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TGH Exclusive: Terry Constantinou details how Greece’s national squad made the 2021 Rugby League World Cup

By Bill Roumeliotis.

Greece’s national rugby league team, which consists of many expatriates from Australia, achieved an incredible feat when it qualified for the Rugby League World Cup to be held in England from October 27 to November 27, 2021.

When talking to Greek-Australian international athlete, Terry Constantinou, about the difficult conditions faced by the entire Greek national team during the World Cup qualifiers, I unequivocally state that the team’s qualification in the final phase of the World Cup is a miracle for a sport which continues to divide people in Greece.

The Greek Herald would now like to introduce you to one of the members of the national team for the last seven years, Terry Constantinou.

1. Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in the provincial town of Gordon, Victoria. As far as I know, my grandmother and grandfather come from a village in Pelopi, Lesvos, but they immigrated to Australia, where they settled in Melbourne for the first few years. Later, they settled in the provincial town of Gordon, where my brother and I were born to a second-generation Greek father and a Greek mother.

2. You grew up in Victoria where the sport of Australian Football dominates and young people of Greek origin also prefer football. But you became an athlete in Rugby League.

Until I was 15, I didn’t play rugby, I just watched it. Until then, I played hockey in a club. Everything changed when my high school started a rugby championship program when I was in my 10th year and that was it. I bonded with rugby. It suited me much better than any other sport. As a member of the Parade College school team in Bundoora, I was selected in the same year for the Victoria Under-18 Mixed Team. Since then, I have stopped playing hockey and have instead been playing in teams of the Victoria Championship, where the level of the championship is not comparable to that of the NNO and Queensland, but it is still quite strong.

Greece’s national squad made the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

3. How did your call to the National team of Greece come about?

My younger brother Matt, who also played rugby, was also very good but left the sport early. In 2012, Matt played rugby in a tournament in Vanuatu, where he met a Greek manager of the National team of Greece who mentioned me. So Matt gave him my details, he gave me a contract with him and that’s how my international career started.

In 2013, I went international by playing against Hungary which we won 90-0 and I had 3 tries, while Braith Anasta had 4 tries. Our coach Steve Tziortzalis had built a very good team with many Greek-Australian players. But the continuation was not as we expected as, in Greece, political and economic interests came in and our National team paid for it because the Hellenic Federation dissolved it and formed a National team with local players, which lost in 2015 from Spain with 76-4.

Fortunately for Greek rugby, the World Federation expelled the Greek Rugby Federation, recognising as its member a new Greek Federation consisting of strong Greek clubs that had created an independent league. The agents of these teams, in collaboration with Greek Australians and coach Steve Tziortzalis, re-established the National team but here the paradox began. The then Greek government did not recognise the new Greek Federation, which was recognised by the World Federation as a member of the Olympic Committee. And so our adventure began.

In September 2018, during the World Cup qualifier between Greece and Malta, we were warned that we did not have the right to train or play. From there, we began secretly working with the police and had secret training. Only two of our agents and Malta knew where the qualifier against Malta would take place. We went to a stadium outside Athens with our phones closed and without posting photos. The game took place and we beat Malta by a score of 60-4. A week earlier, we had beaten Ukraine 28-26 away from home and from there, our appetite for the miracle of qualifying grew. That’s why we chose to give the remaining home games to England.

In May 2019, we beat Norway 56-26, and in November of the same year we lost to Scotland 42-24. Qualifying for the World Cup would be judged with the home game against Serbia. As exiles, we gave the game to our opponent’s home, which we won 82-6, and for the first time in its history, the Greek National team of Rugby will participate in the World Cup with another 15 superpowers.

4. What was the biggest moment of your career with the National team of Greece?

I have many pleasant memories, but the best moments of my seven-year international career were when I first wore the jersey of Greece’s national team and sang with my teammates the National Anthem of Greece. The second moment was when we beat Serbia and qualified for the World Cup.

Greece’s national team beat Serbia, 82-6, to qualify for the Rugby League World Cup 2021.

