Thanks to persistent efforts from the Greek community in Australia, the Greek language program at La Trobe University has been saved and will continue for the next three years. Read the joint press release from the Greek Community of Melbourne and La Trobe University below:

Following a commitment made by the Greek Community of Melbourne to provide both additional funding and assistance in increasing student enrolments, La Trobe University has agreed to continue the teaching of its Greek language program for three years.

The situation will be reviewed after semester 1 census in 2023 and the future of the program will be dependent on whether enrolment targets have been met.

The commitment follows a change proposal shared with staff for consultation on 11 November, as well as feedback from key external stakeholders of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HUSS). This change proposal is part of La Trobe’s response to the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the University.

The Greek language program was considered financially unviable because of consistently low enrolments and was proposed for closure from 2022 as part of the change proposal.

Following constructive meetings between La Trobe’s Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO and other University senior executives and Mr Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President Greek Community of Melbourne, and other senior figures from the Greek community, the Greek Community of Melbourne has committed to providing $192,000 over three years as well as proactive assistance in ensuring the program reaches a financially viable enrolment target after semester 1 census in 2023.

La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO warmly welcomed the support from the Greek Community of Melbourne and said he looked forward to continuing a fruitful collaboration to find constructive solutions to enrolments in the Greek language program.

“La Trobe University plays a significant role in providing quality higher education to communities in Melbourne’s north, including the Greek community,” Professor Dewar said.

“It has been pleasing to see such a strong and passionate response to the proposed closure of our Greek language program and that senior leaders from the Greek Community have come to the table to offer positive solutions – both financial and to assist with enrolments — to ensure the program can survive and, hopefully, flourish in the future.”

Mr Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President Greek Community of Melbourne, said, “As the sole provider of a major in Greek Studies in Victoria, it is heartening that an agreement has been reached to save this program.

“The Greek Language is a critical part of our culture. It plays a vital role in strengthening the multicultural and cosmopolitan fabric of Victoria.

“A broad coalition of interested persons and groups worked tirelessly with the University to ensure that the Program not only survives but thrives. I am excited about what the future will bring for our Greek language program.

“I thank the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University for being open and honest in their dialogue and workings during this process. Today is an important moment for our community.”

The Very Reverend Father Evmenios Vasilopoulos, Archiepiscopal Vicar for the District of Northcote Victoria said, “The continuation of the La Trobe University Modern Greek programme evidences the sensitivity of La Trobe University towards the broader multicultural community and its nuanced appreciation of language learning, as intrinsic to the promotion and enhancement of cultural diversity within our polyglot state.

“The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and its primate, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios eagerly look forward to an enduring partnership with the University and other key community stakeholders so as to maintain and advance the study of a linguistic corpus that has exercised such a profound influence on the political, cultural and religious development of world civilisation.”

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia announced in a press release yesterday that they will be encouraging students to take up Greek language programs through their educational institutions.

The agreement reached today continues a tradition of the Greek community’s commitment to Greek language studies, including through the bequest of Mr Anastassios Vassilogiannis, which supports part of the costs of the program at La Trobe.

The La Trobe University Library continues to house, maintain and make available to the community the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora.

The University also remains committed to providing teaching and research related to Greek culture, history and heritage through the A.D Trendall Research Centre for Ancient Mediterranean Studies and other teaching programs.

Iconic McLaren Vale winery, Fox Creek Wines has been purchased by long-time mates and industry colleagues, Ben Gibson, Jock Harvey and Dim Georgiadis, Glam Adelaide reports. 

Dim, whose background is in law, is a founder and Director of Business Development for the FABAL group of companies that specialise in large scale agri-business and vineyard management.

Ben has held a broad cross section of wine industry roles over the last 20 years, including various Director positions at Pernod Ricard and more recently CEO of Clare Valley winery, Kirrihill Wines. Jock, a wine industry stalwart, is best known as proprietor of Chalk Hill Viticulture.

Together, the three men will pool their collective experience to embark on the next journey for Fox Creek Wines.

All three share a love of high-quality Shiraz, Grenache and alternative varietals along with a passion for the McLaren Vale region, the wines, the food, the environment and the local community.   

While standing on the dam wall during a site visit, Gibson, who will assume the role of CEO, said that they quickly realised the hidden gem that is Fox Creek Wines with its rich soils, 1,200 tonne winery, 20 hectares of premium vineyards and historic cellar door – all within the 46hectare property. 

“In spite of the hardships the wine industry has faced in the current climate and pandemic, Jock, Dim and I immediately saw the value in investing in such an iconic wine brand in McLaren Vale”. 

McLaren Vale’s unique combination of world class wines and produce with a beach lifestyle, ensures that the region truly offers a unique, welcoming experience.  

“With Fox Creek located so close to our hometown of Willunga, Jock and I could not be happier to be reunited. In partnership with our great friend Dim, we embark on what will be an exciting new chapter for Fox Creek Wines”, Gibson said.   

“We have a shared passion for the local community, which will sit foremost at the heart of the Fox Creek Wines philosophy,” he added. 

