City of Darebin councillor Emily Dimitriades has voiced strong opposition to a proposed 24-hour McDonald’s restaurant on High Street, Northcote, as the council voted to reject the planning application in a six-to-three decision on Monday night.
Thousands of residents signed a petition against the fast food outlet, which was proposed for the popular shopping and live music strip recently named the world’s coolest street by Time Out.
“This proposal has gained significant community concerns, on issues such as safety, local character, neighbourhood amenity and the viability of small businesses,” Cr Dimitriades told the meeting.
“I pose the question to council: Does council have a responsibility to push back on proposals that are likely to have a negative impact on the prosperity of the business precinct as well as the environment and public amenity of the area?”
The place where McDonald’s was hoping to open a store.
While council officers had recommended approval, citing that only minor building works required planning permission, councillors ultimately sided with community sentiment.
McDonald’s Australia expressed disappointment at the outcome, saying the Northcote site was zoned appropriately and that the $2 million project would have created more than 100 local jobs.
The decision follows similar controversies in Victoria over McDonald’s developments near schools and community hubs, reflecting growing local resistance to large fast-food chains in neighbourhood retail areas.
Barrister Lana Collaris has emerged as one of four candidates contesting Liberal preselection for the blue-ribbon seat of Malvern, joining a field backed by some of the party’s biggest names ahead of next year’s state election.
Collaris, who has built a career in law and is the daughter of migrants from Greece and Ukraine, has received the endorsement of former chief crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert, who described her as a natural leader marked by “dedication and optimism.”
She will face Amelia Hamer, Jacquie Blackwell, and Xavier Boffa in the November 23 ballot to replace outgoing MP Michael O’Brien, the former opposition leader stepping down after nearly two decades.
While the contest is expected to centre on Hamer and Blackwell, supported by Jeff Kennett, Jane Hume, and Josh Frydenberg respectively, Collaris’ entry adds further depth to the race as the Victorian Liberal Party grapples with internal divisions and ongoing court disputes.
Senior sources say the vote is tightening, with each candidate drawing backing from distinct party factions as the Liberals seek renewal ahead of the next election.
The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) has officially launched its new office in Australia, aiming to strengthen Greece’s presence and national brand in the key local tourism market.
Located within the Consulate General of Greece in Melbourne, the office will serve as a bridge between the two countries, promoting tourism to Greece and showcasing its cultural and natural heritage.
Its initiatives will focus on highlighting lesser-known destinations, thematic travel experiences, and the country’s year-round authenticity.
The GNTO’s Australia office will also work to build partnerships with local tourism professionals and organisations to further position Greece as a sustainable and authentic travel destination.
Georgia Dimopoulou, a seasoned tourism executive with extensive industry experience, has been appointed Head of the GNTO Australia Service to lead the organisation’s efforts in the region.
The years-long delay in reopening the GNTO office in Melbourne had caused deep disappointment within the Greek community, as revealed in a series of reports by The Greek Herald.
The President of the GCM Bill Papastergiadis, had expressed his disappointment with the repeated delays by the Greek government, stressing that despite successive announcements and written assurances, “no substantial progress has been made.”
The Community had offered free space for two years at the Greek Centre, along with staff and logistical support, considering the location ideal and symbolic for promoting Greece. Instead, the Ministry of Tourism decided that the office would be based at the Consulate General of Greece in Melbourne.
Today’s news signifies Athens’ intent to institutionally strengthen its ties with one of the most dynamic Greek communities abroad, giving new substance to the relationship of trust and mutual support that binds it to the diaspora.
In a moving ceremony at the “Hippocrates” Amphitheatre on the University of Thessaly’s Viopolis campus in Larissa, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was conferred the title of Honorary Doctor of the Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences.
The event, held on Tuesday, November 11, was attended by Greece’s Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, regional officials, church representatives, academics, and members of the public who gathered to honour the Archbishop’s scientific, spiritual and social contributions.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia with Greece’s Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
Proceedings opened with an address by Rector Professor Charalambos Billinis, who described it as “a special honour for the University of Thessaly,” praising the Archbishop as “a personality with a global footprint, who connects spirituality with science and modern society.”
Professor Athanasios Giannoukas, Chair of Vascular Surgery, delivered the laudation, commending Archbishop Makarios for his academic and humanitarian work and his support of medical education.
The ceremony continued as Professor Aristidis Zibis, President of the Department of Medicine, read the Senate Resolution, formally proclaimed the Honorary Doctorate, and presented the Diploma and Insignia to His Eminence.
Professor Zibis noted that the Archbishop “has dedicated a large part of his life to bioethics,” inspiring “young doctors through values, faith and ethics.”
Archbishop Makarios then delivered a keynote address titled “‘I Seek Man’ on the Highways of the Internet: Relationships and Dependencies in the Digital Age,” reflecting on the importance of maintaining human connection and spirituality in the digital era.
