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Greek Australian women’s radiothon for kids cancer: Here’s how you can help

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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Greek Australian women’s radiothon for kids cancer: Here’s how you can help

In any one year, more than 950 Australian parents will hear the words “your child has cancer” according to latest data from the Children’s Cancer Institute. 

But although sixty years ago a cancer diagnosis was nearly always a death sentence for a child, now eight out of 10 children survive, thanks to the advancements in medical research funded by individuals and communities across Australia.

 The New South Wales branch of the Organisation of Hellene and Hellene Cypriot of Australia (OEEGA NSW), a not for profit organisation consisting of Greek and Cypriot Australian women and mothers that has been operating for more than 30 years and is dedicated to support medical researchers in eliminating childhood cancer. 

“At OEEGA we passionately support the work of the scientists at the Children’s Cancer Institute researching for the cure of all childhood cancers. We have been fundraising for them since 2007 and hold an annual event in November. We also hold a fundraising luncheon in July. We believe that no parent should go through the heartbreak of losing a child to cancer,” the organisation’s Secretary, Sylvia Tserdanis, told The Greek Herald. 

“This year, because of COVID19, we had to cancel our events which saddened us not being able to support such an important cause. Our President Mrs Irene Anestis came up with the idea of the Radio Marathon so we can fundraise safely,” Ms Tserdanis said.

The women’s organisation has been supporting the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) for the last 13 years and have so far donated over $350,000 used from the institute to purchase vital equipment for specialised scientific research.

“Targeted therapy which only attacks the cancer cells costs about $10,000 for each child. We hope to save as many children as possible. Every dollar counts and is gratefully received. There’s a special account opened at Delphi Bank and people can deposit their donation at any Delphi branch or electronically. 

“On the day of the Radio Marathon at Radio 2MM there will be interviews and messages from Professor Maria Kavallaris, Dr. Maria Tsoli, politicians and Greek Community organisations’ leaders showing their support to OEEGA’s fundraising initiative,” said Ms Tserdanis encouraging Australia’s Greek community to tune in and save lives!

*The radiothon will be broadcast on Radio 2MM, on Wednesday November 11, from 10am to 3pm. To donate to the Radiothon Appeal or for more information visit https://donate.ccia.org.au/campaign/161/oeega-radio-fundraiser-

Nick Dimos finally arrives in Russia for life-saving Multiple Sclerosis treatment

Andriana Simos
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Nick Dimos finally arrives in Russia for life-saving Multiple Sclerosis treatment

Melbourne father of three, Nick Dimos, has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He was meant to travel to Russia back in June 2020 for life-saving treatment, but the coronavirus pandemic threw a spanner in the works.

His treatment plans were put on hold until yesterday, when Nick announced on his Facebook page that he had finally arrived in Russia and was getting ready to receive a stem cell transplant known as HSCT, which isn’t widely available around the world.

READ MORE: Nick Dimos’ fight to get life-changing treatment for Multiple Sclerosis.

  • Nick was granted a travel exemption by the Australian Government.
  • Nick has left his family behind for six weeks.

But the journey to get to Russia wasn’t easy. His wife, Nektaria Dimos, tells The Greek Herald that in October, Nick had suffered a severe MS attack and spent four days in hospital where they found he had developed 5 new active lesions.

“He lost feeling in his upper left torso and couldn’t open the door or cut his food or carry the kids,” Nektaria tells The Greek Herald.

“It was devastating and for me, having to cut my husband’s food was when reality hit.”

This was the moment reality hit Nick as well. He decided to try whatever avenue he could to get on the first flight to Russia, regardless of the pandemic going on around him.

Nick received a travel exemption from the Australian Government within 24 hours. The attempt to get a visa into Russia was more difficult due to logistical issues but in the end, he succeeded.

The final challenge was booking a flight to Moscow.

“Nick was meant to start his treatment on October 26 and we managed to get a Qatar flight to Moscow on October 25. But the flight kept changing until eventually, Qatar decided it no longer wanted to fly into Moscow,” Nektaria says.

“So we had to find another flight and it took Nick three days to get to Moscow. He had to travel from Melbourne to Doha, Athens, Germany and then finally, Moscow.”

  • Nick had a stopover in Greece.

