Victorian Mental Health Minister, Martin Foley, is replacing Jenny Mikakos as Health Minister after she resigned from the position, following Premier Daniel Andrews’ testimony that she was “accountable” for the bungled hotel quarantine scheme.
Mr Foley will move into the role effective immediately, and will also take on the portfolios of Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for the Coordination of Health and Human Services COVID-19.
The appointment announcement came on Sunday during a press conference with Andrews, where he commended Foley for the ‘tremendous care’ he has demonstrated for vulnerable members in the community.
“Throughout his ministerial career, Martin has already overseen vital reforms in mental health, housing and disability,” Andrews said.
Luke Foley was appointed the new Health Minister at a press conference yesterday.
“He has always demonstrated great care and compassion for the most vulnerable members of our community and I know he will do an outstanding job leading our health response to the global pandemic.”
This message has been supported by members of the Greek community last night, with President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, telling The Greek Herald he is ‘delighted’ by the new appointment.
“The Greek community of Melbourne and South Melbourne FC are delighted in the appointment of Martin Foley as the new Minister of Health. Martin has been a strong supporter of the Greek community of which I am president of,” Mr Papastergiadis says.
“He attends all of our festivals, particularly The Antipodes Lonsdale St event, and is present at various functions held at our afternoon Greek schools, particularly in Albert Park.
Martin Foley (second from left) is a supporter of South Melbourne FC.
“Importantly, Mr Foley is the No 1 ticket holder for South Melbourne FC. Mr Foley played an integral role in our bid for the A League. Mr Foley was present at numerous meetings we held with senior executives of the FFA such as Greg O’ Rourke.
“We thank the efforts of the previous Health Minister (Ms Mikakos) and we congratulate the appointment of Mr Foley.”
During a press conference, Mr Foley himself said he was looking forward to working with Victorians under “enormously difficult circumstances” to achieve a “COVID-normal reopening” in the state.
These statements came as just yesterday, the Greek community issued messages of thanks and support to former Health Minister Jenny Mikakos.
Member for Bentleigh, Nick Staikos, said he was “saddened” by the way Ms Mikakos’ career had ended.
“She is a person of integrity who has worked her guts out while carrying the extraordinary weight of an unprecedented health crisis on her shoulders,” Mr Staikos said.
Oakleigh MP, Steve Dimopoulos, added he was proud to call Mikakos a friend.
“Few people have worked as hard or have more passion for helping others. I’ve never seen a hint of personal ambition, just an ambition to do good. Proud to call you a friend, Jenny,” Mr Dimopoulos wrote on Twitter.
Victoria’s second wave resulted in more than 780 deaths and prompted weeks of strict lockdown measures for Melbourne. Jenny Mikakos is so far the only Victorian minister to resign as a result of the failed containment of the virus.
Further reshuffling of the Victorian Ministry is expected in the coming days.
Yesterday morning, Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos revealed her decision to resign from cabinet and the Parliament.
Prior to her resignation, Mikakos faced severe accusations from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who claimed she was accountable for the botched hotel quarantine program.
“The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as the designated control agency was primarily responsible for the program,” he wrote in his statement as part of the inquiry into the quarantine hotels system.
“I then regarded Minister Mikakos as accountable for the program.”
Mikakos resigned taking full responsibility of the actions of her department, yet still didn’t hesitate to place blame on her department members.
“With the benefit of hindsight, there are clearly matters that my department should have briefed me on,” Mikakos said in her resignation statement to Facebook.
“Whether they would have changed the course of events only the Board and history can determine.”
Her resignation prompted the response of various government leaders, communities, and the 6.7 million people in Victoria, which many of whom had their entire lives changed due to the governments failed control of the quarantine system.
The Greek Community of Melbourne thanked Mikakos for her contribution to public service and her “tireless pursuit of social justice” in Victoria.
“We appreciate your efforts-they shall not be forgotten-and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours,” a statement by the Greek Community of Melbourne reads.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard went to immediately back the former Victorian Health Minister, placing full blame on Daniel Andrews.
The Oakleigh MP, Steve Dimopoulos, quickly followed suit saying Mikakos had been “an amazing servant for our community”.
“For 21 years in parliament but long before, Jenny has been an amazing servant for our community,” he wrote on Twitter.
Sorry to see Jenny Mikakos resign. She has worked tirelessly in this pandemic. Premier Andrews assertion that the Health Minister was responsible for the Quarantine system lacks logic. How could a Health Minister direct Police to be involved? @NSWHealth
For 21 years in Parliament but long before, Jenny has been an amazing servant for our community. Few people have worked as hard or have more passion for helping others. I’ve never seen a hint of personal ambition, just an ambition to do good. Proud to call you a friend, Jenny.
