After three years of closure, Nielsen Park’s Shark Beach and its much-loved kiosk are finally reopening, with the construction fencing coming down this month.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Bill Drakopoulos, operator of The Nielsen hospitality complex, has reflected on the long journey back to welcoming beachgoers.
“People were coming in by kayak to swim on the beach because it wasn’t fenced on the waterside. You can’t stop Aussies,” Drakopoulos said, recalling the determination of Sydneysiders to access the harbour beach even during the lengthy closure.
Shark Beach closed in March 2022 for the replacement of its century-old seawall, with plans to reopen by December that year. However, wet weather, asbestos discoveries, and engineering disputes pushed the timeline back significantly.
The Kiosk.
Now, with the recent replacement of the beach’s signature safety net, Drakopoulos notes the finishing touches are complete on Nielsen Park’s rejuvenated waterfront.
“It’s a really close-knit community here, meeting for a swim and a coffee. They’ve missed the beach,” he said.
Drakopoulos’ Sydney Restaurant Group, known for venues like Sails at Lavender Bay and Manta in Woolloomooloo, has made its mark at Vaucluse by catering to the beach-loving crowd.
“The Kiosk isn’t an upmarket restaurant. It’s like a bistro at a really cool pub, you order at the counter, there are maybe 100 seats [including] outside,” Drakopoulos explained. The site has also expanded to include The Beach Club, an events space.
The President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, in a special ceremony at the Presidential Mansion, awarded the Medal of the Commander of the Order of Beneficence to donor Athina Papachristou.
According to agrinionews.gr, Papachristou, a retired farmer, donated an ambulance to the National Emergency Aid Center (EKAV) to meet the needs of the Messolonghi Hospital.
In her speech, the President stated that this special ceremony serves as an expression of the State’s honor and gratitude to citizens whose acts of benevolence set moral examples.
The Greek President honors Athena Papachristou a retiree farmer. Photo: Thodoris Manolopoulos/AMNA
“We honour the retired farmer Athina Papachristou, who, a year ago, donated a state-of-the-art ambulance to the EKAV Messolonghi sector. Having experienced the challenges of patient transportation herself and understanding how crucial such a vehicle is for saving lives in her community, she used her lifelong savings to acquire it and offered it with true greatness of spirit,” Sakellaropoulou noted.
“Such acts of generosity by everyday individuals, with limited financial resources but profound empathy, kindness, and selflessness, are tangible proof that when we see ourselves in others, our world becomes a better place.”
A unique depiction of the final Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, has been unveiled within the Katholikon of the Old Monastery of Taxiarches in Aegialia.
The frescoes, originating from the late Byzantine era, exhibit exceptional artistic quality and align with the aesthetic standards of Constantinople during that time.
According to amna.gr, the Ministry of Culture reported that conservation efforts at the Katholikon, the primary church of a monastery where monks congregate for services, led to the discovery of this extraordinary portrait.
Dr. Anastasia Koumousi, an archaeologist and director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, identified the portrait in the second layer of frescoes, securely dated to the mid-15th century.
The fresco portrays a mature man adorned with imperial regalia. His gold-embroidered purple cloak, embellished with medallions featuring two-headed eagles crowned between their heads, serves as a prominent symbol of the Palaiologos family. These bicephalic eagles, along with other insignia, unmistakably designate the figure as an emperor.
In an interview with ANA-MPA, Dr. Koumousi confirmed that the portrait indeed represents Constantine XI Palaiologos, emphasising its thorough documentation. She explained that the convergence of historical references and stylistic analysis dates the fresco to the mid-15th century.
“It is the only known surviving portrait of the individual in question,” she stated, noting that existing representations of him are from two or three centuries later.
The Monastery of Taxiarches is situated 15 kilometers south of Aigion, at the base of Mount Klokos. The Old Monastery of Taxiarches, also referred to as Palaiomonastero, lies one kilometre higher. Founded by Hosios Leontios of Monemvasia at the close of the 14th century, the monastery received financial aid from the despots of Mystra, Thomas and Dimitrios Palaiologos, who oversaw the construction of numerous structures on the site.
