SBS TV host and football journalist Mike Tomalaris has made his sudden departure from the network after more than three decades.
Tomalaris, 60, did not want to comment on the reasons for his departure but was sad that his association with “a place that ran through my veins” was over.
“I leave SBS with my head held high,” he says.
Tomalaris has covered the Tour every year since 1996 and was pivotal in turning the race into an annual television event.
“Through the various managing directors that have come and gone, we’ve turned a product that attracted next to no viewers in 1991 to one that generates hundreds of thousands of dollars – maybe up to a million dollars – for SBS’s advertising and revenue,” he adds.
“I’m proud that I’ve allowed people the opportunity to enjoy professional cycling and the delights that France has to offer away from the bicycle. And allowed people the opportunity to ride bicycles, whether it’s at a competitive or a recreational level.
“People of all ages and all sizes are doing that because of the way SBS has changed the culture through its promotion of cycling.”
Tomalaris says he hopes to stay in both cycling and broadcasting.
SBS issued a short statement saying Tomalaris was “moving on from SBS” and “we wish him well for his next chapter”.
“We’ll share our plans for next year’s coverage in the lead up to the event, as we do each year,” an SBS spokesperson says about changes to their coverage.
Long-time cycling journalist and friend Rupert Guinness says he was shocked by Tomalaris’ abrupt exit.
“Whatever the circumstances, you can’t underestimate his contribution not just to Australian cycling broadcasting but to Australian cycling,” he said. “When he came into the sport, a lot of Australians didn’t know anything about cycling and there are thousands that do now thanks to the energy and enthusiasm that Tommo has put into his job as a broadcaster.
“I feel sad that he’s had a departure from SBS like that, after 30-plus years, but obviously I wish him well.”
The Australian edition of The Big Issue recently celebrated its 25th birthday.
For a quarter of a century the not-for-profit magazine known for its slogan ‘we help people to help themselves’ has provided work opportunities for those experiencing disadvantage and homelessness.
Since it was first sold on the stairs of Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station on June 16, 1996 the organisation has spread across the country with more than 7000 vendors working to distribute the magazine every fortnight to a readership of over 250,000 people per year.
Vendor Con: ‘It makes me happy to work’
Con, has been selling The Big Issue at Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne for over 15 years.
“I am from Greece, from Cyprus. I came here with my family before the war, in 1964. It makes me happy to work. I sell The Big Issue for something to do, and to make extra money for food and the doctor,” he told The Greek Herald.
Due to the lockdowns in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT vendors like Con have been unable to sell for some months now and have missed the income and their connection to the community.
“I understand we have to stay home to be safe but I don’t like the city empty. There are no people walking in the streets. I miss being around my customers,” Con said.
Some of Con’s customers have been buying the magazine from him for years.
“I have many customers of all ages. On Saturdays, I have two different favourite regular customers: one brings me spaghetti, and the other brings me rice! Some others buy me breakfast and give me pocket money especially during Christmas and Easter.”
Anastasia Safioleas: A Greek face behind the pages
One of the people behind the scenes who ensure that the publication’s content remains relevant for its readership is contributing editor Anastasia Safioleas.
Safioleas who first joined the magazine 17 years ago, said that although The Big Issue has not been immune to the challenges brought to the media by the Covid-19 pandemic the editorial team have been working tirelessly to navigate their way through the difficulties and help those in the margins.
“We put together this magazine for our vendors and our readers. It’s really important to us that the vendors are able to hold up the magazine with confidence. It’s all about providing them with a quality product that they are proud of and are happy to sell,” she said.
The contributing editor explained that The Big Issue is “a real labour of love” and said that through its pages it strives to tell the stories of people “who ordinarily don’t have a voice in media.”
Anastasia Safioleas is a Contributing Editor at The Big Issue. Photo (R) with her mother
“One of the best things about The Big Issue is that we really do lean in on the lived experience. I feel lucky to be able to help put together this magazine, get to write about really important issues and help some of the most vulnerable people in our country. I couldn’t ask for anything more,” she said.
Asked about the lessons she has learnt throughout her career with the organisation so far Anastasia talked about the importance of humanity and kindness.
“Particularly kindness, goes a long, long way. Sometimes it’s just the simple things that make the biggest difference.”
