Nikos Papastergiadis has been awarded the 2025 Michael Crouch Award for a Debut Work at the National Biography Awards for his hybrid memoir John Berger and Me.
The announcement was made on July 31 via ABC Radio.
Described by the judges as “a unique, stunning blend of biography and memoir”, John Berger and Me stood out for its originality and form.
Awards chair Sylvia Martin praised its “clever, non-linear but accessible structure”, adding: “The quality of Nikos Papastergiadis’ perceptive, lyrical, subtly humorous prose also shone among a highly competitive field.”
The book explores Papastergiadis’ friendship with renowned English cultural theorist John Berger, whose 1972 work Ways of Seeing remains influential. Their connection began in the 1990s, when Papastergiadis, then a doctoral student at Cambridge, regularly visited Berger’s home in the rural French village of Quincy.
Calling the work a “likeness”, Papastergiadis presents a rich tapestry of anecdotes, fragments, and memories. He delves into their shared passions – motorbikes, rembetika music, and hay-making – while also offering vivid depictions of Berger’s family, local villagers, and his own Greek migrant parents.
More than a personal memoir, the book meditates on broader themes of migration, belonging, and the existential challenges faced by agrarian communities in the modern world.
Papastergiadis, a graduate of the University of Melbourne and the University of Cambridge, currently researches the impact of digital technology on contemporary art and cultural institutions.
He is set to appear at the State Library of NSW on August 16 in conversation with other shortlisted authors.
The Greek Film Festival in Sydney, proudly presented by Benchmark Greek Law, has announced the monumental opening night film of its 30th anniversary, ‘Kapetan Mihalis’ (‘Captain Michael’) by Kostas Haralambous,based on the similarly titled book by legendary Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis.
Prepare to be transported to a time of revolution, Cretan honour, and forbidden love!
On Tuesday, October 14, at Palace Norton St Leichhardt, the red carpet will be rolled out for a gala celebration starting at 6:00 PM. Guests will be treated to a spectacular evening filled with a celebratory atmosphere, Cretan vibes, unparalleled Greek hospitality, and great live music.
The experience will be elevated with exquisite catering by Georges Mediterranean Bar and Grill, fine wines from Raw Vine Estate, and a selection of boutique-crafted Greek beers from 7 Seals, courtesy of Mediterranean Gourmet.
The highly anticipated screening will follow at 8:30 PM. This is more than just an opening night; it’s a cinematic event that promises to be thrilling, deeply moving, and a fittingly epic celebration of three decades of Greek cinema on Sydney’s big screen.
Based on Kazantzakis’ internationally acclaimed novel Kapetan Mihalis, and inspired by the author’s own childhood memories, the Opening Night Film is a sweeping saga set in 1889 Crete. Directed by the visionary Kostas Haralambous and starring Emilios Chilakis, Alekos Sissovitis, Loukia Michalopoulou, and Jenny Kazakou, the film tells the story of an uncompromising Cretan patriot, Kapetan Mihalis. His sacred duty is to liberate his island from the Ottoman Turks, but a fateful encounter with Emine, the wife of his blood brother, Nuri-bey, forces him to confront a choice between his sacred duty and a forbidden passion.
“This film is a powerful reminder of the Cretan spirit and the universal struggle for freedom and identity,” Harry Danalis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, said.
Nia Karteris, Chair of the Greek Festival and Greek Film Festival of Sydney, added, “We are incredibly excited to open our anniversary 30th festival with a film of this magnitude, celebrating the enduring legacy of Greek storytelling on the world stage.”
Event Details:
What: Opening Night of the 30th Greek Film Festival in Sydney
Simon Behrakis has lost his seat in Tasmania’s electorate of Clark by a razor-thin margin, as fellow Liberal and sitting MP Madeleine Ogilvie surged ahead in the final count to claim the last available seat.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission confirmed the result on Thursday, July 31, revealing that Ogilvie had overtaken Behrakis by just 180 votes, despite trailing in first preferences.
Behrakis led initially with 5,122 first-preference votes to Ogilvie’s 4,452. However, under Tasmania’s Hare-Clark voting system – which redistributes preferences from eliminated candidates – Ogilvie rose to 7,082 votes, narrowly beating Behrakis, who finished with 6,902.
It is a major setback for Behrakis, who entered state parliament in October 2023 following a recount triggered by the resignation of former Liberal attorney-general Elise Archer. Prior to that, he had served as a Hobart City Councillor since 2018.
