A proud Kastellorizian who wants nothing more than the people of Perth to be proud of their city. Nothing else could better describe the man who is running to become Perth’s next Lord Mayor this year.
Basil Zempilas has so far had a successful career as an
Australian television host, radio presenter and sports commentator. Yet the
Greek Australian wishes to take his career to the next step, or more
appropriately, take the City of Perth into a new direction.
“Perth’s not broken but it can be improved. It can be
better,” Basil Zempilas says exclusively to The Greek Herald.
“The city needs strong leadership at the moment and I see
myself as a strong leader.
“Perth has been very good to me and my family and this is an opportunity for me and my family to give back to the city that’s been so good to us.”
The Perth radio breakfast host says he’s always been on the lookout to give back to the city and run for office, yet the time never seemed right until now. With no council or Lord Mayor for two and a half years, Basil says it’s the closest Perth is going to get to a “fresh start”.
Channel 7 personality Basil Zempilas at Elizabeth Quay. Basil Zempilas with wife Amy and their children Ava 9, Anthony 2, and Chloe 6. Picture Jackson Flindell /The West Australian
“I’ve always been very interested in local government,
particularly the city of Perth. I had to assess if the time was right for me.
“Given it was a fresh start and there was no incumbent Lord
Mayor, it did feel like it was the right time.”
The lack of leadership has seen the conversation around Perth have more of a negative approach, with Basil saying the city has an issue with “anti-social behaviour”. Seeing the protentional for a “better Perth”, Basil plans to use his resources to deliver the demands of the people of Perth.
“People continue to tell me they want a safer and cleaner
Perth and there’s no doubt to me that’s not the first and most significant
building block to a better Perth,” Basil says.
“We need to clean our city up. But we also need to attract and create compelling events and attractions and we need to make it a more people focused and people friendly city.”
A project that Basil recognises as the greatest step in the
right direction is the construction of Australia’s first and pre-eminent
Indigenous museum and cultural centre built in Perth. The Lord Mayor candidate
plans to use the City of Perth’s “enthusiasm, state government finances and
private sector funds” to make the opportunity become reality.
“I’m determined to play a lead role in that if I’m successful, bringing the various stakeholders together to make it happen for Perth.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for our city and I
don’t want to see it wasted.”
With a passion for media, Basil enjoys his current role on
breakfast radio and as an AFL commentator, as well as his former role on the
popular breakfast show ‘Weekend Sunrise’. Asked if he would continue his media
career if elected, Basil said he had no intention of pausing one dream to
pursue another.
“My plan is to continue as a working mayor… I have a lot of
flexibility with my employers, I’ve got a lot of energy as well, and I have a
commitment to make it work.
“I can make it work and I wouldn’t of put my hand up if I
didn’t think I had what it takes to give this everything.”
A beautiful city that has seen great development, particularly in the last ten years, the Western Australian capital has seen many migrant families call the city their home. Hailing from Kastellorizo at various stages in the 1900’s, Basil’s family has made a legacy in the City of Perth.
“My grandfathers both had businesses on Barrack Street…. My
mum’s dad had the Olympia Café and my dad’s dad had a shop at the town hall just
across the road, and that started a long association of the Zempilas family
with the city of Perth.”
The Zempilas family’s legacy was permanently recognised by the City of Perth with a street in the cultural hub of Northbridge being named in honour of his family’s contribution.
“My family’s contribution to the area was acknowledged with
one of the streets in Northbridge which is just next to Perth central. It was
named Zempilas street in honour of my family’s contribution.”
Much of Basil’s family still lives in Greece, with his
sister being married and living there since 1979. A proud member of the Greek
community in Perth, the Lord Mayor candidate is honoured to call Greece and the
City of Perth his home.
“My heart beats true for Greece and beats true for Perth,”
Basil says proudly.
“I’ve been involved in many different levels of the Greek
community here in Perth. In 2018 I was named Kastellorizian of the year by the
Victorian Kastellorizian association.
“I’m very proud of my Greek heritage and it drives a lot of
what I do and has driven a lot of what I’ve done throughout my career.”
They stand proud for centuries, reminding all humanity of the greatness of Greek culture. The ancient Greek architects were excellent craftsmen and built temples and monuments that impress people even today, a millennia later.
Despite the hardship, wars and disasters, many ancient temples managed to be maintained in good condition.
