The famous Greek royal palace of Tatoi, which once housed the Greek royal family, is set to be turned into a new luxury 5-star hotel and spa.
The Greek government took ownership of the property when the monarchy fell, leaving it abandoned for the last 50 years. The government now plans to redecorate the estate and open cafés, restaurants and a five-star hotel with a spa on the property. The government also wants to renovate the gardens, which house several royal tombs.
The Greek Republic’s Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, is heading the project. She told the Greek press: “The government want Tatoi to be a year-round attraction with environmentally friendly infrastructure.”
“It is a hugely ambitious project. The biggest challenge will not be completing the project, rather it will be sustaining the massive running costs that it will incur once operational.”
The project will reportedly have a budget of 130 million euros, yet the government hopes that private investors will come forward and contact the government.
King George I bought the Tatoi estate from Skarlatos Soutsos, a Greek from Istanbul, chief of court and government minister, in May 1872. Until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974, it was the official summer residence of the royal family, and witnessed many important events, such as the birth of George II in 1890 and Constantine I swearing in Eleftherios Venizelos’ government in 1915.
By Peter Oglos, Argyro Vourdoumpa and Andriana Simos.
At least six Greek Australians were recognised on the Australia Day Honours List this year, in a mark of respect for their service to the Australian way of life and community.
Following the announcement this morning, The Greek Herald had the privilege of speaking to some of these proud Greek Australians to get their thoughts on how it feels to be recognised. This is what they had to say.
*Please Note: The below recipients are those The Greek Herald could identify by their Greek name.
Order of Australia (General Division):
– Ms Theodora Ahilas OAM, Blakehurst, NSW:
Ms Ahilas was recognised for service to people affected by asbestos-related diseases and to the law. She has been a Principal Lawyer and Director at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers in Sydney since 2004. She is also currently the National Head of Asbestos and Occupational Diseases at the firm.
In the field of law, Ms Ahilas is currently an accredited mediator; she was a partner at Turner Freeman Lawyers from 1990 to 2004, and a member of the Law Society of New South Wales (since 1989), the Women’s Lawyer’s Association, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, The Baird Institute of New South Wales, and Cancer Council New South Wales.
Her work with asbestos-related diseases is tied to her co-authoring, ‘Understanding Mesothelioma,’ with the Cancer Council NSW, as well as organising several fundraising events including the inaugural Bernie Banton Dinner in 2010 and 2011.
Ms Ahilas tells The Greek Herald she feels “a range of emotions at receiving this award.”
“I feel extremely humbled, blessed and honoured to be acknowledged in such a way for a career that I have loved,” Ms Ahilas says.
“I come from a working class non-English speaking background. Greek was my first language. I experienced first hand the difficulty of accessing services to the law and medicine when there is a deficiency in language.
“I have acted for hundreds of clients where English was their second language and it has been the greatest honour of my life to give them a legal voice.”
Other awards and recognition given to Ms Ahilas include: President’s Medal, Law Society of NSW, 2018; Doyles Guide Leading Lawyer, 2018, 2017, 2016; Alumni Award for Excellence in Law, University of Technology Sydney, 2013; Justice Medal, Law and Justice Foundation NSW, 2012.
– Miss Eleni Andriana Glouftsis OAM, VIC:
Miss Glouftsis has been recognised on Australia Day this year for service to Australian rules football, particularly as an umpire. In fact, she’s been involved in Australian Football League since 2017, as well as an AFL Umpiring Growth and Development Coordinator – Schools and Female, since 2019.
Other areas Miss Glouftsis is involved in include: Victorian Football League, since 2015; South Australian National Football League, since 2013; North Eastern Metro Junior Football Association, since 2006; and she is also currently a Physical Education Teacher at St Bernard’s College in Melbourne.
“It’s exciting and very humbling… It’s been a pretty crazy journey and it started out because of my love for football and for umpiring,” Miss Glouftsis tells The Greek Herald about how she feels after being recognised.
“I’m very humbled to be in a position where I’m helping other younger girls see that if these things are possible then they probably think it’s possible as well.”