“I have also learned not to judge, to keep an open mind and not to take anything for granted. Most of us are very lucky. We don’t realize that there is no much difference between us and the people who sleep rough or battle addiction. The line is really fine,” she said.
“If you see a Big Issue vendor, go up and say ‘hi’. A lot of them love a chat. Even if you don’t buy the magazine just go and have a chat. It will make a huge difference to them,” said Anastasia.
To find out more about The Big Issue or to support your local vendor visit: thebigissue.org.au
New details have emerged that Football Australia (FFA) staff knew of Matildas star Lisa De Vanna’s historical allegations of abuse prior to its news coverage by News Corp, the Daily Telegraph reports.
News Corp reveals FFA chairman Chris Nikou allegedly invited and then cancelled a board meeting with De Vanna in August which intended to discuss the poor culture of the Matildas.
On three occasions, De Vanna’s mentor and manager Rose Garofano accepted the board’s invitation to meet on September 8 and discuss cultural issues of the Matildas – on August 3, 20, and 22.
Nikou then cancelled the meeting on August 25.
News Corp reports the meeting came about after FFA performance manager Paddy Steinfort contacted Garofano on August 2 to discuss comments from De Vanna for a proposed article that raised assault and grooming allegations.
Notes taken by Garofano at the time confirm Steinfort had raised with her De Vanna’s allegations of bullying, coach/player relationships being against the code of conduct, and abuse of minors.
Steinford allegedly said he had heard of De Vanna’s 2001 incident and that he wanted to look after the well-being of athletes and to talk to De Vanna, the Daily Telegraph reports.
“He (Steinfort) phoned to check and see if Lisa was OK. He had seen comments Lisa had made for a freelance article about an incident that happened in 2001,” Ms. Garofano said.
“The information had been sent to Football Australia for verification … and he then said he was tasked to improve conditions within the Matildas culture. He also said there was a reporting system and Lisa hadn’t used it.”
“Towards the end of our conversation, he brought up that he’d heard about workplace bullying because of sexuality, coach-player relationships, and the power imbalance.”
Garofano also claims Steinfort had “heard about abuse of minors and grooming”.
“He wanted to speak to Lisa but Lisa wanted to go to the board directly,” Garofano said.
Earlier that day, Nikou invited De Vanna to attend the next board meeting on September 8 to address cultural issues.
Garofano confirmed the next day that Lisa would attend and said that De Vanna declined the invitation to chat with Steinfort as she wanted to speak with the board first.
On August 20 at 5.04pm, Nikou wrote: “… the sole purpose of the meeting is to hear from Lisa on her experiences concerning national team culture of the Matilda’s”.
“Please confirm unequivocally by COB Wednesday 25 August 2021 that Lisa is willing to proceed on that basis.”
In her third confirmation of the meeting on August 22, Garofano writes: “I have already confirmed Lisa’s attendance to speak to the FFA Board meeting on the 8th of September. I am not sure why your email has taken such a legal tone and it is necessary to reiterate the fact that Lisa will be speaking?”
“I am not at all happy with how you are now communicating and it appears through your language that you are taking a legal stance on what should be an opportunity for Lisa to share her concerns in a safe environment.
“It is noted that you are also now communicating through your work email which is identifiable as a legal firm and as such, I am taking this as a sign of your position.”
On August 25, at 11.03 Nikou replied: “I have previously used my work email in communications with you and is used simply as a matter of convenience. Any communications coming from me on football matters are authored by me as Chair of FA.
“…I believe that my previous communications made it abundantly clear that the unique offer to meet was for the sole purpose of hearing from LDV on the issue of national team culture. It is unfortunate that a simple acknowledgment to that effect was not provided.
“Regrettably, the tone of your communications continue to be disrespectful.
“In the circumstances the proposed meeting at 9:30am on 8 September 2021 has been cancelled.”
At this point, Nikou blocks emails from Garofano.
De Vanna then accepts a meeting with the Football Development Committee for September 20.
On Tuesday night, an FA spokesperson said: “As we said in our statement of 5 October, at no point was Football Australia aware of Lisa’s specific allegations around alleged incidents or issues, until they appeared in media reports.
“We have never said that we didn’t know about the general claims that Lisa raised.”
“We were first approached by a media outlet regarding general claims that Lisa had made to that media outlet.”
