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Detective Senior Constable, Angela Vergopoulos: “I continue to challenge myself and gender bias”

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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Detective Senior Constable, Angela Vergopoulos: “I continue to challenge myself and gender bias”

A wife, a mother, a daughter but also a dedicated police officer of Greek background who, at the age of 42, decided to obliterate the boundaries her environment had set for her and pursue the career path she always dreamt of.

Angela Vergopoulos, a Detective Senior Constable, Criminal Investigation at Burwood Police Area Command (PAC) in NSW, talks to the Greek Herald about her journey, women in policing and breaks some misconceptions about police officers. 

Detective Senior Constable Angela Vergopoulos (second from right). Photo: FB/Burwood Police Area Command

Q: Ms Vergopoulos, you are a Detective Senior Constable in the Criminal Investigation Unit in Burwood, NSW. Tell us about your background.

A: It was a childhood dream of mine to be a police officer but my Greek, old fashioned parents disapproved. I was conditioned to believe that my boundaries could extend no further than being a wife and mother. So, being a good daughter, I followed their wishes and married a Greek boy and we had two children.

At the age of 42, and with the support and encouragement of my husband and children, I applied to join the NSW Police Force (NSWPF). My parents were horrified. I spent eight months at the Police Academy in Goulburn. I found both the academic and physical training difficult, especially keeping up with people half my age. I worked hard, stayed focused and graduated. 

It’s been 10 years since I joined and I am as proud and honoured to be working for the NSWPF today, as I was on the day I graduated. It was also a very proud moment for me when in 2013 I won the Rotary NSW Police Officer of the Year Award in Field Operations.

Q: Are there many women in similar positions as yours in the Force?

A: In 2015, NSW Police Force celebrated 100 years of Women in Policing and 50 years since women were officially ‘sworn in’ as Constables and given the full powers of a police officer.  Female officers currently represent 27% of the organisation.  

The advancement of women into leadership roles remains a priority for the organisation, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. I am inspired by the evolving changes and opportunities for women and I continue to challenge myself and challenge gender bias and inequality.

Q: Has your diverse background helped you in your job at all?

A: Within the Burwood Command, Greek is the fourth largest cultural group. The NSWPF is committed to delivering accessible policing services to the diverse community and utilise employees with language skills to provide immediate language assistance when required. 

I have been called upon many times to translate for Greek speaking members within the Burwood PAC. The Greek School lessons I begrudgingly attended when I was young have now come into good use.

Q: What are 3 common misconceptions about police officers you’ve come across and would you like to set the record straight for us?

A: The public perception of police is sometimes skewed by media coverage given to events which portray police officers in a negative way. Three misconceptions of policing I’ve experienced:

  • Police are racist – Unfortunately, it appears that the actions of a few police officers have stained the entire profession. Early in my career I was called “racist” because I issued an infringement notice to someone for dangerous driving causing an accident. Police respond to a person’s actions, not their race.
  • Police spend most of their time fighting crime: A general duties shift is usually 12 hrs long. Most of this time is spent attending to noncriminal issues like paperwork, patrols, phone and counter enquiries, noise complaints, neighbour disputes, motor vehicle accidents and traffic matters, to name a few. I once attended a job whereby a lady left her door open and a bird flew inside the house. The lady was too scared to go back inside so she called the police. My partner and I chased the bird throughout the house until we caught it and released it back outside.
  • Police are not approachable – During my ten years in this job, I found the majority of police officers are community minded people whose prime motivation for entering the police force is for public service and a desire to help. Police see so much negativity in their workday, so next time you see a police officer take a moment to smile or offer an expression of thanks, that can make their day.

Q: What is your advice to younger people from the Greek Community who would like to join the NSW Police Force?

Firstly, you don’t have to be ‘young’ to join. Regardless of your age, gender, height or cultural heritage, the NSWPF guarantees equal employment opportunity for all.

Whilst some people may be motivated by the prestige of the uniform or perhaps from childhood dreams born from watching police shows, such are the rigours of the job that unless you have a deep-rooted sense of duty and community service, your chances of a long career in this profession diminish.

Part of what we experience from day to day take a substantial mental, emotional and physical toll, be it domestic violence, assaults, robberies and deceased’s, to name a few.It’s important not to get worn down by the cynicism and content of the work.

I still love this job and find the work rewarding. I believe my age and life experiences helped me acknowledge the burden of the work and find ways to rationalise, remain resilient and bounce back from various incidents. 

