Savvina Koumidi and Eleana Sklaveniti, students of the Language and Culture Schools of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), were honoured with the ‘Premier’s VCE Award’ for their outstanding performance in the Greek language subject during the 2024 school year.
The annual awards ceremony celebrating Victoria’s top-performing students in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) for 2024 took place on Wednesday, 2 July, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, and the Governor of Victoria, Margaret Gardner.
All speakers offered warm words of praise, commending the students for their dedication, persistence, and commitment to their goals.
This year, a total of 332 awards were presented to 310 students, in recognition of their exceptional efforts across 93 different subjects.
The students from the GCM Schools were awarded for achieving the two highest scores in the Greek language subject across all of Victoria. They received their awards with great enthusiasm, surrounded by proud parents and teachers, whose ongoing support played a vital role in their success.
In a media release, the Language and Culture Schools of the GCM congratulated Savvina and Eleana on their significant achievement.
“Their success serves as an inspiration to all our students and strengthens our commitment to providing high-quality education while preserving the Greek language and culture,” the GCM added.
Several staff members have been dismissed from Linchpin Hospitality, the operator of embattled pub baron Jon Adgemis’ remaining venues, amid cash flow issues and delayed payroll payments – once again drawing public scrutiny to celebrity chef George Calombaris.
Linchpin assumed control of venues previously operated by the failed Public Hospitality Group (PHG), including The Empire Hotel in Annandale, The Lady Hampshire in Camperdown, and Noah’s Backpackers in Bondi, following Adgemis’ financial collapse last year, which left debts estimated at $500 million.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the group has now encountered its own financial hurdles. On Wednesday, July 2, four full-time marketing staff were let go.
According to sources, Linchpin CEO Terry Soukoulis informed the employees that Deutsche Bank, a key backer of the venture, had withdrawn its financial support.
In a June 17 email to staff, Soukoulis wrote: “Unfortunately there has been a delay in receiving funds from our overseas lending partners, which has impacted on the timing of the payroll run. I fully appreciate the stress and uncertainty this can cause and want to acknowledge the weight of that.”
A spokesperson said the staff layoffs were part of a realignment due to revenue issues, and that support is being provided to affected staff. Venues will remain open.
The situation has reignited scrutiny of Linchpin’s culinary director Calombaris, who previously faced backlash when his former restaurant group Made was fined $200,000 and ordered to backpay $7.83 million to more than 500 underpaid staff in 2019.
Calombaris clarified he is a contractor for Linchpin and is currently focused on his independent pop-up venture, Gazi, in Sydney.
The iconic South Australian ice cream brand Golden North will leave its historic home in Laura after more than 100 years, relocating to a new, larger facility in Murray Bridge under the leadership of Greek Australian entrepreneurs Dimi Kyriazis and Steve Kosmidis.
The move marks a significant shift for the beloved brand, known for producing more than 10 million litres of ice cream annually, including favourites like Giant Twins. Golden North now plans to expand production to 40 million litres, aiming to compete on a national and global scale.
Four of the five families who had owned Golden North since 2008 have exited the business, leaving Kyriazis, a long-time director, and Kosmidis, new co-owner and a former petrol station mogul, to take the reins.
Kosmidis purchased the former Beston Global Foods site in Murray Bridge after it went into liquidation, paving the way for the company’s relocation.
“We’re victims of our own success at the moment because we’ve really outgrown where we are,” Kyriazis told The Advertiser, emphasising the contribution of the Laura community.
“99 per cent of that success is because of the people who are at Laura – they have done a spectacular job.”
Despite the brand’s strong roots in the Mid North town, logistical and growth challenges prompted the move. Kyriazis cited the lack of local dairy farming and long transportation distances as key reasons.
“The opportunity that the Murray Bridge site has presented to us is we’ve got physical space to grow into, and we’re also on the highway to all of our customers on the east coast – we will get it set up for growth, sustainability, and make sure that our brand lives for another 100 years,” he said.
The current Laura facility will close by June 2026, with a 12-month transition period underway. Around 80 staff members are affected, though Golden North is offering redeployment options, and the South Australian government is stepping in with job support services, mental health resources, and a $1 million community infrastructure package.
The announcement has been met with mixed emotions. Northern Areas Council mayor Sue Scarman called the departure “disappointing” and “a loss for our community,” but expressed hope the support package would ease the transition.
