The Greek Returned Servicemen League of NSW (GRSL), formerly the Greek Sub-Branch of RSL, have started the new year with their first official event – the vasilopita cutting.
Held on January 31 at C-Side Restaurant in Kyeemagh, the venue was filled with members of the GRSL and all their family and friends.
The venue was filled with members of the GRSL and all their family and friends. Photo supplied.
The Ode was recited by Peter Tsigounis in English and in Greek by Andrew Kitsos, while everyone sang the Greek and Australian national anthems together.
In a speech following the Ode, President of the GRSL, George Giakoumidis, welcomed attendees and stressed that the newly formed League will be very active and creative in the future.
The presence of former Egyptian President, Evangelos Koumakis, was also touching as he could be heard saying, “I am 94 years old and I will care for our League until my last breath.”
Former Egyptian President, Evangelos Koumakis (left) was given a commemorative plaque for his tireless work. Photos supplied.
Mr Koumakis, as well as Lambros Papadopoulos, who could not attend the event, were later given a commemorative plaque in recognition of their tireless work for the League.
In the end, the gold coin from the vasilopita was won by Sophia, the wife of the GRSL’s Treasurer, Bill Iliopoulos. This was followed by a lottery, where over 60 prizes were won.
Everyone left very happy and wished the League success in the future.
Prosecutors and defence lawyers are in negotiations over whether alleged Kingston Hotel murderer, Kerry Kourpanidis, might admit to bashing drunken tradie Warren Hordpenko to death, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Mr Kourpanidis, 35, has pleaded not guilty to murder, and appeared briefly by phone in the ACT Magistrates Court from the Alexander Maconochie Centre on Monday.
A barrister, who previously represented him, has told the court that police should have charged him with manslaughter rather than murder, and his current lawyers have said prosecutors will struggle to make out the murder charge.
Mr Kourpanidis’ barrister Paul Mansfield, on Monday said he and Crown Prosecutor Patrick Dixon had been writing to each other recently and “that process has not yet ended.”
Mr Kourpanidis has been behind bars since his arrest in July last year, in the days following the death of Mr Hordpenko in the pool room at the popular pub.
About 200 workers are chasing millions of dollars in unpaid entitlements and around 15 steel projects in South Australia are in doubt, after the closure of the state’s biggest steel fabricator.
According to The Advertiser, receivers have permanently shut down operations at Greek Australian-owned business, SA Structural, and appointed BRI Ferrier as administrators.
Three days after the administrators were appointed, creditor NAB engaged Deloitte to take control of the company’s affairs.
SA Structural sold its Edinburgh facility for $19.5 million in 2019. Photo: The Advetiser.
“The objective is always to trade through and preserve the business as a going concern wherever possible,” Deloitte receiver and manager, Glen Kanevsky, told The Advertiser.
“But having undertaken an urgent review and input from a range of key stakeholders, we have determined that in this case it was unfortunately not viable to recommence operations.”
NAB is understood to be owed around $12 million while close to 200 other creditors, including suppliers, have been left chasing around $3 million.
Meanwhile, staff are owed around $3.6 million in unpaid superannuation, according to administrator Andre Strazdins from BRI Ferrier. He also confirmed super hadn’t been paid for more than 12 months leading up to the company’s collapse.
More than $680,000 in other entitlements are also owed to staff, but are likely to be covered by the Federal Government’s Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme.
SA Structural was established by Adelaide businessman Michael Mangos in 2003, providing structural steel for mining projects, infrastructure works, shopping centres, schools and hotels.
Leon Vitogiannis has been appointed the Australian Hellenic Choir Inc.’s new Musical Director and Conductor.
Mr Vitogiannis, who is an established classical vocalist and conductor based in Sydney, will be taking the Choir to several concerts planned for 2021 and beyond.
“Leon is an exciting appointment for the Choir as it works on its repertoire, and on several performances in 2021 and beyond,” Mr James Tsolakis, Founder and President of the Choir, said.
“He brings a whole new dimension and energy to the Choir, which has been working on attracting younger singers keen to perform. Now with over 50 members, the Choir has become a valuable resource for the entire Greek Community.”
Leon Vitogiannis has been appointed the Australian Hellenic Choir Inc.’s new Musical Director and Conductor.
Mr Vitogiannis has appeared with a number of orchestras and Choirs, and as an Adjunct artist with Pacific Opera in 2019. He recently graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, having studied conducting under the well-known Mr George Ellis and Mr John Lynch. He also has an excellent knowledge of Greek music.
“The Australian Hellenic Choir is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual group formed to bring the best music of the world to Australian and Greek audiences,” Mr Tsolakis said.
“Our vision is to support performers and events and to perform in our own right and bring people together in song.”
The Choir is preparing for two new concerts for 2021. At the end of May, the Choir will perform a concert that celebrates the music of the late Yiannis Poulopoulos, with songs written by Theodorakis, Hadjidakis and Plessas.
In November 2021, the Choir, with over 80 singers on stage, will also perform a major concert in honour of 200 Years of Liberation, entitled ‘The Australian Hellenic Choir & Friends – Liberation 1821.’
