Greek Cypriot MP, Andrea Michaels, was one of two new faces added to Labor’s frontbench in South Australia, bringing gender balance to the shadow cabinet for the first time.
Ms Michaels and northern suburbs MP, Blair Boyer, were promoted to the 14-strong frontbench on Monday, replacing Tony Piccolo and Eddie Hughes.
Mr Boyer was elected to parliament at the last state poll in 2018, while Ms Michaels replaced former deputy premier John Rau in the Enfield by-election last year.
For the first time in the history of South Australia, women make up 50% of the Shadow Cabinet. Photo: Facebook / Peter Malinauskas.
She is the founder and managing director of Adelaide’s NDA Law, with expertise in tax and superannuation matters as well as commercial and corporate governance.
“It’s a very proud moment as a Greek Cypriot and a woman to get to this position. We need more young women from multicultural backgrounds to put their hand up for politics to bring new and different ideas to government,” Ms Michaels tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
Ms Michaels will be taking on the responsibilities of small and family businesses, consumer & business affairs as well as housing and urban development.
SA Labor now has seven women in its 14-person frontbench, including deputy Susan Close.
Congratulations to Andrea Michaels MP and Blair Boyer MP who have been appointed to the South Australian Labor Shadow…
Westfield Living Centres across Australia and New Zealand have announced the finalists for the 2020 Westfield Local Heroes community recognition and grants program, which is now in its third year.
As part of the program, each Westfield centre awards three $10,000 individual grants to the affiliated organisations of deserving individuals whose work makes a positive impact to their local community and/or environment.
This year, eight of the finalists from Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia are Greek Australian and win or lose, they are clearly making our community proud with the amazing work that they do.
Here’s the list if you’d like to vote before Monday, 14 September, 2020.
Angela Christodoulou has been known to camp under a tree for three days to rescue a koala and her joey. A co-founder of the Queensland Koala Society, she gives it her all to help protect the south-east Brisbane koala population.
Angela has rescued more than 505 koalas over the years and has recruited local volunteers to help her. Community education is a crucial part of her work.
“We encourage people to keep their dogs in at night and to drive carefully. Collectively as a community we need to get involved with trying to save this precious species,” Angela says.
If Angela is successful, the Queensland Koala Society will use the funds to build a larger rehabilitation facility for the koalas.
George Kambouris was born with spina bifida and wasn’t expected to survive infancy. He defied the odds and now provides support and hope to other people with the disabling genetic condition, which affects the development of the spine and spinal cord.
In his part-time role with SBH (Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus) Queensland, George tackles this challenge by helping people with the condition to increase their work skills and experience.
He helps them build their resumes and refine their interview skills and advocates for them in the community.
“Our goal is to change the mindset of people with spina bifida regarding employment,” George says.
If George is successful, SBH Queensland will use the grant to establish a health program for men diagnosed with spina bifida and/ or hydrocephalus.
While working as a social worker, Margaret Skagias recognised the unique contribution of Australian children who care for their parents or siblings. These often unsung heroes may take on housework, shopping, cooking, personal hygiene care, liaising with health professionals and financial matters.
In 2014, Margaret founded volunteer-run CaringKids. She and her team make up toy boxes for young carers so they can feel their contribution and role is honoured and recognised.
“There are thousands of special needs siblings and young carers in Australia. They are hidden, unsupported and experience social isolation,” says Margaret, who is determined to recognise their efforts.
If Margaret is successful, CaringKids will use its grant to fund endeavours including the provision of 200 toy boxes to special needs siblings and young carers and the rehoming of about 8000 pre-loved donation items.
Every day is a challenge for Sue-Ellan Vasiliou and her family after losing their beautiful daughter Alegra to brain cancer. But Sue-Ellan is doing everything she can to help support other families and is raising funds for brain cancer awareness and research.
She does this through the little legs foundation she set up in memory of Alegra, who was diagnosed with brain cancer days before Christmas in 2016 and passed away 10 months later.
“It is knowing that her fight helps others that keeps us going,” Sue-Ellan says.
