Xanthi’s immediate return to the Greek Super League will be claimed in a double match with Panetolikos, as the Greek side finished second in the Super League 2 championship with a 1-0 victory against Levadeikos.
With their backs to the wall they played their 5th and last match of the Super League 2 play offs.
In the first few minutes the guests looked strong and threatened Xanthi in the 17th minute with a shot from Poleto, but goalkeeper Izzo reacted well.
In the second half, the match took took flight as both sides had strong opportunities. The home side threatened with Siatravanis, but everything changed in the 75th minute when Thanasis Papazoglou made a turn from the right who laid it off to Siatravanis, sending it to Ebert who found a header and scored from inside the six-yard-box.
With 1-0 in their favour, the home side rode out the fight. At the end of game the “gladiators” had 51 and 50 points respectively, but Ionic finished with 53 points and won the title and the direct rise to the Super League.
Greek authorities moved more people to safety on Thursday as firefighters battled a forest fire that spread from the Corinth region of southern Greece to western Attica, they said.
No deaths were reported in the blaze that broke out on Wednesday night in a forest at a small seaside holiday resort at the Corinth Gulf on the Peloponnese peninsula, about 90 km from the capital, Athens.
Six villages and two monasteries in the Gerania mountains were evacuated, while residents at another village were told on Thursday to leave their homes as the blaze, fanned by strong winds, moved eastward and crossed into western Attica.
Firefighter are seen in from of flames as fire burns during a wildfire near the village of Schinos, near Corinth, Greece, late Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Valerie Gache)
Firefighter are seen in from of flames as fire burns during a wildfire near the village of Schinos, near Corinth, Greece, late Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Valerie Gache)
Many Athenians woke up to the smell of fire and thin clouds of smoke could be seen from many parts of the city.
“We are mainly talking about settlements 90% of which are holiday homes,” fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told Reuters, adding that the fire was burning wooded land and thick vegetation.
More than 180 firefighters were battling the blaze, backed by 62 fire trucks, 17 aircraft and three helicopters, the fire brigade said on Twitter.
Fire department spokesman Lt. Col. Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis said more than 180 firefighters were deployed Thursday.
“I don’t think many soldiers spoke about their war experiences and I never really asked my father about his,” Jennifer Gorrie says honestly as we sit down for our exclusive chat.
Despite this, Jennifer has recently begun to dig deeper into her family’s military history and what she’s found is a deep and long-running connection to Greece and the islands of Lemnos and Crete through her grandfather, father and uncle.
Frederick Harvey Gorrie:
Jennifer’s grandfather, Frederick Harvey Gorrie, was in the Australian Light Horse during WWI and passed through the Greek island of Lemnos on his way to fight in the Gallipoli Campaign.
According to the Secretary of the Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign, Nick Andriotakis, Lemnos became the headquarters of the Gallipoli Campaign, where ships were anchored, water and food was sourced and hospitals were set up to look after the wounded.
Frederick Harvey Gorrie (left). His Gallipoli Medal (right). Photos supplied.
After Frederick left this island restocked and prepared for fighting at Gallipoli, his contingent became involved in several defensive actions on the battleground and suffered catastrophic losses. But Jennifer says that for her grandfather, his biggest loss was that of his horse.
“The Light Horse were not allowed to bring their horses home, so he had to shoot his own horse before he came home and he said that was the worst thing he ever had to do in his entire life,” Jennifer tells The Greek Herald.
Harvey “Bill” Gorrie:
Jennifer’s father, Harvey “Bill” Gorrie, followed in Frederick’s footsteps in 1939, when he decided to enlist with the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion. This battalion played a significant role in the Battle of Crete, particularly in its defence of Rethymno.
According to the Australian War Memorial website, the German airborne invasion of Crete began on May 20, 1941, but a tenacious defence by the Australian battalion and their Greek comrades meant the Germans weren’t able to take Rethymno airfield until May 30.
“Their courage and spirit in the defence of Rethymno is unsurpassed in the annals of Australian arms,” war veteran, Peter Firkins, said in the book, Australians in Nine Wars, to support this initial Allied success on Crete.
Harvey “Bill” Gorrie.
But of course, German victories elsewhere on Crete allowed them to concentrate overwhelming force against Rethymno and, short of rations and ammunition, the 2/1st eventually surrendered and became prisoners of war.
Jennifer says that in the case of her father, not only was he one of the prisoners of war, but he was also wounded in the battle for Rethymno.
