KINAL President, Fofi Gennimata, has passed away today at Athens’ Evangelismos Hospital at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer.
“We extend our condolences to her family and friends,” the hospital said in a statement.
Gennimata was admitted to Athens’ Evangelismos Hospital in early October with an intestinal obstruction, causing her to withdraw from the KINAL party leadership elections.
“The deterioration of my health, which requires hospitalisation and treatment, obliges me not to participate as a candidate in the electoral process for the election of the president of the Movement for Change,” Gennimata said in a statement at the time.
Η επιδείνωση της κατάστασης της υγείας μου που απαιτεί νοσηλεία και αντιμετώπιση, με υποχρεώνει να μην συμμετάσχω ως υποψήφια στην εκλογική διαδικασία για την εκλογή Προέδρου του Κινήματος Αλλαγής.
Gennimata, the daughter of Greek politician Giorgos Gennimatas, was credited for establishing the Greek public health system during the government of PASOK in the 1980’s.
The politician was president of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) since 2015. Since 2017, she served as the president of the Movement for Change, a coalition of center-left parties formed around PASOK.
From October 2009 to September 2010, Gennimata served as a Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare in the Cabinet of George Papandreou, and from September 2010 to November 2011, she served as an Alternate Minister of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs in the same cabinet.
In the days that followed The Greek Herald’s article on the new taxi licence plate reforms announced by the NSW Government recently, we were contacted by many other members of Sydney’s Greek community who wanted to express their anger and disappointment.
As reported, Transport for NSW held a number of webinars with taxi licence owners in September this year where they announced the new reforms. These included, but were not limited to, removing the limit on the number of taxi licences and removing restrictions on areas where taxis can operate.
According to the CEO of the NSW Taxi Council, Martin Rogers, this means that “if you own a taxi licence, once the reforms come through, they’ll be gone. What you would then need to do to even operate a taxi is apply for an annual licence for one year through the Point to Point Transport Commission for about $200 a year.”
Mr Rogers then explained how during the webinar, Transport for NSW gave an “inappropriate example” of how taxi licence owners could potentially be compensated for this cancellation. They said owners could be given $50,000 for each licence, but it will be capped at two licences. Anything over that will not be compensated, amounting in huge losses for many Greeks who initially paid around $400,000 for a licence.
One person who heard all about this proposal through our article was 64-year-old Maria Athanasakos.
Back in 2003, Ms Athanasakos and her husband decided to sell a house they owned and invested in two taxi licences “because they were supposed to be government-run and secure for our future.” They paid $294,000 for one licence and $295,000 for the second.
Ms Athanasakos was happy with the investment until 2015 when rideshare services such as Uber came onto the scene and the NSW Government de-regulated the booked market.
“It’s ruined us financially and mentally. It’s not fair,” she tells The Greek Herald.
“There’s no more income from the taxi. We get $60 a month. That’s ridiculous and now they want us to hand the plates back for $50,000 and then if we want to continue, we have to pay them. That’s not fair, that’s criminal.”
Ms Athanasakos says the situation needs to be rectified with appropriate compensation.
Transport for NSW held a number of webinars with taxi licence owners in September this year where they announced new reforms.
“I think to me a fair compensation would be to at least [get] what we paid for [the licence]. Back in 2015, they were worth $400,000 plus, but I’m willing to lose that and take what I paid for,” she says.
Luckily, the Sydney local isn’t alone in her fight for compensation.
75-year-old Manos has been a taxi licence owner since 1971, with about six licences. He is also ‘very angry’ at the way the NSW Government handled the introduction of rideshare services back in 2015 and is now joining the chorus of Greek voices against the proposed new taxi licence reforms.
“I bought the licences through the years just to have a good retirement but now, unfortunately, they are worth nothing and I can’t get by with what I’m getting,” Manos says.
“There’s about 4,000, I think, owners that have to be compensated. Some people own one [licence], some own 18 or 20 and they say they will only compensate two plates. If you have six or ten, you get compensated on two plates. That’s ridiculous. What happens to the other plates? Did we steal them? We had to finance our homes to get this money.”
Arthur Papapetros, 79, relates with Manos’ frustrations.
Arthur Papapetros in front of one of his taxis. Photo supplied.
Mr Papapetros owns two taxi licences and paid roughly $380,000 for each. He tells The Greek Herald they are now worthless and he’s worried he will lose everything if the reforms are passed.
“I’ve been in Australia for 50 years. I came with my wife. We worked hard… and then decided to buy into taxis. In those years, the taxis were very good but now we’ve lost all our money. We can’t even get the pension,” Mr Papapetros, who still drives taxis, says.
“The way things are now I don’t know what will happen.”
Pressure mounts on the NSW Government:
Kyriakos Koliadis has been campaigning for years for these people to receive adequate compensation.
