Ancient Greece was the birthplace of philosophy and sport. Hellenistic philosophies attributed enormous importance on athletic prowess. These were the hallmarks of great leaders. For me, Costa Procopiou was a true leader. He was involved in business, academia, sport and community. He embodied all of the characteristics of someone who exercised their mind and body. This was always the picture I had of Costa and it was the immediate image that came to my mind when I received the phone call from Paul Sopikiotis (son-in-law of Costa) on Friday morning telling me of his father-in-law’s passing away. I witnessed all of these characteristics in my dealings with Costa.
I remember attending a community event some 5 years ago and as always, Costa was there in support. He was wearing a sports jacket, shirt, trousers and as I observed, he strangely was also wearing “running shoes.” I remarked to Costa, “that’s an interesting look, an unusual combination wearing the runners!!” Costa replied, “I am a tennis player and I had played a little earlier today.” I looked back at Costa and somewhat fancying my chances given Costa was in his 70s I said, “well then, I too play tennis, how about a game one day.” Without even blinking, Costa stared straight back into my eyes and with a cheeky smile replied, “I am ready whenever you are, you better come prepared.” That resolve and steely determination was enough for me to rethink that challenge.
In business, Costa had a keen eye in property and design. Aesthetics were important to him and he was a well regarded property investor and developer. Having acted for him and his family, I knew that he was astute but always fair.
Costa was a teacher for many years of our beautiful language.
However, where I knew Costa the most was in his “warrior approach” to the Cypriot cause. Before the rallies for the Cypriot cause each year in the city, he would ring me to make sure I would attend. Of course, I would always be there. Costa led from the front. It was his duty to fight for this just cause to see his beloved home freed. He carried this emotion and conviction deep in his heart
Costa was a warrior. Our community is and will always be indebted to him.
The latest expedition by divers to the wreck of the Mentor, which sank just off the island of Kythera in 1802, has recovered several new artefacts. This includes the ship’s rigging, coins, the leather sole of a shoe, a metal buckle, a token for playing cards, two chess pieces and fragments of cooking utensils.
When Mentor sank, the ship was carrying marble sculptures chipped from the badly damaged Parthenon in Athens — later known as the Parthenon Marbles. These spectacular sculptures — which depict Greek gods, heroes and animals — are now on display at the British Museum in London.
But according to marine archaeologist, Dimitris Kourkoumelis, of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities in Greece, these small objects recovered from the wreck reveal intriguing aspects of the lives of the people onboard the ship when it sank.
Divers on the latest archaeological expedition to the shipwreck of the Mentor, which sank in 1802 with valuable sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens on board. Image credit: Yiannis Issaris.
“The target is to understand how people were living and how life was onboard, not only for the passengers but also for the crew,” Kourkoumelis told Live Science.
“We’ve found gold coins from Utrecht in Holland, as well as from Spain, and also coins from the Ottoman Empire — so it was really a cosmopolitan group [of people] on the Mentor.”
Kourkoumelis has led diving expeditions to the wreck of the Mentor every summer since 2009, after the Greek government enacted legislation to protect the shipwreck and formally ordered state archaeologists to excavate it.
The Mentor managed to stay afloat until its crew and passengers scrambled onto the rocks at Kythera, but it sank quickly after that; much of the wooden hull is now surrounded by rocks. Image credit: V. Tsiairis.
The construction of the Mentor is very different from that of similar ships built in the Mediterranean, Kourkoumelis says.
“The American ships were built to travel in the open ocean and so they were much stronger — it’s very interesting to work on a ship like that,” he said.
The wooden vessel is now rotting away after more than 200 years under the waves, and only a few more years of excavations will be possible, he added.
The wreck of the Mentor is most famous for the statues from the Parthenon that it carried when it sank, but the Greek excavations have focused on recovering much smaller objects. Image credit: V. Tsiairis.
Besides the Parthenon Marbles, no more items from Elgin’s collection have ever been found. However, Kourkoumelis told Live Science that the wreck has yielded numerous other small objects over the years, including gold jewelry, ancient coins and Greek pottery that probably came from the private collections of some of the passengers onboard when it sank.
