Greek Australian entrepreneurs, inventors and innovators have been included in the Daily Telegraph’s ‘Top 30 under 30’ list.
See which brilliant young minds made the list below:
Tim Noakesmith and George Peppou – Vow Food
‘Vow Food’ is the joint project between entrepreneurs Tim Noakesmith and George Peppou and is taking part in one of the biggest unexplored food markets in Australia – cultured meat. The pair created a company that creates lab-grown meat using the cells of animals.
The firm has won approval for its consumption in Singapore, and attracted more than $9 million in investment. The Sydney-based firm employs a team of 27, with plans to double that in the next 18 months, but Tim Noakesmith said it would not rush to get cultured meats on plates.
“We want people who eat it to go ‘oh, this is the level of quality and the standard I would expect of something that is going to completely redefine how food works,” he said.
Vow Food Founder Tim Noakesmith and George Peppou. Picture: James Fraser/The Daily Telegraph
Alex and Chris Naoumidis – Mindset Health
Greek brothers in arms bring intelligent solutions to simple problems. The duo’s first app, Nerva, saw the pair partner with Dr Simone Peters from Monash University to deliver a six-week hypnotherapy course inside an app to provide relief from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
“There was such a big need for it,” Alex said. “There’s no strong treatments for IBS. There’s a low FODMAP diet but it doesn’t work for everyone.”
The pair’s vision for hypnotherapy apps focused on treating single conditions won them a place in the esteemed Y Combinator accelerator as well as 15,000 subscribers.
Brothers Alex and Chris Naoumidis created Mindset Health with a goal to launch apps offering to treat conditions using hypnotherapy.
Martin Karafilis – Tilter
The tech world is getting larger and larger, so young innovators are finding smarter ways to get their creations out to the public. Martin Karafilis recognised the many challenges posed by self-check-outs, including confusion by checkout operators and shoppers.
“As a consumer, you might have five or six types of red apple to identify, three different types of mandarins,” he said.
Mr Karafilis called on help from his friends, who were studying computer vision and artificial intelligence, to design a smart camera technology to identify products at supermarket checkouts.
“This way you can place them on a supermarket scale and it will identify the type.”
Tiliter’s solution, which was part of UNSW’s Founders 10x accelerator, is now used in Woolworths stores across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, as well as parts of the US and Europe, and has attracted $7.5 million in investment.
Martin Karafilis, from Sydney, co-founded Tiliter that uses artificially intelligent cameras at the checkout.
Angelis Govginas was a military commander and true patriot of Evia, defending his homeland against the Ottomans during Greece’s War for Independence in 1821.
Born in Evia as Angelis Tzoutzas in 1780, he adopted ‘Govginas’ or ‘Govios’ as a nickname. Govginas was known for having a pure character and strong sense of justice. Under the occupation of the Ottomans he felt compelled to serve in the garrison of Ali Pasha in 1817, being taught martial arts in the military school of the Albanian leader of Epirus.
He followed fellow independence hero Odysseus Androutsos to the battle of Hani of Gravia, where he was distinguished for his bravery and military skills.
In May 1821, he was called to command the local revolutionary bodies in Northern Evia, who were being desperately outmatched due to the failures of chief Verousi Moutsanas.
Govginas gathered a camp in Vrysakia to devise a plan, and only a few days later attacked the Turks in Psachna. Reviving the morale of the revolutionaries, he killed the Ottoman commander Osman Hatzarakis.
Omer Vryonis, leader of the Ottomans in Evia, was determined to stifle any revolutionary movement. The next day he attacked the Greek camp in Vrysakia, but was repulsed by Govginas and his 300 men, killing 70 of his soldiers.
In the battle, which lasted seven hours, Govgina’s personality and strategy were the difference. Vryonis returned to Vrysakia on July 18, but was again attacked by Govginas. The Ottoman leader was humiliated and forced to leave Evia and march against Athens.
In mid-February 1822, Govginas took over the command of all the Evian military corps. Govgina’s goal was remove the Turks from Chalkida and then march unhindered against Karystos. His plan was discovered by the Turks of Chalkida, who formed a military battalion of 1000 men and suddenly attacked the Greek camp in Vrysakia on the night of March 28, 1822.