“We made numerous attempts to substantiate what were otherwise general claims made to us at the time, and to get specific detail. This included requests from Football Australia staff to Lisa’s representatives to speak with Lisa directly, but she chose to speak to the Board. Therefore, we learned nothing more than what was in the media enquiry.”
“In the meeting with Board members, Lisa raised some specifics about relationships that she viewed as being inappropriate. Those relationships were not related to Lisa, however, we did and continue to look into these matters.”
“Again, no mention was made in the meeting with Board members of the specifics of her claims around the alleged incident in 2001. The first time Football Australia heard of those specific allegations was in the News Corp article.”
“We encouraged Lisa on more than one occasion to bring any matters forward through Football Australia’s complaints process. She chose not to use those channels and we respect that decision.”
“Because of this, and before the News Corp reports appeared, we started exploring alternative avenues which subsequently led to the agreement for an independent process via Sport Integrity Australia. The details of this process will be announced imminently and we will be referring the matters raised by Lisa and others to Sport Integrity Australia.”
Greek man Nikos Koutras is using his home in Lekani to commemorate Turkish migrants of the Lausanne Convention.
He began collecting artifacts including abandoned tombstones in the former Turkish town in Kavala when he first found scores of stones in his yard.
Koutras says his heritage inspired him to open up his home.
“I am Pontian. My roots go back to the Black Sea region of Turkey,” he said.
“I tried to create a feeling of empathy when I found those things. I asked, ‘If I were them, what would make me happy?’ I thought they’d be happy to see all the artifacts at a center, so I built one.”
Koutras says Turkish and Greek people are “brothers” despite past or present conflicts.
“There may be tensions or wars between countries. But fundamentally, people are brothers,” he said.
“Some Turks came to my exhibition hall. I took pride in seeing smiles on their faces.”
He’s not only using these items to turn his home into an outdoor mausoleum and exhibition hall but helping to preserve them by photographing and documenting them with the help of Turcologist Andonis Anastasopoulos.
Esat Ergelen, head of the Society of Lausanne Exchanges, thanks Koutras for his efforts.
“Nikos has planted a Northern Cypress-pine in the mausoleum. We agreed together to plant a sapling of friendship in my next visit,” Ergelen said.
“If you [Turkish nationals] happen to pass by Lekani, visit the house and drink Nikos’ coffee.”
Greece and Cyprus pledged on Tuesday to link Egypt to the European Union’s energy market
The trilateral agreements signed last week will see Egypt set up undersea cables to supply its solar-powered electricity across the Mediterranean.
“[Egypt’s] link to Europe will be Greece,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said after talks in Athens with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.
It marks the ninth round of talks between the three countries’ leaders as they face a global energy crunch that has raised the cost of natural gas, oil, and other fuels.
Mitsotakis said the project would be a “bridge between Egypt to Europe, allowing [Cairo] to take on a key role in energy security at a time of major turbulence in the energy market.”
“We are seeking diversification of energy sources, and Egypt can also become a provider of electricity, which will be produced mainly by the sun.”
Earlier this year, Greece completed an energy link by undersea cable between its southern Peloponnese region and the island of Crete.
City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas has confirmed he will stand as an Independent candidate at the next Local Government Elections, which have been postponed until December 4, 2021, due to COVID-19.
The State Government notified the public of the election postponement in July.
“While COVID-19 may have delayed Local Government Elections, the City of Canada Bay is pressing on with the many projects already planned and currently underway,” says Mr Tsirekas who has been the popularly elected mayor for the past 18 years and a Councillor since 1995.
“It’s time to focus on people, not party politics,” says Mayor Tsirekas whose campaign will focus on putting Our Local Community first.
The Our Local Community team includes Drummoyne Medical Centre GP Joe Cordaro, restaurant identity and Italian cultural ambassador Carmel Ruggeri, long-time resident and Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Director Mick Liubinskas, and Nurse, Health Administrator and Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway Director Alice Kang.
“Our community has growing concerns about traffic congestion, planning controls and overcrowding in Canada Bay. It will be the continued focus of Our Local Community to address those concerns as well as continue to maintain the safety and amenity that make our LGA among the most desirable areas to live in NSW,” Mayor Angelo says.
