The Greek Australian Dialogue Series will continue next week with a special video conference held byHaris Siampanis, Chief Executive Officer of the Benaki Museumin Athens.
At this video conference, Siampanis will give Greek Australians an update on how the Benaki Museum is managing and responding to COVID19 and outlining the Museum’s aims and objectives. Siampanis will also showcase the Museum’s development of Greek culture, which Siampanis promises supports knowledge, research and freedom of expression.
The Benaki Museum in downtown Athens displays Greek works of art from the prehistorical to the modern times, an extensive collection of Asian art, hosts periodic exhibitions and maintains a state-of- the-art restoration and conservation workshop.
Housed in the Benakis family mansion, the museum initially held an ancient collection that included Islamic art, Chinese porcelain and exhibits on toys. Its 2000 re-opening led to the creation of satellite museums that focused on specific collections, allowing the main museum to focus on Greek culture over the span of the country’s history.
The virtual event with Siampanis is organised by Paul Nicolaou, Director of the Business Leaders Council, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Christos Karras, the Greek Consul General in Sydney.
The video conference is open to all Greek Australians who wish to take part, with an opportunity to ask the Benaki Museum Chief Executive Officer a question in the Q&A session.
To RSVP please email paul.nicolaou@australianchamber.com.au to secure a place on the video conference.
Kostas Hatzichristos was one of the most renowned comedic, theatrical performers, having a successful career in the film industry spanning over 60 years.
Hatzichristos was born on January 1st 1921 in Thessaloniki Greece to a large family. Initially, he pursued a military career, studying at the Resistance School of Syros, but later finishing his studies in Kavala.
In his early life, he settled in Athens and worked in a variety theatre in Piraeus and later with the Nitsa Gaitanaki company. He continued working for independent companies, working in an operetta company owned by Parasvevas Oikonomou from 1945 until 1948 and later working under Koula Nikolaidou’s musical company at the Verdun theatre from 1949 until 1950.
Hatzichristos played his first prominent acting role at the Verdun theatre company, performing as a villager character, Thymios. This chatacterical was a satirical type and continued to influence his work for the remainder of his artistic career.
After establishing his acclaimed career in theatre, he moved onto television films, having his first screen appearance in 1952 in the movie ‘The Tower of the Knights’. He continued to play leading roles in Greek films, building on his outstanding career working in over 100 films.
In 1955, he married his first wife, Ketty Dirdaou. Together they had one daughter and later divorced in 1975.
In addition to acting, Hatzichristos delved into the world of film production, extending his skill set and developing his theatrical career. Hatzichristos produced three movies and directed eight others.
In 1961, he created his own theatre company, “Hatzichristos Theatre”, which lasted a few years.
From the 1970s onwards, Kostas Hatzichristos began to slow down his theatrical work, until finally returning in the 1994-95 era and completing his final film “Alexander and Aise” in 2001.
The popular Greek actor, died on October 3, 2001 in Athens from a respiratory infection. His contributions to the Greek film industry will always be honoured and remembered.
The days are getting warmer in Australia, meaning daylight saving is starting.
This weekend, on Sunday, October 6 at 2am, all clocks in Australia will move forward one hour for residents in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
Australia first adopted daylight saving time during the first and second world wars, hoping to reduce energy usage.
Then Tasmania permanently introduced daylight saving in 1968, while NSW, Victoria, SA and the ACT adopted it from 1971.
The shifting hours give Australians extra evening sunlight for social activities and exercise after work or school.
Daylight saving also helps reduce the change of energy outages, according to associate professor Virginie Masson. “It spreads the load of networks, rather than having peak times where you could potentially have issues with excess demand for your electricity,” she said.
Queensland and Western Australia have dumped the practice due to its unpopularity while the Northern Territory never tried it again after the second world war.
The Athens Marathon, dubbed the ‘Athens Classic Marathon The Authentic’, has been canceled due to concern over the increase of COVID-19 cases in the Attica region.
