The exploding omicron cases are causing unprecedented disruption to Australia’s food distribution industry, with many suppliers forced to scale back operations because their staff are falling sick or isolating.
One of these suppliers is George Sofanios, who is the owner of Newcastle-based food distribution company, Red Funnel.
Mr Sofanios told ABC News how he was forced to shut his doors for eight days over Christmas after he had two positive COVID cases in his night-shift staff. It meant the rest of the staff on that shift became close contacts and couldn’t work.
The closure came at a cost of somewhere between $1 million to $1.5 million in sales, and it was the longest Mr Sofanios’ business had ever been closed since his family started operating in 1933.
“Disaster might be the right word in terms of staff shortages,” he told the national broadcaster.
“It was quite a shock to the business after 86 years to close for that period of time, especially in the busiest time of year.”
Since then, National Cabinet agreed to relax close contact rules, with a close contact now defined as a person you live with or have been with for four hours or more in a household or household-like setting in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The period of time people must isolate has also been cut from the initial 14 days to seven days for people with COVID, if they are symptom free and seven days for close contacts, with a negative test result.
But Mr Sofanios said the close contact rule has still become redundant, given that more than 90 per cent of adult Australians have received two COVID-19 vaccinations.
“I don’t think you need to have a close contact rule. When people are sick, they don’t come to work,” Mr Sofanios told The Australian.
Other food distributors across the nation agree with Mr Sofanios and believe state governments need to come up with different solutions to help businesses stay open.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has reintroduced several COVID-19 restrictions today amid hospitals across the state buckling under the pressure of the Omicron outbreak.
From tomorrow, elective surgeries will be paused, and singing and dancing will be banned in hospitality venues, entertainment facilities and major recreation facilities.
This prohibition will not apply for weddings.
Major events may also be subjected to risk assessments from health authorities and could be postponed at their discretion.
The Premier also announced that a new reporting system will allow people to log positive rapid antigen test (RAT) results with Service NSW. This will be made available next week.
The government will also extend vaccination mandates to include booster shots, this includes in sectors such as healthcare, police and teachers.
Photo: AAP / Bianca De Marchi.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard in a statement said for those particular settings, workers will only be classified as fully vaccinated after receiving their third shot.
The changes are the latest in COVID-safe policies rolled back since December 15, when the government removed several restrictions to pre-pandemic levels.
Premier Perrottet labelled the changes as “minor” and “proportionate” changes as the state moves through the next phase of the outbreak.
NSW reported 38,625 new cases and 11 deaths today. Hospitalisations in the state have also grown exponentially with another 129 patients admitted for COVID treatment, bringing the total to 1,738.
Cases also continue to grow across Australia, with Victoria recording 21,728 cases and six deaths; the ACT reporting 1,246 new cases; Tasmania recording 1,489 new cases; Queensland recording 10,953 new cases, South Australia reporting 3,707 new cases; and the Northern Territory reporting 412 new cases.
From humble beginnings five years ago, Muscle Nation’s co-founders Chris Anastasi and Nathaniel Anthony now hope to build their activewear and supplements business into a $70 million empire.
Chris, 37, and Nathaniel, 31, started their business in 2016 from a spare room in Nathaniel’s grandma’s house and now they sell more than 1000 different activewear, supplements and snack products online to customers around the world.
In July last year, they also signed a huge deal to supply more than 830 Coles stores in Australia with their new range of custard protein bars and powders.
Chris and Nathaniel signed a huge deal with Coles last year.
According to The Daily Telegraph, this success saw Muscle Nation notch up $51 million in revenue in the past financial year and is aiming for a 25 to 30 percent growth spurt in 2021/22.
Chris told the newspaper the key to Muscle Nation’s growth was its 2 million plus online community of like-minded people who are “passionate about health and fitness.”
“The best form of marketing is word of mouth and building a strong relationship with our customers, which is undoubtedly how we have built the brand to where it is today,” Chris said.
