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Pallaconian Brotherhood in Melbourne to host world premiere of ‘Magna Graecia’ film

The Greek Herald
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Pallaconian Brotherhood in Melbourne to host world premiere of ‘Magna Graecia’ film

The Pallaconian Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria “Leonidas” will be hosting the world premiere of the documentary, Magna Graecia: the Greko of Calabria.

The screening will be held on Sunday, May 1 at 6pm at the Brotherhood’s venue at 253 Albert Street in Brunswick.

Shot by international filmmaker/architect, Basil Genimahaliotis (London/Adelaide and former Melbourne resident) and Billy Cotsis (Sydney/Lesvos), the documentary is a 52-minute journey about the Greko, their towns and some of their 2800 years of history.

There are eight towns that still speak Greko in Calabria, it is the Griko dialect in Apulia, and the film visits each of these, taking audiences on a journey of elderly and younger speakers of Greko.

Chris Paikopoulos, the interim President of the Pallaconian Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria “Leonidas,” welcomes those interested in the Greko and Greek history in Calabria to attend the world premiere.

“The Pallaconian Brotherhood is proud to see the Greko maintain their dialect, history and culture, over 2800 years after the first Greek colonies in Southern Italy,” Mr Paikopoulos said.

The premiere will be held at the Pallaconian Brotherhood in Brunswick.

“Our association is happy to present this wonderful documentary on its international premiere, and it is our pleasure to help promote Hellenism here in Australia and around the global diaspora.”

Documentary film-maker Cotsis explained to The Greek Herald: “I’m really excited to showcase the elders and also the younger Greko speakers.”

“I am grateful to the Pallaconian Brotherhood for hosting, and also to M&J Chickens, NSW AHEPA, VC Lawyers, Greek Bilingual Bookshop, Hellenic Art Theatre and Meraki Tv for helping get this film off the ground,” Cotsis continued.

People in the film.

“Add in music from luminaries such as George Ellis and Michael Midis and it’s a film that is well supported.

“The most important element is for people to learn about the Greko. I want people to visit them, learn about them and help the Greko maintain their heritage and dialect. They are a living breathing link to our ancient and Byzantine past.”

The film is the 9th major collaboration between Cotsis and Genimahaliotis, having shot in London, Lesvos, Mykonos, Italy and Sydney.

Photo supplied.

Melbourne is the sixth city that has hosted premieres for Cotsis and Genimahaliotis in recent years, with London, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Mykonos all taking on various hosting duties for a number of their film projects.

A Q&A will be held after the film, where Cotsis will also launch his new book, The Aegean Seven Take Back the Marbles.

Premiere Details:

  • Sunday, 1 May at Pallaconian Brotherhood, 253 Albert St, Brunswick at 6pm.
  • Entry is $5. Non-alcoholic drinks and food will be available for purchase.
  • Book your place or for more information contact: https://fb.me/e/2wcCvVIfR, pallaconianyouth@gmail.com or 0419245372.

Yorgos Lanthimos stuns the world with new short film shot in Tinos

Eleni Patsalides
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Yorgos Lanthimos stuns the world with new short film shot in Tinos

The trailer for a new short film by Academy Award nominated Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, “Vlichi” (Bleat), has been released and it gives a chilling depiction of the island of Tinos, where the movie was shot. 

The 1-minute trailer, shot in black and white, does not reveal much of the plot although shows clips of wild features of the Cycladic island. There is ominous music played over a woman in a flowing dress, and empty grave, a goat on a mountainside and various religious icons. 

The film was shot on the island in February 2020, mere weeks before the coronavirus pandemic broke out, and is the second instalment in “The Artist on the Composer” series of short films. 

Still from Lanthimos’ new trailer

These series are run by the Greek Nation Opera and NEON, a non-profit organisation that brings contemporary art to a wider audience. This program runs and aims to create more connection with filmmakers and orchestral music. 

“Bleat” will premiere worldwide on May 6, 7 and 8, accompanied by a live musical ensemble at the Stavros Niarchos Hall of the SNFCC.

