The newly appointed Greek Consul in Perth, Eleni Georgopoulou, was officially welcomed at the Holy Diocese of Perth on Monday, December 2.
Accompanied by her husband and two children, the Consul was warmly received by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
The evening included a formal dinner, during which Bishop Elpidios presented two videos: one on Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to Australia, and another marking the centenary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA).
As a gesture of goodwill, Bishop Elpidios presented the Consul with a commemorative coin celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence, as well as a special set of coins marking the centenary of the GOAA.
The evening concluded with an exchange of Christmas gifts, with Bishop Elpidios wishing all a blessed and joyful Christmas.
The 65-year-old Australian-Greek dual citizen arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday, December 3 at night.
Kouroumblis is accused of the murders of Suzanne Armstrong, 28, and Susan Bartlett, 27, who were found stabbed to death in their home in a “gruesome, horrific, frenzied homicide.” Armstrong was also raped, with DNA evidence collected at the scene.
Armstrong’s 16-month-old child was left unharmed in a cot nearby, with neighbours discovering the crime days later after hearing the baby’s cries.
Kouroumblis arrived in Melbourne late on Tuesday night. Photo: NewsWire / Jason Edwards.
Kouroumblis, who had been living in Greece, was arrested by Interpol at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. Despite an extradition treaty between Australia and Greece, a Greek law previously prevented his arrest, as charges must be filed within 20 years of an offence.
Kouroumblis’ public defender, Serena Tucci, explained that he was unaware of Italy’s different legal requirements.
“He had no idea that there was a different law in Italy,” Tucci said. “He said he wants to come back to Australia and explain everything.”
Kouroumblis is expected to be formally charged with two counts of murder and one count of rape at a Melbourne court today. He had lived near the victims and was a 17-year-old student at the same school where Bartlett taught, but continues to maintain his innocence.
After his extradition flight from Rome, Kouroumblis was escorted to Melbourne’s police headquarters, where he spent the night ahead of his court appearance.
“I don’t think my purpose is to do something that the audience wants to watch necessarily, something that will have commercial success. I see theatre as a means to express myself and what I’m thinking,” Jeremy Artis tells The Greek Herald.
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) is set to present its new theatre production Makriyannis. It’s a solo theatrical monologue performed by Artis and will open from Friday, December 6 to Saturday, December 7.
You’ll find it hard to venture into Melbourne’s Greek theatre space without seeing the passionate and humble Artis. With endless performance experience, he joined the GCM’s Creative Drama & Arts adult group amidst COVID-19 lockdowns and has since directed several of their shows. Artis’ plays with the group have been MόNοι, a story about belonging, then 22, a dramatic look at the Asia Minor Catastrophe, and in 2023, Girls in the Shadows, a successful comedy focusing on women’s struggles over time.
A still photo from MόNοι.
His latest work is a theatrical monologue about the memoirs of General Makriyannis from the 1821 Greek Revolution which is aptly titled, Makriyannis. With a historical and literary focus on the traumas endured during the revolution, the monologue uses Makriyannis’ memoirs to share the story.
Artis’ admiration for the memoirs led him to create this piece of theatre.
“I think it’s an amazing text. It’s a very powerful, strong text about human rights, and freedom… It’s very interesting how [Makriyannis] writes – he was illiterate. He learnt how to write in order to write his memoirs… that makes it powerful. He’s going from being a narrator to [speaking in] first person and changing voices and bringing other people in; it’s a very theatrical form,” he explains.
Rehearsals for Makriyannis.
Artis undertook extensive research into the writings of Makriyannis to create the monologue. He sorted through Makriyannis’ 800-page memoirs and narrowed down key moments of his life and time in the revolution. He also used articles and other literary works of Makriyannis to better understand his character and the life he led.
The monologue is performed in Greek and is accompanied by music and projected visuals and subtitles. Artis decided to employ these elements to engage his audience as he knows “we are so far away from that world” of the 1821 revolution.
Jeremy Artis.
When asked about his solo process of refining the monologue, Artis said, “It’s so challenging. You have to be very disciplined—stick to targets and time frames… My biggest concern was the timeline and the characters’ journey. I was trying to keep that even though I was cutting a lot of the text. That was a bit challenging.”
After viewing his performance of Makriyannis, Artis hopes audiences can take away the idea of human freedom. He hopes they can “connect back to our history as Greeks” and with themes of social rights, despite being disconnected from the revolution by time and place.
Artis is excited to share his new work with audiences over two shows this weekend on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7 at the Doncaster Playhouse. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.greekcommunity.com.au/events/makriyannis
The Certificate of Attainment in Greek examinations have been held in Victoria for over 20 years. The number of examination candidates continues to grow with 34 candidates receiving 38 certificates this year, as the Certificate of Attainment in Greek is the only officially recognised Greek language qualification in Greece and the rest of Europe.
