When the Preston project team heard about a bare white wall at a local school, they sprang into action to come up with a plan to help reimagine the space.
The team brought in local artist Efrossini Chaniotis to work with students from the school to look at how they can brighten up a once-dreary wall in the student lounge.
Highlighting the importance of family, and fondly referred to as the ‘Preston Louvre’, the artwork represents a gallery wall with more than 60 3D frames of multiple sizes and shapes, filled with colourful artwork.
Efrossini Chaniotis with a St John’s College student. Photo: Supplied.
“With the Louvre wall, I wanted to create a concept and artwork that had artistic integrity with combined multi purpose for school: symbolically and as a teaching tool,” Chaniotis said to The Greek Herald.
“Believing strongly in the power of art and the image, in 10 days I created more that 70 individual artworks (emulating framed, hung paintings in a Louvre style gallery) that refected art history, Hellenism, Greek, creative learning, Orthodox faith, multiculturalism, the school’s history and environment.”
“Colourful empty frames were also included so that students artworks could be interchanged within the gallery wall throughout the year. A mirror was also added so students can see their own reflection amongst the wall of powerful images of identity and culture”
The project took around two weeks to be completed, with the entire school community adding ideas to the piece, from students and parents to teaching staff.
“My favourite painting is the peace dove. Peace is what we need in this world, we need to be kind to one another. It’s great to have this at our school,” St John’s College primary school student Georgia said.
The collage of different themes means the school can use the mural as a teaching tool during art lessons, with some picture frames left empty for art students to complete at a later date.
Efrossini Chaniotis. Photo: Supplied.
“The idea of this project is to really encapsulate who we are, here at St John’s College, but also the broader Australian community and the Greek community,” Anna Urban, Principal of St John’s College, said.
“We celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter where we celebrate faith, and our family values. This artwork is really important as it captures so many things that are important to us, it’s significant to us culturally.”
“The mural will be here for us forever to enjoy and to use in our teaching and learning, as well as in our cultural celebrations within our community.”
St John’s College students. Photo: Supplied.
Upon it’s completion, the Local Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous, as well as VicTrack and Alliance representatives, came to observe the incredible wall of art.
The level crossing removal project team enjoyed collaborating with the school and will be sure to keep an eye on the ‘Preston Louvre’ as construction on the rail project progresses.
The reported ‘toxic culture’ spreading within Adelaide City Council will be revealed in a tell-all report to be released to the public within a month-and-a-half.
Two months ago, the council voted to keep the report secret until 2028 on the basis of staff advice. The findings of the investigation by external contractors have not even been revealed to the council’s elected members.
Deputy Mayor Mary Couros pushed for the release of the report and received the unanimous support of her colleagues on Tuesday night.
The report was commissioned by the council last year after its dominant Team Adelaide faction raised concerns about strained relationships between some elected members and the council’s administration.
It is understood the report details the extent of the problems between councillors and staff, as well as investigating dissatisfaction among staff with the overall administration of the council and the behaviour of some councillors.
Adelaide City Council acting chief executive Claire Mockler said she had already engaged lawyers to prepare the report for public release.
Ms Couros said releasing the report would “end this discussion” and stop “lingering” scuttlebutt about the culture of the council.
Veteran Adelaide City Councillor Anne Moran. Picture: AAP / Russell Millard
Adelaide City Councillor Phillip Martin. Picture: The Advertiser / Morgan Sette
Cr Alex Hyde said the treatment of some staff had been “heartbreaking to say the least”
“I think our staff deserve better, I think our staff deserve to be heard,” Cr Hyde said.
“I think any bad behaviour that may or may not be present … should be aired and it should be aired publicly.”
Cr Phillip Martin declared a conflict of interest on the basis that Cr Couros previously suggested he was mentioned in the report, while Cr Anne Moran – who has regularly clashed with other councillors – was not in the room.
A special event was organised by Victoria’s Greek National Day Committee on Tuesday at the traditional tavern “ELIOS”, holding an honorary dinner for the new Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis.
The event was also honoured by the presence of Fr Evmenios Vasilopoulos, representing the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
During the evening, all presidents and representatives of Victoria’s parish organisations and federations, as well as the principals and managers of the Greek day schools, were given the opportunity to welcome the new Consul General. At the same time, they had the opportunity to exchange views on the effective work of the Committee, also discussing future activities the Committee will be able to undertake with the aim of further promoting the Greek Parish.