Lanthimos is best known for his 2018 film “The Favourite” and recently accepted the invitation to participate in this program from the Greek National Opera’s artistic director Giorgos Koumendakis and NEON Director Elina Kountouri. 

The movies musical script will consist of pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, Knut Nystedt and Toshio Hosokawa, performed live at the Stavros Niarchos Hall by the “Maria Callas” quartet. 

Source: Greece Is

Identity and Diaspora: ‘Greekness is like a train with thousands of wagons’

The Greek Herald
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Identity and Diaspora: ‘Greekness is like a train with thousands of wagons’

By Professor Anastasios M. Tamis*

The ethno-cultural identity of the Modern Greeks was formed because of their evolutionary course as a nation over the last 3500 years and constitutes a product of the historical, social, economic, cultural, religious, and political influences exerted on him within the geographical area (space) where Hellenism operated and acted.

There are specific features, basic elements and particular components that constitute his national and ethnic identity, and  they form the identity with which they defined themselves. The elements that shape and compose the national and ethnic consciousness of the Modern Greeks, all those who live within the national borders, imposed on us by the Great Powers and the geopolitical, diplomatic, and military compromises and treaties, are basically four.

For the Greeks of the Diaspora there is and operates an additional element that shapes the modern Greek identity. This is the influence which is exerted on the Greek settlers and their children by the new environment of the host country.

Australia Day 2014

But what elements could we distinguish as characteristics that constitute the national and ethnic consciousness of Modern Greeks? What are the four constituent and fundamental foundations  that together build and make up our identity?

  1. The cornerstone of our national identity is the ancient Greek world, ancient Hellas, its culture, its history, its contribution to man, society, politics, philosophy, science, the arts, and life. It is the prominent peculiarity of Greece, with all its virtues and disadvantages, it is its intellectual values, its character, its principles and values bequeathed over the centuries.
  2. The second basic and indivisible element of Modern Greek identity is Christianity and Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy as a faith, as a culture, as a philosophy, even as folklore. The initial radically hostile, and intransigently warlike attitude of the Christians towards the Greeks, their destructive fanaticism, was later tempered and eventually reconciled with the Fathers of the Church. Orthodoxy as a dogma and faith, as a culture and music, as a philosophy and a way of life, influenced the identity of the Modern Greece, perhaps more than any other nation.
  3. The influence of European Culture, the Wester way of life has been enormous. Through the Roman conquest, and then Humanism and the Renaissance and then Neo-humanism, Enlightenment and Romanticism, Europe led the Greeks to the first national revolution in the Balkans. The European principles, cultural and intellectual core values, their visions and concerns, the genesis of the European democracies, all deeply influenced the Greeks who had lived on the borderline between East and West and had been the cohesive link between Asia and Europe. Philhellenism, the Great Powers, and their support, essentially redeemed the struggling Greeks, when Ibrahim had razed the Revolution of 1821 to the ground. 
  4. Our East, the Greeks of Asia Minor, Anatolia, Pontus and Cappadocia and the other “Greeks” of the Middle East and Egypt, who added their own cultural characteristics to the modern Greek body, constituting the overall picture of national identity, in the past and in history.

These four constituent traits, interwoven, synthetic, complete what we call modern Greek identity, a synthetic compound, like a bouquet of multiform and multi-colored flowers. Of course there are many Greeknesses, of all kinds.  Each with its own specific weight, with its own dimension, and the national identity.  

Greekness, is like a long train with thousands of wagons. Everyone chooses to enter their own wagon of Greekness. There are Greeks who still refuse to speak English. They do not have an Australian passport. Others who do not speak Greek, who refuse many expressions of Greek identity, and others even who are ashamed to admit that they are Greek, but they are moved by Greek music, Greek songs and inwardly feel guilty about their mentality. We have said many wagons, everyone has their own.

For us, the Greeks of the Diaspora, a fifth characteristic applies, one that is functionally added to our national and ethnic identity. For us this is Australia; for others, America, Canada, the countries of Latin America, where everyone lives.

