The Culinary School in Broadway Plaza, Punchbowl is hosting a four week cooking course called ‘Little Greece’ from July 28, 2020, for children aged 5 -16.
Inspired by Southeast Europe, the course will teach children to cook some of Greece’s most popular dishes, including souvlaki, kourabiedes, spanakopita and loukoumades.
The Culinary School in Broadway Plaza, Punchbowl. Photo supplied.
“The course will be taught by Voula Bourdantonakis and she will be taking the children on a journey, teaching them about Greece’s memorable history and culture through cooking some of their most popular dishes,” Sales Executive at The Culinary School, Toula Mavrick, tells The Greek Herald.
According to Ms Mavrick, teaching the younger generation of children how to cook Greek cuisine through the ‘Little Greece’ course will also ensure the Greek heritage lives on.
The ‘Little Greece’ course will be a hit with children aged 5 – 16.
“What better way to connect with our families than to give them a greater understanding of how to cook, where these recipes originated from, spending time together through bonding over an appreciation of food and great quality meals,” Ms Mavrick adds.
Founded by Bashar Krayem and his love for hospitality, The Culinary School aims to “close the stigma on cultural diversity from a young age” by bringing different cultures in south west Sydney together.
The Culinary School aims to bring joy to children and adults alike through their passion for food.
“Like what the famous Pericles once said: ‘what you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others’,” Ms Mavrick says.
“And that is what we are hoping to achieve here at The Culinary School, bringing joy to children and adults alike through our passion for food.”
Course cost: $195 per child for the four week program. More detailsHERE.
Federal Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas has sent a letter to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne, requesting the Australian leaders to condemn the actions of the Turkish government in moving to convert the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque.
“We ask that the Australian Government urge President Erdogan to reverse his decision and restore Hagia Sophia as a museum for people of all faiths and all cultures,” Mr Georganas said in his letter to the Prime Minister.
“This decision is not only disrespectful towards Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, but to the many communities from around the world as it also constitutes a violation of the world cultural heritage memorial as Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO listed site.”
Photo: ABC News/Nick Haggarty
In response, a spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has released a statement.
“Hagia Sophia is a unique and historic symbol for Turkey and the surrounding region, which holds religious and cultural significance for many religious communities and other groups,” the spokesperson says in the statement.
“It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Australia would like to see Hagia Sophia remain open to all.”
The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne also previously requested for the Australian Prime Minister to denounce the decision, with GCM President Bill Papastergiadis emphasising the importance and symbolic role of Hagia Sophia.
“Hagia Sofia Is a significant cultural monument acknowledged by UNESCO to be of World significance. It plays a significant symbolic role in the life of many people around the world, including Australians of Greek background,” Mr Papastergiadis wrote to Scott Morrison.
“The decision last week by the Turkish authorities to reinstate it as a mosque has been condemned worldwide and we now call on the Australian Government to add to the outcry.”
The Australian Prime Minister has not yet responded to the global crisis currently underway in the Eastern European region.
Last week we congratulated the winners for the Battle of Thermopylae 2500 Year Anniversary Competition. Today, we present their incredible creative works for you to read and admire.
The competition was launched to commemorate the 2500 year anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. It required people to submit any piece of writing or artwork, which was then selected by the team at The Greek Herald.
We would like to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who submitted an entry for the competition. We were overwhelmed with responses, receiving works from schools and universities across the country.
The Greek Herald gave out a total of $1500 to our competition winners, with the winner of each category receiving $500.
Year 7-9 Winner: Vaios Tioulis
Vaios Tioulis was the winner of our Year 7-9 category, submitting an amazing piece of artwork depicting the 300 Spartans at the Thermopylae pass, being led by the brave King Leonidas.
Vaios is currently in Year 8, studying at St. John’s Greek Orthodox college in Preston, Victoria. His incredible artwork beat out submissions from across the country, taking home the $500 prize.
Year 10-12 Winner:Elaina Kazouris
17 Year-old Elaina Kazouris was the winner of our Year 10-12 category, presenting a piece of artwork of the legendary King Leonidas with the phrase “Molon Labe’ meaning “come and take”.
Elaina was presented a certificate award at the NSW Consulate by the Consul General in Sydney, Christos Karras, along with Greek Herald publishers Dimitra Skalkos and Elaine Kintis.
