We plan on holding more cultural activities including Greek cooking classes, language evenings and Greek dancing lessons. We are also planning more social events, including music and food evenings as well as a bigger party event next year. Like our FB and follow our Instagram to see what we are up to!

5. What is the Association’s vision for the future of Greek students in WA?

Our vision is to create a community that welcomes all Greek students and philhellenes. We want to continue to be a dynamic, inclusive, innovative and engaging organisation that forges a new future for Greek students and celebrates the revival of our Greek identity.

It’s the only active Greek youth group in WA currently.

We want to reflect the enthusiasm of our members and their love of Greece and create a deeper understanding of our culture. We hope to create a solid foundation for this club to grow and flourish.

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

It may not be in our time in GSA, but we can’t wait for travel to open up so the club can do a Greece tour!

THI Australia rewards $100,000 grant to Doctors of the World Greece

John Voutos
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THI Australia rewards $100,000 grant to Doctors of the World Greece

Hellenic Initiative Australia (THI) has given $100,000 as part of their Public Health Project to humanitarian healthcare agency Doctors of the World Greece (MdM Greece). 

The funding will help staff the Open Polyclinic in Athens so they can continue providing free medical care for vulnerable communities. 

“The decision to renew the Public Health Project was an easy decision for THI Australia to make given the tremendous results of the 2020 – 2021 Project and we are grateful to Con and Rita Berbatis for their continued generosity,” said THI director Helen Zorbas AO. 

THI director Professor Helen Zorbas AO says the Public Health Project has helped 4,000 people access urgent health care between June 2020 and May 2021 (Photo: Greek Herald)

The funding will also go towards sourcing emergency medication. 

“We express our deep gratitude on behalf of all the beneficiaries of THI Australia’s Public Health Project, MdM staff, and volunteers…

“…we especially wish to thank the Australian donor, Mr. Con Berbatis and his family, for making this additional grant possible,” MdM Greece president Dr. Hara Tsiouvaras says.

Zorbas says the project has helped 4,000 people access urgent health care between June 2020 and May 2021.

She says it “is key to THI Australia’s purpose and the impact we strive to achieve”.

THI says it expects to help 3,000 more people across Attica between 2021-22 over “an estimated 6,500 consultations, 2,000 medical assessments and the provision of emergency pharmaceuticals”.

Courtney Houssos MLC probes Service NSW over alleged $16m of fraudulent grants

The Greek Herald
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Courtney Houssos MLC probes Service NSW over alleged $16m of fraudulent grants

A parliamentary inquiry has heard Service NSW handed out $16.23 million in suspected fraudulent government grants but has only recovered $40,350.

Courtney Houssos MLC questioned why so little has been recovered from what is suspected as fraudulent applications for natural disaster grants. 

“Unfortunately it’s a very slow process, we do seek compensation orders wherever a conviction has made, the value of those compensation orders sits at just under a million requested,” Service NSW CEO Damon Rees said.

“We have certainly evolved the way we approach the delivery of grants, the more recent grants are delivered as act of grace payments and Revenue NSW performs the compliance and funds recovery role there.”

“It gives government additional options to use the powers of Revenue NSW for recovery of funds.”

A parliamentary inquiry is probing Service NSW CEO Damon Rees over the alleged fraud (Photo via IT News)

The $16 million in grants were paid out to a total of 2,347 applicants. Mr. Rees says 74 people have been arrested and 33 people have been convicted. 

Chair of the Inquiry, Greens MLC David Shoebridge, put to Mr. Rees that it would take 400 years to recoup the money paid to fraudsters. 

Another $15 million worth of possibly fraudulent grants are being investigated by Service NSW. 

Service NSW is alleged to have handed out more than $16 million in fraudulent grants (Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

The inquiry heard that three Service NSW staff members had been reported for suspected fraud, two of which had been fully investigated and found to have no basis. 

Ms. Houssos asked about a staff member who used their Service NSW email to apply for bushfire grants 55 times, to the value of more than $700,000.

“That was found to be a customer service team member that was attempting to help customers with their applications, and incorrectly and inappropriately used their own email addressed in an effort to assist customers who were struggling to put in these applications,” Mr. Rees said.

“It was an example of procedures not being followed but it was not an example of any internal fraud.”

