The Greek Australian Dialogue Series continued this week with Dr Artemis Papathanassiou, International Lawyer and Legal Advisor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece.
The meeting was an opportunity for members of the Greek Australian community to share their concerns regarding the current Greek-Turkish relations, along with issues related to the Protection of Cultural Property.
More specifically, Elly Symons, Vice President of the Australian Parthenon Committee, raised questions about Greece’s efforts in reunifying the Parthenon sculptures with its home country.
“The issue within the United Nations, UNESCO and several other fora is that you have to contact States which are like-minded, which also suffer as Greece,” Dr Papathanassiou said.
“Because then on the other side, in the context of these organizations, we unfortunately have the lobby of the states with big museums, such as France and the UK, Russia, and the United States of America, who are trying to undermine old arguments by the grace of like-minded States.”
The Parthenon Marbles have long been the subject of dispute over their home in the London museum. They have been on permanent public display there since 1817, when they were stripped off the Parthenon by Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, and transported to the UK.
Elly Symons also asked if there was any greater urgency initiated by other countries to “put pressure” on the UK but according to Dr Papathanassiou the majority of the communication is being relayed through international organizations.
“We have approached several countries, especially African and some European countries,” said Dr Papathanassiou.
“Yet what we are doing so far is to approach states in the context of international organizations independently.”
“We are focusing on bringing attention and awareness in the media and helping the Greek government to raise the issue at all possible levels.”
Steve Georganas, a vocal advocator for Greek-related issues in Australian parliament, asked the Foreign Affairs Legal Adviser about the effectiveness of parliamentary motions put forward in the Australian parliament.
More specifically, the Federal MP asked if these motions are brought to the attention of UNESCO and the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry or simply “disappear into the aether”.
“If you adopt a parliamentary motion in Australia, this would be a very strong voice. And this adds to our fight for the return of the Parthenon sculptures,” Dr Papathanassiou explained.
“This voice could also be used, this motion, within the United Nations, within UNESCO, and all the relevant flora.”
“Now that the celebrations of 2021 are coming and the battle of this issue will also be raised, it will be very helpful for us to have parliamentary motions from foreign parliaments, which will, assist us in raising the matter.”
The Greek Australian Dialogue Series was hosted by Paul Nicolaou, from the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras.
Georgina Eve Tsakos, faced with 33 charges mostly relating to alleged drug supply, was refused bail in Goulburn Local Court on Friday.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Tsakos was part of a six-month probe by police into alleged Goulburn drug dealers. A police summary of the evidence against Tsakos ran to more than 70 pages, and Magistrate David Williams said the police summary of their case “depicted what could be described as a substantial criminal enterprise”.
Yet to enter pleas, Tsakos’s lawyer, Rodney Boyd, said: “At least with respect of some of the offences, there would seem to be a strong prosecution case.”
Georgina Eve Tsakos was once a well respected figure around Goulburn, a court has heard. Picture: NSW Police
“There’s enough material there to say that she’s looking at jail time.”
Tsakos’ lawyer says she succumbed to a gripping ice addiction about five years ago, arguing that she should be given a chance to get clean at a live-in rehab centre in Sydney.
Police opposed bail, saying Tsakos’s underworld associates might help her skip bail, that she might reoffend while out on bail and that she posed a danger to the community.
Tsakos appeared visibly agitated throughout the brief hearing, which she attended by video link from prison.
Mr Williams refused her bail, but said she might have a better chance if she can find a rehabilitation facility with a bed immediately available.
Modern Greek Studies at La Trobe University is at risk of being discontinued after staff were told the course will no longer be financially viable to teach.
La Trobe University is currently the only university in Victoria that offers a comprehensive program in Modern Greek Studies from complete Beginners to PhD. According to ‘Greek Studies at La Trobe University’ social media, Modern Greek gives La Trobe a “uniqueness” that adds “value to the institution as a whole, as the sole tertiary provider of Greek in Victoria”.
“We believe that the Greek language is important and unique to not only the Greek diaspora, but the La Trobe community,” the Facebook post reads.
Students at the University have organised a petition to help save the Modern Greek Studies course from being discontinued.
“It would be a shame if La Trobe decided to disregard the wealth of knowledge that the Greek program has to offer,” petition organiser Meg Smith says.
“We, the students, are genuinely concerned that in the globalised world that we live in, La Trobe University is taking steps to diminish the role that language has to play in its students’ past, present and future.”
“In the diaspora our language is under threat, and we, the students of the Modern Greek Program, urge you to sign this petition in solidarity to save the Greek language at La Trobe University.”
Students studying at La Trobe University, Melbourne.
Among Modern Greek Studies are around “a dozen” disciplines in the arts and education that are proposed to be cut. According to The Age, the proposal comes as the university confronts a revenue downturn in the hundreds of millions of dollars due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing it to shed hundreds of positions.