If Sue-Ellan is successful, the little legs foundation will use its grant to help fund hospital equipment and to support families.
Early childhood teacher Carla Filipakis is doing her bit to tackle childhood obesity and put children on the path to healthy eating. Carla runs a specialised children’s events business, Decorati, and uses her educational skills to advocate for healthy childhood nutrition.
She offers healthy cooking classes to children in collaboration with early educational centres, primary schools and the wider community.
“I want to make a change,” Carla says. “To give back is so rewarding and means the world to me,” she says.
If Carla is successful, Decorati will use its grant to run healthy eating programs for children.
Tradie Jason Sotiris is giving thousands of sick children a boost with free medical-grade superhero garments to replace their hospital gowns.
Not only do Jason’s Supertees help the children tap into their internal superpowers, but they are carefully designed to make life easier for bedside parents and nurses.
Jason came up with the idea when his baby daughter was seriously ill in Westmead Children’s Hospital with a rare type of cancer. The Supertees are MRI compatible and have side studs to make changing easy and openings for tubes.
“We aim to help little heroes fight the big battles,” says Jason.
If Jason is successful, Supertees will use its grant to take the volunteer program to the next level.
7. Pauline Maniskas – Disabled Surfers Association Of Australia Inc Central Coast (Westfield Tuggerah)
Pauline Maniskas is passionate about helping people with disabilities enjoy surfing. She is volunteer secretary of the Central Coast branch of the Disabled Surfers Association and has dedicated the past 15 years to helping people experience the restorative effect of the ocean.
Pauline is a whirlwind. She helps organise surfing events, sources donations and visits schools to speak about the value of being inclusive.
“My passion is to nurture a sense of inclusion and belonging for those less able in the community and provide a safe and happy environment for participation in our surfing events,” she says.
If Pauline is successful, the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia Central Coast will buy a beach wheelchair and other equipment such as rash shirts and surfboards.
Working on the premise that it takes a village to raise a child, Lorraine Lekias founded the charity Fostering Hope to provide material items to foster children and advice to their carers.
One area of focus is providing education to carers about childhood trauma and suggestions on how to help newly placed children to settle and feel safe.
“I work seven days a week at Fostering Hope; sorting donations, answering emails and, my favourite, cuddling babies while mums shop,” says Lorraine, who has 20 years of experience as a foster mum and has five foster children.
If Lorraine is successful, Fostering Hope will use its grant to upgrade its facilities and to fund emergency packs and education.
In a statement released this afternoon, the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne has called on the Federal Government, Victorian Government and other stakeholders to investigate what went wrong in Victoria’s aged care sector.
Full statement in English:
The Greek-Australian community has been heavily impacted by COVID-19. In particular, there is a high proportion of elderly Greek-Australians, especially in aged care, that have passed away due to COVID-19 or are currently in hospital fighting for their life as a result of this pandemic.
The GCM is extremely saddened by this and is calling on the industry’s governing authorities to leave no stone unturned in investigating what went wrong and what needs to be urgently fixed to provide the care some of our most vulnerable community members deserve.
We note that the Royal Commission in Aged Care has closed submissions at the end of July and are concerned that the matters specific to the management of this pandemic in Victorian facilities are not fully embraced within its investigations and considerations.
We call on the Federal Government, Victorian Government and other stakeholders to conduct whatever assessments are needed and determine what needs to be put in place moving forward so as to never see a tragedy like the one we are living through ever take place again.
Full statement in Greek:
Η Ελληνο-Αυστραλιανή κοινότητα έχει επηρεαστεί σε μεγάλο βαθμό από τον COVID-19. Συγκεκριμένα, υπάρχει ένα υψηλό ποσοστό ηλικιωμένων Ελλήνοαυστραλών, ειδικά σε οίκους ευγηρείας, που έχουν πεθάνει λόγω του COVID-19 ή επί του παρόντος βρίσκονται σε νοσοκομείο δίνοντας μάχη για τη ζωή τους ως αποτέλεσμα αυτής της πανδημίας.
