The Greek Community of Melbourne has recently written to
the Prime Ministers of Greece and Australia, congratulating them on the
effective measures they have taken to control the spread of coronavirus, and enquiring
about when the travel restrictions are expected to be eased.
In fact, in its letter to Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott
Morrison, the Community called for the lifting of the travel ban to and from
Greece as “travel to Greece remains an important emotional experience for many
Greek Australians.”
“Given that the Greek government recently outlined its plans to open its borders as of June 15 to travellers from 20 countries and with Australia being prominent in that list, can we encourage you to start considering your total travel ban allowing people to travel to and from Greece soon?” the statement reads.
“Beyond just tourism, travel to Greece remains an important emotional experience for many Greek Australians and connecting with family and the land of the parents and grandparents is a paramount motivation for thousands of Australian travellers each year.”
Along a similar strain, the Community also wrote to the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and congratulated him for his recent communication with Mr Morrison.
“We were particularly enthused with your recent bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Scott Morrison, with a view to reviving travel between our two countries and by extension the respective tourism industries which, as we all are aware, have come to a halt during the pandemic,” the second letter reads.
“The Greek Community of Melbourne would also like to congratulate you on
your strategic plan of re-opening Greece to the outside world. We take
particular pride in the fact that Australia is one of the countries on your
initial list of 20 favourable nations.”
A response from both Prime Ministers is forthcoming.
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the arrival of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios to Australia, staff and members of GWC express our heartfelt appreciation for his inspirational leadership, guidance and support over the past 12 months.
The arrival of His Eminence marks the commencement of a historic time for the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia. We remember the thousands of people gathered at Sydney airport to welcome His Eminence. The atmosphere of joy and celebration is imprinted in the memory of all those present. “AXIOS”
It was a blessing to witness the expressions of love, humility and respect in the words of His Eminence. These words and actions continue to embody the leadership and vision of His Eminence as he has engaged with, and continues to engage with, all sections of the Church and Australian society around Australia on a one on one basis.
This engagement is represented by a myriad of achievements that have been highlighted in a range of areas. These achievements are even more significant when we consider the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and summer bushfires around Australia.
We thank you, Your Eminence, for your inspiration and guidance, and pray that God grant you strength to continue your ministry here is Australia.
Την Δευτέρα 29
Ιουνίου ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αυστραλίας, Υπέρτιμος και Έξαρχος πάσης
Ωκεανίας κ. κ. Μακάριος κλείνει έναν χρόνο στον Αρχιεπισκοπικό θρόνο. Τα
εμπνευσμένα λόγια του ηχούν ακόμα στα αυτιά μας: «Πόθος μου είναι να βρίσκομαι
εν Χριστώ σε αγαπητική κοινωνία με όλους σας. Δεν ανήκω στον εαυτό μου, αλλά
στον Χριστό και στο ποίμνιό μου. Είμαι εδώ για να μοιραστώ μαζί σας ό,τι είμαι
και ό,τι έχω. Η αγάπη του Θεού με έφερε κοντά σας». Από την πρώτη ημέρα του
στην Αυστραλία, ήρθε ευαγγελιζόμενος αγάπη για τον Χριστό, ενότητα για την
Εκκλησία και την Ομογένεια, ανθρωπιά για τον πλησίον.
Αγαπήθηκε από την
πρώτη στιγμή. Όργωσε την ήπειρό αυτής της χώρας απ’ άκρου εις άκρον, μέχρι το
Ντάργουιν και την Τασμανία. Άρχισε μία τιτάνια προσπάθεια αναδιάταξης της Ιεράς
Αρχιεπισκοπής σε επίπεδο οικονομικό, οργανωτικό, στελεχιακό και πνευματικό.
Κορυφαία εν προκειμένω πράξη του η στελέχωση της Ιεράς μας Αρχιεπισκοπής με
τρεις νέους Επισκόπους, εκ των οποίων οι δύο είναι αυστραλογεννημένοι απόφοιτοι
της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Αποστόλου Ανδρέου στο Σύδνεϋ.
