Torrential rain from Storm Adel has raised fears of new landslides in Tzoumerka, Epirus, where a major slide in Agnanta has threatened homes and businesses after the Agnantitis stream overflowed.
“Landslides have occurred in many parts of the stream bed,” Deputy Mayor Omiros Kapelis said, warning a nearby hotel could also be at risk.
Rainfall reached 156 mm in Pramanta, 150 mm in Theodoriana, and 143 mm in Kataraktis, with officials attributing the danger to saturated, unstable flysch soils.
“What we are facing now are landslides everywhere,” Mayor Christos Hassiakos said.
In Corfu, intense rainfall caused the Potamos channel and Kavalaraina torrent to overflow, flooding riverside areas and disrupting traffic.
“The very heavy rainfall lasted two hours and fell on already saturated ground,” Mayor Stefanos Poulimenos said.
Pope Leo has warned that a “third world war is being fought piecemeal,” urging global leaders not to “give in” to rising geopolitical tensions as he arrived in Turkey on Thursday, November 27, for his first overseas trip as head of the Catholic Church.
Speaking in Ankara alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Leo said the world was facing “a heightened level of conflict on the global level, fuelled by prevailing strategies of economic and military power,” adding: “The future of humanity is at stake.”
Turkey, home to about 36,000 Catholics, is the first stop on a strategic tour that will take the pope to Lebanon on Sunday amid fears of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah after a deadly Israeli strike in Beirut earlier this week.
Leo urged Turkish leaders to embrace the country’s potential as “a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples,” referencing Ankara’s growing diplomatic role in conflicts including Gaza and Ukraine.
The pope’s arrival has attracted intense attention in both countries, with banners of his image appearing throughout Beirut and Turkish media tracking Vatican preparations.
Vatican expert Christopher White said Leo would use the trip to advance his central message of peace, addressing both world leaders and Christian communities.
Athenians gathered under umbrellas on Thursday evening to watch Mayor Haris Doukas light the city’s Christmas tree at Syntagma Square, braving heavy rain to enjoy the annual celebration.
The festivities began with Christmas performances by the Athens Municipality Big Band, followed by the Philharmonic Orchestra. Singer and actor Panos Mouzourakis closed the musical program.
Shortly after 7.30 pm, Mayor Doukas illuminated the 19-metre fir tree, sourced from controlled tree farming in Chryssovitsi, Arcadia, along with the rest of the square’s decorations.
In total, 21,000 metres of string lights were installed across the square.
Ermou Street has also been decorated for the season, while a Nativity scene will be set up at Mitropoleos Square.
Hosted by the Cretan Association of Sydney and New South Wales, the five-day gathering will take place from 2 to 6 January 2026, under the auspices of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand.
The convention will bring together hundreds of participants of Greek and Cretan heritage from across Australia and New Zealand, spanning families, community organisations and the wider Oceania diaspora.
The official program features five days of celebrations showcasing culture, tradition and community connection. Attendees will enjoy an unforgettable harbour cruise across Sydney’s famed waterways, key federation meetings, youth-led events and sporting activities, traditional church services, and multiple dinners and evening celebrations designed to unite generations in the spirit of Crete.
The closing farewell dinner spotlights young Cretan musicians travelling from around Australia in a symbolic moment that underscores the future of Hellenism and Cretan cultural continuity in the region.
The convention will also feature live performances by celebrated Cretan instrumentalists visiting from Crete, including Mihalis Charkiolakis on mandolino and askoumandoura, Giorgos Koudoumougiannakis on lyra, and Vaggelis Bagourakis on lute.
Traditional Cretan dance groups representing local and interstate associations will attend, perform and lead cultural showcases throughout the week.
With some event tickets already close to capacity, attendees are urged to register and secure their bookings before the deadline to avoid disappointment.
New information has come to light about internal challenges facing the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) in the lead-up to its Annual General Meeting (AGM) this Sunday, November 30.
Two senior figures – Vice President Dr Stan Salagaras, and Administrative Council (AC) member Arthur Flabouris – have outlined the governance and operational concerns that led to their resignations, offering their perspective on pressures contributing to staff turnover and organisational strain previously reported by The Greek Herald.
Senior leaders cite governance failures
Flabouris said the challenges extended far beyond communication problems, pointing to a broader concern about transparency that made it increasingly difficult for the AC to carry out its responsibilities. He noted that GOCSA operates with an estimated $20 million annual turnover, employs approximately 200 staff, and holds around $70 million in property assets, but said the AC was repeatedly unable to obtain the reporting required to oversee an organisation of this scale.
