Search
Home Blog Page 1449

South Sydney cafe owners spreading joy in their locked down communities

John Voutos
-
0
South Sydney cafe owners spreading joy in their locked down communities

Local cafes have become social hubs for communities separated by COVID-19 lockdowns.

HAM founders Harry and Mario Kapoulas say they recognise the cafe’s role as a breakaway for customers.

“We make it a point to be positive and make it fun to come back, instead of getting caught up in how many cases there are,” Mr. Kapoulas says.

“We want them to come and enjoy themselves, to try and forget about the tough stuff that’s going on, and give them a reason to laugh and something to look forward to in their day.”

Mario, Kitty and Harry Kapoulas are key to the success of HAM (Photo: carlagrossetti.com.au)

The brothers say it’s really the coffee people come back for.

“I think our customers keep coming back because they know what they’re going to get,” Mr. Kapoulas tells the Daily Telegraph.

“It’s good quality, consistent coffee and food every time they come in – and we actually do it because we love it, not just to serve people coffee.”

Stephanie Tsiotas says her community of Kingsgrove is keeping her cafe alive during lockdown.

“We’re a suburban cafe, the neighbourhood is majority residential housing and because everyone else has been in lockdown as well we’ve been able to get through this period without hitting the panic button,” she says.

Stephenie Tsiotas runs Meeting Morgan (Left: AAP) (Right: Daily Telegraph)

“It’s like a sanctuary – our customers come through and they enjoy the food and beverages, but they also feel like they are at home and it’s a comfortable environment for them.”

Cafes will reopen for indoor dining in a COVID-safe way the Monday after NSW hits its 70 percent double vaccination target. 

Across NSW, 84.1 percent of adults have had the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 56.6 percent have had both doses. 

Source: Daily Telegraph

South Melbourne FC and Western United FC in stadium turf war

John Voutos
-
0
South Melbourne FC and Western United FC in stadium turf war

South Melbourne FC has slammed Western United’s plans to use their Lakeside stadium.

The club dismisses United’s claims that access was granted for them to use the stadium in a statement released on Thursday. 

“South Melbourne can confirm that it will be exercising all rights to prevent Western United FC from playing A-League matches at Lakeside Stadium,” the statement reads. 

The club writes that the tenants of the stadium insist there is no signed agreement with United nor the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) for use of the stadium. 

United is without a stadium of their own for the upcoming season A-League season but will commence work on the Wyndham City Stadium late next month.

“Their acceptance to the A-League was based largely on the commitment to having a purpose-built football stadium constructed in Melbourne’s west,” South Melbourne writes. 

“It is approaching three years since the A-League expansion clubs were announced and construction works have still not commenced.” 

South Melbourne lost out to United and Macarthur FC join the A-League in 2018. 

The A-League 2021/22 season is expected to commence on November 19.

Source: South Melbourne FC

Macquarie named preferred bidder for stake in Greek power grid operator

The Greek Herald
-
0
Macquarie named preferred bidder for stake in Greek power grid operator

Public Power Corp (PPC), Greece’s biggest power utility, on Thursday formally named Australian infrastructure giant, Macquarie, as the preferred bidder for a minority stake in its fully-owned power grid operator, Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO).

PPC shareholders will take a final decision on the bid at a meeting scheduled for October 19, PPC said.

PPC earlier this month said the offer by Spear WTE Investments Sarl, a member of the Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets Group, valued the 49% stake at 2.1 billion euros, including debt of 804 million euros, making it the highest among four groups which issued binding bids.

READ MORE: Australian company declared highest bidder for stake in Greece’s national grid operator.

PPC sources said it was the biggest privatisation in Greek history and noted that PPC will be able to significantly reduce its borrowing while it will also fund its investment program in renewable energy sources.

At the same time, HEDNO, with the support and know-how over an international partner and under PPC’s management, will develop an expanded modernisation and digitalisation program of its network, offering better and more quality services.

HEDNO operates a 242,000-km long grid, which brings electricity to about 7 million households and businesses across Greece.

Source: Ekathimerini.

NSW Premier sends congratulatory message for The Greek Herald’s 95th anniversary

The Greek Herald
-
0
NSW Premier sends congratulatory message for The Greek Herald’s 95th anniversary

NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has sent a message of congratulations to The Greek Herald on its 95th anniversary this year.