The local culture, the local customs, the local core values, their traditions, the way of organization, the social structure of the country, the general mentality, all the things that affect us, not only linguistically, but also socially and politically, and culturally. We are influenced by the dominant society and country. Without perhaps being de-Hellenized, the local culture enriches us, only if of course we are not willing to relinquish the values of our national physiognomy.

Australian Greeks are different from Grecian Greeks. Australia’ Hellenes are more sensitized citizens, more active, in the sense that they consider volunteerism to be the cause of their social collective progress, they collude in public affairs, they participate more actively and in an organized way. They are closer to the family, they feel more intensely their national feeling, they express more openly their love for Greece.

Our children in Australia are more introverted, they do not manifest themselves openly, they even show respect to the elders, even they call all strangers “uncle” and “aunt”, they are restrained, even when they excel professionally and socially. For most Australian Hellenes, Greece is the ideal, perhaps much more than the Greek children of Greece. Perhaps because the latter don’t miss Greece there, they experience it every day. 

Many students have been asking me anxiously for years now. What are we? Are we Greeks? Are we Australians? Are we Greek-Australians? are we Australian-Greeks?

They felt a schizo-identity, an internal confusion, because they did not want to diminish, to denigrate either cultural heritage within them; I replied soberly that identity is not a measurable phenomenon, it is dynamic; you cannot talk about percentages, about share. “You are 100 out of a hundred Greeks and you are 100 out of a hundred Australians,” I replied. No matter how many generations pass, the descendants will try to regroup their origins, to reconnect intergenerationally, to find their own ancestors; identity is lost when we deny the past. But without a past there can be no future.

*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).

Peter V’landys: the name storming the racing world

Eleni Patsalides
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Peter V’landys: the name storming the racing world

Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V’landys has been given praise in a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald for being the reason for “the present strength of Sydney racing.”

The proud Australian-born Kytherian became involved in racing administration in 1988 when he was appointed chief executive of the NSW Harness Racing Club. 

In this period, V’landys also played a role in negotiating the privatisation of NSW TAB, which was valued at $1 billion, and was a part of the financial restructuring of the racing industry. 

In 2004, he was appointed chief executive and board member of Racing NSW. 

V’landys made waves when he went to the High Court to fight racing legislation that eventually forced corporate bookmakers to pay racing and sporting bodies for the use of their ‘product’. 

“In the High Court, I had the vibe,” V’landys proudly stated. “And we won.”

“The ironic thing is I was going head-to-head with Matt Tripp. It wasn’t personal. He was doing what’s best for the bookmakers, I was doing what was best for the racing industry,” he said. 

The win in court ultimately translated to an incredible $1.5 billion per year for racing and sports, that Peter V’landys has personally seen to being funnelled straight back into the industry. 

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

‘It’s not about the money’: Yannopoulos brothers on building their property business

The Greek Herald
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‘It’s not about the money’: Yannopoulos brothers on building their property business

Peter and Steven Yannopoulos co-founded their property and development business Manticore Projects six years ago, and are “set to take the construction world by storm with their humour, grit and undying work ethic,” writes The Daily Telegraph. 

29-year-old, Peter, began working in the industry with Meriton prior to commencing Manticore, however, developed a passion for property early in his childhood.

“My obsession with helping my parents choose our next family home from a young age, combined with frequent local and international travelling, led to a passion in property,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

Though the brothers have nine high-end holiday homes on the horizon over the next five years, Peter says it’s not about the money. 

“Kudos to those who dream of being billionaires but for me, it‘s not about the money. The enjoyment of building and seeing a product come to life is key,” he said.

As for younger brother, and well-known TikToker, Steven, his sights are firmly set on finishing his degree and continuing to work with his brother. 

“I’m excited to see where we go. Manticore isn’t just a construction company, it’s a versatile enterprise that caters to a wide range of queries which is why we’re perfect for complex chain projects,” he said.

“Steven and I work together very closely. We both wouldn’t be where we are without each other.”

Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Evolution of Greek-Australian Associations in Greece

The Greek Herald
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The Evolution of Greek-Australian Associations in Greece

By Kathy Karageorgiou

It is a common dream for Greek-Australians (G.A’s), to return to their roots – to Greece, permanently.