The 37-year-old Greek Australian added that he’s excited for the future of the business and plans to continue evolving.
“We actually feel like we’re just getting started,” he concluded.
The President of The Hellenic Initiative Australia (THI Australia), Nick Pappas AM, met with Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on January 5 to provide an update on the organisation’s progress in both Greece and Australia.
THI Australia announced a number of grants for Greek organisations in 2021 including, but not limited to:
– $44,648 awarded to Pediatric Trauma Care (Pedtrauma) to provide medical equipment to Pediatric Departments in hospitals in Alexandroupolis, Florina, Thessaloniki and Patras.
Emfasis receive their donation.
– $90,000 grant to Doctors of the World Greece, which will provide access to public health services for more than 2,800 disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals in Athens.
– $10,000 grant to the Emfasis Foundation to support extra relief and safety measures being implemented to assist the homeless in Athens as a result of COVID-19.
In a Facebook post after the meeting between Mr Pappas and Mitsotakis, THI Australia said: “It is wonderful to know that the efforts of the Greek diaspora and philhellenes are appreciated at the highest level.”
Mr Pappas also met with Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andreas Katsaniotis, and Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Arthur Spyrou.
In November last year, Mr Pappas also met with Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andreas Katsaniotis, and Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Arthur Spyrou.
The officials underlined the excellent bilateral relations between Greece and Australia and stressed the common will to strengthen and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Last year’s bicentennial celebrations of the Greek revolution of 1821 have spotlighted the passion of the Greek diaspora for their homeland. The celebrations revealed that the contemporary Greek diaspora has a global presence and an overarching international influence. The Greek diaspora radiates a geopolitical soft power that serves as a strategic tool for Greece’s national causes and foreign policy. In modern times, the Greek diaspora have also been benefactors to their homeland through their philanthropy, crises relief, business mentorship, entrepreneurial empowerment, and building economic bridges with Greece for international trade and economic development.
Greece is a small country, with an inquiring mind, an independent spirit and a global outreach. Its sparse population of slightly more than 10 million inhabitants is deceiving. Census reports from around the world estimate that the Greek diaspora, which includes first generation Greek immigrants, and second or third generations of Greek ancestry not born in Greece, exceeds 7 million. In this regard, Greece stands out among the community of nations in exhibiting a significant population dualism where its total population is partitioned between those living in the homeland and the Greek diaspora who are dispersed around the world.
The word diaspora has its roots in the ancient Greek language meaning the scattering of seeds for future growth. Since time immemorial, the Greeks have embraced an adventurous spirit, a peripatetic nature, and a global outreach. In Ancient Greece, Homer recorded that the Greeks have been wanderers and travelers venturing through foreign seas and lands, motivated by trade, science, intellectual curiosity, poverty, or war, and creating colonies and cities far and wide. As a result, the Greek diaspora has been recorded as one of the oldest and largest in the world.
Constantine Passaris shares his thoughts on the Greek diaspora.
I believe that Alexander the Great personifies the spirit of the Greek diaspora past and present. In effect, Alexander practiced globalisation before the word was invented. The empire he built spanned from Macedonia to Asia and North Africa. His vision for administering the new lands that he conquered included establishing a Greek community to conduct the affairs of state after he had moved on to new conquests.
Furthermore, he embraced a prototype of a multicultural policy which accepted the cultures and traditions of the conquered peoples and integrated the ruling class of the Greeks in such a way that the host society did not feel victimised. I always feel a sense of national pride when my friends and colleagues from countries that Alexander conquered such as present-day Iran, India and Egypt speak fondly and with great respect regarding his accomplishments and legacy in their countries. In this regard, Alexander is not perceived as a malevolent conqueror but as a capable administrator and a cultural benefactor.