“Winning this competition is such a thrill for me – I’m so proud of myself for being able to show a piece of history with my art, and for having that art be shown to thousands of readers across Australia,” Elaina said.
With both of her grandfathers from Sparta, Elaina entered the competition to honour her family heritage.
“I’ve always felt inspired by the story of Leonidas and was very excited to have an opportunity to create meaningful work about the great battle,” Elaina added.
“Leonidas’ famous phrase ‘Molon Labe’ was the main inspiration for my artwork. I was moved by how powerful this short phrase was, and wanted to visually represent the strength of it.”
University Winner: Franco Veri
Franco Vieri took home the prize for the University category of the Battle of Thermopylae 2500 Year Anniversary Competition, submitting a touching piece of original poetry.
Titled ‘Molon Labe’, the poem tells the brave story of the 300 Spartans who saw their impending death, smiling down on their enemies saying ‘come and take’.
Franco entered the competition with an opportunity to write a piece about such an important part of Greek history.
“The Battle of Thermopylae is one of the most important events in Greek history and completely changed the world forever. Its impact can still be seen today, as it was one of the major events that led to a united Greece,” Franco said.
“I’m so excited that people will have an opportunity to read some of my work. I never thought I’d have this opportunity, especially when there were so many talented and amazing people who entered.”
Year 7-9 Runner-Up: Peter Winnel
The Year 7-9 Runner-Up for the Battle of Thermopylae competition was Peter Winnel, who submitted a detailed analysis of the Battle of Thermopylae and the influence that remains today.
An incredible and intricate analysis of the battle, Peter’s presentation is an accurate portrayal of the great sacrifice that was undertaken by the Spartan soldiers.
Peter is 12-years-old and currently attends St Spyridon College, Maroubra, as a Year 7 student.
Year 10-12 Runner-Up:Zack Stephens
16-year-old Zack Stephens was the Runner-Up for the Battle of Thermopylae 2500 Year Anniversary Competition, submitting a fascinating piece of poetry.
Currently studying Ancient History in Year 11 at St Michael’s College, Zach saw the competition as an opportunity to develop and further his skills on the Battle of Thermopylae.
“The Battle of Thermopylae is an example of persistence and how against all odds, victory is achievable,” Zack said.
“I am grateful and completely surprised to be selected as a finalist in my category in the whole of Australia”
18-year-old University student Jordan Mides was the runner-up for The Greek Herald’s Battle of Thermopylae competition, submitting an insightful poem on the brave actions of King Leonidas, who gave his own life to defend the pass into Greece.
“My piece was inspired both by the pride I have for the blood that flows through my veins and by my love of history. A love which I have pursued in my tertiary studies commencing this year,” Jordan says.
“The sacrifice of all of the men involved is truly incredible and the thought of what they endured drives me in times of adversity. In consequence of such, I wanted to share how I felt about the event with the wider community to attempt to scrape the surface of how inspirational this event was.”
The Hellenic Initiative Australia today announced that it will be funding the successful Boroume Farmers’
Market Program for a fourth year, enabling the dynamic food saving program to continue helping people in
need.
The Farmers Market Program supports more than 32 charities in Athens and Thessaloniki, providing fresh food for church and municipal soup kitchens, refugee shelters, hospices for people with disabilities and other welfare organisations.
At the Athens soup kitchen run by the Parish of St Sophia in Neo Psychiko, an average 150 people per day receive meals produced from the food collected from the local farmers market, as well as fresh produce for families to cook at home. (Read the story about Boroume’s collaboration with the St Sophia soup kitchen here.)
With the support of THI Australia over the past three years, Boroume has collected and donated more than 379,000 kg of fresh produce from weekly neighbourhood farmers markets in Athens and Thessaloniki – equating to more than 1.5 million food portions.
The Argyropoulos family from Melbourne with THI Australia Board Member Peter Abraam and the Boroume team at the Halandri farmers market. Photo: THI
“The Hellenic Initiative Australia is proud to have partnered with Boroume for the past four years to support
the expansion of the Farmers Market Program,” said THI Australia President, Nicholas Pappas AM,
announcing the $71,000 grant renewal for 2020-21.
“Despite the COVID-19 disruption of the past few months, the farmers markets have continued to generously donate food to help people in need,” Mr Pappas said.