The third investigation into possible internal fraud is ongoing.

Source: ABC News

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigns

Andriana Simos
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigns

NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has today announced her resignation as the leader of the state.

Ms Berejiklian said she will resign as soon as the Liberal Party can elect a new leader and will also resign from the NSW Parliament.

“My only regret will be not to be able to finish the job to ensure the people of New South
Wales transition to living freely with COVID,” Ms Berejiklian said at a press conference today.

Ms Berejiklian did not take questions after her announcement and said this will be the last time she will address the state as the NSW Premier.

Gladys Berejiklian has resigned today.

This news comes just hours after NSW’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced it was investigating whether Ms Berejiklian breached public trust by awarding grants to organisations from 2012-2018.

The ICAC said it would probe whether Ms Berejiklian was in a position of conflict between her public duties and her private interests when she was in a personal relationship with then-MP Daryl Maguire.

The ICAC will hold public hearings as part of Operation Keppel from Monday, October 18.

International borders to open in November

The Greek Herald
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International borders to open in November

The ban on international travel will be lifted sometime in November, allowing fully vaccinated Australians to return home. 

“It’s time to give Australians their lives back. We’ve saved lives. We’ve saved livelihoods, but we must work together to ensure that Australians can reclaim the lives that they once had in this country,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday.

The federal government announced that Australian citizens and permanent residents fully vaccinated – with a TGA-approved vaccine – will be able to quarantine at home for 7 days.

Unvaccinated Australians will still be required to undergo quarantine at hotels or dedicated facilities for 14 days. Flight caps will remain in place for those who are not vaccinated.

PM Scott Morrison went on to announce a global QR code for vaccination status once international travel resumes.

“Australians who want to travel overseas once restrictions are removed will be able to access an internationally recognised proof of vaccination document,” he says.

“That will be in the coming weeks, to prove their vaccination status abroad. And that proof of vaccination for international travel will include a QR code that is readable globally.”

More key points:

  • Australian citizens and permanent residents who cannot be vaccinated – for example, if they are under 12 or have a medical condition – will be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of their travel
  • The changes mean there will be no travel restrictions if you are a vaccinated Australian entering or leaving our shores
  • The government will work towards completely quarantine-free travel for certain countries, such as New Zealand
  • Australians who want to travel will be able to access an internationally recognised proof of vaccination document to prove their vaccination status abroad. The proof of vaccination for international travel will include a QR code that is readable globally
  • To maximise the number of Australians who can return, the government is also offering facilitated flights into any state or territory that agrees to commence seven-day home quarantine trials for returning Australians.

The national reopening plan has linked international travel resuming when the 80 percent vaccination rate is reached. NSW is expected to reach its target before other states and territories. 

International travel was originally expected to recommence on December 17.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis spruiks Greece-France naval deal at Athens Democracy Forum

John Voutos
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Kyriakos Mitsotakis spruiks Greece-France naval deal at Athens Democracy Forum

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called a 2.9b euro naval deal with France long overdue at the Athens Democracy Forum on Thursday. 

He spent the event beefing up the Hellenic Navy’s upgrades and its defence coordination with France.

“We bought the frigates at the best price and with the best delivery time,” he told the press. 

Greece announced its 2.9b euro deal to acquire three defense and intervention frigates (FDIs) from France on Tuesday.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis spent the forum spruiking a recently announced 2.9b euro naval deal to acquire three warships from France (Photo: AFP)

“This is a strategic partnership which in my mind which goes probably above and beyond the mutual assistance clauses that are currently included in the European treaties,” he told the forum.

“The phrasing is probably slightly stronger but it also signifies the importance that France assigns to the broader region of the eastern Mediterranean.”

He also hinted at a five-year extension to Greece’s defence pact with the US and went on to extend the olive branch to Turkey but says he’s keeping his priorities at home.

“My number one priority is how do we reduce inequalities in this new growth model I’m championing for Greece.”

“At the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that we live in a very complicated neighbourhood.” 

“I do not intend to enter into an arms race with Turkey and I’m always reaching out a hand of friendship.”

He assured the forum that his focus on the military is “not at the expense of other priorities” like the pandemic and environmental crises. 

He maintained his stance on migration in the wake of Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis. 