While the listed Liberal and Labour MP’s have sought to back the seemingly valiant Jenny Mikakos for standing up against Andrews amid this national crisis, an opinion piece by The Age has put much of the support for Mikakos in question.
The Age reports that on June 11, two days before The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald ran the first story on hotel quarantine’s failings, DHHS’s “top spinner” rang to say we they were off track and that publishing would be a mistake. Mikakos even went so far as to get the head of Unified Security, Nigel Coppick, to say the same.
“Should taxpayers fund media advisors to obstruct truth? Why was time and effort dedicated to this instead of fixing the problem before the Stamford Hotel outbreak?,” The Age reports.
“Our first article was published on June 13. According to her resignation statement, she didn’t see there was a problem until June 30.”
“It was her inaction that was the problem.”
“People usually come to media after their complaints are ignored. This is what happened here.”
The opinion piece goes on to state that whether Mikakos knew about private security is “beside the point.” Mikakos is to blame for not doing anything sooner, and instead wasting time to remind staff that they weren’t permitted to speak to the media.
“Maybe if more effort was spent listening to staff on the ground instead of trying to save face, millions of Melburnians wouldn’t still be stuck in our homes and hundreds of people wouldn’t have died,” the opinion piece adds.
“Take responsibility. Own it. Drop the spin. It’s infuriating.”
Victoria’s second wave resulted in more than 780 deaths and prompted weeks of strict lockdown measures for Melbourne. Jenny Mikakos is so far the only Victorian minister to resign as a result of the failed containment of the virus.
Australians missed out on their Summer holiday trips to Greece this year after the appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic meant everyone was to stay at home.
According to the United Nations, the 2020 edition of World Tourism Day is using the theme of “Tourism and Rural Development”. The United Nations are requesting for people to celebrate the unique role that tourism plays in providing opportunities outside of big cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage around the world.
For this reason, rather than dream about sitting on a beach in Greece, we’re going to highlight some of the best tourist destinations Australia has to offer.
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, and is one of seven natural wonders which can seen from space. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Australia and icon of Queensland, attracting 2 million visitors every year.
The Great Barrier Reef gives people the chance to observe over 1500 species of fishes, 3000 species of molluscs, 6 species of sea turtles and thirty species of whales and dolphins. Glass bottom boats, cruises, submarines and helicopters also allow for a more relaxing scenic visit.
Great Ocean Road, Victoria
The Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, Australia. Source: Getty
The Great Ocean Road stretches along the south eastern coast of Australia, having length of 243 kilometres. This surf coast highway was built by a team of retired soldiers, taking 13 years for completion, in memory of soldiers who lost their life in World War I.
The Great Ocean Road offers a view of most beautiful Australian beaches like torquay, jan juc, bells beach, anglesea, fairhaven, apollo bay and kennett river. People cam also witness the absolute splendour of the 12 large limestone rocks standing 45 meters high known as the 12 great Apostles.
Bondi Beach, Sydney
Photo: Sydney.com
A staple destination in Sydney, Bondi Beach has become a hub for tourists and for good reason. While Bondi Beach offers sun bathing, swimming and surfing, it is also the home of the most friendly personalities in Australia, making sure people leave with a smile.
Bondi Beach is also part of the infamous 3km Bondi to Bronte coastal walk where people can find smaller pockets of secluded beaches, allowing for a more privatised beach experience.
Uluru or the Ayers Rock
Also known as the Red centre of Australia, Uluru, one of the most visited tourist attractions in Australia, is a giant natural formation of sandstone rock standing 1143 feet high. Exhibiting many ancient paintings done by the ancient Anangu people, this monolith is a very sacred aboriginal cultural site.
Situated 335 km away from the closest large town, the site may be a bit remote but its natural beauty and cultural connotation makes it worthy of a visit.
The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney is an iconic association across Australia. Just the name itself conjures images of beautiful women dressed in traditional Greek costumes, dancing to numerous Greek dances ranging from a hasapiko to a syrto.
But what many people don’t know is how the association was first established in 1951 and how it has evolved since then. In a special two-part series, The Greek Herald will take you on a journey through this history of the Hellenic Lyceum, focusing on a number of specific events and time periods.
Part 1 will focus on the launch of the Lyceum leading up to the 1970’s, so prepare to take an ultimate walk down memory lane!
First Committee of the Athens Lyceum in 1911. Photo supplied.
Establishment of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney (1951):
The idea of a Hellenic Lyceum first blossomed in Athens, Greece, in 1911 with the help of a woman named Callirrhoe Parren. She was a Greek woman, married to a French man, who recognised the need to help women and to revitalise Greek customs and traditions after the Greek War of Independence.
