Search
Home Blog Page 1709

Top 10 Travel Destinations in Australia

The Greek Herald
-
0
Top 10 Travel Destinations in Australia

By Victoria Loutas

This summer, let’s take advantage of the beautiful travel destinations we have at our doorstep. Here’s a list of our top ten travel destinations in Australia that you should visit this summer! 

Great barrier reef, QLD

A World Heritage Listed site, the Great Barrier Reef is one the largest living structures in the world. With an exceptional array of marine life, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven national wonders of the world and is definitely a must visit this summer!

Photo: IBORISOFF/ISTOCK

Blue Mountains, NSW

The Blue Mountains are located just 81 km out of Sydney city. The vast, stunning park is covered by a blue haze, hence its name. The three sisters and the mountain lookout is a picturesque view. This destination is perfect for a family road trip and hike. 

Kakadu National Park, NT

The Kakadu National Park in Northern Territory is one of the planet’s greatest wilderness areas. It is the largest national park in Australia and is home to a diverse range of wildlife. From beautiful waterfalls, wetlands and monsoon rainforests, there are endless attractions at Kakadu.

Uluru, NT

In the centre and in the heart of Australia, Uluru (formerly Ayers rock) sits beautifully. Uluru, meaning “shadowy place” in the local aboriginal dialect and is a beautiful tourist attraction. 

Great Ocean Road, VIC

As its name suggests, the Great Ocean Road follows the road at the southeast coast of Australia. The most popular attraction is the Port Campbell National Park, which features the Twelve Apostles; A collection of amazing wind-sculpted rock formations. 

Byron Bay, NSW

Byron Bay is a popular coastal travel destination, which sits at the top of the NSW border. The area is known for its beautiful resorts, beaches and scuba diving sites. Byron Bay is the perfect vacation spot for a balanced holiday with recreation and relaxation.

Barossa Valley, SA

The Barossa Valley is a renowned wine-producing region northeast of Adelaide, in South Australia. From beautiful vineyards to stone cottages and Lutheran churches, Barossa valley is a picturesque destination that is perfect for a romantic getaway.

Kangaroo Island, SA

The beauty of nature takes over at Kangaroo Island, a gorgeous island located in South Australia. Kangaroos hop along the powdery shores, and you can often see sea lions and penguins frolic in the crystal-clear waters.


Hamilton Island, QLD

Hamilton Island is one of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia, close to the Great Barrier Reef. The car free island is the perfect vacation spot, with beautiful resorts and buggies available to take you around the island. Picturesque beaches and fine dining defines this gorgeous travel destination. 

Wineglass Bay, TAS

This little piece of paradise is located in Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula. The deserted beaches, colourful rocks and delicacies of local seafood makes this destination even more attractive to visit!

WINEGLASS BAY – FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK

Will Kostakis to headline 2021 Adelaide Festival “Writers’ Week”

The Greek Herald
-
0
Will Kostakis to headline 2021 Adelaide Festival “Writers’ Week”

Greek Australian author Will Kostakis was announced as one of the feature guests for the 2021 Adelaide Festival’s “Writers’ Week”, taking part of the Middle Grade and YA Day.

Will Kostakis, highly regarded for his Monuments series and The First Third, will be joined by R.A. Spratt (The Peski Kids and Friday Barnes; Girl Detective series) and Vikki Wakefield (This is How We Change the Ending).

Will Kostakis is an author highly familiar with the Greek community in Australia. His debut book, The First Third, was written as a way to show a new perspective on what it’s like growing up as a Greek-Australian teenage boy.

Will Kostakis with his novel, The First Third. Photo: The Greek Herald

“In that novel, I centred love, I centred a bit of familial affection, and it’s either something that people have lost or something that they yearned for or something that they had,” Will said to The Greek Herald in an interview earlier this year.

“I think that’s what keeps the novel in the public conscious, even today it’s still being read and still being shared.”

During the Writers’ Week, the Middle Grade and YA Day will bring a relaxed environment for tweens and teens to enjoy author talks and conversations as well as the dynamic talent of Australia’s most powerful spoken-word performers in Hear Me Roar.

The Adelaide Writers’ Week was the last literary festival to squeak in before the 2020 lockdown, and will be one of the first to return live in 2021.

Undefeated Greek boxer Andreas Katzourakis returns to the ring

The Greek Herald
-
0
Undefeated Greek boxer Andreas Katzourakis returns to the ring

Highly-touted Greek boxer Andreas Katzourakis (5-0, 4 KOs) returns to the ring after nearly a year hiatus on Saturday, December 12th at the Blue Lagoon Hilton in Miami.

