Greece and Bangladesh signed a declaration of intent on Monday concerning legal migration and the return of undocumented migrants from Greece.
The signing took place in Athens during a meeting between Greece’s Migration and Asylum Minister, Notis Mitarakis, and Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister, Imran Ahmad.
Με το Μπαγκλαντές επιδιώκουμε να ενισχύσουμε τον συντονισμό και τη συνεργασία μας στους τομείς της νόμιμης μετανάστευσης και της καταπολέμησης της παράνομης. Διαπιστώσαμε συναντίληψη και κοινή βούληση στις εν λόγω θεματικές. Υπογράψαμε κείμενο διακήρυξης προθέσεων. pic.twitter.com/cZzS91kXZ0
According to the Greek Migration Ministry, the declaration will lead to the establishment of technical talks and the signing of a memorandum of collaboration on issues of legal migration and facilitation of returns of undocumented migrants.
“We want to boost coordination and collaboration with Bangladesh,” Mitarakis said after the announcement.
Ahmad invited Mitarakis to visit Bangladesh in the near future to continue their talks.
Randwick City Councillor, Alexandra Luxford, was first elected to Council in 2017 and has been serving the constituents of West Ward ever since. This year, during the local government elections on December 4, she hopes to be re-elected to continue her fight against overdevelopment and to advocate for a multicultural Glendi in Kingsford.
To find out more about her plans, The Greek Herald sat down with Cr Luxford and discussed her political career and future aspirations.
1.How did you get into politics?
I have always been politically active from a young age. I have been a member of the Labor party for 29 years and I come from a family that was always involved with politics. My father John Procopiadis was a councillor on Randwick Council for 18 years and was also the Mayor during his time. It was only natural when given the chance to represent the Labor party as the West Ward candidate in 2017 that I took up the offer. This was a good fit for me as I have always been a person to champion causes for the betterment of our community.
2. How does your Greek heritage influence your work?
My Greek heritage has given me a sense of diversity. It helps me to relate to people of different backgrounds and cultures, especially the Greek community.
Cr Luxford raised the Greek flag at Randwick City Council this year to celebrate the Greek Revolution bicentenary.
I am proud of my Greek heritage and this year, I felt it was important for our city to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Greek independence. I put forward a motion in council which saw Greek flags and banners flying throughout Randwick City. This was a wonderful achievement for myself and the Greek community as we were able to recognise the benefits the Greek community made to help our city flourish through their cultural and commercial activities.
In my first year on council as Deputy Mayor in 2018, I was able to address the Greek community at the Epiphany ceremony, welcoming fellow Greeks to our city in their mother tongue. I will always support the Greek community in whichever way I can.
3.What have you achieved so far as a Councillor?
During my four years on council, I have delivered upgrades to local parks such as Kokoda Park in Kensington and been instrumental in ensuring future upgrades to playgrounds at Fitzpatrick Park in Kensington and Snape Park in Maroubra.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, I supported local sporting groups in the area by voting to waive ground hire fees so that kids still had sports to enjoy in what was a tough time on the community.
I have a 100% voting record against overdevelopment across Randwick City, opposing the gross high-rise complexes which don’t benefit the community in any way.
Cr Luxford at SES headquarters.
I have led the charge at Randwick City Council to save our local bus services from the Liberal government’s cuts and privatisation. At council, I have been supported by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union who came to speak to my motions.
I pushed for an up-to-date traffic study to be done to help us better understand the traffic in the area and what we can do to alleviate a lot of problems for our local community.
4. What are your plans if you are re-elected this year?
I will continue to fight overdevelopment by opposing high-rise plans that will increase congestion and put additional pressures on local schools and hospitals and support the local community and local businesses in any way I can.
I will make sure to preserve our green spaces by maintaining our beautiful parks and improving sporting facilities, as well as continuing to keep up the fight against the Liberals’ cuts to local bus services in Randwick City.
Cr Luxford with her family.
I will also continue to work on a multicultural Glendi to be held in Kingsford, following in the footsteps of my father John Procopiadis who organised the Springtime Greek Glendi, which was held several times at Kensington Oval. It helped to bring Greek culture to the forefront of Randwick City with Greek music and Greek dancing. I would love to see this happen again, incorporating the diversity of our community.