“Callirrhoe was a very educated woman. She saw that by about 1911, the Greeks were forgetting some of their traditions and national dress because they had gone through so much during the Revolution,” President of The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, Mrs Liana Vertzayias, explains to The Greek Herald.
“She didn’t want that. That’s why she started the Lyceum in Athens and brought out the first women’s journal called the ‘Εφημερίς τον κύριον.’ She wanted to educate women and show them how they can help keep these traditions alive.”
First Greek women’s journal by Callirrhoe Parren. Photo supplied.
Mr Gooma (back left) was the founder of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney in 1951. Photo supplied.
It was a few years later in 1951, under the guidance of then General Secretary of the Greek Consul of Sydney, Mr Angelo Gooma, that the Hellenic Lyceum’s Sydney branch was founded. Mr Gooma had previous knowledge of the Lyceum in Athens because his mother was a member and decided to promote its application in Australia.
The first committee, under President Nena Fosteropoulos (1951-1953) and founding members such as Presvytera Lefkothea Evangelinidis, Lady Renee George, Liane Patterson, Marie Caroni, Tasia Varvaressos and Zoe Kominatou, was then tasked with achieving the Sydney Lyceum’s main principles – to preserve the Greek culture, folklore and traditions of Greeks in Australia.
“The main reason that the Lyceum was established here in Australia was also for the women who came out after WWII. They came, they didn’t speak the language, a lot of them had difficulty adjusting,” Mrs Vertzayias says.
“So the Lyceum ladies decided to act as interpreters and social workers. They took them to hospitals, to banks, helped them if they had to find accommodation or work. That was the original role of the Lyceum from 1951 to about the late 60’s.”
Members of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney in the 1960s. Photo supplied.
The Hellenic Lyceum dancers and collecting Greek traditional costumes:
In the late 1950’s to early 60’s, The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney began to establish its priceless collection of authentic Greek regional and traditional costumes. These costumes could be donated or bought from antique shops in Greece, but more commonly during this time period, the Lyceum office in Athens was making reproductions.
“Our costumes are either originals or copies from Greece. In Athens, they had a whole workshop doing reproductions. They had costumes from Zagora, Macedonia and other regions, which we would buy. Before that, they were virtually made here in Australia,” Mrs Marina Efthimiou, past President and current Vice President of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, tells The Greek Herald.
Hellenic Lyceum dancers at the Newcastle Greek Ball in 1962.
Hellenic Lyceum Ball, June 1962. Photo supplied.
Once bought or donated, these costumes were then used not only as objects of study, but they were also given life and movement by being worn by the Hellenic Lyceum dancers during their performances at home and abroad.
The Hellenic Lyceum dancers were the very first dance group of traditional Greek dancers in Australia. Using authentic choreography and national costume, traditional dances such as kalamatiana and tsamika were learnt and performed.
Hellenic Lyceum dancers in front of the Sydney Opera House. Photo supplied.
“The Hellenic Lyceum dancers were the first dancers in Australia to go and participate in organisations that had dances and balls. There were no other dancers in Australia at the time,” Mrs Vertzayias says.
But to achieve true greatness, it was important to also have strong and talented dance teachers. Over the years, the Lyceum dancers have been taught by Mrs Prattou, Mrs Harris, Mr Yiakoulis, Mr Vardakis, Mr Rossidies and currently, Mr and Mrs Papapetrou.
Fundraisers and cultural events in the early 1960’s to the 1970’s:
In the early 1960’s to the 1970’s, the Lyceum became even more strongly focused on Greek culture and its preservation. According to Mrs Efthymiou, lectures were given on Greek culture and history by people such as Mrs Sophia Salapatas, who is now the Curator of the Lyceum’s library in Athens.
At the same time, there were also a number of fundraisers and local events, too many to name here, which the Sydney Lyceum participated in to raise money not only for Greece, but also for important causes in Australia.
Marina Vakas (left), Diana George (centre) and Maria Dervos (right) in 1962 at the Bride Parade. Photo Supplied.
Take for example, the ‘Parade of Brides from different countries.’ Held in 1962 at the iconic Chevron Hilton Hotel, members of the Sydney Lyceum – Diana George (the daughter of Lady Renee George), Marina Vakas and Maria Dervos – represented Greece.
Diana George was dressed in a copy of the wedding dress worn by the Greek-born wife of the first Governor of Queensland, while Marina and Maria wore traditional Greek costumes as her bridesmaids. They made the Greek Australian community proud, with all proceeds from the parade going to the Crown Street Women’s Hospital.
