Manousos Manousakis, a well-known director with a long career in Greek television and cinema, has died at the age of 74.
According to Protothema.gr, Manousakis was recently hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit of Hygeia Hospital in Greece with a respiratory infection.
Manousakis was loved by the Greek public, with work titles that have captivated millions of TV viewers and have become an integral part of pop culture.
Born in 1950 in Athens, Manousakis studied directing at the London Film School in England. When he returned to Greece in the early 1970s, he started working initially in cinema.
Manousos Manousakis, a well-known director with a long career in Greek television and cinema, has died at the age of 74.
One of his first works was the film Bartholomew in 1973, which he wrote, directed and produced. The film received a special mention at the San Remo Film Festival that same year, but was banned in Greece by the junta.
Other film productions followed, such as Arkhontes in 1978, and The Scarecrow in 1985.
In the mid-1980s, he took his first steps as a director of television series’. He directed the following series’: Goblin Jobs (1985-1986), Micrographies (1986-1987) and The Best Years (1989).
The drama series’ he directed are based on forbidden love stories, while some of them (Heart Whispers, Soul Touch,Don’t say goodbye to me, Love came from afar) are considered to be among the most successful in the history Greek television.
With the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane joined the weekend celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Parish-Community of Saint Euphemia in Bankstown, Sydney.
The festivities began with an anniversary dinner on Saturday evening, November 16, where Bishop Bartholomew read an official message from Archbishop Makarios.
The Bishop also reflected on his personal connection to the parish and honoured the legacy of those who served the community over the decades.
He paid special tribute to the late Parish Priest, Father Michael Apostolopoulos, and recognised the late Parish Council President, Panagiotis Theofilou, for their tireless dedication to the parish.
The current Parish Priest, Father Panagiotis Protopsaltis, was praised for his two decades of service, with Bishop Bartholomew acknowledging him as a humble and well-loved priest. He also expressed gratitude to Presvytera Irene Protopsaltis, emphasising her vital role in supporting the parish.
The evening featured traditional Greek dancing performed by the parish’s dance group.
To conclude, awards were presented by Bishop Bartholomew, Father Panagiotis, and Parish Council President Chris Spiropoulos, recognising the contributions of volunteers and honouring the families of those who served the parish and have passed away.
Lily Konstantin from Casimir Catholic College has been named the NSW State Winner in the Migration category of the National History Challenge.
Lily’s moving submission told the story of her grandmother’s inspiring journey from Greece to Australia in the 1950s. Through her work, Lily captured the challenges and determination needed to build a new life in a foreign land.
The awards ceremony celebrated not only the family’s story, but also the power of history to connect generations.
The National History Challenge, a free research-based competition for Australian students, fosters curiosity and engagement with history.
The Greek Herald understands the building where M.I.M. by 1821 is located will be demolished as part of a new major development linking into nearby George Street.
Managing Director at Universal Hotels Jim Kospetas told The Greek Herald “this is not goodbye, but see you soon.”
“1821 was a passion project that was very close to my heart. My love for my Greek heritage and upbringing has always been a great inspiration behind our hospitality venues,” Mr Kospetas said.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved over the last eight years and looking forward to delivering premium Mediterranean infused offerings across our many venues.”
Universal Hotels has been operating in Sydney since 1998 and operates eight successful venues located in Sydney CBD and Darlinghurst.
Mr Kospetas said the group will be launching a casual Greek concept at Tempe Hotel next year, whilst also focusing on Sydney’s Inner West where they recently bought The Riverview Hotel.
The last day of trade at M.I.M by 1821 will be November 20.
The Greek Australian community has raised concerns over the potential demolition of Stockroute Park and the Discobolus sculpture at Sydney Olympic Park, as outlined in the NSW Government’s Draft Masterplan 2050.
This redevelopment plan threatens a significant cultural legacy that was a gift from the Greek community to Australia ahead of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Stockroute Park, located on Herb Elliott Avenue, includes mature olive trees donated by Greek Australian communities and Discobolus, an artwork by renowned artist Robert Owen.
Some of the Hellenic cultural legacy at the park. Photos supplied.
Established in the late 1990s, this “art-park” was funded entirely by Greek Australians, supported by international Greek organisations and Greece’s government, and coordinated with the Olympic Coordination Authority (OCA). It forms part of the “Hellenic Tribute Trilogy,” which commemorates the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004 Games.
