Many of us
grew up with a small toy piano that we would play loudly and annoyingly until
our parents told us to be quiet. The same can’t be said for George Kondilis. From
the second his fingers glided across the toy piano his yiayia bought for
him, he created magic.
George was born blind but that didn’t stop him from reaching for the musical stars. From the age of two, George’s yiayia, Lambrini Stavrou, would sing to him while he mimicked the song on his toy piano. Thirty-eight years later and George’s passion for the piano has only grown stronger. Something his mum, Maria Kondilis, says has made his yiayia very proud.
Blind piano player, George Kondilis, gives his special rendition of Zorba the Greek. 🇬🇷
“George can
listen to a song, memorise it and play that very same tune on the piano. From
the age of two his yiayia Lambrini would sing to him and he would mimic it.
Lambrini knew from this moment her grandson was gifted and he needed to be
heard,” Maria tells The Greek Herald.
“She is very proud of her grandson’s gift. She would take him to many Greek events, nursing homes and anywhere she could get people to hear his talent. He really is her star.”
The
self-taught piano player has an incredible song repertoire. George is able to
perform not only Greek folk songs but also classical music such as Beethoven.
Whilst he doesn’t have a favourite genre, his mum says just being able to
perform brings George so much joy.
“George
mainly plays Greek folk songs such as the Zorba, floghera, tsamika and zebekika.
He also plays classical Beethoven, the theme song to Titanic and the list goes
on,” Maria explains. “But just playing the piano brings George so much joy. He
can sense the audience enjoying his music and he loves loud applause and being
told what a wonderful talent he has.”
And talented he definitely is. George is a true inspiration with an extremely exciting future ahead of him.
Read the GREEK version of George’s story in the print edition on July 1, 2020.
A homesick young Greek, studying at Aberdeen University in Scotland, had enough waiting for the lifting of travel restrictions and decided to cycle his way to his hometown, Athens.
20-year-old, Cleon Papadimitriou, managed to cycle 3,500 kilometres from one edge of Europe to the other, carrying a load of 30 kilograms, in 48 days.
During the pandemic, he was in self-isolation at Aberdeen. With travel restrictions in place and airports closed, he decided enough was enough and devised a different way to get to Greece and his family.
20-year-old, Cleon Papadimitriou, cycled around Europe during the lockdown to return home to Athens.
“It started as a joke, but because I like ‘adventures’ of this kind, I started to study if that was possible,” the young Athenian told Athens Macedonia News Agency (AMNA).
The young student’s journey finally began on May 10, 2020 and crossing the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and Austria, he arrived in Italy.
He boarded a boat to Patras and from there continued to Athens, where his family and friends welcomed him to his neighborhood at Melissia, north of the Greek capital, with a large banner proclaiming: “Welcome Home Cleon: One more challenge accomplished!”
Papadimitriou said that throughout his cycling Odyssey he had the support of his family. He encountered hail and snow, but also intense heat as he was crossing Europe. But it was not just the weather changes that created problems.
“Sometimes the bicycle tire burst two or three times a day and that not only cost me a lot of time, but it wasn’t good for my morale either. It was a lesson I had to learn to manage,” said Papadimitriou.
Now back in Athens, he looks forward to a well-deserved rest and a holiday before he returns to Aberdeen to continue his studies.
Sixteen large Greek companies that operate in North Macedonia have recently launched the Association of Greek Businesses in North Macedonia based in the country’s capital city, Skopje.
The founders include representatives from Stopanska Banka, EDS, Usje and Intrakat.
Elected president, Aris Vlachos, explained that one of it’s major goals is to facilitate communication between North Macedonia and Greece while also cooperating with both.
“We are aspiring to become a bridge of communication among businesses in both countries and defend the interests of Greek companies in North Macedonia,” Mr Vlachos said in a statement.
Mr Vlachos added that the protection of the economic and development interests of its members in relation to the local business communities was its top objective.
Having been recently established, it’s currently unclear as to how the association plans to conduct these initiatives amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
The government of Macedonia had recently opened its land borders on Friday, June 26. The country is also expected to reopen its airports on Wednesday, July 1, for incoming international tourists.
The Mitsotakis government submitted a bill to Parliament on Monday to impose tighter controls on public demonstrations that frequently block traffic and turn violent.
The bill stipulates that participation in a protest rally held without police permission could be punishable by up to a year in prison.
Protest organisers may also be held liable for damage caused to public or private property during a protest.
The government argues that the changes will protect the right to protest and stop small gatherings from causing extensive disruption to traffic.
Left-wing opposition parties, including the Syriza Party, strongly criticised the plan, describing it as being reminiscent of a right-wing dictatorship in Greece between 1967 and 1974.
