Search
Home Blog Page 260

Honouring the past through young eyes: Students bring OXI Day spirit to life through art

The Greek Herald
-
0
Honouring the past through young eyes: Students bring OXI Day spirit to life through art

Once a year, the future gathers at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial — and this October was no exception. The annual Student Competition, organised by the Australian Hellenic War Memorial Foundation, once again brought history to life through the creativity of Greek Australian students from schools across the country.

Under the spring sun, the memorial grounds filled with laughter, pride and colour as students presented their art and essays inspired by Greece and Australia’s shared wartime history. As AHWM Foundation President Steve Kyritsis OAM put it, “These kids are our future… we love seeing students from Years 1 to 12 take part.”

From heartfelt paintings symbolising friendship between nations to stories of courage and sacrifice, each piece carried a message of remembrance. “It’s beautiful to see children creating works that honour our history,” said Moira Triantafyllou from the Greek Consulate.

In this year’s special OXI Day edition, The Greek Herald was proud to showcase some of our favourite artworks from the competition — a celebration of youthful creativity, historical memory and the enduring Hellenic spirit that continues to unite generations.

Some youth artworks:

Over 7,000 patrons attend 2025 Melbourne Greek Film Festival as encore sessions are announced

The Greek Herald
-
0
Over 7,000 patrons attend 2025 Melbourne Greek Film Festival as encore sessions are announced

Over 7,000 patrons attended a session of the 2025 Greek Film Festival, the 30th festival celebrating Greek cinema and film.

The festival came to a close on Sunday night with the world premiere of Alkinos Tsilimidos’ newest work, the David Field-directed The Kink. At a sparkling event in St Kilda’s Astor Theatre, the cast and crew of the film alongside festival patrons, sponsors and Greek community leaders celebrated the film and two weeks of Greek cinema played on screens across Melbourne.

greek film festival melbourne

greek film festival melbourne

greek film festival melbourne

Over 100 sessions were screened to an average audience of 70 patrons per session with the leading films by sales being the Kazantzakis inspired Kapetan Mihalis, Rachel Suissa’s Greek Mother’s Never Die and the undoubted smash hit of 2025, Yiorgos Tsemberopoulos’ Stelios.

Other highlights of the festival included Reno Haralambidis’ visit to Melbourne to present and hold a Q+A after the screening of his cinematic ode Athens Midnight Radio.

The festival has found its feet right across Melbourne suburbs with strong sales performance at both the Palace Pentridge and Balwyn locations alongside the traditional Palace Cinema Como program.

greek film festival melbourne
Jorge Menidis.

greek film festival melbourne

greek film festival melbourne

The final day of the festival also saw the screening of the entries to the 13th Greek Student Film Festival which saw entries from school programs right across Melbourne with St John’s College Preston, Oakleigh Grammar and the Greek Community schools all achieving a win in their respective categories.

Whilst the festival ended on Sunday night, encore screenings of Kapetan Mihalis, Athens Midnight Radio and Greek Mothers Never Die have been announced for this coming weekend.

For more information visit Melbourne – Greek Film Festival 2025.

Federal Multicultural Minister honours Greek Australians on OXI Day 2025

The Greek Herald
-
0
Federal Multicultural Minister honours Greek Australians on OXI Day 2025

As the Greek community across Australia commemorates OXI Day 2025, Federal Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Anne Aly MP, has paid tribute to the courage and unity of the Greek people, describing the anniversary as a “timeless symbol of courage, dignity, and the unwavering defence of freedom.”

In her message, Dr Aly praised Greek Australians for enriching the nation through their culture, family values, and community spirit – qualities that continue to inspire and strengthen Australia’s multicultural story.

Full message in English:

Today we mark Oxi Day, a significant moment in Greek history that stands as a timeless symbol of courage, dignity, and the unwavering defence of freedom.

On 28th October 1940, the Greek people stood united in defiance, declaring with one resolute voice to say “Oxi” — “No” — to tyranny and oppression. This powerful act inspired the world with its message of bravery and conviction.

It was a moment that reminded all nations that even in the face of impossible odds, the human spirit can rise with strength, honour, and unity.