The park and its installations were enhanced between 2009 and 2010 in preparation for the Sydney Games’ 10th anniversary. Collaborations between Greek Australian groups and international Greek institutions introduced interpretive signage and artistic elements that celebrated Greece’s contributions to the Olympic movement.
The wall explaining the artwork and including the names of donors.
Designed as a lasting acknowledgment of Greece’s contributions to the Olympic movement, the park has since become a significant cultural and historical landmark, and was officially recognised by the NSW Geographic Names Board in 2010.
Some of the names of the sponsors.
Despite this, Stockroute Park and its iconic Hellenic features face removal to accommodate mixed-use commercial development at Sydney Olympic Park.
The Draft Masterplan 2050 envisions a transformation of the 650-hectare site into a bustling urban precinct with housing, schools, and mixed-use spaces. This vision comes at the cost of several heritage sites, including Stockroute Park.
Prominent Greek Australian organisations and individuals have called for urgent action. They are urging the community to voice their concerns during the public consultation period, which closes on November 25.
To learn more or submit feedback on the Draft Masterplan 2050, visit the Sydney Olympic Park Authority’s exhibition site here.
A heartfelt GoFundMe campaign has been launched by Melbourne woman Vicky Karitinos, aiming to bring her mother, affectionately known as “Yiayia Dina,” back home to Australia after a tragic medical emergency abroad.
In October, while travelling in Greece, Yiayia Dina suffered an ischemic stroke, leaving her paralysed and requiring extensive medical care. She has been in hospital ever since, far from the comfort of her family and community in Melbourne.
Vicky is now raising funds to cover the cost of a medically assisted evacuation flight, which is essential for Yiayia Dina’s safe return. The specialised service is critical given her mother’s vulnerable condition and the level of care required during the journey.
Photo: GoFundMe.
“We need help to get her home where she can receive the best care and have the ongoing support of family and friends,” Vicky shared on the fundraising page. “Your support would mean the world to mum and our family. Thank you xx.”
The campaign highlights the emotional and financial toll of medical emergencies occurring far from home and underlines the importance of community support in times of need.
A Melbourne businessman and former CEO of Aqua Botanical, Terry Paule, has been embroiled in a legal dispute with chemist Bruce Kambouris and former Aqua Botanical CEO David Driver over financial and business dealings related to the company.
Kambouris, who developed Aqua Botanical’s groundbreaking system to convert vegetable waste into drinking water, faced financial struggles while attempting to sustain the business. Living in a factory room in Mildura, he resisted Paule’s efforts to gain a disproportionate stake in the company despite inadequate initial funding.
According to The Australian, the legal case was heard in the NSW Supreme Court, which delivered a judgment on November 8, 2024. The court ordered Paule to pay $24.4 million to Kambouris and Driver, citing breaches of agreements and fiduciary duties.
While some claims were successful, it is important to note that allegations of “unconscionable conduct” brought under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (sections 12CA and 12CB) were dismissed by Justice Michael Ball. The court ruled that these claims failed to meet the required standards of evidence, as detailed in paragraphs 168 to 183 of the judgment.
Terry Paule.
The court heard Paule manipulated corporate structures to strip control of the technology from Kambouris and Driver, ultimately relocating intellectual property to a UK entity without their approval. This move diluted their shares to 49.8% and excluded them from directorships, despite prior assurances.
Justice Ball described Kambouris and Driver as “vulnerable to abuse” by Paule due to their lack of corporate resources.
The case also involved allegations concerning Paule’s use of company funds raised for Aqua Botanical to cover legal expenses. However, Justice Ball found that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims. Specifically, in paragraph 187 of the judgment, the court noted that the material provided did not establish that these actions were contrary to the interests of shareholders or unfairly oppressive.
This ruling has brought both clarity and controversy to a case that has attracted significant public interest. While some aspects of the court’s findings were unfavourable to Paule, others, including serious allegations of unconscionable conduct and misuse of funds, were rejected outright.
Paule maintains that he acted within the bounds of corporate governance and plans to appeal certain elements of the decision.
Source:The Australian.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to clarify the findings of the NSW Supreme Court judgment in the case involving Terry Paule. The original version included inaccuracies regarding the court’s rulings on unconscionable conduct and the use of funds.