5.What message do you have for our readers and the Greek Australian community more broadly?
The support of the Greek community is something I value and treasure. We are a strong and proud voice in the community. Supporting Greek-Australian candidates ensures our voice will always remain powerful and our language, culture and heritage continues to thrive.
6. Is there anything else you’d like to say?
I am passionate about the area I live in, having lived in Kensington for over 50 years. I understand the issues facing the community and I am devoted to continuing to deal with the issues and achieve positive outcomes. I will listen, take on people’s concerns and be their strong voice on council.
On December 4, I ask that you vote 1 in Group B if you live in West Ward of Randwick City Council to help get me re-elected.
There was plenty of Greek dancing, sweets and filotimo on display at the World of Food Festival 2021 in Perth, Western Australia on Sunday.
Hundreds of people attended the festival which was organised by the Consular Corps of WA and was hosted at the WA Government House Gardens.
Photo: Consulate of Greece in Perth / Facebook.
Photo: Consulate of Greece in Perth / Facebook.
For the first time this year, the Greek stall was joined by a dedicated European Union stall, which celebrated the food, culture and diversity of EU member states such as Estonia, Italy and Spain.
While attendees were making the most of their favourite cultural delicacies, including melamakarona and bougatsa from The Greek Plate, a main stage was also set up where dancers showcased traditional cultural dances.
Photo by Richard Wainright.
Photo: Consulate of Greece in Perth / Facebook.
Students from St Andrew’s Grammar in WA made the Greek contingent proud with their dynamic performance of Greek folk dances.
The EU Anthem, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” was also performed on stage.
Photos: Consulate of Greece in Perth / Facebook.
Photo by Richard Wainright.
“Well done to the organisers of this event. So much great food to try and take home. Wonderful performances from a wide variety of cultural groups with performers from all ages – and a beautiful setting,” one attendee wrote on social media.
It’s clear the event went without a hitch and we can’t wait to see what’s planned for next year’s extravanganza!
The NSW local government elections are set for December 4 and according to ABC News, there are quite a few diverse, young Australian candidates this year.
Among the list is Haris Strangas, a young Australian of Greek heritage who is running for a seat in Sutherland Shire for the Liberals.
“I want to give back to the community that has given my family and I so much. I am passionate about supporting small businesses through the reduction of red tape,” Mr Strangas told the national broadcaster.
The NSW local government elections are set for December 4.
Research by the New South Wales government found people aged between 18 and 30 are the most under-represented in local government, making up 16 percent of the population but only 4 percent of councillors.
Mr Strangas, whose running mate Hassan Awada immigrated from Lebanon in his 20s, said that young people brought a “youthful exuberance and new ideas to the table.”
He hopes to see more youth elected.
“In recent years, I have personally seen an increase in candidates from diverse backgrounds representing the Liberal Party. I hope to see this trend continued.”
Normal service was resumed at Darwin’s St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday with Father Joel Xanthos back at the helm, NT Newsreports.
According to the newspaper, attendees were tight-lipped about why Father Joel was back but said the service had been cleared by the NT chief health officer and police.
This comes after the Cavenagh St church suspended its Sunday service on November 21. Instead, a collapsible table was set up outside and covered in candles, pictures of saints and bushels of basil.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was closed for its Sunday service on November 21. Picture: Zizi Averill / NT News.
“A sad day for Darwin’s Greek Orthodox community with our church being closed,” a hand written sign said. “…Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on Father Joel.”
In early November, a service was marred when angry parishioners rounded on NT Opposition Leader, Lia Finocchiaro, and Darwin Lord Mayor, Kon Vatskalis, protesting mandatory workplace jabs.
Father Joel has also been criticised by leading Greek community figures and health authorities for describing COVID vaccinations as “experimental biological agents.”
Rising Australian golf star, Steph Kyriacou, has ended her Ladies European Tour season by banking a 70,000 euro ($112,000) windfall, ABC Newsreports.
Kyriacou won a 50,000 euro bonus for finishing third in the Tour’s season-long Order of Merit. She also finished joint-fifth on Sunday at the concluding Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana, which earned her another 20,000 euros.