The temple in Greek antiquity was the residence of the god, the building that housed the cult statue of one or more deities. The faithful gathered in the surrounding area outside the temple building, where the altar was located, for the offering of sacrifices and the practice of worship.
Parthenon
The Parthenon is the most brilliant monument of the Athenian state and the colophon of the Doric style. Its construction began in 448/7 BC and its inauguration took place in 438 BC. According to ancient sources, the architects who worked were Iktinos, Kallikratis and probably Phidias, who was also responsible for the sculptural decoration.
It is one of the few all-marble Greek temples and the only Doric one with all its metopes in relief. Many parts of the sculptural decoration, the entablature and the ceiling panels were painted in red, blue and gold.
Temple of Hephaestus
The Temple of Hephaestus is one of the most preserved ancient temples in Greece. It was dedicated to the god Hephaestus and to Athena Ergani . It is located in the area of Thiseio, which got its name because of the old temple of Theseus. The temple of Hephaestus is accessible to the public, as it is part of the archaeological site of the Ancient Agora. This temple is built on the hill of Agoraios Kolonos, in the western part of the Ancient Agora.
Poseidonia – Lower Italy
Poseidonia was an ancient Greek colony of Lower Italy in the region of Campania. It was located 85 kilometres southeast of Naples in the present-day province of Salerno, near the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The main feature of today’s archeological site is the three large temples of Doric style. They were dedicated to Hera and Athena. The Temple of Hera is the oldest surviving temple in Poseidonia (also called Basilica) and belongs to the 6th century BC.
Erechtheion
The area of the Erechtheion was the holiest of the entire Acropolis. A complex marble building, it is a brilliant example of the mature Ionic style. The eastern part of the temple was dedicated to the Athena Polias, the patron goddess of the city, while the west was dedicated to Poseidon-Erechtheus, from where the temple was named. It was used as a multiple temple, where older and newer cults were co-located and where the Holy Martyrs were kept, with traces of the trident of Poseidon and the olive tree, the gift of Athena to the city of Athens.
Temple of Zeus in Kyrenia
The Cyrene in ancient times was the Greek colony in North Africa. It was founded in 630 BC from the Thera , while it took its name from the source Kyri, which was dedicated to the god Apollo. It quickly developed and evolved into a centre of Greek culture in North Africa, while it was also a major commercial center. In the 3rd century BC, the philosophical School of Kyrenia was founded in the city by Aristippos, a student of Socrates. The Cyrene has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. Ancient monuments are preserved in the city, such as the temple of Apollo (7th century BC), the temple of Demeter and a temple of Zeus, which was partially destroyed by order of Muammar Gaddafi in 1978.
The sanctuary of Poseidon
The sanctuary of Poseidon is located inside the fortress that protected the coasts of Attica and the mineral zone. Mining facilities, houses, farmhouses, roads and cemeteries have been found throughout the municipality. A large cemetery of geometric and classical times extends to the west coast of the cape.
Victoria’s Greek community has suffered, and continues to suffer, from a deadly virus that has so far taken the lives of approximately 22 people of Greek background.
In the latest figures announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, the state recorded 627 new coronavirus cases and eight new deaths today. One of these deaths was a Greek man in his 80s from the St Basil’s nursing home in Fawkner, which has recorded 16 deaths alone. The mans death brings the total number of Greek Australian deaths to approximately 22.
Greeks across Australia are left scared and confused at the dire situation in Australia’s south-east. During the first lockdown on the 28th of March, Australia recorded a total daily peak of 469 cases. Yesterday, Victoria recorded 723 cases.
With elderly people greatest at risk, there is increased worry for residents of nursing homes who have been gravely affected. Prime Minister Scott Morrison today identified 13 problem homes, although 80 or more aged-care residences have been hit.
Multiple news outlets have reported on the disorganised management of the nursing homes, with family members of residents claiming their parents were simply “left to die”.
The Herald Sun spoke with the daughter of Fotini Atzarakis, a St Basil’s resident who died on Wednesday, who said her mother lived in a “hellhole” and her death was “preventable”.
Grandmother Helen Alexiou, who has died from COVID-19. (Photo: Nine)
Maria Vasilakis has died of coronavirus in Melbourne (Photo: Nine)
Spiros Dimitriou described the nursing home as a “war zone”, seeing his 75-year-old father, John, on Saturday. He was allowed to see him a week after his family was told he had tested positive. They were warned to brace for the worst news.
