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PMs Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Scott Morrison stress need for faster vaccine rollout

The Greek Herald
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PMs Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Scott Morrison stress need for faster vaccine rollout

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was joined by Australian PM Scott Morrison and the world leaders of five other ‘first mover’ nations to discuss the vaccine rollout progression and how it can be accelerated.

The leaders of the exclusive COVID-19 discussion group agreed that the vaccination process is a technically difficult task, yet the Greek PM argued the procedure “must proceed faster”.

READ MORE: Scott Morrison and Kyriakos Mitsotakis join world leaders in discussing vaccine distribution

Kryriakos Mitsotakis added that the European Union must approve the vaccine of Astra Zeneca and other companies as soon as possible.

The prime minister’s proposal for a European vaccination certificate was also discussed during the teleconference, which will also be discussed at the 27th teleconference on Thursday.

Photo: Prime Minister’s Press Office / Dimitris Papamitsos

“One way or another, those who travel will be asked for some type of certificate, whether it is a certificate, or a negative coronavirus test,” Mitsotakis said.

Mr Morrison meanwhile said the meeting was an important opportunity to exchange notes on the challenges of responding to COVID-19 and, “how we can work together to beat it and prepare for the next pandemic”.

“Thank you Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz for hosting what was another invaluable meeting,” the PM concluded.

The Greek and Australian leaders were joined in the meeting by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The world leaders first convened via teleconference in May, 2020, discussing the most effective ways to “reopen our economies” and considering strategies to manage potential localised outbreaks.

‘Such joy’: South Australia’s Epiphany ceremony winner was presented with his award

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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‘Such joy’: South Australia’s Epiphany ceremony winner was presented with his award

Among clapping and whistles of excitement Andreas Pavlou, the official winner of South Australia’s Blessing of the Waters ceremony was presented with a gold cross, by Bishop Silouan of Sinope during the annual Vasilopita cutting event held on Sunday at the Archdiocese’s offices in Adelaide.

“It’s such a joy to be able to present him [the winner] with a cross and it’s lovely that I can do so without having to wear a mask and be three meters away from everybody,” said the Bishop before calling Mr Pavlou to receive his award.

Video by: The Greek Herald

Present at the well-attended event was Mr George Psiachas, Consul General of Greece in Adelaide who received a warm welcome from all and was also invited to address the attendees.

“This year is very important as it marks 200 years from the beginning of the Greek Revolution and not 200 years from the country’s Independence,” clarified Mr Psiachas.

“There are so many events organised to commemorate this occasion in Adelaide, that one would not know which ones to attend,” he said, explaining that he will soon make public the events planned by the Consulate.

The evening featured Christmas carols from the younger members of local parishes, refreshments, Greek delicacies and of course the traditional Vasilopita.

Remembering Eleni Skoura, Greece’s first female Member of Parliament

The Greek Herald
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Remembering Eleni Skoura, Greece’s first female Member of Parliament

On January 18, 1953, Eleni Skoura, a lawyer from Volos is elected as the first female member of the Greek Parliament.

Born Eleni Papachristou in Volos in 1896, Skoura finished high school in Thessaly city before settling in Thessaloniki in 1915. She studied vocals and later married lawyer, Dimitrios Skouras.

Skoura was active during the Greek-Italian war and the Occupation as President of volunteer organizations.

In the summer of 1942, she was arrested by the Germans and imprisoned along with her husband and her brother Apostolos Papachristou.

She assumed an active role in politics after the enactment of the women’s right to vote in 1951.

Alexandros Papagos nominated her as a candidate of his party for the Prefecture of Thessaloniki at the 1953 general elections. She was elected and remained a member of Parliament until 1956.

After the election results were officially announced, Skoura made the following statement:

“I am deeply touched by this victory, achieved after a hard fight. My thoughts remain focused with great gratitude to Army General Papagos and my colleagues…I know that as the first and only woman in the House I have a great responsibility and many duties. We have a lot to do for Greek women.”

