Tickets have been released for the highly anticipated FFA Cup clash between Sydney Olympic FC and Sydney FC on November 24.
“This will be a huge night for our Club, we know we have the most passionate and the best supporters in Australia and they have a proven track record of turning up in the masses for big games,” Sydney Olympic CEO, John Boulous, said.
Boulous added that he expects the game to reach full crowd capacity ‘very quickly.’
The club recently signed former A-League striker Roy O’Donovan for the FFA clash and 2022 season NSW NPL season. Olympic will be striving to reach the FFA Cup Round of 16 for the first time since 2015.
The CEO added that he sees it as a great opportunity for the Sydney Olympic family to come together once again at the famous Belmore Sports Ground.
“There will be something for everyone including traditional pre-match entertainment, as well as a food fair including something for the kids, desserts and, of course, an authentic souvla to look after your dinner needs,” Boulous said.
“Olympic fans, we need your support like never before! Get your tickets now and don’t miss your chance to join in on the OLYMPIC chant and fill Belmore Sports Ground”.
The game will kick off on Wednesday, 24 November 2021 at 7.30 pm. Get your tickets here.
Platon Theodoris is a jack of all trades. He’s a director, writer and producer – filmmaker with an eye for the extraordinary, hilarious and dramatic things in life.
This artistic flair has seen him direct four short films, Para-Soul, Sunrise, Lakemba and Wine Lake, and a debut feature film, Alvin’s Harmonious World of Opposites. Currently, he’s also working on a second feature film, The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour, which is in post-production.
To celebrate this success, we sit down with Platon and talk all about his career and new film.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I started making films in high school using both super 8 and VHS cameras. I grew up in the inner west of Sydney and spent a lot of time at the Politistiko Kentro in the Addison Road Community Centre in the 80’s as both my parents were active members. I Studied film making at UNSW and The Jakarta Institute of Arts in Indonesia.
Stills from Platon’s new feature film. Photo supplied.
I also directed music videos and TV commercials for many years. This included time working on corporate campaigns for a large production house in Athens. I moved into long form stories a few years ago. I’m fluent in Indonesian, Japanese and Modern Greek. I have a love of languages.
2. You recently directed The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour. What inspired you to create this feature film?
This is my second feature film after my debut Alvin’s Harmonious World of Opposites. The inspiration for this new film came after I saw an incredible live theatre show by Nitin Vengurlekar called – of course – The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour, which was on at the Bankstown Arts Centre and the Griffin Theatre in Darlinghurst.
I went with a group of friends and we all laughed and laughed. This was absurdist comedy at its finest, Spike Milligan meets Jacques Tati meets Western Sydney. This film has been adapted from Nitin Vengurlekar’s inspirational theatre show and stars the man himself.
The film stars Nitin Vengurlekar as Neville Umbrellaman, the charismatic host of the show. Photo supplied.
3. What is the feature film all about?
The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour is an existential comedy about a verbose intellectual who runs a radio show from his parent’s garage. The film stars Nitin Vengurlekar as Neville Umbrellaman, the charismatic host of the show. The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour features special guests, music and performances. When verbose radio host Neville Umbrellman lands in hospital, a group of unexpected performers crash his show The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour in order to complete the variety line up.
4. You recently launched an Indiegogo for support. What will the funds be going towards?
Production began in late 2019 and we finished shooting in March of this year. I was lucky enough to work with a great bunch of talented cast, performers and crew. The initial production and development of the film was done with the support of over 35 people. They have all had a hand in helping bring this film to life. With their support, energy and passion the film is close to being finished.
We started the Indiegogo Crowd Funder because I want to raise some extra funds which will go toward some final post-production elements like the colour grade and the sound mix (including a 7.1 mix for cinema), translation and subtitling in French, German and Spanish, the master cinema file creation and also to cover the exorbitant fees they charge to submit independent projects to film festivals.
I’m very grateful and fortunate that some arts patrons (including some prominent Australians with Greek heritage) have already made generous contributions to this post-production and distribution process prior to us launching this Indiegogo campaign. But we still need a little more to get us over the line and finish the film to the highest standard.
5. Is there anything else you’d like to say?
The Lonely Spirits Variety Hour. Photo supplied.
If you love independent cinema and can support the Arts we’d love for you to get behind this project. Big or small contributions appreciated. We have some great perks for all our supporters – from getting your name in the end credits and tickets to a Special Sydney Screening late next year.
For bigger contributions you can get your name on IMDb and the film’s End Credit Titles (as an Associate or Executive Producer). Executive Producers are included as part of the Production Team and will have the opportunity to join the Team at a film festival World Premiere with access to festival passes next year.
Check out the IndieGogo Campaign page here. The IndieGogo Campaign ends on Sunday, November 7.You can also follow the film on Instagram @lonelyspiritsfilm or check out the teaser at: lonelyspiritsfilm.com.
Paris Cockinos from Sphere Drones is set to transform workplace safety in Australia with his new robot, named Spot.
According to Nine News, the robot not only fits into dangerous spaces, but its cameras can also zoom in to an object 150 metres away.