In Australia, Oxi Day holds deep meaning not only for our proud Greek Australian community but for our entire nation. The story of Oxi Day mirrors the values we hold dear – fairness, justice, and the courage to stand up for what is right.

The Greek Australian community has long been a cornerstone of our multicultural society. Greek Australians have shared their culture, language, and traditions with warmth and generosity. From family-owned businesses and community organisations to contributions in the arts, education, medicine, and public life, the community’s achievements have enriched our national story in countless ways.

The sense of community, family, and faith that underpins Hellenic culture continues to inspire all Australians. It speaks to a way of living that honours heritage while embracing the promise of the future — a reminder of how shared values and mutual respect strengthen the bonds between us all.

As we commemorate Oxi Day, we pay tribute to the courage of those who stood firm in defence of freedom, and we celebrate the generations who have carried that same spirit here in Australia. May today renew our shared commitment and determination for resilience, cohesion, and fearlessness.

I wish you all a very proud and happy Oxi Day.

Archbishop Makarios concludes historic Bioethics Conference on euthanasia in Crete

The Greek Herald
-
0
Archbishop Makarios concludes historic Bioethics Conference on euthanasia in Crete

The 3rd International Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, dedicated to the theme of “Euthanasia,” concluded on Sunday, 26 October 2025, in Rethymno, Crete, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia at the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of the Holy Cross Vosakos.

Organised by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in cooperation with the Holy Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, the three-day conference brought together theologians, philosophers, scientists, and medical experts to examine one of the most complex moral and spiritual issues of the modern era – euthanasia – through the lens of Orthodox theology, philosophy, medicine, and law.

Archbishop Makarios concludes historic Bioethics Conference on euthanasia in Crete

The final session, titled “Euthanasia: Experiences, Dilemmas, and Challenges,” featured key speakers including Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki (addressing via video link), Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand, and Dr Agamemnon Bakakos, who each explored the subject from theological, ethical, and scientific perspectives.

The discussions reaffirmed the Church’s pastoral duty to uphold the sanctity of life while engaging in sincere dialogue with the medical and academic community.

On Sunday, Archbishop Makarios presided over the closing liturgy, concelebrated by Metropolitans Myron and Prodromos, and Bishops Kyriakos of Melbourne and Athenagoras of Canberra, in the presence of clergy, delegates, and a large congregation. In his homily, Metropolitan Myron reflected on the sacredness of human life and the hope offered through faith.

Archbishop Makarios concludes historic Bioethics Conference on euthanasia in Crete
Archbishop Makarios concludes historic Bioethics Conference on euthanasia in Crete

Following the liturgy, the conference concluded with a formal session in the monastery’s Synod Hall. Local civic leaders extended greetings before Metropolitan Prodromos presented the Conference Conclusions, which were unanimously adopted by the delegates.

In his closing address, Archbishop Makarios of Australia expressed heartfelt gratitude to Metropolitan Prodromos and the organisers, conveying the blessings and paternal greetings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Archbishop Makarios underscored the significance of continued theological and ethical engagement on bioethical issues, emphasising that the Church’s mission is to uphold life, compassion, and communion with God as the essence of human dignity.

The day concluded with an official luncheon hosted by the monastery’s abbot, Archimandrite Timotheos Panayiotakis.

Firefighting fleet returns from Greece as McDermott Aviation gears up for Australian summer

The Greek Herald
-
0
Firefighting fleet returns from Greece as McDermott Aviation gears up for Australian summer

As Australia braces for another hot summer, McDermott Aviation’s heavy-lift firefighting helicopters have arrived home after completing an international deployment assisting with wildfire operations across Greece.

A Boeing 747 carrying six McDermott Aviation helicopters landed at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport early Friday morning, en route from Athens. The arrival marked the return of one of the world’s largest privately owned firefighting helicopter fleets.

McDermott Aviation Helicopter being unloaded after returning from Greece
McDermott Aviation Helicopter being unloaded after returning from Greece.

Two Bell 214ST helicopters were offloaded in Toowoomba before being transported to McDermott Aviation’s Sunshine Coast base, where they will be reassembled and prepared for operational readiness ahead of the Australian summer.