The President of the Victorian Committee for 2021, Tony Tsourdalakis, welcomed the official guests and members of the Committee. Tsourdalakis referred in detail to the rich program of the 200th anniversary marking the beginning of the Greek Revolution, in which the Greek Parish participates as a whole. The President also spoke about future plans in the foreground for the Committee, while thanking the sponsors who financially helped carry out the program.
Tsourdalakis, on behalf of the Committee, handed over a commemorative frame to the Consul General which depicts all the historical events of Greece during the last two hundred years.
The Consul General, in his short but rich greeting, congratulated the Victorian Committee of 2021 for the commendable work they perform in conveying ideas for the future.
Finally, he wished good continuation in future activities while promising the Committee and the Consulate will continue to work together to cooperate on issues concerning the future.
Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame Italian No. 1 Matteo Berrettini 7-6(3), 6-2 to reach the Internazionali BNL d’Italia quarter-finals, where the Greek will face World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
In a first set dominated by serve, Tsitsipas rallied from 1/3 down in the tie-break with six consecutive points. The Greek attacked Berrettini’s forehand and took advantage of consecutive volley errors to move a set from victory.
Tsitsipas created six break points across his opening two return games in the second set, breaking through at 1-1 to increase his advantage. Tsitsipas closed the match with a second break and a love service hold to finish the match.
“I had to deal with very serious business today,” Tsitsipas said. “Matteo was applying a lot of pressure with his serve, being very precise and accurate and that was the most difficult [part] of the match today… In the tie-break, I found my footwork which helped me transform my game and feel more comfortable playing the rallies. I was happy. I fought like I always do. I never gave up. I saw [my] opportunity and grabbed it.”
The fifth seed won seven of his eight net points and capitalised on Berrettini’s low first-serve percentage in the second set (32%) to advance after one hour and 36 minutes. Tsitsipas has reached the quarter-finals at eight of his nine tournament appearances this season.
ROME, ITALY- MAY 11: Images Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece during his first round match on day 4,
photo by Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Tsitsipas owns a 2-4 ATP Head2Head record against Djokovic. In the pair’s most recent meeting, Djokovic outlasted Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1 to reach last year’s Roland Garros final.
“[Djokovic] has won here a lot of times. I am just expecting to go out there [and] give my best performance,” Tsitsipas said in his post-match interview.
“He can play on all surfaces. We played each other at Roland Garros. I see this as an opportunity for me to do something better this time. I hope to be able to play the same tennis that I have been playing so far and be a challenge for him.”
Peter Poulos was officially sworn into the NSW Parliament in a ceremony earlier this week, also joining the powerful Regulation Committee and Public Accountability Committee of the NSW Parliament on Thursday.
Present in the gallery for his induction were members of Mr Poulos’ family, including his wife Vicki, three children Maria, John and Christina and brother Emmanuel, who watched on as Mr Poulos took the Pledge of Loyalty before the President and signed the Roll of the House.
“I feel very humbled and privileged to have the honour to serve the people of New South Wales. My commitment remains to work every day to contribute to the success of the Berejiklian Government and help ensure our state remains safe and prosperous,” Mr Poulos said.
Peter Poulos and family. Photo: Supplied
Born and raised in the St George area, Mr Poulos attended Bexley North Public School and Sydney Technical High School, in the area which he still calls home with his wife and children.
“I grew up in a small business family, which lost almost everything in the Keating recession, this has been a driving force in my advocacy for all small businesses. I will fight to continue cutting red tape, to help small business to grow and prosper creating more local opportunities,” Mr Poulos said upon announcement of his preselection.
Having served as a Rockdale Councillor for twelve years, and Deputy Mayor for a year, Peter has been dedicated to delivering services and infrastructure needs of the local community – ensuring an improved financial position that allowed the Council to deliver town centre improvements, new and upgraded playgrounds and foreshore improvements.
“The Government’s record of strong economic management and ongoing investment in our health and education systems, as well as our infrastructure, has placed us well to respond to community needs during these unprecedented times,” Mr Poulos added.
The murder of a young British mother in her suburban Athens home has prompted the Greek government to increase the term convicts spend in prison for heinous crimes.
Speaking to Skai TV on Thursday, Justice Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras said the issue has “already been discussed” among the members of the Criminal Code monitoring committee.
“There is an intention to toughen the sentences, especially for heinous crimes, sex crimes [and] all that have received a lot of publicity lately,” Tsiaras told TV channel Skai.
