Allegations of serious neglect at St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner have emerged at a Supreme Court hearing into a major class action against the operators of the home on Wednesday.
According to The Age, the court has heard that staff working at St Basil’s Fawkner were given outdated infection control training in the lead-up to a deadly coronavirus outbreak, which led to the deaths of more than one-quarter of the 120 residents at the aged care facility.
The management hearing for the case was told training for staff was conducted by a doctor whose expertise in infection protection was unknown and who based their training on outdated clinical guidance.
Between May and July last year, family and friends visiting the home were not told to limit visits, despite rising community spread of the virus. Face masks were not enforced, hand sanitiser was not readily available and hygiene standards were lax in communal living areas, according to the writ submitted to the Supreme Court and seen by The Age.
Acting on behalf of the residents and their families, Andrew Broadfoot, QC, told the court the elderly residents were often left starving in their rooms due to under-staffing and in soiled clothing for days.
Effie Fotiadis was the first plaintiff to launch civil action against St Basil’s Fawkner, which is owned by the Greek Orthodox Church. Her 79-year-old father, Dimitrios, died on July 25 in the Northern Hospital after becoming infected with coronavirus at the home.
From traditional Easter sweets to Lent period and the moving events of Holy Week, Panagiota Andreadakis’ debut educational bilingual book for children, The ABC of Greek Easter, has it all.
Beautiful illustrations help to captivate the interest of young readers as they are taken through the alphabet, with each letter corresponding to different cultural traditions and events from the Apokries season right through to Easter Sunday of Greek Orthodox Easter. Spread within the pages are also several learning prayers, hymns and the ‘Xristos Anesti’ chant in both Greek and English.
It’s clear from this description that a lot of time, love and thought has gone into The ABC of Greek Easter. But how did the idea even come about in the first place?
Panagiota’s new book, ‘The ABC of Greek Easter.’ Photo supplied.
Melbourne mother-of-one and now-author, Panagiota, tells The Greek Herald how after working for several decades as a health professional, she decided to pursue her true passion for writing books as a way of preserving the wealth of Greek heritage and passing it on to the next generations. From that moment on, she was set on creating a book focused on Greek Easter traditions and customs.
“Originally I was going to do an Easter book from the beginning of Apokries right through to the weeks after Easter. But realised very quickly that was just too much information for children to absorb,” Panagiota tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
“One day I thought about how quickly my son learned his ABC from a young age and realised it would be awesome if I could make it fun for children and find something for each letter. Keeping in mind it had to be simple and relatable, especially since it would be bilingual.
Photos supplied.
“So not only are they learning their Greek alphabet, but they are also learning to read in both languages, and are learning prayers, hymns, kalanta and important phrases and events that take place on certain days.
“I wanted to get the Greek heritage, traditions and religion into every household no matter the level of Greek vocabulary.”
Of course, with such an ambitious aim comes many challenges and Panagiota says that although it was “very easy” to find Easter traditions for some letters, other letters were more “difficult to match up with an illustration that children could understand.”
Photos taken at St. Eustathios Greek Orthodox Church, South Melbourne. Photo supplied.
“At times, I even had to move certain events into another letter to make use of as many words as possible,” Panagiota says.
But despite these difficulties, The ABC of Greek Easter still holds a very special place in Panagiota’s heart, and she says she can’t wait to see it on people’s bookshelves soon.
“I love all the illustrations because they also feature my son, Stelio, who is the face of my Hellenic educational brand Stelakis. And when you have put in so much of your soul into creating something like this, it means you love every aspect of it. It really is the perfect family heirloom and keepsake book,” Panagiota concludes proudly.
If you would like to add this heirloom to your own personal book collection, you can purchase The ABC of Greek Easter online at www.stelakis.com.au.
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has sent her well wishes to the state’s Greek community ahead of Orthodox Easter on Sunday.
In her message, Ms Berejiklian thanked Orthodox leaders and the community for their “compassion and collaboration in the face of recent challenges facing our community.”
Full Message in English:
I offer my best wishes for a happy Easter to Orthodox communities across NSW.
Easter is the holiest time of year for Christians around the world. It is an opportunity to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the universal values of family, sacrifice and renewal. This message has particular resonance this year when we have worked so hard together to stop the spread of COVID-19.
I would like to thank Orthodox leaders and the wider Orthodox community for your compassion and collaboration in the face of recent challenges facing our community, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Your support for others reflects your continued commitment to our multicultural society.
As you gather with your families and friends at this time, I wish you all peace and good health for the coming year.
There was Easter hat parades, kolourakia making and red egg dying at All Saints Grammar, St Spyridon College and St Euphemia College to mark Greek Orthodox Easter this week.