“My father was shot and I remember him telling me that he was wounded, leaning up against an olive tree and this German paratrooper was approaching him. My dad thought he was a goner and that the German would shoot him again. But instead, the German just gave him a cigarette and moved on,” Jennifer recalls.
“[From there] he was taken as a prisoner of war and ended up in a stalag (prisoner of war camp) in Poland. But he escaped and met up with the Polish underground and ended up fighting with them.”
Rollo “Pick” Binsted (left) and his medals (right). Photos supplied.
These heroic actions are also replicated by Rollo “Pick” Binsted, Harvey’s brother-in-law who, Jennifer says, should also be remembered for his actions fighting with the 16th Brigade of the 6th Australian Division during the Greek Campaign.
“He fought in the Battle of Brallos Pass in snow 3 feet deep. His Brigade… evacuated to Kalamata where they sheltered under olive groves while being strafed by Luftwaffe Messersmitts,” Jennifer says.
“Rollo was finally evacuated on 26 April 1941 at 3am on a British destroyer, which he believes was the last allied ship to enter the port of Kalamata until after the war.”
Since then, both Harvey and Rollo have received the Greek War Medal 1940-41 from the Greek Government for their service in Crete and Greece, while Harvey was one of only 4,800 Australians who were awarded the France Germany Star. Jennifer says this is something Harvey was very proud of.
And he should be as it’s clear that the entire Gorrie family, as well as Pick, made significant sacrifices to keep Greek people safe during both WWI and WWII.
Bunbury man, Norm Eaton, one of the last surviving WA veterans who fought in the Greek and Crete campaigns in World War II, died last Saturday, the Bunbury Mail reports.
The son of a school headmistress and a serviceman, the Goomalling-born veteran worked on farms before moving to Perth in the 1930s and enlisting to serve.
Mr Eaton and his brother Harry served with the 2/11th West Australian battalion in North Africa and Greece during World War II.
The veteran was a guest of honour of the Greek Orthodox Church at a service celebrating Easter.
More than 100 people who attended the service clapped enthusiastically as Bishop Elpidios presented the former 2/11th battalion soldier to the congregation and thanked him for his efforts during the war.
Norman Eaton’s last public outing was at the Greek Orthodox Church in Prevelly where he was the guest of honour. Photo by David Bailey/Bunbury Mail
The Greek Community in WA had embraced Mr Eaton, and he was a regular attendee at events held by Greek Associations in the state.
In an interview with South Western Times, his nephew Kevin Eaton described the veteran as a man who loved to tell a story, was great at it, and had plenty to share.
“He always remembered things and he could tell a story, he could tell a story very, very well.
“The amazing thing was he never had to make them up, they were all fact and they were just from his life experiences,” Kevin Eaton said.
Mr Eaton was a POW and spent four years at prison camps throughout Europe.
After returning home, he joined the Bunbury RSL and after a five-year stint as president, was awarded a life membership.
With a post on Facebook, the Consulate of Greece in Perth pays tribute to the brave veteran.
“RIP Norm! Greece will always remember you and be grateful to you,” reads the message.
More than 200 parents, grandparents and members of the wider community attended the sold out annual Dinner Dance organised by the Adelaide High School Greek Parents Association and held on Saturday 15th May at the Chian Association clubroom in Rosewater, Adelaide.
Parents and educators worked tirelessly to organise the event which was part of a series of activities presented by the Adelaide High Modern Greek Class students in commemoration of the 200th Anniversary from the beginning of the Greek Revolution.
The audience was entertained with a music performance by the School’s Greek Band, led by Mr Con Piliouras and a traditional Greek dance performance by the Dance Group, led by Nektaria Boundris and Irene Argyrou.
Representing the Greek Students of Adelaide High School was Vasileia Markou, who in both the English and Greek language, payed her respects to the heroes of the Greek War of Independence, thanked her family their support in learning about her culture, language and values and vowed to pass on the spirit of Hellenism to the next generation.
Ms Nektaria Boundris, President of the Greek Parents Association highlighted the importance of keeping the Greek language alive and expressed her gratitude for the support received by the community.
From their part, the School’s Greek language staff were pleased with the students’ involvement in the evening and stressed the value of community events that nurture Australia’s young Greeks.
The evening went on with the tunes of Adelaide Greek Band MUSIC 3000 and Polixeni who ensured the dance floor was busy all night.