She had a successful contribution to social and women’s issues.

The state honored her with the Military Medal for Extraordinary Accomplishments and the Order of Beneficence.

Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou vows to go ahead with Australia Day events despite backlash

The Greek Herald
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Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou vows to go ahead with Australia Day events despite backlash

A western Sydney council at the heart of a recent COVID-19 outbreak will continue to host Australia Day activities — a move that Mayor Steve Christou defended despite the backlash his comments about cancelling events have attracted.

Mr Christou said last week that cancelling Australia Day events was “completely unacceptable and quite frankly unAustralian”.

“Any cancellation of an Australia Day event is unAustralian and a cheap and lazy excuse to not conduct a COVID-safe event,” Mr Christou told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“It‘s very sad that the bed-wetters and cancel-culture philosophers are dictating our agendas before a health directive has been issued,” he added. “I feel this is taking the easy way out.”

“The reality is COVID-19 has now been around for more than a year,’’ he said.

“There comes a point where you can’t keep cancelling everything; we have to accept for the foreseeable future COVID is going to be around.’’

But most Sydney councils are cancelling events to keep communities safe.

Cumberland’s neighbouring local council area, Canterbury-Bankstown, have cancelled pool parties and concerts on Australia Day, deeming them “non-essential”.

Another neighbour, Parramatta Council, has postponed its Summer Nights Live concerts on January 25 and 26 indefinitely, and has moved it citizenship ceremonies online.

Liverpool, North Sydney, Inner West, and the Hills Councils in NSW have all cancelled events.

READ MORE: Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou sends additional support to Berala’s multicultural communities

Australian Open Greek players are dancing their way through quarantine

The Greek Herald
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Australian Open Greek players are dancing their way through quarantine

A further 25 Australian Open players have been forced into quarantine on arrival in the country ahead of the season’s first tennis major, bringing the total number of competitors now isolating in hotel rooms to 72, after a number of positive coronavirus cases.

A fifth person, who had flown into Melbourne on an Australian Open chartered flight from Doha, tested positive on Sunday night after arriving on Saturday.

Confined in their rooms and unable to train, the players themselves are trying to find ways to keep up their skills and make the most of an adverse situation.

Team Greece players Stefanos and Petros Tsitsipas, Markos Kalovelonis and Michalis Pervolarakis are virtually training together.

Pervolarakis even performs the occasional Greek traditional Cretan dance ‘Maleviziotis’ to keep the spirits high.

Maria Sakkari, who was also forced to quarantine on Saturday, thanked her fans with a post on Instagram.

“Thank you everyone for your message. We are all experiencing unprecedented circumstances but your love gives me energy and strength. I will turn my room into a gym to be prepared to compete when the quarantine ends,” she wrote.

There has been some confusion among players about the quarantine rules, with some claiming they were unaware that the entire planeload of passengers would need to self-isolate for two weeks if someone on board tested positive for COVID-19.

But Victorian authorities and the Australian Open said players were fully aware of the quarantine requirements before they arrived in Australia.

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has ruled out delaying the tennis grand slam despite increasing pressure from international players furious about being put into hard quarantine.

The Australian Open is due to start on February 8.

Nick Galatas on Australian National Second Division: ‘It’s time’

The Greek Herald
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Nick Galatas on Australian National Second Division: ‘It’s time’

A progress report on the establishment of a national second tier by the Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) has been released to the public and presents a new format for the world game in Australia.

The report echoes the theme; ‘It’s not a matter of if, but when’. A discussion that has been ongoing in the football community since the establishment of the AAFC and the possibility of a second national division.

AAFC Chairman Nick Galatas says that the NPL football system has, for far too long, been limited and disconnected from reaching new heights.

