Greek Australian, Peter Panagiotis Karapalidis, was extremely anxious the night before his final results for this year’s Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) were released. But he didn’t need to be.
When he finally worked up the courage to click the button which would show him his result, he saw that he had achieved an amazing ATAR of 99.80.
“First and foremost I felt intensely relieved – I could finally stop stressing out. And yes, my results were way better than I ever could’ve hoped for. I far exceeded my own expectations for myself. I wasn’t just happy, I was ecstatic!” Peter tells The Greek Herald.
The 18-year-old is a high school graduate from Trinity Grammar School in Kew, Victoria. Photo: Facebook.
“My family was even happier than I was! My mother was almost in tears she was so overjoyed, and my father had me call his brothers to tell them my results personally. My parents never attended university and I’m an only child, so this is something pretty special to them.”
The 18-year-old is a high school graduate from Trinity Grammar School in Kew, Victoria, and he says that although he was concerned about the effects of the Melbourne lockdown on his marks, it also had some positive aspects to it.
“I was fortunate enough that my school was well equipped to deal with online learning,” Peter says.
“I should probably say this very quietly, but the lockdowns almost worked in my favour considering all the extra time commuting to and from school that was saved, that I could spend on getting a little bit (or a lot) of extra study done.”
And it seems this ‘extra study’ definitely paid off in the end. Peter now plans on studying something in the field of science or engineering, but adds that he “still has time to decide.”
“I’ve applied for the Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, but I’m still not quite sure yet what I want to do in terms of graduate study or career-wise,” Peter says before adding advice for current students going through the VCE.
“Studying and working hard is obviously important, but just as important is taking care of yourself. Remember to take breaks, sleep well, and do fun things from time to time. Don’t let your entire year revolve around school and study.”
Wise words from a young man who has a bright future ahead of him.
A statue of Theodoros Kolokotronis, the famous Greek hero of the 1821 Revolution, was illuminated with the Greek flag in the city of Nafplion.
The symbolic move was made to mark the beginning of the bicentennial celebrations since the Revolution of 1821.
The statue of Theodoros Kolokotronis in Nafplion was illuminated with the Greek flag. Photo: tekdeeps.com / pronews.gr.
The municipality of Nafplion, along with the Ministry of Environment, Culture, Sports and Tourism, had planned a big event to mark the special celebrations but they did not take place due to the current coronavirus lockdown in Greece.
Nevertheless, the statue still shone proudly blue and white, even if an audience wasn’t present.
The statue shone proudly blue and white. Photo: tekdeeps.com / pronews.gr.
Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, says the first COVID-19 vaccines should be available to Australians in mid-to-late February.
Previously, the Federal Government had been planning to start rolling out vaccines in March.
Mr Morrison says the plan is to have 80,000 people a week receive the Pfizer vaccination, with a target of having 4 million people inoculated by the end of March.
High-priority groups will be first in line for the jab, including quarantine and border officials, frontline health workers and residents in aged and disability care.
“We know what we know and we’ll base our timetables on that,” Mr Morrison said. “There have been no delays.”
“There has been the necessary swiftness that has been asked of the TGA and the health officials.”
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is expected to grant approval to the Pfizer vaccine later this month, with other vaccines to follow.
The Pfizer vaccine has already been deployed overseas, with some countries granting emergency authorisation for its use.
Nick Kondilis, the operator of popular Sydney crepe shop ‘Love Crepe,’ has apologised for a since-deleted Instagram story which said “being forced to wear a mask is a crime against humanity.”
In a video posted on the cafe’s Facebook page, Mr Kondilis first apologised to his staff who were shown in the controversial Instagram story not wearing a mask.
“The photo went out with all my staff on there. I shouldn’t have used that photo, I take responsibility for that…” he said.
The Greek Australian goes on to explain why he posted the story in the first place, saying he ‘never had any intent to offend.’
“If you do wear a mask it’s fine but if you do and you touch your mask please sanitise, because I think it’s disgusting,” he said.
“People who are wearing masks they are not washing them, touching them with their hands and putting them all over our counter. That’s how diseases spread.”
The comments underneath Mr Kondilis’ video apology were mostly positive, with many praising him for taking responsibility for the post.
“We are with you all the way brother. You are not alone in this you have a massive movement behind you,” wrote one Facebook user.
Mr Kondilis established Love Crepe in 2016 in Pyrmont making crepes with traditional Greek family recipes, before moving to the flagship store at Drummoyne.
Former Hells Angels member, Peter Zervas, has been arrested driving through Sydney’s CBD allegedly with an extendable baton in his “company car,” The Daily Telegraph reports.
The 44-year-old Greek Australian was a central figure in the infamous 2009 brawl at Sydney Airport between the Hells Angels and the Comanchero, in which his brother Anthony Zervas was stabbed to death.
On Sunday night, police were doing random vehicle checks in the city when they pulled Zervas over on Kent St about 10pm.
“Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and allegedly located an expandable baton,” police confirmed in a statement to The Daily Telegraph.