Γέμισε και πάλι
με φοιτητές τη Θεολογική Σχολή. Έσωσε το ημερήσιο Ελληνορθόδοξο Κολλέγιο του
Αγίου Ιωάννου στη Μελβούρνη. Μάζεψε σαν τις μέλισσες τους νέους και τις νέες
της Ομογένειάς μας στα Συνέδρια Νεολαίας με την συνολική συμμετοχή 2.500 νέων
σε Σύδνεϋ, Μελβούρνη, Αδελαϊδα, Πέρθη και Βρισβάνη.
Πρωτοστάτησε στην
συμπαράσταση των πληγέντων από τις καταστρεπτικές πυρκαγιές, συγκεντρώνοντας
$500.000 μέσω του εράνου της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής για τους πυρόπληκτους. Έδωσε,
πάνω απ’ όλα, το καλό παράδειγμα εν μέσω της πανδημίας προς όλους τους
θεσμικούς φορείς του Αυστραλιανού Κράτους.
Είναι
χαρακτηριστικό ότι στην συνεστίαση κατά την ημέρα των ονομαστηρίων του
Σεβασμιωτάτου Αυστραλίας (19 Ιανουαρίου), όλοι πλήρωσαν το εισιτήριό τους –
ακόμα και οι υπάλληλοι των Κεντρικών Γραφείων της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής. Επίσης,
τα χρήματα από τα εισιτήρια και τις δωρεές αφιερώθηκαν για να αναβαθμιστεί η
νεανική κατασκήνωση στο Bribie Island. Κι αυτό για να μπορούν να πηγαίνουν τα
παιδιά και τα εγγόνια όλων μας να κάνουν ποιοτικές διακοπές και να μαθαίνουν
για την παράδοση, την παιδεία, τον πολιτισμό και την πίστη των προγόνων τους.
Την επόμενη
ημέρα, στις 20 Ιανουαρίου, τα μέλη και οι αξιωματούχοι της ΑΧΕΠΑ Νέας Νοτίου
Ουαλίας είχαν την ιδιαίτερη τιμή να φιλοξενήσουν τον Ποιμενάρχη τους στα
Γραφεία του οργανισμού στο Rockdale και να κόψουν μαζί του την παραδοσιακή
βασιλόπιτα.
Θα μπορούσε,
βέβαια, κανείς να συνεχίσει επί μακρόν απαριθμώντας διάφορες δράσεις και
παρεμβάσεις του Σεβασμιωτάτου. Αυτό, όμως, που θα πρέπει να τονιστεί είναι ότι
μέσα σ’ έναν μόλις χρόνο ο Σεβασμιώτατος κ. κ. Μακάριος έχει κάνει τόσα όσα
άλλοι θέλουν πολλαπλάσια χρόνια για να τα επιτύχουν. Το καταφέρε αυτό με τη
χάρη του Θεού, αλλά και με την αγάπη του κόσμου. Μία αγάπη που του δίδεται
απλόχερα, διότι ο ίδιος προσφέρει τη δική του αγάπη με απλόχερο τρόπο.
Σεβασμιώτατε, ευχόμαστε υγεία και δύναμη εξ ουρανού. Εις πολλά έτη Δέσποτα!
Drones are the next technological tool shown to used in Greek beaches to monitor and keep beachgoers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NBC News released a video pointing out how drones are being flown above Greek beaches crowded with tourists, reminding them to maintain their social distancing.
The increase in beach goers comes as the Greek government begins to relax restrictions for their country, along with the heat wave that surged into the mediterranean a few weeks ago, allowing many to swarm the beach and enjoy the sun.
Greek Journalist Niko Efstathiou says that the drones are flying above the Greek beaches equipped with loudspeakers, telling people to keep their distance from one another.