Mr Koliadis has not only worked closely with the taxi industry to pressure the government about the proposed reforms, but he has also been personally impacted as he owns three taxi licences.
“From the moment the NSW Government gave the green light for foreign businesses to work in the taxi industry without a licence, slowly, slowly, those of us who have taxi licences have been destroyed,” Mr Koliadis tells The Greek Herald.
“It’s a big embarrassment for the NSW Government because they have classified us not as second-class citizens but as third-class citizens.”
In response, Mr Koliadis says he wrote a letter on October 8 to both the new NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, and the NSW Minister for Transport and Roads, Robert Stokes MP, and expressed his frustrations. He is yet to receive a reply.
Kyriakos Koliadis has been campaigning for years for people to receive adequate compensation.
But that’s not to say there hasn’t been any progress at all.
According to Mr Rogers from the NSW Taxi Council, they held a meeting with the NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole MP, on Thursday, October 21, and explained their concerns about the proposed reforms.
“We highlighted the need for appropriate compensation for the loss of value in taxi licences since 2015 and the two cap limit used in the webinar example to be scrapped. We also raised concerns about the impact on regional areas with unlimited licences and the removal of operating areas, which could result in loss of service,” Mr Rogers explained.
“We reiterated that back to the Deputy Premier and the need to actually address this before any reforms or bill is presented to Parliament. He listened to our concerns and it’s now imperative the NSW Government work together with industry to address them.
“We have also requested an urgent meeting with the Minister for Transport and Roads, Rob Stokes, to further highlight these concerns.”
‘There will be further compensation’:
In a comment from a Transport for NSW spokesperson to The Greek Herald, they said:
“Currently, taxis have some limitations in their ability to put on new or additional vehicles to compete with other operators such as rideshare, which do not face these constraints.
The proposed reforms, which include removing the limit on the number of taxi licences available, will address this imbalance by making taxi licences available on application and therefore creating a more even playing field, enabling taxis to better compete with other services.
Taxi service providers will have more choice and flexibility about how they respond to market changes – either by putting on more taxis, expanding their fleets to include hire vehicles, specialising in rank and hail services only, or providing other niche services.
There will be further compensation for impacted licence holders. Throughout September 2021, Transport for NSW consulted with taxi licence owners and others connected to the point to point transport industry on the design of the financial assistance scheme, in addition to over $145 million already paid to the industry, and the transition to new arrangements.
Our focus, like it has always been, is to support and guide industry, particularly those most affected, through this transition.”
Only time will tell what the final outcome of these new taxi licence reforms will be but The Greek Herald will continue to advocate for Greek community members who stand to be impacted. If you have a similar issue, you can call us on: 9566 0500 or email: info@foreignlanguage.com.au.
The nominations are in and the finalists have been selected for The Advertiser, Messenger and Department for Education School Sports Awards 2021.
Among the 29 finalists is Greek Australian, Kayla Tsorotiotis, from Glossop High School in the ‘Student Official Section.’
At just 18, Kayla has been a football umpire for under-13s, under-15s and under-18s level for a number of years.
Kayla also started field umpiring local A-grade games this year.
A football umpire.
Her debut was guided by co-coaches, Mick Trussell and Todd Charlton, at the Loxton North versus Barmera Monash game at Panther Park in July. She was joined by her sister, Georgia, and siblings, Amelia and Alexis Magiarapis, who did the boundary umpiring.
“I’m very excited,” she told Murray Pioneer at the time. “It’s a big thing for us young girls in the Riverland league.”
The winners and runners-up of the SA School Sports Awards 2021 will be announced at the South Australian Museum on November 10.
The proportion of women working across all science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) qualified industries in Australia has continually increased for the last five years but Australia needs more collective action to achieve gender equity in STEM by 2030.
In an effort to inspire more young women to participate in STEM and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Greek Australia leaders call their peers from across the country, aged 18-25, to join the free Tech4Girls Digital Skills Workshop set to be held in virtually on Saturday November 6.
“As a country we urgently need a gender approach to ITC education and to be thinking about ways to engage more young women with tech,” Founding Director and Chair of Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN), Freda Miriklis told The Greek Herald.
— Commonwealth Businesswomen‘s Network (@Official_CBWN) October 19, 2021
“The workshop is backed by heavyweights – the UN EQUALS Global Partnership for Digital Gender Equality and is supported by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Commonwealth Businesswomen Network (CBWN). The gender approach we have taken to this training makes it fun, engaging, and a creative way to explore some of the technologies and tech skills that e-commerce requires.”
The program in Australia will be delivered by Verizon and participants will receive a certificate of completion.
“COVID has led a surge in e-commerce, and we are seeing the necessity of digital transformation for business. Attendees will learn how a physical store can be transposed to an online store and have the opportunity to design and create their own online stores using Shopify while exploring and applying a variety of technologies and tech skills in the process,” Ms Miriklis said.