Hellenic Art Theatre’s production, ‘Papaflessas,’ perfectly celebrates the Revolution Bicentennial

Andriana Simos
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Hellenic Art Theatre’s production, ‘Papaflessas,’ perfectly celebrates the Revolution Bicentennial

The Hellenic Art Theatre opened to huge applause on April 2 due to their incredible performance of historical drama, Papaflessas, at the The Greek Theatre – Mantouridion in Marrickville.

Based on a play written by Spyros Melas and adapted and directed by Stavros Economidis, Papaflessas is the Hellenic Art Theatre’s biggest ever production in Australia to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

With over 60 characters, played by 14 different people dressed in specially-made costumes to reflect the era, the play focuses on the complex character of Papaflessas, a priest who joined the Filiki Etaireia, as he navigates his way through the Greek Revolution.

Papaflessas by the Hellenic Art Theatre. Photos: Facebook / Georgia Wright.

“There’s lying and cheating, romance and passion because Papaflessas was a dynamic personality. He was no saint with plenty of flaws,” Kosta Vertzayias, an actor in Papaflessas, tells The Greek Herald.

This three-hour psychological interpretation of Papaflessas as a hero and man was a crowd favourite, with many attendees, both young and old, mesmerised by the performances on stage and assisted by English surtitles.

“A show not to be missed,” writes one attendee on Facebook, with another calling the acting on stage “outstanding” and “sensational.”

The production was enjoyed by all. Photos: Facebook / Georgia Wright.

If you’re just as excited to enjoy the sensational performance of Papaflessas, there’s still a few performances coming up until April 25. You can find out more details here.

Synopsis:

Papaflessas was a historical character, a priest who went to Constantinople to study but instead joined the “Friendly Society” (“Filiki Etaireia”), which was recruiting followers and gathering supplies for a revolution against the Ottoman Empire.

In early 1821, he was in the Peloponnese inspiring Greeks with the will to fight for their long-awaited freedom. He took part personally in the fighting, and in 1823 became a minister in the government of Alexandros Mavrokordatos, but was killed in battle in 1825. Passionate and fearless, he was nonetheless a difficult and controversial character, a sinner as well as a saint.

Adopt a Chios Mastiha tree as part of a new regeneration project in Greece

Andriana Simos
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Adopt a Chios Mastiha tree as part of a new regeneration project in Greece

The mastiha tree is a trademark of Chios and the main source of income for many residents on the Greek island. Its cultivation started in ancient times as the trees produce a rare resin in the shape of teardrops, which is largely exported around the world.

But today, some old or abandoned mastiha trees on the island need a regeneration. This is where the new environmental project, ‘Adopt a Chios Mastiha tree,’ comes into the picture.

Mastiha trees on Chios island release rare resin in the shape of teardrops. Source: Adopt A Chios Mastiha Tree.

Launched in 2019 by Chios local, Lenia Ziglaki, the project aims to help Greek diaspora connect with the traditional process of mastiha cultivation, as well as ensure the future growth of the tree.

“The cultivation of Mastiha has been included by UNESCO in its list of the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’,” the website reads.

Founder of the project, Lenia Ziglaki (right), cleans the mastiha resin during the cultivation process. Source: Adopt A Chios Mastiha Tree.

“By adopting a Chios Mastiha Tree, you will enter a world full of aroma, tastes, but also of hard work.”

Once someone adopts a Chios Mastiha tree, they will receive: (1) an Adoption Certificate, (2) 50 grams of natural Chios Mastiha, and (3) a photograph of their tree with a characteristic sign-board on it, specially designed for the adoptee.

And fear not, if you are unable to visit your tree, know that it will be well looked after by the project volunteers who work day and night to complete the cultivation process of soil spreading, vein carving, sifting, washing and cleaning.

Only the best for a mastiha tree which remains iconic to the island of Chios.

Greece assumes Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance

The Greek Herald
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Greece assumes Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance

Greece has assumed the Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) for one year, taking over from the German Presidency.

In a statement, the Greek Foreign Ministry said Greece “is deeply committed to promoting the IHRA’s work, which is key to keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive.”

The central theme of the Greek Presidency is, “Teaching and learning about the Holocaust: Education for a world without genocide ever again.”

“In this context, a number of events will be held aiming to educate younger generations and society as a whole on what the Holocaust means, so that it is never again repeated,” the statement reads.

The IHRA Presidency handover took place on April 1 via an online ceremony where a number of Greek leaders made addresses, including Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Deputy Prime Minister, Panagiotis Pikrammenos, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, and Education and Religious Affairs Minister, Niki Kerameos.

Ambassador Christodoulos Lazaris, who also gave an address, will serve as the IHRA President.

The Greek Presidency of the IHRA coincides with the bicentennial of the start of the Greek War of Independence and according to the Ministry, “is an opportunity to promote the fact that modern Greece was built on humanitarian ideas and fundamental freedoms.”

