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European Union divided on Russian oil sanctions

Eleni Patsalides
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European Union divided on Russian oil sanctions

Foreign ministers in the European Union disagreed on Monday on how to or whether to impose sanctions on Russia’s energy sector based on its recent invasion of Ukraine, with Germany stating that the nation depended too much on Russian oil to decide on this embargo. 

Many nations worldwide including in the EU and its allies have already imposed several sanctions and restrictions against Russia, including the freezing of its bank’s assets. 

The recent siege of the Mariupol port by the Russian government is the latest event to motivate action by the union with the EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrel calling these actions “a massive war crime.”

EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrel

The United States and Britain have already targeted Russian oil with sanctions, although this decision for the EU is a far more divisive topic. the 27 nations included in the Union relies on Russia for 40% of its gas causing some to argue on Monday that they could not afford to impose these sanctions while others argued they may not be able to avoid this step. 

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said before this meeting “looking at the extent of the destruction in Ukraine right now, it’s very hard to make the case that we shouldn’t be moving in on the energy sector, particularly oil and coal.”

Germany and the Netherlands responded to this though acknowledging that the EU was dependent on Russian oil and gas and would not be able to make a snap call on how to proceed without causing damage to their own economies. 

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attend a EU Foreign Ministers meeting.   © Reuters

“The question of an oil embargo is not a question of whether we want or don’t want it but a question of how much we depend on oil,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. 

She went on to explain the complexities of the dependence on Russian oil by saying “Germany is importing a lot (of Russian oil) but there are also other member states who can’t stop the oil imports from one day to the other. If we could, we would do it automatically,”

There is a European split as to how to proceed in response to the recent invasion of Ukraine, although there is also the threat of higher increases on oil and energy on top of already increasing prices. 

Twitter post by Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis

Some sanctions would prove disastrous for smaller countries with a larger dependency on the oil giant, with Moscow already warning that such sanctions could prompt it to close a gas pipeline to Europe. Something that many nations wish to avoid. 

No decision on potential energy sanctions will occur at this point of the meetings as there are more conversations to be expected during the next week or so, with U.S. President Joe Biden arriving in Brussels on Wednesday for more talks with other EU nations and NATO’s 30 members on how to proceed with a tougher response from the West towards Moscow.

The Kremlin has not been deterred so far by these EU sanctions, which include 685 Russians and Belarusians and on Russian finance and trade. With a fifth round of sanctions to include more names on the EU blacklist, it is expected that nations will unite to strengthen the response to the war on Ukraine. 

Source: Ekathimerini, Reuters

Australian National Maritime Museum unveils 1,281 new names on Monument to Migration

Andriana Simos
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Australian National Maritime Museum unveils 1,281 new names on Monument to Migration

The Australian National Maritime Museum unveiled a further 1,281 names on the National Monument to Migration during three heart-warming ceremonies on Sunday, March 20.

The National Monument, which is a bronze-panelled wall that faces Sydney’s Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Bay, honours the thousands of migrants who have made Australia home.

This year, names from Afghanistan, Gabon, Sierra Leone and Somalia were inscribed on the wall, including an additional 91 from Greece.

This was all announced at one of the unveiling ceremonies attended by The Greek Herald.

All photos copyright: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
SBS Presenter, Virginia Langeberg.
Craig Madden
Chantal Sneddon.

The event began with emcee and SBS Presenter, Virginia Langeberg, welcoming Craig Madden to the stage for the traditional Welcome to Country. Chantal Sneddon sang the Australian National Anthem.

Later, five keynote speakers addressed the audience and shared their personal stories and connection to the theme of migration.

They were: the President of the Kytherian Association of Australia (KAA), Emmanuel Alfieris; Museum Representative, Stephen Coutts; Multicultural Australia CEO, Christine Castley; National Monument to Migration donor, Madilina Tresca; and the first Afghan migrant to feature on the Monument, Mahboba Rawi OAM.