The Parliament is expected to vote on the bill by July 10.
A labor union backed by the Greek Communist Party said it planned to defeat the proposal with mass demonstrations.
Greece has a long tradition of public protests and several recent rallies have been held in support of the Black Lives Matter marches in the United States.
Thymios Karakatsanis was a man with a strong personality and one of the best comics of modern Greek theatre.
The renowned Greek actor and theatre director always associated himself with the comedies of Aristophanes and performed regularly at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
Karakatsanis was born on December 8, 1940 in Tambouria, Piraeus. He studied at the Charles Kun Art Theater and since 1960, worked as a “key member” of the Art Theater and then in the free theater.
Thymios Karakatsanis was one of the best comics of modern Greek theatre.
He had a strong interest in the plays of Aristophanes, performing most of the roles in the poet’s comedies. He starred in Koon’s historical performance of Ornithes (1959), as it was presented in 1962 and 1964-1965 on a world tour. He also played a wide range of roles in works by Psatha, Pinder, Hasek, Calderon, Moliere and Neil Simon.
Although his background was as a theatrical actor, Karakatsanis even had a small presence on the big screen, with 11 films to his credit from 1967 to 1986.
Karakatsanis had a strong interest in the plays of Aristophanes.
Some of his final theatrical roles included: Death of Arthur Miller’s Merchant and Dandades by George Skourtis, and in June 2011, he directed and starred in Aristophanes’ Lysistrata with co-stars George Constantinou, George Partsalakis, Vassilis Tsivilikas , Costas Voutsas and Vasia Trifilli.
In November 2011, in an interview with the Espresso newspaper, Karakatsanis announced that he was retiring from the theater due to serious health problems he had been facing in recent years. Asked if he would ever appear on stage again, he replied: “I will appear in the Second Coming. For me, the curtain has fallen.”
Thymios Karakatsanis died on June 30, 2012, at the age of 71. Until the last moment, his beloved wife Roula, their two daughters, the actress Alexandra Karakatsani and the artist Katerina Karakatsani stood by his side.
Taxpayers have spent $1 million compensating employees who lost wages and entitlements in the collapse of Made Establishment, the restaurant empire founded by celebrity chef George Calombaris.
But despite the taxpayer payment, more than two dozen former kitchen and waiting staff have received none of the money owed to them in superannuation and redundancy entitlements because as temporary visa workers, they do not qualify for government support. Some are out of pocket more than $15,000.
The Made Establishment empire, which included a dozen restaurants and employed 364 permanent and casual staff, collapsed under the weight of a $7.8 million wages underpayment scandal, significant financial debts and poor trading conditions despite a large 2017 investment by former Swisse vitamins boss Radek Sali.
The company’s eateries included The Press Club, Hellenic Republic and Jimmy Grants.
However, four months after the collapse, some staff entitlements remain unpaid despite the company’s hopes that workers would not be left out of pocket.
Radek Sali (left) and George Calombaris (right). Photo by Paul Jeffers.
“All staff have been paid up to date and will receive their entitlements as part of the administration process and will be redeployed swiftly wherever possible,” Mr Sali told the media in the days after the collapse.
Documents filed by liquidator KordaMentha this month shows Made Establishment still owed $1.3 million in employee entitlements when it closed in February 2020, including annual leave, superannuation, redundancy payments and back wages for more than 100 former full time workers.
Nearly $1 million of this debt has been covered by the federal government’s Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG), a program that pays the outstanding wages, leave and redundancy entitlements of citizens and permanent residents when their employers are unable to meet their commitments after going insolvent or bankrupt.
A number of employees contacted by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald who qualified for the program were happy with the outcome. “The process was pretty quick and I got what I was owed,” a former chef said.
But at least 27 staff on temporary visas are ineligible for FEG payments because of their immigration status and have received no money. One former Jimmy Grants worker, who asked to have his name withheld while he continues to look for work in the hospitality sector, said it was a “stupid rule” that had cost him more than $10,000.
“They’ve told us we’re not eligible to receive our own hard-earned money. It’s heartbreaking. We’re not asking for some kind of extra benefit, just what we have already earned ourselves,” he said.
“Made Establishment was a good, fair employer before this. There were not many of us in this situation so I thought the company would take care of us.”
Another worker from Hellenic Republic who was owed more than $15,000 said they were told during the liquidation process that any repayment would depend on the sale of the restaurant’s assets.
A spokesman for KordaMentha said it was likely that of the temporary visa holders only the 11 who worked at The Press Club Restaurant and Bar in the CBD may eventually receive some of their payments.
George Calombaris at his Jimmy Grants restaurant at Sydney Central Plaza.