In her message, Ms Berejiklian hailed The Greek Herald as “a great migrant success story, providing its readers with a comprehensive range of local and overseas news since 1926.”

Here is the full message in English:

I am delighted to congratulate everyone involved with The Greek Herald as this fine newspaper celebrates its 95th year with a special edition.

The Greek Herald is a great migrant success story, providing its readers with a comprehensive range of local and overseas news since 1926. It was in the 1960s when the Herald really began to flourish, following news ownership and the introduction of modern technology.

Gladys Berejiklian.

The publication has won numerous awards including the prestigious Presidential Press Award from the Hellenic Republic on two occasions.

While its reporting on current affairs has always been impressive, the community has retained a special place in the Herald’s pages, keeping people in contact through its coverage of local news and social and fund-raising events.

Congratulations to the Greek Herald on 95 years and your outstanding contribution to the community.

Gladys Berejiklian MP, Premier.

Sakkari takes out Ostapenko to advance to Ostrava Open quarter-final

Alex Anyfantis
-
0
Sakkari takes out Ostapenko to advance to Ostrava Open quarter-final

It was an eventful game at the CEZ Arena of Ostrava as Maria Sakkari beat the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-2, to claim a position within the last eight of the city’s greatest tennis tournament.

Tensions began to rise during the first set, as the Greek athlete made the break on Ostapenko, causing the 24-year-old to lash out in frustration and curse her opponent. Sakkari asked the game officials to take note of the incident and went as far as bringing it to the attention of the game supervisor.

Once things calmed down and the game resumed, the 26-year-old from Athens began the… onslaught of her opponent, who seemed helpless to stop Sakkari’s powerful serve.

Now concentrating fully on the events unfolding inside the court, the Greek was able to win the first set comfortably 6-4, keeping Ostapenko under pressure throughout the encounter.

Sakkari wins the final point and the game against Ostapenko. Source: WTA

Things continued in the same manner in the second set, with Sakkari finding the break immediately and winning the points during her own serves with no problems, as the Latvian couldn’t come up with any response to her fast-swinging balls.

It came as no shock that the world number 12 came out on top in the second set, 6-2, winning the match and sealing her spot in today’s quarter-final.

According to Sakkari’s statements during the post-match press conference, Jelena Ostapenko apologised for her behaviour during the game, while adding that the Ostrava Open is a tournament that she enjoys.

Sakkari to face Martincova in next round

The 26-year-old will now go up against the Czech player Tereza Martincova in the quarter-finals.

The 26-year-old from Prague made the upset in her last game, beating world number 13 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a heated encounter that ended with two tie-breakers, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6).

Martincova is sure to have the home crowd support, in a game that is set to be held tonight (September 24) at 10pm (AEST.)

Source: AMNA

Greek PM meets with United Nations Secretary-General in New York

Alex Anyfantis
-
0
Greek PM meets with United Nations Secretary-General in New York

The Cypriot issue, the situation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the innovations made by Greece towards climate change were but some of the issues on the agenda as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres during his visit to New York.

Mr Mitsotakis pointed out that Greece will remain a supporter of peace and stability, adding that his country will always seek to collaborate with its neighbours in the eastern Mediterranean in order to seek out a resolution to current affairs, based on the United Nations’ Law of the Sea (UNLCOS) and international laws of justice.

He added that the Turkish violations of Greek waters go against these laws and the map drawn by the UN.

In regards to the Cypriot dispute, the Greek PM stressed that the single path of negotiation towards solving this important matter can be found from the voting procedures of the UN’s Safety Council. He added that any proposal coming from a third party cannot be accepted as a basis for further discussion.

Mr Mitsotakis also expressed the nation’s full support towards the UN’s efforts on climate change. He said that environmental support was one of the main issues of his own government’s policies.

Regarding the migrant matter, the Greek PM stated that his country has lifted more than its fair share of the load, while adding that Greece has also been quite hospitable towards all the vulnerable groups such as the unaccompanied children.

Finally, during their meeting, Mr Mitsotakis and Mr Guterres talked about the situation in Libya, with the PM expressing Greece’s support towards the UN’s efforts to remove all foreign powers from the nation and to hold the elections at the predetermined time.

The Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis alongside the President of Microsoft Brad Smith. Source: AMNA

Mr Mitsotakis also meets with Microsoft President Brad Smith

During his visit to the city of New York, the Greek leader also met with the owner of the US tech giant Microsoft, Brad Smith.