Mr Andrews himself said, speaking about some of the private aged care facilities hit by COVID-19 outbreaks, “I would not let my mum be in some of these places, I just wouldn’t.”
Residents of nursing homes, along with people across Victoria, are being asked to brace for the impending rise in cases and the tragic loss of life in the next few days.
The President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Syllouris, wrote an open letter to the Turkish President, demanding that Turkey ‘show respect’ to Hagia Sophia.
Following the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, formerly being a museum, there was international uproar from many world leaders, denouncing Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s decision. Mr Syllouris proceeded to compose a letter directed at the Turkish President, calling him nothing but a ‘conqueror’ who shows complete disrespect to monuments of the Christian religion.
Read More:
You can read the full open letter below:
I am writing this brief open letter tο you as a European citizen. But also as the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, whose existence and continuity you had also guaranteed through treaties, although today – you alone – refuse to recognise despite the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is a member of both the United Nations and the European union. It is this treaty of guarantee which you obsessionally and incessantly invoked, to justify your unlawful actions and your illegal occupying presence in Cyprus beyond any political moral as well as the horrible and horrendous acts you have committed against the Republic of Cyprus and the Cypriot citizens. However, with the invasion of your country in Cyprus in 1974, invoking the alleged implementation of the Constitution, and the subsequent occupation of a significant part of the Republic of Cyprus, you have ceased to be guarantors and you are in fact conquerors.
We have been living under the threat of Turkish troops for years now. But I should remind you of what our poet Costas MonIis testifies:
(“Years of endless slavery at their beck and call ; We stay put; olive and carob trees on their rock.”)
This is the “Cyprus History”. This is the memory we carry through the centuries. It is on these pillars that we have placed our patience, endurance and perseverance over the years.
As a European politician, but also as a Greek and Orthodox Christian, I have followed these days the shouts and chants, the celebrations and reviling and all the exultations for the transformation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Along with your own statements and decisions. Ι should remind you that over the centuries we have always respected everything deemed sacred and holy by the peoples we came across or lived with. And you should know that. You shall not find a mosque converted by us into a church, even if dozens of mosques in Cyprus were for centuries in the past Christian temples, with frescoes and paintings still surviving on their plaster-covered walls.
I do not have a deep knowledge of the Qur’an, but I know from dear Muslim friends that a basic principle is to show respect to the monuments of other religions.
You, οn the other hand, in defiance of the agreements and treaties, in defiance of the rule of law, in defiance of the principles that govern monuments of humanity and world heritage according to the United Nations and UNESCO, have proceeded to transform the most sacred monument of Orthodoxy and of Christians, the Hagia Sophia, an achievement of art, the most important and greatest in history, into a mosque. All this, however, suggests only one thing. Your conquering obsession. And that none of what you have conquered belongs to you. And even more, the lack of any respect for the cultural tradition of all mankind. You could go down in history as the man who led the Hagia Sophia to an even better status, as a place of meeting and coexistence of religions. Instead, you chose to go down in history as desecrator of a historical global symbol, a world heritage site, a masterpiece of art and a symbol of the coexistence of cultures and religions.
All this rhetoric of hatred and the emergence of passions, certainly do not lead to peace which you invoke and which peoples search out and seek. What we all expect is to be able to coexist respecting each other’s memory and history and each other’s personality. Through your attempts and methods, you show contempt to the basic rights of all people and especially of us Christians. The right to respect our sanctuaries and to respect our memory.
Mr. President, on a personal note, Ι would like to tell you that Ι come from Potamia, a small mixed village in Cyprus, where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots lived harmoniously together for many years. Every time Bayram came, we wished the Turkish Cypriots ”Happy Bayram”. And, every time Easter came, the Turkish Cypriots wished us ”Happy Easter”. It is in such a climate of mutual respect and coexistence of religions and cultures that we would like your contribution to be and not, unfortunately, in the opposite direction.
The temple of Hagia Sophia is a symbol for all humanity. Α point of reference for all of us Christians. A place of sanctity. And all that you attempt will only indicate your pettiness, when you bend down to pray under the Holy Dome of Hagia Sophia, under the gaze of Virgin Mary.
But you should know that anything you impose by force cannot reverse or erase the truth of history. The temple of Hagia Sophia remains an eternal symbol and point of reference for all humanity, an achievement of art, an insurmountable monument of civilisation that shall always be called and be Hagia Sophia.
