A group of Greek and Cypriot mates from Sydney and Melbourne will be flying the blue and white colours this Saturday, 18 October 2025, when their sprinter Dragonstone lines up in the $2 million Sydney Stakes (1200 m) on The Everest Day at Royal Randwick.
Trained by Joe Pride, Dragonstone has earned more than $1.2 million from 39 starts and will jump from barrier 13 under jockey Josh Parr.
The gelding races in blue-and-white silks managed by Nicholas Tzaferis – colours that, the owners say, pay tribute to both the Greek flag and Tzaferis’ Everton Football Club allegiance.
The ownership group includes Kostas Fotiadis, Chris Sakkos, Theo Axiotis, Andrew Kakalas, Anthony Proutsos, Allan Tzaferis, Chris Iliadis, Nik Vlahos, Peter Kotsiris, and Andrew Georgiou, among others. The majority of the owners are of Greek or Cypriot background and describe the journey with Dragonstone as one they’ll never forget.
Anthony Proutsos.Nicholas Tzaferis.
One of the part-owners, Mr Proutsos, told The Greek Herald the experience has been “nothing short of incredible.”
“Dragonstone is one of a kind. He’s got a huge heart for such a small frame, and he always gives 100%. We’ve been blessed with this horse. From the first day he stepped onto the track, when he finished third on debut at Canterbury back in 2021, it’s been an unbelievable ride.”
Among the standout highlights for the group was Dragonstone’s victory at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day in 2024, when he won under jockey Adam Hyeronimus.
Many of the owners were in Melbourne for Cup Week at the time, but that didn’t stop the celebrations – which carried late into the night at Jim’s Greek Tavern in Collingwood, a favourite haunt for the Melbourne-based contingent.
Earlier this year, Dragonstone added another feature to his résumé with a win in the Listed Hawkesbury Gold Rush, further cementing his reputation as one of the most consistent sprinters in training.
As for this weekend, excitement is running high. Proutsos says it’s hard to put into words what a win in the Sydney Stakes would mean, hinting that if Dragonstone pulls off the upset, the celebrations could “go on for days.”
With the Sydney Stakes serving as the consolation race to The Everest, Dragonstone will once again carry the hopes – and pride – of his Greek Australian owners. Win or lose, there’s little doubt the celebrations among his backers will be loud, proud, and very blue and white.
Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, has arrived in Melbourne, continuing his official visit to Australia and deepening ties between Greece and Victoria’s Greek Australian community – the largest outside Greece.
On Thursday, October 16, Loverdos held a cordial meeting with the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan MP, joined by Steve Dimopoulos MP, Minister for Environment, Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and members of the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Greece, including Lee Tarlamis MP and Kat Theophanous MP.
The discussions focused on the Greek Australian community’s enduring contribution to Victoria, as well as ongoing initiatives by the Greek Government to strengthen engagement with the diaspora.
Both sides expressed pride in the shared values, cultural links, and significant achievements of Greek Australians in shaping Victoria’s multicultural identity.
Loverdos was accompanied by the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou, the Secretaries-General of the Ministry of the Interior, Athanasios Balermpas and Dimitrios Karnavos, and the Director General for Citizenship, Katerina Ouli.
Following his meeting with the Premier, Loverdos visited the Hellenic Museum in Melbourne, the only institution in Australia dedicated to Hellenic history, art, and culture.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a landmark agreement with Egypt securing the future of St Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai – one of the world’s oldest Christian sites.
The deal ends months of diplomatic tension over Egypt’s tourism plans near the UNESCO site and ensures, as Mitsotakis told parliament, that “the character of the monastery is guaranteed in perpetuity” and that “any conversion of the monastery or other places of worship is prohibited.”
The announcement came during a parliamentary debate on foreign policy, where Mitsotakis called for unity “beyond party lines” and outlined Greece’s growing role as a pillar of stability, energy hub, and bridge for cooperation in a volatile world.
Είμαι υπερήφανος γιατί η πατρίδα μας σήμερα στέκεται πλέον όρθια και περήφανη, με εμπιστοσύνη στις δυνάμεις της. pic.twitter.com/cbsWHH1zyf
He reaffirmed Greece’s support for a two-state solution in the Middle East, closer partnerships with Israel, Egypt, and Arab nations, and a structured dialogue with Turkey aimed at reducing tensions while protecting sovereignty.