Expressing gratitude, he said, “I consider it a very great honour, which is not attributed to me alone, but to the Mother Church, to our Ecumenical Patriarchate and to the Hellenism of the Diaspora – to the Greeks who reside in the Fifth Continent.”
The University of Thessaly highlighted that this distinction strengthens its close relationship with His Eminence, who previously served as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Medicine.
The ceremony concluded with warm applause, marking what university leaders called a historic occasion for both the Medical School and the city of Larissa.
170 Square Meters (Moonwalk) is the latest production staged by the Creative Drama & Arts Coordinator Katerina Poutachidou and is presented with the Greek Australian Film Society (GAFS).
The award-winning play opened for just one weekend (7–9 November) at The National Theatre in St Kilda. Each performance was sold out and received glowing reviews from the audience.
Written by Giorgis Tsouris, the play sees two estranged sisters from a contemporary Greek family in Thebes reunited after their father passes. They navigate their own secrets and emotions as they return to their childhood home. Performed entirely in Greek, English subtitles were projected to make the play accessible for all.
Jeremy Artis directed the play and performed alongside a talented cast: Ioanna Gagani, Hyacinth Makka, Giannis Lyris, and Efrosini Theodosiou.
Their iteration of the play and the theatrical coordination from Katerina Poutachidou created one of the most seamless pieces of theatre I’ve seen this year. The play moved effortlessly between comedy and drama, leaving the audience in fits of laughter one moment and in tears in the next.
The comedic flair Artis brought to the stage elevated the energy in the room. Performances from Gagani, Makka, Lyris and Theodisiou were equally nuanced, polished and captivating.
Some audience members sat along the edges of the thoughtfully decorated set, a deliberate staging choice that made them part of the family drama unfolding on stage.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Artis explained that he wanted the set to feel open, framed by doorways rather than walls, to “comment on small societies and how there are no secrets”. Having the audience present on stage reflected the nature of small towns in Greece where often personal business can become general knowledge.
Vice-President of the Greek Community of Melbourne Anthea Sidiropoulos attended opening night and, reflecting on the performance, she said, “I was very moved. I felt like Broadway New York hit Melbourne… There are brilliant plays written but it takes an extra dimension for the actors to bring it to life and today that’s what happened… It made me cry… I think everyone should see it.”
Artis told The Greek Herald that the idea for 170 Square Meters came from wanting to do something contemporary after their play Girls in Crisis earlier this year. Noticing that nothing of its kind had been previously performed in Melbourne, Artis said, “that’s why I wanted to bring it to the Melbourne Greek Australian audience… 170 Square Meters spoke to my heart straight away.”
The relatability of the text immediately connected audiences with the play.
“I think the characters’ wants and journeys are very universal. The core story of the family coming together after the passing of the father is something that happens a lot in families of different cultures [and] the differences of what to do with the heritage of the house and everything that’s left behind,” Artis said.
“The dynamic between the two sisters really spoke to the audience no matter what their background was.”
The team’s rehearsal process involved improvisations and in-depth discussions of the play and character dynamics. “I set the ground early on that this is going to be a realistic play,” Artis said. He admires the emotional structure Tsouris brings to his plays, and he hopes to stage more of Tsouris’ work in the future.
After the success of their three performances, the team has added a new performance of 170 Square Meters (Moonwalk) for Friday 19th December. You can purchase tickets here.
It was an exceptional evening in every sense at Livadi Restaurant on Friday, November 7, where the Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation hosted a special event celebrating its ongoing commitment to the promotion of Greek language learning.
The highlight of the night was the announcement of the Foundation’s first student delegation to Greece – a group of 12 students from Australia who will travel to the University of Ioannina in early 2026 for a month-long program of Greek language classes and cultural excursions, including visits to historic sites such as Dodoni.
Speeches were given by the Consul General (left) and Leon Bombotas (right).
The 12 selected students will attend daily two-hour Greek language classes at the University of Ioannina while also exploring the region’s historical and cultural landmarks. The initiative aims to strengthen bonds between Australia and Greece through education and cultural exchange.
More than 140 guests filled Livadi’s elegant dining rooms and terraces, far exceeding expectations. The evening featured music, dance performances by Papapetrou’s troupe, and a series of inspiring speeches that drew enthusiastic applause.
Speakers included Foundation members Panayiotis Tsanis and Theo Premetis, Foundation CEO Leon Bombotas, and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, who added humour to his remarks by noting that he himself was a proud graduate of the University of Ioannina.
Numerous community organisations attended the event, including the Mytilenian Brotherhood, which sent a 10-member delegation and contributed to the night’s fundraising efforts. In total, more than $30,000 was raised, with the Samian Brotherhood making the largest donation of $5,000.
Across Australia, thousands gathered on Tuesday to honour the nation’s fallen servicemen and women, marking 107 years since the Armistice that ended the First World War.
