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Story, song and legacy unite at Food for Thought Network AGM

The Greek Herald
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Story, song and legacy unite at Food for Thought Network AGM

The Food for Thought Network (FFTN) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, December 10, drawing an eclectic global audience who joined us via Zoom to connect and celebrate another successful year, marked by four online and four in-person events. 

FFTN was honoured to host an unforgettable evening with Anna Bithikotsi, daughter of the legendary Grigoris Bithikotsis, and renowned performer Sotiris Doganis. 

This special virtual gathering brought together story, song and heritage in a heartfelt tribute to two giants of Greek music – Grigoris Bithikotsis and Mikis Theodorakis. 

Anna, an accomplished author, poet, lyricist and producer, invited attendees into the intimate world behind her latest book, Both Father and Legend – Grigoris Bithikotsis 1922–2005. With depth and warmth, she shared personal reflections on her father’s extraordinary life, along with her profound relationship with her spiritual father, Mikis Theodorakis. 

Her storytelling created moments that felt suspended in time – where memory became music, and music became a bridge across generations. 

She was joined by Sotiris Doganis, whose long-standing collaboration with Anna includes more than 800 performances across Greece and abroad. Sotiris graced us with moving musical selections that honoured these towering figures of Hellenic culture. His performances filled the air with nostalgia, pride and a sense of collective gratitude. 

Together, Anna and Sotiris guided us through Greece’s cultural heartbeat – a tapestry woven with history, resilience and the timeless power of song. Each note, each story, reminded us of the legacies that shaped our identity and continue to inspire Greek communities around the world. 

FFTN Founder Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM delivered the Annual Report, highlighting both achievements and challenges. Kalli Taifalos, Treasurer, presented the Financial Statement. Vicky Alikakos chaired the meeting, while Christine Pallikaris managed the chat room. Maria Kampyli interviewed Anna Bithikotsis. 

New FFTN Committee for the 25th Anniversary Year: Vicky Alikakos, Dr Despin Anastasiou, Maria Kampyli, Christine Pallikaris, Anthoula Paraskeva, Kalli Taifalos, and Founder Ms Athanasiou-Ioannou AM 

FFTN founder called for additional volunteers and sponsors to support the organisation’s important work. The new Committee will convene in January to begin planning for FFTN’s milestone 25th year. 

Events like this reflect the very spirit of the FFTN: creating spaces where women and communities come together to celebrate culture, uplift one another and honour the stories that connect us. It was more than an event. It was a celebration of heritage, memory and the enduring strength of our shared voice. 

Watch this space for 2026.  www.fftn.org.au 

Hellenic presence shows solidarity at Melbourne Chanukah event

The Greek Herald
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Hellenic presence shows solidarity at Melbourne Chanukah event

Melbourne’s Chanukah celebrations went ahead under heightened security on Monday night, with a visible Hellenic presence joining the Jewish community in a show of solidarity at the Pillars of Light event in Federation Square.

Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis OAM attended the public menorah lighting, alongside senior political leaders, to express support following the recent terror attack at Bondi Beach which has shaken the Jewish community.

Also present to show their solidarity were the Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, and Assistant Minister Julian Hill.

“Now is the time for all of us to come together and stand side by side. This is what we did last night at the Pillars of Light event at Fed Square,” Papastergiadis told The Greek Herald.

“Supporting the Jewish community when they need it most on the third day of Chanukah… We do not take a backward step when faced with terrorism and hate.”

The event, organised by Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann of the Ark Centre, proceeded after consultation with Victoria Police, Federation Square and the government.

Papastergiadis thanked Rabbi Kaltmann for inviting Hellenic representatives to participate on stage.

“We cannot cower. We must stand strong, stand up and increase light as it is Chanukah,” Rabbi Kaltmann said, adding that community support had been “overwhelming.”

Hundreds also gathered at Temple Beth Israel and other solidarity events across Melbourne, as Jewish leaders emphasised resilience, unity and the importance of celebrating Chanukah publicly despite security concerns.