“They will then be supported and on-boarded onto the Commonwealth e-market launched by CBWN this year, the first such initiative in the Commonwealth’s history – which is being led not by male-led large corporates but by women entrepreneurs. We want to see more young women make the shift from being just consumers of information to becoming digital creators.”
Participants need to have basic digital skills, access to a laptop and Internet connection and a basic command of the English language.
Director of Policy and Vice President of Business and Professional Women (BPW) Australia , Angela Tomazos, said it’s important for young women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community to participate in this global initiative.
“It is an opportunity to see young women engage in this industry where the data shows we don’t see enough, particularly in our multicultural communities. This program’s intent is to equip young women with a skill set which will encourage them to pursue further training.”
“There could be apps they could create to help them and our community. Our young girls bring diversified interest which can help them grow and develop into future leaders in ICT,” Ms Tomazos said.
For information, details and expressions of interest message the BWP Australia via their FB page or email president@bpw.com.au
Australia dodged a major bullet after its top-order woes turned what should have been a straightforward win into a nerve-jangling victory over South Africa at the Twenty20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
Marcus Stoinis was his country’s saviour, lifting his team over the line by five wickets with just two balls to spare with a steely innings at the death, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
In pursuit of a modest target of 119, Australia nearly botched their run chase after losing Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession, the former falling to a brilliant catch in the deep by Aiden Markram.
Marcus Stoinis. Photo: Indranil Mukherjee AFP.
It took a nerveless 24 off 16 balls from Stoinis and a similarly calm 15 off 10 by Matthew Wade to save Australia from what would have been a ghastly defeat.
“The main thing for me there was actually trying to stay as calm as I can and for a Greek Australian it’s pretty hard,” Stoinis said.
“You saw a bit of emotion come out towards the end, but the main thing is me and Wadey were just communicating about who was going to bowl each over, make a plan and then stay calm.”
Team captain, Aaron Finch, also commended Stoinis on his successful innings.
Marcus Stoinis (l) and Matthew Wade led Australia to a tense T20 World Cup win against South Africa.
“It’s quite stressful. Any time you’re chasing a total and it’s coming down to the wire you’re always going to be nervous,” Finch said.
“Marcus Stoinis showed a really cool head, Matty Wade as well, to get us over the line. I think that’s what a little bit of experience can do at the back end of the innings.”
A loss would have been a hammer blow to Australia’s chances of winning a maiden world T20 title. This result, however, has the capacity to set the tone for the campaign.
Seven police officers involved in a shootout that killed a 20-year-old man and injured a teenager after a car chase in Piraeus on Saturday morning were arrested for intentional homicide.
According to a Greek Police (ELAS) statement, officers from the DIAS motorcycle-riding unit signalled the driver of a car which they suspected was stolen to stop for a check, but the driver sped off.
A car chase ensued which ended at Elpidos Street in Perama when the driver turned and rammed the police motorcycles following him.
Officers started shooting towards the car, killing the 20-year-old driver and injuring a 16-year-old passenger, while a third man inside the vehicle managed to escape and is wanted by police.
Seven officers were also hurt, police said.
Initial evidence in the ongoing investigation indicate that most of the seven officers involved in the bloody incident fired shots against the suspects.
Αn initial autopsy revealed that the victim’s body had more than one bullet wound. The full report on the number wounds and the exact cause of death of the 20-year-old will be published on Monday.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been hospitalised for “medical observation” in Washington D.C. after feeling unwell.
Bartholomew felt unwell shortly before leaving for the service at St Sophia Cathedral on Sunday, due to the long flight and the busy schedule of events that followed immediately after his arrival in the United States, Greece’s state agency AMNA reports.
His doctor advised him to rest and for precautionary reasons he was taken to George Washington University Hospital. In an update on Twitter, the Patriarch’s media team writes that he is “feeling well” and “will spend the night in hospital for monitoring.”
UPDATE: His All-Holiness is feeling well. At the doctors’ recommendation, he will spend the night in hospital for monitoring and is expected to be released tomorrow morning. https://t.co/0hQ2FOfRlj
The Ecumenical Patriarch arrived in Washington on Saturday night to a warm reception by members of the Greek American community and church members. It is his first visit since 2009. His plane landed at Andrews Air Force Base.
Accompanied by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Patriarch Bartholomew arrived outside his hotel in central Washington DC to find priests and students from the community of the Greek Orthodox Church of St George in Bethesda, MD waiting for his arrival. After a blessing by the Patriarch, the two prelates addressed the crowd.
Patriarch Bartholomew arriving outside his hotel in central Washington DC.
“We, the faithful children of the Mother Church of Constantinople, welcome you with open hearts for the seventh time,” said Elpidophoros, before adding that “we await for you to show us the way and provide us a new and inspired vision of the faith of the holy and the Apostles that you know so well.”
