The Cretan Association of Sydney and New South Wales invites the community to its Annual Ball commemorating the historic Battle of Crete, to be held on Saturday, May 17, at the Grand Vaudeville Reception Centre in Condell Park.
Guests will enjoy a vibrant evening featuring live music direct from Crete by Giorgos Alexantonakis (lyra) and Nikos Papadogiannis (lute), a four-course meal, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, along with dynamic performances by the Association’s dancing groups.
The event runs from 7.00 pm to 1.00 am, with tickets priced at $120 for adults and $60 for children.
The annual ball is one of the most anticipated events on the Cretan community calendar, bringing together families, friends, and supporters to honour the bravery of those who fought in the Battle of Crete and to celebrate Cretan culture through music, dance and tradition.
Bookings can be made here. Early booking is encouraged to avoid disappointment.
Event Details:
What: Annual Battle of Crete Ball
When: Saturday, May 17 from 7pm
Where: Grand Vaudeville Reception Centre, 178 Eldridge Road, Condell Park NSW 2200
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos has emerged as one of the key contenders to replace outgoing NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, who is set to retire in September.
Pisanos, who oversees regional operations, has played a prominent role in addressing youth crime across the state.
Karen Webb. Photo: Dean Lewins / AAP.
While not as high-profile as some rivals, including Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson, Pisanos is considered a serious candidate alongside fellow deputies Peter Thurtell and Mal Lanyon.
All are expected to formally apply for the top job in coming months.
Pisanos’ experience in regional policing could be a key asset as the force grapples with ongoing law and order challenges in rural NSW.
Sydney hairdresser Paris Coudounellis has pleaded guilty to three counts of damaging property and one count of common assault, following a series of incidents involving her ex-boyfriend, Luke Paterson.
The 20-year-old has also previously admitted to breaching an apprehended violence order protecting Paterson.
Court documents revealed Coudounellis broke into Paterson’s home in June 2024 through a flyscreen and was found in his bed by his mother.
Weeks later, she allegedly caused $1,200 worth of damage to his mother’s Mercedes during an argument, and in a separate incident, ripped another flyscreen off his bedroom window while demanding to speak to him.
Coudounellis appeared in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday, May 7, where her case was adjourned for six weeks for a sentencing assessment report. She is due back in court in June for sentencing.
This year’s commemorations for the Genocide of the Greeks of Pontos mark a new beginning for the Melbourne Coordinating Committee, whose members have been working diligently to organise the upcoming events.
The committee is led by newly appointed youth members under the age of 30, representing four Melbourne-based associations: Pontiaki Koinotita, Euxenos Pontos, Akrites tou Pontou, and Pontiaki Estia.
Coordinator Aliki Souliotis, along with Myrto Makridis, is leading the team. Eleni Totikidis has taken on the role of secretary, with the support of Desie Kyriakidis.
Alexia Moskofidis and Ioanna Eleftheriadis are coordinating the upcoming screening of the film Lethal Nationalism.
Together with Harry Tsairis and the guidance of experienced members of the associations – Apostolis Alexiadis, Spiros Varetimidis, Tasos Dimitriu, Eleni Nikou and Simela Stamatopoulos – they have organised a full day of commemorative events to be held on Sunday, May 18.
To mark the 106th anniversary, a Memorial Service will be held at the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin, located at 7 Hartington Street, Northcote, on Sunday, May 18 at 9:30am.
This will be followed by a Wreath Laying Ceremony at 11:30am at the “Monument of the Fallen,” situated at the rear of the church. Community organisations are invited to register their intention to lay a wreath by emailing: pontiancoorcommelb@gmail.com
A highlight of this year’s commemorations will once again be the screening of the film Lethal Nationalism – Genocide of the Greeks 1913–1923. This award-winning documentary chronicles the genocide of the Greeks and other indigenous Christians by the Ottoman and Nationalist Turks.
Funded by the Asia Minor and Pontos Research Centre (USA), the film is directed by Peter Lambrinatos, written by John McCarthy, and narrated by renowned American news anchor Bill Kurtis.
The film-documentary is in English and will be screened on Sunday, 18 May at Pontiaki Estia, 540 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Entry is free.
Event Details:
Sunday, 18 May 2025
Prayer Service
Time: 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Location: Holy Monastery of Axion Estin, 2 Hartington Street, Northcote
Wreath Laying Ceremony
Time: 11:30 am
Location: Monument to the Fallen, Holy Monastery of Axion Estin, 2 Hartington Street, Northcote
Following the proceedings, coffee and light refreshments will be served in the church’s function room.
Screening of film-documentary
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Pontiaki Estia, 540 Sydney Road, Brunswick
The Lobster Cave, a well-known seafood restaurant in Beaumaris operating since 1987, has entered administration after its owning company, Lob Nominees, collapsed into insolvency.
According to the Herald Sun, administrator Stephen Dixon of Hamilton Murphy has been appointed to assess the business and oversee operations, with more than 60 staff currently employed.
Owner Vasilios Fergadiotis, better known as Bill Ferg, faces mounting personal financial woes and a $1 million bankruptcy claim.
In a statement to the Herald Sun, Ferg confirmed the restaurant will continue trading through the administration process, stating, “We are working hard not to be a late casualty of Covid.”
Creditors, owed over $7 million, are set to vote on a last-minute personal insolvency deal as Ferg attempts to avoid bankruptcy and losing control of his businesses.
This follows earlier legal action against Lob Nominees by Humm Group and the collapse of several other Ferg-linked companies with debts nearing $17 million.
The Victorian Council for Greek National Day has announced the election of its new Executive Committee, following the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Monday, 5 May 2025, at Axion Estin in Northcote, Victoria.