Access to the monastery is through a gate tower featuring defensive openings, and the Katholikon (main church) is positioned on an expansive terrace that houses the primary buildings.
To the south of the Katholikon is the South Chapel, while the North Chapel is located to its north, at a lower elevation. A significant stone staircase, with a wooden upper section built in 1810, connects the upper terrace of the monastery.
This upper terrace contains the hermitage of Hosios Leontios, the single-aisled vaulted church of the Resurrection, and the tomb of Hosios Leontios, all arranged in a stepped layout. The four churches of this monastic complex are adorned with exquisite wall paintings from the Late Byzantine period.
Though the festive season evokes many memories, one in particular stands out as clear as day.
Every year, when December rolls around and the suburban streets are bathed in a hue of green and red, with plastic snowmen donning Hawaiian shirts and clutching cans of XXX Gold, my family and I would pile into two 12-seater vans, setting out on our annual hunt for the best Christmas light display our city has to offer.
A seasoned veteran in that field, Alex Mangos’ house would’ve certainly been on our must-see list.
His childhood love for the festive season, his fascination for National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and his appreciation for old-school Christmas classics all evolved into an adult’s desire to spread the Christmas spirit, right from his very own doorstep.
Alex Mangos’ light display.
“I have very fond memories as a child of family get-togethers, carols by candlelight, and decorating mum’s house with Christmas lights,” Alex recalls.
“I used to watch the classics… and fell in love with the houses full of lights. My mum let me start slowly decorating our house, and each year, she would buy me another set to add to the display.”
When looking at the sheer volume of lights covering nearly every surface of his house, it’s hard not to imagine the challenges inevitably faced in the process.
Christmas lights cover every surface of Alex Mangos’ house at Oran Park.
“I’ve had a few falls off the ladder and large props be blown over in storms. There were some funny ‘shake-my-head’ moments this year when my five-year-old son took scissors to some lights and cut through the cords,” Alex says.
Yikes!
What started as a locally-loved tradition has now become a major attraction, drawing visitors from all over Sydney.
Alex Mangos’ home draws visitors from all over Sydney.
“The neighbourhood loves our display. We can hear kids screaming with excitement each night from our lounge room. We receive lovely letters in our letterbox thanking us for putting up our lights. Every weekend in December, people drive by to see the lights and take photos,” Alex explains.
Contrary to a university paper or preparing a work presentation, this project takes a lot of time and cannot be started the night before (but don’t let me stop you).
“I start in early October each year, aiming to turn the display on by December 1st. I do the entire display on my own and hand-built most of the props (including nutcrackers, a giant ice cream, donut, gingerbread man, cupcake, driveway arch),” Alex says.
Alex Mangos hopes to give back to the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
But his Christmas display is more than twinkling lights and quirky props; it’s a way to give back to a place very close to his heart – the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
“My son, Myka, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at the age of three, and we’ve been in and out of Sydney Children’s Hospital for around 18 months. The good news is that Myka has responded well to his treatment, and the outlook is very positive,” he says.
Lastly, if you’re one of those who, I can’t believe I’m even saying this, have yet to put up their Christmas tree, consider this a gentle reminder. And for those with little helpers who may lack creative direction, I’ve heard that the corner of your living room has a blank wall just waiting to share space with that one side of the tree.
Emmanuel Kakavelakis, the outgoing Greek Consul General to Melbourne, has found himself in a whirlwind of activity as his departure for Damascus has been unexpectedly accelerated. The change in plans, prompted by the recent political developments in the Middle East, has forced him to leave earlier than planned for Syria.
Despite the abrupt change, Kakavelakis hosted his annual Saint Minas’ feast day event for journalists on Thursday, December 19. In a candid speech, he admitted to being in “panic mode” as he had to cancel at least 25 farewell events with community groups. He expressed gratitude for the support and camaraderie he had experienced during his time in Melbourne.
Emmanuel Kakavelakis said he was in panic mode after being called to take up his post in Damascus sooner than expected.
When asked by The Greek Herald about the challenges of his new posting in Damascus, Kakavelakis acknowledged the complex and volatile situation. He pointed to his wife’s family in neighbouring Lebanon.
