St Basil’s NSW/ ACT has confirmed the upcoming Greek Summer Festival at Carss Park has been postponed due to expected bad weather.
The ‘Greek Summer Festival’ will now be held on Sunday, June 5 in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
The festival will be one of the biggest to be held in Sydney this year and will include Greek dances and a Greek style marketplace with product, information and food stalls spread across the waterfront park.
The organisers have promised the event will pay tribute to the Greek culture with a special emphasis on the participation of some of the most-loved Greek Australian brands.
Attendees will even be entertained by some of Australia’s most loved Greek artists, as well as a few extra surprises lined up.
During the festival, there will also be games and activities for the young and old to enjoy.
Federal Member for Reid, Fiona Martin, launched her election campaign on Wednesday night in the hopes that local constituents will re-elect her in the upcoming May election.
The launch night was attended by over 100 people including Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, the NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Victor Dominello, and other local Liberal supporters and members of the Reid community.
Ms Martin, along with Mr Dominello, gave short speeches and received loud applause from the crowd.
Ms Martin started off her speech by acknowledging her Greek grandfather, Mark Barbouttis, and his migration story.
“Pappou did not speak a word of English [when he arrived in Australia], but he already spoke the language of Australians: Putting in the hard work; looking out for your mates; leaving the country better than we found it,” Ms Martin said in her speech.
“Pappou’s journey was sometimes difficult – but he never lost sight of what this country meant and how much he loved it.”
Ms Martin said that despite her grandfather being “taken too soon,” he continues to inspire her today and remains a driving force behind her determination to continue to fight for the people of Reid.
“I will fight every day for our community to ensure that the promise of Australia made to generations of migrants from far and wide is kept long into the future,” Ms Martin explained.
The psychologist then went on to acknowledge that the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have been challenging for the Reid community, especially in the areas of small business and mental health.
However, Ms Martin stressed that her “local plan for a stronger future” is about investing in local green spaces, continuing to work in the area of mental health, building better roads and supporting small businesses through tax relief and reducing red tape.
“I am standing up every day to build a stronger future for my children. To build a stronger future for all families in Reid,” she concluded.
In a warm and relaxed atmosphere, the Greek National Guard visited the offices of PRONIA in Brunswick on Tuesday 26 April. They were greeted by PRONIA’s President, Ms Kris Pavlidis, PRONIA’s patron Hon.
Justice Emil Kyrou, Mrs Angela Ouroumis, the CEO Mrs Tina Douvos-Stathopoulos, management, staff as well as all the elderly who participate in the Daily Planned Activity Groups that PRONIA runs in Brunswick.
The two hour visit of the presidential guard included a guided tour of the premises, short speeches and lunch.
The joy and excitement that the visit gave to the elderly and to the staff was indescribable. The Greek National Guard first visited the elderly who welcomed them with great enthusiasm but also with many questions about the symbolism of their uniform and their tenure as ‘evzones’.
Major Vasileios Sakellaropoulos presented a short video about the life and training of the National Guard while other members of the guard explained about their uniform and its symbolism. Everyone present had the opportunity to chat and to take photos with the ‘evzones’.
During the lunch that was organized in their honor, President Ms. Kris Pavlidis talked about the significance of their visit during PRONIA’s 50th year Anniversary. “It is our great honor and pleasure to welcome you to our offices and especially this year as we celebrate fifty years since the founding of the organization. We would also like to thank the Chairman of the Victoria National Anniversary committee, Mr. Antonios Tsourdalakis, and Mr. Peter Andrianopoulos from PRONIA, who organised this visit and for their continuous work for the good of the Greek community”.
Lastly, a commemorative plaque was presented to the official party of the Greek National Guard for their visit at PRONIA during the celebratory 50th year anniversary.
*All photos by The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
A collection of high-resolution images from 1915 taken by soldiers, nurses and doctors during their time in Lemnos, prior to, during and after the Battle of Gallipoli have found a permanent home at the Lemnian Community of Victoria’s facility in Braeside.
Sourced from collections in war memorials and museums, libraries and universities from across Australia by the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee (LGCC) the photographs were formally handed over to The Lemnian Community of Victoria on Monday, April 25 – Anzac Day, in an emotional event attended by members of the Greek and the wider community, federal and state Politicians and local Council representatives.
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committe Vice President, Christina Despoteris. Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
Welcoming the attendees, Commemorative Committee Vice President, Christina Despoteris, said that despite challenges the organisation has faced over the years “with dialogue and good will anything and everything is possible.”