We reached out to all three schools to hear how their students celebrated in the lead up to Anastasi, and this is what they had to say.
St Spyridon College:
* Written by Mrs A. Synesios, Principal at St Spyridon College, Junior School *
“Each year, during Holy Week, the children of St Spyridon College walk with Christ from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to His passion and glorious Resurrection.
School assembly. Photos supplied.
From the youngest children in the school, our Kinder Minus One children to Year 12, the week is devoted to learning about the traditions and customs, the services, the chanting, the prayers and bible readings of Holy Week. According to their age and stage of development we practice patience, compassion, prayerfulness and watchfulness. We forgive and seek forgiveness knowing that only through Our Lord’s loving kindness are we saved. His Eminence Archbishop Makarios on Holy Tuesday evening reminded us that when we truly love God and our neighbour, every other care fades away and we live a joyous and peaceful life.
Easter cooking. Photos supplied.
Each class at the Junior School participates in some traditional baking – Red Eggs, Koulourakia, Lambropites, Augoules, Flaounes, Lazarakia and ka. Sarakosti. The children also make Palm Crosses and Lambathes. The boys serve in the altar at the services, the girls participate as flowergirls at the Epitaphios and many chant in the Engomia Choir on Good Friday night. The children embrace the opportunity to be involved.
These traditions and practices have been passed down from generation to generation and now to our children so that they may be shared with their children for the Glory of Christ and the hope that the resurrection brings.
May the joy of Christ’s resurrection bring health, peace and happiness to you all. We wish you all Καλή Ανάσταση!
Easter activities at St Spyridon College. Photos supplied.
All Saints Grammar:
“At the core of All Saints Grammar’s educational philosophy is the dimension of Cultural, Social, Spiritual Connection,” a spokeswoman for the school writes.
“The lived experience of this dimension means that our school deliberately creates opportunities for students to learn the value of connectedness, in providing them with a sense of belonging which enhances the development of their personal identity. Our Greek Orthodox Faith is at the core of this educational dimension.
As such, All Saints Grammar students from PreKinder to Year 12 have participated in various Easter activities, commencing with Kindergarten to Year 12 students attending the Holy Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts at All Saints Church on Holy Monday. Students received palm crosses made by All Saints Parish and Community, in which many of our students were involved. 1700 crosses were made, then blessed and handed out to the many faithful attending the Palm Sunday Holy Liturgy. The symbol of the cross reminds us of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His victory over death.
Holy Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts at All Saints Church. Photos supplied.
Educating our students on the meaning and relevance of our liturgical celebrations is a core part of our efforts. Participating in a presentation of “Εληνορθόδοξο Πάσχα,” students learned about the significance of each day of Holy Week, highlighting the religious and cultural aspects of the Greek Orthodox Easter.
Our younger students from PreKinder to Year 2 also gathered in the Gymnasium for the 2021 Easter Hat Parade. While the parade is a fun activity that encourages creativity and community engagement, the main purpose of this parade is to create a sense of community where our students can gain a sense of belonging and identity. It was the first parade experience for many of the students, so the atmosphere was electric with dancing, clapping, cheering and even a visit from the Easter Bunny.
Easter hat parade. Photos supplied.
Cultural, Social, Spiritual Connections, based on the Hellenic heritage and Greek Orthodox Faith, is an essential part of the holistic education offered at All Saints Grammar.
Our School, together with the Parish and Community of All Saints Belmore & Districts, would like to wish everyone a Blessed Easter. May the spiritually-filled Feast of the Holy Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ fill our lives with peace and hope. Καλό Πάσχα.”
Making palm leaves. Photos supplied.
St Euphemia College:
Prep and Infant students at St Euphemia College got creative this Greek Orthodox Easter as they took part in an Easter Hat Parade on Friday, April 23 at 9am.
Students from St Euphemia College with their Easter hats. Photos: Facebook.
Held in the Peter Theophilou Wing of the school hall, the students performed Easter songs, such as ‘Jesus is Alive,’ in front of parents, who had huge smiles on their faces.
The event concluded with all students posing proudly for photos with the Easter hats.
Over 400 people attended a special Palm Sunday liturgy and luncheon on Sunday, April 25, hosted by St Basil’s Homes NSW/ACT.
The luncheon was held at Nick Manettas’ restaurant, Cyren Bar Grill Seafood at Darling Harbour, and a number of official guests were also present.
This included, but is not limited to, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, Trade Commissioner of Greece, Katia Gkikza, and Chairman of St Basil’s Homes NSW/ACT, James Jordan.
