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.
Shortly after reaching the Greek island of Lesbos, a group of Afghan migrants say, their hopes for a new life in Europe were cut short when Greek authorities rounded them up, mistreated them, shoved them into life rafts and abandoned them at sea.
Associated Press journalists on a Turkish government-organized coast guard ride-along were aboard the patrol boat that picked up the 37 migrants, including 18 children, from two orange life rafts in the Aegean Sea on Sept. 12.
“They took our phones and said a bus will come and take you to the camp,” Omid Hussain Nabizada said in Turkish. “But they took us and put us on a ship. They left us on the water in a very bad way on these boats.”
Migrants sit on a Turkish coast guard vessel after they were pulled off life rafts, during a rescue operation in the Aegean Sea, between Turkey and Greece, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Greece, which lies on the EU’s southeastern border and has borne the brunt of migration flows from Turkey, denies the allegations and in turn accuses Ankara of weaponizing migrants.
In March, Turkey made good on threats to send migrants to Europe, declaring its borders with the EU open. In what appeared to be a government-organized campaign, thousands headed to the Greek border, leading to scenes of chaos and violence. Greece shut its frontier and controversially suspended asylum applications for a month.
Greek coast guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Nikolaos Kokkalas said its patrols regularly detect boats and dinghies carrying migrants trying to enter Greece illegally, and “among them many times there are also inflatable rafts such as those described” by the AP.
A Turkish coast guard vessel approaches a life raft with migrants in the Aegean Sea, between Turkey and Greece, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
The life rafts are standard safety equipment on recreational boats, designed to keep passengers safe if they must abandon ship. They generally have no means of propulsion or steering.
“It must be underlined that in most of the cases, the presence of the Turkish coast guard has been observed-ascertained near the dinghies incoming from the Turkish coast, but without it intervening, while in some cases the dinghies are clearly being accompanied by (Turkish coast guard) vessels,” Kokkalas said in a written response to an AP query.
Premier Daniel Andrews has expressed disappointment that nobody at the top of his government appears to know who decided private security guards should be used in the state’s quarantine hotels.
In an appearance on Friday afternoon at the inquiry into the quarantine hotels system, Mr Andrews also said Health Minister Jenny Mikakos was primarily responsible for the troubled system – directly contradicting evidence she gave on Thursday.
Mr Andrews told the inquiry he did not know who made the decision to use private security guards at the hotels and that he had called for the inquiry to get “exactly that answer and quite a few others.”
“[Hotel quarantine] was supposed to contain the virus. It didn’t. Therefore something has gone wrong,” he said. “That’s why we set this process up.”
Health department in charge
Mr Andrews said there should have been no confusion about who was in charge of hotel quarantine and who was accountable.
He agreed with Ms Ellyard that it was concerning that Ms Mikakos and the head of her department Kym Peake did not see themselves as having ultimate accountability.
Ms Mikakos and department secretary Kym Peake said their department was the control agency, there were shared responsibilities between departments and agencies.
Victoria’s premier Daniel Andrews: “I am sorry.” Photograph: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images
“The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as the designated control agency was primarily responsible for the program,” he wrote in his statement.
“I understood, at the start of the program, that the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) would be responsible for aspects of procurement and logistics.”
The Premier wrote that at the start of the hotels initiative, he regarded Ms Mikakos and Jobs Minister Pakula as responsible for informing Cabinet about the hotels program.
Soon after, the health department was made lead government agency in charge of the quarantine hotels.
Like his ministers, Mr Andrews told the inquiry he did not know who decided to use private security guards in hotel quarantine.(COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry)
“I then regarded Minister Mikakos as accountable for the program,” he wrote. “The Crisis Council of Cabinet was provided with regular reports by Minister Mikakos containing data relevant to Victoria’s response to the public health emergency, key insights from the data, as well as other updates, including in relation to the program.”