President of the Kytherian Association of Australia, Emmanuel Alfieris.
Madilina Tresca.
Multicultural Australia CEO, Christine Castley.
Mahboba Rawi OAM.

During his speech, Mr Alfieris shared the ‘boomeranging’ migration story of his father, George, who’s name is inscribed on the Monument and was seen getting emotional during the event. Mr Alfieris also encouraged others to think about inscribing their own parents or grandparents’ name on the wall.

READ MORE: Kytherian George Alfieris: ‘Boomeranging’ between Greece and Australia for over a century.

“I think we need to reflect on the sacrifices that all those 30,000 names on that wall made to get us here. To come to a country where there’s peace and prosperity, and that has let us stand on their shoulders,” he said.

“So I encourage all of you who don’t have your family names yet on the wall, please make the effort. Mark them for prosperity.”

The Consul General of Sydney was present at the event.
Emmanuel Alfieris’ dad became emotional.

The KAA President then went on to conclude his speech by announcing that there will be “a special monument” for Kytherian migrants on the wall.

Following the conclusion of these speeches, which were enjoyed by all in attendance including the Greek Consul General in Sydney Christos Karras, attendees walked together to the Monument for the customary press photos.

Afterwards, another two unveiling ceremonies were held including one featuring the CEO of Settlement Services International, Violet Roumeliotis, and Effie Alexakis on behalf of Father Nektarios, who’s name was one of those added to the Monument.

Note: The Museum has worked closely with the Greek community on a special fundraiser to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence and to honour the contribution of Greek Australians in building our nation. You can find out more about it here.

Violet Roumeliotis.

Greek Australian jewellery designer, Kassandra Behrendt, to showcase collection at BrisAsia event

The Greek Herald
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Greek Australian jewellery designer, Kassandra Behrendt, to showcase collection at BrisAsia event

Greek Australian jewellery designer Kassandra Behrendt will showcase her new Pagoni Jewellery collection at the inaugural BrisAsia Festival Fashion event on Friday 25 March at the Brisbane Fortitude Music Hall. 

Ms Behrendt named her label ‘Pagoni’ in honour of her Greek heritage and because she loves designing with feathers. Her jewellery features gold coins, which are depicted everywhere in Greek history, in almost every piece and her new collection will feature embroidery she learnt as a young child in Greece, and the poppies that used to surround her Greek home before she moved to Australia aged eight. 

The inaugural BAFF Program, produced by Fashion Festival Queensland, working closely with BrisAsia Festival producers Sounds Across Oceans and proudly supported by Brisbane City Council, Motorama and GHD, will feature a Fashion Forum event at 2pm followed by two runway fashion shows at 6pm and 7.30pm. 

BrisAsia Festival Fashion Director Liz Golding said the event would grow as part of the annual BrisAsia Festival for the next four years. 

Labels from throughout Queensland including Akira, Native Swimwear Australia, Joteo, Moreno Marcos, Anannasa, Murrii Quu Couture, Pagoni, Hestia by Yip Wing Chi, Liz Clift, Mode Voyage, SAJO, Nevidebla, Luna + Sun, Fancynators and Hopevale Arts & Cultural Centre, will also be showcased. 

“This new event on the Brisbane fashion calendar is about celebrating culture through fashion via an intimate Forum event and through two spectacular runway shows that will each feature up to eight different designers. 

“The only fashion event in Brisbane, and Queensland, specifically curated to showcase local Asian designers, champion intercultural dialogue and collaborate with Indigenous artists, BrisAsia Fashion establishes a new horizon for Queensland fashion. Queenslanders love to celebrate home-grown talent and national designers who love their Queensland supporters and now we can do so in a way that embraces the full spectrum of our cultural diversity,” said Ms Golding.