The Greek government officially launched the ‘Personal Number’ (Προσωπικός Αριθμός – Π.Α.) on June 3, 2025, introducing a new 12-character alphanumeric code that will now serve as the single point of identification for Greek citizens – both in Greece and abroad.
This new system replaces multiple older state-issued identifiers, including the AFM (Tax File Number) and AMKA (Social Security Number), and aims to streamline interactions with Greek public services.
As of Sunday, June 29, the Personal Number has become mandatory for the issuance of the new Greek identity cards, which all Greek citizens – including those living overseas – will need to obtain.
What does this mean for the Greek diaspora in Australia?
For members of the Greek diaspora in Australia, the development may sound daunting, but Greek authorities have stressed there is no need for concern.
The Personal Number can be obtained online via the Greek government portal myinfo.gov.gr using existing TaxisNet credentials. For those who prefer in-person services, Greek consulates worldwide began offering the service on June 23.
Importantly, if a Greek citizen abroad does not apply for the number themselves, the Greek state will automatically assign one by September 5, 2025. The only difference is that self-registered users can choose the first two letters of their number, offering a small level of personalisation, while system-generated numbers will be random.
A new digital era for Greek identity
The Greek government has said this is a step toward greater administrative efficiency and digital transformation, especially beneficial for diaspora communities who often face red tape when dealing with Greek bureaucracy from abroad.
While the introduction of the Personal Number is tied closely to the new ID card system, it is also expected to facilitate online services, reduce paperwork, and simplify access to everything from taxation to health care, pensions, and property matters.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she never wanted Greece to leave the eurozone, speaking during a special event at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Greek bailout referendum.
In conversation with Kathimerini’s Alexis Papachelas, Merkel reflected on the eurozone crisis, her disagreements with then-Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, and the pressure-filled negotiations with Greek leaders.
“I decided in 2011 that everything possible had to be done to keep Greece in the eurozone,” she said, while acknowledging tensions: “Knowing that Schäuble wanted Greece out of the euro, I called him constantly to update him.”
Angela Merkel (right) in conversation with Kathimerini’s Alexis Papachelas.
On Alexis Tsipras, Merkel recalled their early meetings: “I thought to myself, ‘God help us!’” She detailed the critical phone call where he announced the 2015 referendum: “I didn’t want Greece to leave the euro, and he didn’t want a bailout… That’s when I lost my voice.”
She expressed admiration for the Greek people, saying: “I was impressed by how the Greeks endured with only 60 euros a day… I said to myself: the Germans couldn’t have handled that.”
Though under intense international pressure – including from President Obama – Merkel said she followed legal boundaries. “At one point, I cried — I was under immense pressure.”
Asked if she would apologise to Greeks, she said: “I wouldn’t apologise. I’ve explained my motives. I would say: we achieved a lot. I can’t imagine the EU without Greece.”
Merkel also commented on the migration crisis, Turkey, Putin, and Trump, offering rare insights into the personal and political challenges she faced during her time as chancellor.
Firefighters in Greece are battling multiple wildfires, with major blazes reported on the islands of Crete and Kythera, as well as in the northern region of Halkidiki.
On the island of Crete, a fast-moving fire broke out on Wednesday near Ierapetra, forcing the evacuation of at least four settlements, including Achlia, and placing homes at risk.
Around 155 firefighters supported by 38 vehicles and water tankers have been deployed, with reinforcements arriving by air and sea from Athens. The strong gale-force winds and difficult terrain have made containment efforts particularly challenging.
Καίγεται η Ιεράπετρα. Η πυρκαγιά έχει φτάσει κυριολεκτικά μέχρι την θάλασσα και μαίνεται εκτός ελέγχου. Εκκενώθηκαν 5 περιοχές: Αγία Φωτιά, Αχλιά, Γαλήνη, Φέρμα και Κουτσουνάρι. H εικόνα είναι αποκαρδιωτική… pic.twitter.com/QYvOL8KyIy
“It is a very difficult fire and it is still in progress,” a fire brigade official told Reuters, adding that the wind and landscape were hindering operations.
While no injuries have been reported, some homes have reportedly sustained damage, and approximately 3,000 evacuees have been moved to temporary shelters.
Greece, which often experiences wildfires during its hot and dry summers, is seeing increasingly destructive blazes attributed to the effects of climate change.