Other awards and recognition given to Miss Glouftsis include: South Australian Young Australian of the Year in 2019 and Prospect City Council Young Citizen of the Year in 2014.
– Mr Michael Panormitis Pakakis AM, VIC:
Mr Michael Panormitis Pakakis has been honoured for his significant service to STEM education in Victoria. Mr Pakakis is not only the founding Director of the Victorian Space Science Education Centre at Victoria’s Strathmore Secondary College since 2006, but he has also been Assistant Principal at the College since 2016.
Further to this, Mr Pakakis was Leading Teacher at the College from 2000 to 2015, and a teacher since 1993. Before that, Mr Pakakis was a teacher at Moreland High School from 1985-1991.
“Books were what sparked my interest in science and when the Americans landed on the moon in July 20, 1969, I told my dad I wanted to do something related to science,” Mr Pakakis tells The Greek Herald about why he become involved in STEM education.
He adds that his life motto is one that NASA instills in all astronauts.
“Failure is not an option. Perseverance is the only option. I think this says it all,” he says.
– The late Mrs Ismini (Pitsa) Parrett OAM, Formerly of Barton, ACT:
Mrs Ismini (Pitsa) Parrett passed away on February 26, 2020, but the amazing woman was still recognised on Australia Day this year for her service to community health through exercise therapy and aquatic rehabilitation.
Mrs Parrett was heavily involved as an Instructor of Aquatic Rehabilitation, Aerobics, Aqua-Aerobics and Pilates at the Australian Institute of Sport from 1995 to 2007. She was also an Exercise Therapist and Fitness Instructor from 1969 to 2007.
With regards to community work, Mrs Parrett was a past member of the Calvary Hospital Auxiliary, as well as a course contributor at the University of the Third Age in Canberra.
“She was unbelievable, that woman. She loved Greeks and her Greek heritage and the Greek way of life,” Mr Colliss Parrett, Mrs Parrett’s husband, tells The Greek Herald.
“I don’t know who was behind it but she finally got the recognition she deserved. Nobody on this planet deserved what she got as much as her. Pitsa was incredible.”
– Mrs Sotiria Liangis OAM AM, O’Malley, ACT:
Mrs Sotiria Liangis was honoured for her significant service to the community through philanthropic support initiatives. Mrs Liangis is a supporter of a range of charitable and not-for-profit organisations including: The National Portrait Gallery of Australia, The Canberra Hospital, The Starlight Foundation, Koomarri, St Nicholas Home for the Aged, St John the Baptist Church in Batemans Bay, and Canberra Centenary Hospital for Women, Youth and Children.
Mrs Liangis is also the Director, owner and property developer of Liangis Investments since 1967.
Awards and other recognition for Mrs Liangis include: She was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1996; Two National Portrait Gallery spaces were named the Liangis Theatre and the A & S Liangis Gallery in her honour in 2008; she was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001; and she was also named Telstra ACT Business Woman of the Year in 1995.
Meritorious Award:
– Mr John Constantine Varnavides, AFSM (Australian Fire Service Medal), Western Australia Department of Fire & Emergency Services:
Mr John Varnavides joined the Western Australia Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) at the Pemberton Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1971. Since that time, he has attended over 900 incidents including bushfires, dangerous structure fires, storms and road crash rescues. He has held most of the leadership positions within the Brigade and is one of the longest serving operational firefighters in the region.
In addition to frontline volunteering duties, he has mentored and trained volunteers. Whilst attending and actively participating in all training sessions, he has promoted fitness and discipline among volunteers, as well as the enhancement of firefighting skills through training and competitions. He is consistently called upon to assist with training, station inspections, and a myriad of other tasks. He is best known as the Brigade’s Apparatus Officer, a role he held for more than 15 years.
His passion for improving Brigade services and facilities has, over the years, resulted in the establishment of the new brigade building, along with securing equipment, and subsequent extensions and interior renovations. The vastly improved facility is a testament to his commitment to the Brigade, and to the local community.