The most recent finds last year included two wooden chess pieces — another six pieces from the same set were found in previous years — and a metal token or coin that was probably used in a card game.
The artefacts recovered from the Mentor shipwreck by the Greek government excavations include several pieces of gold jewelry and gold coins, such as this Spanish coin from 1756. Image credit: Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities.
Archaeologists plan to scientifically examine all of the items, many of which will be displayed at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Kourkoumelis said. The museum already displays about half of the Parthenon sculptures that remain, and it has space reserved for the remaining Parthenon Marbles if they are ever returned to Greece.
Turkish Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar, has warned that the Greek people will “suffer the most damage” as a result of tensions that, he said, are being fueled by Athens and by recent moves from Greece to strengthen its armed forces.
He also reiterated Ankara’s allegations that Greek fighter jets harassed the Cesme hydrographic vessel last week.
“As you know, Greek fighter jets disturbed the Cesme, which is conducting scientific research. Of course, the appropriate response was given by our officials,” Akar said.
“I emphasise once more that this attitude has nothing to do with good neighborly relations.”
Akar also accused Athens of trying to turn Greek-Turkish disputes into a broader issue affecting Turkey’s relations with the European Union and the United States.
Referring to Ankara’s “Blue Homeland ” doctrine, which envisages Turkish influence over large swathes of the Mediterranean, he said “we have no aspirations for anyone’s rights, lands and waters.”
“But will not give up our rights. We are determined and able to defend our rights in the Blue Homeland, as well as in Cyprus,” he added.
In response, Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, told Parliament that Greece is not going to enter the process of responding to Turkey on every occasion. “Greece is confident,” he stressed.
At the same time, Turkish fighter jets conducted unauthorised overflights on Friday above the islets of Agathonissi, Panagia and Oinousses.
In general, Athens sees a pattern of behavior in the recent inflammatory rhetoric, the dispatch of the Cesme in the Aegean and Friday’s overflights. This is mainly due to Ankara’s insistence on expanding the agenda of exploratory contacts, which recently resumed between the two countries, to include a wide range of issues.
The next round of exploratory contacts is not expected before the completion of the naval exercises announced by Ankara until March 5.
On Sunday, January 17, family and friends of the late Theo (Theodoros) Palaxides gathered at Port Adelaide’s Argo Restaurant to share a meal and cherish memories of one of South Australia’s Greek hospitality pioneers who died late last year, age 83.
Born in Aigaleo, Athens, in 1937 to refugee parents from Asia Minor, he endured the rigours of war-torn Greece during the German occupation and at the tender age of 17 he decided to follow his older brother, John, to Australia with the intention of studying law.
Although he never pursued the career he was hoping to, Palaxides, followed a different path in life and with his multifaceted personality and deep socially constituted knowledge managed to succeed and influence many.
‘His life was dedicated to helping people’
Merline, his wife, met Theo at ‘The Iliad’ forty-four years ago and never left his side until the day he died.
“There will never be another Theo. He was a modern-day philosopher. He would go off and solve problems almost insolvable but somehow, he always found a way to get around things. His life was dedicated to helping people.
“He started the first Greek restaurant in Adelaide, The Iliad, back in the early 1970s with two of his friends. None of them knew about restaurants but with their combined personalities and skills they made a great success of being restaurateurs,” Merline tells The Greek Herald.
(L) Photo: Theo Palaxides with his older brother John and (R) Merline and Theo
After his first restaurant, Theo realised that hospitality runs in his blood and so he continued on in this industry. After ‘The Iliad’ came the ‘Taverna Delphi’, then ‘The Grecian Barbeque’ and later ‘Theo’s Restaurant’.
“Many people followed him from restaurant to restaurant. He knew how to use his charm and knowledge to make everyone feel special. He could remember names and pick-up conversations from previous visits,” says Merline.
In 1980, Theo had a heart attack and then another in 1993 when he had a quadruple bypass.