The two men had the opportunity to talk about various topics, such as the company’s continuous investments in Greece despite the ongoing pandemic and the rising dynamic of the Greek economy.

Mr Mitsotakis had previously met Brad Smith at the World Economic Forum back in January. It’s worth pointing out that Microsoft are in the process of developing their brand new data centres in Athens, while the companies headquarters in Greece has seen one of the biggest rise in personnel worldwide.

The Prime Minister was also scheduled to visit the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas at Ground Zero, however due to an issue with the Archbishop of America Elpidoros, who attended a Turkish-organised event, a move which was heavily scrutinised by the Greek Government, the visit has been canceled.

It will instead be replaced by a meeting with the management team of the Wall Street Journal.

Five facts about the Athens Public Tobacco Factory that became a cultural center

Andriana Simos
-
0
Five facts about the Athens Public Tobacco Factory that became a cultural center

The Athens Public Tobacco Factory at 218 Lenorman Street has become a cultural centre to mark the 200th anniversary of Greece’s liberation from the Ottoman Empire this year.

We take a look back at the factory’s incredible history and share five top facts you should know about it:

1. When was the factory built?

The Public Tobacco Factory was built between 1927 and 1930, and designed by civic architects Pavlos Athanasakis and Antonis Ligdopoulos.

The factory was built by the Greek State at a time when the cigarette manufacturing industry was booming. They wanted to house tobacco processing or packaging companies and tobacco merchants’ warehouses to ensure the control of tobacco taxation. 

The factory in the 90’s.

Tobacco was one of the most important crops in the Greek countryside and from the time it was taxed, in 1876, it was a valuable source of income for the Greek state.

So at the beginning of the factory’s operation in 1930, about 25 small tobacco companies were co-located in the building, the last of which left in the early 1990s.

2. The design:

The factory occupies an entire city block, covering a total area of approximately nine acres. Its two floors were constructed in a square pattern, surrounding a ground-level patio, and covered by a glass roof atop an iron framework.

The floor plan of the building was designed in perfect symmetry, with the interior main spaces unified. Both the ground floor and the first floor had lofts. The construction grid that took place, allowed the flexible modifications of the building according to the various uses that it hosted over time.

The patio of the building.

3. Different uses for the factory:

Relatively quickly, with the prevalence of private tobacco factories and mechanised cigarettes, the demand for the building’s premises decreased, which led to its under-operation and the introduction of new uses.

From 1938, almost a quarter of the building was granted for a number of years to the Military Service of Athens, which housed according to the needs of each season the Army Health Service, the Military Tobacco Industry, military prisons (1945-46), residences of refugees from Romania (1952) etc.

The Military Service would leave permanently in July 1963, but again a large part of the building was allocated to various other public services as well, including services of the Presidency of the Government, the Ministry of Finance and the Statistical Service of Greece.

The factory had many different uses. Photo: monumenta.org.

4. Heritage factory:

In 1989, the building and all of its machinery was acquired by the Hellenic Parliament and listed as a historic monument. Renovations on the property began in 2000, but efforts were slowed by the Greek financial crisis of 2009.

Half of the building, which comprises a city block, is currently home to the library of the Hellenic Parliament.

5. Cultural centre:

The factory is now being converted into a cultural centre. But converting the rest of the premises will cost €1 million ($1.2 million) in renovations, which are being funded by Neon, a Greek art foundation established in 2013 by collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos.

Once renovations are complete, the centre will open with an exhibition, Portals­, featuring international artists including Michael Rakowitz, Glenn Ligon and Danh Vo.

READ MORE: Historic tobacco factory in Athens to be renovated into cultural centre by 2021.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulates The Greek Herald on its 95th anniversary

The Greek Herald
-
0
Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulates The Greek Herald on its 95th anniversary

Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has issued a message of congratulations to The Greek Herald as the newspaper celebrates its 95th anniversary this year.

In his message, Mr Morrison commends The Greek Herald for encouraging “a greater understanding between Australia and Greece” and “sharing the joys of Greek Australians” over the past 95 years.

Here is the full message in English:

MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER, THE GREEK HERALD, 95TH ANNIVERSARY

Congratulations to The Greek Herald on 95 years of telling the stories, celebrating the successes and sharing the joys of Greek Australia.