5. How do you imagine yourself doing in the World Cup?

We do not dream of winning the World Cup but we will go there, we will play for Greece and see wherever it goes. We will face in our group three big national teams, England, France and Samoa. We will try for the best but what matters is that the Greek national team entered the world map of rugby, along with the 16 best national teams in the world.

6. Finally, we asked him about the place of his origin, Lesvos.

I have only been to Mytilene once and stayed only a few hours. I want to get to know the island better. I have heard many good words about the place of my origin. After the end of the World Cup in 2021, I have planned to visit Mytilene with my relatives and friends.

In closing the discussion with Terry Constantinou, he revealed to us that he also fell victim to the coronavirus as he had planned to get married in April 2020 to his sweetheart, but the wedding has been cancelled for now.

Australia’s Greek schools pump up hygiene measures to protect students

By Argyro Vourdoumpa.

New South Wales school closures will be the “new normal” under coronavirus easing, according to Premier Gladys Berejiklian, after two private schools in Sydney’s eastern suburbs were closed on Tuesday for cleaning, following positive cases among students.

“This is the new normal during the pandemic,” Ms Berejiklian told the Nine Network.

“We have to be prepared for this to happen again … because this happens in two schools with one student each doesn’t mean you shut down the entire system,” she added.

Meanwhile, Greek schools across Australia have lifted their hygiene standards and encourage students to follow good hygiene practices, in order to reduce the potential risk of COVID-19 transmission.

“All staff and students temperatures are taken on arrival, we perform additional environmental cleaning throughout the day, we have placed antibacterial wipes in each learning space around the school and we make sure students are reminded to wash their hands frequently,” said the principal of All Saints Grammar Greek Orthodox School in NSW, Elfa Lillis.

“This has been a most challenging time for all but our community has really come together and offered unwavering support and shown gratitude to the staff of All Saints for how they have risen to the occasion.”

Infectious disease experts say it is “extremely rare” to see COVID-19 cases among children, an age group not considered highly infectious amid the pandemic, compared to the flu.

Andrew Liveris appointed co-chair of NT’s Economic Reconstruction Commission

Darwin-born businessman Andrew Liveris, previously hand-picked by US President Donald Trump to head the American Manufacturing Council, will co-chair the NT’s new Economic Reconstruction Commission.

Mr Liveris and former NT Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, will head the eight-person Economic Reconstruction Commission, which aims to attract investment to the Territory and create local jobs post-coronavirus pandemic.

Michael Gunner, the current NT Chief Minister, made the announcement of the appointments on Wednesday and thanked Mr Liveris for agreeing to add the commission to his busy schedule.

Darwin-born businessman, Andrew Liveris, will co-chair the NT’s new Economic Reconstruction Commission.

“We all know Andrew’s story. He’s long been a global power player but he’s always been a Territory boy,” Mr Gunner said.

“Andrew believes the Territory can be an energy and manufacturing powerhouse and I agree with him.

“He’s helped the President make things in America, he’s helped the Prime Minister make things here in Australia and we want him to help us make things here.”

Mr Liveris, a 66-year-old oil and gas executive, provided advice on manufacturing to Mr Trump and his predecessor, Barack Obama.

He is also currently a special adviser to the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission.

“The Commission is not about putting subsidies and tariffs in place. It’s about creating a policy framework to double down and create local capabilities in Australia,” Mr Liveris said when was announced as an advisor.

READ MORE: Andrew Liveris has a plan to boost local manufacturing in Australia.

Greece to receive 32 billion euros in loans and grants from EU aid package

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday to allocate to member states a massive 750 billion euro aid program to fight the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.

Greece is slated to receive 32 billion euros from the new recovery fund, of which 22.5 billion would be in the form of grants and 9.4 billion would be loans.

Italy and Spain, who are the EU member states worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic, would get the lion’s share of benefits. Italy is set to receive 173 billion euros and Spain will see a total of 140 billion euros.