He is a dedicated volunteer firefighter who displays a high degree of personal drive and adaptability. He develops strong working relationships with community members, volunteers and across all levels of management.
Mr Varnavides has provided distinguished service to the Western Australian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, and to the Pemberton and wider community, throughout his 50 year volunteer career.
Daniel Theophanou had a dream for Australia Day this year – to upcycle an Australian flag dress he had received as a gift from a friend and include a collar and hat in the colours of the Aboriginal flag.
Luckily Daniel, who is the son of a Cypriot migrant, had a few tricks up his sleeve to make that dream possible. All he had to do was tap into his creative side, which comes out whenever he becomes well-known drag queen Vin Tage.
As Vin Tage, Dan has travelled the world posing in the Australian flag dress. Photo supplied.
“I’ve been doing drag for probably about three years. I moved to Melbourne about ten years ago and just absolutely adored drag and got involved in it from there,” Daniel, who also identifies as gay, tells The Greek Herald.
“I love that drama, that creativity and that’s why I went down that alley.”
Since then, coronavirus struck and Daniel moved back down to Wollongong in New South Wales to live with his parents. He straight away started collaborating with his mum, who is a milliner, on the Australia Day dress. The main section of the dress was created for an old Miss Australia campaign.
Daniel working on the new ‘inclusive’ Australian flag dress. Photo supplied.
“It was sitting in a cupboard in a magazine place and they were like ‘let’s get rid of this.’ And my friend was like, ‘I know the perfect person.’ So that’s how I ended up with it,” Daniel explains.
But Daniel says he still wanted to make the dress more inclusive this year. He and his mum decided to use about 90 separate squares of red, yellow and black fabric, representing the Aboriginal flag, to make a collar and hat.
“I absolutely love it. It’s heavy and hot but… I wanted to do the dress justice and make sure it all worked cohesively and portrayed inclusiveness,” he concludes.
Greece and former Arsenal defender, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, has signed for Greek champion Olympiacos in a deal worth a reported 1.2 million euros ($1.46 million).
The contract the 32-year-old had at Arsenal was canceled by mutual consent last week after he made 69 appearances at the London club.
“One of the most enjoyable times in my career ended today. It has been an honour to wear the Arsenal shirt and I want to thank all the coaches, team-mates, staff and fans around the world for the love and respect they have given me,” Sokratis said on Twitter at the time.
Greece and former Arsenal defender, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, has signed for Greek champion Olympiacos. Photo: Twitter.
Today, Olympiacos confirmed that Sokratis has agreed to play at the club through the 2022-23 season.
“After almost 13 years in teams abroad, the time has come for me to return to the Greek stadiums with the jersey of Olympiacos,” Sokratis wrote on Twitter.
Μετά από σχεδόν 13 χρόνια σε ομάδες του εξωτερικού ήρθε η στιγμή που επιστρέφω στα ελληνικά γήπεδα με την φανέλα του Ολυμπιακού. pic.twitter.com/KvtyPo4TVg
Sokratis spent six years in Germany at Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund before moving to the UK.
He made his debut for Greece at age 19 in 2008, as then-coach Otto Rehhagel began rebuilding the team that won the European Championship four years earlier.
Considered one of Greece’s most reliable central defenders, he has made 90 appearances for his country.
Greece signed a $2.8 billion deal with France on Monday to purchase 18 Rafale fighter jets, as tensions remain high with neighbour Turkey.
Florence Parly, the French Defense Minister, signed the agreement in Athens to deliver 12 used and six new aircraft built by Dassault Aviation over two years, starting in July.
France has sided with Greece in a dispute over boundaries in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean that has brought NATO members Greece and Turkey to the brink of war several times in recent decades.
French Defense Minister, Florence Parly, right, and her Greek counterpart, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, speak during their meeting in Athens, Monday, January 25, 2021. Photo: Louisa Gouliamaki/Pool via AP.
Tension spiked again last summer when a Turkish exploration mission in disputed waters triggered a dangerous military buildup.
Greece and Turkey have agreed to restart talks aimed at resolving the dispute peacefully. Senior diplomats from the two countries met in Istanbul on Monday to resume the process that had been interrupted for nearly five years.