“We were elected to carry out the will of members, but requests for information went unanswered,” he said. “We couldn’t get the reports we needed, and the communication between the AC and the SC broke down completely.”
He added that the AC had twice written to the President in recent months outlining governance and workplace concerns they considered serious, but said they received no written response or proposed solution.
“The AC wrote to the President twice… We received no response, no solutions, no follow-up,” Flabouris said.
Flabouris added this lack of transparency also extended to staff departures, with the AC saying they were not being given access to resignation letters or explanations for why personnel were leaving.
“How can you fix problems when you’re not told what they are? It made it near impossible for us to understand the issues across the organisation – and that’s supposed to be our role,” he said.
Both Flabouris and Dr Salagaras confirmed they were not offered exit interviews, despite President Peter Ppiros telling The Greek Herald last week that such processes are conducted “where possible.”
Key barrier
Dr Salagaras, who also chaired the Ridleyton Greek Home for the Aged (RGHA) Committee, said attempts to stabilise operations and address emerging risks were repeatedly blocked.
“We had clear pathways to fix the problems,” he said. “We put forward practical solutions, but without support or follow-through, nothing changed.”
The reforms he proposed included:
a long-term aged care master plan
an external operational review to prepare for new Aged Care Act requirements
reinstatement of HR, IT and property management roles following key staff departures
timely monthly financial reporting and completion of the FY26 budget
clearer processes to address workplace matters raised by staff and external agencies
According to Dr Salagaras, these initiatives were raised multiple times but were not progressed prior to his resignation.
Both departing leaders said their concerns centred on the involvement of some members of the Supervisory Committee, who they believe were influencing governance and operational matters to a degree they considered disproportionate. This, they said, stalled key processes, contributed to unresolved complaints and created instability across several business units.
These internal accounts build on earlier issues reported, including high staff turnover and vacant senior roles across the organisation. To date, The Greek Herald understands there has been nine resignations, two more since our report last week, and two remaining on indefinite stress leave. The Director of Clinical Services at RGHA resigned on Wednesday night.
AGM materials do not address governance concerns
Despite the extent of disruption, the AGM agenda lists only standard procedural matters that are mandatory inclusions with no reference to vacant management roles or the governance concerns raised by AC members.
Similarly, the nine-page President’s Report highlights cultural activities, events and programs but does not address the operational pressures affecting day-to-day continuity.
For some members, the absence of these matters raises questions about transparency and whether the AGM will address the stability needed to ensure continuity across GOCSA’s services.
Members expected to seek clarity at crucial meeting
The Executive Committee, led by President Peter Ppiros, has acknowledged the concerns raised publicly in recent days.
In a statement to The Greek Herald last week, Mr Ppiros stressed that staff turnover has been treated respectfully, recruitment is under way, and the Board remains committed to transparency, quality reviews and uninterrupted delivery of services.
He said the Executive welcomes constructive feedback within a framework of respectful dialogue, and encouraged all members to attend the AGM and participate in open discussion on governance, workplace culture and membership processing.
With GOCSA responsible for aged care, community care, cultural programs, language schools and multimillion-dollar assets, the upcoming AGM is shaping into a crucial moment for the organisation’s direction and credibility.
The Greek Herald will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they unfold.
The Albanese Government’s proposal to require global tech giants to pay for Australian journalism returned to national focus this week, with ABC’s 7.30examining the reforms and the growing pressures facing newsrooms across the country.
The program brought together a broad mix of industry voices – including Nine Entertainment CEO Matt Stanton, former ACCC Chair Rod Sims, Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino and The Greek Herald publisher Dimitra Skalkos – to assess the impact of Meta and Google ending key funding arrangements.
Ms Skalkos’ participation added a multicultural newsroom perspective to the national policy discussion, reinforcing that the pressures on journalism are being felt across all parts of the industry – not only within the major networks.
As The Greek Herald approaches its 100th year of continuous publication – and remains the only daily Greek newspaper operating outside Greece and Cyprus – the issues raised in the program speak directly to its longstanding mission: delivering trusted journalism in two languages to a deeply engaged national readership.
A century of continuous publishing – and a globally unique role
Founded in 1926, The Greek Herald is among the few Greek-language newspapers worldwide still publishing daily. Its readership spans older migrants who rely on in-language reporting and younger generations seeking cultural context.
“We reach older migrants who need in-language news, and younger generations who want cultural context and nuanced reporting,” Ms Skalkos said.
This dual responsibility – both linguistic and cultural – has shaped The Greek Herald’s identity for decades.
