Alex Theris, 29, and Kynan Maffesoni, 24, have pleaded guilty to supplying MDMA and cocaine after their phones and vehicles were bugged by police earlier this year.
Between November last year and January this year, Alex Theris was involved in the sale of more than 27 grams of cocaine, messaging and meeting up with clients on multiple occasions, according to police facts.
Strike Force Pallamana detectives, along with Strike Force Raptor North officers, swooped on properties at Elermore Vale and Macquarie Hills in February and seized 28 grams of MDMA, steroids, $15,000 in cash, mobile phones, documents and other items.
An item seized in a raid by Strike Force Pallamana detectives in the Hunter Valley.
Five other charges of drug supply were withdrawn after Theris pleaded guilty to supplying drugs on an ongoing basis in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.
Maffesoni, from Macquarie Hills, also appeared in court and pleaded guilty to two charges of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.
Police facts said Maffesoni made many transaction and sold numerous amounts of drugs at various locations across Lake Macquarie including in the carpark of Cardiff RSL and Wests Cardiff.
Strike Force Pallamana detectives raid a property in the Hunter Valley. NSW Police.
He would send messages to a group chat saying “get in while stocks last” or “restocked, anyone need to put an order in for tonight?”
Both men have had their matters adjourned until December.
On this day in 1864, the new Constitution of Greece is published, marking a monumental day for the future of Greece and its democracy.
Up until 1863, Greece was under the rule of King Otto, which lasted for 30 years. By the end of his rule, many Greek politicians were growing intolerant of King Otto’s constant interference in Government. In 1862, King Otto dismissed the Greek Prime Minister, provoking a military rebellion, forcing Otto to step down from his unwelcome role.
Following this, the Greek government asked Prince Alfred of Great Britain to take the crown of the Kingdom of Greece, which he denied. Instead, Prince George Christian Willem was crowned the constitutional King of Greece, to be named King George I of Hellenes. Shortly after, Athens hosted the Second National Assembly of the Hellenes in 1863, which is where the new Greek Constitution was born.
King George I of Hellenes.
Under the new reign of King George, Greece adopted a more democratic constitution through the Constitution of 1864. This new constitution established in clear terms the principle of popular sovereignty, granting the Parliament with reversionary powers.
The Constitution of 1864 implemented significant changes to the governing rule of Greece. Under this constitution, the powers of the Monarchy were reduced and the senate was abolished. Despite these changes, the Greek politics remained heavily dynastic and family run.
The constitution of 1864 marked the beginning of Greece’s transition from a constitutional monarchy to a crowned republic, thus creating several changes within Greek society.
The most noteworthy amendments made were concerning the protection of human rights. This included increased protection of personal security and equality of tax burden. The constitution also facilitated expropriation to allocate property to landless farmers whilst also protecting property rights.
The Greek Constitution has since been modified and developed, but people will never forget the monumental changes that the Constitution of 1864 brought to Greece and its people.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told lawmakers in Parliament on Thursday that the source of the COVID-19 infection jump comes largely from the younger generation.
“We tried many plans but they were betrayed by the behavior of some people,” he said during a debate about the government measures to contain the virus.
“We know today what were the sources of the outbreaks. We are saying this to explain to society that these behaviors create a public health problem for everyone. The main source for the spread was the entertainment of young people.”
EUROKINISSI / GIORGOS KONTARINIS
He said reistating a lockdown “was not an easy choice” because apart from implementation, the measures also need to be adapted.
He also defended the government’s decision to reopen to tourism in July without compulsory testing for all arrivals, arguing that if health authorities had conducted PCR test on all arrivals Greece would have ended up with 10-20% of the tourism it actually had.
He insisted that the jump in infections “is not linked” with the opening of tourism this summer. “Countries that remained completely closed, such as Israel, saw a second outbreak of the coronavirus in September. Cyprus has had stricter procedures and is being hit just as hard,” he said.
Mitsotakis admitted that tougher restrictions should have been taken a week ago in Thessaloniki to avoid the rampant spread of the virus.