DEMETRIS SYLLOURIS
PRESIDENT OF ΤΗΕ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ΤΗΕ REPUBLlC OF CYPRUS
Sharkies young gun Billy Magoulias has reportedly been given permission to speak with rival clubs regarding a potential move as a result of him receiving little play time at the Cronulla Sharks.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the Greek international was granted permission to look elsewhere for next year and beyond, despite a year remaining on his contract.
Magoulias, 23, has struggled to find a spot at the Sharks this year despite a growing injury toll for the club. He played the last of his two games in round three and only in recent weeks has he again been part of the 21-man squad.
Billy Magoulias is set to move on from the Sharks. Photo: The Daily Telegraph
The Greek-Australian has been hailed as one of the NRL’s greatest upcoming talents, with Blue’s coach Brad Fittler reportedly being a big fan of the young player’s talents.
“I know the one person who absolutely loves him is Brad Fittler…not just because of his Greek heritage but because he can play the game, which I absolutely love,” NRL commentator Peter Psaltis previously said to The Greek Herald.
“He plays in such a positive manner, good ball runner, and I can see him being a really good lock-forward or second-rower for many years to come.”
Magoulias has proved in his youth career that he has what it takes to bring home a trophy, bringing Newtown a NSW Cup and National Championship victory, yet is still waiting for the opportunity to prove himself in the NRL.
The Pizza Hut restaurant chain announced its decision to cease operating in Greece and shut down all 16 of its restaurants as of Thursday, saying that the chain’s activities were no longer sustainable in the wake of the pandemic.
“The company made great efforts in previous years to return the stores to positive operation and growth rates,” sources at the company told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
“In the last 12 years and despite continued years of financial losses, it invested 23 million euros in the development of the chain in Greece, while over the last decade it created and secured more than 450 jobs.
“Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic, which created an unprecedented crisis for our country and worldwide, has placed a heavy toll on the restaurant sector and led to a worsening of existing difficulties and an inability to turn the bad climate around,” the sources said.
It is estimated that at least 180 people will lose their job.
Pizza Hut had incurred significant losses as a result of the lockdown, which multiplied the already difficult challenges and making the endeavour unsustainable, they added, noting that this was not confined to Greece.
“A few days ago, NPC International, one of the largest franchisees of Pizza Hut in the United States went bankrupt due to the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic,” the sources pointed out.
In the early morning light on July 31, 1801, a ship-carpenter, five crew members, and twenty Athenian labourers “mounted the walls” of the Parthenon and removed one of Greece’s most important pieces of history.
The Elgin Marbles formed part of the Parthenon, built under the supervision of the architect and sculptor Phidias and his assistants. The marbles accompanied the Parthenon, atop of the Acropolis, for over 2,200 years. Following the Ottoman occupation in Greece, Greeks would see the priceless artefacts sold off to various bidders in Europe.
Elgin claimed to have obtained in 1801 an official decree from the Sublime Porte, which approved his removal of the marbles. However, this firman has not been found in the Ottoman archives despite its wealth of documents from the same period and its veracity is disputed.
PHOTOGRAPH BY MLENNY/GETTY IMAGES
With the aid of ropes and pulleys, Elgin and his men detached and lowered a sculptured marble block depicting a youth and centaur in combat. The next day the group lowered a second sculptured marble from the Greek temple.
Within months, the workers had lowered dozens of additional marble sculptures, and within a few years, majority of the Parthenon’ priceless marbles were removed and sent to England.
The Parthenon Marbles acquired by Elgin include some 21 figures from the statuary from the east and west pediments, 15 of an original 92 metope panels depicting battles between the Lapiths and the Centaurs, as well as 75 meters of the Parthenon Frieze which decorated the horizontal course set above the interior architrave of the temple.
Photo: The Independent
The legality of the removal of the marbles continues to be discussed today, with the Greek government demanding they be returned to their home in Athens.
In 2014, UNESCO offered to mediate between Greece and the United Kingdom to resolve the dispute, although this was later turned down by the British Museum on the basis that UNESCO works with government bodies, not trustees of museums.
The two countries ongoing dispute continues to impede Greece’s attempt to save the authenticity of their ancient history.
The Turkish President has continued to increase tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, saying on Thursday that that Ankara intends to carry on with the “work it has started in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.”
According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, his comments came hours after the Turkish seismic survey vessel Barbaros sailed toward Cyprus.
“We will not hesitate to exercise our sovereign rights, as in the example of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, which we reopened for worship,” Erdogan reportedly added.