Mitsotakis also tied Greece’s diplomatic strength to its economic recovery and defence upgrades, citing the €28 billion modernisation programme.
Concluding, he said Greece now acts as “an equal power” in Europe and abroad, urging all parties to pursue a “patriotism of responsibility and an active diplomacy of results.”
Greece’s parliament has passed a controversial labour reform allowing employees to work up to 13 hours a day, despite fierce protests and nationwide strikes.
The government argues the move modernises outdated labour laws and offers flexibility and choice for private-sector workers, but critics have branded it a step backwards.
A Syriza spokesperson condemned it as a “legislative monstrosity,” while unions warned it would destroy family life and normalise overwork.
Under the new rules, the 40-hour week remains but workers can choose to extend their hours up to 37 extra days per year with a 40% pay bonus. Officials stress participation is voluntary and dismissals for refusing overtime are prohibited.
Πότε ήταν καλύτερα; Με 18% ανεργία ή με 8%; Με κατώτατο μισθό 650€ ή 880€ και σύντομα 950€; Με μηδενικές νέες θέσεις ή με 500.000+ νέες θέσεις εργασίας;
Κι όμως, μιλούν για δήθεν «13ωρα» και «ζούγκλα εργασίας».
Labour Minister Niki Kerameus said the reforms align with EU regulations and reflect “modern labour-market realities.”
Opponents argue Greece’s workforce already endures some of the longest hours in Europe, yet still faces low wages and rising living costs. The ADEDY union said the bill legalises “the abolition of the eight-hour day” and undermines work–life balance.
Greece, which introduced a six-day working week for some industries earlier this year, continues to grapple with low wages — the minimum monthly pay is €968 (£839) — and unemployment of 8.1%, among the highest in the EU.
Chris Nicolaou had two main goals when he arrived in Australia from Cyprus in 1955. The first was to be his own boss and the second was to be a part of a community. He achieved both.
This year, the Brisbane supermarket business – IGA Carina – that he had originally purchased in 1955, will celebrate a 70-year milestone.
For 23 of those years, his brother John worked alongside him as a partner in the business. John had migrated to Australia in 1965 aged 15, looking after the grocery side while Chris focused on everything else.
Chris stepped away from the business in 2007 at the aged of 75 after a serious stroke where he lost his speech and mobility before passing away at the age of 81 in 2013.
Yet his legacy remains.
A family affair
Today the IGA is operated by his six children Mary, Chrissy, Helen, Nick, Sam, and Andrea, while many of his 16 grandchildren have also worked in the business at various times.
Chris had bought the Brisbane business before his marriage to Eftihia, who had made Adelaide her home after migrating from Cyprus. They crossed paths in 1959 when he came to Adelaide to visit a friend.
His son Nick told The Greek Herald the couple’s original plan after getting married was to stay in Brisbane for six months to sell the business and then live in Adelaide to start a family. But fate had other plans.
“When dad first came to Australia, he landed in Melbourne and worked a few different jobs – one of them was at a car factory,” Nick said.
“He made some great friends who had also migrated from Cyprus to Melbourne. Eventually, one of his close friends moved to Adelaide, and that’s where they met.
“But once they got to Brisbane, Mum loved it so much they decided to stay and keep the store. Over the years, they helped bring the rest of their family from Cyprus and Adelaide – up to beautiful Brisbane too.
“My dad was very ambitious. He always wanted to be his own boss and loved the idea of being part of a community.”
Hard work is rewarded
Chris had never worked in a store let alone having his own business, but was driven to succeed by his love of a challenge to succeed. Like many others before him, he arrived in Australia with not much in his pocket other than a desire to succeed.
“Coming from Cyprus with very little, he had a hunger to work hard and create a better life for his family,” Nick said.
“He learned everything on the job through persistence and determination. He never let a lack of experience hold him back – instead, it pushed him to work even harder and prove himself.
“That mindset became a core part of the store’s success and something he instilled in all of us. His journey is a great example of resilience and the immigrant spirit.”
Although the business has reached the 70-year milestone, Chris, his wife Eftihia and his brother John worked hard in the early years. It was not always easy trying to navigate life in Australia and running a business.