In a statement shared following the final count, Behrakis thanked his supporters and reflected on his time in public office.
“It was a great honour to serve the Tasmanian people in the Parliament and something I’m very grateful to have achieved,” he said.
Fellow Liberal Marcus Vermey, who topped the party ticket with 5,870 first preferences, secured the sixth seat with a final tally of 8,006.
Australia has avoided a steep tariff increase under a new executive order signed by US President Donald Trump, which has revised reciprocal trade tariffs for multiple countries.
In a statement released by the White House on Thursday night (US time), President Trump announced new tariff measures aimed at tackling what he called “exploding” US trade deficits.
Several countries now face base rates above 10%, with some, like New Zealand, unexpectedly shifted to a 15% tariff.
Australia, however, is not among the nations listed in Annex I of the order – meaning it will continue to be subject to the lowest tariff rate of 10%, alongside countries like Britain and Brazil.
Australia has avoided a steep tariff increase under a new executive order signed by US President Donald Trump. Photo: AP News.
The White House stated that the move was part of the President’s broader strategy to “secure fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade relationships,” while reinforcing national and economic security.
“President Trump has reset decades of failed trade policy… taking back America’s economic sovereignty,” the statement said.
The executive order follows months of negotiations, with some countries failing to meet US demands for more favourable trade or security terms. Others, such as the EU and Japan, have secured deals involving large-scale investments in the US – but at the cost of accepting higher base tariffs.
Proposals are all about timing – and while one couple nailed the moment, it wasn’t the pair getting engaged.
Travel content creators Kevin Arrieta and Natali Melani were filming their engagement in picturesque Santorini, Greece, when a perfectly placed camera captured a perfectly imperfect moment.
Just as Arrieta dropped to one knee to propose, an elderly tourist couple wandered into the frame. The man, chocolate bar in hand, paused to point around the scenery while standing directly between the couple and the camera – completely unaware they were interrupting a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Melani gave her answer while the couple remained in the shot, but the pair laughed off the mishap and later uploaded the now-viral footage to Instagram with the caption: “Proposal: 10/10, Timing: 0/10, Memory: Priceless.”
Not everyone online saw the humour, with one commenter writing, “I don’t consider myself a particularly angry person but this sparked some very real rage.”
But many users had a more positive take. “Their future walked into the frame,” one person noted.
Speaking to Good Morning America, Melani and Arrieta said they’re hoping to track down the mystery couple.
“We’d love to invite them to our wedding, and we hopefully think that they also think this is funny like we did,” Melani said.
Athan Boursinos, 21, was gunned down outside his family home in Wollert, Melbourne’s north, on Thursday morning in what police have described as a “deliberate and targeted” attack.
Mr Boursinos, believed to have been affiliated with tobacco boss Kazem “Kaz” Hamad, was leaving his Champions Parade home around 9am when he was ambushed by a gunman. He died at the scene.
Neighbours reported hearing up to eight gunshots fired over approximately 20 seconds, just 100 metres from the Korin Korin Child and Family Centre. The attacker fled in a vehicle later found torched in Reservoir’s Amery Drive.
Police confirmed Mr Boursinos was known to them and had been due to appear in court that morning, facing charges relating to drugs, weapons, theft, and driving offences. He was also scheduled to appear again next month on separate charges.
Grieving family members, including his girlfriend and father, spoke with detectives. Photo: Nadir Kinani.
Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the Homicide Squad said, “It appears very deliberate and targeted,” and urged anyone with dashcam footage or who saw anything suspicious to come forward.
A large crime scene was established, with forensic officers combing nearby Game Lane and surrounding streets.
Mr Boursinos’ body lay beside a silver BMW with shattered glass, as grieving family members, including his girlfriend and father – a retired Victoria Police officer – spoke with detectives.
“Please just let me see him,” Mr Boursinos’ girlfriend was heard pleading with police, visibly distraught.
The killing adds to a spate of violent incidents linked to Melbourne’s underworld. Police are investigating whether Boursinos’ murder could provoke further retaliation.
A heated members’ meeting was held on Tuesday evening, July 29, as tensions boiled over between members of the Cyprus Community of NSW and its voluntary administrators from EY Australia, following confirmation that the Community’s Stanmore property had been sold to developer Conquest for $55 million plus GST.
The property, which spans nearly one hectare and includes the Club, car park, and adjacent properties, was sold without a vote of members – a decision the administrators say is legally permitted under the Corporations Act, though they are currently seeking court confirmation in a matter listed for August.