“We remain deeply concerned about the impact of this pandemic on the most vulnerable in Greek society
and are pleased to be assisting charities to support people with their basic nutritional needs through the
Farmers Market Program.”
Boroume operates at 21 markets in Athens and six in Thessaloniki, with more markets expected to come on board over the next 12 months.
Photo: THI
“We should not underestimate the broader social, environmental and economic impact of the Farmers’
Market Program and Boroume’s many other food saving initiatives,” Mr Pappas said.
“As well as providing tonnes of fresh food to the needy every year, the Farmers’ Market Program connects
and inspires communities to support each other. The farmers help local charities and welfare organisations
to support the most vulnerable, the program attracts local and international volunteers and everyone plays
a role in reducing food waste.”
With the grant announced today, THI Australia has committed a total of $249,000 to support the operation
of the Farmers’ Market Program since 2017.
Boroume founding member, Alexander Theodoridis, welcomed the continued support from THI Australia for the Farmers’ Market Program.
With the economic impact of COVID-19 taking its toll on families, Mr Theodoridis said charities were
expected to continue facing challenges over the coming months, as many were supporting the most
vulnerable.
“There has already been an upward trend in the number of people approaching welfare organisations for
help but we expect this to increase significantly from September, given the expected fallout from the
substantial decrease in tourism this summer,” Mr Theodoridis said.
‘The situation hasn’t improved just because we have ended the general lockdown. We are trying to find
ways in the current operating environment to be able to continue to support them because the need is
great.”
Since it was founded in 2012, Boroume has saved and donated more than 36 million portions of food through
a range of innovative food saving programs.
The Cyprus Community Club has provided Greeks and Cypriots
in NSW a place to call home. A staple institution in the early days of
Greek-Australian history, it has withheld its role in providing a service to
the community.
Now, the Cyprus
Community Club calls on the Greek community for support. The club is at a
tipping point, ready to transform into a Greek-Cypriot centre. A place for all
generations to engage in something we can all be proud of.
To help take the club into this new direction and develop it into a multi-revenue generating operation, the Cyprus Community Club has been supported financially by Cyprus Capital Ltd, raising the funds needed from the members to refinance the debt currently being faced.
“Cyprus Capital
Ltd has opened the way for all members to save their Community, to have a
direct financial stake in their Community,” Cyprus Capital LtdChairman
Sergio Argyrou says in a letter to members.
“Members were given the first opportunity to take up the Cyprus Capital Ltd. share offer just as COVID overtook our world.”
The investment
opportunity allows community members earn 3 percent per annum return
plus a 30 percent uplift when the loan is repaid by the community. The loan is
secured by a mortgage to be held over the Community houses.
“It is saying a firm YES to a secure future for the Community, to preserve and foster our culture, our heritage, our language as a part of the Australian multicultural community for a long time to come,” Mr Argyrou adds.
The company were
happy to announce that although COVID-19 affected investment, many members have
already taken up the share offer and made their support for the Cyprus
Community a clear priority.
“Cyprus Capital
Ltd has opened the way for all members to save their Community, to have a
direct financial stake in their Community.”
With the future of the Cyrus Community Club in the hands of this generation of Community members,
Cyprus Capital Ltd believe that all Cypriots are first and foremost entitled to
have a stake in their Community.
“I take this opportunity to remind all members that by taking up the share offer and supporting Cyprus Capital Ltd, you will make help make possible the Community to realise its cultural and economic ambitions,” Mr Argyrou said.
Cyprus Community Club treasurer Andrew Antoniou wishes for
the club to “central location for all people of Cypriot and Greek heritage.”
“It is the vision of the current board to finalise the
re-zoning, maximise the value of our land and reach the full potential of our
current location where our community events, traditions and history have always
been.”
“I ask for unity of our community, as even the weak become strong when they are united.”
Mr Argyrou assured
members that The Cyprus Capital Ltd share offer has not lost its” value or its
logic”, encouraging members to help make the Community realise its cultural and
economic ambitions.
The Cyprus
Capital Ltd Board has extended the first share offer to members of the Cyprus
Community of NSW Ltd, until the end of July 2020. This will be the final
opportunity for members to secure shares ahead of non-members wishing to buy
shares.
Find out more information on how you can extend your hand and help the Cyprus Community Club here: https://cypruscapital.com.au/
The Greek Community of Melbourne recently welcomed the appointment of a teacher that will allow the Greek language program at Coburg West Primary School to recommence in term three.
