US President, Joe Biden, on Monday sent Greek President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, a letter on the occasion of Greece’s celebration of the bicentennial of the 1821 Greek Revolution.
“I participate together with the Greek people and the millions of proud Greek-Americans in celebrating this joyful anniversary,” Biden said in his letter.
He noted that Greece is a “key NATO ally and close friend” of the United States, a country that “provides stability and actively contributes to peace and prosperity” in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Western Balkans.
US President, Joe Biden (left), with Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis (right).
He also noted that during his political career, he had the privilege of working closely with several Greek Prime Ministers and has also had long conversations with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.
Biden noted that he looks forward to continue the tradition of further strengthening cooperation between the two countries, and of reaffirming the joint commitment to the Transatlantic Alliance and to all the common values that unite Greece and the US.
With her positive attitude she encouraged me to follow a storytelling path towards recording the voices of Australian women of Greek heritage who challenge stereotypes and break glass ceilings.
And if you think this is a rather unusual intro, you should read on.
A Global Director People at T2 Tea, Georgegina is responsible for shaping, leading and delivering the company’s global People strategy in order to support and enable performance against agreed business objectives.
Five years ago, by becoming the first woman to lead the male-dominated Hellenic-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) the Greek Cypriot senior executive, proved that generosity and empathy are virtues that have the potential to create change.
Now she’s on a mission to transfer her knowledge to future female leaders who will in turn contribute to the society as a whole.
Q:You are currently the Global Director of People at T2 but you chose an -out of the box- path to pursue your career. Tell us a bit more about it.
A: I started working at a young age in my Mum’s clothing store, with a love for fashion I opened my own small boutique when I was 19. At 21, my parents gave me a year abroad and I stayed 10!
I remember sitting in Burger King on Tottenham Court Road with my best friend and the Evening Standard looking for jobs. We would each take a turn to run up the stairs to use the payphone. Towards the end of the day, it was my friend’s turn and she made the call to Johnny Pizza Bar. He asked if she had any experience, she said no but my friend does. So, I called back and I ended up working for Gioma Restaurants for 10 years in London and The Netherlands. I trained all new managers, developed a Children’s marketing campaign and opened 6 restaurants.
After returning to Australia in 2000, I stayed in hospitality and completed my Post Graduate in HR and IR. My first HR role was for HMS Host at Melbourne Airport, from there I moved to the Stamford Plaza Hotel.
After spending 15+ years in hospitality I decided to move into another industry, Supply Chain. I soon realised my strength as an HR practitioner was strategic thinking, organisational design and working in complex and challenging environments.
I have been able to transition across multiple industries such as Food Service, Logistics, Energy, Retail and Local Government. I’ve loved the flexibility of running my own consultancy and working in organisations to build capability to deliver strategy. Four years ago, I joined T2 and I love every minute of it.
Q:How has your Greek background and values helped you navigate your career path and overcome barriers?
A: Work ethic and resilience have been instilled in me since a child and I bring these attributes with me.
Q: You were the first woman to lead the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) as the Chair of Board. Why is it important for more women to follow in your footsteps?
A: I was privileged to be the first female Chair of HACCI. The current Chair is also a woman as are many of the Greek Community Groups.
For me it is important that I am a role model to younger females within our community so they can see it isn’t a ‘boys club’, that women can be strong influential leaders both in business and in the community
Q: You have worked around the world. Are our workplaces inclusive enough in Australia?
A: I think organisations globally still have a lot of work to do to be truly inclusive. We have strong social biases that need to be broken. I am proud of the work we are doing at T2 in this space, we have just started this journey and we too have so much more to do
Q:What is the message you would like to share with our readers this International Women’s Day?
A: This year’s theme “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world” is so important as many women were severely impacted last year during the peak of COVID and still are.
Flexibility was one of the great outcomes of last year. Employers need to continue to embrace flexibility to encourage more women to take up leadership positions. Whether it be flex roles & or Work From Home (WFH).
The notion of working 5 days in the office 0800-1800 no longer exists. COVID has shown us that true leaders can lead virtually and by embracing flexibility creates more opportunity for female leaders to thrive both personally and professionally
My own personal takeaway is that having flexibility to anywhere, anytime and any way I become more productive and a better leader.
Canberra’s two-day Hellenic Festival at the Hellenic Club of Canberra was a hit over the weekend, with 3,500 people attending despite the weather trying to rain on their parade.
