In the first Himalayan casualty of the year in Nepal, Greek alpinist Antonios Sykaris has died on Dhaulagiri on Tuesday, The Himalayan Timeshas reported.
According to his expedition organiser, Sykaris fell ill during the descent at an altitude of around 7,400m.
The Greek alpinist along with his guide, Dawa Sherpa, scaled the 8,167 metre mountain on Monday.
Greek alpinist Antonios Sykaris.
Sykaris’ lifeless body is currently at camp III on the mountain, where Sherpa is waiting for help to bring his body down.
Sykaris had 32 years of mountaineering and climbing experience and had been on over 66 mountaineering expeditions around the world.
Last month, after an absence of a couple of years, I was in Athens again on a personal trip and worked as a volunteer with The Hellenic Initiative Australia’s partner charities in Greece.
Walking around Piraeus late one evening, with the temperature barely 7 degrees, I came across elderly people sleeping on metal benches for the night. Layers of cardboard and blankets created a mattress, and their belongings were simply in a box close by. This was a vastly different picture to what I’d seen at Piraeus in previous years while waiting to catch the afternoon ferry to the island of Poros.
On this night, I was with our partner charity, Emfasis Foundation, and a remarkable team of people who are out every night helping the homeless and isolated in Attica. We had essential items including long lasting food, facemasks, sanitiser, blankets and care packages.
I was struck by the close relationship the Emfasis team members had built with all the people we met that night. They visit the same spots regularly to provide help and comfort to the people they have spoken to in the proceeding days and months. The relationships were touching and were based on care and respect.
Top image: Volunteering with Emfasis at Piraeus, Bottom image: Stergitsa (3rd from the left), the Emfasis team and Natasa (in the red coat) a beneficiary of our support.
I was touched by the trust the people had placed in the social worker and psychologist that were speaking to them about their situation and who made follow up appointments to access social and medical services. Hearing the words ‘thank you’ and seeing the smile that followed as we left them with a care package was so heartwarming.
It was obvious to me just how effective every dollar of our support to Emfasis has been. It was inspiring to witness the dedication and empathy displayed by charity staff towards the homeless people sheltering in the cold.
Earlier in the day, I volunteered with the Boroume and the Farmers’ Market program which The Hellenic Initiative Australia has been supporting since 2015. Pushing borrowed shopping trolleys from the local supermarket to the Halandri farmers’ market, we collected 235 kilos of fresh vegetables and fruit generously donated by the farmers at the end of the day. Two days later we collected a further 260 kilos of fresh food at the Ellinoroson market. The generosity of the farmers, even though they too are doing it tough because of the cold snap that had destroyed many of their crops, was remarkable.
Stergitsa volunteering with Boroume at the Farmers’ Markets
As I was unloading the food from the trolley into the waiting local charity van, I could see the workers were overwhelmed by the amount of produce we had collected. This local charity is regularly caring for over 100 people who benefit from these food distributions.
A visit to the farmers’ market as a volunteer is an opportunity for anyone travelling to Greece this summer. If you have a few hours to spare you can choose from thirty farmers’ markets in Athens and Thessaloniki and take part in this wonderful volunteer program organised by Boroume.
«Μπορούμε στη Λαϊκή» με εθελοντές τον κ. Αθανάσιο Σπύρου, Πρέσβη της Αυστραλίας στην Ελλάδα, τους συνεργάτες του, αλλά και εκπροσώπους από την Ελληνική Πρωτοβουλία Αυστραλίας για να σώσουμε και να προσφέρουμε περισσευούμενα🍊🥕. Ευχαριστούμε από καρδιάς!https://t.co/FbtexyJFEVpic.twitter.com/yxFIFWwtQo
All you need to do is stop at the stalls to see if there is any leftover produce and put it in the trolley for the selected local charity to repurpose the saved food into meals. Not only do you get to see the colourful farmers’ markets in Greece, but you are also making a valuable contribution to Boroume.
I left Athens feeling deeply satisfied that The Hellenic Initiative Australia and the Greek diaspora is making a real impact in providing hope and support to the vulnerable communities in Greece today.
As Greek Australians who are immensely proud of our Greek heritage, we welcome news that Greece is on a path to economic recovery and seeing major international investments now happening in Greece. The challenges that vulnerable and socially excluded communities and families living on or below the poverty line face remain, and that is why the help of the Greek diaspora is still needed. The huge increase in the price of utilities such as electricity and water together with food insecurity are common areas of concern for so many people earning as little as 400 euro per month.