In the ensuing battle, Govginas was seriously injured by a bullet in the back, later dying that same day. He was found dead by the Turks the next day and was beheaded.
Angelis Govginas is recognised for his persistence and incredible bravery in fighting for Greece’s independence, acting as a leader until his final breath.
The students of Oakleigh Grammar School proudly participated in different events for the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek Revolution throughout the week.
On Sunday, March 21, a group of students, including the Senior School Captains, Vice Captains and Middle School Captains attended the official Doxology service which took place at the Church of St. Eustathios in South Melbourne. After the Doxology, the students went to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, where they paid tribute to the struggling heroes of the Greek Revolution, who 200 years ago they sacrificed their lives for a free Greece. Principal of the school, Mr. Mark Robertson, and the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Chris Damatopoulos, accompanied the students to this special event. Despite the rainy weather, the students celebrated the Greek Independence Day by raising the flags of their two homelands and proudly singing the National Anthems of Australia and Greece.
Photo: Supplied
On Tuesday 23 March 2021, the Society of Kalamata “23 March” organised the commemoration and celebration of the 200th anniversary of the liberation of the city of Kalamata to honour the heroic Greek women and men who fought and eventually liberated Greece, and to celebrate the events that led to the first Hellenic republic. Oakleigh Grammar was represented by the Acting Head of LOTE, Mrs Natasha Spanos.
On Greek Independence Day, March 25, students had the opportunity to attend several different events.
Photo: Supplied
Senior School Captains and Vice Captains attended the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Federation Square. The event was organised by the Association of Greek Language & Culture Schools in Victoria in conjunction with Thessaloniki Association “The White Tower” and Panmacedonian Association of Melbourne & Victoria. The student Angelica Athanasakis addressed a greeting on behalf of Oakleigh Grammar school. She mentioned that as a third-generation Greek-Australian, she is proud of her identity. She also said that she feels very emotional because 200 years later she has the opportunity to honour all the heroes who fought for Greece. At the end of the event, students sang the Greek and Australian National Anthems.
A second group of students attended the Divine Liturgy and the Doxology that took place in the Greek Orthodox Church of St Anargiri in Oakleigh. The students proudly held the flags high, paying tribute to the heroes of 1821. The school choir also participated in the Liturgy.
Photo: Supplied
Finally, students attended at the official Doxology at the Church of St Eustathios and a ceremony at the Australian-Hellenic Memorial. Following the ceremony, students participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance. Toni Stathopoulos laid a wreath on behalf of the Oakleigh Grammar School.
On Sunday, 28th of March, the Australian Greek Exservicemen’s Association INC hosted its official commemorative service for the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence at the Holy Monastery Axion Estin in Northcote. Students attended the Doxology and the wreath-laying ceremony at the Greek Memorial. The School Captain Angelica Athanasakis laid a wreath of behalf of Oakleigh Grammar.
Congratulations to all students who participated to all these significant events and celebrated proudly the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek Revolution.
Theodoros Zagorakis, the man who captained Greece to Euros glory in 2004, was elected the new president of the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) on Saturday.
The 49-year-old man received 66 of the 68 votes in his favour and replaces Evangelos Grammenos, who was elected in 2017.
Zagorakis said he will work for the recovery of the game in Greece, whose reputation has suffered immensely in recent years due to corruption allegations.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 25: Theodoros Zagorakis of Greece in action during the Powerade Cup international friendly match between Australia and Greece at the Melbourne Cricket Ground May 25, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
“The effort for the recovery of Greek football starts tomorrow. There is a plan, there is a mood. In this great effort, no one is being left out, and I call on all the people of football to join us,” he said.
Zagorakis was named the player of the tournament in the Euros, being an important key to the national sides success. The Greek spent majority of his footballing career at PAOK and AEK Athens, also having spells in Kavala, Leicester City and Bologna.
Zagorakis became president of PAOK in 2007, looking to help the club’s dire financial straits. As of late 2008, PAOK payed off most of its accumulated debt, seen a steady increase in ticket sales and advertising revenue, and improved team performance on the field.
