After an eight-year hiatus, Greece’s Eurovision national final, Ethnikós Telikós 2025, returned overnight, with Klavdia emerging victorious with her ballad Asteromáta. She will represent Greece at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel this May.
Georgina Kalais & John Vlaseros – High Road – 8 points
Andy Nicholas – Lost My Way – 8 points
Nafsika Gavrilaki – Unhurt Me – 0 points
The event, held at the Christmas Theatre in Athens, was determined by a mix of public vote (50%), Greek jury (25%), and international jury (25%). Greek Eurovision legends Helena Paparizou and Sakis Rouvas hosted the show.
Filmmaking is an art unlike any other, where directors craft stories using tools of colour, character, and creative collaboration.
Among our Greek Australian community, 2024 Aria award-winning filmmaker Nick Kozakis is carving out a reputation as an innovative and exciting voice in cinema – both at home and abroad. Recently, Nick reflected on his heritage, journey and ambitions.
“Growing up, I didn’t really lean into my Greek identity, not as much as my brothers at least,” he admits. “I was more Anglicised, and suffered from the odd pang of cultural cringe; but the festivals, dances, and mythology left a mark on my imagination.”
Classics like Aesop’s Fables and Disney’s animated Hercules (1997) sparked his early creativity, as well as fascination with his Hellenic heritage.
While initially focused on graphic design, Nick found his way to filmmaking through experimentation.
“I started with a camcorder, shooting pranks and stunts with friends, in a very Jackass-y way. It was raw but exciting – I could create whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. It wasn’t like I needed a 9-5 job just to switch on the camera. The energy was electric,” he says.
Nick’s passion deepened when he entered Swinburne University of Technology, and met fellow Greek Australian filmmaker Jason Raftopoulos, despite initially feeling out of place.
“The turning point for me was watching a screening of Jason’s short film Father’s Day, which he himself screened during an editing class. It was the proof of concept for his later feature film, West of Sunshine. I was shocked at how genuinely amazing it was,” Nick explains.
“I quickly connected with him, and soon after he borrowed my red camera for another film he was shooting. We developed our relationship from there.”
At university, Nick embraced risk-taking, learning through trial and error.
“I experimented a lot and failed a lot,” he shares. “But those failures taught me invaluable lessons. Playing it safe wouldn’t have gotten me anywhere.”
This willingness to push boundaries has become a cornerstone of his filmmaking philosophy.
“Look, at university, we were taught to be like Swiss army knives. We understood the relevance and importance of the rules of filmmaking. Yet, I believe that the more you master those rules, the more experimental you can afford to be. The crazier I was in my films at university, the harder I fell – but the more I learnt! I like stretching myself and falling over and over again,” he chuckles.
Nick cites David Fincher and Joseph Kahn as major influences.
“Their visual sensibility is genius,” he says. “They have inspired so many amazing filmmakers over the years. I mean, they built entire worlds in their movies within three minutes!”
Photo: Nina Franova / Getty Images.
Describing his approach to the craft and filmmaking style, Nick emphasises the importance of camera movement in creating a sense of urgency or stability.
“For me, the camera is a character. In our film Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism (2023, winner of the 2023 Sitges Film Festival and nominated for multiple AACTA awards), the camera is always slow and lurking whenever we have stability in the narrative. However, when anything chaotic or violent is taking place, the camera is handheld and frenetic. When the picture suddenly stops, it is like an indication for the audience to take a breath; as if some semblance of calm, just for that moment, has returned,” he explains.
Nick is passionate about delving deeper into his Greek heritage through film.
“Greek mythology is an endless well of inspiration,” he says, hinting at an upcoming project exploring these stories.
“Storytelling is deeply embedded in Hellenic culture, from ancient plays to modern cinema… I would love to rediscover and tap into my roots once again.”
Next year, the Greek Australian filmmaker is busy with numerous projects, including features such as Body Farm with Brianna Gardner and Muck Up Day with Jessica Liley and Chooseday Films. He’s also continuing collaborations with Sooshi Mango, blending humour and creativity in quirky ways.
“We just finished a parody of a cinema classic, and it’s been a blast. I’m keen for everyone to see it!” Nick concluded.
Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism can be watched on Binge, Foxtel and Shudder.
The Federation of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs of Melbourne & Victoria (FGECCMV) held its annual Vasilopita cutting ceremony on Tuesday, January 28, in a festive event filled with joy, music, and dancing.
Members and attendees enjoyed a rich spread of food, drinks, and desserts, creating a warm atmosphere to welcome the new year.
The Federation’s president, John Kostoulias, along with the Board of Directors, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to the event’s success, received congratulations for the impeccable organisation.
The Federation continues to operate as a vital support network for elderly Greek Australians, ensuring they remain connected with their heritage and community.
Dignitaries present at the event included Federal MP Keith Wolahan, Manningham Council members: Anna Chen, Isabella Eltaha, and Jim Grivas, Healthy Ageing Participation Officer Fia Moraitis, the Coordinator of the FGECCMV, Kyriaki Antoniadou, Kaiti Georgiou on behalf of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Martha Antoniadis, Treasurer of the FGECCMV and Kostas Alaveras, Member of the Coordinating Council of SAE Oceania.