With a brief speech President of the Lemnian Community of Victoria, Philip Diamataris, thanked the LGCC and said that “it’s an honour and privilege” for his community to host the ‘exhibition which links Australia and Greece.
Mayor of the City of Kingston, Steve Staikos and Federal Member for Isaaks, Mark Dreyfus representing the Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese, also addressed the attendees.
“Anzac Day is a solemn day for us all, but this exhibition is quite different. It shows in photographic form that even in the horror of the war the seeds of something wonderful can be sown,” Mr Dreyfus said.
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, Lee Tarlamis MP, State Member for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region explained that this exhibition played a key role in the Committee’s campaign to both raise awareness of Lemnos’ role in Gallipoli but also in the fundraising efforts for the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial that was erected in Lemnos Square, Albert Park.
“Now the exhibition has finally come home to where it belongs, to the heart of Melbourne’s – and dare I say Australia’s – Lemnian community,” Mr Tarlamis said and expressed his gratitude to LGCC committee member and historian, Jim Claven for creating the photographic display.
Curator, Jim Claven, thanked Secretary General of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association, John Pandazopoulos, who was in attendance for urging him to research the role of Lemnos in Australia’s Anzac story and said that “all of these photographs show the breadth and depth of Lemnos role in Gallipoli.”
“Without Lemnos there would have been no Gallipoli campaign and you cannot remember Australia’s Anzac story without remembering Lemnos’ part in its birth,” said Mr Claven.
Photos: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
“I like to think that the exhibition encapsulates Lemnos’ part in Australia’s Anzac story, as the most significant interaction between Australians and Hellenes in Greece, combining an Australian and a Greek story – as indeed you yourselves do through your own migration stories.”
The event concluded with an Anzac poem written by Lemnian Community member Stavroula Bezas and the official handover of the photographs.
A 45-year-old man has been charged following a spate of thefts from ten Greek Orthodox churches in Melbourne over the Easter long weekend, The Age reports.
The alleged burglaries were first reported on April 19 by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in a statement.
They said the alleged burglaries took place in parishes at East Keilor, Footscray, Yarraville, Templestowe, St Albans, Monee Ponds, North Balwyn, Oakleigh and Northcote.
(L) Saint Haralambous at Templestowe. (R) Security footage of the burglary. Photo by Nine News.
The Archdiocese said the alleged burglaries happened when the churches were closed, “therefore the safety of the clergy or laity from the respective parishes was not endangered.”
Police arrested a Caroline Springs man on Friday in relation to these burglaries and after searching properties in Caroline Springs and Maidstone.
They also seized money and property alleged to have been stolen in the burglaries.
The 45-year-old was later charged with counts of burglary, theft, robbery and criminal damage, and appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday.
No application for bail was made and the man was remanded.
Greeks across Australia and Greece commemorated ANZAC Day on Monday with a number of dawn services, marches and wreath laying ceremonies.
The Greek Herald has the lowdown on all the events:
Greece:
Australian Ambassador to Greece, Arthur Spyrou, payed tribute to the Anzacs and Greek soldiers who fought side-by-side during WWII with a special wreath laying ceremony on Monday.
Ambassador Spyrou visited Phaleron War Cemetery, where 172 Australians and 215 New Zealanders are buried, to lay a wreath and honour the memory of these original ANZACs.
He was accompanied by the Honorary Consul of New Zealand in Greece, Anthony Simpson.
In a post on Twitter and Facebook, Ambassador Spyrou said he was “deeply moved” to lay a wreath to mark one of Australia’s most important national days.
Ambassador Spyrou marked ANZAC Day at Phaleron Cemetery.
“Courage, mateship and sacrifice are part of Australia’s national identity and reflect the spirit of the ANZACs,” the Ambassador said.
“ANZAC Day is… a time for Australians to remember the fallen, a time to demonstrate our respect to those who served, and those who continue to serve in our nation.”
New South Wales:
*Words by George Chiotis / Photos by B. Stratilas.
In NSW, the Greek Returned Servicemen League (Greek RSL) represented the Greek community of Sydney in the march for the 107th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign.
During this Campaign, ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) forces arrived in Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 and met with fierce resistance from the Ottoman Army under Mustafa Kemal, better known as Ataturk. Allied casualties included 21,255 from the United Kingdom, about 10,000 French, 8,709 Australians, 2,721 New Zealanders and 1,358 from then-British occupied India.
Emanuel J. Comino, AM, military photographer in RAAFPresident of the GRSL, Peter Tsigounis.Vice President of the GRSL, George Karountzos.