The event was opened by the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, who congratulated the successful students and emphasised that learning the Greek language is both an opportunity and a reason to learn. It is an opportunity to learn the language of one’s grandparents, parents and children, and an occasion to engage with Greek poetry and theatre—key areas of distinction for Greece, rooted in the power of the word.
The Deputy Consul for Educational Affairs for Australia and New Zealand, Maria Triantafyllou, congratulated those who participated in the examinations and encouraged continued efforts to learn the Greek language as a means of communication and a connection to Greek literature and culture.
President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis OAM, highlighted the honour of being entrusted with the responsibility of conducting Greek language proficiency examinations for the state of Victoria. He also recalled a talk he gave to the Greek Parliament a few years ago, during which students of Greek background from the United States, who spoke after him, addressed the audience in English. These students pointed out that, despite their Greek heritage, they felt like foreigners in Greece due to the language barrier. Mr Papastergiadis emphasised the importance of learning the Greek language, stressing the critical connection between language, identity and culture.
Head of the GCM’s educational programs, Dr Nick Dallas, spoke about the importance of being bilingual, noting that, despite the multicultural nature of the region in which we live, bilingualism remains an exception.
After the brief greetings, the certificates were awarded by Greek language teachers, the Consul General, and the President of the GCM to the successful candidates.
It is worth noting that the next Certificate of Attainment in Greek exams will be held in May 2025, and applications will be accepted from February 1 to March 20, 2025.
The Parish of St Sophia and Three Daughters in Surry Hills, Sydney was filled with festive cheer on Sunday, December 1, as the Sunday School children gathered for a Christmas Cookie Decorating session.
They were joined by parish priest, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Father Irenaeus and proud parents.
Sunday School children gathered for a Christmas Cookie Decorating session.
The air buzzed with excitement as little hands carefully shaped, iced and adorned cookies with colourful fondant and sprinkles, each creation a unique masterpiece of Christmas magic.
Giggles and concentration blended harmoniously as the children embraced the joy of the season, but the highlight for many was tasting their sugary works of art.
Adding a beautiful touch of giving to the occasion, many of the cookies were shared with patrons of the Parish’s weekly feeding program, ‘Feed the People.’
Through this simple yet heartfelt act, the children not only celebrated the spirit of Christmas but also learned the value of generosity and kindness.
It was a truly memorable afternoon, blending creativity, community, and the warmth of the holiday season in the heart of Surry Hills.
Sydney’s culinary scene is about to welcome a vibrant new addition with the opening ofOlympus, a Greek-inspired garden taverna in Surry Hills by acclaimed chef Jonathan Barthelmess, known for The Apollo. To mark the occasion, Football Brilliance Academy and Liberty IT are hosting a special dinner on Thursday, December 12 from 6.30pm, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Greece’s historic European football victory.
This exclusive event offers the chance to dine alongside Greek football icons George Karagounis, Theodoros Zagorakis, and Angelos Charisteas, along with special VIP guests and diplomatic representatives. Guests will enjoy a lively Q&A, a meet-and-greet with the legends, and a curated menu that promises an unforgettable culinary experience.
The 200-seat venue will be led by head chef Ozge Kalvo, whose Turkish-Greek heritage and experience at celebrated Sydney establishments Ester and Baba’s Placebring a unique flair to the kitchen.
“Ozge’s deep cultural connection and mastery of fire-cooking techniques make her the perfect fit for Olympus,” Barthelmess said. “Her dishes honour tradition while offering a contemporary edge.”
George Karagounis will be at the event.
Inspired by recent travels to Greece, Olympus captures the essence of Greek village hospitality with a focus on abundance and celebration. This is a night for food lovers and football fans alike to savour a slice of Greece in the heart of Sydney.
Liberty IT CEO John Dimitropoulos said, “It’s an absolute honour to host such talented superstars in Sydney; we are incredibly excited for what is sure to be an incredible night!”
Don’t miss this must-attend event on Thursday, December 12 from 6.30pm!Your ticket includes:
A specially curated menu by Olympus Dining
Cocktail on arrival, wine and beer
An exclusive meet-and-greet
A Q&A session with the legends: George Karagounis (Greece’s most capped player of all time), Theodoros Zagorakis (Captain and MVP of Euro 2004), Angelos Charisteas (The golden scorer whose iconic header secured Greece’s place in European football history).
Over the weekend of November 22–24, Brisbane transformed into the epicentre of Greek Macedonian culture in Australia as the Pan Macedonian Federation of Australia held its inaugural conference, accompanied by a spirited dinner dance and Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The Pan Macedonian Association of New South Wales proudly participated in the events to showcase the enduring strength of the diaspora.