Nick is now starting two days of testing, as doctors at the Russian treatment clinic have to determine the severity of his MS.

“They’re currently doing MRI’s and bloodtests. The first MRI showed that Nick has a very aggressive form of MS. He has a large active lesion on his spine which is capable of doing more damage than it already has,” Nektaria says.

“But the doctor has told him, ‘You’re in very good hands.’ So Nick’s excited.”

We wish Nick the best of luck for the next stage of his MS journey!

Ana Kokkinos joins all-female directing team for new drama ‘Here Out West’

Andriana Simos
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Ana Kokkinos joins all-female directing team for new drama ‘Here Out West’

Greek Australian, Ana Kokkinos, will join Leah Purcell, Julie Kalceff, Fadia Abboud and Lucy Gaffy to direct anthology feature drama Here Out West, which is set to broadcast on ABC in 2021.

Here Out West is currently shooting in Sydney and was penned by eight emerging writers – Nisrine Amine, Bina Bhattacharya, Matias Bolla, Claire Cao, Arka Das, Dee Dogan, Vonne Patiag and Tien Tran.

The plot follows the desperate kidnapping of a baby from hospital, which sets off a chain of events that bring together complete strangers over the course of one dramatic day.

Newcomers Khoi Trinh, Jaime Ureta and De Lovan Zandy will star alongside Das, Geneviève Lemon, Rahel Romahn and Leah Vandenberg.

Here Out West’ writers (top to bottom, L-R): Nisrine Amine, Matias Bolla, Dee Dogan, Vonne Patiag, Claire Cao, Arka Das, Bina Bhattacharya and Tien Tran.

The overall production is a result of Co-Curious’ Behind Closed Doors initiative which connects new voices to experienced talent, backed by Screen Australia and Screen NSW.

Head of Screen NSW, Grainne Brunsdon, said Here Out West will represent people from all areas and diverse backgrounds.

“Screen NSW is proud to support new voices and contemporary, original work with Here Out West. Western Sydney is home to a high calibre of emerging talent with a number of first-time screenwriters bringing this story to life,” Ms Brunsdon said in a statement.

“We are committed to representing all areas, diverse backgrounds and people across the state on our screens, so I am thrilled Here Out West will showcase the multi-faceted communities of Western Sydney when filming on location.”

Remembering Greek rock musician, Lavrentis Machairitsas

Andriana Simos
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Remembering Greek rock musician, Lavrentis Machairitsas

By Billy Patramanis.

Famous Greek rock musician, Lavrentis Machairitsas, was born in Volos on November 5th, 1956. To celebrate his life, we take a look back at some of his achievements.

Early Life:

Machairitsas was only six years old when he began taking piano lessions. His passion for music grew when he discovered The Beatles and bought their record ‘Help!’

Machairitsas’ first job was at a record store, however, his poor attitude got him fired. He was also known for misbehaving in school, having started a fight with one of his teachers and being expelled from his high school at the time. He was later banned from other high schools around Greece.

With schooling not an option for Machairitsas, he was forced into work. After working at several jobs without settling, he eventually joined the army, serving for 14 months.

Lavrentis Machairitsas. Source: Business Daily.

Music Career:

Once he left the army, he would begin singing in Syntrofia after meeting Panos Tzabelas. By 20 years old, Machairitsas formed a band with Pavlos Kirkilis, Takis Bassalakis and Antonios Mitzelos called the ‘P.L.J Band.’

The band began in Greece, however, they decided to relocate to Paris in the hope of becoming popular musicians outside of Greece. By 1982, Armageddon was released, becoming the bands first album.

The album wasn’t very popular upon release, and so for their second album, the band changed their name to Τερμίτες (Termites) and started singing in Greek.

Machairitsas would often hold concerts all over Greece.

Their popularity grew by 1984, after the release of their third record. In 1986, they released their fourth album.

After a highly successful music career, Termites would release their final album, Perimenontas Tin Vrochi (Waiting For the Rain), in 1988.

Machairitsas would then venture into a solo career as a writer and performing artist. His music became very popular, with his 1991 album, ‘Didymoteicho Blues.‘

During his solo career, Machairitsas would begin working closely with famous Greek musician Dionysis Tsaknis.

In 1995, Machairitsas would release what many regard as his greatest album, ‘Parathyra Pou Kourase I Thea’.

