Peter Poulakis, 30, received a five year and nine month jail sentence on Friday after previously pleading guilty to anti-money laundering laws, drug importation, drug trafficking and firearms charges.
Poulakis owns three bustling coffee carts around Canberra, telling the court on Friday he ‘didn’t realise’ laundering money was a big deal.
Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson told Poulakis he had proven he could be a successful businessman “through legal means, not illegal means”, the Daily Telegraph reports.
“You must go to jail, that’s inevitable because of the seriousness of the offending,” she said.
Canberra cafe owner Peter Poulakis. Picture: Instagram/Supplied
“The offences you committed are serious and you know that, the court knows that, and your family and friends, who you are fortunate to have, know that.”
The Greek Australian business owner was involved in a larger drug importing scheme, led by prison inmate Emin Yavuz.
The courts have previously heard the harebrained scheme to import paint tins full of drugs came unstuck when a series of recorded phone calls to Yavuz in prison saw the syndicate members talking in code about their German supplier, “Mr Sock”.
Poulakis’s former partner, Jacinta Greenwood, and friend, Simon Daviestold, both told the court they were in shock when hearing about the charges, saying he was good boss who had loyal employees at his cafes.
Poulakis was motivated by financial greed, and it appeared the syndicate was looking to import larger amounts of the drug, Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson said.
Poulakis will be eligible for parole in August 2023.
Greek authorities on Friday tightened restrictions to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the greater Athens area, saying the pandemic was showing “steadily rising trends”.
Earlier, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the government stood ready to impose further COVID-19 curbs in Athens due to the surge of infections.
Effective from Monday and until Oct. 4, authorities set an upper limit of nine people in all public gatherings outdoors and suspended indoor and outdoor concerts. They also set a limit of 20 people attending funerals, weddings and baptisms.
People, some of them wearing face masks against the spread of the new coronavirus, gather on Mykonos, Greece, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. – Copyright AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis
People older than 68 were urged to curtail their movements, avoid public transport and wear masks.
Private- and public-sector employers will have to ensure that 40% of work is done from home and not in the office and apply rotating shifts.
The rise in infections in recent months has forced authorities to gradually reimpose bans including the mandatory use of masks in all closed public and private spaces.
Health authorities reported 339 new infections on Friday after 359 recorded on Thursday, with about half in the Athens metropolitan area, Attica, where about one third of the country’s population lives.
That brought the total number since the first coronavirus case was detected in February to 14,738 cases. A total of 327 people have died.
“We are seeing trends that top 300 cases daily and the epicentre is Athens. The rise in infections coincides with the return of vacationers,” said professor Gikas Magiorkinis, an infectious diseases expert.
Authorities tightened restrictions earlier in the week, saying the pandemic was showing “worrying signs of resilience”.
The Greek Community of Canberra have unveiled a new logo, designed to be representative of the community’s three pillar program, incorporating Hellenistic ideologies of faith, culture and language.
Speaking with The Greek Herald, Greek Community of Canberra President John Loukadellis says the new logo is only the beginning of an array of changes brought by the new committee.
“One of the things we did when we came on as a new committee was I had a vision statement that we needed to cooperate and unite under one banner with our religion, our culture and our language,” John Loukadellis says to The Greek Herald.
“So these are the three pillars when we talk about embracing hellenism here in Australia.”
The former logo, Loukadellis explains, had “no significance to Canberra or our community”, incorporating a simple Greek flag with a Santorini bell.
Created by graphic artist Sofia Merkoureas, the new logo incorporates large inspiration from the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Canberra, which recently underwent reconstruction after being damaged.
“When we look at the St Nicholas church front window, it actually has three windows. The big one in the middle I’m using as faith, the one on the left I’m using as culture and the one on the right I’m using as language,” Loukadellis adds.
“The blue and white dome above actually links all three pillars together.”
Builder Dimitri Livas (left) and roof repairer Ben Ashford inspect the new dome. Picture: Karleen Minney.
The St Nicholas Church in Kingston underwent massive restoration from a severe hail storm in January 2020, damaging as much as 80 percent of the roof. Now boasting four noticeable copper dome roofs, the dome on the logo represents the significance of the church in Canberra.
The Committee were initially presented with twenty new logo designs. Reaching out to the community for feedback, the designs were limited to six options which were then voted upon by the committee.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the design, so I’m very proud of it,” Loukadellis says.
While a year of “turmoil” in from the coronavirus pandemic, Loukadellis is proud of the development in the Greek Community of Canberra, seeing higher numbers of Greek school attendees and community engagement.
“For the past ten or twenty years, the community has been starved of Hellenism,” Loukadellis concludes.