At 11am, the country fell silent for one minute – from the heart of Melbourne’s CBD to the illuminated sails of the Sydney Opera House – in remembrance of all who have served in war and peacekeeping missions.
In Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr led the national ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.
“Every Remembrance Day, we carve this sacred moment out from the noise of the world to think of every Australian who has answered the call through the decades,” Mr Albanese said. “Although time passes, our duty to remember never does.”
In Brisbane, Princess Anne, on tour to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, laid a wreath at Gallipoli Barracks before meeting serving personnel and veterans. Similar commemorations took place in Anzac Square, where Premier David Crisafulli and Governor Jeanette Young joined more than 1,500 attendees for a minute’s silence.
In Sydney, poppies were projected onto the Opera House sails during a moving dawn service at Campbells Cove, accompanied by the Last Post. Greek and Cypriot Australian community members also took part in local ceremonies in Sydney, including Kyriakos Panayi, Secretary of the Cyprus Community of NSW, who laid a wreath at Martin Place on behalf of the community.
In Melbourne, traffic came to a standstill at eleven intersections as buglers played the Last Post. At the Shrine of Remembrance, Premier Jacinta Allan and Governor Professor Margaret Gardner joined dignitaries and veterans to pay tribute to more than 400,000 Victorians who have served.
Football Australia has announced the 2025/26 recipients of the Growing Football Community Grants, generously supported by CommBank, to help community clubs across the nation further support women and girls in football.
The Growing Football Community Grant Program provides targeted assistance to clubs and associations to boost female participation in the game. The program enhances the experience of new and returning players, strengthens the education and development of community coaches, and fosters inclusive, safe environments that encourage long-term engagement.
Since launching in 2023, the initiative has now delivered three rounds of community grants, supporting 297 clubs nationwide – including 93 across regional and remote areas – demonstrating Football Australia’s commitment to expanding access and opportunity for women and girls at every level.
This year’s recipients will use their funding to deliver programs that attract, support and retain female participants, including “come and try” days, female-only training sessions, subsidised registration fees, and female-fit uniforms.
Grants will also support the next generation of female coaches, referees and leaders through mentoring and education programs designed to empower women and girls on and off the pitch.
Among this year’s grant recipients are several Hellenic heritage clubs, including:
S.C. Corinthians Football Incorporated (Football Queensland)
These clubs will use their grants to create welcoming, inclusive environments that continue the proud tradition of community football within Australia’s multicultural landscape.
This sustained investment contributes to Football Australia and CommBank’s shared goal of supporting 50,000 female participants by 2026.
Football Australia Interim Chief Executive Officer, Heather Garriock, said, “We’re incredibly proud to see the Growing Football Fund continuing to make such a meaningful impact at the community level. These grants are not just about financial support – they’re about empowering clubs to create environments where women and girls feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to stay in the game.”
Commonwealth Bank Group Executive, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Monique Macleod, said, “We’re proud to support grassroots football through the Growing Football Fund. This fund is all about giving more communities the chance to get involved, have a kick, and build a brighter future through football.”
The wife of AFL great Anthony Koutoufides has launched legal action against Melbourne building company Acustruct, alleging it botched the construction of her multimillion-dollar Ivanhoe mansion and pressured her to approve incomplete work.
Court documents filed in the County Court of Victoria claim Suzana Koutoufides was “pressured” to sign off on inspection certificates that listed only eight minor defects, despite later expert reports identifying around 100 plumbing and construction faults.
According to The Herald Sun, she alleges the certificates were “false” and that Acustruct failed to comply with national building standards. One independent report estimated rectification costs at more than $400,000.
The documents also state the $2.1 million project was delayed by 201 days, with the completion deadline extended from March to September 2023. Ms Koutoufides is seeking $99,000 in liquidated damages for the delay and claims the builder has refused to fix the defects despite written requests.
Brisbane company Stunning Pools has gone into liquidation owing more than $1.04 million, leaving customers, tradies, and suppliers out of pocket – and the tax office chasing a six-figure debt.
Liquidator Nikhil Khatri of Worrells confirmed the Holland Park business had 40 active contracts when it collapsed on October 13, warning clients the company was “unable to complete any outstanding works” and advising those who paid by credit card to seek refunds from their banks.
The ATO is owed $130,000 in unpaid tax and superannuation, while other creditors include IDig Earthworks ($139,233), ScotPac Business Finance ($99,698), and Europe Imports ($50,479). Some customers are owed as much as $60,000 each.
Director Alan Jolliffe, 49, said he “wouldn’t be shocked if I go bankrupt over this” after receiving a director penalty notice.
The company’s original founder, Phillip Karabitsios, resigned in August, though his wife Joanne Karabitsios remains the sole shareholder.
Despite the collapse, Mr Karabitsios has since launched two new ventures — Scenic Rim Custom Pools and Pegasus Pools.