Your first edition in 1926 referred to Australia as a ‘noble country’ that embraced strong multicultural foundations. Generations of Greek men and women have made a tremendous contribution to this legacy.

Australia is the most successful multicultural nation on Earth, and this is keenly illustrated in the pages of The Greek Herald where your readers find a wonderful celebration of our national harmony and diversity.

Scott Morrison has congratulated The Greek Herald on its 95th anniversary.

For 95 years, you have encouraged a greater understanding between Australia and Greece. And while the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our way of life, the Australian spirit has shone through. At such a pivotal time for the nation, and your paper, The Greek Herald has raised spirits through stories of inspiration and hope.

Our National Plan to ensure we can live with the virus means we are looking to brighter days ahead. I am grateful to The Greek Herald for your efforts to support our plan to open safely and with confidence.

Congratulations again to all the staff, readers and supporters who have been part of The Greek Herald’s long and successful journey.

May there be many more birthdays to come.

Cypriot Community of NSW congratulates The Greek Herald on its 95th anniversary

The Greek Herald
-
0

Ο Ελληνικός Κήρυκας «γεννήθηκε» το 1926 και η Κυπριακή Κοινότητα Νέας Νότιας Ουαλίας το 1929.  Είναι, λοιπόν, σχεδόν στην ίδια ηλικία.

Από τότε που δημιουργήθηκαν, έχουν ταξιδέψει μαζί και όπως όλοι οι παλιοί μετανάστες, στάθηκαν ο ένας δίπλα στον άλλον.

Τα δύσκολα χρόνια που πολύ λίγοι μετανάστες γνώριζαν την Αγγλική γλώσσα, ο Κήρυκας ήταν ο τρόπος που ολόκληρος ο Ελληνισμός, όχι μόνο μάθαινε τα νέα από την πατρίδα, αλλά επικοινωνούσε και μεταξύ του.

Σε μια εποχή που ούτε εύκολα μπορούσε κανείς να τηλεφωνήσει στην Ελλάδα ή Κύπρο, τότε που τα γράμματα μέσω ταχυδρομείου έπαιρναν πάνω από δυο εβδομάδες για να φτάσουν και το internet ούτε στην φαντασία μας δεν υπήρχε, ο Ελληνικός Κήρυκας ήταν το πιο αποτελεσματικό μέσο μαζικής επικοινωνίας του Ελληνισμού.

Αυτό τον ρόλο κράτησε και ακόμα κρατά μέχρι σήμερα, ειδικά για την πρώτη γενιά Ελλήνων μεταναστών.

Σε όλα τα Ελληνικά σπίτια υπήρχε ο Κήρυκας σε καθημερινή βάση.

Όταν ο Έλληνας σε ρωτούσε αν διάβασες την εφημερίδα, δεν εννοούσε το Sydney Morning Herald αλλά το Greek Herald…

Όταν λοιπόν η Κύπρος περνούσε δύσκολες μέρες, όπως την δεκαετία του πενήντα και αργότερα, το 1974, ο Ελληνικός Κήρυκας και οι άνθρωποι που δούλευαν σε αυτόν, στάθηκαν δίπλα στους αγώνες του Κυπριακού λαού, όπως στάθηκαν και στο πλευρό των Κυπρίων μεταναστών της Αυστραλίας. Για αυτό τους ευχαριστούμε από τα βάθη της ψυχής μας.

Τόσο ο Θεόδωρος Σκάλκος, όσο και το προσωπικό της εφημερίδας αλλά και η οικογένεια, στάθηκαν αδελφικά δίπλα μας όλα αυτά τα χρόνια και πιστεύουμε πως και στο μέλλον θα είμαστε πάλι μαζί.

Όμως ο Κήρυκας δεν είναι μόνο μια εφημερίδα, είναι και ένα ιστορικό αρχείο όλου του Ελληνισμού της Αυστραλίας.

Είναι ίσως το πρώτο μέρος που οι ερευνητές του μέλλοντος θα ψάξουν για να βρουν την ιστορία ολόκληρης της παροικίας.

Εκεί, όχι μόνο κάποιος μπορεί να διαβάσει για τα γεγονότα στην παροικία, αλλά μπορεί να τα δει αφού υπάρχουν χιλιάδες φωτογραφίες από όλες σχεδόν τις εκδηλώσεις της παροικίας.

