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‘Most successful multicultural nation on Earth’: Scott Morrison’s Australia Day message

In a special Australia Day message, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has reminded Australians that the past year “has not been perfect,” but “Australia is well set up to secure our recovery.”

Mr Morrison also said today “is a reminder that Australia is the most successful multi-cultural and multi-faith nation on Earth.”

Full Message:

Today there will be thousands of gatherings where Australians will celebrate our country.

We’ll gather together at breakfasts, BBQs, picnics, surf carnivals, and flag raisings and reflect on the country that we are and the people we have become.

Though there will be a light-heartedness in so many places, our celebration is one that understands the textures of our Australian story. A story of strength and resilience that spans 65,000 years, of a continent that we love and contend with, and of a free and fair people who live in relative harmony. 

Today as part of our celebrations, over 16,000 people, in over 400 locations, from more than 130 nations, will become Australian citizens, adding their own talents, strengths and hopes to our shared national fabric. It is a reminder that Australia is the most successful multi-cultural and multi-faith nation on Earth.

On this Australia Day, we also reflect on what it means to be Australian during the extraordinary times that we live in.  

While our journey has not been perfect, Australia is emerging from a once in a century pandemic with one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID and with one of the strongest advanced economies in the world. Combined with one of the world’s highest vaccination rates, Australia is well set up to secure our recovery. 

We have faced the most difficult challenges in three quarters of a century and worked together delivering what has been an extraordinary national achievement.

Through this time, there has also been a realisation of what is truly important – our health, our family, our friends, our jobs, our communities and our sovereignty as a free people.

There’s been a clarity as well with a renewed understanding about what we can accomplish as a people.  

Australians have a quiet confidence. It’s a confidence to do what is right and a confidence in each other.

Today, on this Australia Day, I feel a deep sense of gratitude.

Gratitude for a history that spans 65,000 years; a continent of unmatched beauty and wonder; a democratic tradition that is the foundation of our freedom; and the multicultural and multi-faith communities that add so much to our national life. 

Above all, I’m grateful for the Australian people, whose character, determination and heart inspire me every day.

We have much to be thankful for. Happy Australia Day!

New Harvard study finds a daily teaspoon of olive oil can extend your life

A new study by a team of Harvard nutritionists has shown that olive oil consumption can significantly slash a person’s risk of dying prematurely from a much wider range of diseases, The Australian reports.

The findings, which were reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, showed that consuming just a teaspoon of olive oil daily was associated with a 12 percent reduced risk of death from all causes, compared with those who rarely or never consumed olive oil.

The study analysed the diet habits of 60,582 women and 31,801 men, all participants in the ongoing Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study from 1990 when all the recruits were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Every four years during a 28-year follow-up, participants were asked about their diet habits, including how much fat and oil they were consuming.

Study author, Marta Guasch-Ferre.

By the end of the study period there had been 36,856 deaths overall, with olive oil eaters clearly faring much better than those who avoided it.

Study author, Marta Guasch-Ferre, who is a research scientist at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health’s department of nutrition, said the standout finding was the connection between olive oil and fewer deaths from degenerative brain disease.

“Alzheimer’s disease has high morbidity and mortality rates and yet there are few preventative strategies people can employ,” she said.

“It could be something that proves valuable in terms of public health.”

Source: The Australian.

Aussie Slang 101: The 7 phrases you need to know this Australia Day

Struggling to understand the locals this Australia Day? Here is The Greek Herald‘s dictionary of the top seven Aussie slang phrases you need to know.

1. BARBIE:

(Noun) Abbreviation of ‘barbecue’; seldom used in the same sentence as ‘shrimp’.
“Let’s defo have a barbie this arvo.”

2. FAIR DINKUM:

(Adjective) An expression used to emphasise truth or veracity.
“That chocolate biscuit tasted fair dinkum unbelievable.”

Footy in Australia.

3. FOOTY:

(Noun) Abbreviation of football; Australia’s favourite pastime.
“Should we invite Johnno around to watch the footy this arvo?”

4. SNAG:

(Noun) Sausage – a cylinder of processed meat that represents Australia’s richest culinary tradition.
“I asked Johnno to pick up some snags for the barbie this arvo, but he forgot.”

A ‘snag.’

5. THONGS:

(Noun) Sandals or ‘flip-flops,’ wedged between one’s toes rather than one’s bum cheeks.
“You always wear thongs.”

6. U-EY:

(Noun) (Pronounced: yoo-ee) A U-turn; changing the direction of a vehicle 180 degrees.
“Chuck a u-ey” (i.e. “Perform a U-turn”).

7. WOOP WOOP:

(Noun) The remote outback or ‘middle of nowhere.’
“If she doesn’t chuck a u-ey soon we’re going to end up in Woop Woop.”

Australia Day through the eyes of a Greek Australian

The Leader newspaper asked 20 Melbournians from different walks of life what Australia Day means to them. The group consisted of Catholic priests, transgender activists, SES volunteers, and a Greek Australian man named Yianni Poupouzas.