La Trobe University said in a statement that the schools of humanities and education had reviewed their course and subject portfolios and found a number that were financially unsustainable.
“For both schools, these are proposals only and potential impacts will depend on the outcomes of the consultation,” it said.
“Any impacted courses and subjects will be taught out for existing students or suitable alternatives offered.”
Note: These claims are directed towards De Costi’s seafood processing facility, not at the Sydney Fish Markets.
The Australian Workers’ Union is taking seafood giant De Costi to the Federal Circuit Court, accusing the company of failing to pay proper rates to staff working early morning hours at its seafood processing facility in Western Sydney.
According to The Daily Telegraph, De Costi seafood has “categorically” denied the claims.
The union believes about 50 current workers — and hundreds of former employees — on the early shift with start times from 1am-5am have been underpaid several million dollars over the past six years.
According to the union, the staff were being denied overtime rates as they were entitled to under the Seafood Processing Award.
AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said the majority of workers were of Vietnamese, Nepalese and Pacific Islander background, many of whom had limited spoken English skills and were on temporary visas.
“We believe management has deliberately exploited a vulnerable workforce too afraid to speak up because of their precarious visa situations,” he said.
“This is a blatant case of wage theft and it’s deplorable. But instead of doing the right thing and owning up, Tassal are digging their heels in and doing everything they can to deny these workers their rightful wage.
“These are people that are working through the night to deliver food to tables across Australia and deserve far better.
“We are simply asking Tassal to pay these workers a fair wage to reflect the work they carry out when most of Australia is fast asleep.”
A Tassal spokesman confirmed it was engaged in a mediation process between De Costi Seafoods and the union in relation to the allegations.
However the company denied the claims that had been raised.
“De Costi Seafoods has at all times acted transparently and in good faith with its staff and we deny any allegations to the contrary,” the spokesman said.
“We are proud to hire staff from a broad range of backgrounds and we ensure they are supported, including providing extensive translation services to make sure nobody is left behind.”
“We strongly reject any claim that we treat our staff with anything but the utmost of respect.”
The spokesman said the company would continue to participate in the mediation “in good faith” but acknowledged the matter would progress to the Federal Court “in the event this is unsuccessful”.
Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis, in conjunction with director of the European Commission, Beate Gminder, have finalised their agreement for the construction of new closed structures on the eastern Aegean islands of Samos, Kos and Leros.
In three of them, the capacity will be at least 5,000, while in Kos it will be 2,000 and in Leros it will be 1,000. Mr Stefanis had originally planned to transfer 20,000 refugees from the Aegean islands by the end of 2020.
The proposal was announced by Deputy Defence Minister Alcibiades Stefanis exactly one year ago, with calls for stricter border guarding with the establishment of a single body.
The Government also predicted, prior to the burning down of Moria and Samos camps, that the deterioration of weather conditions will reduce flows of protectionists and families being moved to inland (hotels).
Drawing plan of a new refugee structure.
“In the short term we are restoring control and security to the crisis-affected areas, while in the medium term we are implementing a number of actions aimed at not only restoring regularity to all aspects of Greek people’s lives, but creating the conditions for them to be shielded” said Mr. Stephanis.
The funding for these projects will be fully covered by the European Commission.
Greece’s prime minister says the government will provide the coronavirus vaccine, when it becomes available, to all Greeks free of charge.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the comments while chairing a ministerial meeting about the government’s vaccination strategy for COVID-19. Greece has seen a resurgence of the virus’s spread that is putting pressure on the country’s health system.
“I insist on the free access of all Greeks to the vaccine, because this government has treated the vaccine as a public good from the start,” Mitsotakis said. “That is why it will be provided free of charge to all, with no exceptions.”
The streets of Athens have become a ghost town at night as Greece enters a three week lockdown and a nationwide curfew is imposed. Photo: The Greek Herald/Panagiotis Dalatariof
Mitsotakis said Greece expected to receive more than 25 million doses of the vaccine.
“We have an obligation to do so. At the same time, [a free vaccine] would underscore our commitment to the protection of public health,” he said.
On Thursday, Greece announced a record number of new daily coronavirus deaths and infections, with more than 3,300 new confirmed infections and 50 deaths in this country of 11 million people. Greece currently has more than 66,600 confirmed cases and 959 deaths.
Mary Couros announced via social media on Friday that she is to be appointed the next Deputy Lord Mayor of Adelaide, succeeding Alexander Hyde.
As of December 1, Mary Couros will join Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor in working to make Adelaide a more “sustainable city” that is recognised “worldwide”.