“With the new legislation, anyone sentenced to life in prison will spend more years [incarcerated] than today.”
Caroline Crouch and her husband Charalambos Anagnostopoulos / Social Media
The legislation, which will be presented in the summer, he will ensure criminals who receive a life sentence will have to spend a minimum of 20 years behind bars instead of the current 16 years.
Caroline Crouch, 20, was strangled in front of her baby daughter earlier this week by armed burglars who had bound her husband, Babis Anagnostopoulos, to a chair after breaking in. Crouch is believed to have been tortured for up to an hour as the thieves tried to coerce her into revealing the location of thousands of pounds of cash and jewellery, which they then made off with.
“We are all shaken up and personally I am shaken up,” Michalis Chrisochoidis told the annual Delphi Economic Forum on Tuesday. “We rarely encounter such brutality in Greece, both in Greek society and in crime.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his girlfriend, Mariah Riddlesprigger, are expecting a second child, with Riddlesprigger announcing the exciting news via an Instagram post.
On her @sincerelyymariah Instagram account, Riddlesprigger posted Wednesday that “Oh and I forgot to mention baby #2 is on the way and I’m in for even more life lessons! My kids are my biggest blessing and my greatest lesson!”
The girlfriend of the NBA MVP showed gratitude not only to her husband, but for her son who has given her “purpose” in life.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his first child, Liam. Photo: Getty Images
“I know it’s a cliché statement, but it’s the truth! Becoming a mom has helped me realize what I am capable of; physically, mentally and emotionally. My son has taught me more about patience, perseverance and passion in these past 15 months than I have ever known,” she wrote.
“But most importantly he’s opened my eyes to my true potential. I’ve made it through sleepless nights, teething and the beginning of toddler tantrums, and at this point I feel invincible.”
On February 10, 2020, Riddlesprigger gave birth to their son, Liam Charles. Giannis and Liam were famously photographed observing the Acropolis last year, with the NBA star saying, “My goal in life is to show you the world”.
The Milwaukee Bucks player won his second NBA MVP award last year, making him the first Greek to ever receive two of the prestigious awards. Last year he also announced a new five-year contract extension with his current NBA team.
After 16 years as chief executive of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBOD), Vic Alhadeff has decided it’s time for him to finally step back from leading the community organisation. But as he stresses to The Greek Herald, this decision is ‘resignation not retirement.’
“My intent is to continue to make a contribution in the areas in which I can. 16 years is a long time and it has been a passion,” Mr Alhadeff tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
“Essentially what drove me was the need to do whatever was within my ability to make NSW a more harmonious society, which meant denouncing bigotry in all its forms through the prism of the Jewish experience.”
To do this effectively, Mr Alhadeff has had to ‘build mutually beneficial and respectful relationships with other faith groups, politicians, media and groups across civil society.’ One of these particularly special relationships is with the Greek Australian community as the chief executive actually has a personal connection to Greece.
Vic Alhadeff’s Greek roots:
When I ask Mr Alhadeff about this connection, it’s clear he is very proud of his Greek roots. He stresses that the Alhadeff family was ‘one of the largest Jewish families on the Greek island of Rhodes,’ and both of his parents were also born there.
Vic Alhadeff (right) with the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras (left). Photo supplied.
“But in 1938, a year before WWII erupted, anti-Semitic decrees were passed in many parts of Europe banishing Jews from civil society, which meant for example that Jews could no longer own businesses or go to public schools,” Mr Alhadeff says.
“There were 4,000 Jews living on Rhodes at the time and approximately half of them left… and went to [places such as] the United States and South Africa.”
Mr Alhadeff’s father went to Zimbabwe, then known as Rhodesia, with the aim of bringing out his parents, his teenage sisters aged 14 and 16, and his fiancé Becky. But sadly, WWII eventually broke out and no one else was allowed to travel.
“In July 1944, German forces arrived on the island and the 1,700 Jews who were still on Rhodes were put on three ships and sent to Auschwitz, which was the largest of the Nazi death camps,” Mr Alhadeff explains.
“My father’s parents were murdered at Auschwitz, as were 151 Alhadeff’s. My father’s sisters both survived.”
In the case of the fiancé, Mr Alhadeff says that although his father was told Becky had also been killed in Auschwitz, it turns out she wasn’t.