Η Ελληνική Κοινότητα Μελβούρνης λυπάται και ανησυχεί για το γεγονός αυτό και καλεί τις αρμόδιες κυβερνητικές αρχές να εξασφαλίσουν ότι θα διερευνήσουν τα λάθη που έγιναν και τι πρέπει να διορθωθεί επειγόντως για να προσφέρουν τη φροντίδα που αξίζουν τα πιο ευάλωτα μέλη της κοινότητάς μας.
Σημειώνουμε ότι η Βασιλική Έρευνα για τη Φροντίδα των Ηλικιωμένων έκλεισε στα τέλη Ιουλίου και εκφράζονται ανησυχίες ότι τα προβλήματα που αφορούν ειδικά τη διαχείριση αυτής της πανδημίας στους οίκους ευγηρείας της Βικτώριας δεν περιλαμβάνονται πλήρως στις έρευνες και τις εκτιμήσεις της.
Καλούμε την Ομοσπονδιακή Κυβέρνηση, την Κυβέρνηση της Βικτώριας και άλλους ενδιαφερόμενους να πραγματοποιήσουν οποιεσδήποτε έρευνες χρειάζονται και να καθορίσουν τι πρέπει να γίνει ώστε να μην δούμε ποτέ να επαναλαμβάνεται μια τραγωδία όπως αυτή που ζούμε.
Canberra’s only Greek Orthodox church has received a $1 million makeover after hail ravaged the 50-year-old building in January.
As much as 80 percent of the roof of St Nicholas Church in Kingston was damaged in the unprecedented hailstorm.
Tiles and stained glass windows smashed during the storm led to flooding throughout the church.
“It was a big disaster,” St Nicholas Parish priest Reverend Father Petros Kipouros told The Canberra Times.
“It was very sad for the Greek Orthodox community of Canberra.”
Iconographer Petar Stefanovic has worked on the interior of the dome for months. Picture: Karleen Minney.
Church operations at St Nicholas only became stranger as COVID-19 restrictions led to reduced services, but this allowed for quick construction.
“We took coronavirus as an opportunity to proceed with our church restorations and ensure… St Nicholas [is] restored to its former beauty and glory,” John Loukadellis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community & Church of Canberra (GOCCC), told The Greek Herald in May.
“Over the last four months we fixed the outside of the church, we replaced the copper [domes] with new ones and everything that was damaged is fixed,” Father Kipouros added.
Parishioners became passionate about fixing the church after the word got out.
“We had an interview with (local media) and after 10 minutes one Greek lady called and said, ‘look Father I’ve seen you on TV and I would like to offer $50,000 for the restoration of the dome’,” Mr Kipouros said.
Canberra’s only Greek Orthodox church has received a $1 million makeover after hail ravaged the 50-year-old building in January. Photo supplied.
However, these generous gestures were not necessary as the church was insured.
“Leading up to works there was an extensive process with insurance. The insurance company has been very good with the entire process. The damage was obvious,” Savil Group chief executive Dimitri Livas said.
Mr Livas, who is a broken building specialist, has been at the helm of the rebuild. The build was also personal for Livas, a member of the St Nicholas community.
“It’s worth trying to get things perfect, it’s not the sort of thing you want to come back to in a year,” Mr Livas said.
“It’s going to be here for 50 [years], 100 years – longer.”
The rebuild required craftsmen skilled in rare areas.
Melbourne-based iconographer Petar Stefanovic painted scenes inside the new domes. Mr Stefanovic went to Greece to learn iconography from a monastery at Holy Mount Athos, one of the few places the craft is taught.
The church sustained severe hail damage in January 2020. Source: GOCCC.
“I’m interested in my faith as an Orthodox Christian and I was interested in painting and art. [Iconography] is an expression of my faith,” he said.
“It’s very fulfilling, I love the work that I do. In the dome right up the top there is an unique icon of Jesus Christ. There’s four angels around him. Then beneath that there are eight windows with prophets from the Old Testament.”
The new domes were created by Sydney-based roofer Ben Ashford, who learned the craft from his father.
“I learned [copper roofing] from my old man. He brought it over from England many years ago and basically I’ve been going on-site with him since the age of five and learning that way,” Mr Ashford said.