The Premier then wrote that on 8 July, once problems with the hotels program had become clear, responsibility was shifted to the Justice Department.
Mr Andrews wrote that, while he believed Ms Mikakos was in control of the hotel quarantine program, he ultimately took responsibility.
“As Premier and chair of the Crisis Cabinet Council, I regard myself as being ultimately accountable for the Victorian government and any decisions made about the structure and operation of the program,” he wrote.
With the council elections to be held in October in Victoria, we contacted eight female candidates of Greek background and we asked them to introduce themselves.
Some of them like Sophia Ramsey, the longest serving female Greek Australian Councillor in Victoria, Georgina Papafotiou current Mayor of Brimbank and Jami Klisaris current Councillor for Stonnington are known in their communities and others are standing as candidates for the first time.
According to the Victorian Electoral Comission, there will be 2,187 candidates for 622 vacancies in 298 separate elections. Among them are more than 50 Greek Australians, at least 22 of who are females.
GEORGINA PAPAFOTIOU
Candidate For Brimbank Council
Taylor Ward
In October 2016 Georgina Papafotiou was first elected as a Councillor for Brimbank City Council and was appointed Deputy Mayor for the first year. Both her parents are from Peloponniso, Greece. Her father is from Prasino, Tripoli, Arkadia and her mother from Finiki, Mollai, Lakonia.
“In 2019/20, I was appointed Mayor of Brimbank. Brimbank is a wonderful city to live, work, study and invest. I have been a resident of Brimbank for over 40 years. I was and am again strongly motivated to run by my drive to make a positive difference in my community, improve health and living in the area and celebrate its’ successes.
“Although it has been challenging the last 7 months due to the pandemic, I am proud to lead my municipality- as I have been successful in advocating for over $75 million for my community. I am extremely keen and enthusiastic, and highly committed and dedicated to ensure Brimbank moves forward, and continues to be one of the best recognised and sought after areas,” Papafotiou said.
SOPHIA RAMSEY
For Melton City Council
Coburn Ward
Sophia Ramsey’s family (mum’s maiden name KANTARTZOPOULOU) migrated from Patra, Greece to Australia in 1956.
Sophia has been a Councillor in Melton City Council since 2001 (5 terms), and has held the position of Mayor for 4 times (2002-2003,2005-2006,2014-2015,2016-2017).
“Melton’s greatest asset is its community. As a councillor since 2001, mother and resident of over 30 years and having been involved in many local community organisations, I understand the concerns families have and more importantly I understand the benefits of quality council services.
“l love this Community, l was brought up with strong family values of giving back to the Community, serving them for the past 19 years has been an honour. We live in a dynamic growth corridor and working in partnership with our community and local businesses. I have seen our municipality grow and prosper, serving the community as their strong local voice, advocating for vital services and infrastructure such as the new 24 hour Public Hospital in Melton. This Community inspires me daily,” Ramsey said.
JAMI KLISARIS
For Stonnington Council
East Ward
Jami Klisaris has been a Councillor for Stonnington City Council for eight years. At the age of 20, she became Stonnington’s youngest Councillor and the youngest female Councillor elected in the 2012 Victorian Local Government elections. In November 2016, Jami became Stonnington’s youngest Mayor at 24, serving until November 2017.
She has studied at Monash University, completing an Arts and Law degree and she currently works for the Australian Public Sector. Her parents are from Evia and Crete.
Klisaris is seeking another term on Stonnington council to continue advocating for better community facilities, addressing climate change and promoting equal sport facilities for women and girls.
KATHY ZISIADIS
For Darebin Council
Independent South Central Ward
With a background in Education and Landscape Design, Kathy Zisiadis is running in this year’s Darebin City Council elections “in the hope of building a better and more dynamic Darebin”.
Born in Australia to Greek immigrant parents, her father was born in Evoia and raised in Peristeri (Athens), while her mother migrated to Australia from Dafni (Sparta).