“I have three young boys under seven and I want to instil Greek dancing in them, I want to instil the Greek language in them and I want to instil the Greek faith in them. It’s everything stated in the vision statement.”
The American ‘Greek Freak’ has just won his second straight NBA MVP award, making the Milwaukee Bucks player the first Greek to receive two of the prestigious awards.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s had another historic year with the Bucks, boasting an impressive stat line of 29.5/13.6/5.6. He had already won the Defensive Player of the Year award this season, making him the 3rd player in history to win MVP and DPOY in the same season.
He led the Bucks to the NBA’s best record this season, before Milwaukee was ousted from the playoffs by Miami in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“Giannis, in our minds, has done more than enough to deserve back-to-back MVPs,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said when the team was in the NBA’s restart bubble at Walt Disney World this summer.
“What he does for us on both ends of the floor, what he does every night, the way he sets the bar for us, culturewise, work ethicwise … he’s an incredible teammate, plays unselfishly, does everything. And I think that’s kind of what the MVP is, so we certainly feel like he’s very deserving.”
There were some who contested the decision on social media, arguing Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James deserved the award. However, while a stand-out performer at 35 years of age, Giannis’ significant contribution to the Buck’s season is left relatively undebatable.
Giannis is the first player to win consecutive MVP awards since Steph Curry did so in 2015 and 2016.
A rare storm, known as a Medicane (Mediterranean hurricane), hit western Greece on Friday, flooding streets, uprooting trees and causing power cuts in the Ionian islands of Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Ithaca.
The fire brigade said it had received at least 60 calls for assistance, mainly to cut down trees and pump water out of homes and stores. In Kefalonia, a boat sank.
Kefalonia’s Mayor Theofilos Michalatos said no one was hurt but homes, transport infrastructure and water facilities had been damaged. The impact was similar in Zakynthos and Ithaca, where power cuts were also extensive.
Satellite image of storm Ianos near Greece, September 17, 2020. European Union, Copernicus Sentinel Data/via REUTERS
The storm, named Ianos, which reached the western Peloponnese peninsula around midday, appeared milder than initially estimated, meteorologists said.
A Reuters witness said there was heavy rainfall in the area of Pyrgos in western Peloponnese, where the streets were empty, and strong winds.
A vessel in the gulf of Kyparissia sent a distress signal, the coastguard said.
“The cyclone will remain west, with the same intensity for 6-9 hours and then, weaker, will start moving to the south,” Deputy Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias said.
A wave slams on the coastline during storm Ianos in Agia Efimia, Kefalonia, Greece September 18, 2020, in this still image from a social media video. Apostolos Moustakis/via REUTERS
The storm may also hit central Greece, where heavy rain was expected, Hardalias said, before reaching the wider Athens region on Saturday.
Authorities said the intensity and course of the cyclone could not be accurately predicted. These cyclones first appeared in Greece in 1995 and have become more frequent in recent years.
A similar storm hit Greece in 2018. In 2017, flash floods killed 25 people and left hundreds homeless.
Season 16 of Channel 9’s show, The Block, started with a bang earlier this year when it became obvious that two out of the five renovation couples were Greek and Cypriot.
Now, a few weeks in, The Greek Herald touched base with Harry and Tash Pavlou from Melbourne and George and Sarah Bragias from Sydney, to see how they’re coping with the challenges presented by the renovation show.
One thing is for certain – the coronavirus pandemic turned their experience on its head.
Sarah and George Bragias:
George Bragias considers himself a proud Greek Australian with a deep joy in his Harley-Davidson. He and his wife, Sarah, have been together for eight years and married for three. It’s this strong connection which they say has helped them navigate every challenge The Block has thrown at them this year.
“When we first entered The Block there was only a few cases of coronavirus. Nothing huge. But then the executive producers had a meeting with us and that’s when we found out how serious it was,” Sarah tells The Greek Herald.
“We started to realise that resources weren’t as easily available… due to border closures and it was very hard. So there’s no way I could imagine not having such a supportive partner to do the show with.”
George and Sarah Bragias have been together for eight years and married for three.
George cheekily adds that coronavirus also brought them closer to every team on The Block, especially Melbourne’s father-daughter duo, Harry and Tash Pavlou.
“Harry was my neighbour on the show and I don’t know, he reminded me a lot of my father so we had a bond. Whenever I was down or I was worried, I would go and speak to Harry and pick his brain and get his thoughts. It was really good,” George says.
“I guess we all kind of banded together in the end because everyone was going through the same thing at the same time.”
Harry and Tash Pavlou:
57-year-old Harry Pavlou was born in Cyprus and came to Australia when he was four. He says he chose to go on the show with his daughter, Tash, because they ‘get along really well and are very similar.’
