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Greek nurse turns home into makeshift ICU to care for family with COVID-19

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Greek nurse turns home into makeshift ICU to care for family with COVID-19

When Gabriel Tachtatzoglou’s wife, both her parents and her brother tested positive for COVID-19 he decided to take matters into his own hands.

Tachtatzoglou had to quarantine and could not go to work once his relatives tested positive for the virus. But as a critical care nurse, he decided to put his ICU experience to use by looking after them himself.

That decision, his family says, probably saved their lives.

“If we had gone to the hospital, I don’t know where we would have ended up,” Polychoni Stergiou, the nurse’s 64-year-old mother-in-law, told the Associated Press. “That didn’t happen, thanks to my son-in-law.”

In this Saturday, December 12, 2020 photo, Gabriel Tachtatzoglou poses at his home in Agios Athanassios, outside Thessaloniki city, northern Greece. Photo: AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos.

Tachtatzoglou set up a makeshift ICU in the downstairs apartment of his family’s two-story home in the village of Agios Athanasios, located about 30 kilometers from the city of Thessaloniki. He rented, borrowed and modified the monitors, oxygen delivery machines and other equipment his loved ones might need.

READ MORE: Army field hospital set up in Thessaloniki as Greece’s COVID deaths hit record high.

“I’ve been working in the intensive care ward for 20 years, and I didn’t want to put my in-laws through the psychological strain of separation. Plus, there was already a lot of pressure on the health service,” Tachtatzoglou told the AP in an interview.

Tachtatzoglou says he remained in daily contact with doctors at Papageorgiou Hospital, the overwhelmed facility where he works, while caring for his sick family members, and that he would have hospitalised any of the four if they needed to be intubated.

“I looked after them up until the point where it would pose no danger,” he said. “At all times, I was ready to move them to the hospital if needed.”

Greece, which has a population of 10.7 million, spent the first phase of the coronavirus pandemic with some of the lowest infection rates in Europe. As cold weather set in, the number of confirmed cases and virus-related deaths began doubling.

READ MORE: Greeks to spend Christmas in lockdown after restrictions extended until January 7.

With ICU wards in Thessaloniki pushed to capacity, COVID-19 patients deemed too sick to a wait for a bed were taken to hospitals in other parts of Greece. Meanwhile, the situation for Tachtatzoglou’s family deteriorated as his wife and in-laws fell ill in alarming succession.

In this Saturday, December 12, 2020 photo, Gabriel Tachtatzoglou poses at his home in Agios Athanassios, outside Thessaloniki city, northern Greece. Photo: AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos.

Tachtatzoglou said he agonised constantly over whether to transfer his relatives to hospitals in Thessaloniki, knowing it would mean they would not be able to see each other and might get moved to a hospitals farther away.

“We were reduced to tears. There were times when I was desperate, and I was really afraid I would lose them,” the nurse said.

They all pulled through, although Tachtatzoglou eventually became infected with the virus himself.

“I took precautions when I treated them, but I didn’t have the personal protection gear you find in hospitals,” he said. “That’s probably how I got sick.”

Source: Costas Kantouris / AP News.

Greek Australian, Christos Alefantis, recognised for his work supporting the vulnerable

Andriana Simos
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Greek Australian, Christos Alefantis, recognised for his work supporting the vulnerable

The Gastronomos Quality Awards were held on December 21 and this time, a Greek Australian was recognised for his work in supporting vulnerable people in Greece.

Christos Alefantis, who is the founder and editor-in-chief of street magazine Shedia, was given an ‘Honorary Award’ at the virtual ceremony.

He was recognised for Schedia Home, a restaurant he founded in downtown Athens that also offers support to vulnerable residents.

The Gastronomos Quality Awards were held for the 13th year on December 21. Hosts Lambros Fisfis and Dimitris Makalias. Photo: Nikos Karanikolas.

“The objective of Schedia Home is to energise, empower, train and create job opportunities for the poorest of the poor of this country,” Alefantis told Ekathimerini in 2019 when the building first opened.

The building is wheelchair-accessible, while the menu is also available on audio for visually impaired patrons. It also makes limited use of plastic and uses organic milk, eggs and chicken in its food preparation.

Schedia Home, founded by Alefantis, is a restaurant in downtown Athens that also offers support to vulnerable residents.

This year’s Gastronomos awards were aimed at showcasing the “Little Heroes,” the generation that dared to create during the financial crisis and succeeded with whatever means they had at their disposal.