Fox Creek was established in 1984 by Helen and Dr. Jim Watts following the purchase of the property on Malpas Road in McLaren Vale. Fox Creek has won numerous domestic and international wine awards, along with being recognised by James Halliday as a 5 Star rated winery.

Langley and Co were the advisor to the sale for the Watts’ family. “I would like to thank the Watts Family, the Fox Creek Board and Langley & Co Director Stephen Strachan for their commitment to achieving the sale,” Gibson said.  

“We are indebted greatly to the Watts’ family for the legacy that they have created and look forward to writing the next exciting chapter for Fox Creek Wines.” 

Sourced By: Glam Adelaide

Konstantinos Kaiopoulos was elected director of Tariff & Trade Affairs at the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

Kaiopoulos was elected during the 137th Session of the WCO, which was held digitally on December 12, 2020.

The Greek candidacy was actively promoted by the Greek Embassy in direct cooperation with the General Secretariat for International Economic Relations and Extroversion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This is the first time a Greek has been elected to high ranking position in the World Customs Organization (WCO), in the context of which important decisions are made that affect the tariff regime and in general the conditions of import of goods in world trade.

Kaiopoulos, who has served as advisor for customs matters to the secretary general for Public Revenue in Greece, will assume office on 1 January 2021.

It’s a nervous week for students in South Australia, NSW and Queensland as recent graduates receive their final ATAR marks and ranking for the year.

Despite a shaky year, five students managed to top the state in the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) 2020, being labelled the ‘perfect five’.

Among the five were two Greeks, Paras Stefanopoulos and Martina Theodorakakos, who each achieved A+ results in at least five subjects including the research project for their SACE.

Paras and Martina, along with Giovanni Elias, Oliver Kleinig and Shreyans Sinhal, achieved Australian Tertiary Admission Rank scores above 99.9.

“These five remarkable students achieved the pinnacle of academic achievement,” SACE Board chief executive Martin Westwell said to Adelaide Now.

The class of 20290 had “stared down the challenge of COVID-19”, he said.

“They learnt so much – not just about the subjects in the SACE but (about) themselves, who they are, what they’re capable of and how they can adapt to change,” he said.

“And how they can be changemakers themselves.”

Paras, 18, from St Michael’s College, does computer programming as a hobby – which dovetailed with his strong science subject mix and research project into what extent artificial intelligence will influence the future.

“The answer to that is complex, there’s no right or wrong” he said.

“We have a long way to go but once the ball starts rolling it’ll grow rapidly.”

He has applied to study advanced computer science at Adelaide.

Martina, 18, from Walford Anglican School for Girls, has applied to study law and advanced economics at Adelaide or Sydney. At stressful times, she remained focused by not thinking about the ATAR, rather “thinking about what’s next in life”.

Martina worked at a bakery and found time for family and friends.

“I wasn’t cooped up in my room,” she said.

She did her research project on the organ transplant system because her “biggest supporter”, her dad, John, had needed a kidney transplant but endured a wait of more than two years.

“I want to make changes in a lot of areas where females aren’t well represented,” she said.

“I’m quite a confident person but I do find a lot of girls shy away and leave it to the boys when they should be up there.”

President of the ‘Greece 2021’ Committee, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, addressed Greek Australians this evening during The Hellenic Initiative Australia’s second Digital Conversation Series.

The digital talk, which was moderated by Greek Australian journalist, John Mangos, covered a range of topics including the role of Greek Australians in next year’s bicentennial celebrations for Greece’s independence from the Ottomans.

Mrs Angelopoulos-Daskalaki began the talk by speaking proudly of the Greek Australian diaspora and reminiscing over her time in Australia during the Olympic Games in 2000.

“I remember running with the Olympic flame in Australia and I saw the Greek and Australian flags and I was very proud. Australia felt like a home away from home,” Mrs Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said.

The Ambassador-at-large of the Hellenic Republic went on to say that the ‘Greece 2021’ Committee has received over 1800 event proposals from around the world with 36 from Greek Australians.

“I have about three pages here of proposals from the Greek diaspora in Australia. Events which have been proposed include an exhibition of Greek Australian artists, a Greek Writers Festival, a book launch, and even a photo exhibition,” she says.

“The Greek diaspora in Australia keep the Greek history alive and this is what we want for our 2021 celebrations… You will also be the ones who will put out the message that we are proud Greeks and pass on the torch around the world.”

Mrs Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said however, that the Committee is relying on private donations, sponsorships and selling merchandise, such as the 2021 commemorative coin, to make these proposals possible.

“Because of the ten year crisis in Greece, we don’t want state funding. We have a new category of sponsorships where small, medium and large companies in Greece are able to adopt proposals and invest money into them,” she explains.

Regardless of this unique funding method, the question was still raised to Mrs Angelopoulos-Daskalaki about how the events will even go ahead if the coronavirus pandemic is still raging next year.

“We are good organisers. We understand the importance of Plan A, B and C,” she replied. “We have alternative scenarios for each and every event… if something doesn’t happen in March, it can happen in June.”

“In the end, it’s not just one big opening ceremony. The whole year is important. It’s a time to think, reflect, dance and perform.”

RELATED: Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and John Mangos to discuss ‘Greece 2021’ plans at digital THI Australia event.