“Our audience is strong and deeply engaged. What’s changed isn’t the demand for our journalism – it’s the financial model that underpins it,” she said.
“We break stories inside communities where culture and trust matter, and that work takes resources. Without stable revenue streams, it becomes harder for any newsroom to plan long-term.”
Founded in 1926, The Greek Herald is among the few Greek-language newspapers worldwide still publishing daily.
Industry-wide pressures reshaping Australian journalism
The pressures described on 7.30 – including the loss of up to 100 journalists at Nine after Meta withdrew from news agreements – reflect structural changes affecting newsrooms across the sector.
Advertising revenue has contracted, government communication spending is increasingly fragmented, and most digital ad dollars are captured through Google and Meta’s programmatic systems. For a national daily multicultural outlet, these trends have a pronounced impact.
Ms Skalkos said these pressures are systemic.
“The pressures we’re dealing with aren’t unique – they’re systemic. What’s changed is the structure that funds journalism, not the value of the journalism itself,” she said.
The program also highlighted concerns about Artificial Intelligence companies scraping news content without agreements in place, with major publishers reporting extremely high volumes of scraping activity.
Early termination and the instability facing smaller publishers
The 7.30 segment examined the fragility of earlier funding arrangements, noting that one of the agreements involving Google and participating publishers – including The Greek Herald – ended two years ahead of schedule. Ms Skalkos said the early termination had material consequences.
“The agreement was designed to run for five years, and it was pulled in its existing format two years early. It was a shock,” she said. “We had planned digital growth and backend infrastructure around that five-year runway, so an early termination disrupts momentum for any newsroom.”
She said discussions are continuing regarding the unfulfilled final two years.
“Our media alliance, PIPA (Public Interest Publishers Alliance), is in discussions with Google to see whether there can be a positive outcome for those remaining two years of funding. We believe something constructive will come out of that process, but right now the discussions are ongoing, so it’s not clear yet,” she said.
Ms Skalkos also acknowledged the organisations that helped secure access for multicultural and independent outlets.
“We are incredibly grateful to PIPA and the Minderoo Foundation. Their advocacy ensured we weren’t excluded when the original agreements were first secured,” she said.
Dimitra Skalkos’ participation in the program added a multicultural newsroom perspective to the national policy discussion.
What the News Bargaining Incentive actually proposes
Ms Skalkos said the Government’s proposed reform is a constructive step toward creating greater stability for small and multicultural publishers.
The News Bargaining Incentive would require global tech companies earning more than $250 million in Australia to either enter funding arrangements with local publishers or face a levy tied to their Australian revenue. The goal is to encourage longer-term, more reliable partnerships, rather than the voluntary model that previously allowed platforms to withdraw without consequence.
On 7.30, Assistant Treasurer Mr Mulino described the reform as essential to safeguarding democratic accountability, while Mr Sims said that without a mechanism like this, platforms would continue using news content without payment.
Meta and Google declined interviews but confirmed they will review the proposal.
The program also noted the broader international backdrop, including recent comments from US President Donald Trump cautioning countries against imposing new financial obligations on American tech companies. The Australian Government has downplayed any direct conflict, but the context adds weight to the reform effort.
Ensuring the reforms support diverse newsrooms
Ms Skalkos noted that the effectiveness of the reform depends on whether it delivers certainty across the sector.
“If this reform is going to work, it has to ensure access across the full spectrum of publishers – metropolitan, regional, independent and multicultural,” she said.
“Because if you lose us, you don’t just lose diversity – you lose visibility into whole communities across Australia. And that’s how information deserts form.”
Multicultural outlets like The Greek Herald regularly report on governance, community institutions and cultural developments that may otherwise receive limited coverage, forming a crucial layer of Australia’s public-interest news ecosystem.
Multicultural outlets like The Greek Herald regularly report on governance, community institutions and cultural developments that may otherwise receive limited coverage.
A century of service
As The Greek Herald approaches its centenary in 2026, Ms Skalkos said its purpose remains consistent: to inform, scrutinise and serve its community with integrity.
“We’ve been here for 100 years, and our commitment hasn’t changed,” she said. “Our community expects reliable journalism, and we will continue delivering it.”
She said the reforms present an opportunity to strengthen the health of the wider media ecosystem.
“This is a moment to build a system that recognises the full breadth of Australian journalism,” Ms Skalkos said. “When every publisher – large, regional, independent and multicultural – has access to stable frameworks, the public is better informed. That’s the outcome that matters.”
As the policy process continues, The Greek Herald will remain actively engaged.
