More than 70 students from the Greek School of Canberra, aged from five to sixteen, along with their teachers, had the opportunity to enjoy a tour of the Embassy of Greece over two days last week and meet with the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Georges Papakostas.
“The Ambassador, His Excellency Georges Papacostas, was kind enough to host the kids, for a tour of the embassy premises and gift them with a book about Greece as well as a map of the country. He also challenged the kids to locate on the map the part of Greece that their families originate from.
“The Ambassador and the teachers gave the students a historical insight on the artefacts in the Embassy, from the head of Poseidon to a model of an ancient Greek battle ship – which was a favourite among the kids. We then discussed about the Greek flag and the story behind it and Mr Papacostas spoke about the beautiful sites of Greece.
“It was a great two days and the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra as well as the parents of the Greek School, greatly appreciate the Ambassador’s time and effort. A special thanks goes to Gizmos Cafe, that provided all the dinners for the kids – they heard of what we were doing and were all too happy to support,” Principal of the Greek School and President of The Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra, John Loukadellis, told The Greek Herald.
“The Embassy is a large building and home to numerous replicas of archaeological artefacts. As the ‘OXI Day’ 80thAnniversary is fast approaching, we thought this visit would be a great opportunity for the kids to further connect with their history and culture,” Greek School of Canberra Lead Teacher, Anastasia Constantine, said.
“The younger ones were impressed by the duplicate of a ‘triiris’ and the older ones with the help of the Ambassador -who made sure to spend time with each and one of the kids- enjoyed locating their ancestral towns on the map.
“We are grateful for the support of the parents and the wider Community. We are all united with the common goal to pass on the Greek spirit and the love for our language, culture and religion to our younger Greeks,” concluded Ms Constantine.
Over the weekend, Manningham police in Victoria worked together with members of the St Haralambos Greek Orthodox Parish in Templestowe to respond to an emergency incident involving a member of the local Greek community.
According to a statement on Facebook by Manningham Police, police were called to a home in Doncaster on Friday evening to assist paramedics tend to an elderly Greek person.
Following the resolution of the incident, Manningham police contacted Father Elias Kentrotis at St Haralambos to assist in providing welfare support and pastoral care to the family and patient.
Manningham police were proud to work with members of the St Haralambos Greek Orthodox Parish in Templestowe over the…
On Monday morning, police attended St Haralambos to thank Father Kentrotis for his assistance.
“While there, police discussed how they could assist with other church initiatives such as the Church Youth Group,” the Facebook statement reads.
“This was a fantastic example of emergency services working with the community, and we’re looking forward to working with St Haralambos in the future.”
In a press release The Greek Herald received today by The Capital Group, it has been announced that the Order of AHEPA NSW Inc has entered voluntary administration. This is sad state of affairs for all involved and ultimately, both parties will be impacted negatively and this is nothing more than a cost to the Greek Australian community.
Greek Community Association, The Order of AHEPA NSW Inc has appointed Michael Hird and Alan Walker of Cor Cordis as Administrators to recover approximately $3.5 million owed to creditors.
The amount owed relates primarily to legal and consulting fees connected to longstanding internal corporate governance issues and a proposal to redevelop the Bexley Bowling Club.
The Bexley Bowling Club proposal sharply divided members of the Association and exacerbated historical differences amongst members concerning membership and constitutional issues.
The Supreme Court of NSW has dealt with the Associations governance issues on no less than three occasions in recent times with the NSW Court of Appeal finally determining the issues on 26 August 2020.
Draft orders were made by the NSW Court of Appeal and have yet to be finalised.
Cor Cordis Director, Michael Hird, said the aim of the Administration was to maximise the return to creditors and to preserve, as much as possible, the Association’s assets.
He will also assist the Association to implement changes that may be ordered by the NSW Court of Appeal that may enable the Association to return their efforts to the admirable objectives of their charter.
“Our intention is to reach an amicable, fair and productive outcome for the Association which has a rich history having been first established in Australia in 1934.”
The next report to creditors is planned to be finalised on 8 October 2020, with a second meeting to follow. Creditors will be advised in due course.
St Ypomoni Family and Friends Ministry is a new initiative set up four weeks ago with the support of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios and His Grace Bishop Emilianos, and it’s kick-started its community work just in time for the upcoming Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams!
The HSC is a credential awarded to students in NSW who successfully complete their studies in Year 11 and 12. It also involves a series of final exams which run for about four weeks from October to November.
To help out, the Ministry is holding five free HSC support sessions via Zoom for students, and one special session for parents who want to learn how to support their children during the exams.
