The Greek Community of Melbourne’s (GCM) highly anticipated 2025 Greek History and Culture Seminars has commenced with an outstanding start, drawing large audiences eager to engage with thought-provoking discussions led by some of the brightest young scholars.
The series opened with presentations from Miltiadis Paikopoulos and Olympia Nelson, each offering unique insights into their respective fields. Paikopoulos explored the rule of law in Classical Sparta, providing a fascinating historical perspective on governance and legal structures in ancient times.
Melbourne-based Olympia Nelson, a PhD student at the University of Sydney, captivated attendees with her research on Byzantine art, a subject she discovered was underrepresented in academic discourse during her undergraduate studies. Determined to shed light on this overlooked field, Olympia focused her presentation on the frescoes found in remote churches in the Kandanou-Selinou region of Crete. Her exploration of these intricate and historically significant artworks offered fresh perspectives on Byzantine artistic heritage.
The event took place at the mezzanine level of the Greek Centre, with GCM Board member Dr Spiridoula Demetriou on hand to introduce Olympia and welcome attendees.
The strong turnout and enthusiasm from the audience highlight the ongoing success of the GCM Public Seminar Series in fostering intellectual engagement and cultural appreciation within the community.
The GCM remains committed to providing a platform for emerging scholars to share their research and inspire discussions on topics of historical and contemporary relevance.
The Seminar Series will continue throughout the year, featuring a diverse range of speakers and subjects.
You might think that when we talk about loneliness, we’re referring to someone living on a remote farmstead—someone who only goes into town once a fortnight and catches up with everyone then spending most of their time alone.
But no, we’re talking about city dwellers—people who live among millions of others. Ironically, these are often the people who feel the loneliest.
At this point, the average person might be scratching their head. Why, in a society where people are more connected than ever, do so many still feel alone, misunderstood, or cut off from meaningful relationships? This happens despite the rapid growth of social media, video calls, and online communities.
Loneliness remains one of the most common, yet frequently overlooked, emotional struggles among adults—especially young adults.
Loneliness has been linked to premature death, poor physical and mental health, greater psychological distress and general dissatisfaction with life.
Loneliness among Australians was already a concerning issue before the COVID-19 pandemic, to the extent that in 2022 it has been described as one of the most pressing public health priorities in Australia.
But what exactly is loneliness? And why does it continue to grow in a society with so many opportunities to connect?
The Greek Herald spoke to Dr Anastasia Hronis, Clinical psychologist, academic & author of The Dopamine Brain about this modern-day epidemic plaguing our young adults.
Define loneliness:
Dr Hronis describes it as a feeling of wanting more social connection or better relationships than what we currently have.
“Loneliness is different from being alone. We can spend time alone and not feel lonely. On the flip side, we can be surrounded by people and yet still feel lonely and isolated,” she explains.
Loneliness refers not only to the number of connections we have, but also to the quality of our relationships with others.
“It’s important to remember that everyone’s desire for social connection is different… It’s not necessarily about how many friends we have, but rather how we feel when we’re with them. It’s a natural human desire to want to feel seen, heard, and understood by others,” Dr Hronis says.
In a world where everyone is so connected digitally, you’d think it would be easier for people to combat loneliness. So, why does it seem to be the opposite?
Dr Hronis explains that digital connections can feel less fulfilling for some people.
However, for others, the online world provides access to communities they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to connect with in real life.
“Think about, for example, a young LGBTQI+ person living in a rural part of Australia. The online world can open opportunities for them to form meaningful connections in communities they might have limited access to in real life,” she says.
The new digital generation has helped many connect, but not in the way most human beings need.
So, why is it so difficult to admit that you’re feeling lonely?
Dr Hronis says this is because admitting loneliness requires vulnerability, which means opening up and putting your feelings on the line.
“It takes vulnerability to acknowledge that we feel lonely. This is a hard thing to do,” she explains.
Another factor is the Western world’s motto of “I don’t need anyone” and “I can do it myself,” which has resulted in a culture that praises extreme self-reliance and hyper-independence, while real, in-person communities have become less common.