“The Runway Shows at 6pm and 7.30pm will be presented by the Motorama Group, who represent many leading Asian car brands and are located in highly diverse communities. Packed with stunning new looks from an exciting range of labels that reflect fashion inspired by and developed from their Asian, Indigenous, and International influences, both shows feature front-row seating for every guest, while the fashion will be available for purchase online and in-store following the event,”

Brisbane fashion influencer Marie Hillard, ‘@thebrisbanegirl’, is the Event Ambassador and features in the event collateral. The BrisAsia Fashion Festival will support local charity Hummingbird House, Queensland’s only children’s hospice, through donations from ticket sales. 

Acknowledgement to Country 

BrisAsia Fashion would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, share, and create. We pay our respects to Elders past, present & emerging. Our first nations people are storytellers, guardians of traditional knowledge and cultural wisdom. They have a deep connection to the natural environment and to the land we all call home. It is with respect and appreciation that we acknowledge their place in the evolving story of Brisbane. 

Promoting a Culture of Innovation and Inclusion 

With Brisbane’s geographic location within the Asia Pacific region, our strong and growing Asian heritage links, increasing migration and our diverse creative and economic landscape it is important to explore and express fashion in new ways that reflect our evolving cultural identity. 

The power of BrisAsia Festival emerges through the positive creative and economic relationships that are reflected through our programming. BrisAsia Festival has developed a consultative and collaborative approach to curation supporting Asian and indigenous story telling through fashion, food, music, and live performance. 

The sharing of history, culture and creative practice that emerges through this process is powerful and transformative for participants and audiences. We inspire new contemporary ideas and perspectives by embracing ancient traditions. 

Tickets for the BrisAsia Festival Fashion Fortitude Music Hall events are available at: https://fashionfestivalqueensland.com.au/whats-on-ticketing-1

White Pearl Foundation raises over $22,200 at the fourth annual Breakfast for Brain Cancer

Andriana Simos
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White Pearl Foundation raises over $22,200 at the fourth annual Breakfast for Brain Cancer

Guests, sponsors and donors raised over $22,200 at the White Pearl Foundation‘s fourth annual Breakfast for Brain Cancer brunch event last Friday, March 18.

The funds from the brunch will go towards supporting the brain cancer research programme of The Brain Cancer Group, Care2Cure (TBCG), which aims to improve outcomes for patients across the spectrum – from care to finding a cure for this devastating disease.

“Thank you to everyone who attended the fourth Breakfast for Brain Cancer, a brunch held in the Pacific Room of the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Point Piper,” the founder of the White Pearl Foundation and organiser of the event, Suzane Peponis-Brisimis, told The Greek Herald.

Suzane Peponis-Brisimis speaks at the event.

“Thank you also to our sponsors, gift donors and those who donated to the cause. We aim to recognise all contributors who wish to be acknowledged on our website.”

On the day, over 126 attendees were amazed as Ms Peponis-Brisimis announced “the Lewis Foundation pledge of 3 years funding of TBCG’s Neuro-oncology care coordination programme, a critical programme for patients and families, led by Nurse Practitioner, Marina Kastelan.”

READ MORE: ‘Survivorship’: Sophie Cotsis MP hosts brain cancer awareness event at NSW Parliament.

“This reflects a commitment of close to $450,000 and we could not be more grateful. Every brain cancer patient deserves to have the support of a care co-ordinator. Marina Kastelan has been with the Group for over a decade and was my scaffold during my mother’s 15 months of treatment,” she added.

CEO of the Lewis Land Group, Matthew McCarron.

The keynote speaker on the day of the event was actually the CEO of the Lewis Land Group, Matthew McCarron, and he spoke openly about his personal brain cancer journey.

Mr McCarron explained how a seizure in the dead of night led to him being diagnosed with a high-grade astrocytom, which required chemoradiation treatment followed by chemotherapy delivered under the care of TBCG Directors, Associate Professors Helen Wheeler and Michael Back.

Despite this, Mr McCarron said the support of his family and friends were the key to his cancer journey.

READ MORE: Suzane Peponis-Brisimis: Leading philanthropist shining a spotlight on brain cancer research.