The Greek Community of Melbourne, in conjunction with a large group of school parents, has campaigned strongly over the past two years to ensure the return of the Greek program.
The announcement was made to the School community by the principal Mr Mark Cologrande, informing them that Stephanie Menikou, a highly qualified teacher, was the successful candidate.
“We are pleased that once again, all students at Coburg West Primary School will be given the opportunity to be taught the Greek language and learn about culture as part of their daily curriculum,” Theo Markos, Education convenor of the Greek Community, said.
“It is extremely satisfying that all the hard work that has been put in by the community, and especially the parents, to reinstate the program has paid off.”
Markos said that the recommencing of the program is “only the beginning”, as the Greek Community of Melbourne will continue to work with the school community to ensure the Greek language program “becomes one of excellence and high standard”.
“I also wish to thank Ministers Merlino and Mikakos as well as Mr.Jim Alsop from the Department of Education and Training for their strong support of Greek in the public School system.”
It is the Greek Community’s intent to create a network of all stakeholders, including the Modern Greek teachers Association and the Greek Education Consul to ensure that this collaboration will continue.
All
efforts will be made to extend this working relationship beyond Coburg West, so
as to include all public schools that offer Greek as a language subject both at
primary and secondary level.
Emergency grant funding has been set up by the NSW Government to support vulnerable temporary visa holders and specialist migrant and settlement services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acting Minister for Multiculturalism Geoff Lee yesterday announced $4 million in support funding is now available for those in need.
“Vulnerable temporary visa holders are increasingly at risk of hardship since the onset of the pandemic,” Mr Lee said.
“We know that specialist migrant and settlement organisations have had to really step up in extremely challenging times to support some of the most vulnerable in our society with their most basic necessities.
“This has also taken place at a time where there has been an overall decline of volunteers and resources supporting these organisations due to the pandemic.”
The increased funding comes on top of the $2 million of grants already distributed to provide immediate emergency relief to asylum seekers.
“The funding will provide a much-needed helping hand to provide emergency relief including food, medical support, telecommunications, transport and essential housing.”
Grant funding will also be available to support culturally appropriate case and support workers, transportation and outreach services to connect with isolated community members and interpreting and translation services.
27-year-old Vassilis Maggos was found dead in his home by his mother on Monday afternoon, exactly one month after he was severely beaten by police in his hometown during a demonstration.
Maggos was beaten by police during a demonstration on June 13, 2020, protesting against the burning of garbage by a local company that was allegedly polluting the atmosphere.
Maggos was beaten on the street at Eleftherias Square in front of bystanders. According to his father, he was also beaten at the police station where he was taken. He was released without any charges and without the police to take him the hospital.
Maggos was later hospitalised with seven broken ribs and vital organ injuries, including with his liver and gall bladder.
The news of Maggos’ death sparked outrage on social media, with hundreds of Greeks condemning the police’s actions and claiming the young man had “succumbed to his injuries after the savage beating by the Greek police.”
Following the outcry, the leadership of the Greek Police ordered the presence of a public prosecutor during the autopsy.
Another dead by the hands of #cops is added to the neverending list of those murdered by the state guards .. #antireport#Βασιλης_Μαγγος succumbs to his injuries after savage beating at th hands of the Greek police during a demo on the city of #Volos–#Greece one month ago .. pic.twitter.com/Xtc51ELeIC
“Respecting the memory of the dead man and the grief of his family, we will not expand on the subject until the investigations are completed,” the Greek Police said in a statement.
The Ministry of Citizen Protection was prompt to claim that the incident was “fake news” initiated by websites affiliated to SYRIZA and the anti-authoritarian scene.
Turkey’s foreign minister on Tuesday chided the European Union over its condemnation of a Turkish decision to convert Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque, saying the matter is an issue of national sovereignty.
Last week, Turkey canceled the sixth-century former cathedral-turned-mosque’s 86-year status as a museum and said it would open for Muslim worship as of July 24.
The decision sparked criticism in the United States, Greece, and other Western countries as well as from Orthodox Christian leaders. Pope Francis expressed sadness over the move.
EU foreign ministers, holding their first face-to-face meeting in months on Monday, declared that they “condemned” the decision. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said there was “broad support to call on the Turkish authorities to urgently consider and reverse this decision.”