“We were fortunate to have His Eminence Archbishop Makarios provide the blessing of our meal to begin proceedings at our Luncheon, with Palm Sunday being a special day for the Greek Orthodox faithful who traditionally enjoy eating seafood on this day,” Spiro Stavis, CEO of St. Basil’s Homes NSW/ACT, said in a press release.
After the blessing, children were given chocolate eggs and lucky door prizes, donated by Mr & Mrs Satouris from Peters of Kensington, were handed out.
“At St. Basil’s it’s important to us that we keep our cultural connection alive for our residents and community…” Mr Stavis said.
“We are always looking at ways to grow our values and the wonderful people that make St. Basil’s a special home, which is what we’ll be doing through our newly developed Strategic Plan to be released next month.”
Father John Kapetas, the initial CEO of St Basil’s, started the luncheon tradition back in 1975 and now most parishes around Australia host their own Palm Sunday Lunch.
Home is where the heart is for renowned Greek Australian pastry chef, Anna Polyviou. In the May issue of Delicious Magazine she invites everyone into her family kitchen where she and her mum, Eugina, cook up a classic feast for two very special occasions – Mother’s Day and Greek Easter.
The 10 page feature sees Polyviou serve up a huge feast complete with keftedes, lamb dolmades, spanakopita, galaktoboureko and her godmother’s koupes (fried bulgur pastry) recipe.
Anna Polyviou’s spanakopita. Photo: Delicious Magazine / Anna Polyviou Facebook.
“Best Mother’s Day Present I could give her…” Polyviou wrote on Facebook, after sharing a few of her favourite photos. “Thanks Delicious Magazine, get your hands on the May Issue.”
‘Easter is about family and friends’:
It’s no surprise Polyviou features in the magazine special. The chef, known for her outlandish desserts and small-screen appearances on Family Food Fight and MasterChef Australia, has always loved Easter.
“Easter’s about family and friends,” the pastry chef told Delicious Magazine back in 2019.
Polyviou with her mum, Eugina. Photos: Delicious Magazine / Anna Polyviou Facebook.
Even as a child, Polyviou, who is of Greek Cypriot heritage, would fast with her family during the Easter season but she was always well prepared for the moment it ended.
“Once it hits midnight you’re eating everything,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I remember I used to have chocolate eggs in my pockets, then at midnight I’d sit there unwrapping the chocolate and eating them while everyone else was wishing each other happy Easter.”
It’s this passion for the Greek Orthodox feast which comes out clearly in Polyviou’s interview with Delicious.
Food made by Polyviou for the special feature. Photos: Delicious Magazine / Anna Polyviou Facebook.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Service and Multicultural Affairs, the Honourable Alex Hawke MP, has sent a message to Greek Australians marking Orthodox Easter this week.
In his message, Mr Hawke wished everyone a safe and blessed Easter, and took the “opportunity to acknowledge the contributions Orthodox Christian communities have made to keep our nation safe.”
Full Message:
“I extend my best wishes to all Christians in Australia and around the world who are celebrating Easter in the Orthodox tradition.
This year, Orthodox Easter will be even more joyful as many Australians can now gather to celebrate the most holy Orthodox Christian occasion with their family and congregation. As a community we have overcome many obstacles and I take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions Orthodox Christian communities have made to keep our nation safe.
Drawing from the Easter message of renewal, sacrifice and reflection – alongside the everlasting promise of forgiveness – I encourage you all to continue demonstrating these values to your wider community.
As a true depiction of the rich cultural and religious diversity with which Australia is blessed, Orthodox Easter sermons will be heard in English, Greek, Macedonian, Serbian, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, Amharic, and Romanian.
If you’ve never dyed Easter eggs naturally, you have to try it at least once. It’s great fun for kids and you’ll end up with the most amazing colours.
Here’s how to use foods like cabbage, beets and onion skins to create your own egg dyes.
How to make natural Easter egg dyes:
Combine 1 quarter water and 2 tablespoons white vinegar in a medium pot.
Bring it to a boil and add your dye ingredients for the egg colour of your choice (listed below). Lower the heat and let simmer for 30 minutes.
Let cool. Strain the dye to remove any food fragments.
Add the eggs to the strained dye and let soak for at least 30 minutes. When it reaches the desired colour, remove the egg with tongs and pat it dry with paper towels.
Naturally dyed eggs. Source: Kalona SuperNatural.
Natural egg dye colour cheatsheet:
Get your desired color by adding these ingredients to the water and vinegar mixture and then following the four steps outlined above (unless otherwise noted).
Red/Dark Pink Eggs:
Add 4 cups chopped beets and follow the instructions above.