Legacy and Death:

Machairitsas, as his albums were highly successful, would often hold concerts all over Greece, with musical partner Tsaknis. He had many concerts with highly successful musicians such as Eleftheria Arvanitaki and Christos Thivaios.

On the 9th of September 2019, Machairitsas suffered a heart attack in his sleep, passing away at the age of 62. 

Samos residents left homeless after earthquake to be housed in containers

Andriana Simos
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Samos residents left homeless after earthquake to be housed in containers

Residents of Samos, who were left homeless by last week’s destructive 6.7 magnitude earthquake, will be temporarily housed in containers, following a decision by Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis.

In a statement, the ministry said on Tuesday that containers from the Zervos migrant reception facility on Samos were being transferred to house the residents whose homes were deemed unsafe.

The ministry said it had so far provided 20 tents, 500 sleeping bags, 1,000 blankets and 265 beds to affected residents. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees sent 100 tents to the island.

A total of 300 buildings on the island have so far been found to be temporarily unsafe to live in during a series of inspections by civil engineers after Friday’s quake.

Samos rises 18-25 centimeters above waterline after earthquake:

Scientists discovered that the island of Samos rose 18-25 cm after Friday’s powerful earthquake. Credit: AMNA.

A team of Greek scientists from the School of Geology and Geoenvironment at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens went to Samos after the earthquake in order to survey the impact it had on both the island’s topography and the state of its buildings.

According to their findings, the altitude at both the northern and southern parts of the island had permanently elevated 18 to 25 cm from its pre-earthquake elevation, due the tectonic plate activity which caused the earthquake.

The elevation change can clearly be seen in rocks along the shoreline, showing several inches of algae which had been beneath the surface of the water, now above sea level.

Entire congressional Greek American contingency wins re-election

Andriana Simos
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Entire congressional Greek American contingency wins re-election

All five Greek American members of the United States Congress have won re-election in their respective races.

The battle for Presidency continues as Joe Biden inches slightly ahead of Donald Trump 264 votes to 214. Key swing states of Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are yet to be called.

Democrat Charlie Crist:

SAINT PETERSBURG, FL – NOVEMBER 04: Former Florida Governor and now Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist as he concedes defeat in the Vinoy hotel on November 4, 2014 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Crist lost to incumbent Republican Governor Rick Scott. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Democrat Charlie Crist of Florida beat his opponent with 53 percent of the vote for the District 13 congressional seat, which includes much of Pinellas County in the Clearwater area.

Crist has had a hand in many environmental protection policies, along with being a high advocate for increased education funding.

Republican Gus Bilirakis:

Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite.

Republican, Gus Bilirakis, handily won his re-election bid in neighboring District 12 and home of one of the nation’s largest concentrations of Greek Americans. The Tarpon Springs, Florida native is one of the state’s most popular politicians.

Bilirakis stressed his effectiveness in Congress through his robust bipartisanship. From 2015 to 2018, Bilirakis authored 27 bills that were signed into law, earning him a “Most Effective Lawmaker in the State of Florida” designation from the Center for Effective Lawmaking at Vanderbilt University.

Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas:

Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas won a second term in the US House, representing New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District. National eyes were on this race as this district has flipped between Democratic and Republican control five times in the past two decades. Pappas made history in 2018 when he was elected as the first openly gay member of Congress from New Hampshire.

Democrat Rep. Dina Titus:

Rep. Dina Titus was reelected to a fifth term in Nevada’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the city of Las Vegas. Titus fended off a challenge from a Republican contender but came out handedly winning the seat.

Dina Titus was the only female Greek-American looking to retain her Congress seat this year.

Democrat Rep. John Sarbanes:

Finally, incumbent Rep. John Sarbanes won his race in Maryland’s third congressional district, which includes much of Baltimore and surrounding areas. Sarbanes has represented the district in the United States House of Representatives since 2007.

READ MORE: Five Greek-Americans seeking Congress return in 2020 US Elections.

Greek island of Astypalea goes electric with Volkswagen transport deal

Andriana Simos
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Greek island of Astypalea goes electric with Volkswagen transport deal

Volkswagen Group and Greece signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to establish a groundbreaking mobility system on the Mediterranean island of Astypalea.