A chorus of excited voices filled the air as students from the Balwyn campus of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) schools practiced their Greek language skills in the great outdoors.
The students moved to the soundtrack of Vangelis Papathanasiou’s ‘1492 Conquest of Paradise,’ a timeless piece that evokes the spirit of determination. Focusing on movement and music, Greek language was incidentally used as students trained for the upcoming Greek school Olympics at Box Hill Athletic Club on Saturday, November 23.
Katerina Poutachidou, the school’s drama teacher and the driving force behind the Olympic project, juggled schedules to coordinate nine competing schools with hundreds of students. Four tell her they are pulling out at the last moment. It’s like herding cats, but Katerina doesn’t skip a beat, finding new pairings and soon enough everyone is rehearsing again.
Her experience and passion are evident as she guides students through their performances culminating in a dance of Olympic circles and ‘We are the world’ sung in Greek. Their teachers egg them on, and everyone joins in, young and old.
“Imagine students of all schools singing ‘We are the world’ together in unison, waving the flags that they’ve each designed to represent them,” Katerina says.
The project is more than just a fun activity; it has been a unique learning opportunity that combines art, movement, music and Greek language.
“It’s more fun than just doing orthografia (dictation) and antigraphy (copying text),” Jana Mouratidis, one of the primary school students involved, says.
Christina Emmanouil, her friend, agrees. “We like visually learning, actually doing things,” she says.
Atticus Siolis also shares his enthusiasm: “We learnt about ancient team sports in the Olympics. We learnt about water polo, one of the first Olympic sports. It’s a more interesting way of learning language. It makes me want to come to school more.”
The Olympic Museum, a central part of Balwyn campus’ participation in the Olympiad, is a testament to the students’ creativity and knowledge. It is the culmination of philosophical discussions held in classrooms about the Olympic ideals, history, mythology and sports. Teacher Mary Lefteriotis says it looks effortless, but a lot of work was done in class.
“We took the opportunity to learn about the sports and had discussions around this,” she says.
Principal Maria Bakalidou says that apart from the presentations, there will be actual sports competitions.
“This event embodies the values of friendship, respect, and fair play,” she says. “We’re proud to instill these values in our students.”
She acknowledges the hard work of the teachers and students.
“Unity and peace were ideals of the ancient Olympic Games, and we’re bringing all our schools together in this spirit,” she says, adding that it is an ambitious venture teachers have lost sleep over.
“It will be a day they will always cherish.”
The older students will pay homage to Cyprus on the 50th anniversary since the Turkish invasion of the island. This, too, ties into the general theme of the Olympics – unity and peace.
From traditional Greek sports to modern athletic events and a presentation of Cyprus, the students are ready to showcase their skills and cultural heritage. From the lighting of the torch, games to the grand finale, the spirit of ancient Greece will live on in the hearts of these young athletes.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome for a day of learning, celebration and fun.
NSW public servants have been recognised for their outstanding service and community impact at the 2024 Premier’s Awards event, held on Monday night in Sydney.
This year’s eight award categories reflect the different ways the NSW public service enhances the lives of communities across the state.
With more than 240 nominations received, this year’s awards celebrated a strong field of finalists who represent the highest standards of integrity and service that lie at the heart of the NSW public sector.
This year, Bev Lazarou of Legal Aid NSW was recognised as the 2024 NSW Public Servant of the Year. The Public Servant of the Year Award recognises an individual who demonstrates a commitment to shaping an exceptional public service.
Ms Lazarou is a highly respected leader in the sector, having devoted herself to supporting women affected by domestic, family and sexual violence. Her work spearheading the co-location pilot program has created a ground-breaking model that ensures women and children experiencing violence receive coordinated and timely support.
Each year, the Anthea Kerr Award is presented to a future leader in the public sector, a person who displays outstanding achievement and a deep commitment to public sector values in their work. This year’s Anthea Kerr Award winner is Samantha Walters from the Department of Communities and Justice.
Ms Walters works tirelessly as a caseworker supporting children in out of home care. She has a track record of passionate advocacy for young people with disabilities, and adolescents facing significant hardships and challenges. She maintains an active role as a leader and a role model, despite not being in a management position, and is known for going above and beyond for the most vulnerable children of NSW.
