Canberra bikie Axel Sidaros, 25, was sentenced to 14 years’ jail in 2019 when a jury found him guilty of seven charges, including attempted murder, after an attack on the home of former Comanchero boss Peter Zradkovic.
Yesterday in court, ABC News reports, Sidaros had nearly five years cut from his original sentence, after he was tried twice for the crimes.
CCTV footage of the 2018 incident shows three men sneaking into the backyard and then firing into the house. Mr Zradkovic, who lost the top of a finger in the shoot out, can be seen firing back as he runs out of the house.
The incident ended after petrol poured around cars in the drive way was ignited and exploded and the men fled.
Former Comancheros boss Peter Zdravkovic. Photo: ABC News
Sidaros won a new trial after an appeal and was ultimately cleared of the charge of attempted murder.
But Justice David Mossop yesterday upheld the rest of the convictions including arson, agreement to inflict grievous bodily harm and committing an act of endangering life.
Justice Mossop found Sidaros remains a member of the Comancheros, and has been involved in violence in prison and remains hostile to authorities.
“[He] is someone who craves acceptance and thought he had found it with the Comancheros,” he said.
Sidaros has already lodged an appeal against the second convictions, maintaining he has no knowledge of the events.
On Monday, The Greek Heraldfirst reported an incident which saw a mix-up of two bodies placed in the wrong caskets leaving two Greek Australian families devastated.
During a funeral service last Friday, Despina Nicolopoulos was farewelling her late husband of 57 years.
The family opened the casket to pay their respects to their beloved husband, father and grandfather, and saw the body in the casket was not their family member.
“My daughter say ‘Mum not my father this one… another man’,” Despina told 7News on Tuesday.
“Terrible thing to happen,” Mrs Nicolopoulos said.
The family later found out that her late husband’s body had been buried two hours earlier.
Despina’s son, Bill, explained during the same interview that although the family acknowledges the mistake was “a pure accident” it is “just devastating”.
Euro Funerals. Photo: The Greek Herald
The funeral home, Euro Funeral Services, told 7News that the mix-up occurred during a routine procedure and that both families were offered a refund over the ordeal.
Euro Funeral Services Funeral Director, Spiro Haralambous apologised for the incident saying he wished he could “turn it back for the families”.
“The procedure is normally that one should check the ID on the body before they actually put the coffin lid with the name plate on the coffin,” Haralambous said.
“This is where that procedure was not followed through.”
The Nicolopoulos family, is now enquiring to find out how their loved one’s body could be exhumed without permission or consent.
86,174 fans. A crowd this large had never been seen before in a women’s cricket match in Australia. But on March 8, in line with International Women’s Day, this crowd became witness to one of the greatest accomplishments in Australian women’s sport.
A new two-part documentary following the Australian Women’s Cricket Team’s experience through the 2020 T20 World Cup series, titled The Record, was released last week. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the journey to the World Cup final and the bold, four-year effort to set a new world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event.
The project was undertaken by Her Films, headed by producer Nicole Minchin and journalist Angela Pippos.
Last year we witnessed one of the world's greatest ever sporting events!
From this Friday, we'll get to relive it all again through 'The Record,' a documentary that follows the rollercoaster journey of our @AusWomenCricket Team's T20 World Cup campaign! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OdFEwyMF4s
“When Ange was talking to me about women in sport, it just felt like a whole world opened up to me that I didn’t know existed, which was really exciting,” Angela Pippos said to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think it’s the equality that resonated with Nic – that these stories have really been ignored, and we wanted to celebrate sportswomen and tell their stories in a creative and interesting way.”
The documentary details everything from the rocky rainy weather experienced on the semi-final day, to the ultimate culmination of women’s team rising the trophy high above their heads in celebration of their victory.
The founder of Ladies Who Legspin and Ladies Who League, Mary Konstantopoulos, described the 2020 tournament as a day “we will never forget”.
“This was a night that set a new benchmark and ensured that the next generation of men and women will hear different messages about the power of women’s sport,” Mary Konstantopoulos said in her review of the documentary.
“My hope for the Australian Women’s cricket team is that this documentary will act like a time capsule for them.”