Among the list of winners were Theodoros Koutsotheodoris, who claimed an ‘Olive Oil Production Award,’ and Vassilis Koutroulakis, who won the ‘Honey Production Award.’

Kostas Voutsas: A renowned actor, writer and director in Greece

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Kostas Voutsas: A renowned actor, writer and director in Greece

By Georgene Dilernia and Victoria Loutas.

Kostas Voutsas was a famous Greek actor, director and writer. Known for his cinematic work during the ‘Golden Era’ of Greek commercial cinema, Voutsas touched the hearts of many Greeks through his performances.

Let’s take a look into the life of this great actor and see what he accomplished during his career.

Early Life:

Voutsas was born in Vyronas, Athens in 1931 to a refugee family from Epivates. They later moved to Thessaloniki in 1932. During his youth, Voutsas studied drama at the Drama School of the Macedonian Conservatory of Thessaloniki and made his stage and screen debut in 1953.

Acting Career:

Voutsas was a major actor in Finos Films and went on to star in about 60 movies, mostly comedies and musicals of the ‘golden era’ of Greek commercial cinema.

In 1961, his breakthrough came when the Greek film director, Giannis Dalianidis, gave him a leading role in his youth melodrama O Katiforos. He soon became one of the best and most popular comic actors of his generation.

He received many lifetime achievement awards including at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and more.

Kostas Voutsas with member of The Greek Herald team Georgia Patsalides at The Greek Herald presses in Glebe.

Personal Life and Death:

Voutsas married three times during his life. First to Erika Broyer in 1958, then to Theano Papaspyrou in 1975 and last to Aliki Katsavou in 2016.

Voutsas also had four children during his life span.

On February 26, 2020, Voutsas passed away at the age of 88 after being in the Intensive Care Unit of Attikon University Hospital in Athens with lung problems.

The ‘2021 Victorian Council’ thanks schools, parishes and organisations

Andriana Simos
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The « 2021 Victorian Council » would like to congratulate and thank the following schools, parishes and organisations for taking the time to submit events for the 2021 Victorian Program creating an annual program of events beginning in January and ending in December.  

Over 80 schools, parishes and organisations have contributed to this program:  Ahepa, Agapi Care, Alpha Greek School, Altona North Greek Orthodox Parish, Ascot Vale Greek Orthodox Parish, Australian Federation Pontian Organisations, Australian Greek Ex-servicemen Association, Australian Hellenic Golf Federation, Australian Hellenic Memorial Foundation, Bacchus Marsh Greek Orthoox Parish, Ballarat Greek Orthodox Parish, Bendigo Greek Orthodox Parish, Bentleigh Greek Orthodox Parish,Bentleigh Greens Soccer Club, Box Hill Greek Community, Byzantine Music School of Australia, Carlton Greek Orthodox Parish, Central Pontian Association ‘Pontiaki Estia’, City of Moreland, Coburg Greek Orthodox Parish, Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne, Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand, Cyprus Community of Melbourne & Victoria, Dandenong Greek Orthodox Parish, Dodecanesian Federation of Australia, East Keilor Greek Orthodox Parish, Epirotic Federation of Oceania, Fawkner Greek Orthodox Parish, Federation of Greek Elderly Associations, Federation of Messinian Organisations, Forest Hill Greek Orthodox Parish, Fronditha Care, Greek-Australian Cultural League of Melbourne, Greek Australian Women’s Network “Food For Thought”, Greek City Times, Greek Media Group, Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria, Greek Youth of Archdiocese – Northcote District, Halkidiki Association of Melbourne “Aristotelis Stagiritis”, Heidelberg United Football Club, Hellenic Museum, Hellenic Writers Association of Australia, Hellenic RSL Sub Branch, Kalamata Society 23rd March, Lalor North Primary School, Lefkadian Brotherhood of Melbourne, Malvern East Greek Orthodox Parish, Manasis Dance School, Mavraganis Greek School, Mentone Greek Orthodox Parish, Merimna Pontion Kyrion Oceania, Mildura Greek Orthodox Parish, Neos Kosmos, Nestoras College, Northcote Greek Orthodox Parish, Oakleigh Grammar School, Oakleigh Greek Orthodox Community, Pammessinian Brotherhood of Victoria “Papaflessas”, Panarcadian Federation of Melbourne & Victoria, Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria “O Kolokotronis“, Pancretan Association of Melbourne, Panepirotic Federation of Australia, Pantrifilian Association of Melbourne, PanMacedonian Association of Melbourne, Pedia Greek School, Pegasus Dance Academy, Pontian Community of Melbourne, Pontian Association Euxinos Pontos, Pronia, Preston Greek Orthodox Parish, Richmond Greek Orthodox Parish, Robinvale Greek Orthodox Parish, Shepparton Greek Orthodox Parish, St. Albans Greek Orthodox Parish, St. Johns Greek Orthodox College, South Melbourne Football Club, Sunshine Greek Orthodox Parish, Thessaloniki Association “White Tower”, Thomastown Greek Orthodox Parish, Wangaratta Greek Orthodox Parish, Yarraville Greek Orthodox Parish, Zenon Education Centre.