He says border forces will continue “intercepting boats at sea, while behaving in a totally humanitarian manner”. 

Source: Ekathimerini 

Fire breaks out in the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Sydney

The Greek Herald
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Fire breaks out in the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Sydney

According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, on Thursday, September 30, a fire broke out in the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Sydney.

The fire caused significant damage to the interior of the historic and heritage-listed building of the church and in particular to parts of the roof over the holy altar and the chapel of St John the Theologian.

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios and his colleagues who were at the Archdiocese at the time were not in danger and did not suffer any injuries, the statement reads.

Sacred utensils and articles that were kept in the sanctuary were damaged by the large amount of water that was used during the fire-fighting operation, while the electronic and microphone system of the church was completely destroyed.

The process of assessing the losses is in progress and there will be a further update once this is completed.

Regarding the cause of the fire, the initial assessment is that it was due to a short-circuit, although this is subject to the completion of the relevant investigation by the competent authorities.

The Holy Archdiocese of Australia conveyed “its fervent gratitude to the firefighters who rushed to the scene to prevent the fire from spreading further and to extinguish it.”

“Our thanks also goes to the police for their immediate mobilisation and assistance in the ordeal of our local Church,” the statement reads.

Bank of Queensland CEO George Frazis shakes up executive team

John Voutos
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Bank of Queensland CEO George Frazis shakes up executive team

Bank of Queensland’s chief George Frazis has outlined changes to shake up the bank’s executive team.

Mr. Frazis says chief product officer Chris Screen will replace business group executive Fiamma Morton in October. 

“Our mandate to build and support Australia’s small and family businesses has always been core to our strategy,” he writes in a memo to BoQ staff. 

“Chris acted as our GE retail banking on an interim basis earlier this year and has been critical in supporting the turnaround program in that division and across the group.”

“Having joined the business bank as the impacts of Covid-19 were becoming more evident in June 2020, Fiamma provided valuable leadership through a challenging period, and we are now well-positioned to ensure BOQ business can capitalise on improving economic conditions.”

BoQ CEO George Frazis says the bank has had a “positive start” to the financial year (Photo: ABC News/Nic MacBean)

Adam McAnalen will shift to the bank’s transformation and integration program while Insurance Australia Group’s David Watts will take over as head of risk early next year.

The first-half results showed the business banking unit experienced a 7 percent drop in net cash earnings, versus the same period a year ago, while the retail unit saw net cash earnings climb 27 percent.

In the memo, Mr. Frazis said BoQ’s financial year was off to a “positive start”, and the leadership changes underscored the bank’s momentum.

Source: Cairns Post

Get to know Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis

John Voutos
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Get to know Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis

Costa Georgiadis is an Australian landscape architect and television presenter. Georgiadis is best known as the host of ABC’s Gardening Australia. Georgiadis grew up as a second-generation Greek Australian in North Bondi on the same street as his grandparents and uncle. His yiayia and pappou fostered his early interest in gardening. 

Costa discusses his upbringing, career, and the women who have influenced him. 

Occupation: Landscape architect

Age: 56

Relationship status: Single

Best known for: The host of Gardening Australia

My paternal grandmother, Julia, was sent to Sydney from Greece for an arranged marriage. But when she met her intended husband, she refused to proceed as he didn’t resemble the photo she’d been shown. Back then her action was a massive deal.

Julia was a business brain. When she met my grandfather, Constantine, they bought a property in Nyngan, on the Bogan River in central west NSW, and created a market garden. For someone who came from nothing, she had incredible acumen.

My maternal grandmother, Elpida, lived down the road from us in North Bondi. Her love wrapped around me as soon I stepped through her door. It was a place whereas a little one I felt so safe.

Elpida lost her husband, Isaac, when my mother, Anne, was about seven. She raised two children on her own and ran the warm roasted nut stands on Sydney railway stations started by my grandfather. She was an amazing lady.

I see so many traits of my yiayias [grandmothers] in my mum. She had a bottomless capacity to keep everyone’s life in her orbit. Mum made sure us kids did Greek language school, and my two older sisters, Elisa and Julie, went to Greek dancing lessons. Mum passed away in 2002. I feel little warm flushes when I think of her.