Dr Hronis explains that this isn’t helping the loneliness epidemic.
“In its extreme form, it can create a worldview where asking for help and receiving help is deemed ‘weak.’ We know that this simply isn’t true!” she says.
When asked if she thinks social media is to blame for many mental health issues among youth, Dr Hronis explains that it has contributed, but ‘not entirely.’
“I think in some ways social media may have contributed, but there are many other factors to consider about how societies work nowadays including academic and career pressures, economic uncertainty, rising cost of living, climate anxiety, global issues, etc.,” she says.
Combatting the loneliness epidemic will require addressing how societies function. Dr Hronis says that we cannot blame one issue.
“Rather, we need to think about how we can increase quality connections with other people in society, form meaningful communities, and be inclusive and open to all,” she adds.
Always remember to reach out, especially to those who are quiet, and ask if they’re okay. A conversation could change someone’s day or save a life. Learn more here.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with your mental health, please contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au / Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au
A Greek Australian brother-sister duo committed to helping others have opened their own business, providing specialist support services to people of all abilities and backgrounds.
Launched in January 2024 in Rosebery, Sydney, ‘BlessedBeing’ is run by Mary and Kosta Kalantzis, who help serve more than 25 people within the Greek community.
The 23 and 20-year-old Greek siblings shared that they work alongside a team of seven carers which consist of qualified nurses, middle-aged women, young men, and physiotherapists, who then cater to clients of all ages.
Some of the NDIS services BlessedBeing provide include capacity building, in-home care, behaviour, and community access support. Mary said their business strives to create specialised services tailored to each client’s individual needs.
“We service everybody, but we put a focus on our Greek community,” Mary told The Greek Herald.
“We found that that’s where we sort of connect with the most as we grew up with our grandparents in their home.”
Kosta and Mary Kalantzis.
Why Mary and Kosta started BlessedBeing:
Mary and Kosta revealed they decided to start up BlessedBeing after observing many Greek-speaking individuals struggling to find the help they needed due to language barriers.
“I study a Bachelor of Psychology, and one day while I was at uni, I just started looking into social care and welfare,” Mary said.
“Coming from a Greek background, I saw firsthand from my grandparents how hard it is not having Greek-speaking helpers around and I wanted to find support for them… I then said to Kosta, ‘why can’t we create services on our own that can provide support to them and their friends instead?’
“Here in the Rosebery community, we’ve got a lot of Greeks too, especially lots of grandparents, so we wanted to create a service to help them.”
Carer and a client at La Perouse.
20-year-old Kosta said what makes BlessedBeing unique to any other NDIS provider is that it breaks down language barriers between clients and caregivers.
“We just wanted to create a space to provide the best care for everyone and everything,” Kosta said. “We all speak Greek too, so all our carers are Greek-speaking carers.”
Running BlessedBeing:
Kosta and Mary shared what it means to them to run BlessedBeing.
“Being able to provide for people that are from all ages, and Greek as well, just makes the community a bit stronger,” Kosta said.
“It feels like everyone kind of unites in a way, and it just allows us to build good relationships with everybody and make them feel comfortable.”
Mary said she also loves running the service and being able to provide services that support the Greek community.
“BlessedBeing means a lot to us,” she said.
“We hope to eventually grow a big enough platform to be able to cater to more people, and with more demand, we will have more carers ready to go.”
Community response
Whether it’s going to the gym, having a coffee next to the beach, or participating in various social outings, Mary and Kosta said they aim to ensure that each of their clients receive personalised care to meet their needs.
They said that in the 10 months they’ve been offering their services, the Greek community has been nothing but supportive towards them.
Client enjoying a coffee.Clients.
“The feedback we’ve been getting from clients and their families is amazing. It makes it all worth it,” Mary said.
“We always want to make sure we’re providing quality staff and giving people the best care we can offer, and it feels so rewarding to help people.
“Growing up with Greek heritage and being able to provide for people in our community is very important and special to us too.”