Banned Adelaide GP Bill Tolis denies breach after being seen at medical clinic

The Greek Herald
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Banned Adelaide GP Bill Tolis denies breach after being seen at medical clinic

A former Adelaide GP banned from providing health services has denied breaching the prohibition, contradicting claims by clinic staff and Australia’s medical regulator.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation National Agency (AHPRA) believes Bill Tolis may be providing health services, including naturopathy, despite a seven-year ban imposed by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2022.

AHPRA said Tolis posed a “serious risk” to the public, prompting the regulator to name a banned practitioner publicly for only the second time in its history.

The tribunal found Tolis had engaged in unprofessional conduct, including prescribing medications that caused harm such as liver and kidney damage, arranging unnecessary tests, failing to assess patients and keep records, and prescribing drugs facilitating anabolic steroid abuse.

Outside Findon Clinic on Friday, Tolis told The Advertiser he was not practising medicine or naturopathy and claimed he was only “managing” the clinic, saying medicine was “a matter of definition” and repeatedly asking, “what’s naturopathy?” before denying he practised it.

Earlier, a receptionist said he was consulting at the clinic until 5pm, while a sign and voicemail referred to him as “Dr Tolis” despite his deregistration.

In a 2023 Supreme Court ruling rejecting his appeal, Justice Kevin Nicholson said Tolis was “willing to place his patients at risk on the basis of unproven treatments,” adding that this was “characteristic of him.”

AHPRA has urged anyone treated by Tolis after August 2022 to contact its criminal offences unit. Providing health services in breach of a prohibition order is a criminal offence, punishable by up to $60,000 in fines, three years’ imprisonment, or both.

AHPRA chief executive Justin Untersteiner said, “We take our responsibility to protect the public very seriously and would not be doing this if we did not believe it was necessary based on the evidence before us.”

Source: The Advertiser.

St Eleftherios Church celebrates feast day in Brunswick

The Greek Herald
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St Eleftherios Church celebrates feast day in Brunswick

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) Church of St Eleftherios in Brunswick marked its annual feast day with a series of reverent and well-attended services held on Sunday, December 14, and Monday, December 15.

Church services commenced on Sunday evening with Vespers, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, followed by the Divine Liturgy on Monday morning, which His Eminence also blessed.

In attendance also was His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, along with several priests from churches across both dioceses. Representatives of the GCM, Simela Stamatopoulos (GCM board) and Michael Profyris (church coordinator), were present for the celebrations.

The feast of St Eleftherios, a Saint closely associated with faith, perseverance and spiritual freedom, holds deep significance for the parish and the wider Greek Orthodox community.

Each year, the feast brings families together, elders and younger generations, reaffirming the Church’s enduring role as a spiritual and cultural cornerstone for Hellenism in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

The GCM congratulate and commends all faithful who attended and contributed to the joy-filled observance of this important feast day.

Tsitsipas joins Djokovic in Adelaide International line-up

The Greek Herald
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Tsitsipas joins Djokovic in Adelaide International line-up

Stefanos Tsitsipas is set to compete at the Adelaide International in January, joining a strong field that includes Novak Djokovic, tournament organisers announced on Tuesday, December 16.

The ATP 250 event will run from 12–17 January in Adelaide, marking Djokovic’s return to the South Australian city, where he has previously claimed titles in 2007 and 2023.

Reflecting on his most recent win, Djokovic said: “It definitely felt like playing at home, that’s for sure. The support that I’ve been getting in the last 10 days, I don’t think I’ve experienced too many times in my life, so thank you so much for everyone for coming out every single match.”

Tsitsipas will line up alongside fellow entrants Jack Draper, Joao Fonseca and Tommy Paul, as the tournament shapes up as a key lead-in event to the Australian Open.

Source: ATP Tour.

Greece approves 2026 state budget after five-day debate

The Greek Herald
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Greece approves 2026 state budget after five-day debate

Greek Parliament approved the 2026 state budget late Tuesday following a five-day debate that concluded with speeches by party leaders and an electronic roll-call vote.

Of the 295 lawmakers present, 159 voted in favour and 136 against.

Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis said the process unfolded over five plenary sessions lasting a total of 66 hours, with 250 speakers participating, including government ministers, party leaders and MPs.

