The Northern Territory’s Greek community is celebrating humanitarian nurse and paramedic Helen Zahos, who has been recognised for her decades of service to global health and emergency response.
Zahos received the Special Commendation Award for Community Service at the Charles Darwin University Alumni Awards, held at the Darwin Convention Centre.
The honour highlighted her more than 25 years working on the front lines of crises, from disaster and war zones to the European refugee crisis and remote communities across Australia.
Zahos has worked with international aid organisations in disaster and conflict zones and continues to mentor emerging health leaders, inspiring communities both in the NT and abroad.
For the past 11 years, the Greek Community of Melbourne’s (GCM) Creative Drama & Arts program has brought Greek theatre to Melbourne stages. Catering to children and adults, the group has fostered an environment of growth and dedication, creating a space where Greek culture is celebrated through the art of theatre.
Currently the largest Greek theatre group in Melbourne, Creative Drama & Arts was founded in 2014 by production coordinator Katerina Poutachidou. Katerina migrated to Melbourne in 2007 and considers herself “lucky” to have “turned [her] hobby into a profession.” With a background in Drama Education in Brno, Czech Republic, she shared her extensive theatre experience with Melbourne’s Greek community.
The group began with a focus on student theatre in 2014 before expanding to include an adult division in 2015. Through her work with the GCM schools, Katerina noticed the students’ interest in theatre and then created a space for them to explore drama outside of the classroom.
“As a theater teacher… I saw how much the students ‘came alive’ through theater, even though they had no theater experience. I saw their confidence to speak Greek even though it was their second language,” Katerina told The Greek Herald.
Two children’s groups were formed: one for students learning Greek as a second language, and another for recent Greek migrants.
Some of the first children’s productions directed by Katerina include Hans Christian Anderson’s The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Horseman (Aristophanes), Hansel and Gretal (Elena Akrita), and The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry). Notable members of Creative Drama & Arts performances are Stathis Grapsas, Eleni Boukouvala, and Jeremy Artis.
Creative Drama & Arts also offers workshops to assist their members with developing performance skills and to explore different theatre styles, such as Commedia dell’Arte mask-making workshops with artist Christos Akrodalitis.
While the children’s theatre department laid the group’s foundation, adult performances also captured the heart of Melbourne’s Greek community. The adult division came from a want to recreate how theatre is practiced in Greece and to establish relationships in a theatre setting.
Recent adult productions include Alone (Greek and world literature excerpts), Twenty-Two (refugees testimonies from the destruction of Smyrna), Girls in the Shadow (exploration of the female experience in different eras), and Makrigiannis (a solo performance based on Makrigiannis’ memoirs).
Artis has directed and performed in these theatre productions over the past five years and told The Greek Herald that he’s “proud of what we’ve accomplished in the last five years… [and is] proud seeing the group growing and evolving.”
The ten-year anniversary production Girls in Crisis, was a unique blend of existing plays Jeremy had combined. Katerina explained, “The choice of the play was not intentional due to the anniversary, but arose naturally, as the group included nine women and one man, which created an ideal dynamic to explore the female experience with humor, tension and theatrical complexity.”
Moving forward, Katerina and Jeremy see the group continuing to evolve. Katerina said their “goal is to constantly… enhance the theatre experience for the participants and the audience.” Jeremy added that future productions might incorporate more English to reflect their diverse audience, considering how they could “incorporate both languages without subtitles and everyone understanding the whole play.”
Presenting theatre in a language other than English in Australia can be difficult when connecting with wider audiences. While it might be easier to perform plays in English with Greek themes, Creative Drama & Arts values the nuance the Greek language brings to the stage.
Jeremy highlighted theatre’s ability to transform how people view Greek language: “I think Greek language over here is… close to extinction. I think it’s vital to have any form of performing arts, books, or music… in Greek, especially theatre and comedies.”
He emphasised that Greek comedy helps people think that “there isn’t a distance between me and this language,” and can perhaps be drawn to the performance and culture.