“25 years ago, my father was on holiday in Cape Town, South Africa, in a restaurant no less, and he overheard his fiancé’s name, discovered she had survived and was a grandmother living in Belgium… He contacted her and they spent one hour together at Brussels airport,” the chief executive says.
But of course, it must be mentioned that whilst Becky survived WWII and the Holocaust, the same can’t be said for a large majority of the Jewish population on Rhodes.
“Essentially, because of the Holocaust, the Jewish community of Rhodes was decimated and today, there are about five Jewish families left on Rhodes,” Mr Alhadeff stresses.
“In fact, there is also still an Alhadeff street and Alhadeff park on Rhodes named in honour of my family.”
Championing Greek causes:
With such strong ties to Greece, it’s no surprise then that in his 16 years as CEO of the NSW JBOD, Mr Alhadeff has worked very closely with Greek community groups in Australia.
Mr Alhadeff frequently talks at Greek community events. Photo supplied.
In fact, over the years, Mr Alhadeff has not only spoken at Greek community events, but he has also led the ‘Keep NSW Safe’ initiative with the help of multicultural organisations across NSW, including Greek ones. This is something he is incredibly proud of.
“I was the spokesperson for the campaign and we achieved legislative reform in that the state government passed a law on June 27, 2018, and that law says it is a crime to incite violence on the basis of race, religion, gender and sexual preference,” he explains.
“That campaign was approximately 200 meetings and media interviews over three years and like I said, friends in the Greek and Hellenic communities were an integral part of that campaign.”
More recently, Mr Alhadeff has also advocated for the Federal Government to officially recognise the Greek, Armenian and Assyrian genocides.
“We have a monthly meeting of members of the JBOD and the theme of the April meeting was the need to recognise the Greek, Armenian, Assyrian genocides and there were speakers from all of those communities,” Mr Alhadeff says.
Mr Alhadeff after speaking at a Greek Genocide Commemoration event. Photo supplied.
“At the end of the night, a resolution was put forward and passed unanimously to endorse a policy of our federal counterpart, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which calls on the Australian government to recognise the genocides.”
Of course, these are small steps, but they make a world of difference and Mr Alhadeff has no plans to stop advocating for the cause.
In fact, he says that because he comes from a Jewish community which itself has suffered a genocide, he feels even more strongly that the Greek, Armenian and Assyrian genocides need to be acknowledged.
“It’s something that I personally and the Jewish community… feels very strongly about because it’s bad enough that the community has suffered a genocide, but for recognition to be denied is to just inflict even further pain and injustice on that community,” he concludes.
Powerful words which clearly show that despite the fact his days at the helm of the NSW JBOD are coming to an end, Mr Alhadeff will continue championing worthy causes, including those relevant to the Jewish Australian and Greek Australian communities.
Master of Arts (Research) candidate at the University of Sydney, Nicholas Conomos, held an insightful talk on the role of the diaspora in the Greek Revolution of 1821 via Zoom on Wednesday, May 12.
The talk, which was attended by about 20 people, was the second in a recent series organised by the University of Sydney’s Department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution this year.
Mr Conomos tells The Greek Herald he wanted to focus on the role of the diaspora for his talk as he thinks their contribution tends to be “overlooked in some ways.”
“For me it was of particular relevance to us as a community so that was what drove me to focus on the topic. I think any issues of the revolution tend to be rehashed quite often… but I think the diaspora tends to be overlooked in some ways,” Mr Conomos says.
Lord Byron is a prominent Philhellene.
“Their role tends to just be appreciated and presumed, but not much is actually analysed about it. I think, particularly for us in the diaspora, it’s important that we assess that role so we can gain some insight and learn about what our role in this day and age is as a diaspora community, both with the homeland and with each other.”
To make this role particularly clear during his presentation, Mr Conomos focused on a few key issues related to the diaspora and leading up to the Greek Revolution, including communities where Greeks had settled in Europe, renowned individuals that had spent many years working with the diaspora, and the contributions that the diaspora communities and these individuals have made.
He also stressed that “whilst it’s assumed by most people that the diaspora played a significant role in the Revolution, that’s not entirely true.” The diaspora is “heterogeneous” and there are many different communities with many different opinions, interests and professions.
“An example is the diaspora community of Venice, which was quite large in the 16th-17th centuries. Leading up to the Revolution, the majority didn’t support it because it would damage their financial interests as most of them were merchants,” Mr Conomos explains.
“On the other hand you get towns like Trieste for example, that supported the Revolution and disseminated information and propaganda to try and garner support.”