This desire has materialised into reality for many. There are approximately 100,000 of these ‘dreamers’ who had the courage, and some would argue, perhaps jokingly – “the foolishness” to move to Greece.

Apart from missing aspects of Australian life; a lingering sense of feeling ‘different’ in either culture, is a theme that often surfaces when talking to many G.A’s in Greece. This is where associating with people with common experiences and interests can enrich and enhance well being.

Greek-Australian Associations, although mainly embodied as social clubs where entertainment is a main purpose, do much more. They are primarily meeting places where one can identify, and enjoy a sense of belonging. Even though they have evolved and changed over the decades, they nonethless continue to be spaces that acknowledge and accept the uniquely shared experiences that represent G.A’s in Greece.

Most G.A associations in Greece, are now online, on Facebook. One such group has its actual title, literally denote being caught between two cultures or identities, or on a more positive note – between two loves. It’s called ‘We are AUSSIES in Greece and GREEKS in Australia’ (with the precise capitalisations intact in their title).

Another G.A Association in Greece, is the online group that calls itself ‘Graussies’. And, there is also the Facebook group ‘Australians in Athens’ which seems to be the most active in terms of online, daily participation, while the group ‘Aussies in Thess’ seem to be the most ‘face-time’ socially active of these groups.

The older versions of G.A Associations in Greece, were somewhat different in context, due to the past pre-tech era, and seem to have been more lively.

Mr Nikolaidis, now in his 80’s was the Secretary of the Greek Australian society of Kalamata. He returned from Australia to Greece in the 70’s when he tells me the club was in full swing, with its heyday being the 80’s. “So many outings and a huge party every year in Kalamata, with 400 people attending, including our Australian consul.”

He continues nostalgically, “we’d go all around Greece on excursions and we were a very tight knit community.” He explains to me rather bluntly though with common sense, why these clubs of old, wound down their activity and gradually fizzled out: “Because of death, and those left like me just don’t have the energy.”

Another early, founding club member was Mr Dimou for the Pan Corinthian Association of Greek Australians, who also confirmed its wonderful, active years. He managed to pass the club onto his daughter, who runs a smaller Greek-Australian club based in the area. Telling me she tries hard to keep the tradition alive by organising events, unfortunately compared to her father’s day, membership has whittled down.

Ms Stephanou, in Patras, was a founder of the even earlier G.A Association in Greece, namely the Panhellenic Greek-Australian Federation which began in the 1960’s. She too refers to the club’s prime as being in the 70’s and 80’s, with wonderful memories of dances and parties that prominent Greeks and Australians attended.

“The entertainment, good-time aspect began to ease from the 90’s” says Ms Stephanou. She tells me, that it was then that a lot of G.A returnees to Greece began to reach pension age, and came to the often shocking realisation that they were not entitled to pensions neither from Greece nor from Australia, due to residency timeframe requirements. Ms Stephanou actually advocated on their behalf, even taking their case to Canberra – and winning.

The threat stemming from a potential of lessening finances on the part of the pensioner G.A’s in Greece back then, highlights the importance of the availability of funds (by members and even sponsors) in maintaining Associations. The Australian dollar’s value to the drachma in particular, was an important factor that enabled the clubs to socially thrive.

These days, financial austerity and the euro, and limited spare time hampers Greek Association meetings. The fact that most second generation G.A.’s live in Athens which is large and dispersed, does not perhaps allow as much time, or extra income for social events. The ‘Aussies in Thess’ group’s increased in-person interactions for example, are due to their smaller city locale whereby meeting up is easier due to proximity, but could also be due to a more laid back lifestyle in Thessaloniki.

Furthermore, the recent Covid pandemic had, and still has, an impact on socialising. As is evident from today’s predominantly online ‘Facebook’ groups serving as meeting points for G.A’s in Greece, technological progress has caused changes, including perhaps rendering us a bit complacent in terms of ‘live’ social event organisation and participation.