The 747 then continued to Western Australia, where four additional Bell 214B helicopters were unloaded and will be reassembled by McDermott’s WA based team in preparation for the state’s fire season.

“McDermott Aviation operates globally, but our heart is here in Australia,” said John McDermott, Founder and President of McDermott Aviation.

“After supporting firefighting efforts across Europe, some of our crews and aircraft have returned home to strengthen our capability as we prepare to protect Australian communities this bushfire season.”

McDermott Aviation Helicopter being unloaded at Toowoomba
McDermott Aviation Helicopter being unloaded at Toowoomba.

While four McDermott Aviation aircraft remained in Greece to continue Search and Rescue operations, the company is also preparing for future growth – with two Bell 214ST airframes from long-term storage in Australia now en route to its Alabama facility in the United States for full refurbishment and fleet expansion.

The return of the helicopters came as authorities across several states prepared for heightened bushfire activity, with early forecasts indicating dry conditions and above-average temperatures in many regions.

“The return of these aircraft has bolstered our assets, allowing us to position them across Australia so that we are ready to respond wherever we are needed most,” McDermott said.

Archbishop Makarios calls for unity and faith in OXI Day 2025 message

The Greek Herald
-
0
Archbishop Makarios calls for unity and faith in OXI Day 2025 message

On the 85th anniversary of OXI Day, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has shared a message reflecting on the timeless power of Greece’s historic “No” – a word that echoed beyond borders and through generations.

His Eminence called upon all Greeks of the diaspora to safeguard their faith, language, and heritage, ensuring that the spirit of 1940 remains alive in every generation.

Full message in English:

Exactly eighty-five years ago, the pen of history wrote in indelible letters, the word “NO.” A small word, yet so powerful that it echoed far beyond the borders of Greece and transcended the moment in which it was spoken.

The historic “NO” of the 28th of October 1940 signified the clash of two contrasting worlds: arrogance and tyranny on one side; freedom and human dignity on the other. The Greek people small, poor, and long-suffering, yet proud and devoted to noble ideals, did not hesitate for a moment in choosing where they stood. Our ancestors joined wholeheartedly with the ranks of the free nations, forming a barrier against the darkness of fascism and Nazism that threatened to engulf Europe and the rest of the world.

Soon, that proud “NO” moved from people’s lips into their hearts and became what is now remembered as “the Epic of 1940”. One of the most powerful military forces of the time, despite its overwhelming numerical and technological superiority, suffered a humiliating defeat in the mountains of Pindus and Albania. “Little” Greece, by winning the first Allied victory against the Axis powers, gained the world’s admiration and lifted the spirits of all who continued to resist the advance of darkness.

In fact, it was nothing less than a miracle wrought by the help of the Most Holy Theotokos, the “Champion General,” who throughout the ages strengthens, shelters, and protects our nation, but also due to the unity with which the Greek people resisted the invaders, putting aside hesitation, differences, and rivalries.

This spirit of national unity shown by our heroic forebears from the very first hours after that magnificent “NO” constitutes an invaluable inheritance for all Greeks today as we face the challenges and difficulties of our own times; especially for the Hellenism of the Diaspora, which must resist becoming alienated from its roots, its faith, and its cultural identity. Certainly, today we do not experience the nightmare of war and barbarity. We do not live in a hostile land but, rather, in a blessed country; one that shares the same values as our motherland just as it did then when it stood with Greece against the Italo-German Axis. Yet the challenge remains ever present: to safeguard all that our ancestors, through struggle and sacrifice, have handed down to us.

Therefore, let us draw strength and inspiration from the example of the heroes of 1940 and may we move forward united and with faith in God, so that we may pass on to the generations to come a Hellenism worthy of its history. May the “NO” of those days remain alive within us as a lasting call to virtue, unity, and solidarity!

Many years to all Greek women and men; years blessed and protected by the Most Holy Theotokos!