“There’s no TAFE course or anything for it.”
The copper domes have a shiny rose-gold look but this was temporary – the copper would eventually oxidise to a green-blue.
“It all depends on the air pollution in the area,” Mr Ashford said.
“I’ve done jobs in Tasmania where it stayed shiny for six to eight months but I’ve also done jobs in Japan where it went green within three days.
“I’m expecting it to stay pretty shiny here for at least four months.”
Mr Kipouros was unsure of how the church would celebrate the end of the rebuild while COVID-19 restrictions were still in place.
But the experience reminded him to take the good with the bad.
“Sometimes we must see all the positives from something negative,” he said.
“Finally we have fixed everything and this is the good news.”
It was a frustrating game for Sydney Olympic supporters as the Belmore team couldn’t put any goals past Rockdale City Suns yesterday at Lambert Park.
Both sides brought a desire for victory as Sydney Olympic looked to claim the top spot on the NPL leaderboard and dethrone Rockdale City Suns’ five-game clean sheet run.
Olympic started the match with great confidence against the Suns with full-backs Jason Madonis and Roberge delivering over the top through balls to Darcy Burgess and Charles Lokoli Ngoy who sat in the striker positions.
R-5 NPL Men’s 1 NSW Sydney Olympic FC vs Rockdale City Suns FC . Lambert Park, Sunday, 29 August. Image: Sebastian Giunta for Football NSW.
An attack in the opening 10 minutes almost saw Rockdale score the first goal of the game after No. 10 Jaden Cassela smashed the ball towards the top left corner, saved brilliantly by Olympic keeper Nicholas Sorras.
City Suns striker Nicola Taneski caused some annoyance for Olympic defenders in the early stages of the game, yet a great defensive effort by Olympic defender Zac Mackenzie saw him pull off a double clearance and deny the Suns a goal.
On the attack in the 25th minute, Burgess and Whiteside link up perfectly to get inside Rockdale’s six yard box. The ball at the feet of Whiteside, the Olympic player couldn’t manage to hit it hard enough and falls in the arms of the City Suns keeper.
R-5 NPL Men’s 1 NSW Sydney Olympic FC vs Rockdale City Suns FC . Lambert Park, Sunday, 29 August. Image Sebastian Giunta for Football NSW.
Olympic were granted a free kick outside the box just before the break after a shocking tackle by the City Suns. Adam Parkhouse stepped up to plate and hit it towards the goal, falling into the arms of the Rockdale keeper.
The game got into proper stride in the second half after super-sub Fabio Ferreira came on and produced strokes of magnificence for Olympic, almost tying the knot multiple times for the Belmore side.
The Portuguese player managed to dribble past two midfielders and lay it off to Lokoli Ngoy on the wing. Only one defender on him, Ferreira waits in the box to nail it home although the ball sails over his head. Only two minutes later in the 71st minute, Ferreira runs the ball himself down the centre and hits it towards the goal, yet it’s saved comfortably by the keeper.
R-5 NPL Men’s 1 NSW Sydney Olympic FC vs Rockdale City Suns FC . Lambert Park, Sunday, 29 August. Image Sebastian Giunta for Football NSW.
An expert save by Sorras denied Rockdale a goal in the 85th minute, diving to the bottom right corner to parry the ball out. Only a few seconds later, Ferreira managed to dribble through the Rockdale defence yet sailed it over the bar, leaving the match scoreless as it finished 0-0.
Sydney Olympic FC will play Marconi Stallions FC next Saturday night at Marconi Stadium.
Turkey marked the 98th anniversary of the War of Independence battle against Greek forces on Sunday, as the threat of a new conflict with Athens looms in the eastern Mediterranean.
“Turkey’s struggle for independence and future continues today as well,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a message to commemorate Victory Day.
“It is absolutely not a coincidence that those who seek to exclude us from the eastern Mediterranean are the same invaders as the ones who attempted to invade our homeland a century ago.”
Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan, center, visits the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. Photo: Turkish Presidency via AP, Pool.