Also, many 2nd generation G.A’s came to settle in Greece at younger ages, after moving with their parents. They were hence assimilated into Greece from a younger age, and often don’t relate to G.A culture. This may also hint at the less popular participation regarding G.A associations in Greece.

Either way, the spirit of seeking, and finding the company of our fellow G.A’s in Greece is made manifest in our Associations. Thanks to their existence and evolution, we succeed in feeling at home, and having a good time in the process!

Mary Yannopoulos’ charity provides aid to disadvantaged young women in Grenada

Andriana Simos
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Mary Yannopoulos’ charity provides aid to disadvantaged young women in Grenada

Greek Australian, Mary Yannopoulos, always wanted to start her own charity to help disadvantaged people. At the time, she was managing her husband’s dental practice in Marrickville until eventually she decided to start her own mortgage broking business, Skybridge Capital Pty Ltd.

For many, juggling so many different hats would prove a challenge. Not for Mary. In fact, eight years ago she decided to take on more responsibility and make her true dream a reality. She founded the ‘For the Girls of Grenada Inc.’ charity.

“I have previously sponsored World Vision and then I realised that not all the funds go directly to where they’re supposed to go, so I wanted to do something myself,” Mary tells The Greek Herald exclusively.

Mary Yannopoulos (far right) in Grenada. Photo supplied.

“Eight years ago, my son-in-law went to work at the hospital in Grenada for six months and while he was living there, he got to see the way of life and the poverty. When he came back he said, ‘I think you should go to Grenada and try to help there.’ And that’s when I took it on.”

Since then, Mary has visited Grenada four times and witnessed for herself the prevalence of sexual assault by family members and poverty experienced by young women and children of the island.

Mary has visited Grenada four times with her charity ‘For the Girls of Grenada Inc.’ Photo supplied.

“We went to the hospital and found that there was no hand sanitiser on the wall, there was no soap, there were no gloves or masks. There are babies dying from poor hygiene,” Mary explains.

“The girls that fall pregnant to their father’s, some of them just leave the babies on the streets and they end up in hospital, waiting for a home to go to. So it’s a really hard life over there.”

‘For the Girls of Grenada Inc.’ has fortunately been able to help about 80-120 of these local families by providing basic life necessities and ongoing mentoring.

The charity has been able to help about 80-120 families experiencing poverty in Grenada. Photo supplied.

This comes despite Mary being out-of-action throughout 2021 due to health complications. Whilst on the surface the charity itself stood still, behind the scenes its incredible work remained very much alive and moving.

“Three more of our girls graduated from TAMCC college studies, whilst one more joined. Another one of the girls started their higher education within Nursing school, and a further four more are also looking to apply,” Mary explains.

This is something Mary says she’s incredibly proud of as it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the local community.

The charity raises money to help young women in Grenada get through college. Photo supplied.

“It is the hurdles that we face in life that make us stronger. My desire to help the girls only burned even brighter this year,” she concludes. 

A worthy cause from a woman who has truly been able to fulfill her dream of helping disadvantaged people in this world.

This year ‘For the Girls of Grenada Inc.’ has partnered with @official.love.ally to launch the #THISGIRLCAN collection: curated home décor candles made from a premium beeswax blend to support the @girlsofgrenada. It is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day and will inspire change. Find out more here: www.girlsofgrenada.org/shop-to-donate.

Vicky Staikopoulos: Changing Australia’s wool industry a micron at a time

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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Vicky Staikopoulos: Changing Australia’s wool industry a micron at a time

An Australian neuroscientist of Greek heritage, Dr Vicky Staikopoulos is the Managing Director and co-founder of Woven Optics, a South Australian agricultural start-up building technological solutions for wool growers.

But Vicky is more than that. 

She is the mother of two, a qualified secondary school teacher, an active member of the Port Adelaide Greek Community and the living proof that moving across sectors in a society that becomes more technologically oriented is not unattainable.

“By the end of the PhD, I think I could probably tell you more about sheep wool than I could about my own thesis, because I became so embedded in it… You know, one-micron at a time can make a difference and generate revenue for farmers,” she says, explaining how her career in medical research led her to design a handheld device that captures data of wool fibres with Woven Optics co-founder Ben Pullen.