French Defense Minister, Florence Parly, left, and her Greek counterpart, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, right, arrive for a meeting in Athens, Monday, January 25, 2021. Photo: Louisa Gouliamaki/Pool via AP.
But Athens says it will continue a multibillion-euro program to upgrade its military following years of cuts because of the country’s financial crisis.
France and the United States are in competition to provide the Greek navy with new frigates, while Greece’s government recently approved plans to cooperate with Israeli defense electronics firm, Elbit Systems, to create a new military flight academy in southern Greece.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, left, welcomes French Defense Minister, Florence Parly, centre, as Greek Defence Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos looks on, during their meeting in Athens on Monday January 25, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris.
Starting in May, mandatory national service in the Greek Armed Forces will also be increased from nine to 12 months to boost the number of people serving in uniform.
Parly, who also met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced that France would join two Greek military exercises later this year, participating with Rafale jets from the French air force.
In a special Australia Day message, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has reminded Australians that the past year was “difficult,” but “we can and will get through these difficult times.”
“In a year where much of the world has struggled under the strain of the global pandemic, Australians, together, have prevailed, in our own Australian way,” Mr Morrison wrote in his message.
“From the kids who made masks for others and who studied remotely; to the aged care residents who endured difficult COVID restrictions: every Australian has played a part responding to a once-in-a century pandemic.”
The Prime Minister then went on to acknowledge and reflect on Australia’s history and the “privilege of being able to call ourselves Australians.”
“Today, we honour 60,000 years of Indigenous history; draw strength from our representative democracy that is a beacon to free peoples; and express our gratitude on the bounty that is ours as the most successful multicultural nation on Earth. These stories do not compete with each other, they simply coexist and are woven together,” Mr Morrison said.
“We are a decent, fair, enterprising, and generous people who respond to whatever challenge is put before us. We are a people “one and free” who look out for each other and our neighbours, and are always striving to do better.”
The statement from Mr Morrison concluded with the Prime Minister wishing everyone a “Happy Australia Day” and expressing his hopes for the future.
“Whilst our celebrations will be different this year because of the pandemic, we look to the future with hope and optimism – understanding that together we can and will get through these difficult times.”
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios has issued a message to the Greek Australian community to mark Australia Day today.
In his message, His Eminence describes how happy he is to have arrived in Australia back in June 2019 and adds that it is a “genuine blessing to live in an open, democratic, multicultural society.”
“I have already declared it, but I repeat it and absolutely mean it. With each passing day, I come to the greater and deeper realisation that it is a genuine blessing to live in an open, democratic, multicultural society in one of the most illustrious examples of mutual respect and understanding,” His Eminence writes in his message.
Full Statement in English below:
“Since my arrival to Australia in June 2019, I have not, for a moment, stopped praising and thanking God who led my steps to this blessed land.
I have already declared it, but I repeat it and absolutely mean it. With each passing day, I come to the greater and deeper realization that it is a genuine blessing to live in an open, democratic, multicultural society in one of the most illustrious examples of mutual respect and understanding. And today, I believe, is an occasion to celebrate this important aspect of Australian society, recognizing the diachronic contribution of all its members – from the indigenous, and first settlers of Australia, through to the immigrants of recent decades, including from our own Greek community who have made this place in the Antipodes their second homeland.
At the same time, it offers us the opportunity to look back boldly, to reflect and learn valuable lessons. After all, mistakes and injustices are not absent from any people in history. The essence, however, lies in their recognition, acceptance and in the concern for their restoration.
With this understanding, today we can celebrate Australia’s National Day with the certainty that we are travelling on the correct path. With pride in what we have already achieved, we inspire and renew our commitment for greater love, more justice, more unity and coexistence.
Happy Australia Day!”
Full Statement in Greek below:
“Από της αφίξεώς μου στην Αυστραλία, τον Ιούνιο του 2019, δεν έχω πάψει στιγμή να δοξάζω και να ευγνωμονώ τον Θεό που οδήγησε τα βήματά μου σε ετούτη την ευλογημένη γη.