As part of the Australian Heritage Festival 2021, Marrickville Library will present iconic photographs of the Greek community in Marrickville, taken by Emmanuel Angelicas and curated by Alan Davies.
The photographs have been taken over five decades by Angelicas, who was raised in Marrickville and is a long term resident. They chronicle the changing face of Marrickville and its citizens.
The stunning monochromatic images are just a taste of the photographer’s archive and show aspects of the Hellenic influence.
Person Who Would Rather Not Be in Marrickville, Emmanuel Angelicas, 1985.
By the middle of the twentieth century, Marrickville was a major centre for Greek immigrants, often referred to as ‘Little Athens.’ Over time, shops and businesses with a strong Greek identity became accepted as part of the wider Australian community and enriched the municipality.
Through these images, older residents will smile with recognition and younger ones can connect with Marrickville’s recent history.
The exhibition is called Marrickville Eikons and will run from May 1 – May 30.
Who is Emmanuel Angelicas?
Emmanuel Angelicas.
For fifty years, photographer Emmanuel Angelicas has roamed the streets of Marrickville, recording his neighbourhood in startling black and white images.
His archive of negatives and digital images is huge and this exhibition showcases just a few of his iconic images of the Greek diaspora and their influence on our suburb.
Marrickville’s complex identity owes much to the arrival of Hellenic migrants in the 1950s and 1960s and this is recognised today with the area’s affectionate title of Little Greece.
Emmanuel Angelicas photographs span the generations with poignant images of those early arrivals and their descendants.
Marrickville Eikons 9: Marrickville Eikons 9 by Emmanuel Angelicas.
As he grew up in Marrickville, he became serious about the medium. He bought better cameras and graduated from the University of NSW with a degree in Visual Communication and postgraduate diploma in Professional Art Studies with further visual arts qualifications from the University of Sydney.
The technology of photography has changed, but Emmanuel continues to record in black and white and is happy to use both film and digital cameras. His attitude to photography has never wavered either.
“Every time I shoot in Marrickville, either in my home or on the street – I am still this seven-year-old boy curious with his camera…”
The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney held its “Commemoration to Motherhood” luncheon at the Australian Golf Club on Tuesday May 18.
Among the 160 guests who attended the event were the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras; Trade Commissioner, Katia Gkikiza; First lady, Jenny Morrison and special guest speaker, Professor Katherine Georgouras -the first female professor of dermatology in Australia and professor of Medicine of Greek origin and the first female appointed to the Senate of Sydney University who is also a racing car driver.
Dr Georgouras, a proud Castellorizian, mesmerised the guests with her humility and dedication to her family and talked about her parents’ sacrifices during the difficult years after WWII that shaped her as a human and a professional. A pleasant surprise for the attendees, was when first lady Jenny Morrison, sang a song in Greek while Despina Lucas entertained the guests with a collection of old favourites.
Wearing a beaded Cretan headpiece to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, Hellenic Lyceum President Liana Vertzayias and Consul General Christos Karras, both highlighted in the tenderness, kindness and perseverance of a mother’s love in their speeche while Mrs Vertzayias also referred to the love of Mother Land (Μητέρα Πατρίδα) and the sacrifices the mothers and heroines of 1821 made for our generation to be free.
Present at this function were also committees and representatives from other community organisations such as the Castellorizians, Kytherians, AHEPANS, Athenians, St. George Rosebay Philoptohos, Suzanne Brisimis from the White Pearl Foundation and Lucy Miller from Dionysus Theatre.
Winner of the First prize donated by Mrs Betty Lee of Bower Haus was Christine Gazepis Stavropoulos.
About 400 people filled the Marana Hall in Hurstville on Wednesday night to commemorate Greek Pontian Genocide Remembrance Day.
The event, which was organised by Pontoxeniteas NSW, Panagia Soumela Sydney and Diogenes Wollongong, began with a heartwarming entry by Pontian youth dressed in traditional Greek costumes and carrying candles in remembrance of the 353,000 Pontian Greeks who lost their lives during the Greek Genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks.
Photo: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
Following closely behind the youth was His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who was the keynote speaker on the night, as well as other clergy from across Sydney.