Orange Eggs:
Add 4 cups yellow onion skins and follow the instructions above. For a brighter orange, let the eggs sit in the dye overnight.
Light Orange:
Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 4 Tbsp paprika and white vinegar, and mix until combined. Pour the mixture into a jar and let cool to room temperature. Add an egg and soak until you are happy with the color. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse with cool water. Let dry.
Yellow:
Add 3 Tbsp turmeric and follow the instructions above.
If you’ve never dyed Easter eggs naturally, you have to try it at least once. Photo: Mommy Potamus.
Light Blue:
Add 3 cups chopped red or purple cabbage and follow the instructions above. For a brighter blue, let the eggs sit in the dye overnight.
Dark Blue:
Add 4 cups blueberries and follow the above instructions.
Deep Red:
Add skins from 6 red onions. Add in 2 cups of water and 3 Tbsp of white vinegar to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and strain the liquid into your jars. Add an egg and let soak until you are happy with the color. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse with cool water. Let dry.
Green:
Add spinach leaves to a saucepan and pour in 2 cups cold water and 4 Tbsp white vinegar. Bring it to a bowl and follow the steps listed above.
Purple:
Pour about a cup of red wine into a jar. Add an egg and let soak until you are happy with the color. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse with cool water. Let dry.
Burnt Orange:
Boil water in a tea kettle. Pour water into a jar with 3 black tea bags and let steep for 30 minutes. Let the water cool at room temperature. Add an egg and let soak until you are happy with the color. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse with cool water. Let dry.
Dozens of archaeologists, university professors, and others around the world have signed an open letter protesting a series of renovations planned for the Acropolis in Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the letter, which was recently revealed by the Art Newspaper, the signatories say the plans would be “equivalent to the degradation, concealment, and devaluation of the greatest archaeological and artistic treasure that has been bequeathed to modern Greece, in which humanity has entrusted its preservation.”
The plans include overhauling the western Propylaea entrance of the Acropolis.
According to the Art Newspaper, these plans were unanimously approved by the Central Archaeological Council on February 3, after a proposal made by the architectural restorer Manolis Korres, the president of the Acropolis Monuments Conservation Committee (ESMA). Following this approval, the Greek Ministry of Culture announced that a comprehensive scientific study will be carried out in the autumn.
The focus of the plan is on the restoration of the ascent to the Acropolis, including a large marble staircase constructed in the first century AD and the return of an ancient southern access to the terrace.
This latest renovation is also intended to improve access and traffic management of visitors and, according to a statement from the Ministry, “remove erroneous interventions of the past.”
However, the opposition state in their letter that the plans are “contrary to the internationally recognised and established principles concerning the preservation, conservation and safeguarding of antiquities” and “mark an extremely dangerous path.”
While the Ministry did not respond to the Art Newspaper‘s request for comment, a statement released on March 15 rejected the letter’s concerns, maintaining that the planned renovations will return the Western entrance to its “original ancient form” based on “exhaustive archaeological-architectural documentation.” Meanwhile, the oldest sections of the architecture “will remain visible and accessible.”
Renovations to the Acropolis, one of the world’s most treasured archaeological sites, are often met with controversy. The last example came last fall, when the ministry upgraded old walkways with reinforced concrete, ostensibly to make them more accessible to people with disabilities.
Greece’s Culture Ministry was slammed last year for laying cement on sections of the Acropolis.
However, the signatories of the open letter contended that the changes were made just to “accommodate even larger crowds of summer tourists.”
Open-air archaeological sites were finally reopened in Greece on March 21, following the ongoing national lockdown that began in November 2020, allowing the public and the wider archaeological community to see the impact of the works so far.
The Greek government is desperately trying to push forward with its typical summer season-—despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—that is a vital part of the national economy.
Greece and New Zealand have today become the first countries to get access to a Google technology that turns Android phones into a network of earthquake detectors which deliver automated early warnings.
Building on the safety mechanisms of its OS, Google introduced an Android Earthquake Alerts System last summer in partnership with the United States Geological Survey.
On an individual level, Google’s alert system essentially turns your phone into a mini seismometer. But, more broadly speaking, it can create a network of shockwave-detecting devices, using a crowdsourced approach to work out if an earthquake is happening, where it is and its magnitude.
The system works by sending seismic movement info (sensed by your phone’s accelerometer) and rough location data to Google’s earthquake detection servers.
In New Zealand and Greece, this information will be used to send early warning alerts to Android users. Google can also display this info in search results for “earthquake” or “earthquake near me.”
Launched in California, the feature has since been rolled out to Oregon and is heading to Washington in May.