Kosta, who is currently undertaking an electrical apprenticeship, said he hopes to someday take on working with BlessedBeing full-time.
“It’s a very nice feeling knowing that you can help people and take care of them and provide whatever they need,” he said.
“Being able to do my electrical studies right now is really great as I can kind of incorporate that into BlessedBeing and can then use those skills to support clients in the future too.”
As a psychology student, Mary also aims to use her skillset to better cater towards her clients.
“There’s a lot of psychologists that work with our clients as well, so just being able to have that accreditation, would also really help open doors for our clients,” she said.
Future goals
Aiming to close the gap in support services for the Greek community and beyond, Mary and Kosta shared that they hope to expand their business to other parts of the nation in the future.
“We plan on expanding and just developing the company into a bigger corporation,” Kosta said.
“At the moment we are trying to make connections with local churches and organisations and hopefully that will then help us grow.”
Those interested in learning more about BlessedBeing and how they can receive their services and embark on their own BlessedBeing journey can visit www.blessedbeing.com.au. Mary and Kosta said their staff will happily guide people through the process, organise a consultation to assess what the client needs and then create a personalised plan for them.
Greece has fallen five spots in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Democracy Index 2024, now ranking 25th globally. Although it retains its classification as a “full democracy” with an overall score of 8.07, the decline is mainly due to weaknesses in government functioning, dnews.gr, has reported.
Greece achieved a perfect score of 10 in “Electoral Process and Pluralism,” confirming the credibility of its electoral system. However, its score of 6.79 in government functioning highlights ongoing issues with transparency, accountability, and governance efficiency.
Political participation was rated at 7.22, suggesting there is room for improvement in citizen engagement beyond voting. Greece’s political culture scored 7.50, while civil liberties received a robust 8.82, indicating strong protection of fundamental freedoms. Nevertheless, challenges remain, particularly regarding press freedom, judicial independence, and concerns over state influence in media and public protests.
The top spots in the Democracy Index 2024 are once again held by Northern European countries. Norway leads with a score of 9.81, followed by New Zealand (9.61), Sweden (9.39), Iceland (9.38), Switzerland (9.32), Finland (9.30), and Denmark (9.28). These nations stand out for their institutional stability, high levels of political participation, and effective governance, solidifying their positions as the world’s leading democracies.
When it comes to food, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a soft spot for local favourites—and a classic Greek taverna tops his list. In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, about his go-to dining spots, the PM revealed his favourite restaurant is none other than Corinthian Rotisserie in Marrickville.
Few relationships are as solid as the one between Albanese and George Giannakelos, the owner of Corinthian Rotisserie. The federal member for Grayndler named the Greek institution as his top pick in Sydney—”and not just because it’s across the road from his office.” “Amazing lamb, great calamari,” Albanese said.
George Giannakelos knows his order by heart: “He gets the cold entree, roast lamb and Greek salad.” That cold entree is a feast in itself, featuring a mixed platter of tzatziki, taramasalata, skordalia, dolmades and octopus in vinaigrette. “It’s enough to feed about six,” the prime minister added.
The Corinthian has been serving traditional Greek fare for 44 years, and Albanese has been a regular for the past 20. It’s not just the food that keeps him coming back—it’s the familiar, welcoming atmosphere that makes it feel like home.
Hollywood’s spotlight is shining brightly on Greece as Matt Damon arrives to star as Odysseus in Odyssey, directed by the acclaimed Christopher Nolan. The production has transformed the scenic city of Kalamata in the southwestern Peloponnese into a cinematic hub, tovima.com, has reported.
Almyrolakas Beach in Pylos is one of the key locations, now a bustling Hollywood set. Damon is preparing to film a crucial scene there as the legendary Ithacan king, under Nolan’s direction. Another striking spot, the cave at Voidokilia, will depict Odysseus’ tense confrontation with the Cyclops Polyphemus—the monstrous son of Poseidon and the nymph Thoosa.
Earlier this week, Damon expressed his joy about returning to Greece: “I feel amazing here; I love it. This isn’t my first time—I’ve been here many times. But this time, it’s for an incredible film.”