“By concentrating our second-tier talent, our model offers hundreds of additional elite, national competition level playing opportunities for our young players, high-level coaching opportunities for our best local coaches, development of strong clubs across our country, places to nurture our future administrators, unleashing funding and sponsorship opportunities and building more football-specific facilities,” Nick Galatas says in the progress report.

Nick Galatas speaking at the Crown Casino in March, 2020. Photo: Supplied

“And it embeds within its DNA the ability to grow and develop to a higher level; to respond to the development of our game and its needs and challenges as they arise. Most importantly, it offers the game’s supporters what they want.”

The proposal set by the AAFC shows a high probability of the second tier starting with 12 clubs, gradually building up to 16 through promotion of the leading teams from the nation’s state and territory NPLs.

The interim report, which has been funded by 32 Partner Clubs from around the country with financial analysis undertaken by MI Associates, sets out a timeframe and key performance measures for operation of a NSD that would see the competition commence in 2022, and a women’s NSD introduced by 2025.

READ MORE: Nick Galatas: AAFC formation is ‘something for Australians to be proud of’

Key features of a proposed NSD are:

  • A single national competition comprising 12 teams from the outset but expanding to 16 teams as soon as possible, and preferably within the first four years;
  • All participating clubs must have grounds that can accommodate a minimum of 3,000 fans;
  • Teams to be included based on meeting stringent criteria as the basis for entry, followed by promotion and relegation from lower tiers. There are ten criteria to be met including in the areas of youth development, coaching standards, finance and facilities;
  • A $200,000 participation fee from each club;
  • A requirement for participating clubs to have a comprehensive women’s programme in place as a pre-requisite for participation in the NSD;
  • No preference for a winter or summer season, but alignment with the ‘Whole of Football’ calendar; and
  • Establishment of a Women’s Football, Marketing, and Youth and Coach Development Steering Committees.

Clubs of Greek origin, including Sydney Olympic FC, South Melbourne FC and Oakleigh Cannons FC, are included among the 32 Partner Clubs who will undergo a financial analysis of the report.

The report addressed the introduction of a women’s second tier, recognising the importance of lifting the women’s game in Australia before hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The report also, however, presented the likeliness of a combined football calendar, having NPL clubs and A-League clubs play in either the winter or summer, to be decided upon by Football Australia.

This recognisably leaves room for confusion for NPL-W and W-League players, many of whom play in both competitions.

“It’s got different challenges and it’s difficult to have one coversation about both elements of the game… They are at different stages of development, undoubtedly,” Nick Galatas said in a Q&A with media.

Nick Galatas added during the Q&A that while a connection with the Australian first division is the ultimate goal, to feature relegation and promotion on three tiers of Australian football, launching the NSD to observe it’s financial stability will be the first step.

“That’s why we’re not starting immediately professional. We don’t want to step into the abyss, so to speak, into the unknown,” Nick Galatas said to media.

“Phase it in, start it, let it develop.”

Pierre Georges and Andreas Erotocritou face court following Adelaide drug bust

The Greek Herald
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Pierre Georges and Andreas Erotocritou face court following Adelaide drug bust

Two men have faced court following a substantial drug bust in Morphett Vale, Adelaide where police uncovered a significant amount of drugs and cash, the Advertiser reports.

Pierre Georges, 22, of Morphett Vale and 33-year-old Andreas Alexander Erotocritou of North Brighton are charged with trafficking in large commercial quantity of drugs, money laundering, possessing a prescribed quantity of drugs, equipment and instructions to manufacture a controlled drug.

The Christies Beach Magistrates Court heard on Thursday evening police found methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy tablets, a cocaine press and $26,000 in cash at a Morphett Vale industrial premises rented by a trades company owned by Erotocritou.

“(Police) searched the area and they’ve located a large amount of drugs, money and drug-making equipment,” a police prosecutor said. 

“In the office where both (defendants) were located there was a large amount of drugs found in a compartment under the floor, behind a bookcase in the office was a secret alleyway for want of a better word.