“People were dancing in the rain. It was awesome! Kefi always triumphs over the weather,” President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, John Loukadellis, tells The Greek Herald.
On Saturday, people and organisations from different cultural backgrounds including Greek, Indian, Chinese, Colombian, Mexican, African, Serbian and Pacific Island nations, all came together to provide a multicultural feast.
Photos: The Hellenic Club of Canberra / Facebook.
ACT’s Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Tara Chayne, and President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra, Stef Pashalidis, also gave speeches recognising the importance of the multicultural event.
“We had set up a marquee and the Greek community had people cooking loukoumades, tiropites, octopus, frappedes, souvlakia, lamb on the spit… There were also dim sims, chicken rolls and Otai, which is a Tongan watermelon drink. It was just a great way to acknowledge the different multicultural backgrounds of Canberra,” Mr Loukadellis says.
Photos: The Hellenic Club of Canberra / Facebook.
This was followed by the ultimate Hellenic festival on Sunday, which was launched with a traditional ‘welcome to country,’ as well as a number of speeches from Mr Loukadellis, Ambassador of Greece to Australia, George Papacostas, and the High Commisioner of Cyprus, Mrs Martha Mavrommatis.
Attendees were invited to take part in a number of exciting games such as a plate-breaking competition, a zeibekiko dancing competition and even a yeeros and loukoumades eating competition. Performances from dancing groups, as well as Greek band, DEFI, also drew loud applause.
Left: Ambassador of Greece to Australia, George Papacostas, with John Loukadellis. Right: High Commissioner of Cyprus, Martha Mavrommatis, gave a speech. Photos: Facebook.
“I’d like to thank the contribution of Nick Manikas from ‘Fair Canberra,’ who organised the other cultures on the day and also the events manager from the Hellenic Club, Lisa Andonaros, for the exceptional work she put into making the festival a reality for all,” Mr Loukadellis says.
“It really was an awesome day. The event finished at 5pm but the party didn’t stop until 7pm!”
The Lonsdale Street Greek Music festival, which is organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne, welcomed 1,294 people through the doors of Lonsdale Street’s Golden Square Car Park to watch nine of Melbourne’s best Greek bands.
A sunny Saturday saw 838 people watch the bands live, with city-goers being enticed by the rousing sounds of our musicians and the smell of Greek food to stop by as they walked through Lonsdale Street.
Another 1,100 people from all over the world watched the festival via a live stream set up by the Greek Community of Melbourne for all those who were unable to attend.
The festival opened with Totally Kicking Brass who played music from the north of Greece and had patrons singing and dancing.
The closing act of the evening, Cats and the Canary, were met with calls for an encore by the enthusiastic crowd.
Audience members were kept well fed with souvlakia from Greek Street Food and loukoumades from St Gerrys.
The rainy weather on Sunday didn’t stop the festival from going ahead, with the Paskalia ensemble opening the second day of festivities.
459 people attended the final day of the festival and enjoyed the music of the Epirotiko Ensemble,Agapi and Friends,Sifis Tsourdalakis, and Anagennisi.
In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the 1821 Greek Revolution, the Greek Community of Melbourne has lit up its 15-storey cultural centre in blue and white.
“The spirit of 1821 now shines bright on the 15-storey Greek Cultural Centre. It is important that our message of independence, heroism and resistance is broadcast as far and wide as possible,” President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, says.
“With our 15-storey building situated in the centre of Melbourne, our lighting highlights this important celebration of independence to all Victorians. We commemorate this seminal moment visually and tell the story of this incredible achievement 200 years ago.
“The lighting also reflects the great pride we feel at this moment in regards to the global influence of Greece on western civilisation and its recent history in fighting for freedom. Symbolism is important and this lighting adds to the narrative of what was required to achieve independence.”
The lighting has been funded by a few members of the Board of the Greek Community of Melbourne.
Melbourne’s Greek community came out in full force on Sunday, March 21 to officially commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1821 Greek Revolution.
The day, which was organised by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Melbourne District in conjunction with the Organisational Committee for Greek National Day, began with a doxology service at Saint Eustathios Greek Orthodox Cathedral in South Melbourne.
A wreath laying ceremony was held at Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, with Father Evmenios holding a memorial service. Photo(L): Facebook. Photo(R): Kostas Deves.