Our Local Community will focus on the following major points affecting residents:
● With Victoria Rd, Parramatta Rd and Concord Rds being some of the busiest traffic corridors in the state, Our Local Community team will push for assistance from the NSW Government for better solutions to ease traffic, speeding and to create a safer environment for all.
● Despite major planning controls being taken out of Council hands, Our Local Community team will seek to limit increasing height and density controls, to ensure Canada Bay keeps its local character.
Canada Bay Local Community First Team Alice Kang, Dr Joe Cordaro, Mayor Angelo Tsirekas, Mick
Liubinskas and Carmel Ruggeri.
● Significant work has already been undertaken to beautify and rehabilitate our 35km of Parramatta River foreshore, extending from Drummoyne to Rhodes. Our Local Community team will prioritise public access and improve foreshore amenity and safety.
● With an increasing number of cars in Canada Bay, Our Local Community team will prioritise parking for residents through a clear and equitable parking policy and look to build carparking stations on Government land.
About Mayor Angelo Tsirekas:
Angelo Tsirekas has served the people of the City of Canada Bay for more than two decades: as a local government councillor, Deputy Mayor and has been the popularly elected Mayor of Canada Bay since 2002.
He is a qualified health and building inspector and is currently the elected Vice-President (Metropolitan) of Local Government NSW, the peak body for 128 Councils across NSW, and former president of the Inner Metropolitan Regional Organisation of Councils.
Angelo is passionate about community sport and competes for Drummoyne Water Polo Club, has played soccer for Five Dock and Concord Junior Football Clubs and is an honorary vice-president of Drummoyne Rugby Club, touring with the Vintage Reds.
Angelo was honoured by Rotary with the Paul Harris Award and is a long-serving member of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway Board. He has led treks across the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea on eight occasions, in honour of our shared wartime history with Concord Hospital and the sacred Kokoda story.
Angelo’s family migrated from Thessaloniki in northern Greece to Sydney’s Inner West when he was an infant and he has been a lifelong resident since.
Qantas is facing criminal prosecution for standing down a worker who raised concerns about contracting COVID-19 from aircraft arriving from China at the start of the pandemic, the ABCreports.
Theo Seremetidis, who was an aircraft cleaner and trained health and safety representative, was told not to come to work from February 7, 2020 after he directed some workers to “cease unsafe work.”
Mr Seremetidis, who worked for Qantas for nearly seven years, said he raised concerns about cleaning staff not having adequate personal protective equipment, even masks, to use while working on planes that had arrived from China in early 2020.
“At the start of the pandemic, we were directed to clean planes with just water, no sanitiser,” Mr Seremetidis told a Senate committee on job security this month.
“And I asked for PPE and risk assessments but everything was declined.”
Qantas has denied those claims, insisting all workers were provided with masks, gloves and gowns and using strong cleaning products, not “just water.”
But SafeWork NSW has now filed charges against Qantas in the District Court for allegedly breaching the Work Health and Safety Act.
“The proceedings are first listed before the District Court on Monday, December 6,” a spokesman for SafeWork NSW told The Daily Telegraph.
“As the matter is before the court, no further information can be provided at this time.”
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis, said this verdict shows employers must not ignore safety concerns raised by work, health and safety representatives.
“Rather than being penalised, any worker who identifies a workplace health and safety risk should be commended for protecting their colleagues from any potential harm and their employers from any liability,” Ms Cotsis said in a media release.
If the charges are upheld, Qantas could face significant financial penalties with each Work Health and Safety breach attracting a maximum fine of $594,021.
Mr Seremeditis is also taking legal action against Qantas in the Federal Court over his alleged mistreatment.
It’s been six months since the mix-up of two bodies by Greek-owned funeral parlour, Euro Funeral Services, and one family is still waiting for an apology and full refund of the funeral costs as promised by Director, Spiros Haralambous.
The family has spoken directly to The Greek Herald about the ordeal and say they are ‘heartbroken’ by the recent turn of events.
“My ongoing struggle with the way this matter has been handled is disgraceful. The fact that my children and I carried a stranger to his grave,” Kerry Demetriou says.
“It has been over 6 months since we lost my dad and having to continue to deal with this matter daily, is like reliving his loss daily. The pain and grief of knowing that I never had the opportunity to bury my father is heartbreaking.”