“I was surrounded by love that was unconditional. My amazing family equipped me with a deep belief that I could achieve whatever I put my mind to and that hard work and persistence could overcome any challenge,” he said to applause from the crowd.

This eye-opening speech was then followed by a very informative address by Associate Professor Back, who provided an update on how the TBCG’s programmes are progressing, with a focus on the ever-expanding TBCG Databank.

Associate Professor Michael Back.

The Associate Professor explained how every patient will be entered into the TBCG Brain Cancer DataBank through a linked pathway in which their initial brain tumour specimen is stored, alongside their actual brain cancer images and their information data.

At the conclusion of this address, guests were able to enjoy a continual flow of delicious refreshments, prepared by Zest Catering, and mingle amongst themselves.

The fifth annual Breakfast for Brain Cancer, again at the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Point Piper, is already in the planning for Sunday, March 12, 2023.

You can connect with the White Pearl Foundation and support brain cancer research by:
• Exploring opportunities for future collaboration and sponsorship with the White Pearl Foundation.
• Donating prizes & services to future events’ raffle and auctions.
• Hosting your own fundraising event in support of the White Pearl Foundation.
• Hosting your own Breakfast for Brain Cancer.
• Join the White Pearl Foundation volunteer team.

George Grosios to star in fifth season of award-winning multicultural AFL footy show

Eleni Patsalides
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George Grosios to star in fifth season of award-winning multicultural AFL footy show

The 2022 AFL footy season heralds the NEMBC MEDIA’s weekly Multicultural AFL Footy TV Show and radio podcasts. This show will be inclusive of the 8 language AFL newscasts, CRN podcasts and live matchday broadcasts covering the full 2022 AFL season and the AFLW Finals. The show begins on C31 (DVB 44) TV Thursday evening on 24th March at 7:00 PM.

The 2021 Antenna Award winning Multicultural AFL Footy TV Show and spin-off radio podcast throughout Multicultural radio stations nationally and the Community Radio Network (CRN), collectively has over half a million Multicultural/Diversity and general community followers per week including fans from Argentina, Mexico and the North American AFANA (ARFANA.com) site. 

The show will hit the airwaves running with results from Round 1 and Round 2 previews from it’s culturally diverse cast. The program is anchored by Mexican born Vanessa Gatica, with 2019 Antenna award winning presenter Harbir Singh Kang, together with the very knowledgeable game analyst George Grosios and the Adelaide based Fouad Andrawos, reporting on everything AFL West of the Victorian border.

The half hour TV program will air weekly, showcasing the AFL’s diversity, game highlights, match reviews, news, previews and off the beaten track interviews – Starts, Thursday 24th March from 7:00 pm on Channel 31 (C44) Melbourne and Geelong. Channel 44 Adelaide on Friday evenings, nationally on Aurora-Foxtel TV 1:00 pm Saturdays and available on NEMBC YouTube AFL on demand and other digital platforms.

For information interviews and photos – Please call Producer / Director, Fiv Antoniou on 0418 539 381, email operations@nembc.org.au

Mark Coure MP – Opinion: Sydney’s a global city, but we don’t talk like one

The Greek Herald
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Mark Coure MP – Opinion: Sydney’s a global city, but we don’t talk like one

Opinion piece by NSW Multicultural Minister, Mark Coure.

For Sydney to really live up to its potential as a global city, more of us need to have greater knowledge of a second language.

Across NSW, we have people from many different backgrounds. Nearly a third of people living here were or have parents who were born overseas, and we speak some 215 different languages. And at the heart of it all is Sydney, our global city. 

On street corners in Hurstville, Lakemba, Cabramatta, Kogarah and Parramatta, you can hear Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, and Spanish. Yet, we haven’t really capitalised on the presence of these languages and tried to learn them.

How often have we travelled to another country and had the comfort of hearing English on arrival? That’s because people in these countries understand the value in learning a language beyond their own. This is especially the case for our neighbours in the Asia-Pacific, like Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

I want all of us to start treating language learning as a priority. This means treating it the same as maths, science, and technologies. But, to get there, we need to have the right frameworks in place to support and empower our children to learn another language.