The Patriarch expressed his gratitude and emotion over his return to the United States and stressed the strong bonds connecting the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
As part of his visit to the United States, Patriarch Bartholomew has scheduled meetings with President Joe Biden, Secretary State Antony Blinken and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
Greek, Italian and other immigrants who flooded into Australia in the post-war era changed the way our houses are designed, according to an article in The Australian.
Journalist, Bernard Salt, writes that “this cohort of workers, of doers, of labourers” brought about the idea of indoor-outdoor living.
Previously, from the 1880s, Australians were living in English terrace houses or what many called the “Australian dream” – the quarter-acre block with three-bedroom brick veneer.
But with the arrival of migrants, such as the Greeks, the epicentre of modern Australian life – the “kitchen-family room with outdoor alfresco” – was conceived.
“And ever since then, say from the 1990s, the Australian home, whether modest or grand, has been based on this simple but effective lifestyle layout,” Salt writes.
Outdoor dining – or “alfresco”. Picture: istock.
“Indeed so influential were the Mediterraneans in reimagining the Australian home that we nicked their terminology. The back veranda, a close but outdoor confrere of the kitchen-family room, has recently gone up-market and now will only respond – like pop stars Beyonce and Madonna – to a single name, ‘alfresco’.”
With that being said, what does the future of Australian homes look like?
According to The Australian, more recent migrants from India, China and The Philippines will influence the industry.
Something like working from home, as we have done during the coronavirus pandemic, could also be a powerful force in reconfiguring the way we live.
Elisa E. Konofagou has been elected to the US-based independent advisory body the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).
She joins her fellow Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) faculty members René Hen and Jennifer Manly as the new elects.
“We are delighted that Drs. Hen, Konofagou, and Manly have been elected to membership in the [NAM],” said Anil K. Rustgi, interim executive Vice President at VP&S/Columbia.
Shih-Fu Chang is the interim dean of Columbia Engineering and says Konofagou’s research and translation effort is “pioneering” and a “testament to the impact of cross-disciplinary collaboration between engineering and medicine”.
“These three researchers have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service, and their election to the academy reflects on the quality of scholarship that distinguishes VP&S.”
“Her work in therapeutic ultrasound is widely acknowledged as breaking new ground in medical practice and treatment,” Chang said.
The entire UEIL lab is so proud of our PI, Dr. Konofagou who's been elected to the National Academy of Medicine recognizing her leadership & innovation in #ultrasound imaging & therapeutics in medical practice & treatment. https://t.co/UMnfmlvntS@theNAMedicine@ColumbiaBME
— Konofagou Lab at Columbia University (@ColumbiaUEIL) October 18, 2021
Konofagou designs and develops ultrasound-based technologies that measure the mechanical and electrical properties of soft tissues in vivo.
Her team also develops ultrasound-based treatments such as breast tumor ablation, brain drug delivery, immunomodulation, and neuromodulation in the central and peripheral nervous systems; and pioneered ultrasound-based methods for noninvasive early detection of cardiovascular disease and tumors.
“Konofagou was elected to NAM for her leadership and innovation in ultrasound and other advanced imaging modalities and their application in the clinical management of significant health care problems such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer, through licensing to the major imaging companies,” Columbia University’s website reads.
This year’s Sydney Film Festival has stand-outs from Cannes and Venice Film Festival and showcases a wide range of Greek talent.
Greek director Christos Nikou and executive producer Cate Blanchett bring Aris Servetalis and Sofia Georgovasili together for a dystopian critique of “selfie culture” in Apples (2021).
Christos Nikou’s Apples represents a ‘weird’ new wave of Greek cinema (Supplied)
It follows a middle-aged man who finds himself enrolled in a recovery program designed to help unclaimed patients build new identities amid a worldwide pandemic of amnesia.
Apples is Greece’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2021 Academy Awards.
It premiered at Venice Film Festival and was part of the official selection at Toronto International Film Festival in September 2020.
Festival-goers will also see Angeliki Antoniou achieve a rare feat by directing and producing feature film Green Sea (2020).
Angeliki Antoniou on the set of Green Sea (Left: akrividis.gr) (Right: Supplied)
Green Sea (2020) made its debut at Kitzbühel Film Festival in August 2020.
It’s inspired by Evgenia Fakinou’s 1996 book To See The Sea (‘Για να δει τη θάλασσα’) about a woman who maintains her ability to cook despite living with amnesia.
It follows ‘Anna’ as she sets out with ‘Roula’ on a journey of self-discovery.
The festival will open on November 3 with co-director Ana Kokkinos’ Western Sydney-set drama Here Out West and close on November 14 with Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch.
The 68th Sydney Film Festival is set to run as re-scheduled between November 3 – 21.