Despite the potential risks involved, he expressed optimism in the opportunity to contribute to a more stable future for Syria.
“It won’t be about building ties within the Greek community, but a different type of diplomacy,” he said.
The farewell event turned into a heartfelt tribute, with journalists and community leaders sharing their appreciation for Kakavelakis’ dedication and service. Veteran journalist Sotiris Hatzimanolis praised his openness and cooperation, while Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) President Bill Papastergiadis highlighted the Consul General’s ability to unify the Greek community.
“He was the best Consul General, and we had some good ones,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
SEKA Secretary John Milides praised Mr Kakavelakis for being an “ardent supporter for Cyprus,” whereas journalist Ross Alatsas conveyed the regards of the affluent Stamoulis family.
“I hope the new Consul will have the same passion as you because our community is very proud and we want a representative to respect us like you respected us,” Mr Alatsas said.
Ross Alatsas.SEKA Secretary John Milides.
On his part, Mr Kakavelakis thanked the press for being “forgiving.”
Gifts were laid at a nearby table, where a Nick Cave CD, gifted by historian Jim Claven, sat on top of the pile. Outside, John Martino, Kakavelakis’ busom buddy, waited patiently to whisk the Consul General to a concert by Greek Australian punk rock band Frenzee.
Best of friends, John Martino and Emmanuel Kakavelakis.Gifts were laid at a table.
It remains to be seen whether Melbourne’s mainly male-dominated diasporic press will be just as welcoming when Dimitra Georgantzoglou comes from Switzerland on January 12 to replace Mr Kakavelakis.
She will need to deal with the legacy of her predecessor who attended most events he was invited to – often several in a day. She may or may not face gender bias, but she will most definitely inherit the Consulate’s endemic problems that, if anything, worsened during Mr Kakavelakis’ tenure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Georgantzoglou will need to find solutions for staff shortages and huge processing backlogs while sweating it out as the Consulate’s air conditioning system never seems to work. Then there are other pressing issues, such as the dropping numbers of Greek language students, especially those sitting for VCE, the lack of a Double Taxation Agreement, and working through voting conundrums come Greek election time.
With such challenges ahead, Dr Martino said he is willing to show her the drinking places if necessary. Asked why he didn’t take the podium to eulogise Mr Kakavelakis with the rest of the male speakers, he said, “All I would have said was ‘Drinks on us… he’s going!’”
The Greek Women’s Network (Heliades) hosted its annual Christmas celebration on Sunday, December 15, at Taverna Lemnos, marking yet another successful and heartwarming event.
The celebration, meticulously planned by the dedicated Organising Committee — Sylvia Kourkouvelis, Niki Matziaris-Garay, Mary Lefterioti, Fotoula Sahhar, Victoria Papazoglou and Christina Sahhar — brought together a lively crowd of members and friends.
Their happy and smiling faces filled the packed tavern, creating an atmosphere brimming with festive cheer and community spirit.
The event featured inspiring speeches from President Ms Matziaris-Garay and Vice-President Ms Kourkouvelis. Their heartfelt messages highlighted the importance of unity, generosity and the true meaning of Christmas.
A joyful sing-along of Christmas carols followed, while the distribution of gifts to the children added a touch of magic to the day.
The musical selections, carefully curated by Ms Papazoglou and Ms Sahhar, kept the energy high, encouraging guests to dance the night away. The lively beats and joyful melodies proved irresistible, filling the dance floor with continuous movement and excitement.
Guests were also treated to the exquisite gastronomy of Taverna Lemnos, which showcased the finest of Greek cuisine. The delicious dishes delighted the senses, further enhancing the festive experience.
A highlight of the celebration was the raffle, with prizes generously donated by members of the Board and the wider HELIADES Network.
The raffle raised a total of $481.00, which will be donated to support the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s fundraiser. These funds will go towards assisting families and individuals in need during the holiday season.
The official launch of the book on the life and poetry of the late Demetris ‘Mimis’ Dervos took place on Wednesday, December 18 at the AHEPA NSW hall in Rockdale, Sydney.
The event, which drew a packed audience, was hosted by AHEPA NSW Inc, the Athenian Association of NSW, and the Department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies at The University of Sydney. The event also saw the presence of Dervos’ extended family, including his daughter Maria Sallos.