Moray & Agnew Lawyers Melbourne, headed by Greek Community of Melbourne leader Bill Papastergiadis, has again been ranked amongst the leading firms in this year’s Legal 500 Asia Pacific Directory. Legal 500 is a leading directory of law firms in over 150 global jurisdictions, and annually ranks law firms based on independent feedback from thousands of corporate counsel and other law firm clients.
Moray & Agnew was recognised as a leading firm in Asia Pacific in a number of practice areas and ranked from top 10 to top 25 in four major areas of practice – noting that there are over 18,000 law firms in Australia alone.
Moray & Agnew were amongst the top ranking firms in services provided in the separate areas of Construction, Real Estate, Insurance and Labour & Employment
Melbourne Managing Partner Bill Papastergiadis, who is also the lead Partner of Melbourne’s Construction practice, says “I’m extremely proud that so many of our lawyers and practice groups have been recognised as the talented lawyers they are, and that this recognition cements our firm as one of Australia’s leading law firms.
“This is a fantastic achievement by our dedicated staff and a testament to the ways in which we are broadening our capabilities in response to expanding client needs.”
He adds “to be ranked amongst the top firms in Australia and Asia in so many major areas of our practice reveals the depth of expertise and skill of our lawyers. For example, in the area of construction it has been pleasing for us and myself to work on arguably the largest projects in Australia.”
“This has included Collins Square Precinct, Victoria’s largest commercial mixed-use development and residential development involving 5 towers ($2.5 billion), the construction of some of the largest hotel projects (valued in excess of $1 bn) in both Perth and Melbourne including the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Melbourne (85 storeys), and largest residential tower development, West Side Place precinct in Melbourne’s CBD, valued over $1 bn.”
Melbourne Practice Development Manager, Liz Chandler says that “this an excellent achievement to receive such recognition in so many areas – especially on a national basis.”
“Since 2006, Bill has led our Melbourne office. Moray & Agnew’s Melbourne office has for a number of years been awarded the fastest growing firm in Victoria. Bill has been passionate about growing our business to include the services our clients need – and the growth and success of our Construction, Real Estate, and Employment practices are a result of his leadership in our expansion to become the multidisciplinary firm we are today.”
Two people died in Greece on Tuesday as heavy snowfall not seen in years and gale-force winds lashed the country, disrupting road and sea transport.
The cold snap dubbed “Medea” after the mythical Greek sorceress of the Argonauts brought the most snow to the Greek capital in over a decade, experts said.
A maximum low of minus 19 degrees Celsius was recorded in the nortwestern city of Florina.
On the island of Evia near Athens, an octogenarian suffering from respiratory problems died after an ambulance failed to reach his home in time to repair his breathing apparatus.
On Crete, a livestock farmer in his 60s was found dead in the snow outside his granary at the village of Kaminaki in the east of the island.
The snow stopped most public transport services in Athens, while toppled trees caused blackouts in several mountainside suburbs.
Soldiers help a member of the Presidential Guard, known as Evzonas, during the changing of the guard as snow falls at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, Tuesday, Feb.16, 2021. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Sections of Greece’s main highway were also closed and most ferry services to the islands were canceled, and flights from regional airports to Athens were disrupted.
Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis said the service had received more than 600 calls for assistance in greater Athens.
“The calls mainly concerned downed trees and transporting people stuck in their vehicles to a safe place, but also to transport kidney dialysis patients to receive treatment,” he told state TV.
“Vaccinations have been postponed but we have helped transport doctors and medical staff where they are needed and we helped power technicians get to damaged electricity pylons in areas where access was difficult,” he said.
Snow covers a tree in central Athens with the ancient Parthenon temple on the Acropolis hill seen in the background , early Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Power and water cuts were also reported in central Greece, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was meeting with emergency response leaders to assist residents in blacked-out areas and villages cut off by the snow.
Snow is common in Greece’s mountains and in the north of the country, but much rarer in the capital, particularly heavy snow. On balconies and in the streets, some Athenians emerged cautiously outside, snapping photos.
Outside parliament, in the city center, orange-colored snowplows cleared streets of ice and snow, while presidential guards, dressed in traditional pleated kilts and pompom-tipped shoes, were given heavy woolen overcoats to brave the cold.
The cold snap, which has already caused snowstorms around much of Europe, kept temperatures hovering around freezing in Athens on Tuesday but was expected to lift abruptly with highs of 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) expected on Thursday.