“This is a very exciting opportunity and I am humbled that all councillors voted to elect me as Deputy Lord Mayor for 2021. It is an honour to serve as Deputy Lord Mayor to the most diverse council in the City of Adelaide’s history,” Ms Couros said to Glam Adelaide.
“In 2020 we had the youngest Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Hyde and I am looking forward to working with Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor through our recovery of the pandemic.”
The incoming Deputy Lord Mayor also expressed her pleasure in having two women leading the chamber for the first time since 1999.
“As a child of immigrants that grew up in the city supporting my parents business this sends a clear message to everyone out there that not matter of your gender, age or your upbringing if you have a passion and are prepared to work hard anything is possible,” Ms Couros added.
The North Ward Councillor was elected to the City of Adelaide in 2018. Prior to becoming a Councillor, Ms Couros held over 25 years of experience in the Real Estate industry.
City of Adelaide Councillor Arman Abrahimzadeh congratulated Ms Couros on her appointment, stating, “female leadership continues to thrive at the City of Adelaide.”
“As Deputy Lord Mayor I want to support the City of Adelaide together with the Lord Mayor through this crisis so we can build a foundation for bigger and better growth for our capital city,” Ms Couros concludes.
It’s been more than 43 years since a small group of Greek visionaries decided to establish a not-for-profit organisation to care and advocate for Greek Australian elders. Contrary to mainstream aged care providers, the pioneers of Fronditha Care identified the need and demand for culturally appropriate aged care services, services that cater to the cultural, linguistic, spiritual and emotional requirements of the Greek migrant community. It’s more than a physical care plan.
Fast forward to 2020, Fronditha Care assists over 1000 elderly people across two states through its five residential care homes and community services. Executive General Manager of Residential Care, Jim Scantsonihas is a pillar of the organisation. He has worked there for 25 years. He is one of the few that has closely watched the development and transformation of the organisation and its ascent within the aged care sector. We invited him to speak to about the trailblazing organisation and its next steps regarding residential aged care.
1. Can you please give us a brief history of Fronditha Care’s residential services?
Fronditha Care was established in 1977 to advocate for the care of the elderly of the Greek community of Melbourne. Fronditha Care now offers residential care services across four sites that cover the northern (Thornbury), eastern (Lower Templestowe), southern (Clayton South) and western (St. Albans) Metropolitan regions of Melbourne. In 2011 we expanded to NSW, building a 66 bed facility in Newcastle, Mayfield, in partnership with the Hippocrates Australian Greek Aged Persons Association (AGAPA). We currently have a 456-bed capacity, and with the completion of our new THALPORI facility in St Albans in 2021, our bed capacity will increase to 488.
2. What is Fronditha Care’s model of care and how is it different to other aged care providers in Australia?
Fronditha Care pioneered the culturally appropriate model of care. Beyond a physical care plan, the cultural, spiritual and emotional needs of our elders are just as important to their wellbeing. It fosters a strong sense of belonging, connection and engagement. So our environment, food, activities and initiatives have this model as their epicentre. I have to emphasise that not only do we hire appropriately qualified staff, we also recruit staff who have the language competency and cultural aptitude to care for seniors with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
3. You consider the facility in Newcastle to be “a multicultural village”. Can you explain why?
Our model of care can cater to a variety of cultures. Our residential home in Newcastle cares for people from a multitude of cultural backgrounds and celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. In Melbourne, our homes provide the same model but to predominantly elders from a Greek background.
4. Next year we are expecting the completion of the new 92-bed St Albans care home . What facilities will it provide?
Our St Albans care home will be palatial and appropriate for the needs of our elders in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. This bespoke contemporary residence will be spacious, comfortable, furnished to luxury standards, equipped with all modern conveniences , cinema, café, library, private dining with accessible outdoor areas and landscaped gardens. It will cater to both singles and couples accommodation, all with own ensuite.
The specialised 30-bed Memory Support Unit will care for people who live with dementia.
5. COVID-19 has deen a significant challenge to the aged care sector, especially in Victoria. What were the precautionary measures you took and how did you manage and suppress the July outbreak in Fronditha Care’s 60-bed care home in St Albans?
As a not-for-profit, the people we care for is our primary concern. We have directed a significant amount of resources into protecting our people.
We established a thorough outbreak management plann, ensuring staff is well trained on all its protocols, procedures and measures. We were proactive in educating the residents and their families to ensure they followed essential infection control and hygiene procedures. We also discouraged visitation from those whose were unwell or were a COVID-19 risk.
Communication was crucial so digital communications tools and platforms have been embraced. All information provided to consumers and their families was open and transparent, and bilingual (Greek and English) so our stakeholders could clearly understand what was happening at each stage.
Finally, we cooperated and still do very closely with the DHHS, PHU & Victorian Aged Care Response Centre, industry peak bodies and all levels of government, following all their directives and recommendations, drew from a surge workforce, kept in regular and close contact with resident families and representatives.