By encouraging the learning of a second language, we will only better position ourselves to become a stronger global city. People who learn a second language can discover pathways to working as interpreters or translators, which have been vital in situations such as the pandemic. Translators helped our businesses and even our government connect with people and keep them informed.

Over the years, the general approach to languages in NSW schools has been a bit hotchpotch. But I know we can do better by having a strong and evidence-based approach to teaching languages in schools. This is something I certainly hope to see included in the NSW Curriculum Reform led by our Education Minister, Sarah Mitchell. 

Beyond learning in our schools, we need to empower students to continue learning as adults, through university, TAFE, or at one of the many community language schools we have right here in Sydney. Even our larger institutions and public sector organisations should consider offering language learning as a form of professional development to their employees. 

Technology has certainly made it easier for people to learn another language in a cost-effective way and in their own time. It definitely has for me. I had the opportunity to learn Indonesian while in school, where I first saw the value of learning a second language. Unfortunately, after school, work and family commitments meant I was too time poor to continue studying. However, through language apps, I have been able to restart language learning in my own time.

But I also believe there is another way to learn languages that will also help us develop as a society: learning from the people around us who speak one of the 215 languages present in our state.

So, this Harmony Day, instead of just acknowledging how great our diversity is, be a part of it. Turn to your neighbour, friend, or work colleague and ask them how to say hello, goodbye, yes, no, please or thank you in their language. You might just find that you will not only build a greater relationship with them, but also motivate yourself to go and learn more.


Mark Coure MP 

Minister for Multiculturalism

Minister for Seniors

Darwin’s Greek community marks Independence Day with wreath laying and school celebration

Andriana Simos
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Darwin’s Greek community marks Independence Day with wreath laying and school celebration

The Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia (GOCNA) marked Greek Independence Day over the weekend with a special school celebration and wreath laying ceremony.

Celebrations began on Saturday with His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope paying a visit to the Greek Orthodox School of Darwin in Nightcliff, where young students performed poems and songs in honour of the heroes and heroines of the Greek Revolution.

The students also participated in a small march on school grounds before Bishop Silouan was treated to a small dinner surrounded by the School’s staff and members of its executive committee.

This event was followed by a small Doxology and wreath laying ceremony at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Darwin on Sunday.

Bishop Silouan presided over the Doxology and later he, along with a number of other dignitaries and Greek community members, laid wreaths at the small cenotaph located on church grounds.

The other dignitaries included, but are not limited to, the Honourable Paul Kirby MLA, representing NT Premier Michael Gunner; the Honourable Marie-Clare Boothy MLA, representing the Leader of the NT Opposition Lia Finocchiaro; the Honorary Consul General of Greece in Darwin, John Anictomatis; Councillor Sylvia Klonaris, representing the City of Darwin; and the President of GOCNA, Nicholas Poniris, who was emcee of the event.

It was an enjoyable weekend celebrated by all in the local Greek community.

*All photos supplied by GOCNA.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke sends message ahead of Greek Independence Day

The Greek Herald
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Immigration Minister Alex Hawke sends message ahead of Greek Independence Day

The Federal Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke MP, has sent a message to Greek Australians to mark the anniversary of Greek Independence Day this year.

In his message, Minister Hawke said he grew up learning the historical stories of the Greek struggle for independence and believes they “are a testament to the resilience and strength of the Greek people and their culture.”

Minister Hawke also extended his thanks to the Greek Australian community for their role “in Australia’s resilient and united effort to overcome the challenged of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alex Hawke MP.

Full Message:

“I join with the more than 400,000 Australians of Greek heritage in celebrating Greece’s victory against the Ottoman Empire and, its achievement of Independence.

Like myself, many Greek Australians have grown up learning the history of the Greek struggle for independence, now two centuries ago. These stories and those of the generations since, are a testament to the resilience and strength of the Greek people and their culture.