COVID19 has had an impact on our fundraising activities, and any amount you can donate to The Hellenic Initiative Australia is welcomed. As you can see every dollar goes a long way to bringing a smile to the people that are supported by our charity partners in Greece.
*Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill is The Hellenic Initiative Australia’s Chief Executive Officer which raises funds to provide much needed aid to vulnerable and socially isolated communities across Greece. Since 2015 it has committed more than AU$1.5 million, helping thousands of people in need across health, social services, education and employment pathway programs. A registered charity in Australia, all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
The NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure MP, made a special mention of The Greek Herald in Parliament recently during a speech about the importance of community media and how they contribute to the country’s multicultural tapestry.
In his speech, Minister Coure acknowledged the national mullticultural and multilingual broadcaster but also paid tribute to non-mainstream, independent community media outlets saying that they “provide incredibly important information for culturally and linguistically diverse groups in New South Wales and across Australia.”
Having visited several community media outlets since he took on the Multiculturalism portfolio, Minister Coure turned to his recent meeting with the team at The Greek Herald and described how the paper has “evolved into an important part of the Greek community in NSW” since its humble beginnings 96 years ago.
Great catching up with Ali El Bahnasawy from SBS Arabic News yesterday.
Ali and I had a great discussion about my role as Minister for Multiculturalism and Seniors, and how I am working with members of the Arabic community. pic.twitter.com/wYkfmvtbcX
— Mark Coure MP – Min for Multiculturalism & Seniors (@markcourelive) March 30, 2022
“Often when I am out and about in local communities and I stop at a cafe in the likes of Brighton-Le-Sands, Earlwood, Mortdale or Blakehurst, I will see a copy of The Greek Herald on a table, showing visible signs of having been read a number of times. That is a testament to how much people in the community value The Greek Herald,” Minister Coure said.
“It covers local, overseas and community news, and carries classified advertising, TV programs and sports results. Beyond that, the paper is relied on heavily by many older Greek Australians, who find it a great way to stay informed and connected with what is happening in their community.”
Mr Coure then praised The Greek Herald team for their recent innovations to the paper’s business model including our increased online and social media presence.
NSW Multicultural Minister, Mark Coure MP, met with the Publisher and members of The Greek Herald team in March.
“That has enabled them to expand their readership beyond their traditional base. Now it is a paper that younger people can enjoy online, so future Greek Australians will continue to read the paper for many years to come,” Mr Coure said.
From here, the Minister for Multiculturalism spoke about how ensuring multicultural media is relatable to the younger generation is important as it allows them “to have a greater connection not only with their cultural heritage but also with their language.”
“I feel it is incredibly important that we empower everyone to speak a second language, and using the media is one way people can do that,” Mr Coure concluded.
“I cannot praise our multicultural media and its place in our rich multicultural society enough. I thank each and every provider for the role they play in keeping communities in New South Wales safe and informed.”
Regarded as the greatest composer in Greek history, Mikis Theodorakis used his artform to express the inexpressible, galvanising an entire nation when penning the film score to Zorba the Greek, along with countless other rousing symphonies and ballads.
The work by Mikis Theodorakis, The Ballad of the Dead Brother, and his greatest hits will be presented in concerts around Australia.
Mikis Theodorakis.
The Ballad of the Dead Brother, like a modern tragedy, is placed in the most tragic period of Modern Greek history. Based in the 1940s, a battle for independence gradually escalated into a civil war and it becomes the basis of a great tragedy.
The composer himself has said:
“With the Ballad of the Dead Brother, I identify myself more than any other piece of my work, in all aspects: musical, humane, personal, activism, and above all “Greek,” because the civil war immersed Greece in tears, blood and an ever-ending struggle.”
Dimitris Basis. Photo: Bourdo Photography.
This ballad has been performed in Greece by four of the most important voices, Grigoris Bithikotsis, Giorgos Dalaras, Dimitris Mitropanos and Dimitris Basis.
It is our pledge to honour the memory of Mikis Theodorakis, the man who not only composed the work of great poets but managed to recreate it in such a way that it reaches our souls.