Closing the event, the Federation’s president thanked all attendees and wished them health and happiness for the new year.
Bill Papastergiadis OAM, Melbourne Managing Partner and Chair of the National Executive of Moray & Agnew, has been recognised as one of the Law Firm Leaders of the Year for Australia and New Zealand. This was announced in the 2025 publication, Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer ‘Law Firm Leaders of the Year’.
Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer, Australia’s leading independent legal publication, conducted a far-reaching analysis of the legal industry over the last 18 months examining the most influential leaders with exceptional leadership, strategic vision, problem solving and legal expertise and contribution to their firm’s success. MrPapastergiadiswas rankedas one of the standout performers with exemplary professional abilities and expertise.
Chris Sweeney, Managing Editor for Special Reports at Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer shared his insights on the selection process, stating, “The standard of nominees was extremely high and showcased how deep the industry’s talent pool is. Mr Papastergiadis was recognised on this year’s prestigious list for his leadership, vision and outstanding ability to problem solve for clients.”
The Australasian Lawyer publication detailed: “Since Papastergiadis’ tenure began in 2007, the firm has expanded from five partners to 30 and an increase in staff from 10 to over 200 strong. Traditionally an insurance firm, through his vision and leadership, it has diversified, now comprising 50% insurance practitioners and 50% of lawyers working over the full range of commercial areas such as: corporate, property, construction, government, workplace and commercial litigation.
Creating a culture of flexibility, camaraderie and excellence, is important. Mr Papastergiadis is quoted as saying:
“I try to be transparent, friendly and responsible. I treat people with respect and, in particular, our younger people, who are more vulnerable. I want to make sure that we are offering at every opportunity, the best version of ourselves to them and the best example, and then it’s about watching those people flourish.”
The publication states “Papastergiadis’ hands-on management has resulted in significant organic growth in the last 18 months, driven by understanding the importance of diversity within the firm and is being active in ensuring the firm supports women. These efforts are evidenced by females comprising the majority of employees: 65% of all staff and, 59% of all legal staff.”
The publication goes on to state “Bill is also passionate about supporting immigrant communities in Melbourne and is President of the Greek Community of Melbourne group and in 2019 was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to that community.”
“To be acknowledged amongst fellow industry leaders is a great honour,” Mr Papastergiadis said whilst adding “I consider this recognition not just for me, but for the incredible team at Moray & Agnew who work tirelessly every day to deliver exceptional legal service.”
Moray & Agnew has achieved recent success with its recognition in this year’s Legal 500 Asia Pacific Directory, a preeminent law firm directory which ranks Australia’s leading law firms. The firm achieved rankings in the top tiers for Construction, Real Estate, Insurance, Employment and Dispute Resolution.
This recognition is the latest in a number of accolades confirming Moray & Agnew Melbourne’s standing within the legal community as leaders in numerous areas of law. The firm consistently makes the rankings in a number of other top legal directories including Chambers and Doyle’s Guide.
Mr Papastergiadis concludes “As we look toward this year, we remain focused on growing our firm and providing exceptional service to our clients. Our outlook for the future is incredibly positive, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Greek artist Spyridon Mouratidis, who is contributing to The Greek Herald, has received international recognition for his work, earning the prestigious “Excellence Award” at a watercolor exhibition in Nepal. This honor places him among the top ten artists worldwide to be celebrated at the event.
Earlier this year, Mouratidis was also awarded the “Nomination Award” in Singapore.
The award-winning piece is a watercolor painting of Little Bay, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, created in Corfu, Greece, and exhibited in Nepal. The artwork was inspired by a photograph taken by Kyriaki Orfanos, a Sydney resident.
Increased volcanic activity in Santorini’s caldera has prompted Greece’s Civil Protection Minister to call an emergency meeting with local and disaster response officials.
The Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry reported “mild seismic-volcanic activity” detected by monitoring sensors, similar to activity observed in 2011 that lasted 14 months without issues.
Scientists have noted a rise in activity along a central fault line in the northern part of the caldera but emphasised there is no immediate cause for concern.
Santorini, a top tourist destination known for its picturesque views, is an active volcanic site, with its last major eruption occurring in 1950. However, seismologist Efthymios Lekkas reassured the public, stating, “We have a very long time ahead of us before we face a big explosion.”
He emphasised that the volcano is a “living organism,” and while volcanic activity may cause small earthquakes, no major eruption is expected.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including the head of Greece’s fire department and the deputy minister for disaster recovery, to discuss the ongoing monitoring and response efforts.
The Greek Parliament will hold its second roll-call vote for the presidency on Friday, January 31, requiring candidates to secure a two-thirds majority, or 200 votes, for election.
In the first round on January 25, Constantinos Tasoulas, nominated by New Democracy, led with 160 votes, followed by Louka Katseli from SYRIZA with 40, Tasos Giannitsis from PASOK with 34, and a candidate from the ‘Niki’ party with 14 votes.