My teen holiday crush was Heather. We met while I was at a friend’s weekender at Lake Macquarie, north of Sydney. He fell in love with this girl, and Heather was her friend. But on the drive home, Mum was the voice of reason. She said nothing would ever happen between us, because Heather was from a girls’ school 540 kilometres to the north, near Narrabri. I was 14 and appreciated Mum’s bluntness.

I met Sandra while studying landscape architecture at the University of NSW. She was a country girl from Tumut, and her parents ran their own business, like my electrician dad, Stan. We had great times together and went out for four years, but I’d always said that once I had qualified, I was going to travel. I didn’t expect her to wait for me, so when she found a new relationship I accepted that.

I was in Europe for three years. While I lived in Vienna, I saw an American girl from Prague. I was living and working across Austria and hanging out with incredible dancers, musicians, and ecologists. I’d aimed for this period for so long that when I was in it, I just flapped around in its pool.

I am not in a romantic relationship at present, as I’m romantically involved with my life. Maybe that has made it a little more challenging to be in a relationship. When you are happy and content, sometimes people aren’t quite sure how to deal with that. They think something is missing and wonder why you don’t have all the “normal” things.

A difficulty with my life is that I can’t guarantee my presence. Given that my time is not necessarily free to create the balance a relationship would require, I haven’t actively pursued one.

Around 65 percent of our Gardening Australia team are women. That’s the realm across everywhere I work and everything I do. I understand why women run sustainability projects, enterprises, and businesses. That female energy has infused the places it’s needed.

The male posturing of conflict and confrontation, “We’re going to beat nature, the bugs and the weather – and are going to win” … the tide has shifted. Female energy, nurture, and caring for country are what’s needed.

I have two chooks, Awesome and Flighty. They are a nice balance in my life. During lockdown, they’ve been roaming around the garden. I open this old wooden window, throw a banana out and they go freaking bananas. They’re my housemates. They keep me grounded and honest.

Gardening Australia airs on Fridays at 7.30 pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

‘Shedia’ invites young Greeks to design front cover of January Edition

The Greek Herald
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‘Shedia’ invites young Greeks to design front cover of January Edition

The Greek street magazine “Shedia” addresses a call to the world of imagination, where the joy of visual creation meets the offer.

Picasso said he needed to reach the age of 70 to be able to paint like a child. This is because children’s paintings emit unrepeatable innocence and rich imagination and make us see the world with a colourful and cheerful look.

“Shedia” will not wait for us to cross the threshold of the seventh decade of our lives to urge little friends to taste the joy of visual creation.

Drawing inspiration from the British street magazine “Big Issue”, “Shedia” invites young Greeks aged 5-12 years, who attend kindergarten and primary school in every corner of Australia to dress in colours the word “home” and capture with their brush what this particular so warm concept means for us all.

The sketch that will win the hearts of the jury will grace the cover of the January 2022 issue of the Greek street magazine, while the twenty finalists will see their works exhibited in the House of “Shedia”.

All children who will pass the final stage of the competition will get a school backpack with educational material, painting materials and much more. The starting point of the competition is September 29, while the submission of the creations must be completed by November 1.

The jury consists of: Zoumboulakis Gallery, Director Daphne Zoumboulakis, the cartoonist Michalis Kountouris, the seller of “Shedia” Gerasimos Daskalakis and a student.

The jury will make its decision by December 1. Note that children’s creations can be made on any kind of paper.

THE DETAILS

The idea:  1st drawing competition for children’s street magazine cover “Shedia”.

Theme: A drawing on the word “home”.

Who can participate: All children from 5 to 12 years old have the right to participate. Participants are invited to send age, name and contact information.

Technical specifications: The sketch must be square, so that it can be accommodated on the cover, on any paper, and designed with the material to the liking of the little creator (pencil, felt-tip pen, tempera, etc.).

Dimensions: At least 20 cm. x 20 cm.

Send by mail or email. On the envelope please write “for the 1st competition of children’s cover of street magazine “Shedia””.

The address is: Street magazine “Shedia”, Nikiou 2, Athens 105 60.

If you forward your sketch via email (in artwork@shedia.gr), the file should be in high resolution, 2Mb to 4Mb and in JPG format. In this case, you will be asked, in the new year, to send also the original work (for the exhibition, etc.).

Closing date: Monday, November 1, 2021.

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