Katzourakis is set to face 35-fight veteran Brandon Baue in a six round bout contested at a catchweight of 158 lbs. Two undefeated opponents had earlier pulled out of the fight, the last due to a COVID-19 related issue on Monday evening.

Katzourakis spent much of 2020 at home in Greece before signing with Split-T Boxing in September. By mid-October, he was stationed in Big Bear Lake, California training under legendary coach Abel Sanchez.

Undefeated Greek Middleweight Andreas Katzourakis. Photo: Split-T Boxing

“I’ve had an amazing camp with Abel and the team. Here it’s all about hard work, rest, hard work, and rest again! There are no distractions to get your mind off of training and with the types of grueling workouts we are doing we need the fresh air that the mountain provides!” said Katzourakis.

Split-T’s CEO David McWater is very encouraged by the potential he sees in the 23-year old fighter.

“Brendan Segalas (of Split-T) brought to my attention a kid he thought had all the tools to be special, but just needed some structure and a good team around him to sharpen those tools,” McWater said.

“Although he’s managed to roll over some tough, veteran opposition early in his career, Andreas is still a raw talent. He dominated Walter Wright in his fourth bout and that really caught my eye.”

Photo: inthering.gr

Despite having only five professional bouts, Katzourakis has already established himself as one of the top up-and-coming prospects in the middle weight divisions.

Regardless of wherever and whomever he is facing, Katzourakis is grateful for the opportunity afforded to him each time he steps in the ring.

“My biggest motivation to become a World Champion is to represent Greece and the Greek boxing community. I fight knowing what my ancestors had done in the past and what I can do for Greek boxing in the future. I don’t need much more motivation than that alone.”

The event will be streamed live via FITE.com pay-per-view.

Sourced By: ringnews24.com

On this day: In 1868, the Greek Presidential Guard was established

The Greek Herald
-
0
On this day: In 1868, the Greek Presidential Guard was established

By Victoria Loutas

The Presidential Guard is a ceremonial infantry unit that guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential mansion in Athens, Greece. The Presidential Guard, also known as the Evzones, was established on this day in 1868 and has proudly withheld the test of time.

In 1868, a combatant and ceremonial elite unit of the Hellenic Army was established, which aimed to provide high level military training to soldiers that have demonstrated bravery and military virtue. These selected soldiers were intended to act as a role model to the remainder of the Hellenic Army. 

The first Presidential Guard was established by Royal Decree as an independent battalion-sized unit, called the Agema. This unit consisted of staff, two evzone infantry companies and one cavalry company. 

Photo: Charter World

Under the reign of King George I (from 1863 to 1913), the structure and composition of the presidential guard remained unaltered. However, his successor, King Constantine, who ruled from (1913-1917, 1920-1922), made several changes to the guard. Under his Royal Decree, it was changed to a ‘Palace Guard’ and consisted of just two platoons, one of Evzones, and one of Cretans. Later in 1916, due to National Schism, this structure was abolished. 

Afterwards, the guard returned to its original format and remained a consistent institution while Greece underwent hardship and havoc, particularly during the 1941 Battle of Greece.

Today, the Presidential Guard is purely a ceremonial unit, representing the rich political and national history which Greece possesses. The unit has the responsibility of providing permanent ceremonial guard detachments of two Evzones, each for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the entrance to the Presidential Mansion. 

The guards on duty do a ceremonial performance every hour, on the hour, which consist of small movements in a slow and civilised manner. While guarding, the soldiers have to remain completely still.

The Greek Presidential Guard is highly regarded and represents the social and cultural pillars of Greece.

International travellers arriving in Greece to face reduced 3-day quarantine

The Greek Herald
-
0
International travellers arriving in Greece to face reduced 3-day quarantine

Overseas travellers seeking to arrive in Greece for Christmas will be faced with a reduced quarantine period from the previously established 10 days to a newly introduced 3-day period.

According to government spokesman Stelios Petsas, the government decided to reduce the number of days in quarantine after a strong reaction from Greeks who had already booked their flight to return to Greece during the Christmas period.

“Compulsory preventive quarantine for those traveling from abroad to Greece and entering the country from December 18, 2020 to January 7, 2021 is limited to 3 days,” Stelios Petsas said on Friday.

ΣΤΕΦΑΝΟΥ ΣΤΕΛΙΟΣ. Photo: INTIME NEWS

Petsas added that everyone must “show restraint and respect for common rules to limit the spread of the virus and prevent a third wave.” 

The quarantine is an additional measure to the Passenger Location Form (PLF) and the negative molecular Covid-19 test carried out 72 hours before arrival.

Greece recorded 102 COVID-19 deaths on Friday, bringing the total death tally to 3,472.