The evening began with warm greetings from the President of the Athenian Association, Cathy Valis, who welcomed distinguished guests, including the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis. Ms Valis read out three of Mimis’ poems, which were met with resounding applause.
Later, Dimitris Alexopoulos, a key contributor to the publication of the book, read another three poems. Complimentary copies of the book were distributed to attendees.
The President of AHEPA NSW, Dimitris Papanagiotou, also delivered a short but impactful speech, while Consul General Mr Mallikourtis spoke about the enduring significance of history.
The most moving tribute of the night came from Mimis’ son, Dr Herakles Dervos. His heartfelt words shed light on his father’s extraordinary life journey and contributions.
Born in Athens, Greece, Mimis lived as an intellectual wanderer, travelling to various countries and even residing in Paris, France for two years before ultimately choosing Australia as his permanent home. He believed that Australia offered greater security and prosperity, famously noting the economic potential of a nation with 7.5 million people and ten times as many sheep.
At the time, Greece was grappling with the aftermath of a civil war, which led many of its citizens to seek a better life abroad. Mimis was among them. His son recalled how his father viewed Australia as a land of opportunity, offering him a free education and enabling him to obtain a medical degree.
One of Mimis’ most notable achievements was the establishment of the Athenian Association during the early 1950s. As a devoted Athenian, he founded the organisation to preserve and promote the culture of Athens among the Greek diaspora. Mimis was also actively involved with the “Open University,” a network of intellectuals and history enthusiasts that operated from the third floor of the Hellenic Club on Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
AHEPA NSW Vice President, Nia Gitsas, played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and professional execution of the event. Bilingual and poised, she presented the programme and invited Professor Vrasidas Karalis to the podium.
Professor Karalis, who has recently received multiple academic accolades, captivated the audience with an engaging talk about Mimis’ life and works. His speech, infused with wit and satire, drew enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
Professor Vrasidas Karalis.
One aspect that was notably absent from the night’s discussions was the tragic and untimely death of Mimis in 1987. At the age of 76, he was fatally struck by a car while on a morning walk in Sydney, shortly after returning from another trip to Greece. This unexpected loss left an indelible mark on those who knew him.
Reflecting on the event, one attendee noted that, apart from the family, he might have been the only person present who had known Mimis personally. He recalled their many conversations, often held at the Minerva Restaurant owned by Vangelis and Melpo Papadopoulos. The venue was a hub for “high-level discussions” about politics, history and theatre, frequently attended by Chrysostomos Mantouridis, the man after whom the Marrickville-based Mantoureion Theatre is named.
The event was a fitting tribute to a man whose life, intellect and legacy continue to inspire. Through his contributions to the Greek Australian community, his poetry, and his enduring love for knowledge and culture, Mimis remains a cherished figure whose impact will be remembered for generations to come.
The Laconian Hall at 253 Albert Street, Brunswick was full and more than 100 people were able to see the work of two photographers, eight artists, and three live music acts (bouzouki by Chris Tsarouchas, Dio Patrides Band, and Anatreptix).
Guests also enjoyed a wonderful live dance performance by the Pontiaki Estia dance group.
Guests, supporters and friends break out the Greek dancing thanks to live music from our two bands, Dio Patrides and Anatreptix.
The photography on display included work by Melbourne-based photographer Demi Kromidellis and Athens-based photographer Thanos Matanis, whose exhibition this year included pieces taken in the club’s region of Laconia.
Guests, supporters and friends enjoying some of the art on display on the night amidst a packed hall.
The art on display included pieces by Hristina Tsingas, Olga Antoniadis, Stephanie Dellaportas, Paper Saint (George Mellos), Marie Petridis, Masonik Art and two Pallaconian Youth committee members, Argyro Pollakis and Michael Mahlis.
The event was attended by many supporters and friends from our fellow community organisations – with many in attendance from other regional clubs, news outlets, local council, and even State Parliament. In particular, the State Member for Brunswick, Dr Tim Read MP attended. He has been a strong and vocal supporter of the Pallaconians and their volunteer work.