“…Greek society is committed to remaining vigilant in the fight against racism and anti-Semitism and to preserving the memory of the victims of the Holocaust,” the statement reads.

Bustling no more: Greek cafes still shuttered by COVID-19 restrictions

The Greek Herald
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Bustling no more: Greek cafes still shuttered by COVID-19 restrictions

Silence has replaced the low hum of conversation and the clink of glasses that pervaded the sidewalk cafes across Athens. Their chairs and tables, once occupied throughout the day and deep into the night, stand stacked in empty piles, some secured by chains.

When coronavirus infections rose again in Greece in the fall, the government imposed a second lockdown. Retail stores, bars, restaurants and cafes found themselves shuttered once more, forced to close their doors in early November to prevent the virus’s insidious spread.

Iron tables stand in front of a decorated fence outside a shuttered traditional restaurant in Plaka, district of Athens, on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris.

Retail stores opened briefly during the Christmas holidays, with social distancing measures in place, and starting Monday will be allowed to reopen to customers on an appointment basis. But the restaurants, bars and cafes, which by nature gather groups of people closely together, will enter their sixth month of being shut except for take away or delivery service.

While state subsidies such as rent coverage, loans, tax reductions and paid employee furlough schemes are available, the formula hasn’t worked for all business owners.

Vassilis Panteris, co-owner of an all-day bar that provides coffee, food and drinks in a central Athens neighborhood, shut down at the start of Greece’s second lockdown on Nov. 7 and hasn’t opened since.

Tables and chairs stand outside a shuttered traditional fish restaurant in Aspropyrgos, a northwest suburb of Athens, on Friday, March 26, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris.

The main reason, he told AP News, was the partners feared they wouldn’t be able to make enough money from deliveries to cover operation costs, even with fewer staff members. They also worried that some customers coming by for take-away coffee, food or drinks wouldn’t adhere to social distancing and other government regulations, exposing the café to hefty fines.

Panteris said the business has lost about 30,000 euros ($35,000) since the start of the pandemic. Business owners hope for more substantial government support to retain employees and keep their establishments alive. Greece sank back into recession last year due to the pandemic and accompanying lockdown measures.

Tables and chairs outside a shuttered traditional fish restaurant in Aspropyrgos, a northwest suburb of Athens, on Friday, March 26, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris.

“It’s hard to make predictions about the course of the business in the middle of such an unstable environment,” Panteris said.

Since the start of the pandemic, Greece has reported more than 263,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 8,000 virus-related deaths. The country of around 11 million people so far has administered 1.7 million vaccine doses, with over 600,000 people fully vaccinated with two shots.

Source: AP News.

EU’s halloumi protections for Cyprus angers Australian dairy farmers

The Greek Herald
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EU’s halloumi protections for Cyprus angers Australian dairy farmers

The Australian dairy industry is preparing to fight an EU ruling which vows to restrict cheese manufacturers outside Cyprus from marketing their products under the name ‘halloumi.’

Cyprus, which has a population of about 1.2 million people, has hailed the decision to recognise the famously grillable cheese as a product distinct to the divided Eastern Mediterranean island after a seven-year wait.

READ MORE: Cyprus’ halloumi cheese wins EU protection.

But the move is set to cost local Australian cheese manufacturers tens of millions of dollars, according to the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC).

If the EU’s demands are adopted, about 56 cheese products in the Australian market would be impacted, hitting a large proportion of local production and exports, imposing considerable and unnecessary costs for many parts of local industry and their regional communities.

Employees work at a halloumi factory in Athienou, Larnaca, Cyprus, on March 30, 2021. Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua via Getty.

The semi-hard cheese made from goat and sheep’s milk is produced in numerous countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and several in the Middle East. A lengthy battle in Europe resulted in British cheese makers calling their product “Squeaky Cheese.”

Cypriot dairy farmers call the cheese their “white gold” because it’s the nation’s second-biggest export – earning a record $385 million last year – mainly to the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and Greece.

But Chair of the ADIC, Terry Richardson, says the EU’s demands are unreasonable as the origins of the cheese are irrelevant.

“Halloumi is a cheese that can be, and is, produced anywhere in the world. The origin of the cheese is irrelevant because the name is generic and associated not with the region in Cyprus, but with a certain taste, texture and functionality,” Mr Richardson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Claiming there is a special knowledge that only producers in Cyprus possess is absurd and will lead to an unfair and anti-competitive outcome.”

