Some children love story books and have a natural affinity with them from birth. But for others it is hard to focus. Ever wondered why your child loves having stories read to them at school but at home they fidget and doesn’t listen?
The trick is to unravel the story instead of starting to read it immediately. This is also part of teacher’s strategy for use in a classroom.
So, whether you have one child or more this is an easy way to make reading time an enjoyable family activity.
Give your child a choice of which book cover they like. For about 5 minutes ask your child to look at the cover and try and guess what the book is about. If it is about animals such as Aesop’s story of ‘The lion and the mouse’, ask the child if they know the animal on the cover? What is their favourite animal? Have a discussion about animals, which they like and which they don’t like. Which would make good pets and which not? What are wild animals as apposed to domesticated ones. Talk about the colours on the cover. Are there red tigers and blue elephants?
Then once the topic is understood, turn the page and read the title page pointing to the words so that the pre-reading child can begin to associate the text with meaning. Show each picture on the page and ask the child to point out the characters and say the actions as you read the story slowly.
Pause to allow the child to have a good look. Allow them to touch and feel the page. Ask questions like what do you think is going to happen next? Or Where did that lion come from? What happened to the mouse? Do you think the mouse will eat the lion?
Children will love to hear the same story multiple times. Eventually they will be able to point out or even read certain words or even whole sentences in Greek.
*Eleni Elefterias-Kostakidis is a teacher of Modern Greek, a University lecturer and the author of the bilingual children’s book ‘My Grandma is a Musician – Η γιαγιά μου είναι μουσικός’
Conor Curran, a Greek-Australian chef and MasterChef Australia 2021 contestant, has been eliminated from the 13th season of the show.
Curran, known as this season’s “mullet bae”, tells 10 play that he was mentally drained after being challenged by various of the shows masters and that he felt like he had “done his run” before the Masters Week challenge begun.
“It was a big thing for me to be nostalgic but to bring it into 2021, and I can’t really remember a positive Greek cook in a long time, and I think for me I really wanted to push that,” he tells Now To Love.
Photo: Network 10
Curren has received all the social media buzz from Greek-Australians after making featured Greek dishes, such as Kokkinisto, during his run on the show. He says his Yiayia is an inspiration of his.
“My mum and dad worked full time, so I just stayed with my Yiayia, which is so familiar in Greek families.”
“I just remember being at her house all day and looking through her garden and not really knowing what I was picking and putting into the bowl, but it eventually became familiar.”
“Those are my memories and her just putting a block of feta down next to every plate I was given; that is my fondest and earliest memories,” the reality star admits.
Conor admits his Yiayia, who was cheering her grandson on, struggled to watch his pasta cook because she couldn’t offer her cooking tips to save his hilopites.
“The best part was I did hilopites for pasta, and [Yiayia] calls my mum because I made it slightly too thin and she goes to my mum ‘why didn’t he call me during the episode so I can tell him what thing to put it on?’.”
“And my mum was like, ‘Mum, he can’t call you in the middle of a 35-minute cook’,” he says.
Following MasterChef, Conor says he is now working on a modern-day Greek cookbook while working towards his dream of opening a sandwich shop called ‘Sit Down Dora’ after his mum, with a hidden bar named ‘Shut Up Mike’ after his dad.
The following is an opinion piece from the Hon Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia.
This year’s Budget is a significant time in Australia’s history as the world confronts the worst pandemic in a century.
We see the terrible impacts and toll of COVID-19 almost everywhere.
Yet here in Australia, we are living life differently.
Our economy is stronger than virtually any advanced economy.
We have more Australians in work today than before the pandemic began.
And we are continuing to successfully fight the virus, protecting the health and lives of Australians.
If the average OECD fatality rate from COVID had been realised here, some 30,000 more Australians would have perished.
So Australia can be proud of some incredible achievements on the health and economic fronts in the face of the most difficult times since the Great Depression.
We’ve done it by working together – as Australians and as national and state and territory governments – supported by strong and effective policies.
Our multicultural communities have wholeheartedly supported this effort.
I honour the sacrifices you have made for our country and for your fellow Australians.
And the example you have set and the leadership you have provided in your communities.
I know for many communities, it has meant enduring enormous disruption to your traditional gatherings. But your patience and resilience, and the kindness and care you showed in a year of hardship have made a huge difference.