A weekend of cultural milestones
Friday: President’s dinner
The festivities began with the President’s Dinner on Friday evening, where distinguished leaders from across the nation convened to discuss shared goals and strengthen ties.
Among the key attendees were George Kosmidis, President of the Pan Macedonian Federation of Australia and World Pan Macedonian President; Dimitrios Papagiannis, President of the Pan Macedonian Association of Queensland; Anastasia Karakominakis, President of the Pan Macedonian Association of NSW; Konnie Agalianos, President of the Pan Macedonian Association of South Australia; and Anna Smilovitis, President of the Pan Macedonian Association of Western Australia.
The meeting provided a platform for collaboration among state representatives, setting the tone for a productive and celebratory weekend.
Friday night dinner. Photo supplied.
Saturday: Inaugural dinner dance
Saturday night brought Greek Macedonian culture to life during the vibrant inaugural Dinner Dance. Cultural committees and dance groups from Queensland, NSW, SA, and WA joined together to share the rich traditions of Macedonian music, dance and cuisine.
The Aristotelion Dance Academy from NSW delivered a breathtaking performance, captivating the audience with their intricate choreography and traditional costumes. Their artistry served as a poignant reminder of the community’s dedication to preserving their heritage.
Sunday: AGM and Farewell Brunch
The weekend concluded on Sunday with the Federation’s AGM and a farewell brunch hosted by the Pan Macedonian Association of Queensland. Delegates reflected on the achievements of the weekend and discussed future initiatives to further promote and safeguard Greek Macedonian culture in Australia.
Nick Fassoulas receiving Honorary President of the Pan Macedonian Association of NSW.
Honouring a legacy
A standout moment of the weekend was the recognition of Nick Fassoulas, a former President of both the NSW chapter and the Federation. For his years of dedicated service, he was given the title of Honorary President of the Pan Macedonian Association of NSW, a tribute to his invaluable contributions to the community.
As attendees departed with renewed inspiration, the weekend was a reminder of the strength of Greek Macedonian heritage and the power of community.
Lakemba was alive with the rhythm of Greek tradition last Saturday evening, as Paroula Thurban’s dance group delivered a spectacular performance at the Greek Community Centre.
The event, which drew an overflowing audience of parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends, showcased the rich tapestry of Greek heritage through dance.
From the youngest performers, bursting with energy and charm, to the experienced dancers demonstrating years of refined skill, each moment was a vivid display of cultural pride.
The group, led by the much-loved Paroula and her talented daughter Nicole, captivated the crowd with a series of traditional dances that told stories of Greece’s vibrant past and enduring spirit.
The hall resonated with applause as spectators clapped along to the beats, swept up in the joyful celebration.
Parents and family members were brimming with pride as they watched their children take the stage, embodying the essence of Greek culture. The heartfelt performances brought the community together in a shared moment of connection and cultural appreciation.
On Sunday, December 1, the Greek Australian Cultural League (GACL) held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Greek Centre in Melbourne.
The annual event took a different slant this year as it commenced with a small but special presentation to Emmanuel Kakavelakis, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne.
Members of the GACL’s Executive Committee showed their appreciation and gratitude to the outgoing Consul General for his support, dedication and commitment over the past four years to all matters involving cultural, literary and national advancement.
Mr Kakavelakis was presented with a painting depicting the colours and landscape of outback Australia, commissioned by Mary Raphael, a GACL committee member and an artist in her own right. On a special parchment, he was also given a poem by Nikos Ninolakis, who was one of the founders of the GACL and the periodical Antipodes.
The poem, Beyond Moulamein (in Greek), was recited by Theodora Psathias and Vasilia Hatzieleftheriou with Costas Tsicaderis’ music of the same song playing in the background, echoing Greek and Aboriginal musical notes.
The AGM was a moving and intimate event which left Mr Kakavelakis emotional, full of heartfelt praise of the work of the GACL and what has been achieved in the Greek diaspora of Australia.
The AGM proceeded with the agenda as planned and concluded over socialisation and best regards for the coming well-earned Christmas break.
Steve Maras, a prominent figure in the city property sector, has been appointed as the new chair of the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA).
Currently serving as AEDA’s deputy chair and a board member since January 2021, Maras brings extensive experience to the role.
He is the Group Managing Director and CEO of Maras Group, a commercial and retail property development firm.
Steve Maras with his dad Theo Maras, pictured in Adelaide’s East End. Photo: The Daily Telegraph.
In addition to his professional achievements, Maras serves as the inaugural Honorary Consul of Uruguay in South Australia and is the co-founder and chair of the children’s charity, Living Without Limits Foundation.
His leadership experience includes roles as past president of the Property Council of Australia (SA Division), former chairman of Renew Adelaide, and past deputy chair of both the Australia Day Council of SA and Mainstreet SA.
Maras is set to succeed Nikki Govan as chair of AEDA in January 2025.