The marathon had been scheduled for Nov. 8 and follows the legendary route purportedly run by the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians in the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C.
The Greek athletic federation, SEGAS, said they considered a number of scenarios, including reducing the number of participants for the race and enforcing a compulsory COVID-19 test before the race. The event was ultimately called off due to the event organisers not being able to garruntee the safety of the runners.
“We are very optimistic that, after this pandemic is over, we will all run together in our races in 2021, a very important year for Greece since it coincides with the anniversary of the 200 Years after the Greek Revolution,” organisers said in a statement.
The classic marathon route has grown in popularity since the 1970s, and the event now includes 10-kilometre and 5-kilometre races.
The federation said participants will be contacted and offered a refund or to transfer their participation to 2021. It said it will organise a virtual race in November that will be open to all.
“It is going to be a race for all, full of surprises, that will allow you to test yourself either running alone on the route of your choice, or being joined by a small number of friends and/or family members,” organisers added.
The aged care royal commission has called on the federal government to immediately fund additional staff in aged care facilities, and has criticised the government’s lack of a dedicated plan or clear leadership which left families and facilities wondering who was in charge.
On Thursday, the commission made six recommendations, including the establishment of an aged care advisory body and a COVID-19 plan for the sector which would include protocols between state and federal governments to remove confusion.
One recommendation requires establishing a national aged-care plan for COVID-19, including setting up a national aged-care advisory body. A key step that was missing in the Victorian aged care catastrophe.
The commissioners said much was “made during the hearing of whether there was an aged care-specific plan for COVID-19”.
Photo: Daniel Pockett/AAP
They conclude: “There was not a COVID-19 plan devoted solely to aged care. But there was a national COVID-19 plan that the Australian Government sought to adapt and apply to the aged care sector.”
The commission indicates the plan should establish protocols between the federal government and states and territories, which may reduce some confusion around who is responsible for what. The plan should also set up procedures regarding who decides whether residents with COVID-19 are transferred to hospital.
As part of the plan, significant outbreaks in facilities are to be investigated by an independent expert, and any lessons promptly disseminated to the sector.
The government and the sector have come under fire for their response to the pandemic, which has seen more than 650 deaths, most during Victoria’s second wave.
In homes that have been struck by the virus, in particular, there have been shocking allegations of neglect, and some facilities in Victoria are now facing legal action.
In addition to a published Covid plan, the commission also recommended the creation of a national aged care advisory body and said major outbreaks should also be investigated independently.
It also called for the government to “immediately fund providers that apply for funding to ensure there are adequate staff available to allow continued visits” to residents.
European Union leaders agreed early Friday to impose sanctions on dozens of senior officials in Belarus accused of falsifying presidential election results and leading a crackdown on peaceful protesters, after unblocking a veto against the move by one of the EU’s smallest member countries.
Cyprus had insisted that its EU partners take action against Turkey for its energy exploration work in disputed waters off the Mediterranean island nation’s coast before it would agree to the Belarus sanctions.
But after several hours of talks into the night, the leaders agreed on a strong statement of support for Cyprus, as well as for Greece, and a stern warning to Turkey that it could face punitive measures if it continues the undersea drilling work.
“We have to decided today to implement the sanctions,” European Council President Charles Michel told reporters after chairing the summit in Brussels. “It’s very important to do what we decided a few weeks ago,” and to send a signal that “we are credible.”
A general view of the round table meeting at an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. (Johanna Geron, Pool via AP)
Michel said that a special written procedure would be launched on Friday to impose sanctions on about 40 Belarus officials.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko “is not on the current list. But we will follow the developments,” Michel said. The leader once dubbed Europe’s last dictator could be added to the list at a later date, should he refuse to enter into talks with the opposition, EU diplomats have said.
Throughout Thursday evening, the leaders debated what approach to take in the EU’s increasingly tense ties with Turkey over its drilling in the Mediterranean Sea, its roles in the conflicts in Libya and Syria, and as a sometimes troublesome source of migrants trying to reach Europe.