The most successful overseas Greek community that was established by Alexander the Great was in Egypt. Ptolemy Soter, a trusted commander of Alexander, ruled Egypt from 305 BC followed by his descendants for more than 300 years until the demise of Queen Cleopatra in 30 BC. During that time, the city of Alexandria, a Greek polis which was founded by Alexander became the capital city and a major center of Greek culture, learning, and trade for several centuries. It was a hub for world trade and the library of Alexandria became a depository for the most valuable original manuscripts and acquired knowledge of those days. Alexandria also emerged as a center of scientific innovation and its iconic lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of ancient world, served as a beacon to the world.
Alexander the Great.
The contemporary Greek diaspora consists of Greek communities living outside the borders of their Greek homeland. In modern history, the Greek diaspora has existed in the Balkans, southern Russia, Asia Minor, eastern Anatolia, the Caucasus, Egypt, and in Corsica. Since the 20th century, the Greek diaspora has extended its reach to every corner of the world including the USA, Canada, South America, Germany and Australia.
In my travels, I have encountered the Greeks of the diaspora across Canada, and overseas in the USA, in Australia, and in Europe. At each destination, I witnessed a strong bonding and a fervent passion among the Greek diaspora for their homeland. As a result, I believe that you can take the Greeks out of Greece, but you cannot take Greece out of the Greeks.
Throughout history, Greeks have left an indelible footprint on western civilization and especially in culture, democracy, visual arts, theatre, literature, philosophy, politics, architecture, music, mathematics, medicine, science, technology, philanthropy, commerce, cuisine, and sports. These significant contributions continue to the present day through the noteworthy contributions of contemporary Greeks of the diaspora through their contributions to their adopted countries and humanity at large.
Greeks have left an indelible footprint on western civilization. Photo: Monash Council.
During important milestones in Greek history, the Greek diaspora has extended a helping hand to their homeland. The Greek diaspora played a foundational role in the struggle for Greek Independence in the 19th century. Through them, Philhellenes around the world were energised to step up and support the ideals of the Greek revolution. During the first and second World Wars, the Greek diaspora sent young men to fight for their homeland. More recently, the Greek diaspora has assisted with crises relief, championed national causes, and served as an advocate for Greek foreign policy by energising political and public opinion in their new homelands.
The 2016 Australian census recorded 397,431 people of Greek ancestry, and 93,740 born in Greece. This makes Australia home to one of the largest Greek diaspora communities in the world. The census also revealed that the Greek community of Melbourne is one of the largest in the world with a Greek Australian population of 173,598 people. In fact, the city of Melbourne has the largest concentration of Greeks after Athens and Thessaloniki in Greece. Sydney comes a close second with 127,274 Greek Australians.
On every occasion that I have visited Melbourne and Sydney I was deeply moved by the Greek communities of both cities for their passion for all things Greek, and for nurturing the Greek language and traditions. Indeed, during my visits to Melbourne, I was thrilled to hear Greek being spoken everywhere I went. It forced me to do a double take to make sure that my plane had landed in Australia and not in Greece.
Greek diaspora in Australia.
The largest Greek immigrant stream to Australia commenced after the second World War. The first-generation of Greek Australians were mostly self-employed in the service sector. They established restaurants, retail outlets and small businesses. Having instilled the value of education in their children to improve their career opportunities, the second and third generation of Greek Australians have now joined the ranks of white-collar professionals such as lawyers, accountants, public servants, academics, scientists, engineers, nurses, and medical practitioners.
A second generational change occurred among the Greek Australian diaspora with respect to their political engagement in their new homeland. The first generation of Greek immigrants to Australia were intimately aligned with Greek politics. In consequence, even in a new country, the Greek diaspora continued to fight the party affiliated political battles of their homeland in a new milieu. This is no longer the case in the 21st century. The Greeks who were born in the host society and new immigrant arrivals from Greece have exhibited a tendency to embrace Australian politics and integrate in the political landscape of their host country. The high numbers of candidates of Greek heritage who are nominated as candidates and elected to public office at the municipal, regional, and federal levels serve as testimony to this reversal of political engagement.