A wreath laying ceremony was later held at the Australian Hellenic Memorial’s Shine of Remembrance at 12pm. Archiepiscopal Vicar for the District of Northcote, Father Evmenios, who was representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, kicked off the ceremony with a solemn memorial service for all those that fell during the 1821 Greek Revolution.
Photos by Kostas Deves.
This was followed by a number of representatives from the Greek Australian community and Victorian Government laying wreaths at the shrine including, but not limited to, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Jane Hume MP (representing Prime Minister Scott Morrison), Andrew Giles MP (representing Leader of the Federal Opposition, Anthony Albanese), Ros Spence MP (representing Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews), Neil Angus MP (representing Leader of the Victorian Opposition, Michael O’Brien MP), Shrine Governor, Squadron Leader Steve Campbell-Wright, and Chairman of the 2021 Victorian Bicentenary Committee, Tony Tsourdalakis.
Photos by Kostas Deves.
Also in attendance at the shrine to pay their respects were: Maria Vamvakinou MP, Steve Dimopoulos MP, Lee Tarlamis MP, Nick Staikos MP, Kath Theophanous MP, Tammy Iliou, Vice President of Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria, as well as a number of other politicians and representatives from organisations. FULL LISThere.
Speeches were later given by some of the officials who laid wreaths, with Mr Tsourdalakis taking the time in his speech to thank people for attending and to highlight the strong connection between Greece and Australia.
A number of official speeches were given. Photo: Kostas Deves.
“We are gathered here to honour all of our fallen forefathers and ancestors. We honour those that fell in the battles from 1821 so that we remain free living in a democratic society,” Mr Tsourdalakis said.
The ceremony concluded with a reciting of the Ode – Last Post by Shrine Governor, Squadron Leader Steve Campbell-Wright, as well as the playing of the National Anthems of Greece and Australia.
The Greek community paid their respects at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. Photos: Kostas Deves.
With a memorial service and a wreath laying ceremony held on Sunday morning at South Australia’s State War Memorial in Adelaide and a cultural evening that took place the same day, at the grounds of the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Prophet Elias in Norwood, the state’s Hellenes and Philhellenes had the opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 2021.
The memorial service, organised by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, was initiated by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope and in attendance were a number of distinguished guests and representatives of federal state and local governments as well as community representatives.
Photos by: Andreas Pavlou
Among them, the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide George Psiachas, Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni representing the Premier of SA Marshall, Leader of the opposition Peter Malinauskas and Greek Australian politicians Tom Koutsantonis, Andrea Michaels and Steve Georganas. Representing the Mayor of the city of Adelaide was Deputy Lord Mayor Mary Couros and representing the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission (SAMEAC) Andriana Christopoulos.
L to R: Andrea Michaels MP, Federal Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas with Deputy Lord Mayor Mary Couros, Tom Koutsantonis MP, Councillor of City of Mitcham and SAMEAC member Andriana Christopoulos
Following the laying of the wreaths Bishop Silouan of Sinope and the Consul General addressed the crowd and the function concluded with a march and traditional dances from the students of Greek Orthodox schools and colleges.
Marshall: “The Greek Revolution inspired many nations around the world”
The commemorative celebrations continued at the grounds of the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Prophet Elias in Norwood with more than 400 attendees enjoying traditional food, dance, music, songs, poems and presentations from the 160 Prophet Elias Greek school students.
Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
In presence were the Premier of SA Steven Marshall, Assistant Minister to the Premier Jing Lee MLC, Tom Koutsantonis MP representing the Leader of the Opposition, the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide George Psiachas and Ms Andriana Christopoulos of SAMEAC.
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall and the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide George Psiachas. Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
“The Greek Revolution of 1821 inspired many nations around the world to seek Independence. Today is a great day to celebrate not only the Revolution but also the democracy that Greece has provided to the rest of the world,” Premier Marshall told The Greek Herald.
Photos: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
“Multiculturalism is the backbone of our society in South Australia. We have very harmonious multicultural relations in the state and this is something we must never take for granted.”
Photo: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
Addressing the attendees Prophet Elias Parish priest Fr Michael Psaromatis gave an inspirational speech about the role of church during the Ottoman oppression in cultivating and maintaining the Greek language and culture and referred to the Revolution as an event of global significance.
Photos: The Greek Herald/Argyro Vourdoumpa
The grand finale of the evening was a Zorba Dance performance by students of Prophet Elias Greek School.