Presenting a donation to the Children’s Hospital in Camperdown, 1979. Photo supplied.
Just a few years later in 1979, it’s clear the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney were still continuing their philanthropic work. One famous picture of the Lyceum women shows them presenting a donation to the Children’s Hospital at Camperdown with huge smiles on their faces.
Now, of course there are many more fundraisers and cultural events which took place during the early 1960’s to 1970’s. This is by no means an extensive catalogue of every single event. But in saying this, please stay tuned for part two of our series on the Hellenic Lyceum in Sydney to see what else these beautiful and powerful women got up to back in the day!
While many Greek islands may have suffered economically from tourism income in the most recent Greek summer, two islands managed to thrive.
The stunning Greek islands of Skyros and Serifos managed to gain a surplus or levelled with the previous year’s tourism income, making the mayoral heads turn on other Greek islands.
Speaking to the Greek press, Nikos Mavrikos, the mayor of Skyros, noted that the island was able to maintain nearly the same level of tourism as in summers past — and this is due to the happy fact that the island traditionally attracts Greek tourists.
Skyros, Greece. Photo: mysailing.com.au
“Taking advantage of the fact that Skyros is traditionally visited by Greek people, and in combination with the very good prices for accommodation and food, we worked closely with tourism professionals for the full and consistent implementation of health measures while upgrading tourism services for visitors,” Mr Mavrikos said.
Skyros and Serifos saw domestic tourism flourish this year, with accommodations on the island running at 80% capacity.
Local leaders on Serifos understood that international tourism would take a major hit in the summer months, so they started an advertising campaign targeting domestic tourism in the country, using the hashtags #serifos2020 and #metaximas.
“The result of our campaign #serifos2020 and #metaximas was absolutely successful both in appealing to a younger audience but also to the 30-50 audience which we were targeting,” President of the Association of Merchants and Professionals on Serifos, George Nikolaou, told APE-MPE.
Tourism alone accounts for over a quarter of Greece’s GDP. It also accounts for a large portion of the country’s workforce, with numbers ranging from 16.7% all the way to 44.2% if professions that are indirectly related to tourism are also included in the figure.
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has resigned from cabinet and the Parliament, just a day after Premier Daniel Andrews revealed she was “accountable” for the botched hotel quarantine program.
“I am disappointed that my integrity has sought to be undermined,” Ms Mikakos said in a statement on Twitter.
“I know that my statement and evidence [to the inquiry] would have been uncomfortable for some.
“I have today written to the Governor of Victoria to resign my commissions as a Minister effective today. I will also be resigning from the Parliament.”
STATEMENT FROM JENNY MIKAKOS MPSince the start of the pandemic, I have worked every day with a single focus – to…
The Victorian Health Minister was part of the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry, where she claimed she was not part of the decision to use private security in the botched hotel quarantine program.
“I was not part of any decision-making process to use private security contractors in the HQP [Hotel Quarantine Program]. I do not know who made this decision,” Mikakos said in a written response she submitted to the inquiry.
“I would not support the engagement of private security contractors in any future iteration of the HQP.”
In a full statement posted to Facebook, Mikakos says she will “take responsibility for my department”.
“With the benefit of hindsight, there are clearly matters that my department should have briefed me on.
“Whether they would have changed the course of events only the Board and history can determine.”
She added that she was disappointed her integrity is being undermined, yet also recognises that her statement and evidence would have been uncomfortable for some.
“I am deeply sorry for the situation that Victorians find themselves in. In good conscience, I do not believe that my actions led to them.I thank Victorians for the privilege of serving them.”
“I thank the Premier, my colleagues, my loyal staff, the Labor Party and broader Labour movement for their support.”
Wedding industry operators and engaged couples are on their knees as they plead for restrictions to lift.
The Advertiser reports that some wedding industry operators say they have lost up to 95 per cent of their income due to arbitrary coronavirus restrictions. The struggling sector is calling on the State Government to ease restrictions to revive the industry and allow brides and grooms to have their dream weddings.
Jim Liapis, General Manager of Sunnybrae Estate Function Centre in Regency Park, says his business has lost 90 percent of its income since coronavirus restrictions were brought in.
He says brides and grooms were “frustrated with the double standards of the restrictions”.
Sunnybrae Estate in Regency Park.
“They’re feeling cheated, emotionally and mentally, they’re a wreck,” he said.
NSW on Thursday eased its weddings restrictions to allow dancing for up to 20 members of the bridal party. Yet Liapis says more must be done to allow couples to have their dream weddings.
“I’ve had people crying in our offices,” Liapis adds.