Australia – EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA):

The EU has long-insisted that Australia adopts its Geographical Indications (GIs) system under the pending Australia – EU Free Trade Agreement to protect products that it believes possess qualities associated with certain European regions.

While halloumi is not listed as a GI request under the pending agreement, it could be added once the trade deal comes into effect.

Australian Dairy Products Federation President, Grant Crothers, told the SMH the GI system was anti-competitive, overly restrictive and “failed to take into proper account Australia’s status as a multicultural nation and our significant European heritage.”

Federal Trade Minister, Dan Tehan, added that while the EU had not asked Australia to protect the name as part of the trade negotiations, he understood the importance of the continued use of the term halloumi to the industry.

“The government will not decide to protect GIs under the FTA unless the overall deal is in Australia’s interests and no action would be taken on any future GI requests without the government working with the Australian dairy industry first,” he said.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald.

Turkish vessels to resume survey activities in the East Mediterranean

The Greek Herald
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Turkish vessels to resume survey activities in the East Mediterranean

Just a few days before the planned visit to Turkey by Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, Turkish Energy Minister, Fatih Donmez, has announced that drilling rigs and survey ships will “soon” return to the Eastern Mediterranean.

“The Oruc Reis is continuing its seismic surveys off the coast of Antalya [in southern Turkey], the Barbaros has gone for long-term maintenance and is in the shipyards in Tuzla, while the Yavuz drillship is completing the procurement of supplies. They will soon return to their planned work in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Donmez said.

READ MORE: Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey to meet on April 14 aiming to ease tensions.

At the same time, Turkish Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, accompanied by the leaders of the air force, navy and army, visited the island of Imvros on Friday. 

Turkish Energy Minister, Fatih Donmez.

According to Turkish media, this was the first time the Turkish defense minister together with the entire command of the armed forces visited Imvros, and it was for this reason seen as an important move, given the island’s strategic location in the Aegean.

At the same time, it emerged on Friday that a Turkish Coast Guard vessel crashed twice into a Greek naval vessel in an area near the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos six days ago. 

READ MORE: Turkey violates Greek airspace as Foreign Minister Dendias meets with Turkey’s Ambassador.

Kathimerini has confirmed that the incident occurred at night, when, during a patrol by the Greek boat in the sea area east of Lesvos, it was rammed by the Turkish vessel, causing minor damage. A similar incident took place in January in the area of the ​​Imia islets.

Meanwhile the tension was palpable on Friday morning on the Greek-Turkish sea border near Lesvos, where increased migration flows were recorded.

More specifically, between 2 am and 7 am six boats with about 300 migrants in total set sail from the coast of Turkey to Lesvos. Sources from the Hellenic Coast Guard said six Turkish Coast Guard vessels were moving in the wider area but did not try to prevent the migrant boats from entering Greek territorial waters, while in three cases they even tried to facilitate them. 

READ MORE: Greece accuses Turkey of escorting migrant smuggling boats.

Sources from the Hellenic Coast Guard told Kathimerini that they located the six migrant boats before they crossed into Greek waters and notified the Turkish Coast Guard, which eventually picked them up.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Insight or Perspective: “Overloading children with activities could be detrimental health”

The Greek Herald
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Insight or Perspective: “Overloading children with activities could be detrimental health”

By Eleni Elefterias

At some point every well-meaning parent comes to a realisation that something has to give. Little Sevasti can’t do Ballet and Greek dance and Greek class and English tutoring and Maths competition and Chess club and Tennis without burning out at the end of each week.

We, as parents, must decide what is important for their health and what ideals are important to our family. You must decide the culture of your family, the familial culture.

Is the acquisition of the Greek language important? Is tutoring important for a child slipping behind at school? Maybe there could be a focus on certain activities at different times of the year. For example, swimming in the summer months, football in the winter months, academic tutoring only for a short time rather than being stuck in coaching forever.  

Also, using Greek classes as a child-minding service is a not on. You may as well not take your child to Greek lessons, especially if you don’t plan to follow up on homework, or at least do some reading with them and have the child prepared for their next lesson. This is one reason children play up in class and interrupt others who are interested in learning. When children see their parents not taking an activity seriously then neither will they.

Be consistent. No use screaming at children to complete their homework and then allowing them to get away with not doing it and playing their electronic games instead.

Children know how to manipulate situations with parents. Parents often become frustrated and give in. Remember if your expectations for your children are low so will the outcomes be in all areas of their education not just for speaking Greek.

End of an era: Olympia milk bar boarded up as owner moves out after 60 years

The Greek Herald
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End of an era: Olympia milk bar boarded up as owner moves out after 60 years

The Olympia milk bar has remained shut for the past four years, after falling into disrepair in 2017, yet the Greek locals of Stanmore kept hope that the iconic milk bar would return.