“The liquidators do not expect a dividend will be paid to employees of the other employing entities given the minimal circulating assets available for realisation within these entities,” he said.
A spokesman for Mr Sali noted the entrepreneur had spent more than $7 million covering staff underpayments that occurred before he bought into Made Establishment in 2017, and that he had made “significant capital contributions” before the insolvency to “ensure that former employees received their full entitlements.”
“Any suggestion that he has sought to rely on the Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme is wrong. As a result of the administration process, it would have been illegal for Radek to make any further contributions to the business for entitlements, necessitating any historic entitlements identified by the administrators to be met by the Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme.”
The spokesman also said Mr Sali was “unaware” of any employees being ineligible under FEG.
Mr Calombaris did not respond to a request for comment.
“This is tragic. No person should ever die in these circumstances… This is a location that is loved across Melbourne. It is on the map as a safe place for people to dine and come together. There is no place for violence in our community. Not now. Not ever,” Mr Dimopoulos wrote.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
UPDATE:
20-year-old Thomas “Tommy” Tran, has been identified as the young man killed in Oakleigh last night.
His distraught mother told Nine News her son was meant to be at the gym when he was killed and she has no idea why her only child was attacked.
A 15-year-old Dandenong boy, two 19-year-old men from Lynbrook and Lyndhurst and a 20-year-old Dandenong South man were arrested, but have been released from custody pending further inquiries.
Thomas “Tommy” Tran and his mother Amy. Photos by Nine News.
In these -sometimes contradictory
words- one could summarize the story behind Sydney based not-for-profit
organisation, “Project Generosity”.
A project that began
as a gesture of support from one mother to another, from Australian mum and
social worker Jasmine to Greek Australian mum Gina, and evolved into a support
net for families who struggle.
For the last four
years, Jasmine and the organisation’s volunteers prepare ‘smile boxes’, boxes
full of gifts, to offer comfort to families who need it.
“Yianni means God is generous, and I named the organisation as a tribute to Yianni,” Project Generosity Founder and CEO, Jasmine Issa, told The Greek Herald.
But this is how it all started.
Yiannis’ story
“After trying for 3
years we finally learnt we were pregnant with our miracle boy Yianni. On 11th
May 2013 our son was born, his heart was beating perfectly and seemed to be a
healthy boy. His kidney function was not 100%, but other than that things seemed
fine. After 9 days in special care we got to take our boy home,” said Gina
Kaly, Yianni’s mother.
Six months later,
Yianni was diagnosed with epilepsy and, according to his mum, he could have up
to 100 seizures a day. His development was severely delayed and by the age of
18 months he could no longer eat orally.
“In January 2015 we were told that our Yianni ‘would not see old bones’ and that they did not feel as though he had many years to live. This, was never something we expected to hear even with Yiannis undiagnosed condition, he was our boy, he was normal to us, even with all the challenges he faced he was always smiling,” Gina said, explaining how important the support of friends, family and the wider community was during these hard times.
Gina (L) and Jasmine (R) with Project Generosity ‘smile boxes.’ Photo supplied.
The Australian social worker and her gesture of support
When social worker and
mum Jasmine heard Yiannis’ story, she decided she had to do something to comfort
Gina and her family.
“A friend told me Gina’s
story. She wanted to organise a gift for her friend Gina after she was given
some very difficult news about her son. As a mum of two at the time, that sort
of grief and pain is unimaginable. I still clearly remember feeling an ache in
my heart when I heard the news, and felt the desire to help somehow.
“I suggested reaching
out to the community and some businesses on social media to arrange a
“smile box” for this family,” said Jasmine.
In July 2015, as she was collecting the gifts and donations, Jasmine was given the news that Yianni had passed away.
Project Generosity smile boxes in the making. Photo supplied.
The ‘smile box’ was
given to Gina as a ‘comfort box’ and Jasmine didn’t get to meet Yianni, but a
bigger idea was born.
“I continued to do
more boxes for other struggling families. I named the organisation ‘Project
Generosity’ as a tribute to Yianni. He is the reason this organisation exists
and he will always be at the heart of what we do,” Jasmine said.
“In a world where
there is so much sadness and hurt, we can all sit back and complain but I refuse
to do that. I want to remind people that kindness exists, and allow people to
feel some sense of hope and comfort through the act of giving,” she concludes.
In a statement released today, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has sent a message of gratitude and thanks to His Eminence Archbishop Makarios to mark the one year anniversary of his enthronement.
“On that winter’s morning, one year ago, you (Archbishop Makarios) were greeted by a faith community filled with anticipation and expectation,” Mr Morrison began.