Since 2014 Creative Drama & Arts has staged 17 productions combining classical and contemporary theatre.
Katerina reflected, “Greek theatre is not just an art form – it is a living bridge that connects us to our language, culture and roots. Through Creative, we give children and adults the opportunity to experience their language, to speak it with passion and to feel it on stage.”
Creative Drama & Arts’ decade-long journey is a testament to their dedication and friendships and how they have successfully united performers of all ages to celebrate Greek language and theatre.
Creative Drama & Arts’ next production, “170 Square Meters (Moonwalk)” by Giorgis Tsouris – directed by Jeremy Artis and presented in collaboration with the Greek Australian Film Society (GAFS) – will run from 7 to 9 November 2025 at Studio 2, The National Theatre Melbourne, St Kilda.Book online here.
The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) hosted a moving OXI Day commemoration at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba on Tuesday, October 28, bringing together community leaders, political representatives, clergy, and families to honour Greece’s historic defiance on 28 October 1940.
Proceedings opened with the Australian and Greek national anthems performed by students from the Community’s Greek Afternoon and Saturday Schools, followed by a minute’s silence for the fallen.
Master of Ceremonies Dimitri Kallos welcomed guests and noted that the community “proudly commemorates the Greek National Day of October 28, 1940 – a day that marks the Greek people’s heroic stand against fascism and their brave resistance during the Second World War.”
Reflections on courage, sacrifice and national unity
GOCNSW President Harry Danalis set the historical scene, describing OXI Day as an enduring example of courage and principle.
“No matter what the odds, liberty and independence are worth fighting for. Greece’s stand became the first victory against fascism in Europe and gave impetus to others to resist,” he said, adding that the sacrifices “did not come cheaply,” and that resistance continued throughout the occupation.
George Skemperis, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, also reflected on the rare national unity of 1940, noting, “A dictator said ‘no’, but the people in the streets made that ‘no’ a reality – and that is why we triumphed over a much superior enemy.”
Reflecting on the Asia Minor catastrophe and the integration of 1.5 million refugees, he said, “It was the sense of ‘never again’ that led Greeks to fight like lions.”
He urged contemporary vigilance, “Let us say ‘OXI’ to indifference and division, and live with courage, serve with honour, and cherish freedom.”
Also addressing the audience, Archimandrite Father Irenaeus Triantis delivered a message on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, describing OXI as “a small word written in indelible letters” and “a moment when freedom triumphed over tyranny.”
Father Irenaeus called on the Greek diaspora to remain connected to its faith and cultural identity, noting that “the spirit of national unity shown by our heroic forebears constitutes an invaluable inheritance for all Greeks today.”
Messages of leadership and remembrance
NSW Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis MP thanked teachers, families and volunteers and drew on archival reporting from the Parliamentary Library to illustrate how Sydney’s Greek community followed developments in 1940.
“It was one word that created the action of resistance and kept the Germans at bay. It changed the trajectory of World War II,” she said, adding a call to be “continuously vigilant about democracy and our institutions,” while celebrating the contribution and advancement of migrant families in Australia.
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman MP emphasised shared values and bonds forged in war.
“OXI Day embodies courage, unity and the indomitable spirit of the Greek people,” he said. “Greece became the first nation in Europe to halt the advance of fascism and bought precious time for the Allied cause… The Greek Australian story is now inseparable from the New South Wales story.”
The keynote address was delivered by Argyris Kallos, President of the Sydney University Greek Society (SUGS), who said the legacy of 28 October was not confined to the past.
“The spirit of resistance continues to inspire us today. The tendencies Greece opposed are not foreign to our communities. Let’s carry on in unity and solidarity, wherever we are,” he said.
Poetry, performance and dance
One of the evening’s most heartfelt moments came through the voices of the youngest participants. Students from the Greek Afternoon and Saturday Schools took to the stage to recite patriotic poems with confidence and emotion, earning warm applause from the audience.