St Ypomoni Family and Friends Ministry is pleased to announce HSC Support for students and their families. Sessions and…
Mr Asterios Zouriakis, who will be running the parents session, tells The Greek Herald that these classes are important as parents will learn how they can help their child manage stress.
“The parents session will be like a wellbeing program. We will start to think of students as athletes moving towards their final race and then ask ourselves how we can help them,” Mr Zouriakas says.
“From there we will provide parents with the tools to help their child move away from automatic negative thoughts to positive enhancing thoughts. It’s all about reframing.”
For the student sessions themselves, Mr Zouriakas stresses that they will be taught by volunteer teachers with experience in the HSC syllabus for English, HSIE, Ancient History and Modern History.
“We will be looking at the syllabus points of each subject and answer any last minute questions the students might have,” Mr Zouriakas says.
“With English, for example, we will look at specific texts, discuss how to answer questions with specific HSC verbs and we will also look at the PEEL technique.”
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you can attend any of the following classes once you register via this link.
English: Tuesday, September 29, 10-11am.
HSIE (Society and Culture): Wednesday, October 30, 10-11am.
Known as the “Greek Bruce Springsteen,” singer George Dalaras is one of Greece’s biggest contemporary music stars and a living folk legend. To mark his 71st birthday today, we take a look back at his life and musical achievements so far.
Early Life:
George Dalaras was born in Nea Kokkinia, Piraeus, Greece, on September 29, 1950, to a family of musicians. His father, Loukas Daralas, was a well-known bouzouki musician and a performer of rembetika music.
As a teenager, Dalaras — who inverted the third and fifth letters of his last name — played guitar and sang at Piraeus’ bouzoukia, or nightclubs, and made his recording debut in 1965 on his father’s rendition of “Wry Thorn.”
When Dalaras was a teenager he played guitar and sang at Piraeus’ nightclubs.
Dalaras soon began to cut his own records, releasing his first song, “Prosmoni” (Anticipation), in 1967. The song made indirect reference to Greece’s political turbulence and was instantly banned by authorities of the military junta that ruled the country from 1967 until the mid-1970s.
Personal Life:
Since 1983, Dalaras has been married to Anna Ragousi, who is also his manager and a former politician who served with the PASOK government in 2009 and 2011. They have one daughter, Georgianna.
Music Career:
In 1972, Dalaras, along with singer Haris Alexiou, received his big break in the Greek music industry when their album “Μικρά Ασία” (Asia Minor) went gold, his first album to do so.
He also collaborated with Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, recording Eighteen Little Songs for the Bitter Homeland, whose text was based on the poems of Greek lyricist, Yiannis Ritsos.
Dalaras’ 1979 hit, “Paraponemena logia” (Saddened words), became the theme song for an entire generation of young Greeks.
Following that success, in the early 1980’s, Dalaras became the first musician to take modern Greek music from small local clubs to large concert halls and arenas. He performed two sold-out shows at the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium of Athens.
Today, Dalaras’ personal albums total beyond 70.
He has sold more than 15 million records in his career and is regarded as one of the biggest names in contemporary Greek music.
He has toured extensively throughout the world and was even invited to sing for Nelson Mandela on his birthday.
Humanitarian Work:
Dalaras was named as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in October 2006.
Always coupling music with social responsibility, Dalaras has supported causes associated with labour movements and discrimination. But his biggest concerns are those close to the heart of the Greek people.
In the early 1990’s, he turned his attention to northern Cyprus, occupied since 1974 by Turkish forces. Dalaras traveled to the United States to support the cause, holding a benefit concert at the Brendan Byrne Arena in the Meadowlands of New Jersey.
Dalaras also became particularly interested in the Kurdish cause and spoke out against the war in Yugoslavia and the American bombing campaign.
The singer has since received the John F. Kennedy Award, presented by Senator Edward Kennedy, in recognition of his humanitarian work.
He was also named as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in October 2006.
Greek police have accused 35 people from several foreign non-governmental aid organisations of illegally helping refugees and migrants to enter from Turkey.
Those accused allegedly provided information to people-smugglers, in at least 32 instances, on the Greek coastguard’s position and possible locations to disembark on the Aegean island of Lesvos.
The group faces criminal charges related to organised crime and espionage, police said on Monday. It was not clear from the statement whether any arrests were made.
Two foreign nationals – identified by national broadcaster ERT as an Afghan and an Iranian – were also part of the alleged operation, the police said.
No information was given on the aid groups in question or the identities of the suspects.
In a statement, Migration Minister, Notis Mitarachi, said authorities were cooperating with many NGOs but would not tolerate NGOs “with illegal activity.”
A Greek police source told Reuters that a “preliminary” investigation was still under way.