It was a welcome birthday present for Kyriacou who turned 21 this week and who is now up to 77 in the world golf rankings.
Kyriacou is now flying to Alabama in a bid to earn her card at the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) qualifying series.
Steph Kyriacou’s father Nick has been her caddie for the past year, travelling with her around the world. Photo: Getty / Andrew Redington.
“I’m happy I played well and got third, also happy I have the opportunity to go to the States and try to get on the LPGA Tour,” Kyriacou, who spent some of this season and all of last travelling with her father who acted as her caddie, said.
“It has been a good year but I can’t wait then to go home.”
Presenter and journalist, Patricia Karvelas, has today been announced as the new host of ABC’s RN Breakfast program, replacing Fran Kelly.
According to The Australian, Karvelas’ appointment was widely tipped within the media industry for weeks once Kelly revealed on October 17 she was stepping down from her role after 17 years.
Karvelas is the current host of RN Drive and will move to the breakfast timeslot in 2022.
Patricia Karvelas has today been announced as the new host of ABC’s RN Breakfast program, replacing Fran Kelly.
“I look forward to setting the national agenda every weekday morning and providing the conversations and interviews that will keep ABC audiences well-informed of the issues that affect them,” Karvelas said in a statement after the announcement.
“I have huge shoes to fill.”
Fans of Karvelas have been overjoyed at the news on social media, prompting the journalist to thank them for their support.
Overwhelmed by the love ❤️ and kindness I’m receiving from the news that I’ll be taking over from my excellent friend @frankelly08 next year on @RNBreakfast I care deeply about this country and democracy and I can’t wait. Thank you #auspol
Her Excellency, Mrs Martha A. Mavrommatis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, recently met with the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, at the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney.
The Consul General was accompanied by the Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia, Mrs Katia Gkikiza.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of topics of common interest, focusing on the cordial relationship between the Republic of Cyprus and Greece, as well as the close cooperation between the Cypriot Australian and Greek Australian communities of NSW.
Mrs Mavrommatis and Mr Karras also reconfirmed the willingness of the Cypriot Australian and Greek Australian communities of NSW to continue the long, cordial and fruitful relationship between the two communities to the benefit of Australian society.
New South Wales public teachers will strike for the first time in more than a decade in response to a “statewide staffing crisis” caused by stagnating wages and an escalating workload, The Guardian reports.
The NSW Teachers Federation president, Angelo Gavrielatos, said a unanimous vote among council members passed on Saturday morning.
Principals will join with teachers on Tuesday, December 7 for the 24-hour strike, accompanied by a statewide advertising campaign to be rolled out on television, radio and print.
“Principals and teachers don’t take this decision lightly. Over the course of the last 18 months we have exhausted all options available to us to arrive at a negotiated settlement with the government,” Mr Gavrielatos said.
NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos. Photo: Dean Lewins / AAP.
The union had failed to successfully lobby the state government to lift a 2.5 percent wages cap that it said had contributed to decline in graduates. The number of vacant permanent positions in NSW schools had increased by 80% since June.
“We are facing a perfect storm: plummeting new graduate numbers, rising enrolments, an ageing workforce which spell out acute teacher shortages,” he said.
“If we don’t act now, workloads will continue to rise and salaries will continue to fall relative to other professions.”
The Teachers Federation says if action isn’t taken teachers will continue to leave the industry in droves. Photo: ABC News / Teachers Federation.
NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, said he had already made it “very clear” to the Teachers Federation that the government’s position remains that public servants in NSW get a 2.5 percent pay increase.
“I had a very constructive conversation with Angelo [Gavrielatos] yesterday in relation to the issues… and I said I would take them on board but ultimately this is a matter that will be brought to the Industrial Relations Commission — that’s where it will be resolved,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We need to have a fair and balanced approach; I understand some of their specific concerns and my commitment to them is that I will work through them as we go through the next 12 months.”
You may not have heard of her yet but Connie Gerakis is set to take her first tentative steps into politics this year by running as an Independent in the Bayside City Council elections on Saturday, December 4.
With just days to go before the local government elections in NSW, we sat down with Connie to hear all about her career plan and aspirations.