“It’s there to really remove staff from unsafe environments and act as a conduit for staff on the ground here on construction sites,” Cockinos told the program.
Paris Cockinos from Sphere Drones is set to transform workplace safety in Australia.
The robot, which cost $150,000, is the first of its kind in Australia and is set to be tested by Australian emergency services including police and firefighters interstate.
Cockinos’ company also specialises in commercial drones and he counts Rio Tinto, Fortescue Mining and Surf Life Saving Australia as some of his clients.
South Australian property mogul and developer, Theo Maras, has called for the state government “to set out a new vision for future development across Adelaide.”
In an opinion piece for The Advertiser, Mr Maras criticises the lack of a “clear planning vision” for Adelaide since 2017, when the government updated its ’30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide’ to respond to population growth and high-density development.
“We are told the state is committed to a more compact urban form and managing growth within our existing footprint. In simple terms, an ambition that would see Adelaide grow up rather than out,” Mr Maras writes.
SA developer, Theo Maras.
“Yet this appears to merely pay lip service to seriously planning for Adelaide’s future.”
Mr Maras gave a number of examples of where development has already gone wrong in the capital city, including “the parochial, emotional debate about the Riverbank precinct.”
“We are told the Riverbank precinct is an integral part of Adelaide’s identity. Yet a range of proposed zoning-and-policy changes are being considered in isolation to a holistic plan,” he writes.
“Even as a developer, I believe our unique Adelaide parklands must stay sacrosanct. It is an invaluable public asset, like Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London.”
To break this negative development cycle, Mr Maras suggested a “holistic planning review” is needed “that starts with industry and better defines our economic hubs, including in the regions.”
“Now is the time for the government to step up and map out SA’s future. We are already Australia’s most liveable city. Let’s make SA the nation’s best-planned state,” he concludes.
Longtime Crown Resorts heavyweight, Peter Crinis, is set to emerge at the helm of a hotel company that will list on the Australian Securities Exchange next year, The Daily Telegraphreports.
Mr Crinis will head the PUBLIC group, the brainchild of high-profile deal-maker Jon Adgemis backed by Alex Waislitz-led investment house Thorney.
They plan to float a $400 million hotel company stocked up with cool inner-city and regional properties that appeal to a younger crowd who are taking to drinking and travelling locally while international travel is restricted.
Ex-Crown boss, Peter Crinis, is set to lead pub group as it heads for the ASX.
Mr Adgemis’ Jaga Group has assembled the portfolio over the past six years, which spans 14 hotels in inner Sydney and Melbourne, as well as regional NSW, with additional operated properties in Sydney.
PUBLIC says there is a gap in accommodation between the traditional short and long-stay markets, which it plans to exploit by developing vibrant and bespoke lifestyle and accommodation experiences, the newspaper reports.
Mr Crinis is said to be the best man for the job. His last role for the James Packer-backed gambling company was as chief executive for Crown Sydney and overseeing the casino group’s hotels nationally.
Ex-Adelaide fugitive, Jim Soukoulis, who is accused of attempting to import 255kg of methamphetamines into Australia, has spent almost two years on the run since skipping bail in November 2019.
But according to The Advertiser, Jim’s freedom has cost his brother Terry Soukoulis $150,000 and a close female friend $120,000 after their bail sureties were enforced by Melbourne’s County Court.
Jim is facing multiple charges, including trafficking and conspiracy, in connection with a plot to import the methamphetamines into Australia from California in a light plane.
Soukoulis was charged over an alleged plot to import 255kg of methamphetamine from California to Australia via light aircraft.
The 58-year-old was released from custody on bail in November 2017 to live at a South Melbourne address with sureties totalling $900,000 – including his elderly mother’s $600,000 home in Sturt St in Adelaide jointly owned by Terry Soukoulis.
An appeal against the enforcement resulted in them being reduced on hardship grounds to $150,000 for Terry Soukoulis and $120,000 for Jim’s female friend. Soukoulis’ 89-year-old mother Georgia was not pursued because she had not signed the surety document.
Jim was last seen in the carpark of his apartment in South Melbourne on the morning of November 12, 2019.
Federal Police Detective Leading Senior Constable Greg Hinds said arrest warrants were still current for Jim and anyone with any information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
With local delicacies prepared by volunteers, music and special guests South Australia’s community honoured the 61th anniversary of the declaration of Cyprus Independence with a luncheon held on Sunday, 31 October at the Cyprus community centre in Welland, Adelaide.
The event attended over 200 members and friends of Cyprus among them the Minister of Innovation and Skills, David Pisoni, representing the Premier Steven Marshall; Assistant Minister to the Premier, Jing Lee; federal member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas; City of Charles Sturt mayor, Angela Evans; the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, George Psiachas; Chair of SAMEAC, Adriana Christopoulos; President of GOCSA, Bill Gonis and President of SEKA SA, Peter Ppyros.
In his opening speech President of Cyprus Community, Professor Andreas Evdokiou, said that Cypriot people “have achieved independence but not the one they’ve dreamed of.”
“…For Cyprus and its people this day remains a day of reflection and concern for the future. Sixty-one years after the declaration of an independent republic, Cyprus remains divided with the Cyprus problem currently at a critical point with new challenges, blackmail and risk,” he said.