The Kytherian Association of Australia (KAA) is celebrating its centenary anniversary this year and already they’ve announced some exciting initiatives to mark the occasion.
One in particular which has caught the attention of many is the release of an official commemorative medallion. The limited-edition medallion has been released by the Royal Australian Mint, with only 100 gold-plated units to be produced.
To tell us more about the initiative, The Greek Herald spoke with young Greek Australian and proud Kytherian, Zoe Sophios. Her creative coin design will feature on the medallion after she was named the winner of the ‘Coin / Medallion Division’ of the KAA’s Centenary Logo Competition.
Zoe says she was initially inspired to enter the logo competition after reading about it in the KAA’s newsletter, but then her design took a different path.
“I was sitting at home, it was lockdown and I thought, ‘this will be an inspiring project.’ I started thinking about a logo and when I was doing research, I came across the euro one cent,” Zoe tells The Greek Herald.
Proud Kytherian, Zoe Sophios. Photo supplied.
“It really inspired me and led my design concept. I pretty much appropriated that design but subverted it from a one cent item into a 100 year’s symbol.”
After Zoe had decided that her design was going to have a strong “coin aesthetic and symbolism,” the next step in her process was to create something which was specific to the KAA.
“I wanted to include particular symbols… that are relevant to Kythera, but then also the Kytherian Association within Australia and then Australia. Because I believe the whole symbolism that we’re celebrating is not Kythera and it’s not Australia. It’s about that bond and connection between them, which transcends seas and borders,” Zoe says.
And if you take one look at the medallion, it’s clear that Zoe has portrayed this connection perfectly. She’s not only superimposed the outlines of Kythera, Australia and the Australian flag within the design, but she’s also included important symbolic motifs such as ocean waves, olive branches, myrtle branches and seashells.
“The seashells are important because they are a symbol of not only the sea, but also Aphrodite. Aphrodite is a key figure in this design not only because her face is on the obverse side, but also because in Greek mythology, Aphrodite was born on the coast of Kythera,” Zoe explains.
The front and back of the commemorative medallion. Photos supplied / Designed by Zoe Sophios.
“She’s the epitome of love and beauty, but she’s also a role model or figure for the Association because it’s her symbolism of love which inspires us to nurture sociality and connections.”
With such a powerful message, it’s no surprise that Zoe’s design was selected to be on the KAA’s commemorative medallion. In fact, Zoe says she was excited when her design was chosen because it meant she would be contributing to the Association’s centenary celebrations in some way.
“I mean, I wouldn’t have even been able to create all the technical elements of the design if it wasn’t for not only my Kytherian heritage, but also my Greek heritage,” Zoe says.
“So it was exciting [to win] because it wasn’t just the design that was selected, it was the whole concept and the whole object itself.”
And we’re just as excited to get our hands on the medallion once its officially released in 2022!
There’s just over one month to go until applications close for the 2021 Martin-Lysicrates Prize on March 22, 2021 at 11.59pm.
The Prize, which is supported by The Lysicrates Foundation, The Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) and Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta, celebrates the best new Australian writing for young people aged 11 – 14.
According to The Lysicrates Foundation’s website, the Prize is the only “play competition for students where the winner is selected by the votes of the audience, and so is highly participatory.”
To enter, playwrights submit the first 10-15 minutes of a new play for young people aged 11-14. The top three plays receive a week’s rehearsal with a professional team of artists and are then performed on stage and via live stream before an audience of children who will vote for the winning play.
The play must be able to be performed by no more than 4 actors (actors can perform multiple roles). Actors can include adults and young people.
The winners of the Martin-Lysicrates Prize will be announced at an event on June 16, 2021 at Riverside Theatres.
“The winning playwright will receive a full commission of $12,000 to complete the play (up to one hour in length) and the two runners-up will receive a cash prize of $1,000 each,” the ATYP says.
The 2020 winner of the inaugural Online Voters’ Lysicrates Prize was Matthew Whittet. Photo: Sydney Dance Company.
“An additional prize of $3,000 will be awarded to the winner of the popular vote from the live-stream audience.”