Representing the diverse Hellenic communities, schools, and organisations of Victoria, the Council proudly continues its mission to honour and celebrate Greek Independence Day on March 25th each year with dignity, pride, and unity.
The newly elected Executive Committee is:
Chair: Sophia Siachos
Secretary: Peter Stefanidis
Assistant Secretary: Dean Kalymniou
Treasurer: Arthur Andronas
Master of Ceremonies (Greek): Katerina Poutachidou
Master of Ceremonies (English): Leonidas Vlahakis
Parade Marshal: Jim Grivokostopoulos
Several members of the new Executive Committee return after having served on the previous committee. United by a shared vision, they are determined to build upon the success of this year’s event and work toward a full return to Melbourne’s iconic Shrine district for future commemorations.
In the lead-up to the AGM, the outgoing committee proactively invited constructive feedback from the community. They acknowledged areas for improvement and committed to addressing these by enhancing communication, refining event protocols, and upholding a spirit of transparency and collaboration with all stakeholders.
With a renewed spirit and shared commitment, the new committee looks forward to working collaboratively with all community partners to deliver meaningful and inspiring celebrations in 2025 and beyond.
One of the largest ever landholdings in Austral – the Hellenic Village – has sold for a record $119.5 million to leading residential developer in Western Sydney, Castle Group, paving the way for a major housing development.
The mammoth landholding of 41.32 hectares at Lot 10 Gurner Avenue in one of Sydney’s most in demand suburbs was sold by Joe Sacco of Colliers and Frank Oliveri of Oliveri Capital on behalf of the Hellenic Village, as part of a highly competitive campaign.
“This sale is a true testament to the strength of the local market, given the sheer scale of the offering. Austral continues to be transformed, and this transaction provides the incoming purchaser with the perfect opportunity to create an exceptional new community in the heart of one of Sydney’s fastest-growing regions,” Mr Sacco said.
Mr Oliveri added, “Sites of this size are very rare in the current market and will help with the burgeoning demand for housing in the fast growing south-west Sydney region.”
Castle Group’s vision for the site is for a connected and sustainable master-planned community of 550 homes, where its residents will benefit from proximity to major infrastructure and jobs at the Western Sydney Airport and aerotropolis, while enjoying the natural bushland of Western Sydney Parklands at their doorstep.
Hellenic Village land sold in record $119.5 million deal to Castle Group.
Head of Development of Castle Group, Stuart Allen said the development will help meet the growing demand for low and medium density housing in Western Sydney.
“Castle Group is investing heavily in South West Sydney and with this acquisition, we’ve grown our footprint in the area to seven projects totalling more than a thousand homes,” Mr Allen said.
“We’re a Western Sydney company, we’re part of the community that we work in, and we’re excited for this opportunity to positively shape Austral’s future.”
Hellenic Village President, George Mpliokas, said, “This sale brings Hellenic Village a step closer to realising our vision, of a united Greek Australian charitable organisation that serves our community into the future.”
“On behalf of the Board and all our member organisations, I wish Castle Group the very best with their project, and I thank Frank, Joe and the team at Colliers for their excellent work,” he added.
Hellenic Village is made up of 21 Greek community associations throughout Sydney, representing a number of ancestral groups and cultural organisations.
Austral is experiencing a surge in development, driven by its proximity to the future Western Sydney International Airport (due to open in 2026) and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
Austral has also been earmarked for significant residential and commercial development, supported by local and state government initiatives. The suburb benefits from ongoing upgrades to road networks, including Bringelly Road and The Northern Road, which improve access to major motorways like the M7 and M5.
Sydney Olympic fought to the very end but was eliminated by Sydney United on penalties in the 6th qualifying round of the Australia Cup, after conceding a dramatic equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time during extra time.
The match ended 3-3, with Sydney Olympic ultimately losing 10-9 in the penalty shootout.
On Wednesday night, at the Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney Olympic found themselves trailing 2-0 in the first half after conceding two goals in the space of a minute (22nd and 23rd minutes).
From that point on, they launched a spirited comeback. Parkhouse scored in the 36th minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1, and Clark equalised in the 72nd minute, sending the match into extra time.
In the 115th minute, Dehmie gave Olympic a 3-2 lead, but the referee added an inexplicably long period of stoppage time, and in the 120+2nd minute, Sydney United equalised at 3-3, pushing the game to penalties.
The shootout saw each team take 11 penalties, with Sydney United scoring 10 times and Sydney Olympic converting 9.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday, this time for Round 14 of the NSW National Premier League, with kickoff scheduled for 5 pm at Jubilee Stadium.
On May 6, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia welcomed Their Graces Bishop Elpidios of Perth, Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, and Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne to Athens, Greece.
The group visited the Acropolis Museum in Athens where they were greeted by Head of Events at the Museum, Sofia Stavropoulou on behalf of Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, and received a guided tour by archaeologist Katerina Diamantidou.
Archbishop Makarios praised the museum’s architecture and exhibits, stating, “We are proud, because everything that is here is ours and is not stolen,” highlighting the importance of preserving Greece’s cultural heritage.
The annual feast day of the Great Martyr Irene the Wonderworker was celebrated on May 4–5 at the Holy Monastery of St Irene in Rethymno, Crete.
The celebration included a Vespers service led by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA), who was visiting Crete for the first time, accompanied by a group of Australian pilgrims.
His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos warmly welcomed the Bishop, highlighting the strong ties between Crete and the Church in Australia.
Some of the Australian pilgrims.
Bishop Evmenios shared heartfelt reflections on his ministry in Australia and the enduring bonds with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Greece.
A joint Divine Liturgy followed on May 5, with hundreds of worshippers from across Crete, the US, and Australia in attendance.
Civic and religious dignitaries also took part in the festivities, which concluded with a memorial service for the the late Metropolitan Theodoros and traditional monastic hospitality.