The six-year plan includes a massive replacement of carbon-run vehicles on the island with electric and hybrid cars and trucks, the building of electric charging stations, and the construction of electric trains which will run on clean energy — all produced locally.

Greece has long relied on coal, but Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has pledged to steer the country away from fossil fuels and boost the use of renewable energy.

The project will turn Astypalea into a “green energy island”. Photo: InsideEVs.

“I strongly believe in partnerships. Governments can’t deliver on their own and the private sector isn’t the answer to every question,” Mitsotakis said after the announcement was made.

“Volkswagen’s decision to come to Greece for the implementation of this project constitutes a vote of confidence in Greece’s growth prospects, but also the seriousness of this government and its ability to put into action a complex project.”

Astypalea, a popular tourist destination, currently has a very limited public transport service with just two buses and energy demand is almost entirely met by fossil fuel.

The project will see part of the island’s vehicle rental service transformed into a ride-sharing service offering electric cars and e-scooters. Commercial and public sector vehicles will also be switched to electric.

In total, the project will involve replacing about 1,500 combustion engine vehicles with around 1,000 electric ones. Volkswagen will install its Elli chargers across the island to provide about 230 private and several public charging points.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Our long-term goal is climate-neutral mobility for everyone,” Volkswagen CEO, Herbert Diess, said during the signing of the memorandum with Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Konstantinos Fragogiannis.

“And with the Astypalea project we will explore how to realise that vision already today.”

Rival leaders back UN bid to relaunch Cyprus peace talks

The Greek Herald
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Rival leaders back UN bid to relaunch Cyprus peace talks

The rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus have signaled their willingness to support a request from United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to explore the possibility of reviving dormant reunification talks, the UN said on Tuesday.

The two leaders agreed to “positively respond” to the UN chief’s call for an informal five-plus-meeting that would, “in a conducive climate” and “at an appropriate stage,” test the waters for a possible return to talks after a 3.5 year hiatus, UN spokesman, Aleem Siddique, said in a written statement.

Elizabeth Spehar, U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP Mission, welcomes Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in the buffer zone of Nicosia airport, Cyprus, November 3, 2020. Photo: Katia Christodoulou/Pool via REUTERS.

A ‘five-plus’ format would include representatives of Cyprus’ two communities, along with Greece, Turkey and Britain as the island’s guarantor powers, and also the United Nations.

The statement came after a two-hour meeting between the island nation’s Greek Cypriot president, Nicos Anastasiades, and Ersin Tatar, the newly elected leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots.

It was the two men’s first face-to-face meeting since Tatar’s election that afforded them the opportunity to put out feelers on where the other stands on the key issues that have prevented a breakthrough deal in nearly five decades of UN facilitated negotiations.

Elizabeth Spehar, U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP Mission welcomes Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, in the buffer zone of Nicosia airport, Cyprus, November 3, 2020. Photo: Katia Christodoulou/Pool via REUTERS.

The meeting, hosted by the head of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar, at her formal residence inside the island’s UN-controlled buffer zone, provided the leaders “an opportunity to get to know each other and to have their first informal exchange of views in a cordial atmosphere,” according to the UN statement.

Speaking after the meeting, Anastasiades said he’d prefer not to make remarks at this stage that might “pollute” the climate.

But he indicated that he and Tatar remain far apart on core issues including an envisioned federation which the two sides agreed decades ago would form the basis of any peace deal.

“Without doubt, there is a divergence of positions,” Anastasiades told reporters.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Archdiocese responds to SA bill looking to decriminalise abortion

The Greek Herald
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Archdiocese responds to SA bill looking to decriminalise abortion

A proposed bill, put forward by Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink, looks to decriminalise abortion in South Australia, with the reformation currently being looked over by the state parliament.

Currently, legislation prohibits abortion in SA under certain conditions, such as without the approval of two doctors or outside a prescribed hospital.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has responded to the proposed bill in a press release placed below:

The Fight against Abortion to Birth in South Australia – Press release

Abortion is the plague of our times – responsible for more 40-50 million deaths annually worldwide.  This is more than cancer, HIV and other diseases, traffic accidents, smoking and alcohol combined. Many women are pressured into the decision against their will by a feeling of a lack of support, or even by direct coercion from those around them.