Το έχω δηλώσει, το επαναλαμβάνω και το εννοώ απόλυτα. Και κάθε ημέρα που περνάει το συνειδητοποιώ ολοένα και βαθύτερα: Συνιστά πράγματι ευλογία να ζει κανείς σε μια κοινωνία ανοιχτή, δημοκρατική, πολυπολιτισμική, σε ένα από τα φωτεινότερα παραδείγματα αλληλοσεβασμού και αλληλοκατανόησης. Και η σημερινή ημέρα ενδείκνυται, εκτιμώ, για να εορτάσουμε αυτήν τη σημαντική κατάκτηση της αυστραλιανής κοινωνίας, αναγνωρίζοντας τη διαχρονική συνεισφορά όλων των μελών της – από τους αυτόχθονες, Πρώτους Κατοίκους της Αυστραλίας, μέχρι και τους μετανάστες των τελευταίων δεκαετιών, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των ομογενών μας Ελλήνων οι οποίοι εδώ στους Αντίποδες έχουν αποκτήσει τη δεύτερη πατρίδα τους.
Ταυτόχρονα, προσφέρεται ως ευκαιρία για να γυρίσουμε το βλέμμα μας με θάρρος προς το παρελθόν, να προβληματιστούμε και να αντλήσουμε πολύτιμα διδάγματα. Εξάλλου, τα λάθη και οι αδικίες δεν απουσιάζουν από κανενός λαού την ιστορία. Η ουσία, όμως, βρίσκεται στην αναγνώρισή τους, στην παραδοχή και στη διαρκή μέριμνα για την αποκατάστασή τους.
Υπό αυτήν την έννοια, σήμερα μπορούμε να εορτάζουμε την Εθνική Ημέρα της Αυστραλίας με τη βεβαιότητα ότι οδεύουμε στο σωστό μονοπάτι. Με υπερηφάνεια για όσα έχουμε ήδη πετύχει, εμπνεόμαστε και ανανεώνουμε τη δέσμευσή μας για περισσότερη αγάπη, περισσότερη δικαιοσύνη, περισσότερη ενότητα και συμπόρευση.
The first high-level talks aimed at reducing tensions between Turkey and Greece in five years took place behind closed doors on Monday.
The summit of senior officials came after a year that saw the two NATO members come to the verge of conflict in the eastern Mediterranean — a crisis that pushed the European Union toward imposing sanctions on Ankara.
The exploratory talks at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace were the 61st round of meetings between the frequent rivals since discussions were launched in 2002.
Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attended the meeting and stressed Turkey’s commitment.
“Under the strong leadership of our president, it is possible to solve all problems, including the Aegean, and we have the will for this,” he tweeted. “Regional peace and stability is in everyone’s interests.”
Türkiye ile Yunanistan arasında dört buçuk yıldır yapılmayan istikşafi görüşmeler bugün İstanbul’da başladı. Cumhurbaşkanımızın güçlü liderliğinde Ege dahil tüm sorunların çözümü mümkündür ve bunun için irademiz tamdır. Bölgesel barış ve istikrar herkesin menfaatinedir. pic.twitter.com/fOdG410eLa
Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency cited diplomatic sources as saying steps to address recent developments were discussed at the four-hour meeting.
However, Athens was more reserved in its remarks.
“These are not negotiations and do not have a binding effect,” Greek government spokesman, Christos Tarantilis, said on Monday. “The aim is to pick up the thread from the point where contacts were interrupted in 2016 to see if there is a point of convergence in order to lead us to negotiations.”
He added that future talks would be limited to the demarcation of economic zones and the continental shelf in the Aegean and east Mediterranean.
Turkey has previously called for other issues, such as air space and the demilitarization of Greece’s Aegean islands, to be included.
Representatives of Turkey and Greece attend a meeting as part of the bilateral talks on the maritime disputes in Istanbul, Turkey on January 25, 2021. Photo: Turkish Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS.