Their words – spoken in Greek – served as a living reminder that the language and values of courage, sacrifice and unity continue to pass proudly from one generation to the next.
Those performing included:
Dimitris Babalis (Clemton Park Saturday School): “The Dawn of 1940”
Eleni Halatsis (Summer Hill Afternoon School): “Never Forget”
Konstantinos Halatsis (Summer Hill Afternoon School): “October 28”
A short play, “The Mother of 1940”, was later presented by Year 6 students of Clemton Park Public School as a touching tribute to the women and mothers of wartime Greece – those who endured hardship with dignity and resilience.
The night concluded with a joyful Greek dance performance by the GOCNSW Dancing Group, under the direction of Paroula Thurban, which brought the hall to life in a celebration of tradition and pride.
Guests, families and students then mingled over cocktail refreshments, closing the evening in the same spirit of unity and remembrance that defined it.
The importance Australia places on Kythera, as the birthplace of a dynamic part of the diaspora, was confirmed during the recent visit of the Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy in Greece, Lachlan Scully, to the island’s Mayor, Efstratios Charchalakis.
The meeting highlighted the island’s special role as a bridge of friendship between Greece and the large Kytherian community of Australia, which numbers almost 80,000 people with direct or indirect origins from the island, as the Mayor noted in a post on social media.
The relationship between Kythera and Australia has deep social roots. It began with the mass migration of Kytherians to Australia during the 1950s and 1960s, when many sought better life opportunities.
As the Mayor pointed out, it was agreed that this relationship would be further strengthened through cultural exchanges and joint initiatives showcasing the long-standing historical connection between Kythera and Australia.
“I was very pleased to meet in my office the Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy in Greece, Lachlan Scully. We had an in-depth discussion about the whole network of strong ties between Kythera and Australia… and agreed to further strengthen these bonds through events and cultural exchanges,” Mr Charchalakis noted in his post.
As every year, the Hellenic RSL in Melbourne held its annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial, at the foot of the Shrine of Remembrance, followed by a moving memorial service inside the Shrine; a powerful reminder of courage, sacrifice, and unity.
This year, many members of Greek Australian community groups gathered at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial to honour with respect and pride the National Anniversary of 28th October, a day that pays tribute to those who fought for Greece’s freedom and dignity.
Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Dimitra Georgantzoglou delivered her official address, highlighting the enduring significance of the historic “OXI” and the deep connection between the Greek diaspora and the homeland.
The week prior, students who best depicted Greece’s involvement in World War II through their art projects were recognised with special awards.
Sydney hospitality figure Jon Adgemis is facing further fallout from the collapse of his multimillion-dollar pub empire, with receivers revealing plans to sell five venues and confirming that staff at two of his former sites were short-changed.
In court on Tuesday, October 28, lawyers for administrators KordaMentha said their oversight of Adgemis’ failed hospitality group would need to be extended until June 2026 to manage venue sales, unpaid debts, and incomplete renovations.
The move follows lenders Deutsche Bank and Arkan Capital seizing control of the business on September 30, seeking to recover the $403 million they are owed.
Receivers McGrathNicol are now overseeing Adgemis’ five remaining properties, the Empire Hotel in Annandale, Claridge House in Darlinghurst, South Bondi Hotel, Exchange Hotel in Balmain, and Hotel Diplomat in Potts Point.
In court filings, McGrathNicol partner Jonathan Henry said the receivers were appointed after repeated missed debt payments.
He confirmed that employee entitlements at both the Empire and Diplomat hotels were “not up to date.”
Staff at the Empire are owed $57,200 in unpaid superannuation, while those at the Diplomat are owed at least $5,735.
Renovations remain incomplete across several sites. Claridge House is unlikely to be finished until February 2026, while the Exchange Hotel is not expected to be completed until April 2026.
The South Bondi Hotel, formerly Noah’s Backpackers, requires at least six weeks of safety works before it can be sold.
Receivers plan to offload all five venues, with Bondi expected to hit the market unfinished.