Eftihia also worked hard serving customers, not at all deterred by the language barrier. Nick said this made his mum even more determined to connect with customers through kindness and hard work.
“Together, they were an unstoppable team, driven by an incredible work ethic and a shared dream to build a better life,” he said.
“Their dedication set the foundation for what the store has become today.”
Providing the best for his customers
Meanwhile, Chris would get up at the crack of dawn visiting the local market and selecting the produce to sell all while building relationships with the farmers.
“His true love was supplying the community with the best and fresh fruit and vegetables and dad prided himself on personally selecting the produce,” Nick said.
“This was the catalyst that made the business grow. Dad also had a very understanding bank manager in the early days of the business. Without his help and guidance, the store would have closed.”
Nick recalled a funny story of how his father had an unusual way of writing the words carrot and celery.
“Dad used to spell celery with an ‘s’ – much to the amusement of customers,” Nick said.
“He’d accidentally spell carrots with a ‘k’, and customers would come to the shop praising his clever marketing tactic – poor dad couldn’t tell them the spelling was an accident and not intentional!”
Giving back to community
Chris also liked to walk around the shop cutting up fruit and offering it to customers to show how fresh the produce was.
“Most people had no idea he was the owner,” Nick said. “They just thought he was some random fruit shop crazy man handing out apple slices.”
His children were also taught how to give back to the community, especially to those who needed it most.
“Dad lived by a simple motto: “If you can help, you help.” And he really meant it,” Nick said. “Owning a supermarket gave him a unique opportunity to support others and he never hesitated to step in when someone was struggling – especially around Christmas time.
“He would drop off boxes of groceries to families doing it tough – never looking for recognition, just wanting to make sure no one went without.”
Chris kept a red book behind the counter for customers who were having trouble making ends meet. Customers could take their groceries and pay later – an act of trust and kindness to the community he loved.
These days his family of six children, 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren consider it an honour to remember the sacrifices made by Chris and Eftihia, while upholding the legacy as it enters its 70th year.
“There’s a strong sense of pride in upholding the standards he set, especially his commitment to quality, good service, community and hard work,” Nick said.
“It’s not just about running a supermarket; it’s about preserving a family story that began 70 years ago with courage and heart.
“Carrying that legacy forward means everything to us. To this day, the shop is called Chris’ IGA Carina after all.”
AHEPA Australia hosted its Saving Hearts Fundraiser on Sunday, October 12, at The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney, raising over $2,000 for the Heart Foundation and celebrating achievements in cardiovascular medicine.
Organised by the Grand Lodge of NSW in partnership with the Cardio Society of Australia and New Zealand, the event aimed to raise awareness and vital funds for heart health, recognising the ongoing challenge of cardiovascular disease, one of Australia’s leading causes of death.
Guests enjoyed a four-course meal accompanied by presentations on heart research breakthroughs, educational talks on prevention and lifestyle, and videos showcasing Heart Foundation projects such as Research Heroes and 3D Printing Heart Valves to Last a Lifetime.
Each attendee received a Saving Hearts booklet highlighting heart disease statistics and healthy living tips.
The highlight of the afternoon was the Appreciation Award presented to Dr Nikki Leila Raftopoulos, a rising cardiologist recognised for her innovative research with Indigenous communities and her commitment to public health.
Dr Raftopoulos was nominated by the Cardio Society of Australia and New Zealand as a “New Starter” and received a $2,000 grant from AHEPA Australia.
Dr Raftopoulos is set to begin Cardiology Training at St Vincent’s Hospital in 2026. She holds a Bachelor of Medical Science (First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney, a Master of International Public Health from UNSW, and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Notre Dame, with additional training in Medical Statistics from Stanford University.
She also holds research positions at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and Notre Dame School of Medicine, and previously developed the first Indigenous Cardiology Registry Database in the Northern Territory.
Her research focuses on heart failure, advanced cardiac imaging, and preventive cardiology, particularly among Indigenous Australians.
With about 50 members and guests in attendance, the event was described as “like a family gathering to support a great cause,” hosted by MC Dimitri Kametopoulos and supported by Bill Mougios and staff at The Grand Roxy.
Funds were raised through private donations and raffle prizes to be presented to the Heart Foundation at a later date. AHEPA Australia reaffirmed its commitment to promoting education, prevention, and research to strengthen heart health for future generations.