The contemporary passion of the Greek diaspora for their homeland is reflected in The Hellenic Initiative (THI). THI is a global philanthropic initiative that is replicated in the USA, Canada, and Australia and connects the Greek diaspora and Philhellenes with Greece. More precisely, it serves as a catalyst for global fundraising, providing direct economic, social, and environmental crises relief as well as opening doors for entrepreneurial initiatives, promoting job creation and economic development in Greece and raising global awareness about key issues of importance to Greece.
Dr. Constantine Passaris is a Professor of Economics at the University of New Brunswick (Canada) and an Onassis Foundation Fellow (Greece). He was recently included in the inaugural edition of Who is Who in Greece 2020 and is the first Greek Canadian to be appointed to the Order of New Brunswick (Canada).
Residents and local officials on the Greek island of Chios have blocked a ship carrying construction machinery for the new planned ‘closed’ migrant centre from docking on Thursday, Ekathimerinireports.
Residents of the island had also blocked the ship from docking at the auxiliary port of Mesta on the island earlier the same day.
This occurred despite a small force of police and coast guard officials being present at both ports.
Αφού επιχειρήθηκε τα ξημερώματα ανεπιτυχώς η αποβίβαση των μηχανημάτων της ΓΕΚ ΤΕΡΝΑ στο λιμάνι των Μεστών, το πλοίο απέπλευσε με προορισμό το κεντρικό λιμάνι της Χίου. Εκεί ο κόσμος στάθηκε στη ράμπα πρόσδεσης αποτρέποντας να ρίξει τον καταπέλτη. Το πλοίο αναχώρησε για τη Λέσβο. pic.twitter.com/yPjcBPSuxV
In response, the ship set sail for the island of Lesbos, but is expected to be prevented from docking there as well.
“We call on the workers and institutions of Lesbos to rise up. Government plans to create new detention facilities will not be accepted,” the Pan-Lesbos Workers Center said in a press release.
“The local communities of Chios and Lesbos have spoken; no new migrant center, whether closed or open.”
People in Greece celebrated the Epiphany, one of Christianity’s most important feast days, on Thursday under strict COVID-19 protection measures.
On the remote Greek island of Gavdos, people gathered with masks on at a chapel in Karave harbour for the Blessing of the Waters ceremony.
Κάθε φορά που επισκέπτομαι ένα ακριτικό νησί μας, όπως σήμερα για τα Θεοφάνεια, τη μεγάλη αυτή γιορτή της Χριστιανοσύνης, νιώθω πως η καρδιά του ελληνισμού χτυπάει πιο δυνατά. Από το νοτιότερο άκρο της Ελλάδας και της Ευρώπης, τη Γαύδο, εύχομαι καλή φώτιση και χρόνια πολλά! pic.twitter.com/2HZRszIVmN
Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, was in attendance at the ceremony and gave a speech stressing the need to support the islanders that preserved and cared for this “beautiful cradle of Hellenism.”
“From the southernmost point of our homeland and of Europe, Gavdos, near our islanders who safeguard a beautiful facet of Hellenism, I wish the best to all,” Sakellaropoulou, who was made an honourary citizen of the island, said.
Sakellaropoulou celebrated the Epiphany at Gavdos island. Photo: InTime News.
Elsewhere, Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, celebrated Epiphany on the island of Agios Efstratios.
He attended a service officiated by the Metropolitan Ierotheos of Limnos and Agios Efstratios, and the Blessing of the Waters ceremony in the island’s harbour.
“Today, on this very important day for Orthodoxy, I wanted to be in the remote Agios Efstratios, a place with a deep history. A landmark of division and trial which, however, becomes a landmark of unity and optimism,” Mitsotakis said after the ceremony.
Mitsotakis also expressed his hope that the Orthodox holiday will help bring illumination to all, especially those who were still vaccine hesitant. He urged them to get vaccinated “…to protect their own lives but also the safety and health of those they care for.”
On the mainland, in Athens, the liturgy of the Great Sanctification was performed at 9.30am in the Cathedral by the Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos.
These Epiphany services all came as Greece recorded 33,716 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, as well as 70 deaths.