The Odyssey production boasts a staggering $250 million budget, promising a breathtaking retelling of Homer’s epic, chronicling Odysseus’ perilous journey home after the Trojan War.
Photo: mega
Joining Damon, Tom Holland is in Greece to portray Telemachus, Odysseus’ son. He has been spotted with Damon exploring Pylos and Methoni Castle. Charlize Theron is also part of the cast, taking on the role of the enchantress Circe, whose meeting with Odysseus is a key moment in the tale.
Panagiotis Karvelas, Mayor of Pylos-Nestor, said, “The arrival of these stars for the filming of Odyssey is not just an honor for our region but a tribute to the immortal spirit of Greek culture.”
At most, Cypriot men are 30 per cent of Greek descent, according to an ongoing study mapping the DNA of Cypriots. The findings suggest Cyprus’ population shares greater genetic similarities with mixed-origin groups that settled on the island over millennia, cyprus-mail.com, has reported.
History and archaeology confirm Cyprus was first inhabited by peoples from nearby regions up to 12,000 years ago, long before Greeks or Turks arrived.
Constantinos Deltas, head of Biobank.cy at the University of Cyprus, said this was the first comprehensive genetic reference for Cypriots. The project evaluates genetic heritage and population-level disease predispositions. So far, genomes from 1,400 Cypriots have been analysed, with a goal of 5,000 samples.
Deltas noted the difficulty in defining the extent of Greek DNA, saying Y chromosome analysis shows a Greek lineage between 10 and 30 per cent. Nearly 11,000 Cypriot volunteers have been archived with detailed personal, demographic, and clinical data.
“This is data accompanied by biological material and of course a signed document of consent. A large part of the data and the material is utilised and studied in the context of research projects,” Deltas said.
The study is shedding light on hereditary diseases like kidney, heart, and eye conditions. DNA variations mirror those found in many populations, reflecting historic migration and mixing, though unique genetic differences remain.
Deltas highlighted environmental impacts, such as malaria, which drove the rise of genetic mutations like thalassemia. Today, one in seven Greek Cypriots carries these mutations.
The Greek Mycenaeans and Achaeans arrived around 3,500 years ago, adopting and spreading Greek culture, language, and religion among Cypriots.
Once critically endangered, Mediterranean monk seal populations are making a strong recovery due to dedicated conservation efforts, abc.net.au, has reported.
Nearly half of the world’s estimated 800 monk seals now live in Greek waters. The extensive coastline and secluded sea caves provide ideal habitats for mothers to raise their young. These seals, the only species in the Mediterranean, are known for their large eyes, whiskers, and agility in water.
Panagis is one of dozens of monk seals rescued and rehabilitated by the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, known as MOm.
Panagis was found orphaned near Cyprus, weighing just 15 kilograms. Locals alerted authorities, and MOm arranged his transfer to Athens. After three months of care, he now weighs over 40 kilograms and is nearly ready to return to the wild.
Once hunted and viewed as pests by fishermen for damaging nets and stealing fish, monk seals suffered severe population declines due to habitat destruction and human aggression. They were classified as “critically endangered” by the IUCN.
Dr. Alexandros Dendrinos of MOm describes them as “one of the rarest species of seal and marine mammal in the world.” Protecting them requires safeguarding the broader marine ecosystem.
MOm has treated around 40 seals at its Athens-based rehabilitation centre. Once healthy and able to hunt, seals are tagged and released back into the wild.
“This year, we had a really pleasant surprise,” said Dr. Dendrinos. A female seal they released four years ago was seen nursing her own pup.
Thanks to conservation, the species’ status improved from “critically endangered” to “vulnerable” in 2023.
Mary Konstantopoulos is a lawyer, writer, and advocate for women in sport, best known as the founder of ‘Ladies Who League,’ a platform promoting female participation in sports conversations and highlighting women’s achievements in the industry.
Her award-winning writing has appeared in NRL.com, ESPN Australia, and The Sydney Morning Herald, shaping discussions on gender equality in Australian sport.
