As the first in a series of digital webinars commemorating the bicentennial (1821 – 2021) of the Greek War of Independence, the Pallaconian Brotherhood invited Miltiadis Paikopoulos to give a lecture on the 17^th of March 2021 titled ‘Laconians in the Epanastasi‘.

There was a special significance with the lecture, because on the 17^th of March 200 years ago, the Laconians assembled at Areopolis in the Mani peninsula, at the behest of Petrobey Mavromichalis and declared war on the Ottoman Turks.

“As the first lecture in the series, I was aware of the significance that it would hold, and whilst I can’t comment on my own lecture, the feedback and support from the community was positive, and for that I am grateful,” Paikopoulos said to The Greek Herald.

“We were joined by around 50 live viewers across platforms, and the lecture is on track to hit 1000 views! It is truly beautiful that I am able to in some way share the struggles of the Laconians, which were key to the independence of the Greek people.”

Miltiadis’ lecture aims to be accessible for newcomers to Greek history, but also interesting and exciting for those familiar with the subject.

The lecture covered (among other things): The Laconian Revolts from 1453 – 1770 (Εξεγέρσεις από 1453 έως 1770), The Orlov Revolt (τα Ορλωφικά), The Ottoman Invasions of Mani (Οθωμανικές εισβολές στη Μάνη), Kapetan Zacharias Barbitsiotis (Καπετάν Ζαχαριάς Μπαρμπιτσιώτης), The Laconian Origins of 1821 (Λακωνική καταγωγή του 1821) and The Laconian impact on the War (Λακωνική συμβολή στον πόλεμο).

“It was my privelege and honour to discuss the contributions of my ancestors, the Laconians, to our Greek national effort, especially on the 17th of March, when the Laconians declared independence at Areopolis in Mani 200 years ago,” Paikopoulos added.

“From 1453 – 1821, we Laconians were at the forefront of the liberation movement and made many attempts prototypical of 1821. Unfortunately, this history is not widely discussed or promoted, so my greatest wish is that what I have discussed in this lecture helps make it accessible to the widest audience possible”

Miltiadis completed his BA from the University of Melbourne in 2020, double majoring in Classics and Ancient World Studies. He is currently a Juris Doctorate student at the University of Melbourne.

He has served as the Pallaconian Youth President from 2018 and has an interest in Classical Sparta, the Hellenistic East, Byzantine Greek and the history of modern Greece from the War of Independence to the 20th C.

Recently, he has also published his first book ἔργᾰ ἀκμαῖα (2021), which is a collection made up of his select undergraduate essays, covering many topics from his interests, as varied as Aristoteleian Ideology, Spartan hegemony and the 1974 invasion of Cyprus.

The Pallaconian Brotherhood thanked Miltiadis for presenting the lecture on their Laconian ancestors, bringing attention and provoking thought on a much-deserving topic.

Buildings will be illuminated blue and white while Greek and Australian flags will stretch across Canberra’s longest streets as Canberra Greeks celebrate 200 years since the Greek War of Independence.

In a press release by the the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, President John Loukadellis said the community has worked with various departments of Government in Canberra (both Federal and Territory) to assist in commemorating this occasion and, “ensure that our Hellenic heritage, culture, and history is able to be shared with all Canberrans.”

“This year on Thursday 25 March 2021 Greeks around the world commemorate and celebrate 200 years since the heroes of the Greek War of Independence won their freedom and allowed us to live our best lives today as a free people across the world,” Loukadellis said.

With the assistance and approval received from these various government departments, Loukadellis confirmed with much delight and gratitude that the following will be in place to help celebrate and signify this historic milestone

• Greek and Australian flags will fly in various locations across Canberra including:
  • Vernon Circle
  • Allara Street (across the foot bridge)
  • Nangari Street
  • Petrie Plaza
  • Gold Creek Village
  • Canberra Shopping Centre
• A number of buildings will be illuminated in Blue and White on the night of 25 March 2021 including:
  • The National Carillon Bell Tower
  • Black Mountain (Telstra Tower)
  • Questacon
  • Ian Potter House
  • The National Museum of Australia
  • The Hellenic Club of Canberra
  • The Greek Embassy in Australia

“As the proud President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, on behalf of my Community, the Hellenic Club of Canberra, the National Committee under the auspices of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, we thank everyone involved in making this possible and assisting making this 200- year milestones of Hellenic Independence a special and memorable occasion here in Canberra for all to enjoy.”

