Greek Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has made a successful return to the ATP Tour, defeating world number 36 Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round of the Stuttgart grass-court event.
The victory was Kyrgios’s first singles match since January’s Brisbane International and only his second singles win since 2022. The 31-year-old was awarded a wildcard entry into the tournament.
Kyrgios will next face world number 101 Sho Shimabukuro in the round of 16.
A series of injuries, particularly to his knee and wrist, have limited Kyrgios’s appearances since his breakthrough 2022 season, when he reached the final of Wimbledon Championships.
While Kyrgios remains young enough to continue competing for several more years, his future on tour will depend on both his physical condition and desire to keep playing.
The late Nikolaos Andrianakos was a great friend, benefactor, long standing member and generous supporter of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) – a fact already evident in none other than the beloved Andrianakos Centre at Alphington Grammar.
In honour of the founder of the Milemaker Petroleum and Properties group and his commitment to the broader Greek community in Victoria, the Nikolaos Andrianakos Foundation (NAF) has agreed to a major financial contribution to support to an important GCM cultural project – the renovation of the St Dimitrios Church Hall in Prahran which will be transformed into the Nikolaos Andrianakos Cultural Centre (NACC) once completed.
The NACC will feature a multi-disciplined arts space that will house theatrical, musical and dance productions, church and community gatherings and exhibitions for many years to come.
The project is being designed by Billy Kavelaris and his team at KUD and is also funded by the Federal Government.
GCM President Bill Papastergiadis OAM was delighted by the family’s support of this key GCM’s project saying: “I still recall the coffee I had with the late Nikolaos Andrianakos some 15 years ago, where I asked him to support the construction of a new multipurpose hall at Alphington Grammar. It took just two seconds for Nikolaos to extend his hand and offer to help fund that project.”
“When I approached Theo last month, he too was immediate in his support of this exciting and well needed cultural initiative that we are building here in Prahran. We are expanding our cultural investment into the suburbs and broadening the reach of the GCM so that it resonates and responds to all Melburnians and their needs,” Mr Papastergiadis added.
Speaking on behalf of the family and the NAF, former GCM Vice President Theo Andrianakos said: “My father was one of the first members of the Greek diaspora to respond to the call to support the Greek Community of Melbourne, contributing a significant sum and backing the initiative led by Bill Papastergiadis.”
“His love for the Greek community was deep and sincere, as it was for many people of his generation who left their homeland to build a new life in Australia. My father came here completely alone. He had no parents, siblings, or other relatives by his side. His parents and brothers remained in Greece, while he embarked on the journey of migration on his own, facing its challenges with courage, perseverance, and dignity,” Theo added.
“Despite the hardships he experienced, he never forgot his roots. Whenever he was asked to support the Greek community in Melbourne, he never said “no.” He firmly believed in the importance of community, giving back, and preserving our Greek heritage.
“That is why I established this Foundation—to honour his memory and continue the work he began. It is a way of keeping alive the values he stood for and continuing his contribution to the community he loved so dearly.
“My father had a special passion for theatre, music, and every form of cultural expression that brought people together. When Bill approached me about becoming involved in this project, I did not hesitate for a moment. I accepted immediately, because I know with absolute certainty that if my father were here today, he would have said “yes” without a second thought.
“With great emotion and pride, I continue along the path he charted, with the aim of contributing to the Greek Community of Melbourne and ensuring that the name of my father, Nikolaos Andrianakos, remains forever associated with generosity, culture, and a deep love for Hellenism.”
Works on the St Dimitrios Hall project are due to commence later this year.
The mother of alleged Sydney fugitive James Dalamangas has spoken publicly following her son’s arrest in Greece, claiming the family has endured years of fear, threats and trauma since the death of another son in Australia in 1998.
Dalamangas, 56, was arrested in Aigio in the Peloponnese region and is now fighting extradition to Australia over the alleged 1999 murder of Sydney man George Giannopoulos.
Australian authorities allege Giannopoulos was fatally stabbed outside the Pariziana nightclub in Belmore on Anzac Day in 1999 before Dalamangas fled the country shortly afterwards.
The Commander of the Aigialeia Crime Investigation and Detection Division, Iordanis Magerakis, previously told The Greek Heraldthat Greek police tracked down Dalamangas after receiving crucial information from Australian authorities.
Authorities allege he had been living under the false identity “Antonis Tzimas” for years and was known locally as a quiet olive farmer.
Greek police reportedly placed the rural property under surveillance before arresting him as he left with family members. Reports also claim his father and long-term partner were detained for allegedly harbouring a fugitive.
A further twist emerged after Greek media reported that Dalamangas’ mother had allegedly provided police with her son’s full name and Australian identifying details during a domestic violence complaint lodged in 2014. However, the matter was reportedly not pursued for several years.
James Dalamangas has appeared before a court in Greece after being arrested. Photo: Ekathimerini.
His lawyer, Nikos Apostolopoulos, said his client “denies the alleged act attributed to him,” while arguing the matter is time-barred under Greek law and that Dalamangas wishes to be tried in Greece.