“Methamphetamine, approximately 6 kgs was located in a small office in a desk drawer and in a concealed area under the floor another 4 kgs was located, a brick of approximately 1kg of cocaine was located, 150 tablets of ecstasy and $26,000 in cash.”

The court also heard Erotocritou – who had employed Georges just weeks ago – told police all the drugs were his. 

Magistrate Susan O’Connor approved a $1000 bail for Georges but the Director of Public Prosecutions will appeal the decision in the Supreme Court. 

Ms O’Connor denied bail and remanded Erotocritou in custody. Both defendants will next appear in court in June.

#MeTinSofia: Wave of support to Olympian sailing star after sex abuse revelation

The Greek Herald
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#MeTinSofia: Wave of support to Olympian sailing star after sex abuse revelation

A senior official at the Greek sailing federation has been forced to resign in the wake of sexual abuse allegations by one of the country’s top Olympians, the governing body said.

The federation said Saturday it was “shocked” by the claim made by former Olympic champion Sofia Bekatorou, which has sparked a flurry of revelations by other athletes.

Bekatorou, now 43, said she was 21 when she was subjected to “sexual harassment and abuse” by the senior federation member in his hotel room, shortly after trials for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Her claims, which sparked a social media firestorm, have been seen as a belated #MeToo moment after decades of silence by sex abuse victims.

The federation, which had initially demanded Bekatorou supply more details of her allegations before taking action, said in a statement it had “immediately requested the resignation” of its vice-president Aristeidis Adamopoulos.

It said Adamopoulos “is allegedly the person named by our Olympian” in a prior testimony to a prosecutor.

Two federation board members also resigned in protest at the stance of the organisation, which is to hold elections later this year.

Bekatorou, who won gold at the 2004 Athens Games and bronze in Beijing four years later, is expected to speak to a prosecutor next week.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee has also called for an internal investigation at which Bekatorou and Adamopoulos — who represented Greek sailing on the HOC board — are invited to testify.

At a government-sponsored teleconference on sexual abuse on Thursday, Bekatorou said she ultimately decided to stay silent in order to keep competing.

Adamopoulos, who was also suspended as a member of Greece’s ruling New Democracy party, said late Saturday he should not be subjected to a trial by media, before giving his side of the story.

– ‘Respect my family’ –

“I call on the state, institutions and the media to first respect my family, my children and grandchildren,” Adamopoulos said in a statement.

A second sailor, Marina Psichogiou, also came forward late Saturday to say that a federation member “old enough to be my grandfather” made her an indecent proposal in 1993, when she was 20 years old.

Retired water polo player Mania Bikof had earlier said she had been forced to roll down her bathing suit to her waist so a medic could examine a shoulder injury, while ex-swimmer Rabea Iatridou said she had been groped by a doctor.

None of those complaints can be prosecuted as they occurred decades earlier.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he “stood by” Bekatorou and urged other victims of sexual abuse to speak out.

“It is time to uproot the violence of those in power against anyone in a weak position,” Mitsotakis said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

Sexual abuse by elite coaches and sports officials has come under scrutiny since gymnastics in the United States was engulfed in a scandal that led to the jailing in 2018 of team doctor Larry Nassar for multiple cases of rape and sexual assault.

*With information from Reuters and BBC

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Late goal sees Xanthi FC settle with draw in first match after Australian takeover

The Greek Herald
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Late goal sees Xanthi FC settle with draw in first match after Australian takeover

Xanthi FC’s first game in the Greek Super League 2 against Apollon Larissa has ended in a disappointing draw following a last minute own-goal by Greek defender Konstantinos Thymianis.

Xanthi FC striker Savvas Siatravanis thought he scored the club’s first goal of the season after slotting it past Apollon’s goalkeeper in the 14th minute, yet the lucky goal was labelled offside by the linesman. Shortly after, an instant replay showed the decision was an incorrect call by the match officials, yet the decision still stood.