In recent weeks, Turkish and Greek forces have engaged in a series of cat-and-mouse military exercises in the seas between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete. The confrontation was sparked when Turkey sent a research vessel accompanied by warships to search for gas and oil reserves.
Greece, a member of the European Union, claims the waters are part of its continental shelf and has enlisted the support of the 27-nation bloc, which has condemned Turkey’s “illegal activities” and warned of potential sanctions against Ankara.
Turkey says Greece and others are denying its rights to explore for energy resources in the Mediterranean.
Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan, center, is flanked by Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop, left, and Health Minister Fahrettin Koca. Photo: Turkish Presidency via AP, Pool.
Greece and Cyprus have recently been joined by France, Italy and the United Arab Emirates in carrying out naval and aerial war games in the region.
On Saturday, Turkey began its own military maneuvers until September 11 off its southern coast. Turkey’s Defense Ministry also released cockpit footage of what it said were Turkish jets in mock dogfights with Greek F-16s between Crete and Cyprus.
“No one should have any doubts about our resolve in this matter and our unshakeable belief in victory,” Erdogan said.
In an interview with broadcaster AHaber on Saturday, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Greece extending its territorial waters from six to 12 nautical miles would be a “cause for war.” Earlier this week, Athens announced plans to extend its maritime border with Italy to 12 nautical miles.
Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan, second left, follows a military honour guard during a ceremony at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. Photo: Turkish Presidency via AP, Pool.
Erdogan laid a wreath at the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Ankara later Sunday. Ataturk led the Turkish troops in the independence struggle following World War I and went on to establish modern Turkey.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis on Sunday told a crowd in Rome that he was “following with worry” the tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.
The pontiff did not name a specific country but appealed for “constructive dialogue and respect for international law to resolve the conflicts that threaten the peace of the peoples of that region.”
Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan, right, and a foreign ambassador greet each other during a ceremony at the presidential palace, in Ankara, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. Photo: Turkish Presidency via AP, Pool.
In other commemorations, Turkish troops marched through Ankara, the capital, while people in Istanbul waved flags from cars in an impromptu procession. Turkish warships will visit 20 ports around Turkey and northern Cyprus for sunset flag ceremonies.
Events to mark the 1922 battle of Dumlupinar, which saw Turkish forces overwhelm Greek troops in western Anatolia, have been muted due to coronavirus measures.
This has led to claims that Erdogan’s Islamic-orientated government is attempting to downplay the achievements of Ataturk’s secular regime.
31-year-old Alan Whittley is set to face trial over the death of Greek Australian teenager, Georgia Vizovitis, at sea.
Mr Whittley is part of an award-winning Melbourne boatbuilding family which has been in business for more than 50 years.
He was master of a vessel in March 2018 when Georgia, who was a passenger, died in an accident off the NSW south coast. The 6.3m boat overturned at Moruya Heads, trapping the 13-year-old from Canberra underneath.
Her body was later recovered by rescuers who converged on the area.
Alan Whittley leaves court in 2019 after he was charged over the death of a 13-year-old girl in a boating accident. Photo: ABC News / Tom Lowrey.
Authorities later said none of the six people on board was wearing a life jacket despite what were described as challenging conditions in an area where the Moruya River meets the ocean.
Coroner Doug Dick last year suspended an inquest into the matter after some witnesses decided not to give evidence, and those who did could not be questioned by lawyers.
He referred the case to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, and charges were laid.
The Whittley company has a large-scale factory at Somerton in the northern suburbs. Mr Whittley, of Pattersons Lakes, is its business development manager.
At a brief hearing in Batemans Bay last year, Mr Whittley offered no plea on charges of negligent operation of a recreational boat causing death and navigating in a dangerous manner causing death.
A “readiness hearing” on the matter will be held next March in a Sydney court, with a later trial to be held at Bega in southern NSW.
Mr Whittley, two other men and two other 13-year-olds were rescued after the mishap.
Police later said the boat had been hit by three waves, the last of which capsized it.
In a major escalation of aggressive rhetoric by Ankara, Turkish Vice-President Fuat Oktay signaled on Saturday that the Erdogan government has set its eyes on taking over the Greek islands close to Turkey.