Konstantinos Argiros makes history with Sydney Opera House performance

Andriana Simos
-
0
Konstantinos Argiros makes history with Sydney Opera House performance

In a landmark moment for Greek music and Australia’s multicultural arts scene, Konstantinos Argiros made history on Monday night as one of the first Greek artists ever to perform at the Sydney Opera House. He was joined by Greece’s Eurovision 2025 star Klavdia.

The chart-topping singer – known for his soul-stirring voice and magnetic stage presence – performed to thousands of adoring fans across a sold-out show on October 27, transforming Australia’s most iconic venue into a sea of blue and white. He has two shows remaining on October 29 and 30.

From heartfelt ballads to electrifying anthems, Argiros’ performance captured the passion and pride of Hellenism, drawing audiences not only from Sydney’s Greek community but from across Australia and New Zealand.

For many, it was an emotional celebration of heritage – a night where Greek culture met world-class artistry beneath the sails of one of the most recognisable stages on earth.

The cultural and economic impact of Argiros’ visit has been significant. According to Besa Deda, Chief Economist at William Buck, his three-night Sydney run is projected to generate up to $4.5 million in local economic activity.

Beyond the numbers, Argiros’ concerts represent a milestone for Sydney’s creative identity – one that underscores the city’s role as a global hub of cultural exchange and artistic excellence.

Having begun piano lessons at the age of five, Argiros is now an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and one of Greece’s most celebrated contemporary performers. His concerts at the Opera House not only mark a career-defining achievement, but also symbolise the deep cultural bonds between Greece and Australia’s vibrant Greek diaspora.

As the final notes echoed through the Opera House, the standing ovation that followed spoke volumes – a night of pride, unity and music that will be remembered for years to come.

Liberal Leader Sussan Ley pays tribute to the Greek community on OXI Day 2025

The Greek Herald
-
0
Liberal Leader Sussan Ley pays tribute to the Greek community on OXI Day 2025

As the Greek community commemorates OXI Day 2025, Federal Liberal Leader Sussan Ley MP has paid tribute to the courage and unity of the Greek people, reflecting on how the values of freedom, resilience and solidarity continue to inspire generations.

In her message, Ley acknowledged the profound contribution of Greek Australians to the nation’s social, cultural and civic life, describing OXI Day as both a commemoration of history and a celebration of enduring heritage.

Full message in English:

UK strikes £8 billion fighter jet deal with Turkey in landmark NATO agreement

The Greek Herald
-
0
UK strikes £8 billion fighter jet deal with Turkey in landmark NATO agreement

The United Kingdom has finalised an £8 billion agreement to supply Turkey with 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets – the largest British fighter export in almost two decades.

During his first official visit to Ankara as Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer described the deal as “a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for NATO security.”

The landmark contract will sustain more than 6,000 jobs at BAE Systems facilities in Lancashire, alongside hundreds more in the South West and Scotland. About 37 per cent of each aircraft’s production will take place in the UK, with final assembly at BAE’s Warton and Samlesbury sites.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the deal “a new symbol of the strategic relations” between the two nations.

The agreement forms part of broader efforts to deepen defence and economic cooperation between Britain and Turkey, strengthening NATO’s south-eastern flank.

The Defence Secretary, John Healey, hailed it as “the biggest jet export deal in a generation,” saying it would inject billions into the economy and keep Typhoon production lines active for years.

BAE Systems’ Chief Executive, Charles Woodburn, added that the partnership marks “a new chapter in a longstanding relationship with an important NATO ally.”

Under the agreement, the first jets are expected to be delivered to the Turkish Air Force by 2030, with an option for additional orders in future.

Source: BBC News

Australia stands with Greece: Prime Minister Albanese’s message for OXI Day

The Greek Herald
-
0
Australia stands with Greece: Prime Minister Albanese’s message for OXI Day

On the 85th anniversary of OXI Day, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shared a heartfelt message honouring Greece’s courage and Australia’s enduring friendship with the Greek people. His words pay tribute to those who stood for freedom, peace, and justice – and to the generations of Greek Australians who continue to enrich the nation’s story.

Full message in English:

albanese message
1...259260261...2,031Page 260 of 2,031

Stay connected:

Other

© 2024 The Greek Herald. All rights reserved.