Yet, it didn’t take long for Australian midfielder Joshua Brillante to break onto the scoreboard in the 16th minute, scoring from a well-worked play and cross from Athanasios Papazoglou.

Performing in snowy conditions, Xanthi FC’s attack seemed well-organised and free-flowing, a very similar style seen by Tony Popovic with former club Perth Glory. It is safe to say, however, that the defence was far less organised, with veteran goalkeeper Vítor Bento saving Xanthi on more than one occasion in the match.

While it looked to be a safe 1-0 victory for Xanthi, a late free-kick taken outside the away teams box ricocheted off Thymianis’ head, sailing into the top corner of the net. Initially believed to be Jurman’s own goal, the goal was reviewed and observed as coming off Thymianis into the net. The game concluded with a score of 1-1.

Joshua Brillante played the full ninety minutes and proved to be the club’s signing of the summer. Guiding the midfield from the back to the opposition goalpost, the Australian showed great leadership in a foreign country.

The match was Xanthi’s first fixture in the Greek second division, being relegated from the Greek Super League at the end of the 2019/20 season.

The squad is under the guidance of former Perth Glory head coach Tony Popovic, who was lured by the prospect of working for a European club with an Australian owner, Sydney Olympic director Bill Papas.

Convincing him to quit Perth Glory and join his venture overseas, Popovic said he is prepared for the challenge of coaching abroad and the responsibility of returning his new club, Xanthi, to the country’s top division.

“The idea was to join a first division team, but I’m accepting if it is second division. I believe in myself and know I have the knowledge and experience to succeed,” Popovic told Optus Sport.

Xanthi FC will play Ionikos FC on Wednesday, January 20. Select games can be watched on Greece’s internationally broadcast channel, ERT World.

Traditional Greek Recipes: Portokalopita

The Greek Herald
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Traditional Greek Recipes: Portokalopita

By Georgene Dilernia

Portokalopita is a delicious, differently styled cake that is a must-try for anyone who isn’t afraid of fruit dessert! Portokalopita is a mouth-watering dessert with the aromas and blends of fresh oranges and cinnamon. The Greek cake is popular to serve with a spoon full of vanilla ice-cream on top. 

Take a look below to see how you can bake this pleasant treat!

INGREDIENTS

For the Portokalopita

  • 200g yogurt
  • 300ml corn oil
  • 300ml sugar
  • 300ml orange juice
  • 20g baking powers
  • Zest of 1½ oranges
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 440-450g phyllo dough

For the Syrup

  • 400ml water
  • 400ml sugar
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

METHOD

  1. Unwrap the phyllo dough from the plastic sleeve; place the sheets on a large surface and leave at room temperature for 20 minutes, in order to dry well. Alternatively, spread a few on a large baking tray and bake at 100°c, until dry; repeat with the rest.
  2. To prepare this Greek orange cake, start first by preparing the syrup. Pour the water, sugar, orange zest and a cinnamon stick into a pot and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup has thickened. Leave aside to cool.
  3. Prepare the mixture for the orange cake. Pour the corn oil into a large bowl, add the sugar and whisk. Add the yogurt, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla extract and whisk well until the ingredients combine and the mixture is smooth. Add the baking powder and blend lightly.
  4. Tear the sheets of the phyllo dough into small pieces using your hands and add into the mixture; whisk well.
  5. Using a cooking brush, oil the bottom and the sides of a baking tray (approx.20x30cm / 8×12 inch) and pour in the mixture. Bake in a preheated oven at 170-180°c for 40-50 minutes until, nicely coloured and cooked through. Check if it is ready, by making a hole with a knife. 
  6. To finish the orange cake, ladle slowly the cold syrup over the hot cake. Allow each ladle of syrup to be absorbed before ladling again.
  7. Allow time for the syrup to be absorbed and put in the refrigerator. Greek orange cake is ideally served cold, not hot, so that it does not crumble.

Kali Oreski!

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