In Halkidiki, a separate wildfire ignited in the Vourvourou region, burning forest land near Livari, close to residential areas. Although the fire front is relatively small – around 800 metres long – a nearby campsite was evacuated as a precaution. Emergency services issued a 112 alert, advising locals to move toward Nikiti.
Beachgoers in Halkidiki watch wildfire burn after intense heatwave. Photo: Screenshot / The Guardian.
Mayor of Sithonia, Ioannis Mallinis, said: “We acted quickly and avoided the worst.” Over 140 firefighters, 14 aircraft, five helicopters, and local volunteers are engaged in the effort, with authorities optimistic about containing the blaze.
Meanwhile, crews are also responding to an uncontrolled fire on Kythera.
Kia Australia has come under fire from members of the Greek Australian community following the release of a new advertisement for its Tasman ute, which features a transport truck branded with the term “Macedonian Marble” alongside Greek-style Parthenon columns.
The ad, which features a line-up of sports stars including Rafael Nadal and Peter Daicos, who identifies as Macedonian, was flagged to The Greek Herald by multiple readers concerned about the blending of Greek cultural symbols with contested terminology.
“It’s disappointing and insensitive,” said Steven, one of many who contacted The Greek Herald. “To feature imagery clearly referencing Greek heritage, like the Parthenon, and then label it as ‘Macedonian Marble’ sends the wrong message. It blurs history and disrespects Greece’s cultural identity.”
The reference to “Macedonian Marble” – combined with iconic Greek architecture – has sparked confusion and frustration, particularly in light of the long-standing historical and political sensitivities between Greece and North Macedonia.
In 2018, the Prespa Agreement formally resolved a decades-long dispute by recognising the neighbouring country as the Republic of North Macedonia, with explicit commitments to refrain from using symbols and terminology associated with Hellenic history, including those linked to ancient Macedonia – a region historically and geographically tied to northern Greece.
For many in the Greek community, the advertisement’s imagery and language appear to undermine that agreement, prompting renewed concerns about cultural misappropriation and misinformation.
“This isn’t about politics – it’s about respecting cultural heritage,” another concerned reader noted. “When companies use powerful cultural symbols in marketing, they have a responsibility to be accurate and sensitive.”
The Greek Herald reached out to Kia Australia for comment regarding the ad’s imagery, the use of the term “Macedonian Marble,” and whether cultural sensitivities were considered. No response was received by the requested deadline.
As Kia continues to promote its Tasman ute as an “inherently Australian” vehicle targeting tradies and general consumers alike, many within Australia’s Greek community are calling for greater cultural awareness and respect when national brands engage with historical themes and symbols.
Thirteen students from mostly Year 9 participated with a handful lead students from Years 11-12, accompanied by Greek language teacher Lazaros Gialamas and Greek Parents’ Committee (GPC) member and student parent Mary Chrysostomou.
This initiative reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to providing students with authentic learning experiences that deepen their understanding of the Greek language and culture in an Australian context, while building connections with Greek-speaking communities.
The school said it was grateful to the Hellenic Studies Foundation for their financial support of the 2025 excursion. Their support made this opportunity accessible to all students, demonstrating their strong commitment to the advancement of Greek language and cultural education. The school also acknowledged and thanked the Greek Parents Committee for their continued involvement and sponsorship of this excursion.
Once touching down in Melbourne, the excursion began on the Friday with a special visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady in East Melbourne, the second oldest Greek Orthodox Church in Australia built in 1902.
Students were warmly welcomed by Father Antonios Vanikiotis, who shared the church’s rich history and vital role it played in the lives of the earliest Greek migrants and its present community. The students were quick to search out for icons for their eponymous Saints and closely inspected the building’s original iconostasis before being gifted a small souvenir to remember their visit.
Following the visit, students travelled to the vibrant and thriving Greek Australian community in Oakleigh, affectionately known as “Little Athens” for lunch. There, they explored and patronised Greek restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and shops as they experienced the closest possible sites, sounds, tastes and smells of Greece that our country has to offer.
Our first night was capped off by a lively NPL football match at Lakeside Stadium, home of the South Melbourne Hellas Football Club. The club’s rich history was on display in the stadium’s foyer with trophies, pennants and photographs very much catching the attention of the soccer-crazed students, who got behind Hellas in their 2-1 win over Hume City. This provided students with another glimpse of how deep multiculturalism runs within the community and its connection through sport.