As he left court, Dalamangas shouted: “Justice for Peter Dalamangas,” referring to his younger brother, Panagiotis, who died following an incident involving security guards at Sydney’s Star City Casino in 1998.
Speaking to Greek media after the arrest, Dalamangas’ mother described her shock at seeing her son in handcuffs.
“My son, I don’t know what happened, yesterday he came here and they had handcuffs on him and I was shocked,” she said. “I say ‘What happened to you? What happened?’”
She said her son attempted to reassure her, telling her: “It’s a process, it will be sorted out, calm down.”
Dalamangas’ mother also alleged the family had faced multiple threats following the death of Panagiotis.
“I experienced 3 assassination attempts on James after the death of my Panagiotis. They came to kill me too. I fought in the courts,” she claimed.
She further alleged her son acted in self-defence in the Giannopoulos case.
“We learned that he was a thug in a criminal organisation and they had paid him to kill my child so that he would stop fighting for justice for my Panagiotis,” she alleged.
The Greek Herald previously revealed police allegedly found a bow above Dalamangas’ bed and several daggers during a search of the property in Aigio, while large dogs on the premises reportedly complicated the operation.
The Australian Federal Police renewed a $200,000 reward for information leading to Dalamangas’ arrest in 2024 and released an age-progressed image as part of ongoing international efforts to locate him.
Greek courts are expected to decide in the coming weeks whether Dalamangas will be extradited to Australia.
The Darwin Esplanade was transformed into a sea of blue and white over the weekend as tens of thousands gathered for what organisers say was the most successful GleNTi festival ever staged in the Northern Territory.
Blessed with ideal dry-season weather, the annual celebration of Greek culture attracted an estimated 40,000 people across two packed days of food, music, dancing and entertainment.
All photos supplied by Georgia Politis Photography.
From morning through until late at night, crowds filled the waterfront precinct enjoying traditional Greek cuisine, live performances and cultural displays, while families took advantage of amusement rides and activities designed for children.
The atmosphere continued well after sunset, with festivalgoers gathering around long communal tables to enjoy Greek beer, wine and local brews as dancing and live music carried into the evening.
This year’s festival also received strong support from sponsors, including Gold Sponsor Bank of Sydney, which participated in the GleNTi celebrations for the first time. Bank of Sydney Acting CEO Kieran McKean was among those in attendance across the weekend festivities.
Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia (GOCNA) President Michael Koulianos said this year’s event surpassed all previous festivals in both attendance and atmosphere, with strong crowds flowing through the precinct across the entire weekend.
He said vendors struggled to keep up with demand despite increasing stock levels, while associated events leading into the festival also attracted significant crowds, including the GleNTi Cup earlier in the week.
Mr Koulianos praised the efforts of volunteers and organisers who worked around the clock to deliver the large-scale event, revealing the festival also raised $21,000 for NT Police Legacy.
With another successful festival now complete, organisers have already begun preparations for next year’s celebration as interest in the event continues to grow.
*All photos supplied by Georgia Politis Photography
Professor Paul Andon, a respected academic of Hellenic heritage and long-serving UNSW educator, has been appointed Dean of the UNSW Business School following an international recruitment process involving candidates from some of the world’s leading business schools.
Prof. Andon officially commenced in the role on April 20, bringing more than 25 years of experience in higher education leadership, curriculum innovation and business education strategy.
A proud UNSW alumnus, Prof. Andon has held several senior leadership roles at the university, including Senior Deputy Dean (Education and Student Experience), Head of the School of Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, and interim Co-Dean of the Business School.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs praised Prof. Andon’s appointment, describing him as “a distinguished academic leader and educator, with deep institutional knowledge and extensive UNSW leadership experience.”
“Across various leadership roles at the University, he has had an impressive impact in developing impactful research programs, driving innovation in education and forging strong industry partnerships,” Prof. Brungs said.
Prof. Andon said he was honoured to take on the role at a pivotal time for both higher education and the global business sector.
“It’s a privilege to lead a tremendous business faculty at a time of significant change across higher education and the business world,” he said.
“As a world-leading business school, we are responsible for shaping better practices and informing policy from the classroom to the C-suite.”
Prof. Andon has led several major educational initiatives at UNSW, including integrating artificial intelligence into business education and expanding the UNSW Tax Clinic into a broader Tax and Business Advisory service focused on social impact and justice.
His research has focused on accounting, organisational misconduct, governance and assurance practices, earning him numerous teaching and research awards throughout his academic career.
As Dean, Prof. Andon said a key priority would be preparing graduates and researchers for the rapid transformation being driven by artificial intelligence and global uncertainty.
“That means developing researchers and graduates who can think with and beyond AI, step confidently into higher-order responsibility and shape better outcomes for the world,” he said.
Former L’Oréal, Elizabeth Arden, and Scentre Group executive George Tsoukalas has been named the new General Manager of Sephora’s Australia and New Zealand division.
Tsoukalas, a retail veteran, enters the role from his latest post as Managing Director of Heinemann Oceania. He succeeds Mark O’Keefe, who announced his resignation in February.
“We have enjoyed some of the most wonderful times, and I cannot thank you enough for the precious memories our time together has created,” O’Keefe said in his announcement, before promising to embark on a “new beauty adventure” in August.