Ποιος δεν θυμάται τους αδελφούς Παναγόπουλου και άλλους φωτογράφους που κατά καιρούς δημοσίευαν τις φωτογραφίες τους στον Κήρυκαδεν μπορουσε να ν στον Κηρυκα’΄΄λεψαν στον Κηρυκαινωταν στην παροικια αλλα μπορει να το δει αφου υπαρχουν χιλιαδεσ εα απο την πα!

Χωρίς αυτούς δεν μπορούσε να γίνει η όποια εκδήλωση!

Ο Κήρυκας έχει, με άλλα λόγια, γράψει αυτά που η ανθρώπινη μνήμη δεν μπορεί να συγκρατήσει. Είναι η ιστορία μας!

Εδώ και αρκετό καιρό, ο Κήρυκας στην προσπάθεια του να είναι πάντοτε επίκαιρος, έγινε δίγλωσση εφημερίδα, αλλά είναι και διαθέσιμος στο διαδίκτυο. Αυτό είναι ένα κάλεσμα στις επόμενες γενιές που θέλουν να κρατήσουμε την ταυτότητα μας Ελληνική, να κρατήσουν αυτό το πολύτιμο κανάλι επικοινωνίας ανοικτό.

Αυτό είναι χρέος όλου του Ελληνισμού, διότι ο Κήρυκας δεν ανήκει μόνο στην οικογένεια Σκάλκου. Είναι η ιστορία μας, είναι το αρχείο μας, είναι ότι πολυτιμότερο έχουμε να κληροδοτήσουμε στις επόμενες γενιές.

Ευχόμενοι λοιπόν χρόνια πολλά στον Ελληνικό Κήρυκα για τα ενενηνταπέντε του χρόνια, πρέπει να ευχαριστήσουμε όλους όσους αγωνίζονται σκληρά εκ μέρους όλων μας να κρατήσουν την συνέχιση της ιστορίας μας ζωντανή και να τους πούμε ένα μεγάλο «ευχαριστώ» για το ότι έχουν προσφέρει για τα περασμένα 95 χρόνια.

Σπύρος Κωνσταντίνου

Πρόεδρος

Κυπριακής Κοινότητας ΝΝΟ

12-year-old Greek Australian triplets help keep Canberra suburb clean

Andriana Simos
-
0
12-year-old Greek Australian triplets help keep Canberra suburb clean

A shared passion for recycling bottles and cans has seen 12-year-old Greek Australian triplets, Aidan, Bryce and Cooper, join up with their Serbian friends, Tad and Desan, to form the Kaleen Recycle Kids.

The group of youngsters, who range in age from 10 to 13, saw an opportunity to help their neighbours deposit their recyclables whilst in lockdown and now spend their permitted exercise hours collecting bags of cans and bottles on their bikes.

“They went and did a mail drop to all the homes within Kaleen on their bike one afternoon and within the next day, they were receiving phone calls saying, ‘we’ve got bottles, we were keeping them but we’re locked up and we’re happy to donate to you guys’,” Nektaria Stuart, who is mum to the Greek triplets, tells The Greek Herald.

  • Photos supplied.

“It took off really well. Their first week was mayhem. They were spending the entire hour [which was permitted with COVID restrictions] just literally going out on their bike with their little trailer, bringing back bags and then going to the next house.”

Nektaria says the Kaleen Recycle Kids have so far collected roughly “9,264 containers, they have saved the greenhouse gases by 900 kilograms and 474 kilos they spared to landfill.”

Along the way, they’ve also learnt valuable business skills as sometimes they have to purchase the bottles for five cents each.

“The community has been amazing. We’ve had people where the boys have had to purchase their five cents per bottle, which I think is great because you only learn about money like that,” Nektaria says.

“And they’re getting return customers.”

With such a thriving small business, we just had to ask what’s next for these young entrepreneurs. Nektaria says they plan on taking their initiative to the kids party scene as well and she couldn’t be prouder of them.

“I just think it was really cute that they’re doing this. They are working really hard which I and the other mums, we know they’re good kids, but they’re actually taking it on and they’re working really hard,” Nektaria says.

“It’s not the cleanest job either and we’re just really proud of them to tell you the truth.”

1...1,4481,4491,450...1,954Page 1,449 of 1,954

Stay connected:

Other

© 2024 The Greek Herald. All rights reserved.