The Greek Australian community is in shock following the death of 23-year-old James Kondilios after he tested positive for COVID-19.
James was a science graduate and champion powerlifter who was double-vaccinated with no underlying medical conditions.
He died at St Vincent’s Hospital where he had been receiving treatment, according to a statement by NSW Health.
Tributes flow for James:
Following the announcement of James’ death, his friends and family have paid tribute to the young man on social media.
James Kondilios lost his battle with COVID-19.
Many have described him as sweet, “nice to everyone” and hardworking. Others said his death was a reminder that COVID-19 can hit even the young and healthy.
James grew up in Sydney, where he attended Waverley College.
In 2015, he represented Australia at the Power Lifting World Championships in Finland, where he won a bronze medal.
He later completed an advanced science degree at the Australian National University in Canberra. In 2019, he was awarded a national science prize for his work on forestry and climate change.
In 2019, James Kondilios (centre) was presented with a Science and Innovation award by then Agriculture Minister David Littleproud. Photo: ABC News.
Most recently, he worked as a data scientist at the Department of Social Services in Canberra.
According to a Facebook post by Acropolis Funerals, James’ funeral service will be held at St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church on Thursday, January 13 at 10.30am. Friends and family are encouraged to wear colour “as that was what he would have loved.”
“Sincere thanks extended for the warm sentiments and expressions of sympathy and condolences, received from James’ family at this difficult time,” the post reads.
The Greek Orthodox Community of Port Adelaide in South Australia observed Epiphany today with the annual Blessing of the Waters ceremony.
More than 150 people, under strict COVID measures, turned up to mark the historic event as it was the first time in 60 years the Blessing of the Waters took place on the actual day of the Epiphany and Bishop Silouan of Sinope presided over the ceremony.
“Today is a big day for Christianity and the Blessing of the Waters is a significant event not only for us Christians, but for the whole community and humankind,” Bishop Silouan told The Greek Herald.
The day began with a Hierarchical Orthros and Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Church of The Nativity of Christ in Port Adelaide, which was led by Bishop Silouan and parish priest Father Ioannis Choraitis.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
Among those in attendance were the President of the Greek Community of Port Adelaide, John Douvartzidis and members, as well as Susan Close MP.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia had to cancel his scheduled attendance after contracting COVID-19, but the clergy and faithful prayed for his speedy recovery multiple times during the event.
Later, all those in attendance marched towards the Fisherman’s Wharf, Port River waterfront, where the Blessing of the Waters took place.
The clergy began the traditional prayers as they stood on one side of the wharf, whilst a number of young men stood opposite them preparing to jump into the water to retrieve the Holy Cross.
Ultimately, 21-year-old John Kokolakis, who is studying to become a teacher, won the Holy Cross and received a gold cross necklace from Bishop Silouan as a congratulatory gift.
“I’m feeling very good. I did it for my family as well as myself,” Kokolakis told The Greek Herald after the event.
“It’s been a tough year for everyone but I think the blessing is something that can help and benefit everyone and obviously I think everyone who participated is also blessed so I’m very grateful.”
Commenting on the participation of youth in this year’s Epiphany, Bishop Silouan also expressed his gratitude and said that “youth are not only our future but also the present.”
“Young people are our compass and our duty is to keep them close to the Church,” he concluded.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
The award is conferred every two years on physicians around the world who have made a significant impact on the health of individuals and communities, through their personal contribution to healthcare and the medical profession.
This year, Dr Mariolis has been honoured for his health work in both the urban and rural areas of Greece, such as Mani.
“Looking daily through the window of patients, who are now illuminated by this award, the need for new human values arises,” Dr Mariolis said after receiving the distinction.
“We must all work hard and decisively to paint a brighter sun all over the world, which will spread its warmth everywhere, for the Primary Health Care sector and the family doctor.”
Dr Mariolis has also been named the ‘Best Family Doctor in Europe’ for 2019 and since September 2020, has been a member of the Committee of Experts of the Ministry of Health.