Anzac Day remains one of the most important national anniversaries for Australia and New Zealand.
Leading the Greek RSL contingent in the march was the President Peter Tsigounis, accompanied by members of the Board, members of the Cretan and Pontian Brotherhood, the Greek Australian Association, and OFSE.
Cretan contingent at the march.Marching.
At the end of the march, the Consul General of Greece, Christos Karras, met with and congratulated all those who took part in the parade in front of the War Museum in Hyde Park.
The Consul General met up with members of the Greek RSL after the parade.
Tasmania:
Greek youth dressed in the traditional costumes of Crete and proudly marched in Tasmania’s ANZAC Day parade on Monday.
The President of the Greek Community of Tasmania, Nick Theodoropoulos, also laid a wreath on the day.
French President Emmanuel Macron has been re-elected for a second term, defeating his far-right challenger, Marine Le Pen, by a comfortable margin.
Macron is the first French president in 20 years to have secured a second term in office after an official vote projection suggested he received 58.5% of the votes compared with Le Pen’s 41.5%.
Macron’s centrist government will now remain in power for the next five years.
This news was welcomed by a number of leaders across the world, including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Mr Macron’s victory was quickly congratulated by other European leaders. Photo: AP / Christophe Ena.
‘Wish you every success’:
In a post on Twitter, Morrison praised Macron’s re-election as a “great expression of liberal democracy in action in uncertain times.”
“We wish you [and] France every success, in particular your leadership in Europe and as an important partner to Australia in the Indo-Pacific,” Morrison added.
Congratulations Emmanuel Macron on your re-election as President. Another great expression of liberal democracy in action in uncertain times. We wish you & France every success, in particular your leadership in Europe and as an important partner to Australia in the Indo-Pacific.
This social media post came despite tension between Macron and Morrison last year after the Federal Government cancelled a $90 billion submarine contract in September.
At the time, Macron accused Morrison of lying to him about the state of the French contract before the AUKUS deal was announced, whereby the US and the UK would supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines instead.
Elsewhere, Opposition Party leader, Anthony Albanese, also congratulated Macron on his victory on Twitter and said “France has long stood tall as a beacon of liberty and democracy.”
Congratulations President @EmmanuelMacron on your re-election. France has long stood tall as a beacon of liberty and democracy. That will continue with your leadership, as will our two nations’ friendship. It was forged in war, and I know it has a bright future.
“That will continue with your leadership, as will our two nations’ friendship,” Albanese said. “It was forged in war, and I know it has a bright future.”
‘An important victory’:
In Greece, Mitsotakis was first off the mark to congratulate Macron on his re-election, writing on Twitter in French: “An important victory for France, Europe and democracy!”
Félicitations @EmmanuelMacron! Une victoire importante pour la France, l’Europe, la démocratie! ✌️
Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, also added her voice to the chorus of congratulations.
“I am delighted to be able to continue the excellent cooperation between France and Greece and advance our common European destiny,” she wrote on Twitter in French.
Mes chaleureuses félicitations à @EmmanuelMacron pour sa réélection à la Présidence de la République française. Je me réjouis de pouvoir continuer l'excellente coopération entre la France et la Grèce et avancer notre destin européen commun.
Main opposition party, the SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, said in a statement that Macron’s victory and Le Pen’s defeat is a message for democracy in Europe, but serves as a warning as well.
“Nobody should be complacent, especially the leftist and progressive forces,” SYRIZA’s statement reads.
“The defeat of the extreme right – which gained over 40% – and of conservative policies that boost it, is of the utmost priority and requires unified initiatives and solidarity of progressive forces.”
Η ήττα της Λεπέν και η νίκη Μακρόν μήνυμα υπέρ της δημοκρατίας [Ανακοίνωση του Γραφείου Τύπου του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ – Προοδευτική Συμμαχία για το αποτέλεσμα των προεδρικών εκλογών στη Γαλλία – https://t.co/j85X5geuTn] pic.twitter.com/dp7RqMkT9b
Macron’s victory will be a positive for Greece as the two countries recently strengthened their bilateral relationship.
Greece has signed a new arms deal with France worth over $4.4 billion to buy three navy frigates and six additional Rafale fighter jets as Athens increases its armed forces in response to rising tensions with Turkey.
Federal Labor Leader, Anthony Albanese, might be in isolation due to COVID-19 but that didn’t stop senior members of his Shadow Ministry from attending Anastasi services across Australia on Saturday night.