The Pallaconian Brotherhood’s Youth and Main Committees poured countless weeks into organising the event and on the night they worked tirelessly to pull it off – hopefully better each year. New Youth President Michael Mahlis thanked both Committees in his speech for their hard work in making the night such a success.
2024 and 2023 Presidents together, Michael Mahlis and Angelica Spiliopoulos-Angsiting (current President and Vice President of the Pallaconian Youth)2024 Youth President Michael Mahlis welcomes guests to the 3rd Pallaconian Arts & Culture Night.
Supporting the new Youth President Michael was last year’s Youth President Angelica-Spiliopoulos Angsiting and her Vice-President Dimitrios Petroulis, the founding Youth President Miltiadis Paikopoulos and his Vice-President Andrew Christopoulos. Also supporting on the night was former Main-Committee President, John Mastrogiannakos, who is now the presiding Elderly Committee President, and many members of the main Committee including Robyn Christopoulos, Voula Alimonos, Christina Christopoulos and Cathy Petroulis.
The event raffled off over $2,500 worth of prizes, and many lucky guests went away with prizes as varied as movie tickets, jewellery, wine and restaurant vouchers.
The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah in Sydney’s south has once again demonstrated the true spirit of Christmas by collecting and distributing over 1,600 toys to children and families in need.
The annual Christmas Toy Collection, held with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, was met with overwhelming generosity from the community.
Under the guidance of His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, and with the support of Fr. Athanasios and Fr. Socrates, the collected toys were distributed to a range of hospitals, schools, shelters, and charitable organisations, ensuring that children experiencing hardship could feel the joy of the festive season.
Some beneficiaries of the Toy Drive include:
The Parish Community of Sts Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene, supporting their “Ark of Love” charity.
The Parish of the Holy Twelve Apostles, Newcastle, assisting with their Toy Drive in aid of the Matthew Talbot Shelter.
St George Children’s Ward and Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.
Ronald McDonald House in Randwick.
Cairnsfoot School, St George School, Wairoa School, and Northcott Services, which provide care for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Kogarah Storehouse and South Eastern Community Connect in Mascot.
This year’s collection was significantly bolstered by the contributions of several organisations and families. Notable supporters included the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW, the Pan Macedonian Association of NSW, Pontoxeniteas NSW, the Pan Thessalian Association “O Karaiskakis”, Miracles on Russell St Child Care Centre, Divine Funerals, as well as the Koutsougeras and Kambouroglou families.
A special thanks was also extended to the dedicated members of the Kogarah Philoptohos, Kogarah Orthodox Youth (KOY), and parishioners whose compassion and commitment played a pivotal role in the success of the event.
Alleged rapist Theodoros Tsalkos, who was jailed for the sexual assault of two teenage girls nearly 40 years ago in Victoria’s St Kilda, has been released, forcing a retrial.
The 62-year-old was sentenced in 2023 to a non-parole period of eight years and two months in jail after a jury found him guilty of raping and kidnapping two teenage sex workers, aged 15 and 16, while pretending to be a policeman on May 7, 1987. Mr Tsalkos was 25 years old at the time.
On Thursday, December 19, Mr Tsalkos was released on bail from prison after the Victorian Court of Appeals set aside his convictions and ordered a retrial.
Mr Tsalkos successfully argued that a miscarriage of justice occurred during the trial when prosecutors told the jury they could treat one of the alleged victim’s mothers account of her daughter’s distressed state in hospital as “independent evidence” of the alleged incident.
Defence lawyers argued that the alleged victim’s distress could have been caused by her lying to her mother and the police about being a sex worker.
The 62-year-old was sentenced in 2023 to a non-parole period of eight years and two months in jail.
Mr Tsalkos was arrested and charged in 2020. The case sat dormant for 25 years until forensic experts began using advanced technology to analyse hundreds of frozen DNA samples linked to cold cases. Swabs taken from the girls at the time were a match to Mr Tsalkos.
In 2022, Mr Tsalkos faced a seven-day trial, having pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, two counts of kidnapping and four counts of gross indecency with a person under the age of 16.
One of the victims has since died of a rare illness.
Mr Tsalkos will next appear before the County Court in February 2025.
