The Australian dairy industry is preparing to fight an EU ruling which vows to restrict cheese manufacturers outside Cyprus from marketing their products under the name ‘halloumi.’

Cyprus, which has a population of about 1.2 million people, has hailed the decision to recognise the famously grillable cheese as a product distinct to the divided Eastern Mediterranean island after a seven-year wait.

READ MORE: Cyprus’ halloumi cheese wins EU protection.

But the move is set to cost local Australian cheese manufacturers tens of millions of dollars, according to the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC).

If the EU’s demands are adopted, about 56 cheese products in the Australian market would be impacted, hitting a large proportion of local production and exports, imposing considerable and unnecessary costs for many parts of local industry and their regional communities.

The semi-hard cheese made from goat and sheep’s milk is produced in numerous countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and several in the Middle East. A lengthy battle in Europe resulted in British cheese makers calling their product “Squeaky Cheese.”

Cypriot dairy farmers call the cheese their “white gold” because it’s the nation’s second-biggest export – earning a record $385 million last year – mainly to the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and Greece.

But Chair of the ADIC, Terry Richardson, says the EU’s demands are unreasonable as the origins of the cheese are irrelevant.

“Halloumi is a cheese that can be, and is, produced anywhere in the world. The origin of the cheese is irrelevant because the name is generic and associated not with the region in Cyprus, but with a certain taste, texture and functionality,” Mr Richardson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Claiming there is a special knowledge that only producers in Cyprus possess is absurd and will lead to an unfair and anti-competitive outcome.”

Australia – EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA):

The EU has long-insisted that Australia adopts its Geographical Indications (GIs) system under the pending Australia – EU Free Trade Agreement to protect products that it believes possess qualities associated with certain European regions.

While halloumi is not listed as a GI request under the pending agreement, it could be added once the trade deal comes into effect.

Australian Dairy Products Federation President, Grant Crothers, told the SMH the GI system was anti-competitive, overly restrictive and “failed to take into proper account Australia’s status as a multicultural nation and our significant European heritage.”

Federal Trade Minister, Dan Tehan, added that while the EU had not asked Australia to protect the name as part of the trade negotiations, he understood the importance of the continued use of the term halloumi to the industry.

“The government will not decide to protect GIs under the FTA unless the overall deal is in Australia’s interests and no action would be taken on any future GI requests without the government working with the Australian dairy industry first,” he said.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald.

The Olympia milk bar has remained shut for the past four years, after falling into disrepair in 2017, yet the Greek locals of Stanmore kept hope that the iconic milk bar would return.

These dreams were shattered earlier this week after Nick Fotiou, owner of the Olympia milk bar, reportedly moved out of the building after concerns for his living conditions.

The landmark building had been boarded up by NSW Health, who had deep concerns for Fotiou’s welfare as the building continued to decline, with a ceiling collapse and extensive mould from a missing window.

Four years ago, the Inner West Council ordered the Olympia to be closed until repairs were carried out after an inspection, which followed a police report that the awning was in danger of collapsing, revealed it was in a state of disrepair.

Mr Fotiou resisted many offers of help to fix the building but stayed there hoping the council would allow him to reopen.

“I’ve had troubles and troubles and troubles,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald previously.

Mr Fotiou, who is believed to be 91, served meals and drinks at the Olympia for more than 50 years.

“Slowly, slowly, slowly,” he said in broken English about how he wanted to bring the Olympia back to life. “But not to rush me. How long it will take, no idea.”

A council spokeswoman said that any future development proposal for the site would be subject to an assessment of its heritage significance and that contributing elements “should be retained where possible”.

Mr Fotiou is now said to be settling in well to a nursing home.

The building has been listed on the NSW Heritage Register and had its history recognised under the Marrickville Local Environmental Plan. People on social media have now called for the iconic Olympia Milk Bar sign to be placed into the Powerhouse Museum as a ‘piece of Australian history’.

Tribute photos have also been shared on an ‘Olympia Milk Bar Fan Club’ Facebook page, which has over 4500 members, with people sending their wishes to Nick Fotiou.

For another year, the Oakleigh Grammar School has dedicated the month of March to promoting Greek language and culture. 

The enthusiastic students had the opportunity to participate in many different activities throughout the month. The teachers of the LOTE Department organised different activities where students of all grades had the opportunity to take part and enrich their knowledge of the Greek language and Greek culture.

The month kicked off with the students participating in the competition organised by the Organisational Committee for Greek National Day, with the title ‘Ambassadors 200’. Students were asked to express what 1821 means to them. 

In the first week of March, students created bracelets with red and white thread, a very well-known Greek custom.

Every day, all students were learning a new word in English which had a Greek root. The high school students were very impressed that thousands of words used in their vocabulary and use every day have come from either the Ancient or Modern Greek language. Students also followed “Speak Greek in March”, with all grades making weekly oral presentations.

On Clean Monday, Primary School students made colourful kites and learn about the Apokries and Lent. Colourful kites filled the corridors of the building where the Primary school students spend most of their day.

The younger students learnt to write their names and the alphabet using clay. At the same time, they coloured in worksheets with tsoliades, Amalia and traditional tsarouchia. The students of Year 7 and Year 8 learnt about the costume of the Evzones and watched parts from the Military Parade in Athens.

On the 25^th of March, students played traditional Greek games and participated in Greek dancing lessons.

Finally, in the last week of the Term, the students visited the photo exhibition of Evzones hosted by the Oakleigh Grammar school at the Conference Centre. Students were very excited to see the big pictures with the Evzones, even choosing their favourite photo.

The month of March, which is undoubtedly one of the most important for the Greeks of Melbourne, has ended, leaving the students of Oakleigh Grammar school with the best impressions and knowledge of Greek culture.