This Budget is a plan for securing Australia’s recovery.
It will be built on ensuring we keep doing the things that are working; especially driving employment up, and unemployment down.
That’s because getting even more Australians into work increases their means and ability to deal with the impacts of the pandemic that we know will be here for some time to come.
The Budget recognises that eight out of 10 jobs are in the private sector.
A sustainable recovery requires a strong private sector.
That means continuing to support and incentivise our multicultural communities and citizens, many of whom are business owners.
The Budget provides an additional tax cut to more than 10 million low- and middle-income earners – benefiting individuals by up to $1,080 or $2,160 for couples.
As a result, there will be more money to spend in local businesses, giving them the confidence to take on an extra worker, offer an extra shift or buy a new piece of equipment.
To create more jobs, the Government is extending temporary full expensing and the loss carry back measure announced in last year’s Budget for another year.
This will allow more than 99 per cent of businesses employing 11.5 million Australians to deduct the full cost of eligible depreciable assets of any value in the year they are installed.
A café or restaurant can buy a new fridge or grill, a trades person can pick up a new ute.
And companies that have been doing it tough are able to use their losses earlier – providing cash flow in the here and now.
Small and medium-sized businesses are champions of taking on young Australians – and giving them a start.
We’re doubling our commitment to the JobTrainer Fund to support a further 163,000 new training places to upskill job seekers and meet skills shortages.
The Budget also funds more than 170,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships and 5,000 higher education short courses to help get young people into a job.
Finally, I understand the difficulty in being separated from family members overseas.
But for now that must remain the case if we are to keep Australians safe and ensure that our economy can keep moving forward.
I want to thank our multicultural communities and their leaders for their patience and understanding on these important issues.
Our recovery plan will ensure we stay on track.
I greatly appreciate the contribution from multicultural Australia – including working with us to encourage vaccination.
Our multicultural communities across the country have done an extraordinary job.
Nick Kyrgios put his basketball skills on display yesterday at Sydney’s Bondi Icebergs for an event to mark Hennessy’s global partnership with America’s National Basketball Association (NBA).
Shooting some hoops with NBA star Andrew Bogut, Kyrgios told the Daily Telegraph he aspires to be possess the “athlete belief”.
“I have got that athlete belief, whenever I go into something, I believe I am the best even though I am not,” Kyrgios told The Daily Telegraph.
“It was awesome to finally meet Bogut. We’ve spoken online and he is an amazing guy who has accomplished so much in his career so it was awesome to see him and pick his brains a bit.”
Australian basketball champion Andrew Bogut with tennis star Nick Kyrgios. Picture: Toby Zerna/The Daily Telegraph
NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo recently likened the controversial Australian tennis player to the colourful American basketball great.
“If I passed (away) tomorrow, I would take that any day of the week, being remembered as the Denis Rodman of the sport,” Kyrgios told The Daily Telegraph.
“When I first think of Rodman, I think of someone that is completely comfortable in his own skin, who played the game he wanted and didn’t really care what others thought. That is how I feel I go about my tennis career, I don’t really care what others think and I play the way I want to play … and he’s had some pretty good misso’s as well.”
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios makes a backhand return to France’s Ugo Humbert during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Speaking of misso’s, Kyrgios has gotten back together with his girlfriend Chiara Passari, who have publicly displayed the highs and lows of their relationship on social media.
The 26-year-old also recently announced that he will return to the ATP in Mallorca next month.
“I am super excited to get back on there,” he said. “I am travelling with my best friend and girlfriend.
“I think now is my time to play. I’ve had time to rest, regroup and see my family so now it is time to do what I do best.”
Today, May 22, 334 BCE, Alexander the Great wins the Battle of Granicus, bringing the Persian Empire its first crushing defeat. The Battle of the Granicus River, was a clash between Alexander the Great and the Persian Empire, it was the first of three major battles between the two forces. Fought in northwestern Asia Minor, near the site of Troy, Alexander routed the armies of Asia Minor’s Persian satraps to claim a heroic victory.
Alexander was the King of the Hellenic League, a major union of Greek city-states and Macedonia. This battle would pave the way for further conquests and was a great moment in Greek history. The Persian Empire was one of the biggest empires of its era and was natural enemy of the Greeks.
Crossing of the Granicus after Charles Le Brun.