Χαίρε, ω χαίρε, ελευθεριά! “Hail, O Hail, Liberty”

In a statement this evening, NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has confirmed the Sydney Opera House will be lit on March 25 this year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

“We are proud to share in this proud moment of history with the Greek community of NSW,” the Premier writes in a statement.

“As Premier, this is a fitting opportunity to thank our Greek community for their contribution to NSW and to celebrate the significant influence of Greek culture on the wider world.

“I wish everyone in the Greek Australian community in NSW all the best for Greek Independence Day.”

FULL STATEMENT:

READ MORE: NSW Labor calls for Greek flag to be projected on Opera House for Greek Independence Day.

*Warning: The following story could be distressing for some readers.*

A spokeswoman for the Victorian State Coroner has confirmed to The Age that the death of murdered Melbourne woman, Courtney (Konstandina) Herron, is now the subject of an active coronial investigation.

“State Coroner Judge John Cain received the brief of evidence on 5 February 2021,” the spokeswoman said to the media outlet.

READ MORE: ‘She died because of her kindness’: A mother’s life sentence.

“His Honour is currently reviewing the brief to determine the future course of the investigation and if an inquest will be held.”

Courtney’s mother, Maxie Antoniou, told The Age she strongly supported a public coronial inquest into her daughter’s death.

“Justice for Courtney is not over,” she said. “This is what we want, for her voice to be heard, how she got to be there and the systemic failures.”

Ms Herron was 25 when she was brutally bashed to death in Melbourne’s Royal Park by Henry Hammond in the early hours of May 25 in 2019.

READ MORE: Henry Hammond found not guilty of Courtney Herron’s murder due to schizophrenia.

Hammond was found not guilty due to mental impairment of the murder of Ms Herron in August last year, with a court ruling that he was in the midst of a relapse of his schizophrenic illness at the time of the killing.

On Wednesday, he was committed by the Victorian Supreme Court to a nominal term of 25 years at secure forensic mental health facility, Thomas Embling Hospital.

READ MORE: Courtney Herron’s killer ordered to spend 25 years in psychiatric hospital.

Her mother said she hoped an inquest could examine how flaws within the mental health and bail system had failed her daughter.

“It could make fundamental changes to the whole system and people and the processes will be held to account,” she told The Age.

“That’s the most important thing out of the whole process.”

READ MORE: Courtney Herron’s father demands justice for her brutal murder.

Source: The Age.

Labor is supporting the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW in its calls to light up the sails of the Opera House with the Greek flag, after several requests to the Government have fallen on deaf ears.

The significant milestone will be celebrated on March 25, acknowledging the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence.

NSW Labor Leader, Jodi McKay, wrote to the Premier on Tuesday, after the request from the Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis, the Member for Rockdale Steve Kamper and Member of the Legislative Council Courtney Houssos in December were ignored.

“The bicentennial celebration of the commencement of the Greek War of Independence is a significant milestone and calls to light up the sails of the Opera House should not be ignored by the Government,” Ms McKay said.

“Australia is home to one of the largest Greek diaspora in the world. Many Greek migrants call New South Wales home and the Greek Australian community is an integral and important part of the fabric of our nation.”

Ms Cotsis said: “Modern Australia would be unrecognisable without their contribution and this historic day is of major significance to those in Australia and Greek people across the world.”

“We’re seeing major cities like San Francisco and Boston illuminating landmarks to commemorate this momentous occasion. Sydney should follow suit.”

Mr Kamper said: “200 years of independence is an important milestone that must be recognised by the Government.”

Ms Houssos today asked Minister for the Arts Don Harwin if he stood by the Government’s refusal to project the Greek flag onto the Opera House.

Ms Houssos said: “Numerous cultural celebrations have seen the Opera House sails lit up.”

“Projecting the Greek flag on the Opera House sails would acknowledge the significance of Greek
Independence Day, and the contribution of the Greek community in building New South Wales.”