They say they were not given a chance to properly farewell their father as the man they buried was the wrong person. That man was exhumed, while their actual father was buried on February 13 at Rockwood Cemetery without the family present. They were told by the funeral director they were not allowed to attend due to NSW Health Department regulations.
George Demetriou.
Now, they are in the process of fighting for full compensation as promised by Mr Haralambous in media interviews with Channel 7 and 2UE Radio after the mix-up.
“This for me was to be some closure, that after everything we had endured we would at least receive this money back,” Kerry says.
According to documents obtained by The Greek Herald, Mr Haralambous did advise the deceased man’s daughter, who was “the applicant of the funeral,” of the mix-up and sought her approval and signature to exhume the body of the other family’s father.
In a review of the incident by The Funeral Directors Association of NSW Ltd, they say that legally, the applicant was the only person “to whom all issues must be communicated to” by Mr Haralambous.
But the family involved in the mix-up say the daughter was struck by grief at the time of consent and therefore they believe Mr Haralambous’ actions were unjustified.
As a result, in an email dated February 19, 2021, and sent to Mr Haralambous, the family ask specifically for (a) a full refund, (b) for Euro Funerals to make the appropriate arrangements for their father to be exhumed again for a more dignified funeral, (c) for Mr Haralambous to personally apologise to all children for the mistake, and (d) for Mr Haralambous to make a fair and reasonable compensation payment to avoid unnecessary court proceedings.
Now, according to the review from The Funeral Directors Association of NSW Ltd, Mr Haralambous has apologised to the daughter, but as mentioned above, the family want an apology to all its members.
In addition, Mr Haralambous has stated in an email sent to the family, dated February 25, 2021 and obtained by The Greek Herald, that “we have no hesitation in providing a full refund for the amount as indicated on our invoice,” which is $10,315.18.
But so far, the family tell The Greek Herald they have received no money and to receive the full amount, they must sign a waiver which they say they are yet to see. This is also confirmed by Mr Haralambous’ February 25 email seen by The Greek Herald.
“We have attempted to solve this respectfully outside of the legal framework with no result. In honour of my father, it is our intention to ensure that this situation is finalised and handled with the dignity he deserves,” Kerry says.
“My intentions here is to ensure the community is aware of this situation, so that no one else needs to go through the heartache I have had.”
The family is hesitant to sign the waiver and as a result, it seems only time will tell what the final outcome will be.
Euro Funerals Comment:
Both families have been privately and publicly provided with sincere apologies and we have already and will continue to release comprehensive responses and statements on our business and personal platforms.
The Director took full responsibility and did not in anyway attempt to justify or play down the incident and from the outset has offered and continues to offer a full refund to both families.
A Full refund has been offered via our lawyers to the family and in this instance we are still awaiting for a response to resolve the matter from the family solicitors.
The Hellenic Initiative Australia (THI Australia) is holding a ‘In Conversation’ event with Dr Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer, a global business leader and an outstanding member of the Greek diaspora.
The event will be held on Monday, 8 November 2021 (USA and Canada) at 6.30pm EST and Tuesday, 9 November 2021 (Australia) at 10.30am Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Dr Bourla will be joined by Andrew N Liveris AO during the conversation.
In this milestone year for Greece, marking 200 years since the commencement of the Greek War of Independence, THI Australia is honoured to host such an event with two exceptional members of the Greek diaspora, who continue to support and promote Greece.
THI Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and part of a global movement, bringing together the Greek diaspora and Philhellenes in support of Greece and its people. A registered charity with DGR status, all donations are tax deductible in Australia.
To attend the event, registration is essential so you can receive a unique zoom link to log in to the webinar.
DR ALBERT BOURLA, DVM, PH.D. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer
As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Albert Bourla leads Pfizer in its purpose: Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives, with a focus on driving the scientific and commercial innovation needed to have a transformational impact on human health.
During his more than 25 years at Pfizer, Albert has built a diverse and successful career, holding a number of senior global positions across a range of markets and disciplines. Prior to taking the reins as CEO in January 2019, Albert served as the Pfizer’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) beginning in January 2018, responsible for overseeing the Company’s commercial strategy, manufacturing, and global product development functions.
Dr Albert Bourla.
Previously, from February 2016 to December 2017, Albert served as Group President of Pfizer Innovative Health, which comprised the Consumer Healthcare, Inflammation & Immunology, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Rare Disease and Vaccines business groups.