The Battle itself took place near the ancient city of Troy on the banks of the Granicus River. Alexanders army mainly consisted of infantry around 32,000 with only 5000 Cavalry, whilst the Persian army was predominantly cavalry 10 – 20 thousand with some infantry. The Granicus is also noteworthy because it is one of the first battles on record in which cavalry strength was primarily dominant. Alexander attacked immediately, which caught the Persians off guard. The battle was fought very strategically, and Alexander used his army to its full capability. He deployed troops to attack the Persians right wing who heavily reinforced this side and focused their troops there. The attack on the right was just a feint so the Alexander could attack the less defended middle. He smashed through the centre of the Persian line, and Alexander himself killed many Persian noblemen within the fight. Once the Persian forces saw their leaders being slain, they began to retreat. The battle was won by Alexander the great, having only suffered roughly 400 casualties, it was a notable victory as the Persians suffered close to 4000 deaths.
Alexander the Great in the battle against the Persians at the Granicus. Cornelis Troost, 1737.
After the battle Alexander buried the deceased with full military honours and attended their funerals with the entire army. Alexander’s care for the dead and injured families showed his greatness, one way to help the families of the deceased was to excuse them from paying taxes and fees. The soldiers were buried with their weapons (armour was costly and was often recycled) and he visited the injured and listened to their battle stories. Alexander sent 300 suits of Persian armour to the Parthenon in Athens from the spoils of his victory. He sent the suits to remind the Greeks that this success was part of the revenge against the Persians and also to reawaken Greek excitement.
Alexander’s courageous leadership gained him the “palm for courage”. He fought at the heart of the battle, risking his own life giving him his first great victory over the Persians. This victory opened the door to western and southern Asia Minor and placed Alexander in the category of one of the greatest leaders of all time. Alexander the Great is adored in Greece and complimented around the world for his leadership and conquests. His glory began on that day in 334 BCE when he and his army defeated the Persian army.
Greek firefighters were battling a major forest fire in the Corinth region west of Athens for a second day Friday, with more settlements evacuated overnight.
Civil Protection head Nikos Hardalias said Friday that more than 4,000 hectares (nearly 9,900 acres) of mostly forest in mountainous terrain had been burned. Dozens of houses were also destroyed, mostly holiday homes or small dwellings outside of villages.
The fire, which broke out late Wednesday near the village of Schinos, was fanned by gale-force winds that blanketed the Greek capital about 70 kilometers to the west with acrid smoke throughout the day Thursday.
A firefighting airplane drops water near the village of Alepochori , Greece, on Friday, May 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
“During the night there were many fronts that were exceptionally dangerous for our forces,” said Hardalias, adding that three settlements and one monastery were evacuated as a precaution during the night.
More than 300 firefighters, ground teams, members of the military and volunteers were fighting the flames, while 21 water-dropping planes and helicopters were deployed at first light Friday to assist from the air.
Despite “exceptionally difficult circumstances,” firefighting forces managed to prevent the flames from reaching a wildlife refuge south of the main fire, and from expanding further east towards the town of Megara, Hardalias said.
The smoke covers the city of Athens from a wildfire near the village of Schinos, near Corinth, Greece, Thursday, May 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)
The fire destroyed power lines, causing local blackouts, and reached a nearby coastline. The Civil Protection Authority activated a cellphone-enabled alert service to help with evacuation efforts on Thursday and overnight to Friday.
Wildfires are common during Greece’s hot, dry summers, but this blaze started well before the full heat of summer. The country had been experiencing unseasonably hot weather over the past week. In 2018, a blaze that hit the summer resort area of Mati east of Athens killed more than 100 people.
Stefanos Tsitsipas competed with great intensity on Friday to move within one step of the Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon final.
The second-seeded Greek, who has compiled an ATP Tour-best 31 match wins on the season (31-8), did little wrong in a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in 66 minutes.
“It was a good match from my side, he was serving well,” said Tsitsipas.
“His game is a little unpredictable and he is one of the best left-handers out there. It’s never easy to construct the point and he is able to penetrate and play shots you don’t expect. I knew he was going to fight and not give up. I am pretty glad to have won.”
Tsitsipas put Nishioka under constant pressure, breaking courtesy of a backhand long for 4-2 in the first set, which ended after 31 minutes. Tsitsipas, who lost just eight of his service points (40/48), gained a 2-1 lead in the second set courtesy of another error and didn’t look back.
