In some exciting news for fans of acclaimed pastry chef, Anna Polyviou, she announced on Monday that she is opening her first-ever patisserie shop in the old Cornersmith building in Marrickville.
Polyviou opens her new shop. Photo: Facebook / Anna Polyviou.
“It’s forever been a dream of mine to be around such an amazing community. I have already meet so many people today. Stay tuned as we recipe test and develop…”
Speaking with Delicious Australia in October last year, Polyviou said the new patisserie will pump out fresh croissants and bakery treats every morning, as well as a range of spectacular celebration cakes for takeaway.
Anna Polyviou’s spanakopita. Photo: Delicious Magazine / Anna Polyviou Facebook.
“I also want to have a bit of a Greek twist in there as well. I want to be doing my spanakopita, I want to have some of mum’s haloumi cheese too,” the chef said in the magazine interview.
While the new shop is yet to be named, Polyviou said her new pastry creations will be inspired by the locals and she’s encouraged everyone to “stay tuned for taste testing sessions.”
Skorpios, the private island once owned by the late Aristotle Onassis, is set to be transformed into an ‘art island’ by Russian billionaire, Dmitry Rybolovlev.
The island was bought by Rybolovlev recently to transform it into a hyper-luxurious retreat with its own fibre optic network and electric car charging stations, a marina and a heliport.
But now, according to Greece Is, the Rybolovlev family is also planning to move parts of the oligarch’s impressive art collection to the island, turning it into an “art island.”
Skorpios is set to be transformed into an ‘art island’
To make this dream a reality, the construction company, Mykinai S.A., will spend an additional 235 million euros, taking Rybolovlev’s investment in Skorpios to 400 million euros in total.
Rybolovlev is one of the world’s top 10 art collectors, in possession of works by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Rothko and Amedeo Modigliani.
During the last forty years a lot has happened. Almost two generations passed. In the meantime, Hellenism of Australia underwent its Anacyclosis (the recycling), as the famous Arkas, historian Polybius, used to say. Greek immigrants arrived as young people, almost children, draining their strength and stamina in factories and in the hunt for a decent wage; they set up their households, gave birth to offspring, they themselves sacrificed their well-being and personal quality of life, in order to offer education to their children.
In the 1970s and 1980s they amassed their properties (according to the penultimate Australian Census, at least two and a half houses are allocated to each Greek household, when the average Australian household does not have a single one- 0.9); they consolidated their families, they built clubs and fraternities, they endowed their children with a good education, and they left their grandchildren with fortunes.
It is true to emphasize that the first generation of immigrants, the agrarian stock and the proletariat of unskilled labourers of the first decades of the post-war period essentially were self-sacrificed. They fell fighting on the altar of hope for a better future for their children. The pioneering Greeks left their ancestral homes, their parents, and siblings to emigrate to Australia, the distant and misunderstood continent at the time.
They said then in the 1950s that in Australia immigrants were eaten by crocodiles and snakes of Far North Queensland, their hands and feet were burned by the sun heat in the vast sugar cane and bananas plantation; they said that in the production lines of factories of this distant land and its smelters the human flesh was just melting; that even the hope for a better future was rotting. They said that whoever departed to settle in Australia, will not return; their emigration was the face of death. It was a living death, a route without tomorrow.
And yet those who dared were eventually saved. Those who immigrated to Australia were eventually rescued from the poverty and misery of post-war Greece. They did not leave their bones in the vast plantations of Queensland, neither in the thankless mines of Western Australia, nor in the factories and foundries of terror. They displayed enormous passion for life and resilience.
The smart ones left Greece, the bold ones, the ones who had “endurance and the grit” in them, those who had a passion and fortitude in them, a load of endurance and vigour. Those who could not capitulate to poverty, scarcity, economic and social condemnation left. Those who wanted to live with dignity, with pride, with nobility of soul, not beggars left in the bosom of their mother that did not have the means to nourish them, to sustain them. Those who left were the superfluous excess, as well as those who have the vision and were inspired to a better life.
In the meantime, the years have flowed. Their children and grandchildren claimed decisively and conquered positions of prestige and influence; they distinguished themselves as professionals, technocrats, politicians, businesspersons, scientists, people of arts, spirits, letters, most of them became teachers.
In the period 1980-2000 the number of students of Greek origin in tertiary institutions, in Australian universities, was the second largest after Asians, and constituted 11.8 % of the total number of students of ethnic background.
The number of teachers of Greek origin in Australia, occupies the second largest percentage after the Italians. According to the latest census, 25% of professionals of Greek origin were teachers. Also, the number of Greeks who have dominated small businesses today is almost the same in percentages as that of the Jews, i.e., 29%.