A western Sydney mayor who voted against an anti-racism campaign has launched defamation proceedings against the author of an online petition calling for his removal.
The Help me remove the racist Mayor of Cumberland, Sydney petition accuses Cumberland City mayor, Steve Christou, of making offensive statements about Muslim and Asian communities.
The petition has gathered close to 11,000 signatures, including Cumberland Labor councillor George Campbell, who said: “I support the broad thrust of the petition and I signed it.”
“The mayor’s behaviour and statements have certainly brought the council into disrepute,” he said.
The petition accuses Cumberland City mayor, Steve Christou, of making offensive statements about Muslim and Asian communities.
But Cr Christou told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I am the child of Greek Cypriot refugees and am definitely not a racist.”
Cr Christou said he had experienced racism, and his wife and teenage daughters had their pictures posted on social media accompanied by offensive comments.
“I am concerned about any form of abusive and foul behaviour sent to Councillors or any member of our community,” he told the Australian media outlet. “This is not behaviour I would ever condone.”
The petition’s author, Rosh Veera, said the mayor had made public statements about Eid and a mosque development that she called “divisive.”
“I felt that he is not reflecting the views of our diverse cultural and religious community,” he said.
Steve Christou has launched defamation proceedings against the author of an online petition calling for his removal.
But Cr Christou, who resigned from the Labor Party in 2019 and was elected mayor with the support of Liberal and independent councillors, said political rivals upset by his success as mayor were behind the petition.
“The people behind this petition clearly have an agenda against me in the lead-up to the next election,” he said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“They have spent their time constantly bad-mouthing and belittling me on various forms of social media and have dedicated themselves, on a full time basis, to smear my reputation with lies designed to create division and anger.”
The wrangle over the petition comes as Cumberland City Council last week voted against endorsing the Racism not Welcome campaign, spearheaded by former Socceroo Craig Foster, after Cr Christou used his casting vote to reject the proposal.
The motion moved by Labor councillors, Kun Huang and Suman Saha, also called on the council to install Racism Not Welcome street signs and note the “alarming rise in incidents of racism” in Australia and the local community.
The anti-racism campaign has been backed by the City of Sydney and Inner West, Ryde and Waverley councils, as well as the NSW Legislative Council, which last week unanimously endorsed a motion to support the campaign.
But Cr Christou said the motion was “poorly prepared” and lacked details about the cost and locations proposed for the street signs.
He said councils endorsing the campaign were “virtue signalling.”
“The motion was political grandstanding by members of the Labor Party in an attempt to score cheap points,” he said.
The State Emergency Service has issued evacuation orders for Sydney’s west and northwestern suburbs as a once-in-50-year rain event threatens homes.
Last night, the western part of Jamisontown, the northern end of Mulgoa and western parts of Penrith were put on evacuation notice as floodwaters pushed the Nepean River to its highest level since 1961.
Parts of Penrith are completely underwater after the water levels of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River swelled. Photo: ABC News: Brendan Esposito.
The Hawkesbury River at Richmond could today reach higher than 16m with flooding expected at Penrith, Windsor, Sackville, Lower Portland and Wisemans Ferry.
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said between 3000 and 4000 people may be asked to evacuate “over the next few days” if conditions in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley worsen.
“Please take it seriously. If you were put on high alert the last time there was a flooding incident and your house was OK, don’t assume it’ll be OK this time,” the Premier said.
People out looking at the rising flood water of the Hawkesbury River as it flows over the New Windsor Bridge. Photo: Damian Shaw.
The deluge will continue to pound the city and the rest of the state for at least another couple of days.
Bureau of Meteorology flood operations manager Justin Robinson said: “It is bigger than the February 2020 flood. It is bigger than the 1988 flood. It is bigger than the 1990 flood and is bigger than the 1964 flood … It’s one of the biggest floods we are likely to see for a very long time.”
Financial help for those worst affected:
Emergency Services Minister, David Elliott, has announced 34 natural disaster declarations to help those worst affected.
The measures mean there will be a change in interest rate loans for small businesses, producers and non-profit organisations, freight subsidies, grants and extra funding local councils.
Minister Elliott said the announcement is a start to the state’s recovery.
“NSW is experiencing the most significant storm and flood event that we have seen in decades, with widespread destruction affecting countless communities,” Mr Elliott said.
“We have worked quickly to declare disasters in 34 Local Government Areas. This assistance activates practical and immediate supports for communities, primary producers, small businesses, not-for-profits and councils.”