1.Why have you decided to get into politics?
From a very young age I was always a strong, independent and hard-working woman. In fact, most people who knew me would call me a “tomboy.”
My mother was also a strong, independent and hard-working woman and she played a significant role in shaping who I am today and is the catalyst for the motivation in me running as a candidate. She would never accept me whinging and complaining about things and would always say “if you don’t like it, change it… do something about it.” It became clear very early in my adult life that if I want to see change, I will have to be the change.
Connie’s mum has inspired her all her life.
I am now at a stage in my life where both my personal life and financial situation is in a good position, allowing me time to be available to help my community see the change and with their help be the change they want in their community. I have now taken this significant step to lead the charge in being the change and if given a chance, I will bring about a change in things I see lacking within my community.
I love talking to people and I find it incredibly gratifying to help them. I will make sure they feel heard and their problems are resolved.
Finally, I love where I live and the suburbs surrounding it. I want to see them flourish and become more safe and secure. I want my son and all the children in my community to grow up in a safe and happy area.
2.How does your Greek heritage influence your work?
Connie’s grandparents.
I was blessed to have been raised in a loving family by Greek parents and grandparents with strong Greek values. My childhood was filled with happy memories and many of them being the Greek traditions.
My Greek heritage has influenced and shaped my life, my beliefs and the values I hold dearly today. These have made me the person I am today – strong, independent, hardworking, honest, kind and loving.
Growing up I was proud of my Greek heritage. Everywhere I turned I was able to find Greek influence, whether it be in culture, history, medicine, language, education, politics, art, architecture and so on. This played a significant part in my motivation to try and make a difference in this world, no matter how small or large the contribution was. How was I going to contribute to the world like my ancestors did, I would ask myself often?
Connie’s family.
Family is the foundation of my life. Every aspect of my life revolves around family. I love my family and everything I am today is because of my family. My mother was our family’s rock, she was and still is to this day my hero. She taught me the importance of family, friendship, community and strong Greek values and traditions. She also enlightened me to the fact that humans need other people and when people have strong support, alliances and connections with each other, you will thrive.
I have grown up in suburbs with substantial Greek community numbers and today I am blessed to have the opportunity to be running for Bayside council which also includes suburbs with large numbers of Greeks in these communities.
I am here to support and represent all races and cultures in my community and be their voice. I will be available for them at any time and be that person they can trust and talk to about their community concerns. In fact, I want my entire community both young and old to feel comfortable to talk to me about anything they like.
3.What are your plans if you are elected this year?
Connie with her son.
As a resident of this community, I have seen it evolve and grow over the years, and feel it has the need for improved infrastructure and services in relation to road and traffic changes (red lights and speed cameras in Brighton), noise control (including hooning), safety and security, park and street upgrades, cleaning, as well as maintenance.
Furthermore, with the significant impacts of Covid and lockdowns, a strong focus of mine would be in supporting local businesses and sporting groups. Our community has the need to move on with life and thrive again and I want to focus on organised community activities/programs for our elderly and kids that are based around interests and hobbies, learning new skills and simply having fun outdoors.
I am a successful businesswoman and mother and I pride myself in giving 100% in everything I do. I have a good reputation within my community and if elected I commit to giving them 100% as well.
I believe we need a new face in Council, someone who is eager to fight to get things done.
Connie wants to make Bayside a better place for all residents.
4.What message do you have for our readers and the Greek Australian community more broadly?
To my young brothers and sisters, even though we are proud Australians, I implore you to continue to uphold our proud Greek values and traditions in your everyday life. We as a community need to maintain our language, culture and values for the future generations.
5.Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Let’s focus on programs around family, community, culture, values, positive behaviour and improving our way of life. Let us plant the seeds of awareness, acceptance, tolerance, and help each other to be open and discuss ideas and share experiences. More importantly we as a community need to take action.
If elected, I will take significant steps to lead the charge in fixing and changing things I see lacking within my community. I will always look for ways to create, to imagine and to improve our community.
I promise that I will remain driven by the desire to work with you and for you to build an exciting, prosperous and sustainable future. It’s time for a change and I’m ready to put in the work for you.
On the 4th of December, Vote 1 Group A above the line.