Plexiglass and physical barriers are also being used in Greek beaches to maintain social distancing. One beach bar in Santorini has employed the use of plexiglass walls, with the owner stating that although he doesn’t like it, it must be done to bring tourists back to the beaches.
“We hope these constructions you see are not going to be the future for beaches. We don’t want this, but if this is necessary, and if this is what people’s safety depends on, such a construction or any such construction – we (just) want to work, we want to get going,” said beach bar owner Charlie Chahine.
Plexiglass and physical barriers are also being used in Greek beaches to maintain social distancing. Photo: Kathirimini
A dedicated team of people are also making their way around the Greek beaches to disinfect lounge chairs as tourists leave.
In Europe, drones similar to the ones in Greece are being flown to monitor beachgoers.
French drone maker Parrot has donated 5,000 of its motors to be put to use in an open-source ventilator project. Spain was also quick to take to the skies, being the first European country to use agricultural drones to spray disinfectant in various large public areas in response to COVID-19.
The GWC Community Services NSW has introduced a free Special Mental Health Telephone Counselling and Support Service to combat growing mental health issues amid COVID-19.
The social welfare and community services arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has provided this free service to further increase its effort to assist the community during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The GWC says that the demand for this service has emphasised the paramount importance of providing this much needed support in our community.
“As a consequence of this increased demand and as suggested and blessed by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the service is now also available to individuals in all parts of Australia,” the GWC statement says.
The service provides Counselling and Support for individuals experiencing mental health issues including stress, loneliness, fears, anxiety or depression. The counselling services are offered by psychologists and other trained professionals in both Greek and English.
The Cairnmillar Institute in Melbourne also announced in the beginning of May that it is offering free counselling and mental health services in Greek during the coronavirus crisis.
“Through this program, people will get free access to counselling sessions by phone or conference call with provisional psychologists,” a statement by the Hellenic Community of Melbourne reads.
“For the Greek community, this program is also offered in Greek. You do not need to have a medical plan or paper from a doctor. You can simply call 1800 391 393 and request an appointment with Ms Myrto for the Greek support program.”
Greek pilots continue to shine in the eyes of their fellow NATO colleagues, with a Greek pilot being named the “best pilot of NATO” for 2020.
The accolade was given after the Greek Air Force’s participation in the largest NATO multi-day Tactical Leadership Program (TLP). This is the third year in a row that a Greek pilot was given the prestigious honour by his colleagues.
Contrary to previous years, the name of the Greek pilot is not being disclosed by the Air Force itself, yet it was revealed that the winner was Squadron Leader (I) AA. of the historic 340th Flea Squadron of the 115th Fighter Wing from the Souda Air Base.
Photos of the 340th Flea Squadron of the 115th Fighter Wing from the Souda Air Base. Photo: Greek Air Force
The winner was voted on by his fellow pilots of the participating member states from the TLP exercise, adding to the list of the Greek Air Force’s numerous distinctions. The Greek pilot was voted the top pilot of his School, and more specifically as the “Best Warrior pilot”, the leader that pilots would most desire to follow into battle.
Greek pilot Vassilis Kontopoulos was awarded “Best Warrior pilot” in the TLP meeting last year, along with Captain Kosmas Xalari in 2018.
“During the training, the Squadrons undertook missions in accordance with their mission in both National and NATO contexts, in order to familiarise and cooperate with all personnel, in accordance with NATO standards and procedures,” the GEA said in a statement.
The TLP is an organisation formed under a Memorandum of Understanding. It is not part of the NATO structure, but linked to NATO via a Letter of Agreement.
After a Turkish ploy to claim a patch of the Evros River’s southern section, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed that the extension of the border fence across the Evros River will continue and will be completed.
Speaking with Kathimerini, Dendias dismissed the “misinformation” that a Greek patch in the region of Evros was occupied by Turkish forces.