Greek Consulate in Perth one of the first to be digitised in new Greek pilot program

Andriana Simos
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Greek Consulate in Perth one of the first to be digitised in new Greek pilot program

Greek consulates all over the world will soon become digital, offering the diaspora a fast and easy way to communicate with officials and apply online for documents and certificates.

A pilot version of digital platform, myConsulLive, will be launched imminently by the Greek Embassy in London and the Greek Consulates in New York and Toronto, Canada.

These will soon be followed by Greece’s Consulates in Boston, Istanbul, Dusseldorf and Perth, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office. The current Consul General in Perth is Ms Georgia Karasiotou.

READ MORE: Georgia Karasiotou: ‘No matter how far we are, Greece is always in our hearts’.

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, was briefed on the first steps of the digitisation of consular services abroad at an e-meeting he held with the Greek Consulate General in New York on Tuesday.

“Through this platform, citizens would be able to talk to a consulate official through a video-call,” Mitsotakis said during the meeting.

“This is a first step in the plan to digitise the consular services, aiming to offer a better service and less hassle for Greeks abroad.”

As part of the digital pilot program, the Greek diaspora will be offered three things:

  • Using the myConsulLive service, citizens will be able to talk to a consular officer through a scheduled video call for operations that do not require an in-person presence at the Consulate.
  • A “Virtual Assistant” will answer questions submitted by interested parties, will offer instructions for the processing of their requests, will allow the digital submission of documents and will schedule appointments with its employees. It will also be possible to pay consular fees electronically.
  • In the long run, the “Virtual Assistant” will also function as a gateway to access a range of services such as the Register of Hellenes Abroad, the Greek Citizens Abroad Emergency Information System and the myConsulLive application.

This shift of services online is expected to be completed in 2021.

READ MORE: Mitsotakis: The role of Greek diaspora in Australia crucial to Greece’s recovery.

On This Day: Greek poet, Nikiforos Vrettakos, was born

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On This Day: Greek poet, Nikiforos Vrettakos, was born

By Victoria Loutas.

Nikoforos Vrettakos was one of the most influential literary figures in Greek history. His work skillfully expressed his vision of a Utopian world filled with peace and justice for all.

On the occasion of his birth, we take a look back at his life achievements.

Early Life:

Vrettakos was born on January 1, 1912 in the village of Krokees, Laconia. He spent his childhood and adolescent years moving between Ploumitsa, Krokees and Gythion. 

After completing his secondary education in Gythion, he settled in Athens to begin his university studies in 1929, with hopes to study law. But financial circumstances restricted him from completing his education. Instead, he took up manual labour jobs, which he continued until 1932. Although he was unable to receive a tertiary education, he continued his passion for literature and poetry.

Vrettakos was born on January 1, 1912 in the village of Krokees, Laconia.

Literature and Poetry:

In 1929, at the young age of 17, he published his first collection of poems “Under the shadows and lights” and in 1933, the collection “Going down to the silence of centuries.” Both of these collections immediately attracted the interest of many Greek people and even caught the attention of Kostis Palamas, a famous Greek poet.

In 1935, Vrettakos published the book, “The war,” which was censured by the 4th of August Regime also known as Metaxas Regime.

Along with his literary work, he worked as a journalist in the newspapers “Change,” “Independent Press,” “Progressive Liberal,” “Daily News,” “Battle,” “Hour” and in the magazines “Science and Life” and “Greek Chronicles.” 

Vrettakos also led a fairly active political life, serving in the Greek-Italian War, joining the National Liberation Front and also being an active member of the Communist Party of Greece.

However, in 1949, he published a lyrical essay “Two people talk about peace in the world,” expressing his personal political beliefs which led to his eventual removal from the Communist party of Greece.