“The recovery plan turns the immense challenge we face into an opportunity, not only by supporting the recovery but also by investing in our future. This is Europe’s moment,” European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said in a press release following the announcement of the ‘Next Generation EU’ aid package.

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has also welcomed the EU’s economic proposal.

In a tweet on Wednesday, he wrote: “We welcome the bold proposal of the European Commission for a package of 750 billion euros, mainly in the form of grants through a common debt issuance. The bar has been set high. It is now the European Council’s turn to rise to the occasion.”

According to media reports, the funds are expected to go to “real economy and tourism” in Greece. There’s been no word yet on when Greece will be expected to pay back the loans.

READ MORE: Greece anticipates grants of at least 8-10 billion euros from French-German recovery plan.

Greece boosts forces at Evros as it braces for new migrant crisis

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Greek authorities have confirmed the defence of its border with Turkey will be boosted, amid expectations migrants may renew their attempts to reach Europe. 

An additional 400 police will be sent to the northeastern Evros river border region “as a precautionary measure,” police spokesman, Thodoros Chronopoulos, told AFP.

The move follows statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, who said that when countries begin lifting their coronavirus lockdowns, migrants will again attempt to cross to Europe.

Border guards patrolling Evros border. Photo: Hellenic Republic Press Office.

The border area was the scene of violent push-backs of migrants in March after Turkey said it would no longer prevent migrants from attempting to reach the European Union.

For days, Greek riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at migrants trying to cross the border.

But more recently, Athens has said it would extend a razor-wire fence at the border, a move that has created a new dispute with Ankara.

Turkey says it should be consulted about the fence expansion, noting that the Evros riverbed “has significantly changed due to natural and artificial reasons” since the border was established in 1926.

Greece responded by saying it is not obliged to consult Turkey about infrastructure on its own side of the border.

“We will proceed with the fence expansion. It is our constitutional obligation to protect Greek soil,” said Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias.

READ MORE: ‘State of emergency’ not over on Evros border, Minister says.

Greeks chant “Christ is Risen” again forty days after Easter [VIDEO]

The bells of Greece’s holy temples and monasteries rang joyfully last night as the faithful celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ forty days late.

People were unable to celebrate the Resurrection on April 18 this year, as churches were shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the service was streamed live on television or the internet.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ was celebrated 40 days later in Greek Orthodox Churches across Greece. Source: tvstar.gr.

But last night, Archbishop Ieronymos officiated over a service at Athens Cathedral from 9 pm until 1 am, while thousands of Orthodox faithful gathered at churches around the country to chant “Christ is Risen” and celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. 

Many people received the Holy Fire, while some also used the occasion to receive Holy Communion, as is tradition during Easter.

The Easter Resurrection Service held in a Greek Orthodox Church in Lamia, Greece.

Social distancing was maintained and in some churches, the ceremony was held outdoors.

The Holy Synod said the services would “give the faithful the opportunity to experience the joy of Easter of which they were deprived due to the coronavirus pandemic.” 

READ MORE: Belated Easter Saturday liturgy to be held in churches across Greece.

The Battle of Thermopylae 2500 Year Anniversary Competition

Do you want to have your own work published in one of Australia’s biggest national newspapers? Do you want the chance to win an INSANE money prize bonus?

The Greek Herald is launching a competition commemorating the 2500 year anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC.

The competition will require people to submit any piece of writing or artwork, which will then be selected by the team at The Greek Herald and then passed on to a special panel of judges.

SURPRISE US!!!

For this competition you have the freedom to submit anything! This can include a short history summary of the battle, an artwork of the battle itself, or even a poem! Whatever you write, make sure it is below 300 words!

Submissions written in Greek and English will be accepted for the competition.

The finalists will be separated into different age group categories, with a special prize awarded to each age group.