Launched on 15 October 2024, Our People, Their Stories (www.opts.org.au) has quickly become a digital “living museum” dedicated to preserving the modern history of Greek migration to Australia.
An initiative of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, the website captures and celebrates the experiences of first- and second-generation Greek migrants through videos, podcasts, and written testimonies.
As His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew remarked during its inauguration in 2024, the project “does not merely record past events, but creates a shared memory where stories and the people themselves live on.”
Since its Patriarchal launch, Our People, Their Stories has showcased over 100 personal narratives, offering a moving portrait of migration, identity, and resilience that has resonated deeply with audiences across Australia, Greece, and beyond.
The project marked its first anniversary on 4 October 2025 with a special celebration at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, attended by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, and several of the storytellers whose memories form the heart of the initiative.
Today, the Our People, Their Stories team continues its mission with passion, enriching the ever-evolving archive of Greek Australian heritage and ensuring that the voices of the past remain part of Australia’s collective future.
On Monday, October 13, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) Afternoon and Saturday School Greek Language Program proudly hosted Dr Ifigeneia Dosi, Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics at the Department of Greek Philology, Democritus University of Thrace, at the Term 4 Teacher Professional Learning Meeting in Lakemba.
The event was organised in collaboration with Dr Patricia Koromvokis, Lecturer in Global Cultures & Languages at Macquarie University.
Dr Dosi led an engaging workshop and open forum on advancing Greek heritage language, enhancing student engagement, and supporting bilingual and multilingual learners. She shared practical strategies linking language, identity, and inclusive pedagogy, helping teachers overcome barriers to learning Greek.
The session included hands-on activities such as Word-Image Match, Story Cards, Running Dictation, and color-coded bilingual passages.
Dr Dosi explained, “Color-coding allows students to visually separate information, making texts easier to understand and supporting comprehension for bilingual learners.”
Teachers were particularly enthusiastic about trying Running Dictation in their classrooms, praising its interactive and fun approach.
The workshop equipped educators with practical strategies to use in the classroom, enhance students’ language skills, strengthen cultural identity, and actively engage learners with the Greek heritage language
As a follow-up, Dr Dosi and Dr Koromvokis will visit the Saturday Language School at Clemton Park to engage parents and the wider community in an open forum, on Saturday 18 October 2025, at 9:30am, showcasing the benefits of speaking Greek.
The event is proudly organised by the GOCNSW in collaboration with the Consulate General of Greece.
Bankrupt dealmaker Jon Adgemis has lost his bid to regain five Sydney pubs after missing a $6.7 million payment to administrators.
The payment was part of a deal to repurchase venues including Oxford House and The Norfolk, following their receivership under lender Muzinich & Co.
The missed payment triggered default notices from Deutsche Bank, automatically terminating the sale, according to liquidator BDO’s Duncan Clubb.
Adgemis, whose Public Hospitality Group collapsed under $1.8 billion in debts, was declared bankrupt earlier this month, the largest personal bankruptcy in Australian history.
City of Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris has criticised the Victorian government’s gambling reform trial for failing to include mandatory loss limits, calling it a “missed opportunity” to reduce gambling harm.
The three-month trial, running across 43 venues in the Monash, Greater Dandenong, and Ballarat council areas, requires punters to use YourPlay cards to access poker machines.
While initially described as mandating loss limits, the government later clarified that players “can” set limits voluntarily.
“We are disappointed the Victorian Government did not include mandatory and binding loss limits in their trial, and we do not support it given this omission,” Cr Klisaris said.
“We want to see the reversal of the state government’s position on the card and how it’s implemented.”
Monash residents lost $126 million across the council’s 955 machines in the 2024–25 financial year, the third highest in Victoria.
“These machines prey on people and cause harm,” Klisaris said. “We haven’t been consulted. We’re at the coalface.”
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission reported record poker machine losses of $3.14 billion statewide last financial year, with the three trial councils accounting for 10.6 per cent of the total.
While some councils, such as Ballarat and Greater Dandenong, expressed cautious support for the trial, they echoed concerns that the voluntary approach weakens its impact.
The trial, which began in September and runs until November, forms part of the government’s broader gambling reforms. However, critics like Reverend Tim Costello have labelled it a “cosmetic trial” that fails to deliver on promises of harm minimisation.