George Ellis.Maria Yiakoulis.
In Australia, it will be performed by international vocalist Dimitris Basis, accompanied by the symphonic orchestra under the direction of George Ellis and special appearance by performer Maria Yiakoulis in the following dates:
Melbourne: Friday 6th May 2022 – Melbourne Recital Hall – (03) 9699 3333
Greece’s Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, John Chrysoulakis, has sent a letter of congratulations to the Kytherian Association of Australia (KAA) to mark their centenary anniversary.
In a letter addressed to the President of the KAA, Emmanuel Alfieris, Mr Chrysoulakis congratulated the Association for “always serving the national goal of preserving the ties of Greeks abroad with our ancestors and ancestry.”
“It is this characteristic which has ensured the full support and cooperation for 100 years of thousands of members who volunteer their time and money [to the KAA],” Mr Chrysoulakis wrote, while stressing the diaspora’s continued and strong love for Kythera.
The KAA is celebrating its centenary anniversary this year. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis.
The Secretary General then went on to praise the Kytherian Australians for their “contribution to the economic, social, cultural, business and political life of Australia,” and wrote briefly about the KAA limited edition centenary medallions.
“It is no coincidence that the Collectible Medals issued for the centenary of the KAA were minted by the Royal Australian Mint,” the letter states.
“Having on one side the map of Kythera and on the other Aphrodite… are a completely successful depiction of the history of Kythera and honour this historic anniversary.”
Mr Chrysoulakis concluded his letter by wishing the KAA “all the best for the future.”
Oakleigh businessman, George Spiropoulos, has been left stunned by Monash Council’s decision to revert some outdoor dining spaces into car parks,Nine News reports.
Mr Sotiropoulos, who runs Greca Street, spent close to $80,000 on his outdoor space but Council has now told him he would need to be packed up by June 30.
Monash Council has made the decision to revert some outdoor dining spaces into car parks.
Monash Council Mayor, Stuart James, told Nine Newsthe council had done enough to support trades during COVID-19 and now that indoor dining was back, they need to balance such areas.
This decision has also angered the Glen Waverley Traders Association. President, Christo Christophidis, said the extra dining opportunities were fantastic for businesses.
Most other councils have given the green light to parklets remaining with some introducing new permit schemes and fees.
The Greek Australian, Armenian Australian and Assyrian Australian communities will March for Justice in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday, April 24, the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) has reported.
The march participants will be calling on Australia’s Prime Minister and Government to accurately characterise the 1915 massacres suffered by their ancestors as Genocide.
Sydney’s March for Justice will begin at Hyde Park at 3pm and will be led by the Homenetmen Australia Scouts and Marching band, religious and community leaders, as well as political representatives.
March for Justice 2021. File photo.
People will march through Sydney’s Central Business District before settling at Sydney Town Hall for a short program featuring cultural performances and speeches.
Melbourne’s March for Justice will follow a similar format, starting at 2pm at Parliament Square before concluding with a special program at the Victorian State Library.
ANC-AU Political Affairs Director, Michael Kolokossian, said the marches will send a strong message to the Federal Government.
“United, our communities will send a direct and clear message to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Government, that we will speak truth to power until we receive accurate recognition of the 1915 Genocides,” Mr Kolokossian said in a press release.
This year’s #MarchForJustice will again be held under the auspices of the Joint Justice Initiative, established in February 2020 by the Armenian National Committee of Australia, the Assyrian National Council Australia and the Australian Hellenic Council, as well as the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee.
Last year’s March for Justice in Sydney and Melbourne. File Photos.
Last year’s marches in Sydney and Melbourne were attended by thousands of people, including a large contingent from the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, Pontoxeniteas Sydney and Melbourne Greek association, Akrites Tou Pontou.
At the time, the President of Pontoxeniteas Sydney, Maria Anthony, told The Greek Herald it was a great turn out, one that would make “our ancestors… so proud.”
There’s high hopes then for an even greater turn out this year.
A shipment of humanitarian aid from Greece reached the Ukrainian city of Odessa, the Greek Foreign Minister announced on Monday.
According to Ekathimerini, the shipment included food, hygiene items and medicines, and was provided by the Foreign Ministry with the help of the Region of Attica, the Greek Red Cross, Doctors of the World, the Sklavenitis supermarket chain and the Boumbouras Foundation.