The 2024 Premier’s Award winners are:
NSW Public Servant of the Year: Bev Lazarou, Legal Aid NSW.
Anthea Kerr Award: Samantha Walters, Department of Communities and Justice NSW.
Building a resilient economy: Uptown District Acceleration Program, Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport.
Connecting communities: Digitisation: Records of Stolen Generations, Museums of History NSW.
Driving public sector diversity: Early Birds & Night Owls, Australian Museum.
Excellence in service delivery: Howlong Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), NSW Ambulance.
Highest quality healthcare: RPA Virtual Wound Care Command Centre, Sydney Local Health District.
World class education and training: Birrany and Mulungan Program, Department of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water.
The Premier of NSW Chris Minns said “the Premier’s Awards recognise the dedication of our public sector workers on behalf of our communities.”
“All our nominees contribute to building an exemplary public service and delivering essential services that people rely on,” Mr Minns said.
“Our public service workforce is helping our government to build a better NSW, as we work relentlessly on behalf of the people of our state.
“I want to thank all our public sector employees and give a special congratulations to our finalists this year.”
The Premier’s Department Secretary Simon Draper said “the incredible leadership and commitment of our Premier’s Awards finalists is a testament to the work that our public service delivers week in week out, as they serve the people of NSW.”
“Congratulations to all our deserving winners and finalists,” Mr Draper added.
Three brothers buzz around their kitchen. One checks the oven, another whisks away, the third weighs out more ingredients. Every so often they check over yiayia Panagiota’s recipe to make sure they’re on track.
Yiayia Panagiota isn’t around anymore, but her recipes are, and her three grandsons George, Andrew and Peter Samothrakitis are making sure they’re kept alive with their own hands.
The brothers admit that although they love all their family members the same, their bond with yiayia Panagiota was particularly special.
“Our yiayia was that person in our life, no different to any other yiayia and their story, and the way they came down from Greece and the things they went through. But for us, she was that person. She was the only person that we could go to and talk to. She supported us even more than our parents would, more than the other grandparents would, more than anyone would,” they said.
Seemingly, out of the blue, tragedy struck the family as they learned that yiayia Panagiota was diagnosed with a rare lung disease.
Yiayia, undeterred by her illness, continued cooking in her kitchen, even with the oxygen tank dancing about her feet.
“She was a fighter to the last day. She would be in the kitchen with her walker and the oxygen, still wanting to cook and provide for the family,” they said.
Struck by the loss of their beloved yiayia, the young men found their own way to keep her resilient spirit alive. Not long after finishing year 12, Andrew took the first steps in collating her recipes and put together a book to share with the family.
“I started creating a recipe book with the boys. Pappou and I started to cook all her dishes again and try to remaster them and write everything down. I can’t tell you the amount of times we failed,” Andrew explained.
“We tried to make sense of her sticky notes here and there with all the recipes. Luckily pappou remembered a lot of the stuff she used to make, because he used to help her. And that way we slowly made the cookbook full of all her recipes for the family.”
A trip to Greece would then light the fire that bubbled their thoughts and inspired them to push for something greater.
“Andrew and I went to Greece for a big Euro trip. We visited yiayia’s brother in the village as well, in Sparta, and that gave us a bit of a wake up call. We thought, ‘we’re going to do something more for yiayia.’ She taught us so much when she was still around. We’re going to try to give back and keep her legacy alive,” Peter said.
Fuelled by their yiayia Panagiota’s love, resilience and generosity, the Samothrakitis brothers created Yiayia’s Glyka and officially kicked off sales in August of this year.
“Having lost her so suddenly, from such a cruel disease, triggered something inside us to do more about our culture and our heritage and to share the memories that we had with her. It wasn’t about business at all. It was about missing going to her house and giving us advice about life,” George said.
“The lung cancer that she had was so vigorous and there was no research or support related to it, and we thought we need to just do something to help with that as well. As soon as we knew yiayia was going through that, we realised how many others must be going through the same thing. Our recent collaboration with the Lung Foundation gave us a huge wake up call.”
So far, the brothers have raised $729 and hope to hit the thousands soon through general donations and sales.
Yiayia’s Glyka will be selling their desserts tonight (Wednesday, November 20) at the opening of the proika exhibition. The exhibition opens at 7pm and is being held at ‘the garazi’ (16 Cubbit Street, Cremorne). Register here.
