Australian scientists from the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra are testing whether napthalene can power satellite rocket thruster systems, the ABC has reported today.
Napthalene is the white powder with a distinctive odour found in moth balls and toilet deodorant cakes.
ANU PhD scholar Dimitrios Tsifakis is part of the team developing the propulsion system, named ‘Bogong.’
Scientists at the ANU have found a new way to use moth ball technology to propel satellites. Photo: ANU.
He says naphthalene is a cheap, non-corrosive alternative to hot-charged plasma for powering thrusters on small satellites.
“Naphthalene is ideal because when it is heated it goes straight from solid to gas, with no liquid sloshing about in the thruster,” Mr Tsifakis told the national broadcaster.
“Everyone knows that old smell in granny’s wardrobe; now it is the newest thing in space technology.”
Napthalene can be found in mothballs.
The simple design uses more naphthalene propellant than a plasma thruster system, but it is lighter overall because it requires less electronics.
Designers say the Bogong thruster could also extend satellite life by up to 20 per cent, adding a year of service life.
The Bogong will launch in mid-2022 when it will attempt to power a small satellite carrying an air traffic management system into space.
Victorian deputy premier, James Merlino, has weighed in on the death of Nick Panagiotopoulos, whose desperate calls to triple zero went unanswered for 15 minutes.
His call was supposed to have been answered within five seconds.
Mr Panagiotopoulos’ death was brought to light by The Age on Wednesday, which reported that paramedics arrived 25 minutes after the Melbourne father first called for an ambulance while experiencing severe chest pains on October 16.
Despite their best efforts to save his life, paramedics were unable to keep Mr Panagiotopoulos alive.
Paramedics.
In response to this news, Mr Merlino said Mr Panagiotopoulos’ death was “deeply upsetting” and will be investigated by the coroner and the Inspector General for Emergency Management.
“There are no words that I can say to this family or any other family that have lost a loved one… We do not want families to go through what this family has,” the Victorian Deputy Premier said.
Mr Melino confirmed the state government was funnelling money into the issue, telling reporters 43 additional Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) staff had been hired.
“I think it’s important the government acts, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” he said.
Victorian Deputy Premier, James Merlino.
Victorian Opposition Leader, Matthew Guy, said the state government was failing to properly manage the health system.
“If they can’t get the health system right now, they’ll never get it right. Maybe the problem actually is with the government and not the system,” Mr Guy said on Wednesday.
Mr Panagiotopoulos’ death due to flaws in the system is not the first in Victoria this year. In April, a 32-year-old Caulfield woman was found dead in her home more than six hours after calling an ambulance.
George Alex, 50, and his son Arthur Alex, 23, as well as a number of co-accused, have been committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court over an alleged tax fraud syndicate, Perth Nowreports.
The alleged syndicate operated between July 2018 and 2020 in both NSW and Queensland, and allegedly defrauded the Australian Taxation Office of $17.5 million.
George Alex is charged with conspiring to cause a loss to the Commonwealth alongside a number of co-accused, as well as with dealing with the property proceeds of crime.
His son, Arthur, is charged with conspiring with others to dishonestly cause a loss to the Commonwealth, and dealing with more than $1 million in what is believed to be the proceeds of crime.
Both will face the Supreme Court on February 11 where they will be arraigned. No pleas have been recorded.
Much-loved ethnic comedians, Sooshi Mango, won ‘Favourite Australian Digital Comedy Creator’ at the AACTA Awards last night.
The comic troup, which is made up of two brothers, Joe and Carlo Salanitri, and their close friend Andrew Manfre, came out on top of other contenders such as Christian Hull and Jimmy Rees.
“AACTA Award going cheap. Cash accepted!” Sooshi Mango wrote on Facebook after receiving the accolade.
“This one is for the fans. You got us this and we will always give you all that we have in return! We love you all!”
Their win was a huge hit with fans including the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison.
“Huge congrats, lads. All the best. Regards, Scotch Lamington,” Mr Morrison wrote on Facebook, making reference to Sooshi Mango’s hilarious interview with the Prime Minister in November.
Sooshi Mango joined a number of other winners announced at the awards ceremony last night.