For additional information about the Australian Hellenic Choir or its events, membership and auditions, friends of the choir please either email or call the contacts below:
For information about the Choir: – Mr James Tsolakis, AHC President: M: 0416 060 700 – Ms Despina Lucas, AHC Vice President: M: 0438 289 699 – AHC Email contact: E: ah.choiraust@gmail.com
For Information about Joining the Choir: – Ms Angela Kehagiadis, Membership M: 0401 382 382
For information about the Friends of the Choir: – Mr Dimitris Emmanoulidis, Friends of the Choir Ambassador M: 0411 729 076 – Sponsorship or Benefactor Enquires: M: 0416 060 700
A firefighter who was swept away by floodwater during a rescue operation in a village in the municipality of Alexandroupolis was found dead on Monday afternoon, according to Ekathimerini.
The 46-year-old man, along with other firemen, had been called to evacuate 21 children and two teachers from a kindergarten in the community of Apalou.
At the school, the small firefighting vehicle was trapped in a flooded storm drain. The front-seat passenger was able to exit the vehicle but the driver was swept away, according to the Deputy Regional Governor of the Evros region, Dimitris Petrovits.
The firefighter’s body was retrieved later in an area near Alexandroupolis’ Dimokritos Airport.
The fire service said it will conduct an investigation into the death of the 46-year-old, who according to Greek public broadcaster, ERT, was a father of three underage children.
The evacuees were safety relocated.
Η απώλεια του πυροσβέστη που έχασε τη ζωή του στην προσπάθειά του να βοηθήσει μαθητές που κινδύνευαν, μας γεμίζει θλίψη. Η σκέψη όλων είναι με την οικογένειά του, συμπαραστάτης της οποίας θα βρεθεί η Πολιτεία. Εκφράζω την ευγνωμοσύνη και τα ειλικρινή μου συλλυπητήρια.
Later on Twitter, Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, expressed his sadness over the death of the firefighter during the rescue operation.
“We are saddened by the loss of the firefighter who lost his life trying to help students in danger. Everyone’s thoughts are with his family, which will be supported the State. I express my gratitude and my sincere condolences,” he wrote.
Northern NSW NPL club, Newcastle Olympic, were in mourning on Monday after the death of long-time former president and “driving force” Jim Papas following a long battle with leukemia.
Papas served on the Olympic committee for more than 30 years, spending two decades as president, and was granted the club’s first life membership.
He was also groundsman at the club’s home, Darling Street Oval, for more than a decade, before illness forced him to step aside.
“Jim’s contribution and legacy in making Newcastle Olympic the Club it is, was immense. He was the driving force for close to 30 years in establishing the Club to where we are today,” the Club wrote on Facebook.
Jim Papas was the Olympic club’s president in 2012. Photo: Newcastle Herald.
“To Daphne, his children, grandchildren and all the Papas & Patsan families, our deepest condolences from the Club.”
Long-time Olympic secretary, Con Gounis, told the Newcastle Herald that Papas, a former player with the now defunct local club Pan-Hellenic in the 1960s and 70s, joined the new Greek club’s committee in the mid-1980s when they were in fourth division.
He became president in the early 1990s, around the time of the club’s rapid rise to the top division.
Mr Gounis said Papas was instrumental in helping the club build the required grandstand and lighting at Darling Street Oval for their elevation to the top league.
“We needed the grandstand and better lights and basically Jim was the project manager, the driving force, the boilermaker, along with a half-a-dozen guys,” Mr Gounis told the media outlet.
Mr Gounis said Papas was a fierce protector of his club and the ground he helped build and maintain.
“He had his opinions and he wasn’t scared to say them,” he said.
Papas’ grandson, Reece Papas, has played first-grade with the club in recent years.
At 109 years of age, Castellorizian woman, Eleni Confos, has lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, the Spanish Flu and now the coronavirus pandemic.
Over the years, Eleni has also smashed a number of other incredible records. She’s not only the oldest Greek in Australia, but she is also the tenth oldest person in Australia overall and the oldest known Castellorizian.
The best thing about all this is that Eleni remains as humble, happy and loving as ever. So to mark the occasion of this amazing lady’s birthday on Saturday, January 30, The Greek Herald spoke to her daughter, Rose Adgemis, about Eleni’s life and what it was like growing up.
“Mum is the matriarch of the family. She’s extremely intelligent and good at anything she does,” Rose tells The Greek Herald.
Castellorizian woman, Eleni Confos, is 109 years of age. Photo supplied.
Eleni was born in 1912 on the Greek island of Castellorizo, to her parents Tsiko and Garifalya Galettis. She was one of eight siblings, all of whom have passed away.
In 1931, Eleni married George Confos in Castellorizo before they moved to Australia, where George already worked at a fish cafe with his brothers on William Street, Sydney. Eleni had her first-born son shortly after in 1932, but Rose says Eleni still struggled with her life in Australia at the beginning.
“When she arrived, she was quite depressed at the way Sydney was because it was during the Great Depression,” Rose says.