In an interview with the state-run Anadolu Agency, Oktay held up a map of the Greek islands in the eastern Aegean and told viewers: “Think about Sakiz [Chios]. Just one kilometer away from the Turkish coast. Where is Athens?”
“Look where is Meis [Kastellorizo],” he continued. “It’s just two kilometers from the [Turkish city of] Kas. Don’t my citizens in Kas see this? Every morning when they wake up they cry their heart out.”
Turkish Vice-President Fuat Oktay signaled on Saturday that the Erdogan government has set its eyes on taking over the Greek islands close to Turkey.
The Vice-President added that Turkey will not allow this to continue, saying “we will tear up this map and we will tear up those who think of this map. We will crush them when necessary.”
“If Athens’ attempts to expand its territorial waters isn’t a cause of war, then what is?” Oktay asked.
In response, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement:
“Turkey’s unprecedented belief that it can threaten neighboring countries with the use of force when they exercise their legal rights is contrary to contemporary political culture and also the fundamental provisions of international law.
“The exercise of Greece’s sovereign rights is not subject to any form of Turkish veto.”
A wildfire erupted on Sunday near the ruins of the Bronze Age site of Mycenae in Greece, prompting the evacuation of visitors to the archaeological site.
According to local media, the fire started near the tomb of Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae who was killed during the Trojan war.
The flames licked the ruins but the fire department insisted there was no danger to the museum on the site in Greece’s Peloponnese region.
The flames licked the ruins but the fire department insisted there was no danger to the site’s museum. Photo: Eurokinissi / AFP.
The blaze went through “a section of the archaeological site and burnt some dry grass without menacing the museum,” the commander of the southern Peloponnese region’s fire brigade, Thanassis Koliviras, told Athens News Agency.
In an announcement, the Ministry of Culture also attempted to downplay the damage caused to the ancient site.
“The fire did not cause damage to the antiquities, as far as it can be assessed at this time,” it says.
However, the same announcement acknowledges that certain areas within the archaeological site were affected.
Specifically, the East Wing of the Palace, the Northern Warehouses, the area of the archaic temple at the top of the hill, the upper western slope of the Acropolis, the south-west District and the area of the Religious Center of Mycenae.
A force of 27 firefighters, a ground team and eight fire brigades, assisted by two aircraft and a helicopter, are currently working to put out the blaze.
Smoke covers the site. Photo: Vangelis Bougiotis / EPA.
Greece grapples with wildfires every year during the dry summer season, with strong winds and temperatures frequently exceeding 30 degrees.
Two years ago, 102 people died in the coastal resort of Mati near Athens in Greece’s worst fire disaster.
Thousands of people flocked to the National Historical Museum in Athens over the past six months to witness the 1821 Greek War of Independence come to life in the form of plastic Playmobil figurines and accessories within dioramas.
Laskarina Bouboulina, Theodoros Kolokotronis and Markos Botsaris were only a few of the personalities and scenes depicted in more than 20 fascinating Playmobil dioramas and 3D scenery exhibited there.
Photo: National Historical Museum
The exhibition was the result of the museum’s collaboration with Playmobil collectors, who own commemorative pieces not commercially available, and is supported by Playmobil Hellas.
Head of the National Historical Museum Efthymia Papaspyrou said that “(historic) events do not change but the time that passes changes the way we view and project them. They are represented in art with a fresh and more creative outlook, utilising modern methods that make them more accessible and attractive.”
Photo: National Historical Museum
It is a “complex and difficult dream” said Irene Efremidis, marketing director of Playmobil Hellas, who emphasised that “the purpose for which Playmobil was created will have been achieved, if this exhibition helps even slightly some of the visitors to connect with their history, take a brief look at the past, and become a little more interested in what happened 200 years ago.”
Visitors had the opportunity to search for specific heroes, play entertaining board games, and even virtually launch a naval attacks against a Turkish two-decker ship.
The exhibition was part of the National Historical Museum’s program of events in celebration of the upcoming 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence.