“We have a duty to continue the fight to stop the Cyprus problem. We seek a solution that will end the occupation,” said President Evdokiou before he called the attendees to a toast to the Republic of Cyprus.
In their speeches minister Pisoni, Federal Labor MP Steve Georganas, the Consul General and Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans highlighted the contribution of the Cypriot people to South Australia’s multicultural tapestry and commended them for their ongoing efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.
“We, Greeks and Greek Cypriots have the same make and we don’t leave our rights undefended…with this persistence we will one day bring back the Parthenon sculptures and in the same manner Cyprus will get justice,” the Consul General said.
The event concluded with Community awards given to eminent members of the Cyprus community.
“Communities are getting older and we are losing a lot of our members. We need to enjoy them while we can,” said Prof. Evdokiou before together with Minister Lee he presented the community service awards to Maria Stamati, Maroula Marnerou, Antonis Marinos, Grigoris Christoforou-Orfanou, Giannis Ktoris (his son Nick received the award on his behalf) and Dimitris Kyriakou who was absent due to ill health.
Freedoms for fully vaccinated NSW residents have been brought forward from the original December 1 date to next Monday, November 8.
Changes to the Covid roadmap have been unveiled today by Premier Dominic Perrottet.
From November 8, there will be no limit on visitors in homes, no rules for outdoor gatherings with fewer than 1000 people and indoor swimming pools will reopen for all purposes.
Mr Perrottet also announced an easing of restrictions on businesses with dancing allowed at nightclubs and a 1 person per 2 sqm rule at venues.
Changes to the Covid roadmap have been unveiled today by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.
For unvaccinated people who had been due to get freedoms on December 1, they’ll now have to wait until December 15 or whatever date NSW reaches 95 percent double dose coverage for people aged 16 and above.
In NSW, 93.6 per cent of people aged 16 and up have had one jab, while 87.8 per cent are fully vaccinated.
This news comes one day after international and regional reopened in NSW, with people now able to leave Australia without a permit or travel around the state so long as they are fully vaccinated.
The state also recorded 173 new COVID cases and four deaths today, after a record low of infections yesterday which saw just 135 new infections.
Greek health authorities announced 5,449 new coronavirus cases on Monday, a staggering increase from the previous high of 4,696 recorded on Saturday. The new cases were identified from 82,593 tests, a worrying positivity rate of 6.59%.
The report by the National Organisation for Public Health also reported 52 deaths, for a total of 15,990 since the start of the pandemic. There are also currently 430 patients intubated in Greece’s ICUs.
Giannis Oikonomou, a spokesman for the government, said it was “pressing” to increase the number of vaccinations, which have been moving at a slower pace than authorities anticipated.
Photo: AP/ Evgeniy Maloletka.
“We’re not done with Covid yet. As long as there are unvaccinated people, the virus finds a suitable ground to spread,” Oikonomou told a regular news briefing on Monday.
“We mourn the loss of human lives due to non-vaccination, and this cannot, and should not, continue.”
This news comes after Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, convened an emergency meeting at his office in the Maximos Mansion on Monday amid fears of a new COVID spike.
The meeting was attended by chief epidemiological adviser, Sotiris Tsiodras, as well as Health Minister, Thanos Plevris, and his deputy who is responsible for matters related to the pandemic, Mina Gaga.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, have both addressed the delegates of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) currently taking place in Glasgow.
‘A regional hub for green energy’:
During his address, Mitsotakis said Greece can make a significant contribution in tackling the climate crisis and help in the green transition, despite its small carbon footprint.
The Prime Minister outlined six key areas where this can be done, including the Greek government’s green transition program and the actions being planned, such as phasing out coal and increasing the share of renewable energy sources through offshore wind parks and measures for “green” shipping.
He also emphasised plans to convert Greece into “a regional hub for green energy” for Europe based on the recent agreement with Egypt and talks that are underway with Saudi Arabia.
In conclusion, Mitsotakis told the UN climate conference: “We have reached a stage where there is no more room for petty politics.”
“Our children and the generations to come will not forgive us if we fail to coordinate and address this existential thread for humanity. Starting today, I firmly believe that we can live up to this challenge,” he said.
Mitsotakis with other world leaders at COP26.
$2 billion funding pledge to UN climate summit:
Australia has made a $2 billion pledge to the United Nations climate summit in a promise to do its part to limit the rise in global temperatures.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised the higher spending in a formal statement that also said Australian emissions will fall by 35 percent by 2030.
The finance pledge was the only new measure in Morrison’s national statement to the meeting after he announced $500 million earlier in the day for aid programs in Asia and the Pacific to make communities more resilient against climate change.
Morrison arrives at the summit.
After meeting with Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, Mr Morrison said there was “no greater threat to our Pacific family, to the blue economy, than climate change.”
“We’re not putting this (climate finance) through other worldwide institutions or other groups like this, we are doing this direct because we want to make sure that the climate finance investments that Australians are making are being invested in our backyard among our Pacific Islands family and among our South East Asian partners and friends,” Mr Morrison said.