“For seven years she wouldn’t even open her glory box because she wanted to go back. But then she started to bring her siblings out and she knew that Australia was going to be her home and she hasn’t regretted it at all.”
Eleni was born in 1912 on the Greek island of Castellorizo.
Her life however, hasn’t been without tragedy or hardship. Eleni eventually had four children. Her son sadly died young at the age of 42, while two of her granddaughters both passed away at the age of nine.
Add to all this the fact that she is currently living through a dangerous coronavirus pandemic as well. But Rose stresses that the current restrictions don’t even phase Eleni, who is currently in a nursing home.
“Eleni remembers the Spanish Flu because she was about seven years old when her eldest brother had it and he survived,” Rose explains.
“And that’s why now, during the lockdown, when I had to explain to her why I couldn’t visit her every day… she could understand.”
Eleni met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia and His Grace Bishop Emilianos last year. Photos supplied.
It’s definitely clear that Eleni is one tough cookie. Because of this, we just couldn’t resist asking Rose what her mum’s secret to longevity is.
“I can honestly say that she fasts alot. In our Greek Orthodox religion, there’s around 100 days a year of fasting and mum would do all of them. And her diet was just a really good Greek Mediterranean diet,” Rose says.
“But to top that off, she would drink about five or six cups of tea a day and she would put grounded cloves in them. That’s her secret to success. Everyone in the family put cloves in their tea now as well.”
An inspirational woman who has clearly left a lasting legacy on all those around her.
The Pancretan Association of Melbourne held their annual blessing and Vasilopita cutting for 2021 on Saturday, January 30 and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
Just under 100 attendees were treated to Greek food and Cretan music from local Melbourne musicians, Sifis Tsourdalakis, George Sevastakis, Tony Iliou and Paddy Montgomery.
This was followed by the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita by His Grace Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis, together with the new Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr Emmanuel Kakavelakis.
“Mr Kakavelakis gave a small speech introducing himself to our community, as he has only recently come out of quarantine. He is a lovely human being and I think Melbourne is very honoured to have such a person here,” Mr Emmanuel Starakis, President of the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, tells The Greek Herald.
Following the address of the new Consul, attendees were treated to a special surprise visit from popular Greek tennis player, Michalis Pervolarakis, who is currently in the country for the Australian Open.
The Pancretan Association of Melbourne held their annual blessing and Vasilopita cutting for 2021 on Saturday, January 30. Photos: Facebook.
The young children in attendance were particularly excited to meet Pervolarakis and take pictures with the tennis player, who was recently filmed performing the traditional Cretan dance, ‘Maleviziotis,’ to keep his spirits high during lockdown.
The last group of quarantined players in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open were set leave their hotels at midnight on Saturday night. Among them were the Greek ATP Cup team.
The team consists of World Number 6 tennis champion, Stefanos Tsitsipas, his brother Petros Tsitsipas, Mihalis Pervolarakis and Markos Kalovelonis.
The Greek team’s first stop was to iconic Greek restaurant in Melbourne, Stalactites. The restaurant is a favourite of Stefanos’ after they created the ‘Tsitsipas Souvlaki’ last year to honour the tennis player and help the bushfire relief effort.
In a nice turn of events, the souvlaki has been re-launched this year as well to raise money for COVID-19 relief.
I sit down for a chat and a souvlaki with Greek God.. World number 6 tennis champ.. Stefanos Tsitsipas! Grab some ouzo and tune-in to @9NewsMelb with @phitchener9 at 6pm 🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/6wQ836Xhkr
“People are going to be cheering our name, and being louder than any other nation, it’s great. Greeks are very proud, and especially the Greeks of Australia. They are twice as proud as back home…” Stefanos said in the interview.
“There’s an extra reason for me to go out and represent, play well. There’s a lot of support that we’re going to have this week. I’m very, very happy and glad that we have such a huge army backing us up.”
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) has elected Kefalonia Fisheries CEO, Lara Barazi-Yeroulanou, as its President for the next three years.
Ms Barazi-Yeroulanou was proposed for this position by the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organisation (HAPO). She replaces Marco Gilmozzi and is the first female to hold the position.
“The federation members are convinced that the unique skills and leadership capabilities of Lara Barazi will contribute to further promote aquaculture in Europe,” the FEAP said in a press release.
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) has elected Kefalonia Fisheries CEO, Lara Barazi-Yeroulanou, as its President. Photo: The Fish Site.
“Her substantive governance experience and proven track record in pursuing sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean were highlighted.”
As well as her role at Kefalonia, Ms Barazi-Yeroulanou holds a masters in public policy and international trade and finance from the Kennedy School of Government/Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in economics at Columbia University in the United States.
In an interview with Fish Site, the new President said she was ‘a bit reluctant to take on the role,’ but knew it was a ‘great opportunity to complete work started by the previous board.’
“Aquaculture is still a new and fast-moving business and FEAP needs to be able to keep up with the growth of the industry, the variety of subsectors and the complexity of the issues we deal with,” she said.
“We’d like to increase our capacity for technical work and ensure we provide value for our members, Europe’s national aquaculture associations.”