The National Organization for Public Health (EODY) said it registered 1,395 new cases of coronavirus. The total number now stands at 122,648.

Alexis Tsipras calls out Greek PM for being ‘careless’ in Europe with Turkey

The Greek Herald
-
0
Alexis Tsipras calls out Greek PM for being ‘careless’ in Europe with Turkey

Alexis Tsipras’ harsh criticism of Kyriakos Mitsotakis took two approaches on Friday, criticising the Greek PM’s handling of issues in Greece and management in the EU.

“He’s careless in Greece in the face of the pandemic, careless in Europe in the face of Turkey and the defence of our national interests,” he said of the prime minister.

The president of SYRIZA stressed that Mitsotakis “appeared today as if he had came out of another Summit”, while Erdogan spoke of sensible EU countries that prevented sanctions.

EUROKINISSI / SYRIZA PRESS OFFICE

The leader of the official opposition commented that the problem is “not only that today the country has suffered one of the most important diplomatic defeats of the last decades, but that the prime minister of the country does not seem to understand where he is and where he is”.

The opposition leader also claimed that Mitsotakis is leading citizens to a development model that bankrupted the country years ago. Tsipras said the “only hope” is a change of the development model.

“Fair development with a strong and efficient welfare state and the new NSS, with investment in labor, new technologies and innovation,” Tspiras said.
 

EU Summit: Turkey rejects decision to widen sanctions, says EU should be an ‘honest mediator’

The Greek Herald
-
0
EU Summit: Turkey rejects decision to widen sanctions, says EU should be an ‘honest mediator’

Turkey on Friday called on the European Union to act as an ‘honest mediator’ in its dispute with EU members Greece and Cyprus over the exploration of gas reserves in the Mediterranean, after European leaders approved expanding sanctions against Ankara.

The leaders said early Friday that Turkey — which is a candidate to join although its membership talks are blocked — has “engaged in unilateral actions and provocations and escalated its rhetoric against the EU.” This was despite the fact that they had offered trade and other incentives to Turkey to halt its activities during their last summit in October, they said.

READ MORE: EU Summit: Leaders strike deal on landmark budget, virus recovery fund

The leaders tasked EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell with drawing up a report on the state of EU-Turkey political, economic and trade relations and to suggest how to proceed, including on widening sanctions. Borrrell was asked to submit the report to the leaders by the time they hold a summit in March.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry slammed the EU decision, saying Ankara rejects the 27-member group’s “biased and unlawful attitude.”

European Council President Charles Michel, center, arrives for a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, Pool)

A ministry statement said the decision to expand sanctions against Turkey was approved out of solidarity with Greece and Cyprus. The two countries’ alleged misuse of the solidarity and veto rights had thrust EU-Turkey ties into a “vicious circle,” it said.

“The situation is harming the joint interests of Turkey and the EU as well as our region’s peace, security and stability,” the ministry said. “The EU should take up the role of an honest mediator, it must act in a principled, strategic and sensible manner.”

Tensions between NATO allies Turkey and Greece escalated over the summer with a military build-up after Turkey sent its seismic survey vessel Oruc Reis, escorted by navy frigates, into disputed waters. The move prompted Greece to also send its warships, and both countries conducted military exercises to assert their claims.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. December 10, 2020. (Mustafa Murat Kaynak – Anadolu Agency)

Late last month, Oruc Reis returned to port, as it had done before October’s EU meeting. However, another research ship, the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa, remains off Cyprus’ southwestern coast.

Turkey says it is standing up for its energy rights, as well as those of breakaway Turkish Cypriots, while Athens and Nicosia call Turkey’s actions an illegal incursion into areas where they have exclusive offshore exploitation rights.

The 27 EU countries are split over how best to handle Turkey. France and Cyprus have pushed for tougher measures like economic sanctions, but other countries are concerned about further undermining the country’s already ravaged economy and destabilizing the region.

Sourced By: AP News

Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation wants to save lives these summer holidays

The Greek Herald
-
0
Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation wants to save lives these summer holidays

Dr Fiona Martin MP, Federal Member for Reid, is encouraging families who are planning their summer holiday trips to keep the importance of child pedestrian road safety in mind.

Dr Martin is an Ambassador of the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that works to educate and protect child pedestrians.

“The Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation plays an important role in child pedestrian road safety initiatives by educating and advocating to keep our most vulnerable pedestrians safe,” Dr Martin said.

“As COVID-19 restricts holiday travel to local destinations, regional areas will see a spike in visitors during the upcoming summer holidays, which means it’s more important than ever to have a chat with children about road safety.”