Refugees relocated from Lesvos:
Meanwhile, Greek authorities on Monday began transferring hundreds of refugees from Lesvos to reduce chronic overcrowding that has caused hardship and fanned tensions with locals.
More than 700 people were to sail to the Greek mainland on board a ferry late on Monday, organisers said, three weeks after a sprawling camp on the island burned down.
Another group will leave on Thursday, state agency ANA said.
Migrants – most of them wearing face masks – gather outside the temporary refugee camp in Kara Tepe as they wait to depart from Lesbos
Some 2,500 refugees and asylum seekers are to be relocated overall, following coronavirus tests, according to the migration ministry.
More than 12,000 asylum seekers were left homeless on September 8 after a fire ravaged the Moria camp on Lesvos.
A makeshift tent facility was hurriedly erected to house some 9,500 people. The government is now in talks to build a smaller permanent camp on the island.
Six Afghan youths are on trial for arson in connection to the fire. They deny the charges.
A cruise ship carrying about 920 passengers was expected to dock at Piraeus port near Athens, after 12 of its crew members tested positive for the coronavirus, an official at Greece’s Civil Protection agency said on Monday.
The Mein Shiff 6, operated by TUI Cruises, departed from Heraklion in Crete on Sunday with all passengers having tested negative before boarding.
But sample tests on 150 crew members out of a total of 666, detected 12 infections. They were immediately isolated. The ship’s operators said six of the 12 had since tested negative.
12 crew members on board the Mein Schiff 6 tested positive for the coronavirus.
“They are all asymptomatic,” the civil protection official said.
The Maltese-flagged ship had been en route to Corfu via Piraeus. As soon as the diagnoses came in, its captain halted the voyage and moored the vessel off the Aegean isle of Milos. Authorities in Athens later instructed him to make straight for the capital’s port city.
Greek media said all 922 of the ship’s passengers would be confined to their cabins for the duration of the journey.
However Tui, operating the luxury liner in conjunction with the US firm Royal Caribbean, denied that passengers were constricted in their movements.
Sabine Lueke, a spokeswoman for Tui, said: “They can use the ship in the normal way. The cruise will go on as planned.”
The vessel is expected to dock at Pireaus at 0200 GMT and Greek health authorities will board the vessel and conduct repeat tests to the 12 crew members.
Officials indicated no one would be allowed to disembark.
US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said on Monday that Washington will use its diplomatic and military influence in the eastern Mediterranean to try to ease a volatile dispute between Greece and Turkey over energy rights.
“The United States and Greece reiterated their dedication to enhancing their close cooperation as NATO allies, using all appropriate means at their disposal in order to safeguard stability and security in the wider region,” the two countries said in a joint statement after Pompeo met with Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias.
“The United States and Greece… also reaffirmed their belief that maritime delimitation issues should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law.”
Relations between Greece and neighboring Turkey deteriorated sharply this year over allegedly disputed maritime boundaries and exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias speak during their meeting in the northern city of Thessaloniki. Photo: AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos, Pool.
Turkey sent a research vessel, accompanied by warships, to search for energy resources in an area Greece claims is on its own continental shelf and where it claims exclusive economic rights. Athens sent warships of its own to the area.
Pompeo welcomed the decision of Athens and Ankara to restart exploratory talks and said maritime disputes should be solved through dialogue, not demonstrations of power.
“We’ve watched the Greeks move in that direction trying to achieve that,” he told Greece’s ANA state news agency.
“We hope the Turkish government will see it the same way, and we hope the exploratory talks not only get kicked off right, but it’s important that they’re resolved in a way that delivers outcomes that each of the two nations find more than acceptable.”
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) and Greek Minister for Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis touch elbows during a signing agreement ceremony in the northern city of Thessaloniki Photo: AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos, Pool.
European Union members will meet later this week to discuss imposing sanctions on Turkey for its actions.
Pompeo becomes first US Secretary of State to visit Thessaloniki:
Pompeo began a five-day regional tour of Greece in the northern city of Thessaloniki, making him the first US Secretary of State to visit the city.
Security was tight, with the venue of Pompeo’s meeting with Dendias changing from the originally planned location, a local ministry, to a hotel for security reasons, authorities said.
During his visit to Thessaloniki, Pompeo signed a bilateral science and technology agreement, and hosted energy sector business leaders for a discussion to highlight energy diversification and infrastructure projects in Greece.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits the Jewish Museum in the northern city of Thessaloniki. Photo: AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos, Pool.
He also joined members of Thessaloniki’s Jewish community to commemorate Yom Kippur at the local Jewish Museum, as police cordoned off a large section of the city center.