The Hellenes (Greeks and Cypriots) of Australia conquered Australia socially, economically, politically, and culturally. In Canberra, Australians witnessing the Greek economic wander, conclude: “Canberra was discovered by the British, designed by the Americans, built by the Italians and owned by Greeks…”.
We will try to discuss this course of Hellenism in the socio-economic, cultural and political enhancement; we will attempt to comment on it, to highlight its various manifestations, together with all that it entails in the weeks ahead of us.
From this column, generously offered by the administration of the Greek Herald, we will have our weekly commentary, political, social, cultural, with sincerity and boldness, as I did thirty years ago, when I was still contributing my articles; I come back from my silence, to stand by this struggle for the vindication of the Hellenes, who, during the last seventy years toiled and fought to keep our Greece and its multi-millennium values as an ideology and identity to his children.
*Professor Anastasios M. Tamis taught at Universities in Australia and abroad, was the creator and founding director of the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora and is currently the President of the Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies (AIMS).
By Georgia Pandelios, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Owner at Nutrition Prescription.
Meal planning is a great way to get organised both in your kitchen and in your life. This is especially important for those of you with little time, or a health and weight goal but have difficulty staying on track. Starting any diet or meal plan can get overwhelming, particularly if you haven’t done it before or if you are only just starting to take control of your diet, shopping and meals. Using a meal planner can take a lot of that anxiety away by setting yourself up for a great food week.
I highly recommend using a seven day meal planner. You don’t need anything fancy, you can even make one yourself for each day of the week with a section for each breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. Alternatively, you can download one for free from www.nutritionprescription.com.au/freebies.
To get started, you will need to first set a regular and regimented shopping day. This should be a day that allows you the time to shop and store (or even prep) your groceries. I recommend aiming for weekly shops.
Georgia recommends a regular and regimented shopping day.
Then you will need to plan out each of your meals and snacks for each day of the week. If you plan to have leftovers, a birthday trapezi, are eating out or yiayia is bringing over her gemista, write it in – you will need to plan around these days. Aim for two to three breakfast options and 4-5 lunch / dinner options.
I highly recommend you make a short list of back up options, in case plans fall through. These should be quick and easy to make, using everyday household staples. For example, strapatsada (or kagiana, as it’s called where I’m from in Greece) is a perfect go to. All you need is extra virgin olive oil, eggs and a can of tinned tomatoes, with a slice or two of toast to serve (optional, add feta).
Once the planning of meals is done, do an inventory check of your fridge, freezer and pantry to make sure you have what you need. Make a shopping list of what is missing.
Lastly, go shopping. If you are time poor or don’t enjoy shopping – use technology to your advantage. Opt for an online shop with click and collect or have your groceries delivered.
If you really want to set yourself up for an easy week, take the extra step and meal prep some of your cooking ingredients and portion out your snacks. This will help you make sure that you follow through on the meal plan you have created.
Nutrition Prescription, founded by leading maternal and foetal health fertility dietitian and nutritionist, Georgia Pandelios, aims to offer nutrition consultations specially designed for the whole family – from infants to adults and elderly, through to highly specialised fertility-pregnancy, paediatric and food reaction services. They can assist with all your nutrition needs, including complex and chronic conditions – in English, Greek or Portuguese.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is generalised and is not intended to replace medical or dietetic advice, nor directly manage any medical conditions. For personalised advice, please speak with your doctor or contact us via info@nutritionprescription.com.au to make an appointment with one of our Dietitians.
The Greek city of Nafplio has been named as one of the ’10 Most Welcoming Cities on Earth for 2022′ by Booking.com.
Nafplio ranked fourth on the list for its “charm and beauty,” as well as its proximity to Athens. It was beaten by the Italian city of Matera in first place, followed by Bled in Slovenia and Taitung City in Taiwan.
In a description of the city, the Booking.com website says Nafplio is “a relatively unknown gem” that everyone should visit.
“Nafplio is a great choice for those looking to avoid the throngs of foreign tourists during the summer months, and offers plenty of stunning architecture and historical sites to explore,” it says on the website.
The international travel platform released its list with the aim of inspiring travellers who seek something truly special for their future travels: from off-the-radar island escapes, historic cities and architectural marvels to pristine mountain getaways.
The list’s 10 destinations have all been selected for consistently providing outstanding hospitality, as evidenced by more than 232 million verified reviews from real Booking.com travellers.
KRAK Architects has conceptualised an angular underground house on the south coast of Crete with semi-open living spaces and an infinity pool that looks out to the Libyan sea.
The conceptual house, named Casa Katana, has been described as a “unique leisure residence” and was designed to mimic surrounding rock formations.
Speaking to Dezeen, KRAK Architects’ founder, Konstantinos Stathopoulos, said one of his main concerns when designing the residence was ensuring its visual impact on the site was minimal.