The Consul General of Greece in Odessa, Dimitris Dochtsis, was on hand to receive the humanitarian aid.
A fourth Hellenic Red Cross humanitarian mission will also leave Athens for Odessa on Tuesday. The shipment includes tinned food, bottled water, antiseptic, sanitary equipment and three generators.
The Consul General of Greece in Odessa, D. Dochtsis, received today additional 🇬🇷 humanitarian aid, to be delivered to the 🇺🇦 people, including Diaspora Greeks. Τhe 4th @greekredcross Humanitarian Mission to 🇺🇦 will depart tomorrow from Athens. https://t.co/9qutpXlXJApic.twitter.com/YJIA6IErWi
This Greek humanitarian shipment comes as defenders of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol have warned of a “last battle” in the coming hours.
According to a Facebook post from Ukraine’s 36th marine brigade, the ammunition is now running out in Mariupol and the casualties of the brigade are so extensive that even members of the city’s orchestra are firing weapons.
The writer said that the brigade had done everything that was “possible and impossible” to try and hold Mariupol from the Russian invaders but that it would be “death for us, and captivity for the rest” after being pushed back and surrounded by the Russian forces.
Mariupol has been under severe attack. Photo: Getty Images.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on Monday that tens of thousands of people have likely been killed in Russia’s assault on Mariupol.
The port city is home to a large ethnic Greek population.
“Mariupol has been destroyed, there are tens of thousands of dead, but even despite this, the Russians are not stopping their offensive,” Mr Zelenskyy said in a video address to South Korean politicians.
Reuters has confirmed widespread destruction in Mariupol but could not verify the accuracy of his estimate of those killed in the strategic city. If confirmed, it would be by far the largest number of dead so far reported in one place in Ukraine.
After postponing its 70th anniversary event three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney wasn’t letting anything stop its celebrations this time around.
Proud members of the Hellenic Lyceum, their family, friends and representatives of numerous Greek communities across Sydney all showed up to The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands on Sunday afternoon to support the women’s organisation and its hard work over 70 years.
VIP guests at the anniversary event. All photos copyright: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.Jenny Morrison with Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney President, Liana Vertzayias. (L-R) Steve Kamper MP, Mark Coure MP and Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras.
Among the special VIP guests were the wife of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Jenny Morrison; the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras; His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia; the NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure MP; Member for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis MP; Member for Rockdale, Steve Kamper; the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, Harry Danalis; the Chair of the Greek Festival of Sydney, Nia Karteris; and the President of the Lyceum, Liana Vertzayias; among many others.
(L-R) Jenny Morrison, Christos Karras and Marina Efthimiou.
These guests, as well as the over 150 other people in attendance, were treated to a beautiful three course meal as they mingled and took in all the formal proceedings.
The proceedings began with the singing of the Australian and Greek National Anthems by Jim Tsolakis and Despina Lucas.
Singing of the National Anthems of Greece and Australia.
This was followed by the Hellenic Lyceum dancers, under the guidance of Dimitri and Stavroula Papapetrou, performing a number of traditional Greek dances related to Asia Minor and the Greek Revolution.
Hellenic Lyceum dancers.
They were accompanied by Olga Mytika-Kremisis on vocals, Michael Platyrrahos on the violi and lyra, Vassilis Tsatsagos on the laouto and ode, and Tassos Tsagaris on the toubeleki.
Afterwards, a number of small speeches were given by Bishop Christodoulos, Mrs Vertzayias, Mr Karras, Mr Coure, Ms Cotsis and Mrs Morrison.
In her speech, Mrs Vertzayias thanked everyone for attending the anniversary celebrations and gave a brief history of how the Lyceum is well-known for “pioneering women’s rights and promoting Greek culture and traditions.”
Bishop Christodoulos.Liana Vertzayias.
“Our objectives have changed from the early days of the 50s and 60s when we were assisting newly-arrived migrant women, as we now reach out to the third and fourth generation Greek Australians to imbued them with our Hellenic values and promote Hellenism in the broader Australian community,” the President of the Hellenic Lyceum said.
“To reach this stage of the Lyceum’s development, hundreds of women have given their time and energy. We salute and acknowledge all those women.”
The Greek Consul General then approached the stage and congratulated the Hellenic Lyceum on “successfully maintaining and promoting Greek culture, traditions and heritage in Australia.”