Beyond media, Mary is co-Chair of the Parramatta Eels Supporters Group Alliance, an Advisory Board member of SportsGrid, and a Commonwealth Games Australia Nominations Committee member.
On International Women’s Day (IWD), Mary will be on the panel at The Greek Festival of Sydney’s ‘Hellenic Horizons’ event, supported by The Greek Herald.
In this interview, she reflects on her Greek heritage, the evolution of women’s sport in Australia, and the ongoing fight for equal opportunities on and off the field.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your Greek heritage. How has your Greek heritage inspired you?
Both my parents were born overseas. My mum was born in a small village in Cyprus called Monagrouli and came to Australia with my grandparents when she was four years old. My dad was born in Neapolis, which is a small village in the Peloponnese region of Greece and he came to Australia with my grandparents when he was eight years old. I have always been extremely close with my grandparents, but over the last decade I have been reflecting on the migrant story and the courage it took to leave your family behind, never knowing if you would see them again, to start a better life for your family. My family and the generations around us stand on our grandparents’ shoulders and I’m incredibly proud of their story and my Greek heritage.
Your passion for rugby league began at a young age. How did your early experiences as a Parramatta Eels fan influence your decision to advocate for women’s involvement in the sport?
I had always been a passionate footy fan and was encouraged to ‘do something about it’ by one of my incredible colleagues Simone Whetton. So I did. I started a blog called ‘Ladies who League’ which at the time was about promoting women involved in sport and encouraging women to get involved in conversations about sport. But back then, women involved in sport really only extended to women involved in the administration, media, fans and volunteers.
Shortly after I started ‘Ladies who League,’ I realised that there was an amazing group of women called the Australian Jillaroos, who were Australia’s women’s rugby league team. I realised that if I was a passionate footy fan who didn’t know about them then there would be countless others like me, so I started talking about them and raising questions about their pay and the journey women’s rugby league had been on for several decades.
‘Ladies Who League’ started as a platform to encourage women’s participation in the male-dominated world of rugby league. What challenges did you face in the early stages of this initiative, and how did you overcome them?
It wasn’t necessarily a challenge, but the reality of ‘Ladies who League’ is that it is my business and its strength rests on my commitment to it and my willingness to work hard. I don’t have employees I can depend on, so it really rests on me. This taught me some really big lessons, particularly in the early years. These lessons included asking people for help. In the early days when I had a podcast, many people would ask ‘how did you get [insert] on your podcast’. It happened because I asked. If you don’t ask, you don’t get and I have found that people are generally very generous and giving with their time.
Our challenge is to continue to pay it forward and be generous with our time, particularly to the next generation. My grandparents and parents also instilled the value of hard work and I worked hard in those early years to build the brand – whether it was writing articles for free, having the financial freedom to pay to attend seminars so I could meet key people or being relentless on the weekend in attending women’s sport, that hard work has now given me the freedom to be a bit more selective in what I participate in due to the strong foundation ‘Ladies who League’ was built on.
You’ve created a strong and supportive community through ‘Ladies Who League.’ What has been the most rewarding personal moment or message you’ve received from someone inspired by your work?
There have been so many over the years, but two in particular stand out. I remember when the first season of the NRLW was announced and the then coach of the Australian Jillaroos Brad Donald called to thank me for my role in bringing it into being. That was hugely moving and to see the NRLW thriving now brings me a lot of pride. In addition, I remember a particular company who was interested in sponsoring women’s sport approaching me to see if I had any ideas. I did a big campaign where I got hundreds of emails with sponsorship proposals. I worked with that brand and as a result, several women’s sports teams received funding to continue to give women and girls the opportunity to play sport. I felt like I had made a real difference in that moment.
This year’s IWD theme, ‘March Forward,’ is about progress and pushing boundaries. How do you see this theme reflected in the evolution of women’s sport in Australia?