The 2020 winner of the inaugural Online Voters’ Lysicrates Prize was Matthew Whittet and Helen Kotsianis won The Lysicrates Viewers’ Prize of $1,000.
How to submit your application:
Applications should be in a single PDF file and include:
Cover page with play title and contact details (name, email, phone number, address);
A synopsis (between ½ to 1 page);
Proposed cast size and character information (max 1/2 page);
A statement from the writer on the impetus for the work (max 1/2 page);
The first 10-15 mins of your play for young people aged 11-14;
Email your application to info@atyp.com.au by 11.59 pm, Sunday, March 22, 2021.
A Greek school in Athens has teamed up with Galactic Legacy Labs LL to be the first in the world to send material to the moon during the next unmanned mission of Space X.
The Moraitis School is involved in this world-first after it launched a new education program on space education, called Moraitis Moon Landing. The program began in late January and will continue until the end of March.
“The aim of the curriculum is to introduce students to the historical, scientific, technological and philosophical aspects of space exploration,” the school said in a statement on their website.
“Children through individual and group work, creative exercises, presentations and discussions will become familiar with scientific concepts and will refer to skills that are necessary for space exploration such as mental resilience and ingenuity.”
Galactic Legacy Labs, through the “Lunarprise program,” has invested in the next unmanned mission of Space X to the Moon and has the right to leave there a small “ark” recorded on nickel microdisks containing information from the earth (texts, images, personal testimonies).
“The Moraitis School has secured the right to send material with this mission… So we begin our journey to the Moon and the wonderful and mysterious world of space!”
Adelaide United has confirmed today that midfielder, Nathan Konstandopoulos, has ruptured his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during training on Monday morning.
Konstandopoulos, who successfully recovered from the same problem on his opposite side just this season, will undergo surgery today to begin repair of the injury.
“I know the process, I know the grind, I know that I will be back stronger again. Nobody works as hard as me and I will prove it again. See you again in 9 months better than ever,” Konstandopoulos wrote on Instagram.
Adelaide United’s Director of Football, Bruce Djite, said the injury news was “devastating” for Nathan and the Club.
“We saw how determined and professional Nathan is to return from such a major setback, and we are confident that he will return from this one,” Mr Djite said in a press release.
“Nathan will have our continued support as he begins his recovery and rehabilitation in a bid to return to football.”
The $400 million Adelaide Central Market Arcade redevelopment has been approved by the State Commission Assessment Panel, with construction set to begin later this year.
The project will see the ageing Central Market Arcade demolished for new retail areas and a 38-storey office, hotel and residential building. Melbourne-based developer, ICD Property, will own and manage the central tower, named Market Square.
Located adjacent to the iconic Adelaide Central Market, Market Square is a joint venture project between ICD Property and the City of Adelaide.
“The City of Adelaide is proud to announce that the redevelopment of the Central Market Arcade has been approved,” Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said.
“This investment provides a unique opportunity to build on what people already love about the market district.”
The Central Market Arcade development Gouger aspect. Credit: Woods Bagot (design) /Pointilism (render).
Market Square is expected to generate an overall boost of $135 million to the South Australian economy, with the development projected to create over 1,000 much-needed construction jobs.
Once complete, annual precinct visitor numbers are forecast to rise by over a million, with the project also creating better access through Victoria Square, Grote Street and Gouger Street.
“A key component of our innovative precinct is the 15,000 sqm office building,” ICD Property Managing Director, Matthew Khoo, said.
“We have recently appointed JLL to undertake the leasing. This workplace is a much-needed addition to the city’s commercial offerings and will be highly sought-after for its premium location, inspired design, connectivity, and amenities.”
The office includes seven levels of A-grade commercial space and will support over 750 employees.
Adelaide Central Market Authority Chair, Theo Maras, said the body supported the redevelopment of an “already world class central market.”
“I’ve been coming here for many, many years – since I was five years old with my grandparents – and let me tell you its a very dear place to me,” Mr Maras told In Daily.
“There will be no change to the market: it will continue to trade as it’s trading with an extension that’s going to be world class.”
Mr Maras said the development had attracted new traders to the market, including Haigh’s, Gerwurzhaus, Skala Artisan Bakers and Angelakis Bros, with existing traders investing in expansions.
The construction period for the whole development is estimated to take three-and-a-half years.