The World No. 5 will now face 19-year-old Italian Lorenzo Musetti. Musetti recovered from 2-5 down in the second set to claim a 6-3, 7-6(2) victory over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia in one hour and 34 minutes.
Tsitsipas beat Musetti 6-1, 6-3 in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC semi-finals two months ago.
A military historian and an expert on the Greece and Crete campaigns, Dr Maria Hill has long been fascinated by the doomed operations fought by Australian soldiers in Greece and Crete in WW2.
As a Greek Australian herself, Dr Hill wanted to find out the true story of the campaigns – and why the veterans are honoured and remembered in Greece but not nearly so much in Australia.
What is the special connection between the Australian troops and the Greek people and why they formed friendships that endure to this day?
The Greek Herald caught up with Dr Hill to discuss ‘coalition relations’ and her book entitled “Diggers and Greeks”.
TGH: Dr Hill, you are the first Australian historian of Greek descent to write about the Greek and Crete campaigns. What fascinates you about these two campaigns?
What sparked my interest in the Greek and Crete campaigns was the discovery that so little was taught about them in schools, with the syllabus and most history textbooks, focussing on ‘Rats of Tobruk’ and Kokoda.
I assumed that that Australia’s involvement in the Greek and Crete campaigns must have been inconsequential and was shocked to discover that the ANZACS constituted the majority of the fighting forces sent to Greece in 1941 and later in Crete.
As I delved deeper into these campaigns, I was fascinated by the strong bond of friendship forged between Australians and Greeks, whose culture and language were so different.
TGH: Why in your opinion the veterans are honoured and remembered in Greece but not enough in Australia?
What really highlights the difference in attitude between the Greek and Australian government towards the Australian soldiers who fought in Greece and Crete is the fact that the Greek government has honoured them with a medal whereas the Australian government has not done so.
The veterans I interviewed, were upset with this decision and wrote to successive Australian governments seeking to have the decision reviewed. As far as the veterans were concerned, if there was an ‘Italian Star’, ‘Pacific Star’ and so on, why not a ‘Greek and Crete Star’ or at least a clasp attached to an existing medal to recognise the traumatic campaigns?
For a while I ran an online petition to address this issue and wrote in 2011 to then Veteran Affairs Minister, Warren Snowden MP, for a response. I was told the decision rested with the British government who were in charge of honours and awards and decided not to issue a separate medal for the Greece and Crete campaign, as these campaigns did not qualify for a separate medal as they lasted less than six months and as such were not regarded as ‘major’ campaigns.
According to Warren Snowden, these campaigns were seen to be adequately covered by ‘1939 -1945 Star’. Some have argued that it was a political decision based on the fact these campaigns were not victories and an embarrassment to the British and Australian governments of the time, as both Prime Minister Churchill and then Menzies were criticised for supporting the Greek campaign – a second ‘Gallipoli’.
Australian delegation with veterans, Suda Bay, 2011. Photo: Maria Hill
Suda Bay Memorial, 2011. Pic: Maria Hill
Photo: Maria Hill
Photo: Maria Hill
TGH: Your book “Diggers and Greeks” reveals the personal relations that developed between Australian soldiers and Greek civilians and soldiers; what can we learn from these friendships today?
The close relationships forged between Australians and Greeks during the war aided the survival of Australian troops in Greece and Crete. These friendships have lasted the test of time, as returned veterans shared their experiences with their family and friends and sort to repay the kindness and compassion shown towards them by the Greek people.
Many returned soldiers sponsored Greek immigrants, involved themselves in their lives and facilitated their inclusion in Australian society. Their children have returned to Greece to visit the country and people who helped their parents in an effort to better understand their war experience.
While many books written on the Greek and Crete campaigns have concentrated on strategy, tactics -the lasting legacy of these campaigns rest in the friendships that developed between Diggers and Greeks that have continued to this very day through the involvement now of their children and grandchildren in the commemorations, highlighting the importance of such connections to all concerned.