In attendance was also a number of politicians and prominent members of the Greek community including, but not limited to, Christos Karras, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Peter Poulos MLC, representing the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Member for Rockdale, Steve Kamper MP, Frederick Nile MLC from the Christian Democratic Party, Vic Alhadeff, representing the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, the President of Pontoxeniteas NSW, Maria Anthony, the President of Panagia Soumela Sydney, Peter Papoulidis, and representatives from the Pontian Federation of Australia.
Photo: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
Official proceedings kicked off with the National Anthems of Australia and Greece, sung by the Australian Hellenic Choir, followed by a minute silence and a short prayer by Archbishop Makarios.
The Consul General then stood up and gave an address, stressing that the “struggle for recognition of the genocide continues.”
“It is our duty to know and honour our history. Not in order to attach blame, but to ensure that such heinous crimes are never repeated,” Mr Karras said.
Photo: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
This was followed by powerful speeches from Mr Poulos and Mr Nile. In his address, Mr Poulos read out a special message from the NSW Premier to mark and honour the day of remembrance of the Greek Pontian Genocide.
“I extend my support to members of the Greek community in New South Wales, commemorating the Pontian Genocide in which hundreds of thousands of men, women and children were killed and a civilisation devastated,” Mr Poulos read from Berejiklian’s message.
Throughout the rest of the night, there was also a number of talks on the importance of ‘Education and Truth’ and ‘Reflection’ when it comes to speaking and thinking about the genocide. These were given by descendants of survivors of the Pontian genocide such as Chrysanthi Diasinos and Kyle Klazidis.
Marios Anthony, Eleni Lambousis and Anastasia Papastefanou, who were all Pontian youths dressed in traditional costumes, then gave an insight into what recognition of the Greek Pontian genocide means for future generations.
Photo: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
This was followed by a short panel featuring representatives from the Joint Justice Initiative, including members of the Greek, Armenian and Assyrian communities.
But of course, the highlight of the night was the keynote speech by Archbishop Makarios, which focused on the Pontian culture, its destruction at the time of the genocide, as well as how the church is a “keeper of the faith” and a “provider of education.”
Photo: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
“Everyone who is responsible should be ashamed. The younger generations need to bring out the truth because one of the phases of genocide is to forget our history. We will not forget our history. We will not forget who we are. We will not forget where we come from. We are not afraid to say that we are Pontians,” Archbishop Makarios said passionately, drawing loud applause and cheers from the crowd.
The night concluded with a musical piece, Anastero ta Palia, performed by Ilia Theodoridis and Kosta Papoulidis, before everyone gathered for the traditional group photo, with many holding plaques given to them by the three Pontian Associations of NSW on the night.
A powerful event which was incredibly insightful for all who attended.
Today, May 20, is the 80th anniversary of the start of one of the most dramatic battles of the Second World War – the Battle of Crete.
To mark the occasion, a number of prominent individuals from the Greek community have sent special messages. This includes Tony Tsourdalakis, President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and NZ, Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
This is what they had to say.
Tony Tsourdalakis, Cretan Federation of Australia and NZ:
The anniversary of the Battle of Crete will be etched in our memory forever, unfortunately for the wrong reasons. This Golgotha we went through has affected our lives, it has changed the mentality of the people, it has brought ups and downs in their world economies, but nevertheless we will not let this pandemic derail us, our thoughts about the struggles of the Cretan people and not only during the Battle of Crete.
Given the self-sacrifice of our ancestors, and the struggle they gave in Crete in 1941 against the Germans, we will keep them as a torch of light and shining examples for us future generations that have a sacred obligation to continue to commemorate the great historical event we promote to our children, but above all to commemorate the dead.
Tony Tsourdalakis (left) with Archbishop Makarios (centre) at a commemoration for the Battle of Crete in Melbourne.
Archbishop Makarios, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia:
It is not by coincidence that we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete in the same year that we also commemorate the Bicentenary of the Hellenic Revolution. The heroes of 1941 were the genuine descendants of the heroes of 1821, thus, confirming that in all our veins flows the blood of martyrs, who died for our Faith and heroes, who fought for the liberty of our Nation.
For this reason, we pay tribute to their sacrifice and honour their integrity and valiant spirit. They were not afraid to give up their life because, through their faith, they overcame death. Their entire life was a journey in eternity. They already tasted the sweet fruits of eternal union with Christ and this was the secret that gave them the fortitude to bravely confront death and not flinch at the prospect of the temporary departure of the body. Those who fought in the Battle of Crete were genuine Hellenes, who not only learned to live but who also learned how to die. Death was not loss; it was victory and gain.