Asked to comment on the EU criticism, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint news conference with his visiting Maltese counterpart: “We reject the word ‘condemnation.’”
“This is a matter that concerns Turkey’s sovereign rights,” he said.
He argued that there were several mosques in EU-member Spain that had been converted into churches.
Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, left, and other officials visit the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s main tourist attractions in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, Saturday, July 11, 2020. (Culture and Tourism Ministry via AP, Pool)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, meanwhile, described the 1934 decision by the Turkish Republic’s secular, founding leaders that converted Hagia Sofia from a mosque into a museum as a mistake.
“We are rectifying a mistake. It’s as simple as that,” Erdogan said in a televised address, following a weekly Cabinet meeting.
Erdogan maintained that the criticisms leveled against Turkey over Hagia Sophia’s return to a mosque were a “pretext” for enmity toward Turkey and Islam. He also said his country was determined to preserve the structure’s qualities as a cultural heritage.
On Tuesday, Greece again expressed dismay at Turkey’s decision.
Η έκθεση της «Επιτροπής Πισσαρίδη» για το σχέδιο ανάπτυξης της ελληνικής οικονομίας θέτει ως κεντρικούς στόχους την ενίσχυση της παραγωγικότητας, τη συστηματική αύξηση των εξαγωγών, τη στενότερη διασύνδεση της παραγωγής με τεχνολογία και καινοτομία, την ενίσχυση της εργασίας. pic.twitter.com/yc9B72j3GL
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) July 14, 2020
“This decision is certainly painful to us as Greek Orthodox Christians but it also hurts us as citizens of the world,” said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “This is not a Greek-Turkish issue, it is not even a Euro-Turkish issue, it is global. It is a universal issue.”
Mitsotakis added: “With this setback, Turkey is choosing to sever ties with the Western world and its values. It abandons a cultural direction of many centuries, preferring introversion. And it wraps with an artificial mantle of strength over its weakness.”
Meanwhile, officials from Turkey’s religious affairs authority, said the landmark structure can remain open to visitors outside of prayer hours, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
The Christian depictions inside are no obstacle to Muslim prayers, said the officials who are preparing the site for Muslim worship. They added however, that the figures would need to be covered with curtains or through other means during the prayers, in line with Islamic traditions that prohibit such representations.
The Greek Prime Minister has had enough of Turkey’s “unnecessary and petty” decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia into a mosque, demanding a more “comprehensive European response.”
In a a joint press conference with visiting Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about the Turkish President’s “unprecedented decision” to change the status of Hagia Sophia, which redescribed as “regressive.”
“Hagia Sophia has become a world heritage monument and that does not change,” adding that “history teaches us that the world’s heritage can not become a tug-of-war between states.”
Η πρωτοφανής απόφαση σχετικά με τον χαρακτήρα της Αγίας Σοφίας μας πληγώνει ως Έλληνες Χριστιανούς Ορθόδοξους, μας πληγώνει όμως και ως πολίτες του κόσμου. Το θέμα αυτό δεν είναι θέμα ελληνοτουρκικό, δεν είναι καν θέμα ευρωτουρκικό, είναι παγκόσμιο. Είναι πανανθρώπινο ζήτημα. pic.twitter.com/MuLuRjw7FR
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) July 14, 2020
“The unprecedented decision regarding the character of Hagia Sophia hurts us as Greek Orthodox Christians, but it also hurts us as citizens of the world. This issue is not a Greek-Turkish issue, it is not even a Euro-Turkish issue, it is global. It is a universal issue.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s move to switch the status of Hagia Sophia to a mosque has been met with a strong response from Greeks, who revere the sixth century building as a focal point of their Orthodox Christian faith.
Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said Greece and Cyprus sought dialogue, peace, and stability and did not engage in provocative actions unlike Turkey.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades. Photo: Kyriakos Mitsotakis Twitter
“[Turkey’s] dispute of our sovereign rights and international law means it is time for more dynamic reactions,” the Greek PM said on Tuesday.
“United and determined, Europe must now draw up a specific list of action and sanctions against a country that asserts the role of the regional trouble-maker and is developing into threat for regional stability.”
The Greek PM also commented on Ankara’s activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, re-addressing Turkey’s violation of international law by drilling in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, disregarding the fact that it is a candidate country for EU membership.