At Kogarah’s Greek Orthodox Church in Sydney, Mr Albanese was represented by Linda Burney MP, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services & Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, along with Member for Rockdale, Steve Kamper, and Georges River Council Mayor, Nick Katris.
“It was truly wonderful to attend mass on Saturday evening in Kogarah,” Ms Burney said after the service.
“It is one my great joys as an MP to represent such a vibrant and diverse community, and that was in full display over Orthodox Easter.”
Second row (L-R): Nick Katris, Steve Kamper and Linda Burney. Photo: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Elsewhere, Maria Vamvakinou MP, Andrew Giles MP and Ged Kearney MP attended mass at Northcote Greek Monastery.
“I was honoured to join my Labor Party colleagues across the country on Saturday evening as we joined the Greek community in celebrating the Resurrection,” Ms Vamvakinou said.
“It’s a testament to the long standing relationship between Greek Australians and the Australian Labor Party.”
Steve Georganas MP also attended mass at St George Greek Orthodox Church in Thebarton.
While, Mark Dreyfus MP QC, Shadow Attorney General and Carina Garland Labor candidate for Chisholm, attended mass at St Anargiri in Oakleigh with Steve Dimopolous MP.
“Thank you Father Adamakis for inviting Carina Garland, Labor’s candidate for Chisholm, and I to join your congregation for the celebration of Easter at St Anargiri Greek Orthodox Church in Oakleigh,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“It was a deeply moving and very special night.”
Last, but certainly not least, Terri Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Environment and Water, attended St George Greek Orthodox Church in South Brisbane.
Tony Burke MP, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, and Zhi Soon Labor candidate for Banks, also attended mass at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church Belmore.
“During lockdown for Greek Easter I sat on my verandah with a red candle at midnight. It meant the world to me to be back with everyone at Belmore,” Mr Burke said after the service.
“It’s one of the happiest and most welcoming nights of the year.
“I was also heartened to be joined by Zhi Soon, Labor’s candidate for Banks. Having a candidate whose family migrated from Malaysia to attend a Greek Orthodox midnight mass represents beautifully the diversity of our community.”
One of the key members of the ‘Greek mafia,’ Yiannis Skaftouros, was murdered on Monday afternoon at his holiday home in the Greek village of Skourta, in the regional unit of Viotia.
According to Ekathimerini,the 55-year-old was killed by two assailants riding two motorcycles, who shot at him with AK-47 (Kalashnikov) assault rifles as they rode past his holiday home. Two other people were riding the bikes.
Skaftouros’ 22-year-old daughter and his 45-year-old father-in-law, were injured in the gunfire and have been hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.
Skaftouros’ holiday home where the crime took place. Photo: protothema.gr.
So far, the shooters and other bike riders have not been found but a police investigation is ongoing.
Skaftouros had often tangled with law enforcement agencies, having committed serious crimes, such as involvement in homicide, in the 2009 abduction of shipping magnate Pericles Panagopoulos, extortions, gang activities and arson.
He had been sentenced to life in prison but was released three years ago, benefitting from a law reducing prison sentences, voted by the previous Syriza government.
More than 50,000 people from the Greek and the wider community who attended the Anzac Day service held at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance earlier today, embraced the opportunity to watch a group of Greece’s pre-eminent ceremonial military unit -the Evzones- marching ceremoniously in their distinct costumes to pay their respects to the Anzac soldiers who fought during World War I and World War II.
It was 107 years ago today that Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula during World War I.
The Anzacs were defeated eight months later, after suffering great hardships and mass casualties. But their bravery has become an enduring symbol of military sacrifice.
This year also marks the 80th anniversaries of pivotal moments for Australia during World War II, including the bombing of Darwin, the fall of Singapore and the Kokoda Track campaign against Japanese forces in Papua.
“We are really happy the Evzones are here this Anzac Day to mark the occasion. Every time they come to Australia; they bring a little piece of Greece to the land we call our second home. We are very proud,” a Greek language teacher told The Herald.
Today’s service was the first in three years to welcome the general public, after the COVID-19 pandemic heavily disrupted the 2020 and 2021 commemorations.
Young Melburnian Eddison Brown, marches annually with his school band, as a way to honour his late great-grandfather who fought in Germany and France during World War II but the presence of the Hellenic Presidential Guard gave this parade a more interesting spin.
“They were striking, they stand out,” his mother said.
For others, like Ukrainian veteran Alexander Anzac Day is a reminder of the atrocities of armed conflicts.
“What is happening in my country is not good. I know what war means and I wish peace for everyone.”