Yianni’s segment summarised the impact of Greeks on Australian society:

“For Nikos Cakes’ Yianni Poupouzas, Australia is a “special place” for Greeks who have migrated here,” the article reads.

Mr Poupouzas, who works as the general manager of the Oakleigh family-run business that has been serving up Greek specialities for the past 30 years, said he was proud to be part of a country that was fair and inclusive of all cultures.

“Being Australian for me means being able to be proud of the country we live in. It is a country that is fair to its people, and respected around the globe for what it represents and offers,” he said.

Yianni Papouzas at Nikos Cakes. Photo: Chris Hopkins.

Mr Poupouzas said Australia was a country where many Greeks had come over generations to start anew.

“It is a special place that offers its beautiful and unique way of life and culture, while foremost respecting and celebrating the cultural backgrounds of those who have migrated here,” he said.

“To many Greeks it has allowed them to stay in touch with their heritage, beliefs and traditions and at the same time enjoy the freedoms and benefits of being Australian.”

Mr Poupouzas said his family had been “blessed” with success and prosperity through multiculturalism.

“What we offer at Nikos is a very traditional Greek experience, and we feel like this could never have been achieved without the appetite of the community to embrace and enjoy the food and hospitality of many different cultures,” he said.”

To read the full article click HERE.

Antipodes festival in Melbourne pushed back until October

By Katrina Filippidis.

Melbourne’s Antipodes festival has been postponed for a second time due to pandemic woes.

The long-running Lonsdale Street celebration was unable to take place last year, with organisers citing coronavirus concerns. However, the event was replaced by a Greek music festival which featured food trucks and live music performances that kept the Greek spirit alive despite the setback.

READ MORE: Over 1,200 people flock to Melbourne’s Lonsdale Street Greek Music Festival.

This year’s Antipodes festival (Lonsdale Street Greek Festival) was originally planned for March 5 and 6, but has been postponed until late October.

“After much deliberation, the Greek Community of Melbourne believes that it is in the best interest of the community to postpone the 2022 Antipodes Festival,” says the announcement.

“The safety of our staff, performers, contractors and audience are our primary concern and responsibility so we have decided to move the dates of the festival to later in the year.”

It has been rescheduled for October 22 and 23, however, it is still unclear whether COVID-19 will create additional disturbances.

The Antipodes festival holds the enviable title of Melbourne’s longest running Greek festival. Launched in 1987, Antipodes, or the Londsdale Street Greek Festival, has been a rich showcase of Hellenic arts and culture for delighted audiences as well as a multicultural boon to Victoria.

READ MORE: Antipodes festival a huge success as over 100,000 people descended onto Lonsdale Street.

Antipodes festival.

Throughout the years, Antipodes has attracted top talents from Greece including the likes of Glykeria, Michalis Hatzigiannis and Pandelis Thalassinos. Festivalgoers have been treated to a variety of Greek cuisine, local entertainment, children’s rides, and artisanal wares and boutiques. Attendees have also the chance to compete in the infamous Zorba ‘Til You Drop contest and a pastitsio cook-off that will settle arguments over who’s the best in the kitchen.   

READ MORE: Giota Negka headlines Melbourne Antipodes Festival as thousands of Greeks flock to Lonsdale.

The 2020 Antipodes festival was a huge success, drawing a crowd that neared 150,000 to Melbourne’s Greek precinct. In 2018, the popularity of the event allowed it to expand beyond its Lonsdale Street confines, with additional festivities spilling into neighbouring Swanston and Russell Streets.

This year marks the 34th official anniversary of the festival.

Kosta Papageorgakis’ 600km round trip to find quality potatoes in South Australia

The owner of Port Noarlunga Fish and Chips in South Australia, Kosta Papageorgakis, had to close his shop for the first time in 30 years due to the quality of local produce.

What did he do instead?

He travelled 293 kilometres from Port Noarlunga to Bordertown to collect a tonne of quality russet potatoes from a grower, after a delivery of white star potatoes from the Adelaide Hills led to “raw and soggy” hot chips.

READ MORE: ‘I love what I do’: Meet the family behind one of SA’s iconic Fish and Chips shops.

Mr Papageorgakis told The Advertiser the almost 600km round trip was worth it for his customers who expect “crispy” hot chips. He is now set to reopen his shop on Tuesday.

Jimmy Leonardos (founder of the fish and chip shop) with his daughter Marina. Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa.

“My customers come first. I won’t serve s–t to the customers. I don’t want to tarnish my reputation,” Mr Papageorgakis told the newspaper.

READ MORE: Greeks take out awards for the best jaffles and hot chips in Australia.

This sentiment was echoed in an interview between Mr Papageorgakis and The Greek Herald in early January, where the shop owner stressed: “We have a long-lasting legacy and we will not let it slip.”