At the time, he was told that the longest time a patient had survived from this procedure was 22 years but the big-hearted Greek survived five more, only to prove -as he always liked to do- that it’s alright for someone to be different.
Palaxides’ passion for life and everything Greek
Although very successful, Palaxides’ focus during his lifetime was not to accrue wealth but to help as many people as he could.
“My uncle always put other people before himself and he believed that everyone should be treated as equal and that for every problem there is a solution,” Savvas Palaxoglou says.
Photo (L): Theo’s wife of 44 years, Merline and his sister in law and (R) Savvas Palaxoglou with his son
“He was a pioneer not only as a restaurateur and an entrepreneur, but also as someone who embedded his homeland’s cuisine and culture into the Australian culinary tapestry.
“In the restaurants he established -apart from the food- he wanted to offer his clients an all-rounded Greek experience and that was what made him unique,” Mr Palaxoglou says.
“This is why the -then- South Australian Premier, Don Dunstan, always tapped into his knowledge about issues that concerned the Greek community.”
‘To us he was a Professor’
His long-time friends Nikitas, Peter and Theofilos also speak highly of Theo who “cared deeply not only about his family and friends but for the universe and its people” and how he always loved to have long conversations about life, politics and everything that concerned the world around him.
“I met Theo and worked at his restaurant, The Grecian Barbeque, in 1978. Nine years later I started my own business and he [Theo] was always there whenever I needed his advice. We were like brothers.
“We would meet or call each other every day and talk about history or politics. I admired his passion and deep knowledge for the Greek culture. He was a philosopher.
From L to R: Late Theo’s friends Peter, Nikitas and Theofilos
“Adelaide’s Greek community lost one of its very best people,” says Nikitas and Peter Photakis agrees.
“I used to call him Professor. I am educated myself but Palaxides taught me a lot. To me he was a mentor,” says Photakis, while another of the late Theo’s friends says he will always remember his smile and willingness to help.
“Twenty years ago, I had an administrative problem with immigration and Theo introduced me to a lawyer who solved the case.
“I will always remember his wide smile, calm nature and his caustic but witty remarks at times,” says Theofilos Kotrotsios.
Theo Palaxides is gone but his legacy will live on through all those who benefited from his compassion and generosity.
“Life is short and it fades away like a shooting star, respect the people around you and live every day,” he used to say.
What do you think is the problem with Greek language learning in Australia and do you have a solution?
Recently, I asked this question to a University colleague from the Engineering and Biomolecular Faculty of Sydney University.
“The teaching of the language needs more structure and to be geared for our Australian born children,” says Alex Missiris.
Alex successfully taught her daughter, Christina, Greek and highly recommends a private tutor.
“As an Australian-born Greek, I was not impressed with my own language learning as a child at Greek afternoon school, when I was slapped across the face and fell to the floor because I couldn’t answer a question in Greek. This happened in the 70’s and it stopped me from learning better Greek.
“I went through eight different tutors until I found the right one for my daughter in Michelle Pikoulas If it were not for Michelle, my daughter who is half Italian, would not have acquired the fluent language skills in Greek she has today,” says Alex.
Alex gave up Greek school after her bad experience, which is a pity, because for those of us who persevered, in the 60’s and 70’s, we learnt a lot.
Of course, there will always be good and bad teaching. Today we are lucky that we have a new influx of Greek teachers from Greece migrate to live or work Australia.
Unfortunately, their teaching methods are geared to children in Greece who have already had much incidental learning before starting school.
Luckily, we have a new program offered by the Sydney Institute for Community Languages directed by Professor Ken Cruickshank, which is open to all teachers of Community languages, whether they have completed University previously or not.
The course provides is a valuable resource for teachers as not only does it teach teaching methodology but it also teaches the difference between indigenous language learners, in their own country and children born to migrants in Australia.
*Eleni Elefterias-Kostakidis is a teacher of Modern Greek and University lecturer. Read her column ‘Insight or Perspective’ in Greek, every Saturday in The Greek Herald’s print edition or get your subscription here.