ANZACs, Greek and the British fought valiantly in the Battle of Crete.
My dear friends, the provocation for all of us who commemorate those who fought in the Battle of Crete is to make our life on earth a passage for eternal life in Christ. It is not how we die, that should concern us, but how to live in such a way that when we do die, we join the myriad of heroes and the choir of saints who share in the joy and blessedness of Christ’s eternal presence.
It is our sacred duty, to learn from our glorious history and to pass on to the future generations, the values of our Hellenic heritage together with the convictions of our deep and unshakeable Orthodox faith. Only in this way, can we claim to honour this commemoration and be genuine children of our stout-hearted ancestors. It is my prayer and hope that these thoughts will find a practical application in all our lives.
In closing, I call upon the President, the Committee and all the members of the Cretan Federation of Australia, the abundance of the Lord’s blessings and I remain. Archbishop MAKARIOS.
Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison:
In May 1941 Australian, New Zealand, British and Greek soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder with the Cretan people to defend their island from invasion.
Vastly outnumbered and facing an enemy buoyed by recent success, almost 800 Australians were killed or wounded, and over 3000 captured.
And although the island ultimately fell, we will never forget the heroic Cretan struggle to retain control of their homeland, nor the compassion of those who sheltered Allied soldiers following defeat.
Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, has sent a message commemorating the Battle of Crete.
Eighty years on, we commemorate these historic events, and honour the many civilians and soldiers who were wounded or killed in battle.
We also celebrate the enduring bonds between Australia and Greece forged from out of that terrible experience.
Today, the friendship between our communities remains strong, underpinned by our long-standing political and people-to-people links and shared history in war and peace.
I send my best wishes to everyone commemorating the Battle of Crete.
Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
The Battle of Crete was a major development in World War II as it weakened the invasion of the invaders, influencing the development of Axis military operations in the wider region and remains one of the most representative historical examples of the struggle for freedom and independence.
The people of Crete, despite the fact that they knew very well that the hopes for victory were few and that they were in the last free region of mainland Europe, took up arms spontaneously and with the limited means at their disposal selflessly defended their island.
*Messages as conveyed to the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand
Hundreds of people gathered in Athens’ Syntagma Square on Wednesday to mark Greek Pontian Genocide Remembrance Day and honour the over 350,000 Greeks who were massacred at the hands of the Ottomans in the early twentieth century.
People watched the changing of the guard in front of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, as two Evzones dressed in traditional Pontic costume honoured the memory of the genocide victims.
The Parliament building was also lit up on Wednesday night using an image symbolic of the Pontic Greeks to mark remembrance day.
Two Evzones dressed in traditional Pontic costume honoured the memory of the genocide victims.
Greek President& Mitsotakis:‘We honour their memory’
Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, said in a statement on Greek Pontian Remembrance Day that “we honour the memory of the hundreds of thousands of Pontian Greek victims who were exterminated in an inhuman and heinous way a century ago.”
“At the same time, we acknowledge the heroic lives of the Greeks of Pontus who were saved and contributed the most to the recovery and progress of the motherland, and to the economic development and the richness of our cultural identity.”
102 χρόνια μετά θυμόμαστε, αγωνιζόμαστε, συσπειρωνόμαστε. Ο Ποντιακός Ελληνισμός δεν ξεχνά, προχωρά. Η λύρα τους θα θρηνεί τον ξεριζωμό και το δοξάρι τους θα τραγουδά την ελπίδα. Και η ημέρα μνήμης θα μένει ζωντανή μέχρι να μετατραπεί σε Ημέρα Δικαίωσης. #γενοκτονία_Ποντίωνpic.twitter.com/Yi61FaWNG4
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) May 19, 2021
“Today is a vivid and enduring reminder to the entire international community of the great importance of morality, responsibility and forgiveness for the peaceful co-existence of peoples.”
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also tweeted about the important day, saying:
“102 years later we remember, we fight, we rally. Pontian Hellenism does not forget, it moves forward. Their lyre will mourn the uprooting and their musical bow will sing hope. And the day of remembrance of the Genocide will remain important until it turns into a Day of Justice.”
Mitsotakis also visited the Municipality of Kalamaria on Wednesday, where many Pontian Greeks fled to during the genocide and according to the Prime Minister, “they rebuilt it with a lot of effort.”
“We honour their memory by continuing the fight for historical justice,” he wrote.