Kaklamanis noted that procedural changes allowed the debate to conclude by 8 pm, despite a 25 per cent increase in speaking time and doubled allocations for political leaders and the prime minister.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Bondi shooter wakes from coma as Australia mourns victims

The Greek Herald
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Bondi shooter wakes from coma as Australia mourns victims

One of the accused gunmen in Sunday’s Bondi Beach terror attack has woken from a coma and is expected to be questioned by police, as some of the victims are farewelled today.

NSW Police say detectives are waiting for the effects of medication to wear off and for legal advice to be arranged before interviewing the surviving suspect.

A candlelight vigil was held last night at Bondi Pavilion, where thousands gathered among flowers and candles to mourn the 15 people killed during the Hanukkah celebrations.

The first funeral, for Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, is scheduled to take place today, with more services expected in the coming days.

Tributes have also poured in for married couple Boris and Sofia Gurman, who were killed after confronting one of the gunmen and trying to disarm him.

Witnesses said Boris tackled the attacker in the street while Sofia stood nearby, moments before both were shot. “His family needs to know he was a hero,” witness Monika said.

Prime Minister Albanese (L) meeting Ahmed al Ahmed. Photo: @AlboMP / X.

Attention has also focused on civilian hero Ahmed al Ahmed, 44, who was shot after wresting a gun from one of the attackers. His actions have drawn international praise, including from his hometown of Al-Nayrab in Syria.

“His act is a source of pride for us and for Syria,” his uncle Mohammed told AFP, describing the moment he recognised his nephew in viral footage.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited Ahmed in hospital, said “his bravery is an inspiration for all Australians,” as a fundraiser for his medical costs surpassed $1.9 million.

Police continue to investigate the attackers’ backgrounds and overseas connections as the community grieves and Australia marks one of its deadliest mass shootings in decades.

Blackfriars dux Luke Tsavdaridis tops SA with perfect ATAR of 99.95

Andriana Simos
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Blackfriars dux Luke Tsavdaridis tops SA with perfect ATAR of 99.95

For thousands of South Australian families, results day is marked by tense moments gathered around laptops, followed by shock, elation or disbelief as final scores appear on screen.

On Monday, December 15, that moment arrived for around 17,100 South Australian school leavers, with their SACE results and university entry scores officially released.

At the very top of the cohort is Blackfriars Priory School dux Luke Tsavdaridis, who achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95 and three subject Merits, placing him among the state’s highest-achieving students for 2025.

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) compares a student’s performance against others in their cohort, expressed as a numerical value capped at 99.95. While widely acknowledged as “just a number,” for many students it remains a key gateway to university pathways and future study options.

Luke’s exceptional result included Merits in Chemistry, Physics, and Spiritualities, Religion and Meaning – an achievement he said left him “out of words.”

“I’m just grateful for all the help I’ve had during my time here at Blackfriars,” Luke said.

The aspiring Dentistry student urged future Year 12 students to persist through the challenges of their final year. “Don’t give up, no matter how hard it gets. And it will get hard, it will get really hard. Just stick with it, ask for help and you’ll get there.”

Beyond academic scores, students across South Australia have also been recognised for leadership, service and resilience.

Despite the cancellation of a scheduled ceremony following Sunday’s tragic events in Bondi, 40 Year 12 students were named recipients of a Governor of South Australia Commendation. The awards recognise students who balanced strong academic performance with meaningful community contribution, including mental health advocacy, volunteering in aged care and leadership in sport and service.

Governor Frances Adamson said the recipients were “both academically accomplished and have contributed meaningfully to their communities”. Students were nominated by their schools and assessed by an expert panel, with formal presentations to be held at Government House in February.

Governor of South Australia Commendation recipient Olivia Giotis
Governor of South Australia Commendation recipient Olivia Giotis.

Among the recipients is Olivia Giotis, captain of the South Australian tennis team, who represented the state nationally and internationally while serving as a Student Council member and Peer Mentor. She achieved A and A+ grades across all Year 12 subjects, earned a High Distinction in university-level Forensic Science, and received multiple leadership and service awards.

Other schools have also celebrated standout results, including Trinity College student Jaxon Zavalis, who achieved an ATAR of 98.35, and Walford student Eleni Maios who achieved an ATAR of 99.25.

*Please note: The above students are those The Greek Herald could identify by their Greek name. If you believe you should be in this article, please send an email to info@foreignlanguage.com.au.