EY Australia’s lead administrator Morgan Kelly said the transaction is the only viable path forward for the Community, which is under voluntary administration and burdened with more than $20 million in debt, including millions in legal costs accrued over years of internal disputes and court proceedings.
But members – many of whom have deep personal and generational ties to the Community – accused EY of bypassing democratic processes and selling the property “from under them.”
Tensions rise over sale
Tensions flared as EY attempted to reassure members that the $55 million sale was the best commercial outcome after receiving and assessing seven offers.
EY’s Morgan Kelly (right) attempted to reassure members that the $55 million sale was the best commercial outcome. Photo: The Greek Herald.
The administrator said Conquest was selected based on strict criteria: an offer above valuation, no development risk, fast debt repayment, and a clean sale structure with an extended settlement period.
EY confirmed that the full $55 million (plus GST) would not be immediately available – the final payment is expected by mid-2026 – but stressed that operating funds were secured for the interim.
To safeguard the sale proceeds, EY has proposed the establishment of an independent trust managed by a third-party institution such as Perpetual Trustees or the Commonwealth Bank. The principal would be reserved for the purchase of a new club, while interest income would fund interim operations.
The crowd, packed into the Stanmore club, erupted. “You’ve sold us out,” one woman shouted.
Others demanded to know why previous redevelopment proposals – including a 99-year lease model from developer Platino – were not pursued. EY responded that such offers posed unacceptable financial risk and were not in the club’s best interest.
Some members questioned why previous redevelopment proposals were not pursued. Photo: The Greek Herald.
Members demand to know: where was our say?
A major flashpoint was the lack of a members’ vote on the property sale.
Kelly responded: “I already have that right [to sell the property as an administrator]. That’s already there. The court process is orders confirming that administrator order.”
He said the court application underway is merely to confirm that the Corporations Act overrides the Registered Clubs Act in this situation.
Kelly insisted the anonymity was necessary to maintain fairness in a competitive bidding process, but some members called the process undemocratic and accused EY of marginalising their input.
Governance questions persist
Much of the anger also centred on the governance process, particularly the absence of elections since the administration began. Many members questioned why a new board had not yet been elected.
Kelly explained that under legal advice, EY could not unilaterally remove or appoint directors during administration, but would enshrine the requirement for board elections into a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) – the next step in the exit from administration.
He committed to elections being held “as soon as practicable” once the DOCA is in place, and added that a draft constitution would be put to members for approval.
Crucially, it was acknowledged that elections had not been held in recent years due to repeated court injunctions filed by disgruntled members, including actions by Dr Con Costa and Ms Dorothy Bassil, which derailed previous meetings and votes.
There were many angry members at the meeting. Photo: The Greek Herald.
Fire order deadline looms as club faces imminent closure
The urgency of the sale was underscored by a fire safety order issued by Inner West Council, which requires the Stanmore premises to close by August 30. According to EY, the Community cannot afford the extensive upgrades needed to comply with fire regulations, and thus operations must cease.
Kelly said, “because of that fire order, the clubhouse is no longer fit for purpose… we cannot lawfully keep the premises open past that date.”
The club’s restaurant is already closed, and all items and equipment must be removed within 12 months. Temporary arrangements are in place: the Greek School will move to Petersham, dancing classes to the Lakemba Club, and administrative and community functions may be hosted by Canterbury Leagues Club – though these arrangements are still being finalised.
“These are interim measures,” Kelly said. “The Community is going to have sufficient funds to buy their own premises when they’re ready.”
The dire state of its finances has been laid bare by EY, who outlined that the Community’s debt had ballooned from $12 million in 2023 to more than $20 million in 2024. This includes loans from mortgage lender Sydney Wyde and Cyprus Capital – a private entity formed to raise funds from members – as well as fees accrued during a prolonged receivership and subsequent legal battles.
To consolidate the debt, EY secured a $17 million loan, which enabled the repayment of previous creditors and covered administration costs. However, the long-running disputes – including injunctions and challenges from Cyprus Capital – added to the financial strain, delaying the administration and further diminishing available funds.
A plea for unity
Amid the conflict, long-time member Ellie Stassi delivered an emotional speech in Greek urging members to put aside factionalism and prioritise unity.
“I feel shame we’ve come to this stage. I never thought this would happen to my beautiful Community,” the 72-year-old said.
“If it weren’t for the administrators doing what they did, in another 10 years the community would have turned into a block of land. Let a new committee be formed and let experienced people come forward. Our ego has destroyed us.”