Turkish seismic survey vessel Barbaros sailed toward Cyprus under new orders under Erdogan.
The Barbaros was called in only hours after Turkish officials called off gas exploration activities near the Greek island of Kastellorizo with the Oruc Reis. It was sent in response to a NAVTEX message issued by Ankara, reserving an area inside Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone to conduct hydrocarbon research until September 18, Kathimerini Cyprus reported.
Earlier this week, Erdogan’s spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said at the time he was prepared to sit at the negotiation table with counterparts in Athens.
“In line with the instructions of our president, we are ready to discuss all issues; the Aegean, continental shelf, islands, airspace, research and screening efforts, and Eastern Mediterranean along with other bilateral matters with Greece without any precondition,” Kalin said.
An abysmal performance by Melbourne has allowed young Greek Australian Mitch Georgiades to shine for Port Adelaide as they defeat the Victorian club 12.11 (83) to 4.8 (32).
The Greek young gun kicked the opening goal of the match, with teammate Justin Westhoff following a few minutes later in a promising start.
Port Adelaide continued the match in stunning form, with Melbourne’s attack left in shambles and unable to create any organised movement. The Demons hit the change rooms trailing 1.3 (9) to 6.6 (42) at half time.
Second half wasn’t much better for the boys in blue and red, as The Power continued to dominate both defensively and in their deadly attack.
A free kick allowed Adelaide’s Ollie Wines to secure the opening goal of the third quarter, yet the Demons managed to pull in a late effort with two goals in the final 90 seconds.
Georgiades, playing power forward, went on to score three goals during the match, the most by any player in the night.
Following the victory, Port Adelaide were made AFL ladder leaders. They are currently two points ahead of Brisbane Lions, who face seventh place Essendon tomorrow night.
All AFL matches this season are being played with shortened quarters of 16 minutes (plus time on), down from 20 minutes (plus time on).
Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Arthur Spyrou, speaks proudly of the work he and his team have been able to achieve in Greece only a few months into his placement there as an official diplomat.
Born in Athens, Mr Spyrou moved to Australia when he was young and, thanks to his skills and Australia’s open-mindedness, he became one of the country’s most important officials in December 2019.
In this exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, Mr Spyrou covers a whole range of issues which concern the Greeks of Australia, including the COVID-19 health crisis, travel restrictions and the current relationship between Australia and Greece.
We have been navigating through uncharted waters. How did you spend your time during the lockdown and what were the challenges you faced in the Australian embassy in Athens in these unprecedented days?
It’s a challenge to kick-off a new chapter in the family’s life from the living room! We had only just arrived from Abu Dhabi, where I had been Ambassador for four years, and COVID-19 caught us as we were settling in. The kids had to go into online education in a new school, without the time to make new friends. My wife was enrolled in a Masters course and was travelling abroad periodically to attend classes. That needed an adjustment too. And as Ambassador, your first job is to get to meet a broad range of local contacts, which was more difficult during lock-down. So it was an interesting start!
Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Arthur Spyrou.
But we were fortunate
as well. Greece is not foreign to us, it’s our second home – so we weren’t
adapting to a new place. We have been coming to Greece every year for a long
time. We have the entire Greek side of our family here. And I was born in
Athens – this is my home town. COVID-19 even gave me an opportunity to help out
some of my older relatives, taking them food and groceries while they were in lock-down,
popping in to see them, while wearing a mask and social distancing, helping
them to manage the isolation. It was therapeutic for me too.
I spent my time in lockdown exploring Greece virtually, without leaving the house! I searched out an incredible professional Greek percussion artist called Alekos Roupas and asked him to teach me via video call. It’s worked so well that I’ve encouraged him to take on students from Australia too. Through Alekos, and my toumberleki, I’ve been able to explore Greece’s stunning native rhythms and its centuries-old musical traditions. I’ve also really enjoyed getting back to reading Greek poetry – Ritsos’s “18 Small Songs for the Bitter Homeland” are a favourite.
I was really proud of
how the Embassy team adapted to the challenges posed by COVID-19. We have a
great team – experienced, collaborative and resilient. We got together and made
a plan that was safe and also suited the services we needed to provide to
Australians – we broke up into three teams and worked in a rotation of one week
in the office and two working from home. The idea was that even if someone was
infected and we quarantined one of our teams, we could still have another team
available in the Embassy to help Australians. It was a matter of pride for us
that Athens Embassy has not closed so far during the pandemic.