“Borders are a given. They do not change and they cannot change,” Dendias said to Kathimerini.
The issue came to fruition after Turkey lodged a demarche seeking information on the coordinates of Greece’s fence extension for the Evros border.
Greece confirms that the metal fence will be completed. Photo: Archyde
Athens, Dendias said, rejected the Turkish request with a demarche of its own, “as what we do within the limits of our national sovereignty is our privilege and responsibility and we are not obliged to give account to anyone.”
Greece, he said, then lodged a fresh demarche after Turkish activity was detected in the region.
“From then on, an unacceptable spread of misinformation took place, about the occupation of, for example, 1.6 hectares of Greek territory,” Dendias said.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis denied press reports that Turkey had invaded Greek land in the northeastern Evros area, echoing statements from Ankara that there were technical issues that needed to be resolved.
“There is no border dispute,” Mitsotakis said in a pre-recorded interview with Greek broadcaster Star on Monday. Turkey had become nervous about Greece’s decision to build the fence, but it was “our inalienable right to do it and we’ll do it”, he said.
Mitsotakis said Greece would prevent swathes of migrants from entering the country, whatever Turkey’s policy.
“We are not going to accept a policy of mass inflows. Protecting our borders and European borders is an acqui,” he said.
The 79th anniversary of the Battle of Crete was commemorated with a simple ceremony on Monday, May 25, with the Holy Archdiocese of Australia and the Greek Consulate in Perth.
The ceremony was held at the State War Memorial at Kings Park in Perth, a Monument to the Fallen of World War II.
In accordance with the current health regulations, the ceremony was attended by a limited number of representatives. Specifically in attendance were the Consul General of Greece in Perth, Mrs. Georgia Karasiotou and the Maritime Follower, Mrs. Katerina Argyrakopoulou. The Greek delegates were joined by representatives of the political and military authorities of Western Australia, as well as representatives of community organisations and veterans’ organisations.
A private ceremony in Perth commemorating the 79th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
A memorial prayer was sung by the Archbishop’s Commissioner of Perth, Theophilestatos Bishop of Kianes Mr. Elpidios, accompanied by his father Eleftherios Gerovasilis, while wreaths were laid at the Monument to the Fallen.
In his message, Theophilestatos emphasised that it is our sacred obligation to remember and honour the heroes of the historic Battle of Crete, and at the same time to pass on the values and ideals for which they fought to future generations.
The Bishop also acknowledged the significant contribution of Australians who fought and shed their blood on the soil of Crete, noting that the anniversary of this historic event is another occasion to reflect and reaffirm the strong bond of friendship that unites the Greek and Australian people.
A private ceremony in Perth commemorating the 79th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
In recent days the Greek Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, has re-asserted Greece’s longstanding demand for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures from the British Museum. The initial impetus for this reaffirmation of Greece’s commitment was the welcome re-opening of the Acropolis on May 19, as well as the upcoming 11th anniversary of the Acropolis Museum.
Mendoni invited the various international committees to renew in one voice their passionate support for the case of the return of the Marbles. Those expressions of support became a crescendo of neo-Philhellenism.
Australians for the Return of the Parthenon Sculptures, the Australian committee headed by David Hill, himself the inaugural and formerly long-term Chairman of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, wrote a number of strong messages of support but also advised the Greek Culture Ministry that it needs to pursue a more direct strategy if the sculptures are ever to be reunited in the Acropolis Museum.
David Hill in his letter declared that it is a self-evident truth that the sculptures conceived by Phidias and erected on the Parthenon as an integral part of what is universally described as the ‘monument of all monuments,’ should be reunited in the Acropolis Museum so that they can finally be viewed and appreciated in their proper context.
The Parthenon Sculptures are yet to return to Greece. Source: The New Yorker.
“The full power and beauty and architectural context of the sculptures can only be properly understood if they are reunited with the surviving sculptures in Athens,” Hill said in his statement.