This includes the host of ABC’s Gardening Australia program, Costa Georgiadis. Georgiadis won for ‘Favourite Australian TV Host.’
During his National Press Club address on Wednesday, the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, promised to promote more women in his cabinet reshuffle.
Among those tipped for a potential promotion are Member for Miranda, Eleni Petinos, Member for North Shore, Felicity Wilson, and National MP, Steph Cook.
In his address, Mr Perrottet said the Liberal Party had not “done a great job” of encouraging women to run for parliament so far, but more female representation would improve diversity and result in better public policy development.
Among those tipped for a potential promotion are Member for Miranda, Eleni Petinos.
“We’ve been led previously by the first elected female premier of our state, so it’s not all bad. But there is more to do,” he said.
“I’ve committed to increasing female representation in the cabinet. I won’t put a figure on it, but we will see an increase.”
Dominic Perrottet addresses the National Press Club on Wednesday. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.
Currently there are only two Liberal women in the Cabinet – Sports Minister Natalie Ward and Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock.
There are also three female National party members – Education Minister Sarah Mitchell, Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor and Water and Housing Minister Melinda Pavey.
The Premier is expected to name his new cabinet within weeks, more than two months after his promotion to the top job.
Steven Capsis, the son of well-respected Baptist priest Reverend George Capsis, will spend at least the next three months and 12 days in prison for possessing and accessing child abuse material.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Capsis, 48, was sentenced at the Downing Centre District Court last week after police found more than 400 child abuse images on multiple devices in his home.
The court heard Capsis, who lives with his parents and has been supported by his father in court, had felt “misunderstood his entire life” and felt a barrier to maintaining intimacy with anyone besides his family.
Steven Capsis is the son of well-respected Baptist priest Reverend George Capsis (pictured).
In a letter to the court he “apologised unreservedly” and said he felt “deeply ashamed” of his offending.
In his own letter to the court, Reverend Capsis said his son was a “good son with a kind, friendly nature and a strong work ethic.”
Judge Jennie Anne Girdham, speaking generally, called the possession of child abuse material “callous and predatory,” the Telegraph reports.
Steve Capsis was sentenced at the Downing Centre District Court.
She said she was satisfied Mr Capsis was both contrite and remorseful. He will be eligible for release on March 14, 2022.
Mr Capsis has previously run for NSW and federal parliament as a Christian Democrats candidate and once received a NSW Government Community Service Award for his years of outreach to people affected by addiction and homelessness.
The President went on to discuss energy and say that Russia covers more than 40% of Greece’s energy needs.
“Russia is fulfilling its obligations to Greece and the EU and will continue its uninterrupted supply of natural gas,” he said.
On Cyprus, he reiterated that Russia supports the solution of a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation.
In response, the Greek Prime Minister thanked Russia for sending firemen to Greece last summer to help with the devastating wildfires that raged for days, despite the country facing itself large blazes in Siberia.
Όσον αφορά τις περιφερειακές εξελίξεις και όσα συμβαίνουν στην Ανατολική Μεσόγειο, τόνισα στον Πρόεδρο Πούτιν πως η Τουρκία όχι μόνο προβαίνει σε εμπρηστική ρητορική διαστρεβλώνοντας την ιστορία και τη γεωγραφία, αλλά και σε επιθετικές ενέργειες που παραβιάζουν το Διεθνές Δίκαιο. pic.twitter.com/BVXKQ6CIyc
On energy, Mitsotakis said that Russia “has proven to be a reliable supplier of gas to Greece, just as Greece is a reliable partner.”
Commenting on EU-Russian relations, he said it is important to continue the dialogue.
“I recognise the great challenges, I recognise the need to always keep the channels of communication open. Russia is part of the European Security architecture,” he said.
He also thanked Russia for its position on the Cyprus issue.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne made her first official visit to Greece on Wednesday and met with her Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.
The Greek Herald was among the only three media that were given an exemption to attend and report on the first official visit of an Australian Foreign Minister to Greece in 10 years.
‘We are proud of Greeks who immigrated to Australia’:
During the joint press conference of the two leaders, Dendias welcomed Payne to Greece and focused on the relations between Greece and Australia and on the ties that remain strong over time.