Protesters supporting President Donald Trump violently clashed with law enforcement on Wednesday, sending the US Capitol into chaos, locking the building down and halting the vote to certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
Dozens of people breached security perimeters at the Capitol and lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda.
An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Biden’s victory. Due to an “external security threat,” no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said.
Both chambers abruptly went into recess. The District of Columbia’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, issued a curfew for 6 pm.
Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images.
The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks.
Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol’s steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting “traitors” as officers tried to keep them back.
Trump urges protesters to ‘stay peaceful’:
Addressing the unfolding situation on Twitter, Mr Trump urged protesters to “stay peaceful,” before later issuing a video urging them to “go home.”
“I know your pain, I know your hurt, we had an election that was stolen from us,” he said, repeating baseless claims of election fraud.
Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!
“But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order.
“We can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You’re very special.”
The clashes came just shortly after Mr Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, repeating baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress vote.
“We will not let them silence your voices,” Mr Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the President.
“We will never concede. It doesn’t happen. You don’t concede when there’s theft involved.”
Biden urges Trump to ‘demand an end to this siege’:
In a national address, Mr Biden called those storming the Capitol “a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness.”
“This is not decent, it is disorder, it is chaos,” he said, urging Mr Trump to “demand an end to this siege.”
“It borders on sedition and it must end now. I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Vice-President Mike Pence, who issued a series of tweets condemning the violence, which he labelled an “attack on our Capitol.”
The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now. Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building.
He called for those involved to be prosecuted to the “fullest extent of the law.”
“The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol must stop and it must stop now,” he tweeted. “Anyone involved must respect law enforcement officers and immediately leave the building.”
Joe Biden’s Greek American Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, also tweeted her praise of the way Biden has handled the situation so far, writing: “pretty proud to work for a future President (t-2 weeks) who calls people to a greater good, to leadership, to respect for Democracy and decency.”
Prime Ministers of Greece and Australia react to violent clashes:
In a post on Twitter, Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has expressed his concern over the unfolding situation at Capitol Hill this morning in the US.
Extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington D.C. American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.
“Extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington DC,” Mitsotakis wrote.
“American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.”
For his part, Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has condemned the acts of violence and says he’s is looking forward to a peaceful transfer of Government.
Very distressing scenes at the US Congress. We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.
“Very distressing scenes at the US Congress,” Mr Morrison wrote on Twitter.
“We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
UPDATE:
The US Congress is now back in session to certify Joe Biden’s election win, while the death toll from the riots has risen to at least four.
Washington DC police said four people died during the chaos at the Capitol on Wednesday local time.
They include the woman who was shot and a further three who suffered “medical emergencies.”
“We will not know the cause of death – we believe some type of medical emergency,” Washington DC’s Metropolitan Police Department chief Robert Contee said.
Fifty-two people were arrested – 26 on Capitol grounds – Washington DC police said.
Greek Orthodox people celebrated the Epiphany on Wednesday in Greece and Australia in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning many of the usual traditions were more subdued but still heart-warming.
We take a look at how both countries marked the important Christian event.
Greece:
The Greek government relented and allowed limited attendance at churches celebrating the feast of the Epiphany on Wednesday, reversing a ban on attendance designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision came after Greece’s Orthodox Church said on Monday it would defy the government lockdown order imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus and open churches to the faithful during the Epiphany celebration on January 6.
The Greek government relented and allowed limited attendance at churches celebrating the feast of the Epiphany on Wednesday. Source: INTIME / Ekathimerini.
On the day, not all churches opened their doors to the faithful during services but, in those that did, congregations were limited from 25 to 50 people, for the largest churches. In some cases of overflow, the faithful were allowed in, a few at a time, for private prayers after the service was over.
As per a previous agreement between the Greek Church and the government, the traditional blessing of the waters also took place inside the churches and not in the open, in rivers and beaches, as is customary.
The Greek Orthodox faithful in Australia also celebrated the feast of the Epiphany in a more subdued manner.
In New South Wales, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios held a special Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of The Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney.
Archbishop Makarios then preceded to bless the faithful with agiasmo (Holy Water) and gave a small speech speaking about the meaning of the Epiphany.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios held a special Divine Liturgy.
The Epiphany celebration at St Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Burwood. Photo: Facebook.
In other churches across the state, the ceremony was much the same. For once, churches were not overflowing with people due to the current coronavirus restrictions in place, which say that capacity at a place of public worship must not exceed 100 visitors or one visitor per 4 square metres.
People who attended the service were also wearing mandatory masks, as stipulated by the NSW Government.
In South Australia, at the Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of Prophet Elias in Norwood, the Epiphany was also celebrated but due to the restrictions being less tough in the state, more parishioners were allowed inside the church and masks were not mandatory.
The Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of Prophet Elias in Norwood also held a special Divine Liturgy to mark the Epiphany. Photo: Facebook.