European Council President Charles Michel, right, greets Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ahead of a meeting on the sidelines of an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. (John Thys, Pool via AP)
In a summit statement, they agreed that if Turkey continues to react positively in talks with Cyprus and Greece the bloc will “launch a positive political EU-Turkey agenda” with trade and customs incentives, and they held out the prospect of more money and benefits for continued cooperation on migrant flows.
If not, the leaders warned, “the EU will use all the instruments and the options at its disposal,” to “defend its interests and those of its Member States.”
“It is now Turkey that has to prove that it wants to go the constructive road with us, and this is the offer tonight. But we are very clear that in the opposite case we have all necessary tools at our disposal,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, speaks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades during a round table meeting at an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron was staunch in his support for his European partners, saying that “solidarity is non-negotiable” when it comes to Cyprus, but also to Greece in its long-running dispute with Turkey.
“When a European Union member state is attacked, threatened, when its territorial waters are not respected, it’s the duty of Europeans to show their solidarity,” Macron said.
As it turned out, Cyprus was making its stand at a summit that came on the 60th anniversary of its independence.
In a televised address to the nation, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades expressed his “sincere gratitude to all European Union member states for their staunch support and solidarity in light of Turkey’s provocations.”
But Anastasiades said he wanted the EU to take “a more tangible and effective stance to bring about an end to gunboat diplomacy and for the crisis to be succeeded by dialogue or recourse to the international court on the basis of international law and the law of the sea.”
Making the same point, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, “the time has come for Europe to discuss with courage and honesty what kind of relationship it truly wants to have with Turkey. One thing is certain: Turkish provocation, whether this is expressed through unilateral actions or extreme rhetoric, can no longer be tolerated.
Coronavirus has brought entire industries to their knees and has hit thousands of small businesses hard around Australia, leaving many without work and an uncertain future.
“More than a third (35%) of Australian businesses expect to find it difficult or very difficult to meet financial commitments over the next three months,” the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in August.
However, these Greek Australian entrepreneurs who launched their start-ups during a global pandemic believe that with challenges also come opportunities.
Joanne Karagiannis, Melbourne
Joanne Karagiannis has been the owner of a beauty salon in Oakleigh, for fifteen years.
Due to the Victorian Government’s restrictions, the salon has been closed for seven months and her sole income is the JobKeeper payment.
“The situation has been extremely difficult emotionally and really stressful. I can’t work but I still have to pay rent, bills, insurance and marketing fees. I can’t even drive to my salon due to the five kilometres radius rule,” Ms Karagiannis said.
Recognizing that the pandemic will change drastically the field of aesthetics and cosmetology worldwide, she decided to find a way to ensure that when she finally returns to work, she and her clients will be safe.
“A new business idea that my daughters and I came up with, is a transparent self-standing barrier, placed between the treatment provider and the client adding an extra layer of protection, for both parties. Our product is called ‘Beauty Shield,’” said Ms Karagianis.
Although a new business is daunting for her, she admits that “one cannot expect to make money without being willing to invest.”
Sofia & Sotiris Moustakas, WA
Five months ago, couple Sofia and Sotiris Moustakas started a mobile Greek street food truck business in Karratha, north Western Australia.
“We had the idea about the van since last year. Back then we could not foresee what would happen. So, we made the investment, bought the equipment and started organising everything.
Then the pandemic hit. By that time, we had spent a considerable amount of money and had to start capitalizing on it as soon as possible,” Mr Moustakas said, explaining that they “felt lucky in a sense as the pandemic was smoother in Western Australia compared to other states.”
“When we started, we used to trade three days a week but soon added one more, because we had a great response and support from the local community.
“As we receive some of our products from Melbourne and Perth we dealt with major delays and sudden price increases. We had to be flexible, come up with solutions and even reduce our profit margins in order to cope,” co-owner, Sofia Moustaka said.