“After many years working in basic research, I found myself wanting to be able to do more with the tools I was working with and to translate what we learned at the lab bench to solving problems in the medical or other fields which required solutions now,” says Vicky. 

“This led myself and Ben to enrol in the University of Adelaide Tech eChallenge, an entrepreneur course designed to take you through the processes of designing a tech-based idea, assessing its feasibility, and then developing a way to create it.”

Dr Vicky Staikopoulos with Woven Optics co-founder Ben Pullen

Throughout the course Vicky and Ben met with people from the Australian wool industry who approached us to discuss how they may use their medical research skills to solve agricultural problems. 

“Once we understood what the problem was, we proposed to create a device that could capture data of wool fibres and provide a quality measure in real-time. This was based on techniques that we were familiar with from our medical research training, and the rest of the required technical skills we knew we could fill by teaming up with others to test the feasibility of our idea.”

After testing their idea in the lab and determining there was a real need for their device in the wool industry, Vicky and Ben established Woven Optics in 2018 and ever since they have continued their research and development to create the first 2 prototypes of their device.

“It’s a handheld piece that takes an image of your wool and then runs an AI algorithm over the top, and is able to spit out a value in real time. It’s taken this long to be able to get there. But this project was literally accidental and curiosity-led.”

With their device Vicky and Ben hope to help farmers increase the quality of their wool, reduce labour costs and streamline their produce by assessing the flock and the quality of wool from the breeding stage. 

Australia is currently the largest exporter of greasy wool, producing 39% of world exports with China being the largest market and although innovation in agriculture is not a new phenomenon, Agricultural technology or Agtech, is set to become Australia’s next $100 billion industry by 2030 

“At the moment there’s a demand for highest quality fiber and to breed fibers of fine quality it all comes down to sort of genetic selection to some extent. Being able to do that during your breeding time is quite powerful to the grower,” says Vicky. 

Vicky Staikopoulos with her children

But despite the potential and the monumental growth, Agtech like other industries is also facing challenges. 

“There’s a lot of young growers now that are coming through the next generation and they’re much more tech savvy. The biggest thing that I’ve found in terms of our own company, is the lack of remote connectivity. 

“For someone who wants to do any real time data collection, this becomes a little problematic. We need to catch up with this matter in order to facilitate more technology for agricultural use in remote areas.”

“It’s all about helping our farmers and the community,” Vicky says.

When she mentions community, I can’t help but ask her about the vibrant Port Adelaide Greek Community, where she grew up.

She talks about her experience volunteering at the Semaphore Festival and encouraging non-Greek friends to experience the culture, how she enjoyed teaching the language to Port Adelaide Greek School students and her time as the school’s Deputy Principal. 

“I loved it. I really enjoyed it. I applied the same approach in teaching as I do in research. 

I’m hoping that I can go back when things calm down with the company, because it’s more of a passion for me,” she says.

“We need to be able to work with the broader community that we’re in. I think that’s something that I’ve picked up from the Port Adelaide community, because they do that really well. 

“They’re proud of their heritage, but they don’t save it just for them. They share it outside of that. That, for me is huge.”

Asked for her advice to the next generation of aspiring scientists, Agtech entrepreneurs, students or people who just decided to make a career shift, Vicky has a piece of wisdom to offer.

“Keep an open mind and be curious.” 

‘A story of friendship that needs to be told’: Minister Gee on Lemnos Remembrance Trail

The Greek Herald
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‘A story of friendship that needs to be told’: Minister Gee on Lemnos Remembrance Trail

By Ilias Karagiannis and Argyro Vourdoumpa.

The historical imprint of the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War is so significant that the events of that time have firmly resisted the ravages of time.

Through the testimonies of the past, historical memory is not lost in inexorable oblivion, and thus younger generations can understand the magnitude of the sacrifices of their ancestors.

A monument that will be the material evidence of the historical narrative of that troubled era is to be financed by the Federal Government of Australia on the island of Lemnos, as reported first by The Greek Herald hours after the federal budget was delivered.