KordaMentha’s lawyers noted McGrathNicol’s assessment that creditors could achieve higher returns if work continues on the Claridge and Exchange hotels before their sale.
Justice Ian Jackman granted the administrators an extension, with creditors scheduled to meet again after July 1 next year.
Adgemis, once a rising name in Sydney’s hospitality scene, built an extensive portfolio of pubs and hotels through aggressive expansion before financial pressures and mounting debt triggered his business’s collapse.
The eight teams competing in the inaugural OFC Pro League have been confirmed, ahead of the league’s kick off in January 2026.
Representing seven nations from across the region, the eight clubs will make history in the first-ever professional football league in Oceania, promising to take football in the Pacific to new heights, both on and off the pitch.
Fiji’s Bula FC, Papua New Guinea’s PNG Hekari FC, Tahiti United of Tahiti, Vanuatu United FC from Vanuatu and Solomon Kings FC from the Solomon Islands, complete the contingent.
Running from January through to the end of May, the OFC Pro League will be played across a series of circuit rounds, with each team playing a minimum of 17 matches, leading to a semi-final and final, to determine the inaugural champion.
As well as lifting the trophy, the winning team will also qualify for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™.
In addition, the OFC Pro League will determine which club from Oceania will represent the region at the quadrennial FIFA Club World Cup™.
Pope Leo XIV will travel to Asia Minor at the end of November with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.
The visit, announced by the Vatican, will be held under the theme “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
The Pontiff will begin his journey on November 27, departing from Rome for Ankara to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and foreign diplomats.
The following day, he and the Ecumenical Patriarch will attend an Ecumenical Prayer Gathering at the archaeological site of the Basilica of Saint Neophytos in Nicaea, before continuing to Constantinople that evening.
On November 29, Pope Leo will visit the Blue Mosque and the Phanar, where he will join a Doxology and hold a private meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew.
The two will sign a joint declaration before the Pope celebrates Mass at the Volkswagen Arena later that day.
The visit will conclude on November 30 with the Throne Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, followed by a Divine Liturgy and an Ecumenical Blessing.
After a luncheon with Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Leo will depart for Lebanon to continue his pastoral visit until December 2.
Nearly five decades after two women were found stabbed to death in their Collingwood home, the man accused of their murders is now facing a committal hearing in Melbourne.
Perry Kouroumblis, 66, is appearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court today, charged over the 1977 deaths of Suzanne Armstrong, 28, and Susan Bartlett, 27.
The hearing marks the first step in determining whether the case will proceed to trial in a higher court.
Kouroumblis, a dual Greek Australian national, was arrested in Italy in September 2024 on an INTERPOL red notice and extradited to Australia in December.
He had been living in Greece since 2016, where authorities were unable to arrest him due to a 20-year statute of limitation on initiating murder charges.
Armstrong and Bartlett were found with more than two dozen stab wounds in their Easey Street home, while Armstrong’s 16-month-old son Gregory was discovered unharmed in his cot.
Kouroumblis has been charged with two counts of murder between January 10 and 13, 1977, and one count of having “carnal knowledge” of Armstrong without her consent. He has not yet entered pleas to the charges.
Represented by senior barrister Dermot Dann KC, Kouroumblis appeared via video link from prison earlier in the week, as his legal team sought disclosure of evidence from Victoria Police and the AFP, including material provided to INTERPOL and details of how a forensic sample was obtained.
The largest Greek flag was once again hoisted in the port of Irakleio, Crete, on Tuesday to mark Greece’s annual OXI Day celebrations commemorating the nation’s entry into World War II.
The massive flag, measuring 32 by 45 metres and covering 1,440 square metres, is raised each year on October 28 by crane, an initiative of the local Kalathakis family. Visible from several parts of the city, the flag has become a proud local tradition.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Iasmi Kalathaki said, “This is a way to honour those who lost their lives for the country and to remind everyone that we must not forget their sacrifice and values.”