For the owners of ‘Souv-Lucky’, the assistance of their local Chamber of Commerce (Karratha & Districts Chamber of Commerce & Industry) as well as various council initiatives to support small businesses, were crucial.
“If we went back in time, we would have made the same decision. One can learn, adapt and evolve even amidst a pandemic,” conclude Sofia and Sotiris Moustakas.
Ria Georgiadis, Melbourne
For Melbourne-based Ria Georgiadis, the creation of an online store as a side business had been in the plans for over a year; but due to work and life commitments she was unable to allocate the time needed to start it.
As Australia’s second biggest city was going through its first lockdown, Ms Georgiadis realised that she could use the restrictions to her benefit.
“The first order from Greece arrived in March, when the first lockdown started. With COVID I was hesitant to launch an online store but the whole situation contributed positively, both on a personal and a professional level, as I consciously started investing more time in building my corporate identity and promoting my store,” said Georgiadis.
In May, her online store selling women’s bespoke accessories by emerging Greek designers came to life.
“I don’t believe one should wait for the ideal circumstances to start something. We should create the conditions. Coronavirus was a trigger for me and ‘allosmondo’, gave me a purpose.”
So what happens if things don’t unfold as planned?
“Best case scenario the business becomes known. Worst case scenario, I learn something new,” said Ria Georgiadou.
Benefits of starting a business in a pandemic
Jamie Cunningham from SalesUp business coaching in Beechworth, said people who started a business during challenging times such as a global pandemic are forced to ‘think very strategically’.
“Too often when people start businesses, particularly when the economy is strong, the deep strategic thinking is skipped.
“Starting a business now hopefully gives a person the advantage of a very aware mindset. They are less likely to take a strong economy for granted. Versus the person that starts a business in the good times, can quickly come into trouble when the economy has a downturn. The later person has not experienced a downturn and is more likely to assume (largely unconsciously) that sales will just always be there,” he said.
Multiple Greek businesses came up top in this year’s Local Business Awards, which took place across multiple Sydney districts.
With this year proving a struggle for businesses to continue operating and adapt to a COVID-19 world, these awards were intended to show an even greater gratitude to the businesses that continued to serve their local community.
Business owners were treated to dinner at COVID-safe award ceremony’s, with up to 32 awards handed out at each Local Business Awards presentation.
Miloway Wines in Earlwood received an award for best Specialised Retail Business at the Canterbury Bankstown Local Business Awards 2020. Harry Ipermachou spoke with The Greek Herald following his victory, expressing his happiness in receiving the prestigious award.
“For us it was like a gift to celebrate our 40th anniversary”, Ipermachou said to The Greek Herald.
“The awards were amazing… we were up against around 18 deli’s and it was great to win.”
Thanks to all !!! ❤️Winner 2020 ! Local Business Awards!!Specialised Retail Business
Vicky Zafiropoulos was awarded Business Person of the Year at the St George Local Business Awards 2020 at a COVID-Safe awards ceremony at the Revesby Workers Club on Tuesday. Owner of Hairem Hairdressing at Carlton, Vicky Zafiropoulos spoke to The Greek Herald following her victory.
“In times like this it is a big honour, because more than ever I feel like small businesses are the ones who employ a lot of people and are going to bring this economy back,” Vicky says to The Greek Herald.
With the Business Person of the Year award presented at the end of the ceremony, Vicky thought she would be going home empty handed as the awards came to a close.
“I was hoping to win the hairdressing category, which we had won a few times over the years… but to win Business Person of the Year is a lovely surprise,” Vicky added.
Vicky Zafiropoulos receiving her award at the Local Business Awards 2020. Photo: Facebook
“As hairdressers, we council each other, we motivate each other, we support each other. Especially in this time more than ever.”
Trianon Cake Shop also received their 14th win at the Canterbury Bankstown awards, with a post on the business’ Facebook page thanking their loyal customers.