“Timeless relationships, based on inseparable bonds of friendship, have been forged between our peoples,” Dendias said, while stressing that the presence of Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Arthur Spyrou, is a link between the two countries.
“And we are, and I want to say, particularly proud of the Greeks who immigrated to Australia and integrated into Australian society and contributed to the progress and prosperity of their new homeland.
“Our expatriates in Australia are the solid foundation, the bridge for the development and strengthening of ties, not only of friendship, but of mutual understanding between the two countries.”
The Greek Foreign Minister also referred to the two countries common history during WWII and the Battle of Crete connection. He stressed how 80 years after the Battle, Greece and Australia continue to defend the same principles and values of democracy and freedom.
“The Greeks, do not forget the sacrifices of Australia, of the Australians, on the battlefields of the two world wars,” Dendias said.
During the talks, Dendias also had the opportunity to brief Minister Payne on issues in the Eastern Mediterranean and the destabilising role of Turkey in the region.
“I’m very pleased with the way Australia is dealing with the Law of the Sea and UNCLOS, because there is a broad consensus between us, as well as a consensus on the need to respect international law,” Dendias said.
The Greek Foreign Minister then stressed there is ground for improvement in economic relations between both countries, especially after “the significant Australian investment in Greece in [Greece’s] electricity distribution network.”
Investment opportunities in tourism, transport, energy, the green economy and manufacturing were also discussed.
Οι σχέσεις 🇬🇷🇦🇺 είναι διαχρονικές & εδράζονται σε άρρηκτους δεσμούς φιλίας που έχουν σφυρηλατηθεί ανάμεσα στους λαούς μας. Είμαστε ιδιαίτερα περήφανοι για τους Έλληνες που μετανάστευσαν στην Αυστραλία, ενσωματώθηκαν & προσέφεραν στην πρόοδο & την ευημερία της νέας τους πατρίδας. pic.twitter.com/P91au4tdKQ
“We agreed that our first meeting after ten years… will be the beginning of a series of close contacts between our two countries, a visit of the President of the Republic, a visit of the Prime Minister, our own meetings, also contacts of lawyers, of the scientists of the two ministries on the issues of Maritime Law and the evolution of UNCLOS,” Dendias concluded.
Role of Greek Australians in advancing bilateral relations:
In response to Dendias, the Australian Foreign Minister thanked him for welcoming her on her historic trip to Greece and focused on the strong relationship between both countries.
“I am very proud of our country’s diplomatic mission here. We really have close relations with Greece. They are two countries that share essential historical ties and a very close bond at the level of our peoples and common values,” Payne said.
“Our relationship has been further strengthened by the very large and active Greek community in Australia. It is a very vibrant community with a very significant contribution to the business sector, to investment, to culture. It is one of the largest expatriates in the world.”
Payne then stressed the historic ties between Greece and Australia through the presence of Australian soldiers in Greece during WWII, before acknowledging the “many events” held by the Greek community in Australia this year to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
Lastly, she said Australia will continue to support the efforts for de-escalation in maritime areas based on International Law.
“We are strong advocates of international law and the institutions based on the United Nations Charter. Greece and Australia will continue to cooperate at the level of international organisations based on common principles and common interests,” she said, adding that Australia also supports strategic relations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Meeting with President Sakellaropoulou:
Minister Payne also met with the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, on Wednesday at the Presidential Mansion.
Payne with Sakellaropoulou.
During the meeting, Sakellaropoulou spoke of the active presence and participation of Greek Australians in the political, economic and social life of the country. She stressed that they acted as a stable bridge of communication between Greece and Australia.
There was also a special mention of the historic ties between the two countries, along with a series of issues, such as battling the pandemic, the situation in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions and the political, economic and cultural ties between Greece and Australia.
Given Payne’s dual ministerial capacity, as both foreign minister and minister for women, they also discussed the role and position of women in both countries and the initiatives to strengthen their rights.
Wreath to the Unknown Soldier:
During her visit to Greece, Minister Payne also paid tribute to the monument of the Unknown Soldier in Athens by laying a wreath.
Present at the wreath laying, which took place prior to Payne’s meeting with Dendias, was the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Nikolaos Hardalias, the Secretary of the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Kathryn Campbell, the Ambassador of Australia to Greece, Arthur Spyrou and a delegation of diplomats of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the ceremony, Payne recalled the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, where troops from Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain “fought with great honour together with the Greek soldiers.”