Saturday’s program began at the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) Language School’s CBD campus, where students were welcomed by Principal Maria Bakalidou who provided a guided tour of the building and language classes of different year levels. Afterward, Unley students joined the GCM Year 9/10 Greek language learners from Vicky Lambropoulou’s class for a lesson focused on listening, speaking and getting to know each other before the students performed dances together beginning with a Syrto and learning the Ikariotiko, while students from the UHS Greek Dance group also performed the Roditiko for the class.
These interactions fostered meaningful peer-to-peer connections with a mutual love for language and culture, across states. This is something we aim to instill in another generation of not just the diaspora but students of any background who engage with Greek language learning.
“These encounters help our students realise they are part of a broader community of learners,” Ms Bakalidou said. “They see that others, even in different states, are on the same journey and facing the same challenges and joys in learning Greek. It strengthens their motivation and sense of identity.”
Mr Gialamas from Unley High School added, “By stepping into real-world Greek-speaking spaces, students can start to see studying a language as something meaningful and pertinent.”
Later, students explored Lonsdale Street, having lunch at the well-known Greek establishment Stalactites, and took time to observe and reflect on the area’s historical significance as the heart of Melbourne’s Greek community.
The final organised activity was that afternoon with a visit to the Hellenic Museum. There the students were able to experience the new exhibition ‘Rituals: Gifts for the Gods.’ Presented in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, this major exhibition showcases a number of artefacts from key Greek museums, many of which have never before been displayed outside of Greece. Students gained insight into how ancient Greek ritual practices connected individuals with the divine and took knowledge away with them for the purpose of a source analysis task.
Sunday was dedicated to returning to Adelaide. While no formal excursions were scheduled for this day, students returned home with new connections, deeper Greek Australian cultural insight, historical knowledge and strengthened language skills.
“This was a great trip, it connected me with new people, brought everyone closer together and taught me new things in a fun way,” Marcus Georgiou, a Year 9 student, said.
Another Year 9 student Mason Smolcic added, “I really enjoyed learning more about Greek culture alongside my friends.”
Greek Australian defender Tass Mourdoukoutas is set to leave Perth Glory, with the club confirming his departure alongside three other players as part of a major off-season reshuffle.
Mourdoukoutas joined Perth Glory during the January transfer window following a stint with Western Sydney Wanderers, making eight appearances in the back half of the 2023–24 A-League season.
Despite showing solid form, the 25-year-old centre-back will move on as new head coach David Zdrilic continues to restructure his defensive options.
Alongside Mourdoukoutas, Japanese trio Yuto Misao, Takuya Okamoto, and Hiroaki Aoyama have also exited after their short-term deals expired. Misao featured in 12 matches, while Okamoto and Aoyama made six and five appearances respectively.
Perth Glory CEO Anthony Radich thanked the departing players, saying: “On behalf of everyone associated with the club, I would like to sincerely thank Tass, Yuto, Takuya and Hiro for their valued contribution. We wish them all the very best in the next chapter of their respective careers.”
Mourdoukoutas, who has also represented Australia at youth level, now becomes a free agent, with speculation likely to grow over a potential return to the eastern states or a move abroad.
The announcement comes amid a busy recruitment drive at Glory, with high-profile signings including Brian Kaltak from Central Coast Mariners and former Phoenix pair Scott Wootton and Sam Sutton already confirmed for the upcoming season.
Panathinaikos AKTOR has revealed a special edition jersey full of Greek character, designed exclusively for the upcoming Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament – which will, for the first time, be held outside of Greece.
The event begins with a clash between Panathinaikos and KK Partizan on Thursday, September 18, in Melbourne at John Cain Arena, before the action heads to Sydney for a four-team tournament at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, September 21, and Monday, September 22.
The club’s new collectible jersey, created in partnership with Adidas, blends elegant design with strong Hellenic elements to represent the club’s roots as it heads Down Under. The exclusive kit was unveiled this week and is now available for pre-order through CLUB 1908.
In an official statement, the club said the jersey was “enriched with… the scent of Greece so that it could travel to Australia for the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.”
Panathinaikos fans and collectors alike are being encouraged to secure their piece of club history ahead of the green team’s historic appearance on Australian soil.