Deputy Sports Minister Lefteris Avgenakis noted that, as the leader of PAOK and the “epic 2004 triumph,” Zagorakis is now being called upon to lead the reconstruction of the country soccer.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a special trip to the Magnisalis family, who lost their home and almost all their possessions, as the cleanup process gets underway across NSW.
The Prime Minister was joined by his wife Jenny in visiting some of the flood affected areas of Western Sydney yesterday.
One of families visited by Mr Morrison was Nick and Irene Magnisalis, who lost their dream home built 47 years ago in the Hawkesbury region, along with many of their possessions.
“They’ve lost almost everything, but the way their whole family has gathered together, working day and night on the cleanup, shows they have built something really special that even floodwaters can’t take away,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
Talking on Sunrise last week, Peter Magnisalis describes how much the home they’ve now lost meant to them.
“It’s their pride and joy. It’s their little castle and that’s all they’ve got. They’ve got their house and they’ve got us… You can’t replace it.”
The Prime Minister was joined by his wife Jenny in visiting some of the flood affected areas of Western Sydney yesterday. Photo: Scott Morrison
Mr Morrison said while the scale of the devastation is immense, he’s confident in Australians to come together and “support each other in times of need”.
The Prime Minister met and personally thanked some of the SES and RFS volunteers with local MP Melissa McIntosh.
“These amazing volunteers have been helping with everything from leaking roofs to flood rescues, and now the all important recovery.”
The Prime Minister was joined by his wife Jenny in visiting some of the flood affected areas of Western Sydney yesterday. Photo: Scott Morrison
The Federal Government announced further support for small businesses devastated by the floods, totalling $52 million, to affected families of $1000 for adults and $400 for children.
The government has also deployed more than 500 ADF personnel to assist with the clean-up.
“There’s a long, hard road ahead, but we’re committed to helping the communities affected by these record breaking floods and we will stand with them as they recover and rebuild,” Mr Morrison concluded.
When you meet Nick Bourdaniotis, you can tell he’s funny, confident and passionate about photography – or as he likes to call it, ‘getting the shot.’ But as Nick reveals to The Greek Herald, this passion wasn’t as strong when he was young boy growing up in Nambour, Queensland.
“When I was young, my mum would always give me the camera at family functions because she said I took the best photos… and I thought nothing of it,” Nick tells The Greek Herald.
“Then when I was 21, one of my first cousins offered me all of his camera equipment. Back then it was all film not digital and he said to me, ‘Did you want my old cameras? I’m upgrading.’ I looked at the cameras and I said, ‘no, it’s not my time,’ and I gave them back to him.”
Nick’s ‘time’ to shine finally came when he decided to buy his first professional camera in 2014 and began photographing events for major clients such as St Spyridon College.
Nick Bourdaniotis at Evzones training in Greece. Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright). Republished with permission.
“In business, you don’t do something halfway. When you go to do it, you do it properly. So I went out and bought a camera that could have dual cards. If you lose one card, you’re always going to have a backup,” Nick says.
‘Viral photos’ – Greek Independence Day parade in Sydney:
Luckily for Nick, doing things ‘properly’ meant he reaped the benefits just one year later in 2015, when a photo he took of St Spyridon College students at Sydney’s Greek Independence Day parade on March 25 went viral.
The ‘hero shot’ captured the students walking into the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House carrying Greek and Australian flags, led by a group of Caryatids and with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.
Nick’s first viral shot. Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright). Republished with permission.
“I foresaw the photo… and that photo will never repeat again because the following year, they totally moved the dynamics of the forecourt,” Nick explains.
Despite this, Nick was still able to pull off a second viral photo the following year at another Greek Independence Day parade in Sydney. This time around, he photographed students carrying a large Greek flag down into the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House sails in the background.
“The second photo was when people were recognising me again and thinking, ‘hang on, this guy is not just a one-hit wonder,” he says.
This recognition saw Nick later earn the title of Greek City Times’ Director of Photography and Videography, and he has also photographed for the My Greek Odyssey TV travel show in Greece, as well as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Nick captured this at the Sydney Opera House. Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright). Republished with permission.
Becoming a part of the Evzones family:
When Nick’s not doing all of the above, he’s also lucky enough to be able to photograph the Greek Presidential Guard (the Evzones).