It was frustrating day for fans at the iconic Belmore Sports Ground as Sydney Olympic FC failed to score against rivals Sydney United 58, losing their season opener 1-0.
Sydney Olympic came of the back of a slightly disappointing pre-season. The team is led by coach Ante Juric, however, who promised this week that the boys will play their hardest for the blue and white badge.
“Definitely want to win but the focus for me is every match putting everything you have into it. When you do that, you get your success and your rewards,” Ante Juric said during the team’s season launch.
Olympic presented a strong, flowing form of attack at the start of the match, with winger Fabio Ferreira putting in and getting under a few creative opportunities.
Sydney Olympic vs Sydney United. Photo: NPL NSW / Dan Ullman @aptitudephotography
Well worked from the defence, a long ball to Peter Kekeris saw the young Greek Australian out-muscle one defender and chop inside to beat another. Kekeris sent a curling ball towards the net that narrowly went wide.
Returning the the Sydney Olympic senior squad this season, Luke Kairies was tested by Sydney United’s Devante Clut soon after Kekeris’ opportunity. United seemed to hold a momentum advantage from this stage, with Kairies forced to save another shot five minutes later, this time from United striker Chris Payne.
The striker, who scored an impressive 27 goals from 38 games with APIA Leichhardt the past two seasons, proved to be the biggest annoyance for Olympic, hitting a few deadly strikes in the first half.
Olympic remained on the defensive until the end of the first half, where the score remained 0-0.
Sydney Olympic vs Sydney United. Photo: NPL NSW / Dan Ullman @aptitudephotography
It was onwards and upwards in terms of energy for the Sydney Olympic side. A few fruitful opportunities were shown on the left side of the pitch, yet most were easily countered by the Sydney United defence.
Olympic defender Tom Whiteside put an outstanding show of defence to keep Payne at bay in the first half. Taking a great shot from a corner delivery in the 64th minute, Whiteside was forced to sprint back to his defensive line where Payne and Clut were on a breakaway.
Standing in front of goal, Whiteside clashed into the striker with full momentum, forcing both players tumbling down and a penalty to be given to Sydney United. Whiteside also received a yellow card as Payne scored the penalty opportunity, giving United a goal lead.
Sydney Olympic vs Sydney United. Photo: NPL NSW / Dan Ullman @aptitudephotography
It wouldn’t be a derby without some on-field clashes. Four yellow cards were handed out in the match, two for each team.
Substitutions by Olympic to bring on Yu Hasegawa and Jason Madonis late in the match didn’t do much for the Belmore boys as the United defence held strong. The greatest opportunities came from the terrific partnership between Brendan Cholakian and Fabio Ferreira who, despite never managing to hit it in the back of the net, put some fear in the United defence.
The match finished 1-0 in favour of Sydney United 58. Sydney Olympic FC will face Rockdale at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre next Sunday at 3pm.
The Greek Start Up Universe is a new program, under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad of Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which looks to give tech start-up founders the opportunity to present their new ideas.
The program is centred on helping projects that are aspiring to make a global impact. The free, 8-week online program will offer people the opportunity to interact with accomplished Greeks of the global tech start-up ecosystem, and gain access to start-up tools and educational content, in order to claim funding opportunities.
The program will be running from March 1, 2021 until April 25, 2021 and it will be hosted at Founderhood platform.
Below are a few of the experts that start up founders will have the chance to hear from:
Alexis Piperides: The co-founder of PROTOIO Inc., their vision is to enable product teams to build better products through world-class software that facilitate product team communication in a design-driven approach.
Ioanna Angelidaki: CMO & Co-founder of ‘InstaShop’, the company is a “hyper-local” marketplace app that connects users to nearby outlets for fast deliveries. Over the last five years InstaShop has attracted around $10 million in outside investment from Venture Friends, Jabbar Internet Group, and Souq.com (now Amazon) through two public and two private funding rounds, and it has expanded operations into Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, and Lebanon.