Below is a list of the prizes for each age group:

Prizes for each age group:

Grade 7 to 9

Winner: $500, Published work in The Greek Herald newspaper

Finalist: Work published on our digital platform

Grade 10 to 12

Winner: $500, Published work in The Greek Herald newspaper

Finalist: Work published on our digital platform

University Students

Winner: $500, Published work in The Greek Herald newspaper

Finalist: Work published on our digital platform

How to enter:

Send through your submissions by Wednesday, 24th June 2020, 19:00 AEST, with the title “Submission – The Battle of Thermopylae Competition” to the Greek Herald email address at: greek@foreignlanguage.com.au

In the body of the email please include your name, age and preferred contact number.

Winners will be announced on Friday July 10th, 2020 by 19:00 AEST.

Help us commemorate this significant piece of Greek history!

Melbourne Greek Community in talks with the Prime Ministers of Greece and Australia about lifting travel bans

The Greek Community of Melbourne has recently written to the Prime Ministers of Greece and Australia, congratulating them on the effective measures they have taken to control the spread of coronavirus, and enquiring about when the travel restrictions are expected to be eased.

In fact, in its letter to Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, the Community called for the lifting of the travel ban to and from Greece as “travel to Greece remains an important emotional experience for many Greek Australians.”

“Given that the Greek government recently outlined its plans to open its borders as of June 15 to travellers from 20 countries and with Australia being prominent in that list, can we encourage you to start considering your total travel ban allowing people to travel to and from Greece soon?” the statement reads.

“Beyond just tourism, travel to Greece remains an important emotional experience for many Greek Australians and connecting with family and the land of the parents and grandparents is a paramount motivation for thousands of Australian travellers each year.”

Along a similar strain, the Community also wrote to the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and congratulated him for his recent communication with Mr Morrison.

“We were particularly enthused with your recent bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Scott Morrison, with a view to reviving travel between our two countries and by extension the respective tourism industries which, as we all are aware, have come to a halt during the pandemic,” the second letter reads.

“The Greek Community of Melbourne would also like to congratulate you on your strategic plan of re-opening Greece to the outside world. We take particular pride in the fact that Australia is one of the countries on your initial list of 20 favourable nations.”

A response from both Prime Ministers is forthcoming.

Greek Welfare Centre Sydney sends congratulations to Archbishop Makarios

On the occasion of the first anniversary of the arrival of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios to Australia, staff and members of GWC express our heartfelt appreciation for his inspirational leadership, guidance and support over the past 12 months. 

The arrival of His Eminence marks the commencement of a historic time for the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia. We remember the thousands of people gathered at Sydney airport to welcome His Eminence. The atmosphere of joy and celebration is imprinted in the memory of all those present. “AXIOS” 

It was a blessing to witness the expressions of love, humility and respect in the words of His Eminence. These words and actions continue to embody the leadership and vision of His Eminence as he has engaged with, and continues to engage with, all sections of the Church and Australian society around Australia on a one on one basis. 

This engagement is represented by a myriad of achievements that have been highlighted in a range of areas. These achievements are even more significant when we consider the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and summer bushfires around Australia. 

We thank you, Your Eminence, for your inspiration and guidance, and pray that God grant you strength to continue your ministry here is Australia. 

AXIOS.

AHEPA NSW send their congratulations to Archbishop Makarios on one year anniversary of enthronement

Την Δευτέρα 29 Ιουνίου ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αυστραλίας, Υπέρτιμος και Έξαρχος πάσης Ωκεανίας κ. κ. Μακάριος κλείνει έναν χρόνο στον Αρχιεπισκοπικό θρόνο. Τα εμπνευσμένα λόγια του ηχούν ακόμα στα αυτιά μας: «Πόθος μου είναι να βρίσκομαι εν Χριστώ σε αγαπητική κοινωνία με όλους σας. Δεν ανήκω στον εαυτό μου, αλλά στον Χριστό και στο ποίμνιό μου. Είμαι εδώ για να μοιραστώ μαζί σας ό,τι είμαι και ό,τι έχω. Η αγάπη του Θεού με έφερε κοντά σας». Από την πρώτη ημέρα του στην Αυστραλία, ήρθε ευαγγελιζόμενος αγάπη για τον Χριστό, ενότητα για την Εκκλησία και την Ομογένεια, ανθρωπιά για τον πλησίον.