Sephora called Tsoukalas a “seasoned retail leader,” adding that he takes the helm at Sephora ANZ as it “steps into this new era.” Since its launch in late 2014, Sephora ANZ now operates more than 30 stores.
“The future is bright for Sephora Australia and New Zealand,” Tsoukalas said. “As we move towards the second half of the year, we will be unveiling new brands and exciting initiatives, but equally important is doubling down on the fundamentals – our people, our brand partners, and our community of beauty fans.”
“We are focused on strengthening our presence across Australia and New Zealand and reaffirming our position as the world’s leading global prestige beauty retailer.”
Police are continuing to investigate the murder of Hells Angels associate Kerry Giakoumis, six years after he disappeared in Melbourne, with a mystery man linked to the case still unidentified.
Giakoumis, 29, travelled from Adelaide to Melbourne on June 10, 2020, with two members of the Hells Angels’ South Australian-based North Crew chapter.
Investigators later determined he attended the Nomads clubhouse on Lipton Drive in Thomastown that night and believe he never left the premises alive.
Victoria Police released an image in September 2022 of an unidentified man they believe may hold important information about the case. Detectives say the man was seen with Giakoumis shortly before his death.
The man, described as slender with neck tattoos, was captured on lift security footage at a Richmond apartment linked to one of Giakoumis’ associates.
Police believe Giakoumis later travelled to the Thomastown clubhouse, where he was allegedly attacked in what investigators suspect was a spontaneous act of violence before his body was removed and disposed of.
His family raised concerns after he failed to board a return flight to Adelaide and stopped contacting relatives.
A mistrial has been declared in the Brisbane District Court case involving prominent Brisbane hairdresser Dmitri Stelios Papas.
The reason for the mistrial has not been made public, with much of the evidence this week heard in closed court. A new court date is yet to be set.
Papas, 49, has pleaded not guilty to six historical sexual assault charges and one count of rape involving four former employees at his high-end Brisbane CBD hair salon.
During opening submissions earlier this week, defence barrister Saul Holt described the salon as having a “highly sexualised” workplace culture.
He told the jury they would hear evidence of widespread physical affection and inappropriate humour within the salon environment.
“…You’ll hear about kissing, cuddling, tickling, bottom-touching, explicit jokes, videos, photographs, and even see some of those things in this trial,” Mr Holt said.
The court also heard allegations that Papas sexually assaulted three former employees and digitally raped another woman in the salon’s back rooms.
Crown prosecutor Joshua Francis said the prosecution case relied on similarities in the women’s accounts, including claims Papas allegedly touched them unexpectedly while at work and often from behind.
Mr Holt, however, argued the jury would hear evidence of one complainant “rewriting history” and “rallying others to her cause”.
The court was also told that Papas’ relationship with salon co-owner Justin Pace deteriorated following allegations made by one of the complainants.
A future listing date for the matter has not yet been confirmed.
Sydney property developer Nick Couloumbis has been charged following an alleged altercation involving the son of one of his most vocal opponents over a controversial Paddington development.
Couloumbis, founder of boutique development firm Toohey Miller, is accused of assaulting Angus Onisforou at Justin Hemmes’ Club Rose Bay venue on Saturday, May 23.
The 30-year-old was arrested at Pyrmont on May 28 and charged with common assault and attempt to stalk or intimidate with intent to cause fear of harm.
Police allege the incident occurred between two men at the licensed venue in Rose Bay.
Couloumbis has denied wrongdoing and says he will plead not guilty.
“It was in self defence and I look forward to presenting my case with my lawyer in court,” he said.
He also claimed there had been “a history of bullying and harassment” from the Onisforou family, allegations they deny.
Angus Onisforou is the son of barrister and businessman Theo Onisforou, who has led community opposition to Couloumbis’ proposed $78.3 million development at 160 Oxford Street, Paddington.
The nine-storey apartment project has become a major flashpoint in debates over development in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
At a recent community meeting organised by independent MP Alex Greenwich and Woollahra councillor Harriet Price, Theo urged locals to oppose the project.
“I’m going to ask all of you to tell everybody that wants to live in Paddington: boycott this development,” he said.
Theo also rejected Couloumbis’ claims of harassment.
“I have no doubt that he felt very harassed by my speech because it was the truth – and the truth hurts,” he said.
Couloumbis was granted conditional bail and is due to appear in court next month.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Melville Road and Victoria Street in Brunswick West shortly after 8.30am on Thursday, June 4, following reports a pedestrian had been struck by a dark-coloured hatchback while crossing the road.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud impact before rushing to assist the woman, who was allegedly left unconscious on the road following the collision.
Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before transporting her to hospital with serious injuries. Authorities have not released an update on her condition.
Police allege the driver briefly stopped following the crash before leaving the scene prior to officers arriving. Investigators believe the vehicle involved was a rental car.
A 40-year-old Brunswick man later presented himself at a police station on Friday morning, around 24 hours after the incident.
Victoria Police subsequently charged the man with unlicensed driving, two counts of failing to stop and render assistance at a collision scene, and failing to notify police of a serious injury collision.
He was bailed to appear before Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 5 October.
