Sydney Olympic fought to the very end but was eliminated by Sydney United on penalties in the 6th qualifying round of the Australia Cup, after conceding a dramatic equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time during extra time.
The match ended 3-3, with Sydney Olympic ultimately losing 10-9 in the penalty shootout.
On Wednesday night, at the Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney Olympic found themselves trailing 2-0 in the first half after conceding two goals in the space of a minute (22nd and 23rd minutes).
From that point on, they launched a spirited comeback. Parkhouse scored in the 36th minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1, and Clark equalised in the 72nd minute, sending the match into extra time.
In the 115th minute, Dehmie gave Olympic a 3-2 lead, but the referee added an inexplicably long period of stoppage time, and in the 120+2nd minute, Sydney United equalised at 3-3, pushing the game to penalties.
The shootout saw each team take 11 penalties, with Sydney United scoring 10 times and Sydney Olympic converting 9.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday, this time for Round 14 of the NSW National Premier League, with kickoff scheduled for 5 pm at Jubilee Stadium.
On May 6, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia welcomed Their Graces Bishop Elpidios of Perth, Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, and Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne to Athens, Greece.
The group visited the Acropolis Museum in Athens where they were greeted by Head of Events at the Museum, Sofia Stavropoulou on behalf of Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, and received a guided tour by archaeologist Katerina Diamantidou.
Archbishop Makarios praised the museum’s architecture and exhibits, stating, “We are proud, because everything that is here is ours and is not stolen,” highlighting the importance of preserving Greece’s cultural heritage.
The annual feast day of the Great Martyr Irene the Wonderworker was celebrated on May 4–5 at the Holy Monastery of St Irene in Rethymno, Crete.
The celebration included a Vespers service led by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA), who was visiting Crete for the first time, accompanied by a group of Australian pilgrims.
His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos warmly welcomed the Bishop, highlighting the strong ties between Crete and the Church in Australia.
Some of the Australian pilgrims.
Bishop Evmenios shared heartfelt reflections on his ministry in Australia and the enduring bonds with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Greece.
A joint Divine Liturgy followed on May 5, with hundreds of worshippers from across Crete, the US, and Australia in attendance.
Civic and religious dignitaries also took part in the festivities, which concluded with a memorial service for the the late Metropolitan Theodoros and traditional monastic hospitality.
The European Parliament voted on Wednesday, May 7, to maintain its position against restarting EU accession talks with Turkey, citing ongoing democratic backsliding under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
While recognising Turkey’s strategic importance and the pro-European aspirations of many of its citizens, MEPs adopted a report rejecting renewed negotiations, with 367 votes in favour, 74 against, and 188 abstentions.
Lawmakers also criticised Turkey’s continued violations of Greek and Cypriot sovereignty and called for renewed commitment to resolving the Cyprus issue.
Spanish MEP Nacho Sanchez Amor stated: “EU membership is about democracy… the more they advance a fully authoritarian model… the further they drift from EU membership.”
Greece and Egypt signed a “strategic partnership” agreement on Wednesday to strengthen political coordination and regional stability, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Gaza.
“Our bilateral cooperation is based on political, economic, and cultural ties… defined by our strong commitment to the values of peace and the full respect of international law,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a joint statement following the inaugural meeting of the Supreme Cooperation Council.
Με την κοινή Διακήρυξη για τη Στρατηγική Εταιρική Σχέση που υπογράψαμε, επιβεβαιώνουμε έμπρακτα την κοινή βούληση να αναβαθμίσουμε ακόμα περισσότερο τη στενή συνεργασία μας. pic.twitter.com/9m37JKezJH
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) May 7, 2025
Both leaders stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and increased humanitarian aid, with Mitsotakis backing an Arab-led reconstruction plan.
Migration was also a key focus, as rising arrivals in Greece from Egypt and Afghanistan follow growing economic hardship in Egypt, which the EU has responded to with a €7.4 billion aid package and strengthened ties.
Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney in Vatican City, signalling that the first round of voting by Catholic cardinals failed to produce a new pope following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday at age 88.
More than 100,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Square to witness the moment, though confusion arose as some mistook the dark smoke for the election of a new pontiff.
Photo: AP Photo / Bernat Armangue.
The 133 voting cardinals, including Australia’s youngest Cardinal Mykola Bychok, are now sequestered inside the Vatican, voting in secrecy until a two-thirds majority is reached.
With four ballots and two smoke signals scheduled daily, Vatican watchers anticipate several rounds before consensus is reached—mirroring past conclaves, including those that elected John Paul II and Benedict XVI after multiple days of voting.
Two prominent Greek Australians — television presenter Costa Georgiadis and barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC — have been immortalised among the finalists for this year’s Archibald Prize, Australia’s most prestigious portraiture award.
Georgiadis, the exuberant host of ABC’s Gardening Australia, features in The Green Man by Sydney-based artist Evan Shipard. The work, which marks Shipard’s first time as an Archibald finalist, offers a more contemplative portrait of Georgiadis than viewers may be used to seeing on screen.
“Costa is a warm, inquisitive individual, who is passionate about his causes and very interested in the painting process,” Shipard said.
“He is an animated character on screen, but I aimed to capture a quieter, more pensive moment that hopefully offers a fresh insight into this popular man.”
The portrait was created during a live sitting at the Bowral & District Art Society in the Southern Highlands. Shipard later added a personal touch in his studio, surrounding Georgiadis with figs and a floral arrangement — a nod to his Greek heritage and his flamboyant appearance at the recent Logies.