From there, Mr Conomos went on to say that he believes the biggest contribution of the diaspora to the Greek Revolution was how they managed to internationalise it.
“Perhaps we can toy with the idea that Greece might not have gained independence if not… for the fact that the diaspora, with their connections, were able to internationalise the Greek insurgency…” Mr Conomos explains.
“They were able to gain the sympathies and the support over the years of the great powers of Philhellenes and wealthy businessmen, who otherwise would not have batted an eyelid at the issue.”
An important contribution which, as Mr Conomos makes clear, deserves to be recognised and remembered by today’s diaspora in order for them to know that they too can play a role in helping the homeland.
On this day in 1982, Despina Achladiotou, known as the Lady of Ro, passes away.
Achladiotou is best-known for flying the Greek flag over Ro daily from sun-up to sun-down during occupation in WWII.
Today marks the 39th anniversary of the passing of a Greek heroine and “symbol of defiance”. The Greek Herald takes a look back at her brave life.
Early life:
Despina Achladiotou (Δέσποινα Αχλαδιώτου) was born in Kastellorizo, Rhodes, Greece, in 1890. Achladiotou was born into Ottoman-era Greece when Kastellorizo was known as Meis.
Achladiotou sailed with her husband, Costas Achladiotis, and her mother to Ro in the 1920s to work as farmers and breeders. She awoke one morning in 1927 to find a Turkish flag hoisted on the island.
She began raising a flag she sewed herself from a white sheet and blue cloth and displayed it for passing ships as a small but impactful act of defiance for the first time in 1927.
The Lady of Ro is immortalized in the town of Ro [Photos by Sofia Karagianni].
This wasn’t the only time Despina saw fit to intervene against Ottoman imperialism. It’s said she also helped the Sacred Band/Allied Powers against the Axis powers during the occupation of the Dodecanese.
Ro at the time was a ‘tragic’, small rocky outcrop a stone-throw away from Turkey’s southern coast. Ro was a desolate haven for refugees often referred to as “barren” and “inhospitable” during this period. The Lady of Ro found solance in Ro’s history as a lost part of ancient Lycia.
Ro remained the only and permanent resident of the island, braven-faced as most others fled increasing threats from the Axis powers during WWII.
“… of course life in Ro [was] not so pleasant, but you feel more Greece, lost as you are in the sea, a few hundred meters from the Turkish coasts,” she recalls in a rare interview with and tribute by the late journalist Freddie Germanos for ERT.
Achladiotou braced Turkish forces with nothing more than a home-sewn flag for the next 20 years until the Treaty of Paris and the ‘Koundouriotis’ destroyer facilitated the return of Kastelorizo, and the broader Dodecanese area, to Greek ownership on February 10, 1947.
Kastelorizo became the seat of the Allies, who when they heard of a woman living on the opposite islet, sent sailors to greet her and gift her food and supplies.
She continued to raise the flag every day until she left in 1961.
She returned in 1974 to again replace a Turkish flag placed by Omar Kasar. The anti-submarine vessel G. Pezopoulos arrived in Kasterlorizo as a tribute for the Lady of Ro on the September 1, 1975. Two months later, on 23 November, the Ministry of National Defense sent a naval convoy and a delegation of the Navy to award her a medal for the war period of 1941-1944.
Legacy:
Achladiotou died aged between 89-92 on the 13th of May, 1982, at a hospital in Rhodes.
Her legend began to spread from Kastellorizians to wider Greece by the mid-1970s when she was rewarded full military honours by Greece, including from the Academy of Athens, the Navy, the Greek Parliament, the Municipality of Rhodes, the National Bank of Greece, and other bodies.
“With the Greek flag raised and the love for Greece deeply rooted in me, I went through all the hardships,” she told Freddie Germanos.
“I want to be buried with the Greek flag,” she went on to say. So it was. Her coffin is adorned with the flag in Ro, a town she became synonymous with and contributed highly to the development of. Ro now hosts a military unit.
Her legacy survives as part of the long and complicated history of Turkish-Greek territorial disputes.
The former Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece. D Droutsas, visited her tomb on May 24, 2013. The Lady of Ro, a play written by Giannis Skaragas, directed by Katerina Bertheka, performed by Fotini Baxevani, and produced by the Lykofos company, was touring Australia in early 2020 just prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Achladiotou is a household-name in Greece and is known today for her bravery and patriotism as “Ro’s wife”.