“As a proud, long-term resident of Darebin, I have loved raising my children in such a diverse and multicultural environment. I’m passionate about building the local economy and improving the wellbeing of residents through fair taxes; rates relief; green living; health and safety; sporting and recreational developments; and advocating for ‘shopping locally’ to boost jobs and business growth. I listen with compassion, value transparent and accountable governance, and will act with integrity to get the job done,” Kathy told The Greek Herald.
AGAPI PASHOS
Independent for Darebin Council
South Central Ward
Agapi Pashos, ia an Australian of Greek origin. Growing up in Northcote and working as a volunteer “she knows and understands the issues that concern its residents”.
“My decision to serve my local community is based on my commitment to social justice. Working together with residents and community groups, my aim is to strive for the improvement of residents’ lives and to effectively make their voices heard.
“I advocate for greater inclusion, transparency and participation. Being an active member of the Greek Democritus League, an organisation that supports the rights of migrant workers at work andin the broader community by promoting their culture and language has developed my commitment to promote multiculturism and to fight all forms of racism,” said Pashos.
EMILY DIMITRIADIS
For Darebin Council
South-East Ward
A hospital pharmacist and human rights lawyer, Emily Dimitriadis works to support multicultural and refugee communities, assist survivors of family violence and push for social and gender equality.
“My family migrated to Australia from Florina, Greece in the 1960s. My grandparents often share their stories about the difficulties they encountered arriving in a new country with very little money and no English skills. It has encouraged me to pursue a career where I help people in need.
“I am running for the South-East Ward of Darebin because I have lived her my whole life and I want to make a positive difference. As a pharmacist and a lawyer, I help people on an individual level. As a councillor I would be helping on a community level. Working on the frontline as an Emergency Department Pharmacist during Covid-19, I have seen first-hand the devastating effects on individuals, families and the community. I want to ensure that residents and businesses are supported to navigate safely through the pandemic, build on the recovery and generate opportunities for the future,” Dimitriadis said.
DESPINA HAVELAS
For Brimbank Council
Taylors Ward
A second-generation Greek-Australian and a mother to two adult children, Despina Havelas was raised by Greek parents who migrated to Australia in the mid 1960’s.
“For me, the rich traditions of the Greek language have allowed my family and I to stay connected with many Greek migrant families in our Brimbank Community. I want to be a modern voice for our community here in Brimbank’s West.
“I’m running in TAYLORS WARD to enact change within our local area. I am especially passionate about the rights of our carers, disabled and seniors in our community. Improving services for the better is a priority of mine,” said Mrs Havelas.
SOFIA KOTANIDIS
For Darebin Council
North West Ward
Born in Kastoria, Greece to parents of Pontian descent, Sofia Kotanidis is the Director and Principal Broker of AIFOS Insurance Brokers based in Reservoir with over 20 years experience in the Banking, Finance and Insurance Industries.
A member of EMILY’s List and National Women’s Network, Chairperson of Return To Anatolia and Deputy Chairperson of Darebin Ethnic Communities Council, Kotanidis has been advocating for Darebin’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities. She is also the creator of the Monument of All Victims of Genocide in Preston.
“I am running for the local elections because I feel that our local area needs a strong voice on Council, someone who understands and cares about local issues. I believe in the values of fairness and opportunity for all residents. My goal is to serve my local community and represent the residents of Reservoir”.
* All council elections will be conducted by post. Voters will receive a ballot pack from early October, that they need to complete and return as soon as possible as voting closes at 6 pm on Friday 23 October. All councils will have elections except Casey City Council, South Gippsland Shire Council and Whittlesea City Council. For more information visit https://www.vec.vic.gov.au
Two Irishmen were found not-guilty on Monday of the murder of Paul Tavelardis, who died nearly two years ago in Sydney’s inner West. The duo have now flown back to Ireland.
Nathan Kelly and Christopher McLaughlin, tradies hailing from Donegal, were accused of murdering Paul Tavelardis on the night of December 29, 2018.