He later also stopped working at the magazine “Elefthera Grammata” where he was a manager.

Nikiforos Vrettakos passed away on August 4, 1991.

Later Life and Death:

In 1967, Vrettakos went into a self-imposed exile in Switzerland in response to the military dictatorship takeover of Greece. During his time in Europe, he participated in various radio broadcasts and poetry festivals. 

In 1974, he returned to Greece and settled in Athens. He later returned to his village, Ploumitsa, where he remained until his death in 1991. He passed on August 4, 1991, just a few months after he was named an Honorary Doctor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Over the course of his life, Vrettakos won a number of awards and prizes, including the “Greek State Poetry Prize” in 1940, in 1965 and in 1982, the “Knocken” award in 1980 and the award of the Academy of Athens in 1989.

On This Day: Influential Greek novelist, Alexandros Papadiamantis, dies

Andriana Simos
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On This Day: Influential Greek novelist, Alexandros Papadiamantis, dies

Alexandros Papadiamantis is one of the greatest Greek novelists and is regarded as the father of modern Greek literature. He also worked as a journalist and as a translator.

To mark the occasion of his death today, we take a look back at his incredible life achievements.

Early Life:

Papadiamantis was born on March 4, 1851 on the Greek island of Skiathos. His parents had nine children, two of which died at birth. He was their fourth child and eldest living son.

As Papadiamantis’ father was a priest, he was accustomed to a pious and serene way of life.

He had a diverse and interrupted education. He was schooled on his island until the age of eleven, then he moved to Athens in order to complete his high school studies.

Papadiamantis was born on March 4, 1851 on the Greek island of Skiathos.

In 1874, he went to the Philosophical School of the University of Athens. He attended the University for two years but he never received his degree. It was during this period that his cousin, Alexandros Moraitidis, introduced him into various journalistic circles.

Journalism and Novels:

Papadiamantis started to work as a journalist in several newspapers and magazines. His first novel, entitled ‘The Migrant,’ was printed in instalments in the newspaper, Neologos, in 1879. In 1887, his first story titled ‘The Christmas Loaf,’ marked the feast and set a pattern for his writing.

Papadiamantis’ longest works were the serialised novels ‘The Gypsy Girl,’ ‘The Emigrant,’ and ‘Merchants of Nations.’ However, his novella, ‘The Murderess,’ is considered his best masterpiece.

His stories provide lucid and lyrical portraits of country life in Skiathos or urban life in the poorer neighbourhoods of Athens, with frequent flashes of deep psychological insight.

Papadiamantis (centre) was a shy and retiring man, as the few extant photographs of him testify.

Most of his work is tinged with melancholy and resonates with empathy with people’s suffering, regardless of whether they are saints or sinners, innocent or conflicted.

Personal Life and Death:

Papadiamantis never married. He was a shy and retiring man, as the few extant photographs of him testify. He appeared to be a man seemingly not of this world despite his acute observations of it.

Despite his introspective nature, he had a small circle of close friends including Pavlos Nirvanas and Yannis Vlachoyannis, well-known Athenian men who on various occasions undertook the role of literary agents and helped him during hard times.

Papadiamantis died on January 2, 1911 in Skiathos from pneumonia. The whole country mourned his death. Several articles were published in his memory and memorial services were carried out in various cities.

Announcement regarding the Celebration of Theophany in Australia

The Greek Herald
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Announcement regarding the Celebration of Theophany in Australia

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has made an announcement regarding the celebration of Theophany in Australia, revealing that celebrations in Sydney, along with Victoria and Western Australia, will no longer be going ahead.

Read the full press release below:

The Holy Archdiocese of Australia, assessing the special circumstances prevailing due to the pandemic and taking into account the advice from experts and the current regulations for the protection of public health, announces with regret, but also with a sense of pastoral responsibility, that the combined celebration of Theophany at Yarra Bay in Sydney will not go ahead this year, nor will  the traditional services of the Sanctification of the Waters and the Throwing of the Cross within the states of Victoria and Western Australia.

On the contrary, the corresponding ceremonies for the celebration of Theophany are planned to continue as normal with the presence of faithful on Sunday 10 January in Adelaide, Brisbane, the Gold Coast in Queensland and in Darwin.

Melbourne Greek school students shine in 2020 VCE results

The Greek Herald
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Melbourne Greek school students shine in 2020 VCE results

Graduate students at Oakleigh Grammar and Alphington Grammar have performed to a commendable level as they receive results from their VCE exams, in a year that was interrupted by a worrying pandemic.