“We’ve never really worked together on a project before. I’ve done renovations but Tash has never been involved in that. So it was a challenge at the very beginning, but we got our rhythm and we found our strengths and weaknesses and… did a great job,” Harry says to The Greek Herald.
This challenge, Tash says, was also made a little bit easier by the fact that they had a local advantage and got along well with the other teams.
Harry and Tash Pavlou are the first ever father-daughter duo on The Block.
“We’ve made great friends and I think it’s a big reward in itself to get to have this incredible experience with them,” Tash says, while adding that her and her dad bonded with Sarah and George in particular, due to their shared love of Greek cuisine.
“Being the locals here in Melbourne, we know where the great food. So we were able to pass that on to George and Sarah and I think they were both impressed.”
And that’s not all they’re passing on. At the end of our interview, the fun-loving Cypriot duo were also happy to share their top tips for the next batch of contestants on The Block.
“Have as much fun as possible and don’t get caught up in the stress of it all. Oh, and go Team Victoria and NSW!”
If that’s not an indication of the strong bond between both teams, we don’t know what is.
The finalists of the 2020 Archibald Prize have been announced by the Art Gallery of NSW, featuring an incredible artwork by Greek Australian artist Nick Stathopoulos of Papua New Guinea performer, Ngaiire.
The Archibald Prize, first awarded in 1921, is Australia’s favourite art award, and one of its most prestigious. Awarded to the best portrait painting, it’s a who’s who of Australian culture – from politicians to celebrities, sporting heroes to artists.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Stathopoulos says it’s “a relief to have made the cut”, with this year boasting a record number of entries.
“It’s always a great feeling to be one of the finalists,” Stathopoulos says to The Greek Herald.
“It really is the major event in the Australian art calendar. As an artist, you want your work to be seen, and the Archibald traditionally has a massive viewing audience and garners a great deal of media attention.”
The Greek Australian artists revealed that the singer Ngaiire was his sitter, living a few doors away from his residence.
“I was invited to a performance in the residence and she was wearing this amazing Chinese frock and incredible head-dress. I found myself painting her in my head as I watched. I knew I had to paint her in real life, and I’m delighted she agreed to sit for me.”
Nick Stathopoulos previously won the Archibald Prize People’s Choice Award for his portrait of Deng Adut in 2016. Photo: Brett Costello/The Daily Telegraph
Ngaiire has gained international notoriety for her hit songs ‘Fall into My Arms’ and ‘Once’. Based in Australia, Ngaiire’s music is part of a resurgent Australian Neo-Soul movement, being compared to artists like Jeff Buckley and Hiatus Kaiyote.
Stathopoulos says that there is no particularly subtext to his work, rather he just wanted to capture a “beautiful moment”.
“Some of my previous Archibald finalist portraits (like that of Sudanese refugee lawyer Deng Adut) have been serious and prolonged experiences,” Stathopoulos says.
“This is the sort of work I paint for the sheer joy of painting. Despite the elaborate costume and make-up, it’s a quiet, introspective painting.”
Stathopoulos’ artwork is made with acrylic and oil on linen, measured 99 x 99 cm. Despite potentially less viewers this year at the Art Gallery, due to the coronavirus pandemic, his artwork was selected as part of the Archibald advertising campaign.
“…So you can expect to see it on bus-shelters all over Sydney!”
22-year-old Sydney Olympic FC attacker Peter Kekeris has been an essential asset for the club this season, striking fear and terror into the opponent’s defence.
Kekeris was born in Sydney on May 7, 1999, to parents George and Vasiliki. He grew up in Roselands alongside his brother, Nicholas. With his grandparents hailing from Nafpaktos and Patras, Kekeris has a love for Greece and Sydney Olympic.
TGH: When did you start playing football?
Peter Kekeris: I started in the fields, on the street and in the parks, always believing I had the potential to enter the Sydney Olympic academies. I was at the NSW Institute Of Sports for U12, U13, then at the U14 academies, and when I entered U15 I participated in a National Tournament.
In the U17 I participated with the Socceroos U-17 side (Joey’s), taking part in seven international matches under coach Tony Vidmark.
In 2018-19 I went to the A-league to play with the Central Coast Mariners, leaving to join Sydney Olympic in 2019.
TGH: How were your experiences abroad?
Peter Kekeris: I had gone to France to try out in Lille for 15 days, where I learned a lot, but allowed myself to go back to Sydney. I signed with the Mariners under coach Ben Cahn and then with the first team under coach Mike Mulvey. I participated in 7 competitive matches in the World Cup. It was a change and a great experience.
TGH: Why did you leave Mariners?