The pair had been living together in a flat in Summer Hill had been drinking for 12 hours when an altercation with Mr Tavelardis was sparked just after midnight in the middle of Grosvenor Cres.
Mr Tavelardis, 66, was left barely conscious, beaten and bleeding on the road with severe head injuries and later died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on January 7, 2019.
Paul Tavelardis, who died after he was bashed. Picture: Facebook
Several witnesses watched on and told police the two men repeatedly kicked and hit the man, who had been living in his car across the street from the Florida Court apartments.
However, Mr Kelly and Mr McLaughlin both pleaded not guilty to murder and argued at trial they were far too intoxicated to have formed the necessary intention to kill the total stranger. Following a month-long trial, a jury acquitted both men.
The not-guilty judgement has infuriated Mr Tavelardis’s son Bradley Tavelardis.
“The DPP were confident that a murder charge was more suitable, which is why the trial began, but to have all charges dropped is inconceivable,” Mr Tavelardis told The Daily Telegraph.
Paramedics treat Mr Tavelardis at the scene. Credit: News Corp Australia, Gordon McComiskie
“I have been living in a fog of utter disbelief and bewilderment since the ‘not guilty’ verdict on Monday.
“The bare fact remains that my father, a 66-year-old man who suffered from leukaemia, was beaten by two physically fit men in their early 20s and subsequently died from the related injuries.
“Visiting my dad in the hospital for the last time when he was in a coma, seeing the extent of his injuries and with my siblings, making the necessary decision to turn off his life support was the most harrowing moment of my life.”
Community and religious leaders will be empowered to respond to domestic and family violence through a new training program to begin next month.
Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman said the accredited course, run by TAFE NSW, will give participants the tools and resources to help people who seek their guidance.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Communities and Justice, the NSW Government is contacting religious and community groups, encouraging them to undergo the training.
NSW attorney general Mark Speakman. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP
“Religious and community leaders who work closely with their community, and regularly speak to their congregation, as well as leaders who work with families on matters of family disputes, are encouraged to apply,” a spokesperson said to The Greek Herald.
“The training provides participants with the knowledge and skills required to identify and respond to the needs of people who may be experiencing domestic and family violence, including responding to immediate intervention and support needs.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education and Acting Minister for Multiculturalism Geoff Lee said community and religious leaders are recognised and respected voices who will now be better equipped to support victims who seek their help.
“They can help promote healthy relationships and encourage perpetrators to change their behaviour and help victims seek the appropriate services and support,” Mr Lee said.
“The initial response when a disclosure is made can heavily affect the outcome for victims – so this training could very well save lives.”
Nobody ever said luxury was cheap. A brand new two-storey penthouse in Sydney Harbour is on the market for the first time ever, being valued at $39.8m.
Located in The Harrington Collection at The Rocks, the 483sqm penthouse takes in iconic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera house and Circular Quay.
The rooftop terrace will have uninterrupted views. Photo: realestate.com.au
Laver Residential project director Dennis Vertzayias is co-selling the penthouse with colleague Sam Elbanna. Due to be completed in the middle of 2021, the residence is being marketed as a “never to be repeated opportunity”.
“The architectural design and quality of the finish represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we suspect will be popular with both local and offshore purchasers who are looking for their very own slice of The Rocks,” Vertzayias says.
The Harrington Collection is the first project to have gained approval in The Rocks in the past eight years. Photo: realestate.com.au
The property boasts a home cinema, wet bar, barbecue kitchen, landscaped gardens and a spa. All four bedrooms have a private ensuite bathroom with a marble vanity and a freestanding bathtub, as well as a private lounge, study and a walk-in wardrobe.
The Harrington Collection is the first residential project to have gained government approval in The Rocks in the last eight years. It will be home to 1000sqm of commercial office space, eight luxury retailers and a number of high-end eateries.