“We could have imposed the use of face masks everywhere earlier, limit the evening entertainment earlier, take measures in Thessaloniki earlier,” he said.
Dozens of hospital workers held protests at hospitals in Greece Thursday, demanding more medical staff be hired as the country struggles to contain a resurgence of the coronavirus that has led to a new lockdown being imposed.
An increase in the number of people seriously ill with COVID-19 has brought the country’s health system under increasing pressure. As of Wednesday night, Greece had a total of 1,104 intensive care unit beds, of which 496 were set aside for COVID-19 patients. Of those, 335 are already occupied.
On Thursday, authorities reported 50 new deaths and more than 3,300 new confirmed infections — both record high daily numbers. Greece’s total confirmed COVID-19 infections stand at 66,637 with an overall death toll of 959 in the country of around 11 million.
A paramedic wearing a suit to protect against coronavirus, closes the door of an ambulance at Evangelismos hospital in Athens, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The government has stressed it has massively increased intensive care capacity, noting there were a total of just over 500 ICU beds in Greece when it came to power after elections in mid-2019.
“Every humanly possible effort was made so that we can, in the intervening time between the first wave and where we are today, reinforce the ICUs with beds and personnel,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Thursday during a Parliament debate on the government’s handling of the pandemic. “Whatever was humanly possible … has been done and continues to be done.”
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse Anna Kaloudi wearing a face mask to protect against the spread of the coronavirus, holds a placard that reads “We seek mass hirings of health workers” during a protest at Evangelismos hospital in Athens, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Mitsotakis said that no matter how many ICUs a country has, “and obviously we prefer to have more rather than fewer, a health system cannot cope if we do not hit the problem at the start of the chain. The start of the chain is the uncontrolled spread of the virus mainly through crowding and contact with people we do not know.”
Greece imposed an early lockdown during the pandemic’s initial outbreak in the spring, a move credited with keeping the number of deaths and seriously ill very low. But a resurgence of the virus this autumn has led to a rapidly increasing number of people in intensive care units, and a sharp increase in deaths.
“I didn’t know if I was going to survive. That was my biggest fear. And that’s why when people would say, ‘you’ll be okay,’ I would say, ‘I don’t know if I will be’,” Connie Rantzoglou Kalathas explains as we sit down for our exclusive chat.
When Connie was first diagnosed with Stage 2-3 breast cancer on August 29, 2017, she was horrified and scared. At the time, she was “50 years young” with no family history of the disease.
Sadly, she’s not alone. Breast cancer, which is the abnormal growth of the cells lining the breast ducts, is the most common cancer in Australian women. According to Cancer Council NSW, about 17,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and 1 in 8 will be diagnosed by the age of 85.
Connie Kalathas was only 50 years old when she was first diagnosed with Stage 2-3 breast cancer on August 29, 2017. Photo supplied.
Health professionals say early detection of the disease gives the best possible chance of survival. In Connie’s case, if it wasn’t for her colleagues at the Bank of Sydney, where she’s been working for over 18 years as a Branch Operations Manager in Adelaide, she wouldn’t have even done a mammogram (x-ray) of her breast.
“I was getting sharp pains in my left breast and the girls at work kept saying, ‘Go for a mammogram,’ and I kept putting it off until I turned 50 when I received a letter to go for a free mammogram. That’s when I thought, ‘I’m going to do it’,” Connie tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
Connie was initially scared to go for a mammogram. Photo supplied.
“I booked an appointment and ended up cancelling three times. But I did eventually go for the test and they rang me up afterwards and said, ‘we want you to come in for a biopsy.’ I knew straight away.
“I visited the doctor after my biopsy and when he said, ‘you are breast cancer positive with three lesions,’ my world just fell apart.”
Connie had to instantly undergo a full mastectomy (removal) of her left breast tissue, followed by 15 rounds of chemotherapy and 24 rounds of radiotherapy, five days a week.