Elly Symons, the co-Vice Chair of the Australian committee, also implored the British Government to reunify the desecrated masterpiece, to right the historical and moral wrong, and rectify the grave injustice to all people who are robbed of seeing these peerless sculptures conceived in Greece, quarried in Pentelic marble and carved on the Acropolis to create the prized architecture of Western Civilisation, the Parthenon.
“These peerless beauties are alive only in Attic light and their reunification in Athens is an artistic, cultural and moral imperative,” Symons added.
For his part, George Vardas, also co-Vice Chair of the Australian committee, noted that at the re-opening of the Acropolis the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, adopted the words of the great Greek poet, George Seferis, that the Marbles shine in the sun under the Attic sky.
Vardas pointed out that the “historical imagination of the Parthenon and, in particular, the incomparable Panathenaic frieze, has been lost in a sterile, uninspiring display in the soulless Duveen Gallery of the British Museum.”
In their correspondence with the Greek Government, the Australian committee said: “Something needs to change radically if history is not to keep repeating itself. Repeated requests and pleas for the British Museum ‘to do the right thing’ have had no effect whatsoever.”
For decades the Board of Trustees have imperiously dismissed claims for return by pointing out that under the provisions of the British Museum Act 1963, the museum is presented for deaccessioning cultural objects in its collection. In turn, the British government typically responds that it is a matter for the museum trustees and, that by the way, the government has no intention of amending the legislation to allow for objects to be returned. As the Australian Committee advised Minister Mendoni, this is a “Cultural Catch 22” and the sad fact is that the British Museum continues to steadfastly refuse to discuss the issue of restitution of the sculptures, even at a time where there is a growing movement worldwide in support of the return of cultural artefacts looted during imperial times.
The Australian committee also reminded Mendoni that in 2015 the Greek Government had the benefit of detailed and considered legal advice from Geoffrey Robertson QC and his distinguished colleagues, Amal Clooney and the late Norman Palmer, which concluded that a universal benefit will flow from the renewal and re-integration of Greece’s pre-eminent monument, both as an artefact of unparalleled beauty in itself and as an eloquent symbol of human progress towards civilisation and democracy.
The Parthenon Sculptures are still in the British Museum. Source: The New Yorker.
The British Museum’s enabling legislation has effectively locked up all domestic legal remedies by the strict prohibition on deaccessioning and as a result, Greece must look to international legal remedies and the most promising, and least problematic option, is to obtain an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice.
That Court was established as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and has the power to give advisory opinions in circumstances where the request is made by an official UN agency and the request is in respect of a legal question, in this case relating to the return of cultural property pursuant to the principles, both established and emerging, of customary international law.
This strategy forms one of the crucial elements of the Robertson legal advice and provides Greece with an excellent opportunity to engage in real and effective cultural diplomacy by enlisting the support of member states.
Cultural diplomacy is at the heart of the exercise of soft power. But it requires a steely resolve and nuanced negotiations, backed if necessary by resort to appropriate judicial remedies such as the advisory opinion route through the international courts.
Zoe George is the outspoken Greek Australian mummy blogger who is set to appear on Channel Seven’s highly anticipated Big Brother reboot.
In a promotional video for the show, Zoe, who’s blog goes by the ironic name The Subtle Mummy, is heard admitting she’s “as subtle as a brick in the face” because “she tells it like it is.”
And that’s exactly what viewers can expect to see when the 39-year-old enters the Big Brother house next month.
“My whole life people have always said I’m funny and I would be good on Big Brother,” Zoe told Perth Now.
Zoe George documents her family life on her The Subtle Mummy blog. Source: @thesubtlemummy
“When (the show) went off, I thought that option was done forever. When it came back on, loads of people sent me the link to apply, so I did. I want Australia to see a regular mum-of-two can be fun.”
Zoe is mum to Ari and Ambrosia, and wife to Bob. She regularly documents their family life to her 17,400 Instagram followers.