Different reasons for the poorer potato quality have been suggested, with Mr Papageorgakis blaming early harvesting of potatoes for the problem.

Source: The Advertiser.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Pisanos among candidates for senior role at NSW Police

A major restructure of NSW Police is underway with the vacancy of two deputy commissioner roles following the promotion of Karen Webb to Commissioner and sudden sacking of Mick Willing.

According to police sources who spoke to The Daily Telegraph, current Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker is an unbackable favourite to fill one deputy spot, while Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar is predicted to take the role left open by Mr Willing’s departure.

But there may yet be another position opening up in the coming months, with detective Dave Hudson expected to retire before the end of the year.

Among the top candidates for promotion to this role are Assistant Commissioner Paul Pisanos, who has filled in at deputy commissioner level previously, as well as Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald, the Commander of Forensic Services, and Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell, the boss of Central Metropolitan Region.

Paul Pisanos. Photo: Craig Wilson.

Assistant Commissioner Pisanos has a strong chance of being selected for the role. In 2018, he received the Australian Police Medal as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

He has launched a number of youth programs credited with reducing youth crime and placing disadvantaged young people with private businesses, providing work experience for possible future full-time employment.

He has also dedicated his career to reducing violence, fear and crime ever since he entered the force as a constable in 1988.

Source: The Daily Telegraph.

Young Liberal Movement of Australia recognises Greek, Armenian, Assyrian genocides

The Young Liberal Movement of Australia has unanimously adopted a motion at its National Convention recognising the 1915 Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides, as well as acknowledging the rights to self-determination of the indigenous Armenian people of the Republic of Artsakh.

The Young Liberal Movement is the youth wing of the Liberal Party of Australia, which is currently the party in Government federally, led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

READ MORE: House of Representatives calls on Australian Govt to recognise Greek, Armenian, Assyrian genocides.

According to the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), the motion was moved by ACT Young Liberal President, Connor Andreatidis, and seconded by a member from the ACT Young Liberal delegation.

Mr Andreatidis’ motion not only recognised the 1915 crimes committed by the Ottoman Empire, but also called on the “Federal Government to recognise and condemn the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides.”

The Executive Director of ANC-AU, Haig Kayserian, welcomed the support of the Australian Young Liberal Movement and thanked them for adopting the motion.

“This motion saw future leaders of our nation call out their current leaders by taking a unanimous stand in solidarity with the Armenian-Australian, Assyrian-Australian and Greek-Australian communities by addressing past and current injustices that remain unpunished,” Mr Kayserian said.

Prominent members of the Australian Liberal Party were also present at the Federal Convention and witnessed the unprecedented motion, including Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein and Senators Eric Abetz, Claire Chandler and Jonathon Duniam.

READ MORE: Greek, Cypriot and Pontian communities call on Australian PM to recognise genocide.

Source: Public Radio of Armenia.

Harrison Kitt to spend 10 years under supervision for crash that killed Joanne Shanahan

A driver who caused a road crash that killed two women – including top SA Police officer Joanne Shanahan (nee Panayiotou) – will spend the next decade under supervision, The Advertiser reports.

On Tuesday, the District Court ordered Harrison Kitt, 21, serve a 10-year limiting term, monitored by both mental health experts and the Parole Board, while living with his parents.

He was also banned from drinking, driving and from attending shopping centres near the families of Joanne Shanahan and Tania McNeill.

READ MORE: Harrison Kitt found not guilty of crash that killed Joanne Shanahan and an Adelaide mum.

In April 2020, and while affected by undiagnosed bipolar, Mr Kitt drove through the intersection of Fullarton and Cross roads, Urrbrae, at 167km/h.

The car crash scene.

READ MORE: Harrison Kitt suffered ‘mental impairment’ during crash which killed Joanne Shanahan, court hears.

His car collided with those driven by Chief Superintendent Shanahan and Mrs McNeill, killing them both.

Mr Kitt was found not guilty of causing their deaths, by dangerous driving, due to mental incompetence.

In response, the McNeill and Shanahan families have said in their victim statements they would forever struggle to come to terms with the verdict.

READ MORE: ‘Slap in the face’: Family share grief over Joanna Shanahan’s death.

Source: The Advertiser.

Greece, Turkey reactivate joint economic committee after 11 years

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The Greek-Turkish Joint Economic Committee met in Athens on Monday for the first time in 11 years, Ekathimerini reports.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a Protocol by Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Openness, Kostas Fragogiannis, and Turkish Deputy Minister of Trade, Mustafa Tuzcu.

According to a joint announcement, the heads of the two delegations expressed satisfaction with the re-activation of the committee, whose last session was held in Ankara in October 2010.

The two sides also expressed their commitment to continue working to achieve progress in issues included in the “positive agenda,” with emphasis on promoting economic cooperation and trade transactions between the two countries.

Other issues discussed include tourism between both countries, increasing cooperation in the energy sector, and the resumption of bilateral cooperation in research and technology.

Source: Ekathimerini.