Disaster declaration zones include: Armidale, Bellingen, Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock City, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour City, Cumberland, Dungog, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Inner West, Kempsey, Ku-ring-gai, Lake Macquarie, Liverpool, Maitland City, Mid-Coast, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle City, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Sutherland, Tenterfield, Blacktown, The Hills and Wollondilly.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
*UPDATE:
The SES has cancelled evacuation orders for:
Anyone in areas bounded by the Nepean River, south of the Great Western Highway and west of Peach-Tree Creek.
Properties bounded by Jamison Road, Surveyors Creek, Blaikie Road, the rear of the Penrith Homemaker Centre, the Western Motorway and the Nepean River.
Anyone at the northern end of Mulgoa Creek on Martin Street.
Orders still apply for those in North Richmond, Agnes Banks, Freemans Reach, Cornwallis, Pitt Town North, Gronos Point, Pitt Town Bottoms.
On the Mid-North Coast, evacuation orders remain in place for: Kempsey CBD, central Wingham, Taree Estate, Dumaresq Island, Cundletown, Laurieton, North Haven, Dunbogan, Bulahdelah, Kings Point, Macksville CBD, low-lying areas of Wauchope and Rawdon Island, low-lying properties on the Lower Macleay, low-laying properties in Port Macquarie.
There is a severe weather warning for heavy rain and damaging winds in the Northern Rivers, the Mid North Coast, the Hunter, Sydney, the Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Upper Western, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Tablelands and parts of the South West Slopes.
Today, major flooding is expected along the Hawkesbury River at Windsor and Sackville, the Macleay River at Kempsey and Smithtown, the Wollombi Brook at Bulga and the Colo River at Upper Colo and Putty Road.
In every corner of the world where the Greek diaspora reside, important landmarks will be lit blue and white on March 25 to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
Here’s our rundown on what you can expect to see over the coming week:
Australia:
On Thursday night, NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, confirmed the Sydney Opera House will be lit blue and white on March 25 to commemorate Greece’s bicentenary.
“We are proud to share in this proud moment of history with the Greek community of NSW,” the Premier wrote in a statement.
The City of Randwick in Sydney also has banners flying throughout the community, while Council will also raise the Greek flag on March 25 and hold a civic reception.
In Canberra, Greek and Australian flags will fly in various locations including: Vernon Circle, Allara Street (across the foot bridge), Nangari Street, Petrie Plaza, Gold Creek Village and Canberra Shopping Centre.
A number of buildings will also be illuminated in Blue and White on the night of March 25 including: The National Carillon Bell Tower, Black Mountain (Telstra Tower), Questacon, Ian Potter House, The National Museum of Australia, The Hellenic Club of Canberra, The Greek Embassy in Australia.
American cities from East to West will honor the nation of Greece, as well as the many millions of Greek-Americans who are part of the fabric of the country.
In San Francisco, the City Hall will be illuminated with the colors of the Greek flag on March 25.
The City of Los Angeles will mark the celebration of the Greek bicentenary by illuminating the iconic pylons outside its international airport, LAX.
San Francisco’s City Hall.
Other buildings and areas which will also be illuminated to show respect for the Greek Bicentenary, are the Richards/I-5 underpass, the Capitol Mall, the K street Tunnel, City College Pedestrian Bridge, Memorial Auditorium and the McKinley Underpass.
The Santa Monica Pier’s “Pacific Wheel” will have a special, evening-long Light Show for Greek Independence Day on March 25.
The cities of Boston, Lowell and Fall River in Massachusetts, as well as Providence, Rhode Island and Manchester, New Hampshire, will also light up their iconic bridges and city halls in blue.
Canada:
The mayor of Toronto, John Troy, Councillor Nick Mantas and Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Victor Maligoudis, will oversee the illumination of the iconic CN Tower in Toronto on Wednesday, March 24, at 8 pm EST.
The iconic Niagara Falls, the largest waterfall in North America, which is shared between Canada and the US, will also light up with the blue and white colours of the Greek flag.
South Africa:
The Hellenic Federation of South Africa (HFSA) will celebrate several commemorative events in Johannesburg, South Africa on March 25.
The largest (1,500 square meter) thread-sewn Greek flag ever produced will be flown as part of the celebrations.
A large-scale “Greek Freedom Dance” was choreographed to an original composition produced by one of the Greek South African community’s scholars as well.