Christos Karras.Mark Coure MP.
Next up was Mr Coure who stressed that the Hellenic Lyceum has provided “more than 70 years of service to women of Greek origin in NSW, making it one of the oldest organisations servicing women of Greek origin in Australia.”
“Congratulations,” the NSW Multicultural Minister said. “This is a dynamic organisation always ready to change with the times and needs of the community.”
This was followed by Ms Cotsis who spoke passionately about the Hellenic Lyceum and her strong connection to the organisation since she first entered politics.
“We stand on the shoulders of all of you. You have done all the hard work and we are here today to celebrate and to say thank you,” Ms Cotsis said.
Sophie Cotsis MP.Jenny Morrison.
Last up to the podium was Mrs Morrison, who shared the tragic migration story of one of her Greek friends and stressed how it highlights the resilience of the Greek community and women.
“I think that’s the spirit of Greek people,” Mrs Morrison said.
“They came and they knew what they came from and they wanted to make a better place for their children and their children’s children, meanwhile sharing a wonderful culture and amazing stories and dances.”
After a round of applause by all those in attendance, two awards were then handed out to Marina Efthimiou for being the longest-serving President of the Hellenic Lyceum, and to Dimitri and Stavroula Papapetrou for their 30 years of service as dance instructors.
Marina Efthimiou receiving her awardThe Papapetrou’s receiving their award.
Official proceedings were concluded with the cutting of a special cake by the committee and members of the Hellenic Lyceum, followed by Greek dancing.
*All photos copyright: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
The Kytherian Association of Australia (KAA) hosted its annual Aroney Awards Night at The Lemnos on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Thanks to a trust established by the late Kytherian benefactor, Nicholas Anthony Aroney, the KAA has been hosting the Aroney Encouragement Awards for over 30 years.
The Awards encouraged young Australians with Kytherian descent to further their scholastic endeavours by completing their Higher School Certificate.
All photos by: Nick Bourdaniotis.
This year, there were sixteen award recipients including: Billy Bourdaniotis (Top Award recipient who received a 99.95 ATAR, placing him in the top 48 students in NSW); Phillip Andrews; Emmanuel Aroney; James Nicholas Aroney; Nicholas Aroney; William Aroney; Chloe Avgoustou; Olivia Cassimaty; Elly Coolentianos; Theo Fatseas; Hannah Simos; Lily Simos; Mia Alice Simos; Athanasia Strikopoulos; Christopher John Tsolakis; and Jake Zantis.
All the awardees.Bill Bourdaniotis with his family.
The Awards were presented by Stephen Aroney, a Nicholas Anthony Aroney Trust trustee, and Victor Kepreotis, a KAA Board member and ex-President.
Each of the Awardees received a financial prize of up to $1,000, a book on Kythera and a free first year membership as an adult with the KAA.
The second annual Youth Scholarship was also awarded to Abby Simos on the night. Last year’s winner, Andrea Conomos, and the Chair of the Scholarship Committee, Spiro Coolentianos, presented Abby with a certificate and a $2,000 prize. Victoria Alfieris and Georgia Galanas were named finalists.
Abby Simos received the 2022 Youth Scholarship.Emmanuel Alfieris gave a small speech.
This was followed by a nice recognition of past President, Peter Vanges, who served twice as President of the KAA in the early 1980s and 1990s. Peter was unable to attend the KAA’s Centenary Launch where there was a roll call of all past 24 Presidents and he was pleased to be recognised on the night.
Six of the limited edition KAA centenary gold medallions were also made available for silent auction on the night and raised $8,500.
After these formal proceedings were over, the KAA’s dance group performed modern and Kytherian dances where they wore the island’s traditional costumes, Spalleta, which the KAA maintains.
Bourdo Photography Copyright
At Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date: 09 April 2022.
This was enjoyed by all in attendance including proud parents, KAA members and representatives from other community organisations such as the Kalymnian Association, the Cyprus Club, the Greek Australian Society, the Jewish Board of Deputies, SATH and The Greek Herald, who are proud Media Partner’s for the KAA’s Centenary Year.
After a night where dozens of youth ‘owned the dance floor, KAA President, Emmanuel Alfieris, closed the event by saying: “Ladies and Gentlemen, the future of our Association is here tonight.”