“Some of them have postponed now three times.”
“It’s not necessary considering when there’s scenes of 25,000-30,000 people at footy games lining up like sardines outside.”
Angela Mountzouris and Michael Gallo, both 26, of South Plympton are getting married at Sunnybrae Estate Function Centre on October 4.
“It’s just been chaotic and it had just ruined the experience for us,” Ms Mountzouris said.
Stephen Mullighan. Photo: InDaily
The couple said they had to cut their guest list from 250 to 150 to adhere to the rules but they hoped restrictions would be lifted before her nuptials.
Opposition spokesman Stephen Mullighan said urged the Government to take action.
“If the Government can’t ease restrictions on weddings, then it should be providing wedding venues and the businesses that rely on them with financial assistance,” he said.
“This is an industry that supports thousands of jobs in South Australia, and it can’t operate effectively due to the Government’s restrictions.”
While ‘Friends’ megastar Jennifer Aniston is one of the most popular actresses in the USA, not many know that she has a strong Greek heritage.
A video released by The Bucks social media team shows Greek NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo trying to convince his teammates that the Jennifer Aniston is Greek.
“You know she is Greek? You know Jennifer Aniston is Greek?,” Giannis said after one of his teammates excuses for having his shirt off was, “Jennifer Anniston will see this”.
The Greek MVP’s teammates refused to believe the ‘Just Go With It’ and ‘Marley and Me’ actress came from Greek origins. Giannis proceeded to get out his phone to prove it himself.
“Jennifer Aniston, her actual last name is Anastasakis. Jennifer Anastasakis, not Aniston.”
The video posted by the Bucks shows ‘stay-at-home’ highlights from the team’s COVID bubble in Orlando. In the video they show the recovery of the players, their games in the Disney World swimming pools, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s great effort to convince that Jennifer Aniston is Greek.
Antetokounmpo was given the NBA MVP award for the second time in a row this season, becoming the first Greek NBA player to win back-to-back NBA MVP awards.
Greek second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has beaten Dusan Lajovic in straight sets to reach the Hamburg European Open semi-finals.
The 22-year-old, world No.6 recovered from 5-3 down in a first-set tie-break to win 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 in an hour and 38 minutes.
“It was a perfect day; sunny, good people, good atmosphere and good clay,” said Tsitsipas on court.
“Dusan is a difficult opponent to play on clay, with a lot of spin and variation in his shots. I think I had to do something extra for the victory today. I will keep working hard.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to the semi-finals of the European Open in Hamburg. Photo: Getty Images
Tsitsipas will face Chile’s Cristian Garin, who was a 3-6 6-4 6-4 winner over Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, in the last four.
The second semi-final will see Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut take on Casper Ruud.
Fourth seeded Spaniard Bautista Agut beat Andrey Rublev, seeded fifth, 6-2 7-5, while Norwegian world No. 30 Ruud saw off Ugo Humbert 7-5 3-6 6-1.
The upcoming visit to Greece by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is an indication that bilateral relations have reached a historically high level, a senior State Department official was reported as saying on Friday by state-run news agency ANA-MPA.
“This is the second trip by Secretary Pompeo to Greece. Just one year ago we went to Greece for the Strategic Dialogue. I think the fact that we are returning underlines how strong US-Greek ties have become in recent years,” the official said, noting that the upcoming visit would highlight the successes in bilateral relations and Greece’s emergence as a strong regional partner for the US in security and energy.
Pompeo will start his visit in Thessaloniki, where he will be met by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. The Secretary of State will emphasise the importance of energy diversity and the energy infrastructure projects underway in Greece, as well as signing a bilateral agreement for cooperation in the science and technology sectors.
“In Thessaloniki, we will show that we are at Greece’s side, investing in the future of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. The US is striving to help Greece to become a more capable partner of the US in the sectors of energy diversity and independence,” the official said.
Pompeo’s next stop will be Crete, where he will be met by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and visit the Souda base.
Commenting on recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the official noted Washington’s repeated calls for de-escalation and said that Pompeo welcomes recent positive developments and the prospect of the resumption of dialogue, including the announcement that the two sides will repeat exploratory talks.
The official also said that this will probably be among the issues discussed during the visit, though its primary purpose is to further the growth of bilateral relations.
Concluding, he noted that progress in the bilateral relationship will be a good development for the region as a whole. Regarding Turkey, he said that relations with one country do not affect relations with another country.
![Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney: The first Greek women’s association in Australia [Part 1]](/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PLEASE-USE-Hellenic-Lyceums-first-dancing-group-1952.-Photo-supplied-1.jpg "Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney: The first Greek women’s association in Australia [Part 1]")