If no candidate achieves the necessary majority, a third round will be held with a minimum requirement of 180 votes.
Further rounds with progressively lower thresholds (151 votes in the fourth and a relative majority in the fifth) are planned if needed.
Hellenic Train released a statement on Thursday, January 30, detailing the cargo of the freight train involved in the deadly Tempe crash.
The 13-car train’s load included wide iron lamination products (sheet metal) in the first three derailed cars, followed by food preparations and foodstuffs in the 4th to 7th wagons. Beers were carried in the 8th and 9th wagons, iron wires in the 10th and 11th, and empty containers in the 12th and 13th wagons.
Photo: Vaggelis Kousioras / AP.
The company emphasised that the cargo was properly documented and in compliance with national and international regulations, with all records provided to authorities.
Hellenic Train reiterated its commitment to full cooperation in the ongoing investigation, noting that the cargo details had previously been clarified in a Greek Parliament inquiry.
A solemn funeral service was held on Thursday, 30 January at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana for Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, a revered figure in the Orthodox Christian community. The Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew, presided over the ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries including Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Archbishop Anastasios, originally from Piraeus, Greece, passed away in Athens on 25 January at the age of 95. His legacy in Albania is profound, particularly for his role in restoring the country’s Orthodox Church after decades of repression under communist rule. Arriving in 1991, he oversaw the reconstruction of churches, established educational and charitable institutions, and trained a new generation of clergy.
The service was conducted in both Albanian and Greek, reflecting his commitment to fostering unity between the two nations. Prime Minister Rama acknowledged his transformative impact, while Prime Minister Mitsotakis described him as a bridge between communities.
Following the ceremony, mourners paid their final respects before the Archbishop was laid to rest in the cathedral’s crypt. The Albanian Orthodox Church is expected to select his successor in the near future.
At just 16 years old, Tahlia-Archontoula Kokkinis is making waves in the world of tennis. With remarkable talent, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to her sport, she has already demonstrated that she has the potential to become a formidable presence on the international stage.
However, like many young athletes, Tahlia faces significant challenges, particularly in securing the support necessary to compete at the highest levels.
Tahlia-Archontoula Kokkinis is currently studying Year 12 at Riverside Christian College through online education. She was born to Greek parents in Sydney and now resides in Brisbane, carrying a deep connection to her heritage, with roots in Sparta, Ioannina, and Mount Olympus of Karpathos.
Her grandparents migrated from Greece to Australia seeking better opportunities and instilled in her a strong sense of resilience and cultural pride. Notably, her great-grandmother Archontoula played a crucial role in establishing the first Greek school in her village on Mount Olympus.
A journey fuelled by passion and perseverance
Tahlia was introduced to tennis at the age of four, learning alongside her father. “I was lucky to learn tennis alongside my father from the age of four, with a deep respect and connection to the sport,” she shares. From a young age, she demonstrated an extraordinary connection with the sport, quickly rising to become one of Australia’s top junior players. Her journey has taken her across the globe, training at elite tennis academies and competing in some of the most prestigious junior tournaments.
One of her proudest moments came last year when she led her team to the Junior Billie Jean Cup final in the 16-year-old category, representing Australia on the international stage. Despite this success, the road has not been easy. “The last two years have been quite challenging due to health issues and financial constraints in my family,” Tahlia admits.
Without a dedicated training base, full-time coach, or physiotherapist, Tahlia has had to rely on public courts and limited resources to refine her game. These constraints have further limited her opportunities to participate in Junior ITF Circuit events, yet she has continued to prove her abilities, achieving a remarkable 10th-place finish at the Australian Open Junior Championships and securing a notable victory over Kristyna Penikova in Traralgon.
Beyond tennis
Off the court, Tahlia is deeply spiritual and family-oriented, drawing strength from her Orthodox Christian faith. She has a profound love for animals and nature, finding solace in long walks through pine forests.
“One of my many dreams is to open a non-profit animal welfare centre,” she reveals, showcasing her commitment to social causes beyond sports.
Hopeful for the future
Tahlia continues to train and compete, determined to advance in professional tennis. While financial challenges remain, she remains focused on her development and future opportunities. Currently based in Melbourne, she is committed to her training and looks forward to the next phase of her career.
With the right support, she aims to make her mark on the global tennis stage. Unlike many athletes who receive substantial corporate sponsorships, Tahlia’s career has been solely funded by her family. The costs associated with travel, accommodation, coaching, and training have been immense but essential for her continued progress.
Tahlia has embraced the Greek Australian community, drawing inspiration from its culture and values.
“I am ready to take the next step, both on and off the court, and look forward to the opportunities and growth that will come,” she says confidently.
Her determination and spirit serve as an inspiration to young athletes striving to achieve their dreams despite the obstacles they face.
At this early stage in her promising career, Tahlia Kokkinis is making significant strides in professional tennis. With the right backing, she has the potential to compete at the highest levels, showcasing both her talent and her Greek Australian heritage on the world stage.
To find out how to support Tahlia, contact quantumsports8@gmail.com.