About $4.9 million will be provided to build the Lemnos Remembrance Trail on Lemnos in order to honour the sacrifices of Australian soldiers, doctors and nurses who found themselves on the Greek island during the Gallipoli campaign.

The project, that will further enhance the close ties between Australia and Greece will be delivered by the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and maintained by the Greek Government upon its completion, as agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries.

To find out more about this initiative, constructions for which are expected to begin in July 2022 and conclude in the middle of 2023, The Greek Herald spoke with the Australian Veterans’ Affairs Minister, Andrew Gee, and the Mayor of the island of Lemnos, Dimitris Marinakis.

The Australian Pier Memorial on the shores of Lemnos’ Mudros Bay, erected in 2018. Photograph Jim Claven 2018.

Minister Gee: “A story of friendship between Greece and Australia that needs to be told”

Minister for Veterans Affairs, Andrew Gee, described the Remembrance Trail on Lemnos as “a significant project that will help Australians better understand, and honour, the service and sacrifice of Australian diggers, nurses and doctors who served at Lemnos with great distinction during the First World War.”

“Lemnos played a key role in the Gallipoli campaign for Australia and New Zealand, and our allies. It was a staging and support base, as well as a place of care for our sick and wounded. An estimated 50,000 Anzacs passed through Lemnos over the course of the campaign,” Mr Gee continued.

“It’s a story of friendship between Greece and Australia that needs to be told.”

The First Australian and New Zealand nurses as they arrived on the island of Lemnos in 1915

In 2019, the Government provided $500,000 to fund a scoping study to develop initial concepts for the project.

“Now that we have completed this study, consultation with the Hellenic Government of Greece, the Greek community in Australia and the community of Lemnos, we are now in a position to go ahead with construction of the Remembrance Trail,” Minister Gee said.

The ‘Remembrance Trail’ will help visitors tour the sites of the island where their Australian ancestors went, while at the same time explaining in detail the historical significance of specific areas of the island.

“The ‘Trail’ will exist in digital form, which means that people from all over the world will be able to explore it,” Minister Gee explained.

Mayor Marinakis: “Australia has honoured Lemnos many times”

Mayor of Lemnos, Dimitris Marinakis, also spoke about the decision of the Australian Government to invest in the construction of the Remembrance Trail.

“This decision underlines the close historical relations of Lemnos with Australia and the lively interest that exists today in highlighting important aspects of our common history. The passing through of the Anzacs in Lemnos is an important aspect of the island’s history,” Marinakis said.

“The relationships that formed between the Anzacs and the local community are still very much alive and we thank the Australian Government, the Australian Embassy in Greece and all the Associations who have supported and keep supporting initiatives like this.”

“We look forward to seeing this ambitious project completed and we are sure it will become a pole of attraction for visitors and an important part of other points of interest on the island related to Anzacs like the Allied Cemetery of Mudros or the Portianos Military Celemetery,” the Mayor said.

READ MORE: Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee welcome Remembrance Trail announcement

Andrew Liveris on his big plans for the Brisbane Olympics 2032

The Greek Herald
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Andrew Liveris on his big plans for the Brisbane Olympics 2032

The new boss of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, Andrew Liveris, has opened up in an interview with The Australian Financial Review about his big plans for the iconic event.

Mr Liveris said one of his main aims for the Games is to showcase Brisbane as a “global city,” but also ensure the event will not be a financial burden to Queensland or Australia.

“By accepting this job I am staking my reputation on everything to do with this project,” Mr Liveris told the newspaper.

READ MORE: Andrew Liveris to head Brisbane 2032 Olympics preparations.

Andrew Liveris.

“I care about this enormously. I care about the fiscal side as much as I do about every other aspect. It cannot be a burden to the citizens of the state or city or country. I will work hard to deliver what is expected of us. That’s my assignment.”

Mr Liveris made this statement on Wednesday at the launch of the new Liveris Academy and School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland.

READ MORE: Andrew Liveris prepares to lead new push for a global carbon price.

FULL INTERVIEW: The Australian Financial Review.

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