Casa Katana. Photo: Dezeen.
“The underground residences seem to fulfil the need for integration to the natural surroundings in a much better way,” Mr Stathopoulos explained.
KRAK Architects envisages that Casa Katana would be constructed from concrete, and will comprise of an open plan living-dining area and four large bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, alongside a large office, parking and storage spaces.
There are no current plans in place to build the conceptual home, but KRAK Architects said it is open for sale.
Former AFL boss, Andrew Demetriou, will pay $360,000 to settle claims against him totalling nearly $45 million over the collapse of vocational education group, Acquire Learning.
The Age reports that the payment is part of a $5.1 million settlement between the former leadership and shareholders of Acquire Learning and liquidators to the group.
Acquire was a significant player in the vocational education sector, but the group collapsed in 2017 following a government crackdown on the sector.
Acquire’s collapse left it owing its creditors, including the federal government, $147 million and stranded tens of thousands of students attending its colleges.
Acquire’s former Managing Director, John Wall (left), and Andrew Demetriou in 2015. Photo: news.com.au.
Mr Demetriou was a shareholder in the group and the $360,000 settlement with liquidators from Cor Cordis relates to the repayment of shareholder loans taken out by his private company Katia.
As part of the settlement, The Age reports that Cor Cordis has agreed not to pursue a separate claim against Katia for $753,826.
Mr Demetriou will have six months to pay the settlement claims. He declined to comment when contacted by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.
Macquarie University organises free online seminars to support teachers and students, in view of the Greek Language Certification exams by experienced teachers from the Greek Language Center (GLC) in Thessaloniki, the Macquarie University’s Modern Greek Studies Program and Sydney schools.
The Certificate of Attainment in Greek is the only official state certification that confirms the knowledge of Greek as a foreign/second language at six levels, corresponding to the levels of the Common European Framework (CEFR). It is recognised by all member states of the European Union but also by NESA (New South Wales Education Standards Authority).
A Global Centre of Pontian Hellenism is set to be built on the site of the former airport at Elliniko in southern Athens,Ekathimerini reports.
The plans for the new centre were unveiled at an event held at the Mikis Theodorakis Cultural and Conference Centre on January 14.
Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, was present at the event and stressed how Pontian Greeks have successfully managed to maintain their culture despite their “tragic history that included persecution, slaughter and violent attempts at Islamisation.”
An artist’s impression of the main entrance to the Pontian Hellenism Center at Hellinikon. Photo: Pontian Greeks of Sourmena.
“Pontian Greeks who left their Asia Minor homes as refugees brought to Greece their drive and values, their loyalty to country, family, community and traditions, their hard work and tireless inventiveness,” Sakellaropoulou stressed.
The new ‘Hall for the Global Pontian Greeks of Sourmena’ is now set to showcase this culture proudly.
The Center will become the focal point of Pontian Greeks throughout the world.
Designed by Doxiadis Associates, it is expected to be completed in about three years and will house the local Pontian association, its library and the museum that is currently located in Sourmena Square. It will have also spaces for conferences and events.
This announcement comes as the Greek Ministry of Culture confirmed that it will dedicate 2022 to the 100th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe and to the promotion of the memory of the refugee communities, including the Pontian Greeks.
Greek Police have recovered a weapon they believe was used to kill a 19-year-old student early Tuesday morning in a district of Thessaloniki, northern Greece.
Ekathimerini reports that the murder weapon, a sickle, was discovered by locals a few meters away from the crime scene, next to a garbage bin.
According to initial reports, the victim, Alkis Kambanos, along with two friends, were intercepted and attacked on the street in Harilaou around 1 am by several people riding in two cars.
The scene of the crime.
The 19-year-old bled to death after being stabbed in the upper thigh. The other two are being treated for multiple injuries at the Papanikolaou Hospital.
According to reports, one of the attackers made a reference to a local soccer team before launching into the assault, leading investigators to believe the incident is linked to rival fan clubs.
Police sources believe at least 10 people were involved in the attack.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, expressed his abhorrence of the teen’s murder during a conversation with MPs on the sidelines of a meeting with party officials in Thessaloniki on Tuesday.
Police are investigating.
Mitsotakis contacted Citizen Protection Minister, Takis Theodorikakos, asking him that priority be given to the investigation of the crime.
Kambanos was a first-year student at the School of Economics and Political Science of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The rector at the university, Nikos Papaioannou, has condemned the attack.
“Nineteen-year-old Alkis had his whole life ahead of him. He came to our university to make his dreams come true. Instead, he fell victim to blind fan violence. We are all devastated and we condemn in the most categorical way this heinous event,” Papaioannou said.