Αγαπήθηκε από την πρώτη στιγμή. Όργωσε την ήπειρό αυτής της χώρας απ’ άκρου εις άκρον, μέχρι το Ντάργουιν και την Τασμανία. Άρχισε μία τιτάνια προσπάθεια αναδιάταξης της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής σε επίπεδο οικονομικό, οργανωτικό, στελεχιακό και πνευματικό. Κορυφαία εν προκειμένω πράξη του η στελέχωση της Ιεράς μας Αρχιεπισκοπής με τρεις νέους Επισκόπους, εκ των οποίων οι δύο είναι αυστραλογεννημένοι απόφοιτοι της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Αποστόλου Ανδρέου στο Σύδνεϋ.

Γέμισε και πάλι με φοιτητές τη Θεολογική Σχολή. Έσωσε το ημερήσιο Ελληνορθόδοξο Κολλέγιο του Αγίου Ιωάννου στη Μελβούρνη. Μάζεψε σαν τις μέλισσες τους νέους και τις νέες της Ομογένειάς μας στα Συνέδρια Νεολαίας με την συνολική συμμετοχή 2.500 νέων σε Σύδνεϋ, Μελβούρνη, Αδελαϊδα, Πέρθη και Βρισβάνη.

Πρωτοστάτησε στην συμπαράσταση των πληγέντων από τις καταστρεπτικές πυρκαγιές, συγκεντρώνοντας $500.000 μέσω του εράνου της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής για τους πυρόπληκτους. Έδωσε, πάνω απ’ όλα, το καλό παράδειγμα εν μέσω της πανδημίας προς όλους τους θεσμικούς φορείς του Αυστραλιανού Κράτους.

Είναι χαρακτηριστικό ότι στην συνεστίαση κατά την ημέρα των ονομαστηρίων του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αυστραλίας (19 Ιανουαρίου), όλοι πλήρωσαν το εισιτήριό τους – ακόμα και οι υπάλληλοι των Κεντρικών Γραφείων της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής. Επίσης, τα χρήματα από τα εισιτήρια και τις δωρεές αφιερώθηκαν για να αναβαθμιστεί η νεανική κατασκήνωση στο Bribie Island. Κι αυτό για να μπορούν να πηγαίνουν τα παιδιά και τα εγγόνια όλων μας να κάνουν ποιοτικές διακοπές και να μαθαίνουν για την παράδοση, την παιδεία, τον πολιτισμό και την πίστη των προγόνων τους.

Την επόμενη ημέρα, στις 20 Ιανουαρίου, τα μέλη και οι αξιωματούχοι της ΑΧΕΠΑ Νέας Νοτίου Ουαλίας είχαν την ιδιαίτερη τιμή να φιλοξενήσουν τον Ποιμενάρχη τους στα Γραφεία του οργανισμού στο Rockdale και να κόψουν μαζί του την παραδοσιακή βασιλόπιτα.

Θα μπορούσε, βέβαια, κανείς να συνεχίσει επί μακρόν απαριθμώντας διάφορες δράσεις και παρεμβάσεις του Σεβασμιωτάτου. Αυτό, όμως, που θα πρέπει να τονιστεί είναι ότι μέσα σ’ έναν μόλις χρόνο ο Σεβασμιώτατος κ. κ. Μακάριος έχει κάνει τόσα όσα άλλοι θέλουν πολλαπλάσια χρόνια για να τα επιτύχουν. Το καταφέρε αυτό με τη χάρη του Θεού, αλλά και με την αγάπη του κόσμου. Μία αγάπη που του δίδεται απλόχερα, διότι ο ίδιος προσφέρει τη δική του αγάπη με απλόχερο τρόπο. Σεβασμιώτατε, ευχόμαστε υγεία και δύναμη εξ ουρανού. Εις πολλά έτη Δέσποτα!