‘Portrait of Sue Chrysanthou’ by Peter Wegner. Oil on panel. 59 x 48.9 cm.
Chrysanthou, a Sydney-based defamation barrister renowned for her tenacity in the courtroom, is the subject of Portrait of Sue Chrysanthou by Peter Wegner, who won the Archibald in 2021.
Wegner was struck by Chrysanthou’s commanding presence during a livestreamed court case and was moved to paint her.
“I was impressed by her energy and the complex ritual of her questioning,” he said.
Far from a typical glamour portrait, Wegner embraced Chrysanthou’s rejection of social conventions.
“I also warmed to the fact that she doesn’t wear make-up, never combs her hair, never wears jewellery (except for a bracelet given to her by her four children) and is not on social media. In a world dominated by social expectations, I found these qualities refreshing,” he said.
“The painting reflects a professional moment, but I hope that Sue’s sideways glance takes the portrait beyond a senior counsel. In that time capsule, there is also a parent, pet owner, beekeeper, wildlife carer and alleged amateur breakdancer, with a huge enthusiasm for life.”
Both portraits are among the 57 finalists selected from more than 900 entries in this year’s Archibald Prize, which opens at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on May 10.
The Hellenic Pontian Genocide Commemorative Committee NSW – a joint effort of Pontoxeniteas NSW, Panagia Soumela Sydney and Diogenes Wollongong – is inviting the community to attend two special events this month commemorating the Greek Genocide.
On Sunday, May 18, at 9.30 am, a Divine Liturgy and Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos at 242 Cleveland St, Redfern, Sydney.
On Monday, May 19, at 7pm (doors open 6.30 pm), the Greek Genocide will be commemorated at NSW Parliament House.
The event will include the international book launch of Genocide to Regeneration: The Treloar Story, co-authored by Professor David W.G. Treloar and Dr Panayiotis Diamadis. The book focuses on the story of Colonel George Devine Treloar.
Colonel Treloar was the League of Nations’ Commissioner for Refugees in north-eastern Greece between 1922 and 1924, documenting with his camera the arrival of the Genocide survivors and their struggle to rebuild lives, families and communities.
The Committee’s aim is to raise awareness of the Genocides that were conducted by the Ottoman and Kemalist Turkish states in Pontos – the Black Sea coastal region of Anatolia (modern Turkey) – as well as the neighbouring regions of Thrace and Asia Minor between 1914 and 1924.
The commemorative events will also pay tribute to the Armenian and Assyrian peoples who endured the atrocities of the Genocide.
All are welcome to attend these events. For more information or to book your spot, click here or send an email to hcc.nsw1@gmail.com.
The Pallaconian Association of Canberra & Districts is inviting the community to a night of music, culture, and celebration at ΧΟΡΟΣ 2025 – Taste of Laconia, marking the Association’s 25th anniversary.
Join the festivities on Saturday, 24 May 2025 from 6pm in the Olympus Room at the Hellenic Club of Canberra in Woden.
Guests will enjoy a lively evening honouring Laconian heritage and hospitality — complete with a sit-down dinner and live Greek music performed by a 5-piece band from Sydney.
Tickets are $60 for adults and $25 for kids (12 and under) and are available now via this link.
Don’t miss this special milestone event — celebrate a quarter-century of community, tradition, and unforgettable Greek entertainment!
Event Details:
What:ΧΟΡΟΣ 2025 – Taste of Laconia
When: Saturday, 24 May 2025 from 6pm
Where: Olympus Room at the Hellenic Club of Canberra in Woden
Tickets: $60 for adults and $25 for kids (12 and under). Purchase here
John Pandazopoulos has concluded his term as Chair of Parks Victoria after 4.5 years, having extended his original appointment to support the organisation’s transition.
In a post on LinkedIn, Pandazopoulos reflected on his nearly eight years in total on the Board of Parks Victoria. He highlighted record government investment, 200 active capital works projects including St Kilda Pier, and the largest pier rebuilding program in 50 years.
During his tenure, Pandazopoulos said biodiversity funding and commercial income also doubled, leaving the organisation with a budget surplus and $300 million in cash.
Pandazopoulos thanked his colleagues for their support and welcomed incoming Chair Daniel Miller.
Alongside Mr Miller, there are also a number of other new appointments to the Parks Victoria Board including Professor Kate Auty, Graeme (Gus) Dear, Trent Nelson and Chris Newton. Lisa Marty and Gill Sparkes AM will remain as Board Members.
Lee Miezis was named as the new Chief Executive of Parks Victoria bringing new leadership and experience to the role as more Victorians are getting out to enjoy the great outdoors.
In a statement, Mr Miezis said, “I look forward to working with the team to ensure access to our beautiful, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors.”
Victoria’s Minister for the Environment Steve Dimopoulos also welcomed Mr Miezis’ appointment and said “his leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to improve access and experiences to Victoria’s great outdoors.”
“I want to thank the outgoing CEO, board chair and members for their commitment and dedication in overseeing a range of improvements and key projects across Parks Victoria during their tenure, and I look forward to working with the new members to ensure Parks Victoria meets the needs of all Victorians,” Mr Dimopoulos added.
The new Board brings a raft of skills and experience aligned to the new vision for Parks Victoria, including across community engagement, strategic governance, Traditional Owner engagement and financial management.
Parks Victoria’s estate attracts more than 100 million visits every year and the agency is focused on providing accessible and enjoyable experiences while protecting environmental and cultural values.