His first chance to capture the Evzones in action came in 2016, when they arrived in Sydney to participate in the Anzac Day parade. In 2017, Nick photographed the Evzones again in Sydney and in 2018, he captured them at Melbourne’s Greek Independence Day parade and another Anzac Day parade in Sydney.
“The first time I ever shot an Evzona was at St Spyridon parish office. They got ready and came out and I took this one shot where they were all just standing there. It was a hero shot,” Nick says proudly.
The first shot Nick ever took of the Evzones. Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright). Republished with permission.
But in between shooting the Evzones in Australia, Nick was also making frequent trips to Greece where he began to form a stronger relationship with the Evzones. In fact, during one overseas trip with the team from My Greek Odyssey, Nick received official permission to attend the ‘raising of the flag’ ceremony, which is performed by the Evzones at the Acropolis every Sunday and is not open to the public.
“We were all gobsmacked. It was the true essence of being Greek. It was just us and them and… it was just before 8am, just before the church bells rang, and it was dead silent. That’s where I feel in love and went, ‘wow this is something special’,” he explains.
The photographer was so in love that he returned multiple times to Greece to photograph the Evzones and in time, he began to feel as though he was a part of their family.
“I didn’t sit there like I was being an idol or stalker. It flowed… I was never obsessed with them. The gates would always open for me to take photos of them. I am part of their family now and they always welcome me with open arms,” he says.
Nick captured the Evzones at the raising of the flag ceremony. Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright). Republished with permission.
Turning his passion into an exhibition:
With such a clear passion for the Evzones, it’s no surprise then that in mid-2018, Nick decided to open an exhibition featuring some of the photographs he’d taken of them.
“I went to a photo festival of a photographer in Sydney and after seeing his amazing work, I was then intrigued to think, ‘I should do an exhibition myself.’ And then it came to me – [I could do] an exhibition of the Evzones,” Nick says.
This decision set in motion a sequence of events. Nick returned to Greece in 2019 to photograph the Evzones for the last time and prepare everything for his exhibition. He was ready to open the exhibition in Sydney by March 2020 but sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Evzones at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Greece. Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright). Republished with permission.
“I had printed the exhibition. We were ready to go. We were nine days out before COVID hit and then I had to pack it all away and put it in the corner of my house… I was devastated,” Nick reminisces.
“I even set up eight photos in my house and I was inviting my family and friends to come and have a look. That’s how much it got to me. I was itching to show the world.”
But in a positive turn of events, Nick is now getting his chance to show the world his photographs this year, with a nationwide Evzones exhibition to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence.
‘The Evzones Collection: By Nick Bourdaniotis’ has over 28 beautifully selected photos capturing and portraying the Evzones in a truly remarkable light. It will be travelling across Australia and after having already seen it on display in Canberra, it’s definitely not going to disappoint all those who’ve waited patiently to see Nick’s photographs in the flesh.
Evzones at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright). Republished with permission.
The exhibition will run across Australia on the following dates in 2021 and entry is free:
Melbourne: March 27 – April 4, Oakleigh Grammar Conference Centre. March 27 (2pm – 6.30pm), March 29 – April 1 (3pm – 7.30pm), April 2 – April 4 (2pm – 6.30pm).
Adelaide: April 23 – April 25 at The Holy Monastery of St Nectarios.
Sydney: Early June TBA at Hellenic Club Sydney, Beta / The Grande Level 2.
Brisbane: August 30 – September 1 at Greek Club of Brisbane, Acropolis/Olympus Room on the ground floor.
Perth: November 19 – November 21.
*Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright).
The Enmore Theatre, Sydney’s oldest and longest running live theatre, filled with bouzouki sounds and timeless Greek old favourite songs, at the ‘Greek Legends of the 20th Century’ tribute concert held on Friday night.
“For me the Greek community is not a group of people sitting somewhere. It’s you and you came here because this is your night. It’s your event, your support, your independence and your freedom,” said the MC addressing the 1100 spectators.
Photo: The Greek Herald
To mark the 200th Anniversary from the beginning of the Greek Revolution, more than thirty Greek Australian artists combined their talents to pay tribute to Greek musical icons such as Theodorakis, Kazantzidis, Marinella, Vembo, Dalaras, Alexiou and acknowledge their contribution to the world of music and entertainment.