“We’re watching with interest to see how the final model takes shape,” Ms Skalkos said. “What matters most is ensuring a fair and lasting structure that supports public-interest journalism across the country.”
An extraordinary celebration of Hellenic heritage unfolded at The University of Queensland’s RD Milns Antiquities Museum on Wednesday evening, as the exhibition ΝΟΣΤΟΙ | Homecomings: Stories of the Ionian Island Diaspora in Queensland officially opened to the public.
The opening night was attended by Greece’s Honorary Consul-General in Queensland, George Mastrocostas, who delivered a keynote address reflecting on the ancient Greek concept of nostos – a return home that spans far beyond geography.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, Professors Alastair Blanshard, Lisa Featherstone, and Kim Wilkins, as well as community leaders, academics, and representatives of the Kytherian and Ithacan communities.
The exhibition marks the first time stories from Queensland’s Ioanian island diaspora have been intertwined to form a unified cultural narrative. The artefacts presented – ranging from personal letters to community archives – have been deeply sourced from families across the state and include photographs, handwritten correspondence, migration records, and treasured heirlooms.
Speaking to a packed audience of diaspora members, theologians, and academics, Mr Mastrocostas said: “Nostos means the return home, but not merely a physical return. It is the spiritual journey back to one’s roots, one’s identity, one’s truth.”
His remarks honoured generations of Ionian Islanders who left their homelands – Kythera, Ithaca, and the broader Ionian archipelago – to build new lives in Queensland, carrying with them an enduring love for Greece, a fierce commitment to family, and the fortitude to thrive through uncertainty.
The exhibition’s collection draws from historically significant materials, including oral histories, artefacts, and letters documenting personal migration journeys, grief, triumph, separation, and cultural continuity.
Mr Mastrocostas also acknowledged the institutions and community organisations whose joint efforts made the exhibition possible, paying tribute to: The University of Queensland, RD Milns Antiquities Museum, The Kytherian Association of Queensland, Ithacan Society of Queensland, and community families who contributed objects and testimony.
The exhibition is the result of months of archival collation, community consultation, and academic partnership, led by cross-disciplinary teams spanning classical studies, cultural history, migration studies, and anthropology.
Eugenia Mitrakas OAM has been named a Golden Alumna by the University of Melbourne, becoming the first Greek-born woman to receive the honour for her lifelong contributions to law, education and the Greek Australian community.
Born in Lesvos and migrating to Australia at nine, Mitrakas built a distinguished career across law, welfare and community advocacy.
The recognition, she said, reflects both her migration journey and the broader contribution of migrant women to Australia’s institutions. She has also been invited to address the university’s December graduation ceremony.
The honour was deeply emotional for Mitrakas, who noted the absence of her late parents and husband, and reflected on her early years at the university as the only Greek woman in the law faculty, an experience she said helped her integrate quickly and shaped her identity as a Greek Australian proud of her heritage.
In a comment to The Greek Herald, Mitrakas said: “This Award literally moved me to tears. I had to ring a close friend a week ago to calm me down. The spate of Awards this year have come about after I called out ‘the men in grey suits’ at the Greek Community talk I gave in August last year.”
“I don’t push myself anywhere,” she added. “I am more assimilated than most because there were not many Greek women at university when I was there. There were only three and none in Law School or the Classics Department. This allowed me to move into mainstream with ease.”
Mitrakas described the accolade as the greatest honour of her career and said it “justified the migration journey” her family undertook decades ago.
A powerful moment of heritage, culture and community was celebrated on Wednesday night as Throwback, Australia’s leading basketball lifestyle brand, officially opened its new 2,000-square-metre headquarters inside the former Sydney Kings training facility at 100 William Lane, Alexandria.
The opening marked an emotional full-circle milestone for Throwback founder Michael Lazaris, who, as a child, celebrated his 10th birthday in this very building while his father, Andrew Lazaris, helped run the Kings. Decades later, Michael has transformed the heritage-listed warehouse into a world-class hub for basketball culture, retail, training and community engagement.
More than 200 friends, families, basketball players, kids of all ages, and supporters attended the celebration, filling the restored space with energy and excitement as they experienced the reimagining of a historic part of Australian basketball.
The ceremony began with a warm and heartfelt Welcome to Country delivered by acclaimed actor Luke Carroll, whose presence set the tone for a meaningful and respectful evening.
Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director, helped to officially open the new facility, acknowledging the significance of the moment not only for Throwback but for the broader basketball community and for Sydney’s growing sporting culture.