What’s next?
EY will now proceed with finalising the sale, holding a second creditors’ meeting, and presenting a DOCA to exit administration. If accepted, control will return to the board under supervision, with a mandate to call elections, vote on a new constitution, and oversee the establishment of the trust.
Until then, members remain divided – some hopeful the sale brings a path forward, others bitter at what they see as a loss of agency.
The Pancretan Association of Melbourne has held a successful High Tea Fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), raising $13,000 to support breast cancer research.
Held on Sunday, July 27, at the Members Pavilion in Wantirna South, the event featured guest speakers including cancer survivors, a live auction, raffle prizes, show bags, and a traditional high tea service.
The Association thanked its volunteers, sponsors, and guests, calling the afternoon “an event of inspiration, generosity, and community spirit.”
All funds will go directly to the NBCF to advance life-saving research. In a comment on Facebook, the NBCF thanked the Association for its support, writing: “this is such an incredible achievement.”
This year’s Winter Community Appeal, hosted by the Greek Welfare Centre (GWC) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, once again proved to be a powerful expression of compassion, dignity, and community solidarity.
Held on Thursday, July 24, at Marrickville Town Hall, Sydney, the annual event invited the public to donate essential goods to support individuals and families facing hardship during the colder months. And once again, the response was overwhelming.
“It’s always very moving to see how the community responds and how they feel that there’s a need to assist, to contribute,” Maria Petrohilos, who oversees GWC’s counselling and community services arm, told The Greek Herald.
“We’re always overwhelmed with the generosity – people dropping things off, schools doing their own kind of collection points.”
The Winter Community Appeal has become a hallmark of the Centre’s mission to ensure no one is left behind. Donations included blankets, packaged food, winter clothing, and household essentials – all aimed at providing warmth and comfort to those doing it tough.
“We can’t change their circumstances, but we can help in some way to make them a little bit more comfortable,” Petrohilos explained. “Whether it’s clothing, whether it’s blankets — that’s predominantly the winter focus.”
The donations are distributed to individuals and families already known to the Centre through its casework, as well as those who walk in seeking help for the first time.
“We’re open to anyone who knocks on the door,” she said. “And what we don’t use, we distribute to other community groups as well.”
The Winter Community Appeal has become a hallmark of the Centre’s mission to ensure no one is left behind.
Since its establishment in 1975, the Centre has provided a vital safety net for vulnerable members of the Greek Australian and wider multicultural community – initially focusing on resettlement support for new migrants, and now offering services in aged care, mental health, family support, addiction counselling, and more.
“We haven’t lost that primary focus of being here to assist someone in need, whatever that need is,” Petrohilos said. “And the community appeals support that, because it’s not only the practical things like food or clothing – it’s about that connection, that someone cares.”
For those who missed the official donation day, the Centre is still accepting support year-round. Whether through financial contributions or the donation of goods, every gesture makes a difference.
“It’s easy to make the phone call,” Petrohilos said. “We welcome any support at any time – it doesn’t just have to be at the community appeals.”
She also acknowledged the crucial role of volunteers in making the initiative a success.
“We appreciate the generosity from the community and the work of our volunteers – a lot of them are students who come and assist willingly and want to do their bit for the community, and we’re grateful,” Petrohilos said.
As the need for community support grows amid ongoing economic pressures, the GWC remains a beacon of hope, proving that with even the simplest acts of giving, lives can be touched and transformed.
For those wishing to contribute to the Greek Welfare Centre, please visit their website at https://gwccservices.org/
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA) hosted a farewell dinner on Monday, July 28 for the outgoing Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis, marking the end of his nearly three-year diplomatic service.
Held in the Great Hall of St Andrew’s Theological School, the event was attended by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, bishops, clergy, senior Archdiocesan officials, and representatives from Greek Orthodox communities and organisations. Mallikourtis was accompanied by his wife, Christiana Stavrou.
Archbishop Makarios awarded Mallikourtis the Medal of the Order of the Philochrist, the Archdiocese’s highest honour, praising his integrity, dedication, and close cooperation with the Church.
The Archbishop also paid tribute to the diplomat’s late father, Ambassador Stylianos Mallikourtis, for his successful service in Constantinople and exemplary collaboration with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
In his farewell remarks, Mallikourtis thanked Archbishop Makarios for their strong working relationship and expressed admiration for his leadership. He voiced confidence in a promising future for Orthodoxy and Hellenism in Australia.