Year 12 students at Oakleigh Grammar worked tirelessly throughout this challenging year to ensure their choice in offers and ATAR results reflected the career path each student has so carefully chosen.

Dux of the 2020 School Year was awarded to Xuwei (Amy) Ding with an impressive ATAR score of 95.2. Amy is Oakleigh Grammar’s first international student to to be recognised with this honour and has achieved her excellent score through hard work, diligence and always being open to asking for help.

Top performing students at Oakleigh Grammar. Photo: Supplied

A school known for their incredible student guidance, 55 percent of Oakleigh Grammar graduates achieved ATAR scores of over 70.

The school acknowledged the success of five additional students for achieving outstanding results, including their chosen University course.

  • Artemis Moschoudi – 94.6 Bachelor degree of Laws and Criminology (Monash University)
  • Zena Makantasis – 94.2 Bachelor degree of Commerce (Melbourne University)
  • Alexandra Konstantinidi – 91.55 Bachelor Degree of Nursing and Midwifery (Deakin University)
  • Efthymia Delichristou – 88.65 Bachelor Degree of Nursing and Midwifery (Deakin University)
  • Sinky Oeng – 88.15 Bachelor of Design (Melbourne University)

A special mention is also to be made for Oakleigh student Marialena Loupo, who achieved an incredible score of 49/50 in her Modern Greek VCE.

Marialena Loupo. Photo: Supplied

“This is an excellent achievement for an independent Greek school, particularly within an undeniably taxing year,” the press release from Oakleigh Grammar reads.

“To achieve these results as a smaller and younger School is a true success story. As Oakleigh Grammar continues to grow from year to year, as do the results of our prosperous graduates.”

Another Greek school who performed exceptionally was Alphington Grammar, whose students achieved an average ATAR of 77.

41 percent of their students achieved ATARS over 80, with the school achieving a median Study Score of 31.

Special congratulations were given to DUX of the year Dimitra Kritsidimas, who achieved an outstanding ATAR of 96.35, placing herself in the top 4% of all students in the state.

“We are proud to announce that the VCE final results were made public this morning and our Class of 2020 has achieved an outstanding set of grades given the disjointed year they have all faced,” Alphington Grammar said in a Facebook post.

“Our students have demonstrated resilience, emotional maturity, creativity, compassion, and support of each other.”

Greek Community of Melbourne praises ‘exceptional results’ from Greek students in 2020 VCE

The Greek Herald
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Greek Community of Melbourne praises ‘exceptional results’ from Greek students in 2020 VCE

The Greek Community of Melbourne has praised the exceptional results achieved by Greek students in this year’s Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).

For another year, Greek students from schools in the E.K.M excelled in the Modern and Ancient Greek VCE exams, scoring impressive results.

In Modern Greek, 75 percent of students scored above 30 (average score), 56 percent scored above 35, while a very high percentage of 18.9% achieved a score above 40. The above percentages are without the grading of the course (scaling).

Among the students who excelled are Anastasia Typou (Αναστασία Τύπου), who achieved a score of 47 out of 50, and the Evanthia Katsouli (Eυανθία Κατσούλη), who achieved a score of 45 out of 50, also without scaling.

In Ancient Greek, 40 percent of students achieved a grade above 42 with the grade subsidy, while the remaining 60 percent achieved grades between 30-38.

Specifically, Evanthia Katsouli, scored 44 out of 50 in Ancient Greek, which after the grade subsidy is 50/50.

The pride for the performance of the Greek Community of Melbourne students was expressed by the Community Schools Coordinator, Mr. Manos Tzimbragos.

“Continuing a long tradition, our team, students, and teachers have shown that they can achieve wonderful results even under very adverse conditions such as those imposed by the pandemic this year,” Mr Tzimbragos said.

“I am very excited about the results. Warm congratulations to our children for their dedication, zeal and incredible adaptability they showed in the new conditions, but also to our teachers who managed to inspire and support their students in their difficult and challenging journey to knowledge.”

Vice President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Mr. Theodoros Markos, made the following statement:

“In education, as in life itself, travel is what matters. And when it comes to studying Greek, we are glad that a large number of our students decided to make this trip with the VCE”

“In a year in which we were all confronted with a new reality, where a new regularity had to be created overnight, our students and teachers showed us the way. We are proud of what you have achieved and we urge you to continue the journey of life with the same vigor and passion that you have shown throughout 2020!”

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