6. Why are residential aged care homes necessary for the community?
Aged care is an essential service because a lot of people that age, require support from their family and community and in many instances from professionals. Some people can remain independent; others need help at home, while others require the more specialised care that only a residential aged care home can provide. With an ageing population, Australia’s demand for aged care services continues to grow and as life expectancy increases, so does the need for residential aged care.
7. A lot of people argue that to enter a residential aged care home you must sell your house. Is this true?
The short answer is no, but let me clarify. Before someone enters residential aged care, they must undergo a Centrelink income and assets assessment to determine what fees and charges they must pay. If they choose not to have this assessment completed, they will be charged at the highest rate at any aged care home in Australia.
If the consumer is deemed to have no assets they will be supported by the government who will subsidise the cost of their care only requiring them to contribute @ 85% of their pension.
If a consumer has assets above the Government set threshold, they will be required to contribute to the cost of their care. That does not mean that they must sell their home; there are other options available on how the fees and charges can be paid. It is important to note that the family home is not assessed as an asset if the partner or a dependant of the consumer is still living in the home.
*For more information about Fronditha Care and its services, visit frondithacare.org.au or call (03) 9552 4100
Australians will be able to travel between all states and territories except Western Australia by Christmas, under a new agreement struck between the nation’s leaders.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said National Cabinet had also agreed to public health measures to ensure states and territories remain open in 2021.
Western Australia is easing some border restrictions, but travellers from NSW and Victoria must continue to quarantine upon arrival.
WA will be the only state with border restrictions by Christmas, Scott Morrison says. (Photo: Rachel Walker/ABC News)
“It also is a plan that importantly embeds public health metrics in ensuring that when Australia opens safely it remains open safely,” Mr Morrison said.
“That’s incredibly important.”
The Prime Minister said states that were reopening could learn lessons from NSW, which he dubbed as “battle hardened” from recent months.
Mr Morrison said Australians also needed to accept that checking into venues, maintaining social distancing and adhering to COVID–safe measures were new normal parts of life.
Lifting restrictions around the country is top the agenda at the national cabinet meeting.
“The task is to reopen safely and then to stay safely open,” he said.
“By staying safely open you’re giving confidence to businesses, to people in jobs, to people who are making decisions about their future and what they’re going to do.
“Stop-start, stop-start, does not provide that.”
The National Cabinet agreement was announced ahead of South Australia confirming it would reopen its border to Victoria on December 1.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also announced a major overhaul of COVID-19 restrictions in her state.
Queenslanders will be allowed to gather in greater numbers, but there is no easing of its hot spot declarations, which dictate who can travel into the state freely.
Labor says the Government must urgently address cyber security and access issues after it re-announced funding to digitise services in the upcoming budget.
The Government confirmed it will spend $700 million in this budget to expand digital capabilities across agencies and departments. However, the Shadow Minister for Better Public Services Sophie Cotsis said more pressing issues need to be addressed.
“Digitisation is important for access but the Government needs to fix the terrible mobile services and telecommunications issues that are common in regional and rural NSW,” Ms Cotsis said.
“In some lower socio-economic suburbs only 30% of people have access to technology or Wi-Fi and rely on a McDonald’s or Westfield shopping centre for connectivity.
“And in bushfire-ravaged communities, the Government still has a lot of work to do.”
Sophie Cotsis. Photo: The Greek Herald
A 2018 report from the Auditor-General repeatedly warned that Government agencies were grossly ill-prepared for cyber attacks and recommended urgent cyber security measures should be implemented.
In a 2020 report on local government, the Auditor-General found:
80% of councils do not have formal cyber security policy / framework;
46% of councils have not included the threat of cyber attacks in their risk register.
“There are a number of issues that need to be addressed and re-announcing funds isn’t going to get them sorted,” Ms Cotsis added.
The move to further digitise state systems comes just months after cyber criminals stole 3.8 million documents, including health records, legal information and finances from Service NSW.
Photo: Defence Connect
Ms Cotsis was among the 186,000 people whose personal information was stolen.
“The Government is talking about learning the lessons from COVID-19. I hope they’ve learnt their lesson from the recent Service NSW data breach,” she said.
“It is critical to ensure sensitive information is safeguarded at every step of this rollout. This is the Government’s responsibility and it must be taken seriously.
“The Government said the attack occurred because Service NSW did not use multi-factor authentication for staff log-ins, which means the NSW Government has not been following guidance from the Australian Cyber Security Centre. This is among many issues that must be urgently addressed.”
At the recent cybersecurity inquiry, witnesses raised concerns about the Government’s lack of cybersecurity framework and preparedness. The inquiry is ongoing.