The Foundation’s ‘It’s Holiday Time: Slow Down, Kids Around’ signage campaign launches every December across 65 councils in four states. The campaign was established in an effort to protect very vulnerable child pedestrians during the holiday period.

Current data from the Australian Institute of Health and welfare indicates that the most common cause of death of children aged 1-14 years is road trauma.

Michelle McLaughlin, CEO of the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation hopes that the campaign will raise critical awareness of the importance of road safety for children in unfamiliar environments.

“Since we lost our four-year-old son Tom in 2014, another 391 children have lost their lives to road trauma,” Ms McLaughlin said.

“So, my simple message is to always talk to your children about road safety and be even more vigilant when you are on holiday because they are more excited than normal and always  remember to continue to hold their hands around roadways until they are 10,” she added.

The campaign targets all road users including; child pedestrians, accompanying adult pedestrian carers and drivers to make them aware of the increased risk of road trauma while on holiday.

The campaign is endorsed and supported by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, Little Blue Dinosaur Ambassador, and Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Paul Fletcher MP and Fiona Martin, Federal Member for Reid.

Insight or Perspective: If we lose the language we lose everything!

The Greek Herald
-
0
Insight or Perspective: If we lose the language we lose everything!

By Eleni Elefterias 

(Part 7)

I have often heard overseas Greeks refer to our children here are too simple compared to children in Greece.

As I said last week, they forget that our children do not have the opportunities for all the incidental learning before they start school, as children growing up in Greece have. Nor do they get 6 hours of Greek a week as people of my generation attending Greek school in the 60’s and 70’s got.

With two hours a week at Greek school, or one hour in a private lesson, we cannot expect fluency. Even adults leaning Greek need 500 hours of study before they can grasp the meaning of many children’s videos and songs.

How we expect our Australian-born children, some from mixed marriages, to achieve this in a few lessons does not make sense?

Maybe then we should look at mindful teaching rather than just teaching a program that sometimes fails many of our students. Our students are not all the same.

There are mixed abilities and those with differing knowledge in every class situation. We also have an influx of new native speakers who are new arrivals to Australia, in the last few years, due to the Greek crisis. A good teacher needs to be prepared for all the levels in their classroom. This is a lot of work for the teacher, work that is often underpaid and unrecognised. 

Our teachers of community languages are lucky to have the opportunity in Sydney to attend classes in teaching methodology provided by the Community Languages faculty of the University of Sydney, who offer a Certificate and Advanced Diploma in Community Language Teaching and a pathway for teachers to do a Master’s Degree in their community language.

If you or someone you know is interested in this course for 2021 check it out here.

Next week what makes sense to a non-native speaker! 

READ MORE: Insight or Perspective: If we lose the language we lose everything (Part Six)

*Eleni Elefterias-Kostakidis is a teacher of Modern Greek and University lecturer. 

Read Eleni Elefterias’ column ‘Insight or Perspective’ in Greek, every Saturday in The Greek Herald’s print edition or get your subscription here.

Local Legend: Greek Australian boy raises money for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home

The Greek Herald
-
0
Local Legend: Greek Australian boy raises money for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home

Vaughn Arambatzis is being praised by the local St George and Sutherland Shire community for his strong initiative to take local action, raising funds for the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

Originally published by The Leader, Vaughn, a year 6 student, took part in a ‘Give Back’ project run by his school, St Patrick’s College, Strathfield.

Vaughn had adopted a dog from Sydney Dogs and Cats Home at Carlton two years before, which sadly had to be handed back after it kept escaping from their yard. As the family are keen recyclers, he decided to collect cans and bottles to recycle through the NSW government’s Return and Earn scheme.

Taking advice from his mother, Mrs Arambatzis, Vaughn reached out to the community for support. They enlisted a friend with a ute, Peter Panopoulos from Advanced Building and Maintenance, to drive them to the Return and Earn facility at Rockdale.

Helping hand: State MP for Oatley Mark Coure paid a visit to Vaughn and presented him with a cheque. Picture: Facebook/Mark Coure MP

“We would wait until we had a ute-load then we would drive them there. It would usually take about an hour each time to put them through the machine,” Mrs Arambatzis said.

Vaughn also gained the attention of State MP for Oatley Mark Coure, who gave a cash donation and promoted his efforts on his social media accounts.

In total, Vaughn raised a total of $300 from the donated containers and $200 in cash donations.

“It really went gangbusters,” Mrs Arambatzis said.

“He ended up collecting just over 3000 cans and bottles.”

“It was really lovely and made Vaughn feel very special,” she added.

1...1,7081,7091,710...1,989Page 1,709 of 1,989

Stay connected:

Other

© 2024 The Greek Herald. All rights reserved.