Connie underwent 15 rounds of chemotherapy and 24 rounds of radiotherapy. Photo supplied.
The process was gruelling and “gut-wrenching,” especially as Connie’s father also passed away as she was undergoing treatment. But Connie says she’s still extremely grateful for the support of family and friends at the time.
“When I was first diagnosed, the doctors were throwing books and pamphlets at me and I just didn’t even want to look at anything,” Connie explains.
“But I was lucky to have a close circle of family and friends who supported me during every treatment and my dad’s passing. Even if it was just that initial hug or to have my friends vacuum or mop for me because I couldn’t do anything. That’s all I needed.”
Connie’s eldest sister Zafiro taking her to chemotherapy. Photo supplied.
And it looks as though that support really was enough because Connie has now been in remission for three years. Something she says is a relief but added that there’s still a long way to go with her recovery process.
“Even now I get days where I’m so tired and fatigued and I’m feeling down. But you’ve just got to lift yourself up and generally, I put my feet on the ground every morning and say, ‘thank you God, I’m here for another day’.”
A positive message of hope from an inspirational woman who has already been through so much trauma and heartbreak in her short 50 years of life.
Greek Australian, Christina Bacchiella, has many titles. She’s the founder of Sydney Greek Jam and co-founder of Greek Fringe but now she can add one more title to her list: Award recipient.
This week, Christina was recognised for her work in Indigenous education in engineering, receiving the University of Sydney’s Vice Chancellor Award for Indigenous Education Strategies.
The 33-year-old Sydney girl works in the university’s Faculty of Engineering alongside her manager and fellow award recipient, Keiran Passmore, and the Associate Dean for Indigenous Strategy and Services, Petr Matous.
In her specific faculty role of Community Engagement Coordinator, Christina project manages the university’s Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) in collaboration with Engineering Aid Australia.
Christina Bacchiella has been recognised for her work in Indigenous education in engineering.
She says it’s a role she loves as she gets to see Indigenous students in Years 10 to 12 get real-life experience in engineering through the IAES education program.
“During the IAES, Indigenous students from across Australia live on campus for six days to get a real taste of university life. The students are accompanied by “house parents” from engineering backgrounds, who have been through the IAES,” Christina explains to The Greek Herald.
“They also get access to prominent STEM academics at the university and visit engineering companies such as Sydney Metro.
“The whole program creates an exciting environment for Indigenous students to learn how engineering can improve our communities, to meet engineering role models, and gain insights into the opportunities engineering can deliver as a career.”
The size of the IAES program has gradually grown each year to 25 students annually. In fact, Christina says eleven out of thirty Indigenous students enrolled over the past 5 years in the Faculty of Engineering come from the program. This is something she’s incredibly proud of.
“The program has been running for 10 years and students who have gone through the program in the initial years are now some of the leading engineers in Australia. That’s inspirational,” Christina says.
“It’s just beautiful to see the students progress as they go through the program and realise that they are able to achieve greatness in engineering despite any barriers they may face.”
And with that statement, it’s clear the IAES is a powerful program managed by a Greek Australian who wants to see more Indigenous people achieve their personal career goals.
The Organisation of Hellene and Hellene Cypriots of Australia (OEEGA NSW) and the Greek Australian community in general showed their support for children with cancer through a radio marathon held on Wednesday, November 11th.
Broadcast by the 2MM radio station, the marathon was a huge success with over $42,000 raised and donated to the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI).
The radio marathon, which was organised instead of the annual event typically held by the organisation, 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 politician, Sophie Cotsis MP, Archbishop Makarios of Australia and Australian Ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos.
A number of Greek Australian businesses and expatriate organisations also supported and donated to the initiative, including the Kytherian, Kalymnian and Cretan associations of Australia. Prior to the marathon, the Cretan Assocation held a silent action for this purpose.
During the fundraiser, messages were heard from scientists of the Institute, as well as a personal story of hope from a girl who managed to overcome the disease.
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.