She also pointed out that “this bond is honoured every year in Australia.”
Finally, she expressed her concern about the situation in Afghanistan and noted that Greece and Australia want to see a stable Afghanistan that will move away from extremism and support human rights, especially in terms of protecting women and girls.
At the conclusion of Payne’s visit to Greece, she will visit Austria and Belgium to meet with diplomats in those countries.
Fender Katsalidis’ Merdeka 118 is set to become the world’s second tallest building upon its completion next year.
The firm said their priority was for the building to “enrich the social energy and cultural fabric of the city”.
“In addition, the achievement of creating the second-tallest building in the world celebrates the years of planning, problem-solving, collaboration and human endeavour required to realise a building of this complexity,” the firm’s cofounder Karl Fender said.
Fender cofounded the firm with Greek Australian architect Epaminondas ‘Nonda’ Katsalidis in 1996.
Nonda Katsalidis and Karl Fender of Fender Katsalidis (Photo: Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files)
Eleni Cassimatis is a theatre, film, television, and voice actress who loves each medium equally.
“I fall in love with whatever I’m doing at the time,” Cassimatis tells the Greek Herald.
“I have a very big spot for Shakespeare, I love performing Shakespeare.”
Cassimatis has performed in several Shakespeare plays, something that involves “delightful, nerdy digging” and text analysis.
“The stories are pretty epic. Once you let the words do the talking, it just becomes musical. There’s something contagious about it,” she says.
“Shakespeare was the first one to put pen to paper and capture what it means to be human.”
Cassimatis first fell in love with acting in kindergarten as the daughter of a cafe owner in Orange.
“I always wanted to be an actor,” she says.
“It was always what I was planning on doing but being over in London and seeing shows (during my gap year in 2013), I was like, ‘I need to get back to Sydney.’”
“…it gave me the jolt into action to just go, ‘If I want this bad enough, I just need to work my butt off.’”
She hit the ground running by moving to Sydney in 2014 and taking up every acting course she could enter.
Two weeks ago, she was cast in her first mainstage theatre production as Player Queen, Osric, and Second Gravedigger in Bell Shakespeare’s production of Hamlet.
Hamlet has been on hold since the beginning of 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“They had about a week of shows and then the pandemic hit and the show got cancelled,” she says.”
“I got to watch the show two years ago before it got shut down.”
“Some of the cast members have already had an experience doing this show on stage and then some of us are new that have stepped into these roles.”
She says it presented a unique opportunity for the cast to be able to grow with their characters.
“Every time you have a life experience, that changes what you’re going to bring to a character, and going through two years of lockdown will only inform what everyone brings to these characters,” she says.
Eleni Cassimatis in ‘Icarus’ (by Mark Bolotin) (Photo: Supplied)
“Hamlet is a play about longing, grief, losing ones you love and being separated versus being together.”
“All of that is going to be really interesting to explore.”
Cassimatis and her cast-mates will also play in Bell Shakespeare’s In A Nutshell, which debuts during her time in Hamlet.
“We’ll be working on one show at night and working on another show during the day,” she says.
“It will be an interesting process and not something I’ve done before but nothing we can’t manage.”
She says playing three different characters in her debut at the Sydney Opera House will be “a huge” but “super exciting” challenge.
“It will be my first time (performing at the Opera House) and it is an absolute dream come true,” she says.
She says the biggest crowd she’s performed for was an outdoor audience of about 400 school students in Hong Kong.
“I just remember a sea of young people in front of us and then everyone piled out from their classrooms up the top to watch over the balcony too,” she says.
She describes the nerves she gets before a show as a muscle to be trained.
“It’s healthy, in a way. It’s your body’s way of preparing itself to go do the thing it needs to do,” she says.
She also has two director’s credits under her belt, including a short film in 2015 she also starred in.
She sees lots more work in theatre, film, and television in her future.
“I would love to, one day, do some work in the (United) States but we’ve got so much on offer (here in Australia) at the moment,” she says.
The silver lining to an unpredictable two years of a pandemic, she says.