Since the last round in March 2016, Turkey has encouraged thousands of migrants to cross the Greek border and sent gas exploration ships into waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus.
Confrontation in the seas around Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete last summer saw warships shadowing one another, leading to a collision between Turkish and Greek vessels on one occasion.
As well as addressing tensions between the frequent rivals, Ankara hopes the talks will smooth relations with the European Union and convince the new Biden administration in Washington of its reliability as an international partner.
Washington has welcomed the talks, saying it backed efforts to reduce tension in the Eastern Mediterranean. “The United States welcomes…the commitment of both governments to this process,” US State Department spokesperson, Ned Price, said on Twitter.
At least six Greek Australians have been named by the Governor General today in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List. They are a small but significant portion of the total number of 844 Australians recognised on the list.
“On behalf of all Australians, I congratulate everyone recognised in the Australia Day Honours list,” the Governor-General said in a media statement.
“The individuals we celebrate today come from all parts of our great nation and have served the community in almost every way conceivable. They’re diverse and unique but there are some common characteristics, including selflessness, commitment and dedication.”
These are the Greek Australians who were recognised:
*Please Note: The below recipients are those The Greek Herald could identify by their Greek name.
Order of Australia (General Division):
– Ms Theodora Ahilas OAM, Blakehurst, NSW:
Ms Ahilas was recognised for service to people affected by asbestos-related diseases and to the law. She has been a Principal Lawyer and Director at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers in Sydney since 2004. She is also currently the National Head of Asbestos and Occupational Diseases at the firm.
Other awards and recognition given to Ms Ahilas include: the President’s Medal for the Law Society of NSW in 2018; Doyles Guide Leading Lawyer in 2018, 2017 and 2016; Alumni Award for Excellence in Law, University of Technology Sydney in 2013; and the Justice Medal from the Law and Justice Foundation NSW in 2012.
– Miss Eleni Andriana Glouftsis OAM, VIC:
Miss Glouftsis has been recognised on Australia Day this year for service to Australian rules football, particularly as an umpire. In fact, she’s been involved in Australian Football League since 2017, as well as an AFL Umpiring Growth and Development Coordinator – Schools and Female, since 2019.
Miss Glouftsis has previously been named South Australian Young Australian of the Year in 2019 and Prospect City Council Young Citizen of the Year in 2014.
– Mr Michael Panormitis Pakakis AM, VIC:
Mr Michael Panormitis Pakakis has been honoured for his significant service to STEM education in Victoria. Mr Pakakis is not only the founding Director of the Victorian Space Science Education Centre at Victoria’s Strathmore Secondary College since 2006, but he has also been Assistant Principal at the College since 2016.
– The late Mrs Ismini (Pitsa) Parrett OAM, Formerly of Barton, ACT:
Mrs Ismini (Pitsa) Parrett passed away on February 26, 2020, but the amazing woman was still recognised on Australia Day this year for her service to community health through exercise therapy and aquatic rehabilitation.
Mrs Parrett was heavily involved as an Instructor of Aquatic Rehabilitation, Aerobics, Aqua-Aerobics and Pilates at the Australian Institute of Sport from 1995 to 2007. She was also an Exercise Therapist and Fitness Instructor from 1969 to 2007.
– Mrs Sotiria Liangis OAM AM, O’Malley, ACT:
Mrs Sotiria Liangis was honoured for her significant service to the community through philanthropic support initiatives.
Mrs Liangis is a supporter of a range of charitable and not-for-profit organisations including: The National Portrait Gallery of Australia, The Canberra Hospital, The Starlight Foundation, Koomarri, St Nicholas Home for the Aged, St John the Baptist Church in Batemans Bay, and Canberra Centenary Hospital for Women, Youth and Children.
She is also the Director, owner and property developer of Liangis Investments since 1967.
Meritorious Award:
– Mr John Constantine Varnavides, AFSM (Australian Fire Service Medal), Western Australia Department of Fire & Emergency Services:
Mr John Varnavides joined the Western Australia Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) at the Pemberton Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1971. Since that time, he has attended over 900 incidents including bushfires, dangerous structure fires, storms and road crash rescues. He has held most of the leadership positions within the Brigade and is one of the longest serving operational firefighters in the region.