“On behalf of the Trianon Team and staff we are so grateful for all of our customers for all the ongoing support for the past 43 Years,” the Facebook post reads.
“We are so honoured and will continue to strive to give the best of the best to all of our customers.”
Our 14th Win! On behalf of the Trianon Team and staff we are so grateful for all of our customers for all the ongoing…
George’s River Mayor Kevin Greene said that this year’s awards are more meaningful than ever, given the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.
“The pandemic has forced many local business owners to adapt their businesses very quickly in order to stay afloat, but some are going beyond that and are really thriving in a very uncertain time,” Councillor Greene said.
“Local business owners have demonstrated just how innovative and resourceful they are, and we continue to be impressed by their ingenuity.”
Stefanos and Apostolos Tsitsipas wore masks which seemed to catch the eye of the media, depicting an artistic interpretation of the Greek tennis player.
Stefanos Tsitsipas says he was sitting in Cipriani, a Manhattan restaurant, the day after losing a five-set heartbreaker at the US Open. The Greek was with a friend, who pointed out something they saw on the Internet.
“My friend goes, ‘Look, I saw these masks online of yours. Do you know anything about them?’” Tsitsipas recalled. “I’m like, ‘No, but they would look really cool and I would like to have some of them.’ So I bought like 30 straightaway, different masks.”
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – October 1, 2020 Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates winning his second round match against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas REUTERS/Christian Hartmann.
Tsitsipas’ father, Apostolos Tsitsipas, was spotted in Paris wearing a mask with art depicting his son on it. Stefanos, the reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion, walked into his press conference on Thursday after beating Pablo Cuevas wearing one too. Tsitsipas noted that the artist, Cat Lee, has an Instagram account on which she shares her work of various players.
“I’ll try and get in touch with her, because I really like her idea and her masks,” Tsitsipas said. “I bought 30 of them, and I handed out to the team. So now we are more organised.”
The World No. 6 defeated Pablo Cuevas, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 28 minutes to reach the third round in Paris for the second consecutive year.
The five-time ATP Tour champion used his dominant first serve to put pressure on the Uruguayan, losing just four first-serve points (29/33). Tsitsipas only lost his serve once, striking 26 winners to 18 unforced errors in his victory. Against Munar, he made 49 unforced errors.
Tsitsipas will next play Aljaz Bedene, who beat Nikola Milojevic 7-5, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) in two hours and 54 minutes. Bedene defeated Tsitsipas 7-5, 6-4 in their only previous clash earlier this year in Rotterdam.
Former SBS World News journalist journalist Mary Kostakidis condemned the abuses being perpetrated against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and stated that he had only been able to survive years of arbitrary detention because of his “conviction that truth should prevail.”
US authorities accuse Assange, 49, of conspiring to hack government computers and of violating an espionage law in connection with the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011.
Kostakidis has previously been outspoken on the defence of civil liberties, defending Assange since the US persecution of the WikiLeaks publisher. In 2011, Kostakidis presented Assange with the Sydney Peace Foundation’s Gold Medal for peace with justice.
Julian Assange is set to spend another Christmas behind bars in a UK prison.(Reuters: Henry Nicholls)
In her remarks at London’s Frontline Club, Kostakidis thanked Assange for his “heroic courage” in exposing the truth to the public and described WikiLeaks as an “ingenious website that has shifted the power balance between citizen and the state by exposing what governments really get up to in our name.”
Kostakidis bluntly stated what she believes is real issue: “The US wants to shut down WikiLeaks and criminalise the activity of this publisher.”
“It is appalling that the prosecution bundle of several hundred pages is sent to the witnesses the day before they are to be cross examined—each and every one of them has stated this has been the case,” Kostakidis said to World Socialist Web Site.
“It’s very disappointing that so few mainstream media are following the case.”
Assange has been in a London prison since April 2019. He will have to appear via video link to the courts every 28 days between now and the judge’s ruling.
Assange’s defence team have asked for another four weeks to submit their closing argument to the judge.