When I was a little girl, I never considered asking if women could play my favourite sports like rugby league or cricket. The reality is I couldn’t be what I couldn’t see and I couldn’t see any women playing those sports. To live in a world now, that has changed quite quickly, where every major sport has a professional women’s competition is astounding. There is a long way to go but it’s important to recognise how far we have come. I look forward to women being compensated appropriately for competing at the highest level and that not just extended to pay, but also additional support like insurance and having the appropriate facilities to play on.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of women in sport, and how can we all play a role in keeping the momentum moving forward?
One small thing we can all do is get our bottoms on seats. If you want to support women in sport, get out to a game, buy a membership or turn your television on. Eyes on the product makes a massive difference and is something we can all contribute to.
The Cyprus Community of NSW held a critical and highly charged members’ meeting on 14 March 2025 at the Cyprus Club in Stanmore, where administrators from Ernst & Young (EY) provided extensive updates on the club’s financial position, governance plans, and next steps.
The meeting, which delivered a substantial amount of financial and legal information, saw heated exchanges during question time, particularly over the urgency of elections and the reinstatement of expelled members.
Financial position and court proceedings
EY Administrator Morgan Kelly confirmed that the Community’s refinancing had been completed, successfully ending the receivership.
EY Administrator Morgan Kelly.
The Community paid $5.84 million to Cyprus Capital to clear secured debt, while a disputed $1.09 million in fees remains before the Supreme Court, with the amount currently held by the court.
Total revenue received (as of March 2025): $2.63 million
Major expenses paid: $1.33 million
Current surplus in accounts: $1.3 million
Additionally, the receivers’ financial report (covering October 2024 – February 2025) revealed that $400,000 was paid to Cyprus Capital, while $308,000 was spent on receivers’ remuneration and expenses.
Full control of the Community is now in the hands of the administrators.
Next steps: Elections, property strategy, and governance
With the club’s finances stabilised, the focus now shifts to returning control to members. Administrators outlined the steps ahead, including:
Establishing a Property Steering Panel to evaluate the club’s real estate options (retaining, redeveloping, or selling).
Board elections to be held, with members invited to nominate candidates.
A review of the club’s constitution, with proposed changes to be voted on at an AGM or EGM.
A general meeting (AGM/EGM) where members will decide on: (1) The new board, (2) Governance changes, and (3) the club’s property strategy
Administrators emphasised that any major decisions—including the future of the property—will be voted on by members.
Members will decide the future of the Cyprus Community of NSW.
Membership reinstatement and expelled members’ demands
The status of expelled members became a major flashpoint during the meeting. Administrators confirmed that expelled members will have the opportunity to apply for reinstatement, but the final decision will rest with the incoming board.
While new memberships are being encouraged, final approvals will also be determined by the newly elected board. In the meantime, renewals are being processed via email or in person at the club.
Tensions rise during question time
As the presentation concluded, the meeting became increasingly heated, particularly regarding the urgency of board elections and the presence of expelled members.
Several members forcefully demanded immediate elections, despite Kelly having already explained that elections would follow a structured process, including a member vote.
Adding to the tension, several expelled members were in attendance as observers. Some became visibly aggravated, loudly demanding their memberships be reinstated on the spot. Administrators firmly stated that no automatic reinstatements would occur, and each case would be reviewed individually by the incoming board.
Kelly reiterated that while administrators are facilitating the process, it will ultimately be up to the members to decide the Community’s future through elections and votes at the upcoming AGM/EGM.
Tensions rose during question time.
Looking ahead
While the original target to exit administration was 23 April 2025, delays caused by ongoing court proceedings mean this is likely to be extended to July or August. A detailed report will be issued to members ahead of the final creditors’ meeting, covering:
The club’s financial position
The status of court proceedings
Property strategy options
Governance and constitution updates
A pivotal moment for the Community
With elections, property decisions, and governance changes ahead, the next few months will be crucial. Administrators urged members to stay engaged, nominate for board positions, and take part in votes that will determine the Community’s long-term future.
The meeting marked a major step forward for the Cyprus Community of NSW, but also highlighted ongoing tensions and differing views on the best path ahead. With elections and governance votes approaching, members will soon have their say on the Community’s future direction.