In addition, he created the Patient and Health Impact Group, dedicated to developing solutions for increasing patient access, demonstrating the value of Pfizer’s medicines, and ensuring broader business model innovation.
From January 2014 to January 2016, Albert served as Group President of Pfizer’s Global Vaccines, Oncology, and Consumer Healthcare business, where he was instrumental in building a strong and competitive position in Oncology and expanding the Company’s leadership in Vaccines.
Albert was President and General Manager of Pfizer’s Established Products business from 2010- 2013, leading the development and implementation of strategies and tactics related to Pfizer’s offpatent portfolio, (including legacy brands and generics).
Dr Bourla is the CEO of Pfizer.
He began his Pfizer career in 1993 in the Animal Health Division as Technical Director of Greece. He held positions of increasing responsibility within Animal Health across Europe, before moving to Pfizer’s New York Global Headquarters in 2001.
From there, Albert went on to assume a succession of leadership roles within the Animal Health Division, including US Group Marketing Director (2001-2004), Vice President of Business Development and New Products Marketing (2004-2006), and Area President of Animal Health Europe, Africa and the Middle East (2006-2009). In 2009, he assumed additional responsibilities for the Asia and Pacific regions.
Albert is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and holds a Ph.D. in the Biotechnology of Reproduction from the Veterinary School of Aristotle University. In 2020, he was ranked as America’s top CEO in the Pharmaceuticals sector by Institutional Investor magazine.
He is on the executive committee of The Partnership for New York City, a vice president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations, a director on multiple boards – Pfizer, Inc., The Pfizer Foundation, PhRMA, and Catalyst – and a Trustee of the United States Council for International Business. In addition, Albert is a member of the Business Roundtable and the Business Council.
Andrew is the former Chairman and CEO of the Dow Chemical Company and former Executive Chairman of Dow DuPont.
Andrew Liveris AO.
Andrew was the Special Advisor to the Australian National COVID-19 Coordination Commission. He is Co-Chair of the Northern Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission, advising on how to accelerate the Territory’s economic rebound and growth. He is an Independent Member of the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centres Advisory Committee.
Andrew is a Director at IBM, Saudi Aramco, Worley (Deputy Chairman), Lucid Motors (Chairman), NOVONIX and the Minderoo Foundation. He is on the advisory board of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Teneo (a global CEO consulting and advisory firm), and NEOM (an initiative driven by Saudi Vision 2030).
He is Chairman of the BlackRock Long Term Private Capital Fund and a Special Advisor to the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Andrew also serves as a Trustee for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and is a member of the Concordia Leadership Council.
In 2018, the Andrew N Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership was established at the University of Queensland for students to garner a real-life understanding of the global challenges and how to create positive change for society.
With an appreciation dinner held at the Adelaide Pavilion last Thursday, October 14, St George Parish priest of 51 years, Father Diogenis Patsouris OAM, thanked the community, supporters, his family and the outgoing church committee for their support during the last three years.
“In 2018 we held a similar event and we had promised to do another one the year after but unfortunately our finances did not allow,” Fr Patsouris said in his speech explaining that despite the financial challenges and difficulties due to the pandemic St George Community and Parish is going from strength to strength.
The decorated priest who has served the community of West Torrens for over half a century extended his gratitude to friends, supporters, the Church and Philoptochos Committee, St George College’s past and present leadership team and his family for their continuous support and commitment.
“What we have achieved during the last three years is the result of diligent and methodical work and effort,” he said.
“Our Community-Parish has performed an important and admirable work. I want to believe that there will be willing members in the future to continue our work with equal love and devotion.”
From his side the outgoing President of the Community and Philoptochos, Vasilis Terzis, thanked his fellow Board members and Fr Patsouris for his trust before Greek Australian MP, Tom Koutsantonis reiterated that the Labor Party will keep supporting the Community.
“The St George Community has been the centre of Orthodoxy in South Australia and its contribution is exemplary,” Mr Koutsantonis said and committed to reinstate the loan that was previously authorised by Labor but was taken away during the change of governments.
“I can announce tonight that if Labor gets elected we will reinstate the loan,” he said.
The evening concluded with fine foods and the obligatory photos.