The whole experience sharpened our IT and business continuity processes, and of course brought home that we really needed to look after each other first and foremost. Looking back on that period, the hardest part was missing out on the day-to-day camaraderie we share with colleagues in the office. But we caught up regularly on Webex and we were really looking forward to returning to the office full-time, which we have now done. From what I’ve seen of the team’s resilience and flexibility, I’m confident we can continue to adapt to whatever the pandemic throws at us next.
Great discussion with Sec.Gen. for Sports @Mavrogiorgos on sports cooperation. Our sports relations go back to the 1896 #Olympics ! Sport is central to both cultures. Very glad to note shared Cretan ancestry with Dep. Minister for Culture & Sports @l_avgenakis ! @dfatpic.twitter.com/DHuubmCCuM
2. You are not exactly neutral, since you are of Greek origin, but I would like to have your comment on how Greece has dealt with the pandemic? A few cases compared with other countries and consequently the country gained some good publicity from the International Press.
I never said I was neutral! I’m an Australian
official. And on that point, I think it says a lot about the Australia’s
openness as a community and our strength as a multicultural society, that not
only can someone born overseas represent the country, but that one can also
represent Australia in one’s country of birth. It’s for reasons like this that
we are the most successful multicultural community in the world.
Of course, being Greek-born, of Greek parents,
the emotional bond to Greece is strong. I count it as a real advantage in
helping me find ways to bring Australia and Greece ever closer. And I was
extremely glad to see first-hand how well Greece handled the COVID-19 crisis to
date, how saving lives was clearly elevated as the first priority, and how the
quick imposition of safety measures certainly achieved that. And of course
congratulations for that success also belongs, in large measure, to the Greek
people who demonstrated discipline, resilience and courage.
It was also lovely to see that at the helm of the Greek national effort to combat COVID-19 was Sydney-born immunologist Sotiris Tsiodras. One sign of how well Greece has managed this first phase of the COVID-19 outbreak is that Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis takes part in the regular Smart COVID-19 group of leaders from countries which have successfully dealt with the pandemic to date. Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, is also a member of that group, underscoring how well Australia has also performed during this unprecedented challenge.
Arthur Spyrou has been Australia’s Ambassador to Greece since December 2019.
3. The Australian citizens of Greek origin are eager to travel in their homeland. Greece has opened the borders to Australian citizens but there is a ban on international travel from the Australian government. According to SETE, last year more than 350 000 people from Australia have traveled to Greece. Are there any developments on this issue, that you can share with our readers and do you believe that is feasible to create a “bubble” between Australia and Greece with direct flights this year or is it premature such a discussion?
Health comes first, of course. So unique is the current situation that the Australian Government imposed a “do not travel” advisory across the board for all countries, for the first time in our history. We still have a lot to learn about COVID-19 – but we do know it is extremely virulent and that travel restrictions have been a critical measure in stopping its spread in both Australia and Greece. The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham recently commented in a speech at the National Press Club that the prospect of the ban on overseas travel was likely to extend to 2021. So on the potential for “a bubble” between Australia and Greece, I’d expect that to still be a little way off.
4. What’s your first impressions on the political landscape in Greece and what are the objectives of Australia from those meetings?
I met around 20 Ministers in the last couple of months, including a couple through video calls during the lock down, as well as many other senior officials in Athens and Thessaloniki. The first priority has been to get well enough plugged-in to be able to assist Australian citizens and Australian businesses when they need it, especially in the COVID-19 context. Our first priority over the last few months has been to help Australians return home safely and to be a source of advice and assistance where we can offer help. We also collaborate with the local government to share and gather best practice about dealing with the pandemic, and strengthening the economy. Another big priority is to promote the conclusion of the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, which is currently heading towards its eighth round. When it’s concluded, it can play a really important role to help in Australia’s and Europe’s economies grow out of the COVID-19 slow-down, and therefore to help families on both sides who might be feeling economic pressure.
Arthur Spyrou is passionate about positive relations between Greece and Australia.
5. What are priorities of the Australian Embassy in Greece in the upcoming strange months due to the pandemic? On which areas are you going to focus and what are your initiatives, that you can share with our readers, if there are any?
There are a lot of
things I want to accomplish while I’m here. As I’ve said our first priority is
helping out Australians, Australian families and Australian businesses abroad.
I want to expand trade and investment flows. It’s a priority for both
governments and is essential given the economic impact of COVID-19 worldwide.