Later Monday, he flew from Thessaloniki to the Greek island of Crete where he is scheduled to meet with Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and visit a US naval base at Souda Bay on Tuesday.
About the time Pompeo was due to fly to Crete, about 1,500 people gathered in Thessaloniki’s center for two separate demonstrations to protest his visit, carrying signs reading “The hawk of war is not welcome in our country,” and “The murderers of the peoples are not welcome.”
Protesters later burnt a US flag in front of the American Consulate building.
Historic or not? Greece and US lost in translation over North Macedonia:
In the joint statement signed on Monday between the US and Greece, there were also confusing messages about whether Washington and Athens consider the North Macedonia name change deal (Prespa Agreement) historic or not.
The initial US-Greece statement referred to a “historic” Prespa Agreement. The English version of the statement was immediately published on the Greek foreign affairs ministry website but the Greek version was not published at all.
However, a couple of hours later, the word “historic” disappeared from the joint statement posted on both the website of the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry and of the US embassy in Athens.
Neither side has so far provided an explanation for this change.
Meraki TV is set to grace our screens again from October 12th at 7pm on Foxtel’s Aurora Channel 173.
The new season has a fresh look with its new host Demitra Sealy, who is known for her blossoming acting career including a new Hollywood film.
“What an exciting time to be host of Meraki TV! I have been involved for several years but this is the first time that I will be the host. I love the cast, crew and everyone involved. We have become a wacky little family,” Demitra tells The Greek Herald.
“The show gave me a unique way to connect with a large part of my heritage and culture, my Greek Australian community… Living up to its name, the show has really allowed me to delve into my Meraki.”
Demitra Sealy is the new host of Meraki TV.
Meraki TV will offer a wide variety of entertainment including: interesting interviews, a kids corner, mini documentaries on Greek mythology, art and mindfulness with Noula, and news from the motherland.
There will also be a bigger and better cooking segment this year with three chefs not one. George Diakomichalis will cook with his apprentice Anna, while Helen Demetriou resurrects her Under 30 Minutes segment.
Season 6, will also see ‘The Kids Corner’ hosted by kids who will bring their own fun, magic and energy to the show. They will cover everything from arts and crafts to ancient Greek board games.
For music news, ARIA chart topper, DJ Krazy Kon, returns. Krazy Kon celebrates 25 years of his iconic Greece CD series this year, and shares his industry knowledge and talent for picking the best music and artists.
George Diakomichalis will cook with his apprentice Anna. Photo supplied.
And in an entirely new travel segment produced exclusively for Meraki TV, get ready to wander through the most beautiful travel spots in Greece.
“I’m so proud of Meraki TV. Of the contribution it makes to Greek Australia. We connect so many from all different corners of the continent,” Executive Producer of Meraki TV, Ana Sevo, tells The Greek Herald.
“Our team is so talented, energetic, passionate and devoted. I love that all members of the family sit and watch this together. From the kids to the grandparents. And that is a really important aspect of Greek culture.”
Other highly acclaimed team members include journalist, novelist and award winning documentary filmmaker, Billy Cotsis, and roaming reporter Maria Hohlastou.
Monday, October 12, can’t come soon enough!
If you want to rewatch any episodes of Meraki TV, you can do so via YouTube.
New groundbreaking research has revealed that some healthy Australians who develop the most serious coronavirus symptoms are missing a crucial set of proteins which protects the body from viruses.
According to two new papers published in Science, patients who lack the type I interferon genetic mutation – a set of 13 proteins crucial for protecting cells from viruses – were more associated with severe infections.
Professor John Christodoulou, who is co-leading the Australian arm of the COVID Human Genetic Effort, told The New Daily that the two papers provide a potential explanation for severe infections seen in up to 15 percent of cases.
Professor John Christodoulou is co-leading the Australian arm of the COVID Human Genetic Effort. Photo: The University of Melbourne.
“The way SARS-CoV-2 affects people differently has been puzzling,” Professor Christodoulou said.
“The virus can cause a symptom-free infection and go away quietly or it can kill in a few days.”
In addition to the people who produce misguided antibodies which attack their own cells rather than the coronavirus, another 3.5 percent carry genetic mutations which will impair their immune response.
And the new research also helps explain why more men die than women.
“10 percent of individuals with severe COVID-19 infection had auto-antibodies to type I interferon, neutralising the early protective effect of innate immunity,” Professor Christodoulou said.
“Importantly, 95 percent of these individuals were men, which might explain at least some of the sex differences we see in COVID-19 infection, which tends to affect males more severely.”
Experts say the overall good news from this research is that doctors should now be able to address the missing interferon problem with existing medications and interventions.