Greek Australians have a long and proud tradition of contributing to the success and vibrancy of Australia’s multicultural society. As home to one of the largest Greek communities outside of Greece, Australia’s ties to Greece are deep and strong, as are the ties that unite Greek Australians to their homeland, history and culture across generations.

As you take the time to celebrate today with family and community, I especially wish to extend my thanks for the role that Greek Australians have played in Australia’s resilient and united effort to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I extend my best wishes as you celebrate the many achievements of Greece as both the birthplace of democracy and as a modern democratic nation.”

Dr. Maria Bougiesi to present online lecture on traditional Greek dance

Eleni Patsalides
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0
Dr. Maria Bougiesi to present online lecture on traditional Greek dance

Dr. Maria Bougiesi will present an online-only lecture entitled ‘Greek traditional dance, an alternative form of exercise and an inexhaustible source of well-being,’ on Thursday 24 March, at 7pm, as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars, offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne.

In recent years, there has been greater research interest shown in quality of life and health matters pertaining to dance. Greek traditional dance has been proposed as an alternative form of exercise for preventing and improving a variety of parameters in older adults, like gait balance and cognitive function, as well as stress and emotional management in all ages. 

Greek traditional dance is intricately linked with Greek culture and folk traditions, while for Greeks living abroad in the diaspora, it remains and important way of connecting with their heritage and engaging with their identity. 

Traditional Greek Dancing

The presentation will discuss the relationship of dance and mainly Greek traditional dance with quality of life and health issues since it is an inexhaustible source of well-being and cultural richness emanating from common people.

Dr. Maria Bougiesi has graduated from the department of Physical Education and Sport Science of the University of Thessaly, Greece and her Masters was in ‘Sport Psychology’ at the same university, in conjunction with the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland and the University of Leuven, Belgium. 

She went on to receive her PhD in Greece and the University of Magdeburg, Germany where she worked in cognitive function improvement through dance and exercise in older adults. 

University of Thessaly, where Dr. Bougiesi begun her studies.

Maria uses Greek traditional dance as a mean of quality of life and health promotion.  She has collaborated with cardiologists organizing proper exercise programs through dance focusing on cardiac function improvement. 

She has been teaching Greek traditional dance in Greece and abroad during her studies, and since 2020, has been teaching Greek traditional dance at the University of Thessaly. 

Maria has presented her research at many international conferences and seminars and prides herself on her motto:  ‘Our life is a dance whose rhythm and melody is determined by us’. 

When: Thursday 24 March, 7.00pm

Online Platforms: Facebook and Youtube

Language: Greek

NSW Multicultural Minister calls on adults to learn a second language ‘as a priority’

The Greek Herald
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NSW Multicultural Minister calls on adults to learn a second language ‘as a priority’

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure, has called on adults to learn a second language “as a priority” if Sydney is to become a truly “global city.”

Mr Coure said NSW had failed to capitalise on its ­diverse culture and was critical of the ‘hotchpotch’ approach to language in state schools.

“On street corners in Hurstville, Lakemba, Cabramatta, Kogarah and Parramatta, you can hear Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, and Spanish. Yet, we haven’t really capitalised on the presence of these languages and tried to learn them,” Mr Coure told The Daily Telegraph.

READ MORE: ‘I’ve got the best job in government’: NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure.

“I want all of us to start treating language learning as a priority. This means treating it the same as maths, science, and technologies.”

The President of the Teachers Federation, Angelo Gavrielatos, agreed with Minister Coure and said although languages were “a very important part of the curriculum,” they had suffered a decline in recent years.

READ MORE: ‘We are bracing ourselves’: Angelo Gavrielatos reacts to NSW back-to-school plan.

Mr Coure called on NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell to fix the issue in her ongoing school curriculum reform. Minister Mitchell encouraged community members to have their say on the draft language syllabus.

Source: The Daily Telegraph.

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