With regards to the traditional blessing of the waters, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia announced that the event will not go ahead this year in Sydney, Victoria and Western Australia.
House blessings have also been adapted to the current pandemic, with some churches in NSW cancelling them all together, while others are offering cups of Holy Water for people to take home instead.
Steve Teloniatis is living proof that disabilities are only a hinderance to the incredible potential humans are capable of when they stick their mind to a goal, or in this case, a wicket.
Born with a mental disability, Steve Teloniatis had a passion for cricket at a very young age. Starting at Emerald Hill Cricket Club in St Kilda, Melbourne, Steve’s passion grew from the age of 10 when he finally got his footing, and handling, of the sport.
In the midst of the summer cricket season, Steve says he’s “excited” to have some more matches and wickets under his belt.
“I’m pretty excited,” Steve said to The Greek Herald.
“I’ve been playing with a club called Elsternwick Cricket Club, and I just love it.”
While aiming to be an all-rounder in the sport, Steve’s bowling statistics are quite remarkable, regardless of the competition level. A leg-spinner by craft, his bowling skills allowed him to claim two wickets on the first match of the 2020/21 season against Noble Park.
According to My Cricket, Steve has racked up a total of 223 wickets in 211 career matches, holding a bowling average of 25.97. As of publication, Steve has also scored an incredible 999 runs, just shy of the golden 1000 mark.
Steve’s talents were recognised in 2019 when he was invited to represent Australia at the INAS Global Games for athletes with an intellectual disability. Facing off against England in five Twenty20 matches at South Brisbane District Cricket Club and Allan Border Field, Steve said the experience was incredible.
“It was a pretty exciting news when I heard, and it was a great experience. I just love the vibe of playing cricket.”
Asked about his future with the sport, Steve said while he may not be able to play for his entire life, he’ll be playing for “as long as he can”.
“I’m happy where I am trying to play my hardest and achieve more. I’m getting better.”
While Greeks may not have much, or any, experience in the sport, Steve added that he walks on to the pitch every day proud of his Greek heritage. Steve was also congratulated by Greek football club South Melbourne FC for being part of the INAS Global Games squad.
“Many would recognise Steve from around Lakeside Stadium as valued club volunteer and long-term member of South and we are thrilled to see him rewarded with this selection,” South Melbourne said previously.
Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou strongly backed the council’s decision to provide additional aid to Berala’s ethnic communities, which remains one of the most affected COVID-19 areas in Sydney.
Cumberland City Council issued letters on Tuesday to more than 240,000 residents with NSW Health advice translated into 10 languages.
Speaking to ABC News, Steve Christou said Berala’s different ethnic communities “don’t necessarily have fluency with reading news through the internet, so we’ve provided this explanation letter in basic Mandarin, Cantonese, simplified Chinese, formal Arabic, Korean, Turkish, Farsi-Dari, Vietnamese, Tamil and Greek”.
The council explained that extra care was taken to provide correct translations, after the Federal and Victorian governments were criticised last year for errors in their translations in relation to materials distributed in relation to coronavirus.
Christou added that many of the council’s residents are from non English speaking backgrounds and, “if you know someone who needs help, maybe they are a friend or relative, please help them understand the importance of getting tested.”
NSW Health’s Kerry Chant has urged Western Sydneysiders to seek testing. (AAP: Dean Lewins)
NSW on Wednesday recorded four new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. One is linked to the Berala cluster, and is the young man from western Sydney reported yesterday who travelled to western NSW. There are now 16 cases in the Berala cluster.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard urged leaders of the city’s multicultural southwest to step up and urge their communities to get tested at greater numbers.
Τhe Greek government admitted on Tuesday that it ignored the epidemiologists’ proposals for early lockdown in Thessaloniki in October “out of respect for traditions and religion.”
Speaking to Skai TV, Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis admitted that because of their decision, “we mourned many victims.”
The Greek government recently clashed with the Greek Church concerning the new lockdown restrictions for the Epiphany festival, which is observed as an enormous cultural celebration.
In response, the government said the law on coronavirus protection measures does not apply at will.
Adonis Georgiades.
“We hope that the Church will realise the urgency of the moment for society, as it has done so far responsibly. The implementation of prevention and precautionary measures is an obligation but also an act of social solidarity and responsibility for all of us,” the government said in a statement.
Speaking to Skai TV, Georgiadis said the government did not want to repeat the mistake it committed in Thessaloniki when the faithful flocked to churches to celebrate the Patron of the city St Demetrios, on October 26.
“Some infectious disease specialists told us that there should be a quarantine in Thessaloniki before the feast of Agios Dimitrios,” the minister said.
“Out of respect for tradition, Orthodoxy and faith, we did not quarantine before the feast of St. Demetrius, I remind you that this was the main mistake made in Thessaloniki, and the Prime Minister admitted it in Parliament,” Georgiadis pointed out.
“On that day, the faithful gathered, the church could not control the influx, and then Thessaloniki became the city that mourned the most victims.”