Former basketball greats Brad Rosen and Steve Carfino also took part in the opening, lending their support and adding a powerful link between the sport’s past, present and future. Their involvement paid tribute to the building’s storied history and the generations of athletes who once trained under its roof.
One of the most remarkable features of the new facility is the reinstated full-size 1990s basketball court previously owned by NBA champion Luc Longley, once used by Sydney Kings players and preserved for nearly two decades in storage. The original rings from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games have also been restored, infusing the space with national sporting heritage.
The expanded headquarters now includes:
A custom-built full-size court
A dynamic experiential retail space
A dedicated “Jordan Zone” highlighting Throwback’s long-standing relationship with Nike
Office and creative areas
Warehouse operations
A café and community hub designed to welcome fans, families, and athletes
Founder Michael Lazaris reflected on the evening as “a moment where everything came together family, history, community, and the dream we’ve been building for over a decade.”
From a 10-square-metre storeroom in 2011 to a landmark 2,000-square-metre cultural destination in 2025, Throwback’s journey stands as a testament to passion, resilience, and belief.
The new headquarters is expected to become a major gathering place for Sydney’s basketball community and a vibrant cultural landmark for sports fans across the country.
The Embassy of Greece in Australia proudly hosted the inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum together with The Hellenic Initiative Australia on November 25 at Parliament House, Canberra.
The event was a powerful celebration of achievement, identity and leadership. With 24 panellists across business, politics and law, health and science, philanthropy, and arts and culture, guests were treated to an extraordinary collection of personal and professional stories.
Each speaker highlighted the challenges they have faced, the progress they have forged, and the legacy they hope to build for the next generation of Greek Australian women.
In his official welcome, H.E Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Australia, reflected on the importance of cultural identity in shaping professional purpose and inspiring others. The centrality of Hellenic values was echoed throughout the day, as panellists shared how these principles have guided their work in public service, academia, business, and the arts.
The Hon. Clare O’Neil MP, representing the Prime Minister of Australia, congratulated the Ambassador on hosting the event at Parliament House and spoke with pride about representing a significant Greek Australian community in her Victorian electorate.
Speaking about her constituents, Ms O’Neil said, “There is no place in Australia that better embodies the profound positive impact the Greek Australian diaspora has on life in our great country.”
The audience welcomed the news that the Minister is the co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Greek Australians.
The Hellenic Initiative Australia was delighted to partner with the Embassy of Greece in Australia to deliver the milestone event. The energy and enthusiasm among participants and attendees was captured beautifully by Adj Professor Helen Zorbas AO, THI Director and moderator of the Health and Science Panel.
“We all left this memorable Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum feeling prouder, more connected, and deeply inspired by the exceptional Greek Australian women who are making a significant impact across every aspect of Australian society,” Ms Zorbas said.
“Throughout the discussions, a common thread was the strength of Hellenic values we all drew from our parents and grandparents – those who made Australia their home decades ago. Words such as resilience, philotimo, and philanthropia echoed through all our stories.
“What a privilege it was to work with the Embassy to realise its vision for this event.”
Recordings of each panel session will be available shortly, offering the opportunity to revisit the powerful conversations and emotional stories shared by our distinguished speakers.
PANELLISTS
Business
Marika Calfas, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Ports
Kathy Karabatsas, Group Chief Financial Officer, Myer (moderator)
Dr Elena Limnios, Chair, Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) National Federation
Helen Mastrocostas, Financial Strategist, Aniko Group
Violet Roumeliotis AM, Chief Executive Officer, Settlement Services Australia
Politics & Law
The Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Work Health & Safety, NSW Government
Fiona Douskou, Councillor, Bayside Council
Erin Feros, Former Managing Partner, Allens Queensland (moderator)
The Hon. Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson, Resident Judge, Supreme Court ACT
The Hon. Anthe Philippides, Former Justice, Supreme Court of Queensland
Health & Science
Prof Vasso Apostolopoulos AM, Professor of Immunology, RMIT University
Dr Melina Georgousakis, Founder and Director, Franklin Women
Prof Maria Kavallaris AM, Head, Translational Cancer Nanomedicine, Children’s Cancer Institute
Prof Maria Makrides, Executive Director, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
Prof Helen Zorbas AO, Chair, National Breast Cancer Foundation (moderator)
Philanthropy
Vasiliki Antoniou, Founder & Chair, The Children’s Golden Angels
Helen Mantzis, Board Member, The Hellenic Museum
Faye Spiteri OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Fronditha Care (moderator)
Alexandra Vakitsidis OAM, Former President, Port Adelaide Philanthropic Society
Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill, Chief Executive Officer, The Hellenic Initiative Australia