In that context, I’d like to help the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement get
over the line, and I feel there is the political will on both sides for this to
happen, possibly as early as next year. Next year we will be celebrating the 80th
anniversary of the Battle of Crete. It will be an important event that
recognises the sacrifice and bravery of the Australian, New Zealand and British
forces, but also the tenacity and generosity of the Cretan people, who looked
after our soldiers at great risk to themselves.
2021 also marks 200
years since Greece’s war of independence. We will have a set of year-long
activities to mark the event, hopefully including some projects that will have
a long-term impact –stay tuned! You’ll also be interested to know we have
already started a promotion celebrating Australia’s multiculturalism and the
contribution of Greek Australians to Australian society. You can follow us on
twitter on @AusAmbAthens and on facebook on the AustraliaInGreece handle. I’m
really enjoying putting that together. I also want to make sure we raise the
profile of the island of Lemnos, which was an important chapter in the
Gallipoli campaign and is not so well known. It’s the first theatre where
Australian nurses served abroad and I really want to make sure we recognise and
honour their contribution.
And that’s only a part of the Greek agenda. I’m also Ambassador to Romania and Bulgaria!
6. Greece is your second home. I believe that the land of your ancestors was Arcadia. How do you feel in Greece? Is Athens a good city to live?
I count all of Greece as the land of my ancestors and I feel I’ve got most of the country covered! I was born in Athens. My father, Dr Miltiades Spyrou came to Australia as the first Director of the Greek National Tourist Organisation office in Sydney. He was born in Komotini in Thrace, and his father was from a village outside Thiva in Boeotia. His mother was a refugee from what is today Bursa in Asia Minor. My mother, Katy Spyrou, was born in Piraeus. Her mother had origins from Chania in Crete, Santorini, Andros and Evia. My maternal grandfather was from a village outside of Tripoli in Arcadia, as you mention. But of course Greece is not just a collection of places. Hellenism is as much broader concept.
Athens is a great
place to live. It’s timeless –both ancient and modern at the same time. It’s
bustling, but you can still find yourself all alone at Kallimarmaro stadium or
at Kerameikos cemetery or in a nook somewhere. You can know it your whole life
and still never know all its secrets. Athens is a place that makes you feel
humble. People here have been going about their business, living, loving,
running businesses, creating great art, developing new political systems, for
millennia and you see traces of it everywhere.
7. What’s your favorite place in Athens?
So many places to celebrate in Athens! The
Acropolis comes first of course. When I was a boy I remember being able to sit
in the temple itself, on the cold marble in winter, eating hot roast chestnuts.
The Herodes Atticus Odeon, just below it, where years ago I watched a
performance of “Thessalikos Kyklos” by Greek composer Yannis Markopoulos. The
magnificent little Byzantine-era chapel of Saint Demetrius Loumbardiaris at the
foot of the Acropolis, on Filopappou Hill. It’s our family church in Athens – I
was married there and my three kids were baptised there. The Bay of Zea in
Piraeus, not far from which I went to school…
8. Your favorite Greek food?
Just one? My late mother’s rabbit stifado.
Will never be repeated. My aunt Nicky’s famous spanakopita – she opens her own
fillo. It’s a world-beater. I can share her recipe if your readers would like!
And a good galaktomboureko fresh from the oven is also a thing of beauty!
9. Island or a city that you like to go for a relaxing weekend?
Evia island. Swimming
down at Chiliadou beach. Spit roasted lamb up in the mountains at Steni.
10. What’s your favorite Greek expression?
I love the Greek
words ‘pallikari’ and ‘levendis’ – which capture proud aspects of the Greek
character and are, of course, untranslatable into other languages. I love them
especially because I have three ‘pallikaria’, three ‘levendes’ at home – my
three boys, Miltiades, Iason and Aristotelis.
11. And what’s the most vivid expression associated with Greece?
In the novel, “Report to Greco” by Nikos Kazantzakis, who also wrote “Zorba”, there is a passage that I love and which I feel is vividly Greek. The writer addresses El Greco directly as his “grandfather” – he calls on his “grandfather” to make a demand of him about how he should live his life. Greco tells him to “reach as far as you can”. But the writer comes back asking for a more difficult, “more Cretan” demand. Then his “grandfather” tells him to “reach as far as you cannot”.
Sec.Gen. for Sports 
. Our sports relations go back to the 1896 