Nicky Goulimis: Nicky Goulimis is an entrepreneur known as the co-founder and COO of Nova Credit, the world’s cross-border consumer reporting agency that gives access to credit reports and consumers from around the world.
Tender and juicy with the aromas and blends of cinnamon, clove and fresh tomatoes beef kapama (pronounced ka-pa-MA) is a delicious and easy recipe for Greek beef stew, perfect for a Sunday family dinner!
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 1/2 pounds beef stew meat 1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 1/2 cup dry red wine 3 medium tomatoes, chopped 3 tablespoons Metaxa or other brandy 1/2 cup strong, brewed coffee 3 tablespoons honey 1 2-inch piece cinnamon stick, cut in half 3 whole cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice (optional) 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper
How to Make Greek Style Beef Kapama: Add oil to a large pot and heat on medium-high. When it is hot, add as much beef as will fit in a single layer. Saute until each side of each piece is golden brown. This should take about 5 minutes.
Repeat in several batches if needed with the rest of the beef. Transfer the beef to a medium bowl once it’s cooked.
Add the onion to the pot after you’re done cooking the beef and cook over medium heat until the onions start to cook. This should take about 2 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and wine and stir the mixture well. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the beef and the rest of the ingredients and stir them together. Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it boils, bring it down to a simmer. Cook the mixture for about 1 1/2 hours so that it can thicken.
After the mixture thickens, remove the cover and cook it for an additional 35 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and then remove the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
You may add vegetables like carrots and celery to this recipe, if desired.
A group led by former NSW Labor Premier Barrie Unsworth has sealed a deal to buy a Sydney home once owned by Gough Whitlam, ABC News reports.
Mr Unsworth signed the cheque for $1,150,000, well in excess of the original price guide of $720,000 to $750,000.
Manuel Roussakis from Ray White Canterbury said the owner was “ecstatic” with the price.
“They were extremely happy with the Whitlam Heritage Home group has purchased it,” he said.
The architect-designed home was cutting-edge when it was built in the 1950s. Photo: Ray White / ABC News
Mr Roussakis said both bidders were planning to restore the property to its original condition. The plan is to set up a fund to raise money to preserve the home as a historic site which would be open to the public.
Mr Whitlam, who was prime minister from 1972 to 1975, and his family called the four-bedroom house in south-west Sydney home for 22 years, from 1956 to 1978.
Nick Whitlam, son of Gough and Margaret Whitlam, said he was 12 when his family moved into the house in 1957. His parents had hired a local architect to design and build the single-storey building.
Floor-to-ceiling windows feature in the living area. Photo: Ray White/The Greek Herald
“It was quite a modern house. All the locals commented on the fact that it had a flat roof,” Mr Whitlam said.
Nick Whitlam has been to see the house for himself, the first time he’d stepped inside for almost 50 years.
“It’s not in great condition but the important thing is inside is virtually unchanged, all the built-ins, be they cupboards and bookshelves.
“The bathroom’s completely intact, the kitchen, the laundry, even the Hills Hoist in the backyard.”
The “Marti bracelet” or “Marti” is an ancient custom for the beginning of Spring. It is believed it dates back to ancient Greece and it is known all over the Balkans.
The name is derived from the Greek word for the month of March, “Martios”!
From March 1st, it is a tradition in Greece, especially for children, to wear a bracelet made of twisted white and red thread (see photo). The white symbolizes purity, and the red color stands for life and passion.
Children wear the bracelet for the entire month and remove it the last day of March. After taking off the bracelet, they hang it in a fruit tree, so the tree will remain healthy and give many fruits.
However, the custom varies in different areas in Greece. In some regions you can remove the bracelet when you see a swallow returning for spring, so the bird can use the thread to build its nest.
The 1st of March also indicates the beginning of Spring in Greece, and the hope for warm days and a lot of sun. Therefore, especially for young children, wearing the Marti bracelet also means you are protected from the burning sun.
On the 1st of March, do not forget to wish everybody “Kalo Mina” = Enjoy the month of March.