South Australia’s Chief Justice Chris Kourakis announces retirement

The Greek Herald
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South Australia’s Chief Justice Chris Kourakis announces retirement

The Honourable Chris Kourakis, Chief Justice of South Australia, has announced his resignation from the Supreme Court, with his departure to take effect on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

Chief Justice Kourakis confirmed he formally submitted his resignation to the Governor on 11 November 2025, bringing to a close more than 17 years of service on the Supreme Court bench, including 13 years as Chief Justice.

He was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2008 and elevated to Chief Justice in 2012. In his statement, he noted that all 13 current Justices of the Court were appointed after his arrival, with nine appointed in the past six years, describing this as an appropriate time to step down.

Reflecting on his tenure, Chief Justice Kourakis expressed deep gratitude to his judicial colleagues for their “diligent and conscientious commitment to the administration of justice,” as well as to the executive leadership and staff of the Courts Administration Authority for their dedicated support of the judiciary.

A proud Greek Australian and the state’s first Chief Justice of Greek heritage, his Honour’s influence reaches deeply into the cultural and community spheres.

He is the National Patron of the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association and contributes to the preservation and celebration of Greek culture in Australia, serving as patron of the Foundation for Hellenic Studies, the Australian Hellenic Medical Charity and supporting the LOGOS Australian Centre for Hellenic Language and Culture at Flinders University.

On Tuesday, Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the government had “begun the process” of appointing a new Chief Justice and would make further announcements in the coming weeks.

“I sincerely thank Chief Justice Kourakis for his exemplary leadership of the judiciary and his long service to the South Australian justice system,” Mr Maher said.

“His tenure as Chief Justice has been characterised by intellectual leadership, integrity and collegiality. In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, Chief Justice Kourakis demonstrated adaptability, bringing the South Australian justice system into the 21st century through the introduction of electronic case management.”

Mr Maher also praised the outgoing Chief Justice’s personal qualities, describing him as widely respected for his humility, kindness and generosity of time.

“I wish Chief Justice Kourakis all the best for a well-earned retirement,” he said.

Chief Justice Kourakis’ resignation will trigger the appointment of a new head of the Supreme Court early next year.

Elderly residents enjoy heartwarming Christmas lunch at The Hellenic Club of Sydney

The Greek Herald
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Elderly residents enjoy heartwarming Christmas lunch at The Hellenic Club of Sydney

Elderly residents from St Basil’s Residential Aged Care and the Greek Community Home for the Aged, Earlwood, were treated to a heartwarming Christmas lunch on Sunday, December 14, thanks to a joint initiative by The Hellenic Club of Sydney and Alpha Restaurant.

The festive gathering marked the revival of a much-loved pre-COVID tradition, providing residents with a rare and joyful opportunity to come together outside their care homes to celebrate the Christmas season in a warm, communal setting.

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The afternoon was filled with emotion, laughter and festive cheer, with residents enjoying live music, dancing and a shared meal in the true spirit of Christmas. The atmosphere was uplifting and deeply moving, as elderly attendees were encouraged onto the dancefloor, clapping along and singing to familiar melodies.

Entertainment was generously donated with live music performed by Thanasi Pylarinos and John Logothetis, whose contribution created a joyful and inclusive atmosphere.

Adding to the warmth of the day was the involvement of Helen Dedes, widely known through her popular online presence “YiaYia’s Kitchen,” whose connection to Greek culture and tradition resonated strongly with residents and guests alike.

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For many attendees, the lunch was far more than a festive outing – it was an opportunity for social connection, dignity and joy, particularly meaningful for elderly residents who can often experience isolation, especially during the holiday period.

Organisers said the event reflected the true meaning of Christmas, centred on generosity, community and care for elders who have contributed so much to the Greek Australian community over their lifetimes.

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Hellenic Club of Sydney President Nick Hatzistergos said the Christmas lunch was about much more than a shared meal, describing it as a meaningful way to honour the community’s elders and create a space filled with warmth, dignity and joy. He also expressed sincere appreciation to the Dedes Group for their generosity and hospitality.

The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of community-led initiatives in supporting the wellbeing of elderly Australians – and of how music, food and togetherness can create moments of genuine joy.

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