In spite of this, there are those who want to make it even easier to have an abortion. In spite of a lack of broad community support (or even interest), a Bill was tabled in SA Parliament on Wednesday the 14th of October with the goal of decriminalising abortion and “bringing it into line” with other States.

The proposed changes to the law are not without positives. One strong positive is regarding the age of viability – the law as it currently stands in South Australia (dating from the 1970s) allows abortion up until the age of viability, which it takes as 28 weeks’ gestation. The new bill acknowledges advances in medicine since that time by reducing this to 23 weeks. From our perspective, this is an improvement.

However, the biggest problem with this Bill is its lack of safeguards. Under current South Australian law, abortion may only happen legally past the age viability in order to save the life of the mother. Under the new Bill, past 22 weeks 6 days gestation, an abortion can happen if two doctors consider the abortion to be “medically appropriate”. While on the surface this looks like a safeguard, in reality it is a gaping hole – the definition of “medically appropriate” is vague and open to interpretation, and there are no restrictions on how much “doctor shopping” a person can do before they find two who will declare it to be “medically appropriate”. With nearly 9,000 medical practitioners in South Australia, finding two of them to consider an abortion to be “medically appropriate” will not be difficult. Thus, the practical effect of this “safeguard” will actually be to make abortion available on demand, for any reason, all the way up until birth. Proponents of the Bill claim that this is not what it is intended for – but intended or not, that is nonetheless what the Bill allows.

This Bill is also problematic from the point-of-view of the freedom of conscience for those medical practitioners who are opposed to abortion. While the Bill allows a health practitioner to refuse to participate in, assist or advise about a termination, it also imposes an obligation on them to refer the woman to a practitioner who will – something that undermines the whole concept of conscientious objection.

There are many other items of concern – the lack of an offence against abortion, privatisation of abortion services, and the allowance for non-medical practitioners to provide abortion services, and the lack of a requirement for full information disclosure.

The Archdiocesan District of Adelaide has taken a leading role in our State in campaigning against this Bill. On the Sunday immediately following the tabling of this Bill (the 18th of October), an encyclical was read in our parishes during the Sunday services informing our faithful of these events and encouraging them to sign a petition prepared by the local anti-abortion coalition. It was the first jurisdiction to do so, and its encyclical was reportedly used as a reference by other Christian groups for their own campaigns. Obviously, the COVID-19 state of emergency is currently imposing limits on Church attendance, but in spite of this the response from our parishes has been strong – it is clear that our faithful are steadfastly opposed to these changes. The encyclical and petition was repeated on the 25th of October. These signatures will be tabled before parliament and will hopefully convince the MPs that there is significant community opposition to the proposed changes.

May the Lord have mercy on us and our State at this critical time.

Tass Mourdoukoutas shares inspirational words from Greek father that led to career success

The Greek Herald
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Tass Mourdoukoutas shares inspirational words from Greek father that led to career success

Every young footballer has something, or someone, who pushes them to be the greatest they can be. For Western Sydney Wanderers defender Tass Mourdoukoutas, that someone was his father, Kon Mourdoukoutas.

Shared on the Western Sydney Wanderers social media, Tass speaks personally about his strong relationship with his father Kon.

“I was nine or ten years old and he was driving me to an academy,” Tass says.

“He said to me that all the other kids are just training as well. If you want to do the same as them, well you’re only going to be as good as them.

“It’s up to you if you want to do more.”

For many, parents can be the anchor of support that drives and encourages children to follow their dreams. For the parents, this can mean long car rides across the state, helping reiterate the balance between school and passion, along with wider emotional support from extended family.

Tass explains that the sacrifices his parents made were imperative to his development as a player and person, saying he often “took it for granted.”

“You wish you could just thank them every day”, Tass adds.

“You look back now and you think you really couldn’t have done it without them.”

Playing in Sydney Olympic’s youth and senior competitions, Tass goes on to speak about one of the last car rides with his father to training, prior to the Greek Australian gaining his license.

“He was saying to me, this could be the last few trips we do together driving to Sydney Olympic training.”

“…They were always behind me and once I signed my first pro contract, that meant so much not only to me but for them, the sacrifices paid off I guess.”

Mourdoukoutas grew up in Sylvania Waters and was promoted to a two-year senior contract at teh Wanderers on 6 June 2018, signing a three-year contract extension in February this year.

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