“And in the months since, as Australia and the world have faced unforeseen challenges, you have worked hard to fulfill those hopes.”
Mr Morrison then went on to send his “thanks and appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices of the Australian Greek Orthodox community in responding to COVID-19.”
“I am grateful for the Greek Orthodox community’s efforts to implement physical distancing in places of worship throughout this dreadful global pandemic. You offered compassion and acted with wisdom,” Mr Morrison said.
“I extend my thanks for your commitment to Australia’s future, and for your contribution to the rich spiritual and multicultural life of this nation.”
The ‘bad boy’ of Australian tennis is recognised by
present and former professionals as one of the biggest tennis talents in the
past five years.
Yet, the expression ‘bad boy’ is not one of
endearment commonly used by the media. Instead, it has been used to showcase
his apparent arrogance and disrespectful attitude to his opponents, on and off
the court.
Nick Kyrgios has copped massive slack for showing
disrespect specifically to the glorified ‘Big Three’: Comprising of Roger
Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia reacts to his opponent during his first round match against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy on day two of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Arena in Melbourne, Tuesday, January 21, 2020. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Yet this observation of his attitude as being one of ‘disrespect’ is sorely misplaced. Instead, tennis audiences should admire the mentality of a player that does not glorify his opponents, but instead works to prove he is better than them.
As the reign of the ‘Big Three’ looks to come to a
slow close, it is time to shine a light on why Nick Kyrgios’ on-court attitude
should be looked upon and admired by tennis players of the next generation.
The ‘Big Three’ have earned their way into the history books
Before there are comments labelling me as ‘Big
Three hater’ or ‘Kyrgios admirer’, it must, almost needlessly, be prefaced that
the achievements and accolades accomplished by the Big Three are truly once in
a lifetime showcases of talent and should be admired by tennis viewers in
centuries to come.
To date the Big Three have collectively won 56 Major titles (with Federer a record 20, Nadal 19 and Djokovic 17). It would be foolish to think, as many may, that Kyrgios does not recognise this talent and respect their accomplishments.
Photo: AP/Andy Brownbill
“Always playing at my local tennis (club) and
we were watching these guys at Grand Slams…saying who’s gonna win the next
Grand Slam, who’s gonna beat Murray, Djokovic, Federer and Nadal,” Kyrgios
says to Tennis World in July 2018.
“When I look back…to know that I’ve beaten
all four it’s pretty special..it’s something that not many people can
say.”
Yet, instead of bowing down and glorifying the
tennis champions that dominate the competition, Nick Kyrgios looks to prove
that they are not standing on a pedestal too tall to reach.
In an interview with the Daily Mail in March last year, Kyrgios notes that while they have brought an incredible amount fans to the world of tennis, they are competitors just like everyone else.
Nick Kyrgios (Getty)
“I don’t know how much respect the others show
them but I’m not going to really respect someone just because they can hit a
ball over the net, that’s not enough for me to give them respect,” said
Kyrgios in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“Why would I give them an inch? They’ve
already got the advantage with always playing on the best courts in the best
conditions, all that sort of stuff, so I don’t know why you would give them
inches.”
“Obviously what they (the trio) do for the sport is huge, they inspire millions around the globe. But when I’m on the court we are competing and I’m not trying to be your friend.”
2020 ATP Cup sees ‘bad boy’ become tennis role model
Those who
watched the 2020 ATP Cup would have seen one of the greatest tennis ‘bromances’
come to life.
Nick
Kyrgios and Australian teammate Alex De Minaur built their relationship during
their tournament run in the ATP Cup, reaching the semi-finals together.
However, one year prior to the competition, Kyrgios was nothing but excited for
what De Minaur was set to achieve.
“It’s always great seeing other Aussies do well. I am not the jealous or envious type – if others have success I am happy for them,” Kyrgios said.
Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios celebrate winning their Quarter-finals. Photo: Reuters
“Seeing
what Alex has been doing, he is now on the big stage. I know he is excited
about the Aussie summer and I am sure he will do very well.”
A special
handshake between the two players, along with their chemistry on the court,
showed nothing but the special bond the two players have.
“I
kind of look as him as my little brother in a way,” Kyrgios said after
defeating Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie.
“I try and be a good influence on him whenever I can, whenever I’m around him.”
After
watching the attitude of Kyrgios evolve during his career, there’s reason to
believe that he is the missing piece to tennis’ survival.
Regardless
of his performance on the court, Nick Kyrgios continues to demonstrate what
sport is about. Enjoying it while you can and not being afraid to prove that
you are better than your opponent.
Mixed
with an entertaining display of tennis, the attitude and dedication presented
towards the game is why he continues to play. And it’s how the next generation
of tennis stars should play.