*To learn more about the Greek and Crete campaigns or to purchase a rare first edition hard copy of the book “Diggers and Greeks” with a personalised message (upon request), visit Dr Hill’s website at: diggersandgreeks.com.au
Canberra’s Greek community gathered at the Australian Hellenic Memorial on Thursday to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
Organised by the Cretan Association of Canberra and Districts Incorporated, the event paid tribute to the Greek, Australian, British and New Zealand troops who desperately tried defending Greece against a huge German airborne assault.
The commemoration ceremony took place in the presence of Government Representatives and Australian Defence Force veterans, the most notable of these being 101 year old ANZAC Les Cook, who was a veteran of the Battle of Crete with the 6th Division.
101 year old ANZAC Crete Veteran Les Cook. Photo: John Loukadellis
George A Katheklakis, President of the Cretan Association of Canberra & Districts Incorporated, said they’re honoured by the sacrifices made by the allied forces during WWII, “forming unbreakable bonds of friendship between Australian & New Zealand and Greece.”
“However the most important history makers are our parents, grandparents and ancestors who came to Australia most with nothing, and began building a better life and an inclusive community for today’s Greek-Australian generations,” Katheklakis said.
“We have never felt prouder than now to be Greek, to be Cretan, to be Australian with a rich and diverse history grounded in our Orthodox religion, our language and culture.
Photo: John Loukadellis
Photo: John Loukadellis
Photo: John Loukadellis
“The Canberra Committee remembers these sacrifices which highlights Greek tenacity to be free.”
The President added that the commemorations this year coincide with Greek Revolution’s bicentennial anniversary, saying people should reflect this year on the many human and emotional sacrifices made by forefathers such as Kolokotronis, Bouboulina, the Arkardi Martyrs.
The following people laid wreaths yesterday to honour the fallen soldiers.
1
His E. Mr Georgios Papakostas – Ambassador of Greece to Australia
2.
Her E. Mrs. Martha Mavrommati, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia
3.
Archimandritis Prochoros Anastasiadis – The Archepiscopal Vicar of CanberraRepresenting His Eminence, Archbishop Makarios
4.
Her E. The Hon Dame Annette King – High Commissioner of New Zealand to Australia
5.
Wing Commander Martin Rendell – Air Adviser, representing the British High Commission
6.
Mr David Smith – Federal Member for Bean, representing the Leader of the Opposition
7.
Mr Les Cook – Veteran of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign
8.
Major General Andrew Hocking, CSC – Representing the Chief of the Australian Defence Force and the Chief of the Army
9.
Commodore Raymond Leggatt, AM, CSC, RAN – Representing the Chief of the Navy
10.
Mr Ian McConville – Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
11.
Major General (Retired) Brian DawsonAssistant Director, Australian War Memorial
12.
Mr John King – President of the ACT Branch of the RSL – Jointly with:Mr Paul Taylor – Representing The Hellenic Sub-Branch of the RSL
13.
Dr Kathryn Spurling – President of War Widows ACT
14.
Mr David Manolas – National President of the Naval Association of Australia
15.
Mr John Loukadellis – President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra and Districts
16.
Mrs Georgia Alexandrou – President of the Cyprus Community of Canberra and SEKA ACT
17.
Mr Paul Levantis – President of AHEPA ACT
18.
Mr Tony Tsourdalakis – President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand
19.
Mr George Katheklakis – President of the Cretan Association of Canberra & Districts
20.
Mr Steph Paskalidis – President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra
According to an announcement by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, more parishes around the country are systematically incorporating within their social ministries, feeding programs for isolated people and families in need of support.
Read the full announcement below:
These activities are constantly being expanded with the initiative and blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia in order to help, as much as possible, those who are in need.
The Cathedral Parish of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, in Redfern, Sydney, is implementing the “Merimna” program. Under the guidance of the parish priest, Very Reverend Archimandrite Christophoros Krikelis and with the assistance of the members of the Ladies Philoptochos and other volunteers, about 100 meals are being distributed every Monday.
On Monday morning, 17 May, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios visited the kitchen, which is located on the premises of St Andrew’s Theological College and had the opportunity to talk with the ladies of the Philoptochos, to express his sincere gratitude to them for their involvement and, through them, to thank all the volunteers of the programs that are being implemented by the parishes for their valuable contribution to the social ministry of the local Church.
An additional warm “thank you” was addressed to the members of the Ladies Philoptochos for the fact that, in addition, they take care of the needs of the students of the Theological College with great love by cooking for them once a week.