Protesting outside South Australian abortion clinics has been outlawed after new laws passed the Upper House in State Parliament late last night.
The bill, which was passed about 10:00pm on Wednesday, makes it an offence to protest within 150 metres of an abortion clinic.
Greens MLC Tammy Franks — who introduced the proposed law in the Legislative Council — said “at long last” the South Australian Parliament had voted to protect patients and workers from “harassment” outside abortion clinics.
Protesting outside South Australian abortion clinics has been outlawed.
“For too long our dedicated health workers and the patients for whom they provide care were subjected to harassment, intimidation, and threats while trying to access or provide abortion services,” she said.
“What a relief it is that today patients and health workers will no longer be subjected to this behaviour, and will be protected by our laws.
“Finally, South Australia has said ‘no more’ to women and workers being made to run a gauntlet of protest and preaching.
South Australia was the second last Australian state or territory to introduce similar laws, with Western Australia still debating the issue.
On Remembrance Day yesterday, Greek Australians across the country paused at the 11th hour to pay respect to the thousands of men and women who have lost their lives in all wars and armed conflicts.
The day itself marks the moment on 11 November 1918, when the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare during WWI. In the four years of the war, more than 330,000 Australians had served overseas and more than 60,000 of them had died.
Here’s how the memory of these soldiers was honoured by Greek Australians:
St Euphemia College:
High school and primary students marked Remembrance Day at St Euphemia College yesterday with one minute of silence at 11am.
Primary students then participated in a number of art activities, including drawing and painting poppies.
A wreath was also laid during a small memorial service conducted by Father Panagiotis.
All Saints Grammar School:
Primary and secondary students at All Saints Grammar School paid tribute to those who have given their life for our freedom with a wreath laying ceremony and one minute of silence at 11am.
Students from All Saints Grammar School held a special remembrance ceremony. Photo: All Saints Grammar School Facebook.
Oakleigh Grammar School:
A small number of students from Oakleigh Grammar School, accompanied by school principal Mark Robertson, held a remembrance ceremony on the school grounds yesterday.
The Ode of Remembrance was read, followed by a minute of silence and the laying of a wreath.
Australian War Memorial in Canberra:
High Commissioner of Cyprus to Australia, Martha Mavrommatis, laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial on behalf of the people of Cyprus. The High Commissioner was greeted by the New Director of the Australian War Memorial, Matt Anderson PMS.
At exactly 11 am, Mrs Mavrommatis observed a minute of silence in memory of all those who fought for our freedom.
Fronditha Care:
Elderly from Fronditha Care’s ‘Thalpori’ residence in St Albans painted poppies and held a commemorative ceremony outside the facility, in front the half-mast flags, singing the Australian and Greek national anthems.
In Mayfield, Fronditha Care’s ‘Hippocrates’ residents held a respectful observance, with Beryl laying the remembrance wreath and Alexandros reciting the Lord’s Prayer in Greek.
Turkey has issued a new navigational telex (NAVTEX) for its Oruc Reis vessel to continue its survey activities in the east Mediterranean.
The new NAVTEX issued on Wednesday reserves an area south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo until November 23 as the current NAVTEX expires on November 14.
In response, Greece’s Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, ordered the immediate delivery of a demarche to Turkey and he also briefed Greece’s allies and partners about Turkey’s ongoing illegal behavior.
“With the new illegal NAVTEX that Turkey has issued, it announces the continuation of its illegal seismic research… in an area within the Greek continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean, undermining the peace and stability of the region,” Greece’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“In other words, (Turkey) is trumpeting that it intends to continue ignoring the international community and the recommendations of the European Council to avoid such illegal actions and respect international legality.
“Greece again condemns this provocative behaviour, which makes any prospect of constructive dialogue even more distant, and calls on Turkey to immediately revoke the illegal NAVTEX.”
This was swiftly followed by an anti-NAVTEX message on the part of the Greek government, stating that the Turkish NAVTEX was illegal and the activities it mentions are not authorised in that area.