Mr Varnavides has provided distinguished service to the Western Australian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, and to the Pemberton and wider community, throughout his 50 year volunteer career.
Conspicuous Service Cross Medal
– Squadron Leader Debbie HERBERZ (Royal Australian Air Force)
For outstanding achievement in education and training for the Royal Australian Air Force.
Greek Australian, John Kokkinos, is part of a team of medical researchers at the University of New South Wales who have made a world-first breakthrough in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
The multi-disciplinary team, led by cancer biologist Associate Professor Phoebe Phillips, have successfully grown a complete human pancreatictumour model in a petri dish.
Kokkinos, who is a UNSW Scientia PhD student and the son of Father Dimitrios Kokkinos from St John Greek Orthodox Church in Parramatta, was challenged by Associate Professor Phillips to create the model when he first embarked on his PhD. He tells The Greek Herald that the process was a challenging one, but worth it in the end.
“A similar model has been done in prostate and breast cancer by some researchers at the University of Adelaide many years ago. Once I received the challenge from my supervisor, I began to research the model and even visited the lab in Adelaide to learn the technique,” Kokkinos tells The Greek Herald.
A/Prof. Phoebe Phillips and John Kokkinos. Photo: UNSW.
“After that, I returned to my lab to try and implement it in pancreatic cancer. It took a lot of trial and error but eventually, we found the right technique and the final protocol that we can now use routinely.”
Game-changer in pancreatic cancer:
The model, which is grown from pancreatic cancer tumours taken from patients during surgery, is particularly significant as it stays in tact for 12 days and offers a complete view of the tumour.
“In pancreatic cancer, other researchers have tried doing something similar but they can only grow the pieces of tumour for two to three days maximum,” Kokkinos explains.
“With our model, we’ve confidently shown now that we can go up to 12 days and maintain the whole tumour architecture. That architecture is what’s really the game-changer in pancreatic cancer… as we can very closely study the biology of these cells and hopefully, this will lead us to new insights into how pancreatic tumours grow and spread around the body.”
Kokkinos adds that the benefit of this longevity is there is a greater potential for testing the effect of different chemotherapy drugs on the cancer, and offering personalised treatments to patients in the future.
The multi-disciplinary team has successfully grown a complete human tumour model in a petri dish. Image: Scientific Reports.
“The other factor that’s really important and exciting for us, is the potential to test different chemotherapy drugs on each individual tumour that we’re growing, determine which drug the tumour responds to and then feed that back to the clinicians,” Kokkinos says.
“If that all works out, it’ll be a really nice way to personalise treatment for each individual patient rather than just throwing a cocktail of drugs at the patient, hoping one of them will work.”
‘Being Greek Australian is a driving force in everything I do’:
Creating such a successful model is no small feat for someone who is only 24 years of age. With that said, we just had to ask what inspired Kokkinos to become involved in the medical field in the first place.
“Being Greek Australian has been a real driving force in everything that I do in life, not just research. What drives me in research is a commitment and dedication to serve mankind and I think alot of that comes down to that spirit of filotimo,” Kokkinos says.
“And then another factor for me is having seen our grandfathers and forefathers, how they persevered through their challenges and fought for their country and faith. I think it’s our duty as third and fourth generation Greek Australians to take on this spirit of courage and perseverance and translate it into the challenges we face today.”
And how exactly does Kokkinos plan to use this brave spirit himself? To continue his research in pancreatic cancer and one day, study postgraduate medicine.
“The first test for our team now is to see whether our model can predict a response to chemotherapy, which will take a bit of time to do. But if that’s successful and we get enough funding, we can start a clinical trial,” Kokkinos explains.
“And after my PhD, I’m still considering doing postgraduate medicine because I think… to be able to do research and at the same time, deal with the patients themselves and help them with our research, is something that excites me and I hope to be able to do that in the future.”
A strong goal from a young Greek Australian who has a very bright future ahead of him.