Peter Kekeris: They had a lot of administrative problems and I wanted games on my feet, so I decided to go back to my favourite team, Sydney Olympic FC.
TGH: What is it that binds you to the team?
Peter Kekeris: It is a team made up of family, which also contains Greek Heritage. It is very moving to be encouraged by the team, alongside the fans who have loved this group.
TGH: What are your dreams?
Peter Kekeris: For the Sydney Olympic team to win the Championship. To be able to put a small stone in the successes. Then, like any footballer, to be able to transfer to an A-League team or to Europe. Everything is in my plans. For the time being, the group is paramount.
TGH: In the most recent home games you were on the bench, how did you feel?
Peter Kekeris: I have complete confidence in coach Ante Juric. Either I am on the bench or am in the starting lineup
I give everything for the group. This is how every player I think should play. There is love in the team which is the biggest weapon this year for Sydney Olympic.
TGH: How do you see Australian football? Are there any talents that will emerge?
Peter Kekeris: Talents have always been her and will come. There just has to be proper planning and guidance from the coaches, from the club officials and of course from the official body of the Football Federation, whether it is the FFA or Football NSW.
In my opinion, more motivation should be given from the young ages in order for little ones to be able to join the first teams later. In short, you need faith and trust from the clubs to the little ones. It is a long-term investment, but it will bear fruit in the long run.
Editors Note:
A team player with tremendous speed. He reminds me of players from the past like Julio Losada of Olympiacos, or Takis Hatziioannoglou, the legendary “Chaf” of Ethnikos Piraeus.
A “siphon” in the Sydney Olympic attack, I can say with certainty that Peter Kekeris is the modern “Chaf” of the domestic competition, and the Losada at the Olympics. He is the “Lightning” in the attack of Sydney Olympic.
The Greek Herald wishes him many goals, strength and above all, health.
In the early 1800s, Athens was a small village boasting a population of up to 7,000 people, sitting below the Acropolis hill. Now, it is the capital of the Hellenic world. A landmark of history thousands of years old.
On September 18, 1834, Greece’s first politicians chose Athens as the headquarters of the first Greek parliament, following the assassination of Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias.
Many had considered Patras or Thessaloniki as the next Greek capital, with the Greek cities having more than twice the population of Athens. According to historical sources, however, King of Bavaria Ludwig I influenced Greece’s politicians to vote for Athens as the capital, admiring it’s ancient history.
Parthenon, Athens. c. 1895 – c. 1915. Rijksmuseum.
On this day in 1834, Athens was officially proclaimed “Royal Seat and Capital”.
At the time, the city was clustered only to two areas; The Acropolis Hill and Plaka. A major issue faced by architects was the lack of a water supply network, public lighting and transport systems.
Greek architect Stamatis Kleanthis and the Bavarian Leo von Klenze were placed in charge of redesigning the new Greek capital, being specifically instructed not to damage the archaeological sites.
Within four years, around 1,000 houses were built in Athens, with no street plan in place. Greek architects like Pikionis Dimitris later redesigned the streets to make them structurally beautiful, gazed upon by tourists around the globe.
By 1896, when Greece hosted the first modern Olympic Games, the city housed around 140,000 residents.
Athens remains one of the world’s most visited capitals. It’s history, architectural design and central placement in the country, makes it one of Greece’s most developed cities.
Big changes to Australia’s citizenship test were announced by Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge yesterday, with the new test set to focus more on ‘Australian values’ rather than history and democracy.
The 20-question multiple choice test, which requires a 75 per cent overall mark to pass, will from November include five questions about Australian values – all of which must be answered correctly.
The Acting Immigration Minister introduced the changes on Thursday to coincide with Australian Citizenship Day, when more than 100 citizenship ceremonies took place across the country.
“Our Australian values are important. They have helped shape our country and they are the reason why so many people want to become Australian citizens,” Mr Tudge told News Corp newspapers.
“The updated citizenship test will have new and more meaningful questions that require potential citizens to understand and commit to our values like freedom of speech, mutual respect, equality of opportunity, the importance of democracy and the rule of law.”
7 News reports that the values-based questions will revolve around learning English, freedom of choice around marriage, religious views and family violence.
Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge has announced a major change to the Australian citizenship test. Source: AAP
Examples of possible questions include:
Which of these is an example of freedom of speech?
Which of these is an example of equality in Australia?
Can you encourage violence…if you have been insulted?
“Rather than questions on Don Bradman or Phar Lap as such,” Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge said to 7 News.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the citizenship test would also place a greater emphasis on the English language.
“That is such an important skill that migrants who come to Australia need to have the best possible life in Australia,” he said.
