Marialena Tsirlis, a Greek native, is the first woman to be appointed Secretary-General of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Marialena is a graduate of the Ursulines Greek-French School and the Athens Law School, before she continued her postgraduate and doctoral studies in Strasbourg.
In 1994, she began her career as a lawyer at the Secretariat of the European Commission of Human Rights.
After advancing to several executive positions, Marialena’s rich academic and professional career led her to be unanimously elected by the Plenary of forty-seven judges of the ECHR to the position of Secretary-General.
“The role of the Secretariat is ancillary. Our mission is to assist judges in the performance of their duties by preparing case files and providing any legal, administrative and technical assistance,” Marialena said in an interview with APE-MPE after her election.
“My goal is to perform our duties in the best and most efficient way, utilising the potential and skills of each staff member and ensuring a healthy and enjoyable work environment, where everyone will be able to evolve and progress.
“I am fortunate to lead an extremely talented, enthusiastic and dedicated team. We know that the Court is called upon to face significant challenges and it is our common ambition to contribute to its success.”
Marialena will serve a five-year term and will commence her duties on December 1st, 2020.
Georgia Tzempetzi is no stranger to helping people with dementia. Since 2014, she is a registered nurse in Fronditha Care’s GALINI memory support unit in Clayton. A year ago, she became the Clinical Care Coordinator of the unit. With her warm smile and positive energy, Georgia tends to the medical needs of GALINI’s residents and monitors their mental health and behaviour.
“Every day I learn something new from the elders we care for that live with dementia. Their experience, perspective and resilience are invaluable, and the most rewarding part of my job,” Georgia says.
“In my unit, I have cared for elders that could still play music, sing, do art and craft activities and, most importantly, tell their life stories. Their hardships, happiness and struggles are all there, and I enjoy listening to them.”
This year, Dementia Australia’s Dementia Action Week (21-27 September) aims to raise awareness around dementia and shed light on the amazing things people with dementia can still do, such as contributing to the community, continuing to make their own choices and living a full and enriching life.
“There is a misconception that life ends when somebody is diagnosed with dementia. In reality, it’s a different stage of life,” says Georgia. “People with dementia need support, respect and dignity. Simple and little things that can make a lot of difference.”
The outside of Fronditha Care’s facility in Clayton. Photo: frondithacare.org.au.
Georgia was a young child when she first encountered people with dementia at her parents’ village in Greece. She didn’t understand why these people behaved differently, and knowledge about dementia in her social circle was limited.
“It was a strange thing to view as a child, and initially, I was scared of it,” she says.
Dementia is a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain and thought process, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Although most people with dementia are generally older, it can manifest in people as young as 40. It is the second leading cause of death in Australia, with almost half a million Australians having the diagnosis. This number is expected to double in the next twenty-five-years, unless there is a dramatic scientific discovery.
What causes dementia is still largely undetermined but scientists and medical practitioners maintain that following a healthy lifestyle, keeping a healthy weight, exercising, both mentally and physically, and avoiding cigarettes and alcohol can reduce the risk of dementia.
The signs of dementia are quite visible for trained professionals like Georgia, who claim little changes in someone’s behaviour may be indicative of the first stages of dementia.
“The most obvious symptom is the behavioural change, especially the confusion of somebody performing simple everyday tasks like making a coffee or getting dressed. Some people start to feel apathetic and then, of course, there is gradual memory loss,” Georgia explains.
“We have to bear in mind that forgetting our keys in our car isn’t necessarily linked to dementia. As we grow older, other mental conditions have similar symptoms to dementia, such as depression. That is why we always have to consult with our GP to make the appropriate diagnosis.”
For people of diverse cultural backgrounds, there are additional challenges to receiving appropriate and specialised care in Australia. Thankfully, Fronditha Care has long established and followed a care model that caters for the physical, cultural and spiritual needs of the elderly people it cares for.
Language, food and culture play a significant role in the life of the elderly. People with dementia revert to their native language, so having carers that speak their language goes a long way in enabling them to communicate their needs. The smell and taste of familiar food, foster comfort and belonging. Little things make a big difference.
“We are like a family here. I have a lot of grandparents, and I am happy to contribute to their life journey in every way I can.”
* Fronditha Care is a not-for-profit aged care organisation that is the largest provider of residential and community services to Greek Australians in Melbourne. It has a suite of services available to support those that live with dementia at home and those requiring specialised residential care. For more information, visit frondithacare.org.au, call (03) 95524100 or email info@fronditha.org.
Greece has called on Turkey to condemn and investigate what it said was an “insult” to its national flag on the Greek island of Kastellorizo.
Greek media reported that a Turkish drone dropped red paint on a Greek flag painted on a rocky hillside next to the Kastellorizo port on Saturday.
“We blatantly condemn yesterday’s insult of the Greek flag on Kastellorizo,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“We expect Turkish authorities to immediately condemn and investigate the incident, so that the culprits are brought before justice. Such unacceptable actions only seek to torpedo prospects for easing tensions between the two countries.”
Greece and Turkey disagree over a range of issues, including where their continental shelves extend.
Tensions flared up last month after Turkey sent a seismic survey ship into disputed waters to map out sea territory for possible oil and gas drilling.
A Turkish and Greek warship collided during the standoff. Since then, Turkey has recalled the Oruc Reis and the two countries have agreed to restart exploratory talks.
At least 16 military personnel and several civilians have been killed and 100 injured after fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan broke out around the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
It’s been declared the biggest flare-up in violence between the two former Soviet republics since 2016, with both sides blaming each other for reigniting a three-decade-old territorial dispute over the separatist region.
Armenia accused Azerbaijan of launching an air and artillery attack on the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
In this image taken from a footage released by Armenian Defense Ministry on Sunday, September 27, 2020, Armenian army destroys Azerbaijani tanks at the contact line of the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan. Photo: Armenian Defense Ministry via AP.
In response, Armenia declared martial law and mobilised its male population. Troops shot down two military helicopters and destroyed three tanks, its defence ministry said.
It said the shelling from Azerbaijani forces had killed a woman and a child.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan said its forces were retaliating against Armenian shelling, which reportedly injured 19 civilians and claimed five members of one family.
According to authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is inside Azerbaijan but run by ethnic Armenians, the fighting left 16 of its servicemen dead and more than 100 wounded.
In this image taken from a footage released by Armenian Defense Ministry on Sunday, September 27, 2020, Armenian forces destroy Azerbaijani tank at the contact line of the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan. Photo: Armenian Defense Ministry via AP.
With the violence still developing, Greece’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement last night urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately cease military operations.
“We have been monitoring with great concern the escalating tension in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which has resulted in civilian casualties,” the statement reads.
“We call on all sides to exercise restraint, cease hostilities immediately and return to the negotiation table in the context of the Minsk Group.
“The peaceful resolution of disputes within the context of international law is the only path to regional security and stability.”
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.”
![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]")