These dreams were shattered earlier this week after Nick Fotiou, owner of the Olympia milk bar, reportedly moved out of the building after concerns for his living conditions.

The landmark building had been boarded up by NSW Health, who had deep concerns for Fotiou’s welfare as the building continued to decline, with a ceiling collapse and extensive mould from a missing window.

Olympia Milk Bar in 2017. Photo: JESSICA HROMAS/Sydney Morning Herald

Four years ago, the Inner West Council ordered the Olympia to be closed until repairs were carried out after an inspection, which followed a police report that the awning was in danger of collapsing, revealed it was in a state of disrepair.

Mr Fotiou resisted many offers of help to fix the building but stayed there hoping the council would allow him to reopen.

“I’ve had troubles and troubles and troubles,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald previously.

Mr Fotiou, who is believed to be 91, served meals and drinks at the Olympia for more than 50 years.

Now boarded up: a decorative feature on the floor of the old Olympia Milk Bar in Stanmore.

“Slowly, slowly, slowly,” he said in broken English about how he wanted to bring the Olympia back to life. “But not to rush me. How long it will take, no idea.”

A council spokeswoman said that any future development proposal for the site would be subject to an assessment of its heritage significance and that contributing elements “should be retained where possible”.

Mr Fotiou is now said to be settling in well to a nursing home.

The building has been listed on the NSW Heritage Register and had its history recognised under the Marrickville Local Environmental Plan. People on social media have now called for the iconic Olympia Milk Bar sign to be placed into the Powerhouse Museum as a ‘piece of Australian history’.

Tribute photos have also been shared on an ‘Olympia Milk Bar Fan Club’ Facebook page, which has over 4500 members, with people sending their wishes to Nick Fotiou.

Greece accuses Turkey of escorting migrant smuggling boats

The Greek Herald
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Greece accuses Turkey of escorting migrant smuggling boats

Greece is reporting a series of brushes with Turkey’s coast guard in the narrow stretch of water between the eastern Greek island of Lesbos and the Turkish coast, at a time of generally testy relations between the two neighbors and NATO allies.

The Greek coast guard said that in six incidents between Thursday night and Friday morning, Turkish patrol vessels escorted dinghies filled with migrants attempting to enter Greek territorial waters. It said that in another incident, a Turkish coast guard vessel harassed a Greek coast guard vessel.

All occurred northeast of Lesbos, an island on the main migrant smuggling route from Turkey to Greece.

None of the migrant dinghies, which had been carrying around 300 people in total, managed to enter Greek territorial waters, and all the passengers were eventually picked up by the Turkish coast guard, the Greek coast guard said.

“This morning, the Hellenic Coast Guard reported multiple incidents of the Turkish Coast Guard and Navy accompanying flimsy migrant boats to the border of Europe in an effort to provoke an escalation with Greece,” Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said in a statement. “It is beyond doubt that these migrants departed Turkish shores and given the fact they were supported by Turkey, were not at risk.”

Mitarachi called on Turkey to “stand down and stop this unwarranted provocation.”

There was no immediate reaction from Turkish authorities.

Turkey and Greece have long traded accusations over unauthorized migration. The Turkish coast guard, as well as numerous refugee rights organizations and aid groups, have accused the Greek coast guard of conducting pushbacks — illegal summary deportation — by pushing migrants back to Turkey without allowing them to apply for asylum in Greece.

Greece adamantly denies it carries out pushbacks accuses Turkey of not only failing to crack down on migrant smugglers operating from its shores but actively encouraging migrants who seek to enter Greece illegally.

The Greek coast guard provided details about three of the incidents. It say that in the first, a Turkish patrol vessel entered Greek territorial waters and harassed a Greek coast guard boat by conducting dangerous maneuvers. It provided a video showing a clearly marked Turkish coast guard vessel bearing down on the Greek craft at high speed from behind, passing very close to the Greek boat and leaving it rocking in its wake.

The Greek coast guard said the second incident involved a Turkish coast guard vessel escorting a dinghy with migrants toward Greek territorial waters that didn’t respond to “repeated efforts of communication” by a Greek patrol boat. The migrant dinghy didn’t enter Greek waters, and the passengers were eventually picked up by a second Turkish coast guard vessel, after the first one had departed, the statement said.

In the third incident, the Greek coast guard said two Turkish vessels approached a migrant dinghy still inside Turkish territorial waters and attempted to push it into Greek waters without success.

The Greek coast guard said it was “successfully monitoring the country’s and the European Union’s sea borders under particularly adverse conditions that the continued Turkish provocativeness creates.”

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