Directed by internationally renowned soprano Penny Pavlakis and under the musical direction of bouzouki virtuoso Manolis Michalakis, the show featured 30 musicians, singers, and dancers and an eight an eight-bouzouki spectacular joined by the all-female vocal group ‘The Ten Sopranos’.
The ‘Greek Legends of the 20th Century’ tribute concert is set to take place on May 8 at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre. Click here to find out more.
*This event was also sponsored by The Greek Herald
The Pontian Brotherhood of South Australia held a special commemoration for the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence on March 21st, with President Nazareth Nalpantidis Chisholm speaking about why March 25th is a day Greeks can celebrate their timeless culture.
A special Doxology Service was held at the Greek Orthodox Parish of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene with the President and Vice President Bill Diamandis in attendance, along with Aris Chisholm, Jim Glava, Panayoti Skoutris, Renae, and Kristi O’Donnell representing the Pontian Brotherhood.
Following the doxology service, community members moved to the National War Memorial in North Terrace, where a wreath laying ceremony commenced.
Photo: Supplied
Celebrations moved to the Pontian Brotherhood Hall, where Pontian dancers entertained guests with their incredible performances.
The Pontian Brotherhood and Greek community listened to a touching discussion from guest speaker Yanni Papadopoulos, as well as a speech by President Chisholm.
“As Pontian’s, we realise the magnitude of their efforts against the iron fist of the Ottoman occupation, without them our ancestors would not have had a place to call home after the Genocide of our people,” Chisholm said in her speech.
“Why the 25th March, what is the significance of this day? The Greeks chose this day because it is the feast of the annunciation, which in Greek is the Evangelismos, the day we celebrate the archangel Gabriel bringing the Good News to the Theotokos that she would bare the son of God.
“Just like, salvation came into the world through the mother of God in the person of Christ, they once again besought her to bring salvation to the Hellens.”
Chisholm made note and gave thanks to the brave heroes of 1821, including Theodoros Kolokotronis, Laskarina Bouboulina, George Karaiskakis, General Yannis Makriyannis and Athanasios Diakos.
Yanni Papadopoulos. Photo: Supplied
“Together with them the unnamed men, women, and children who each sacrificed themselves to fight even to their death.”
“And just like the Pontian woman who danced off the cliff to save themselves from the horrors of being defiled by the enemy so did the Souliotises which is also known as the dance Zalongo.”
The ceremony ended with Pontian dancing and live Lyra and Daouli playing while guests enjoyed the celebrations of the day of Greece’s Independence.
I have been talking to various Australian-born Greek Speakers about their experiences of learning Greek and what they view as the problem with language learning today.
“The Greek language is important to me. It is part of my identity, my heritage. I love it for it’s amazing history, for the traditions and the language,” says Persa Thliveris and goes on to explain what she loves about the language and what in her opinion the problem with language learning.
What do you love about the language?
“I love the fact that I can converse and express myself in Greek, am able to speak with my family in Greece, in Greek and am able to read books in Greek, listen to Greek music and understand all the lyrics and poetry.”
I know you attended Greek School at Paddington and are fluent in the language but how did you keep the language alive for your children?
“Both my children were taught Greek. Besides Greek school and tutors, I used to have Cartoon videos for them to watch and Greek songs playing in the car.”
What about your grandchildren?
“It is a bit more difficult with them but I intend to persevere. My children completed HSC Greek as I did too so it is important to me for them to continue to learn the language.”
What do you consider the problem with language learning today?
“People think it’s more helpful to teach their children English rather than Greek as they think it may lead to confusion when, in actual fact, the opposite is true. Children at young ages are able to learn and cope with learning languages quite easily. It is good for the brain as well.”
What do you think we should do to promote the Greek language?
“Educating people of Greek background and making them aware of the significance of passing on the Greek language to their children. The ideal would be a complete bilingual system of teaching in our schools.”
*Eleni Elefterias-Kostakidis is a teacher of Modern Greek and University lecturer.
Read Eleni Elefterias’ column ‘Insight or Perspective’ in Greek, every Saturday in The Greek Herald’s print edition or get your subscription here.
