Ange Postecoglou has spoken candidly about feeling “really emotional” after being honoured by three nations during a special event at Australia House in London on Monday evening, November 4.
The Tottenham Hotspur FC manager, visibly moved, attended the Australian High Commission’s one-off celebration, titled An Evening with Ange, which recognised his rising star status in English football. In his own words, Postecoglou described himself as “a product of Greece but made in Australia,” reflecting on the journey that brought him to the pinnacle of English football.
The evening was a tribute not only to Postecoglou’s footballing achievements but also to the multicultural journey that has defined him. Surrounded by Australian sporting icons, including Matildas Clare Hunt, Charli Grant, and Hayley Raso, the 59-year-old was honoured by both Australian and Greek diplomats. Stephen Smith, the Australian High Commissioner to the UK, and Yannis Tsaousis, the Greek ambassador to the UK, both delivered keynote addresses in recognition of Postecoglou’s impact as a cross-cultural figure.
“He’s a great football coach, a great Australian, a great human being,” Smith told AAP. “He’s a great multicultural success, representing a modern, diverse, and tolerant country.”
Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Postecoglou spoke of the deep connection he feels to both Greece and Australia. “I do very much feel a product of Greece, but made in Australia, and feel really closely connected to both countries,” he said.
For Postecoglou, the night was not only about celebrating his achievements, but also honouring the sacrifices made by his parents as immigrants to Australia. “I feel very strongly about the journey I’ve had as an immigrant, not so much for myself, but to keep honouring my parents. The sacrifices they made for me to be sitting here tonight means the world to me, so I really want to thank them.”
A great evening with Ange Postecoglou and others from "Team Australia" at @SpursOfficial: CFO Scott Munn, Assistant Coach Mile Jedinak and Matildas Clare Hunt, Hayley Raso and Charlotte Grant. pic.twitter.com/Xvum3WVHGG
The audience, including his wife Georgia, was left laughing as Postecoglou shared anecdotes about his late father, Jim, and how his upbringing shaped him. “It’s not that he passed on any words of wisdom there – because he barely spoke to me,” Postecoglou quipped. “He was a dad of his generation, I never saw him because he was always working for his family.”
“You don’t reflect on it at the time, but now I think he wasn’t doing it for himself, he was doing it for the family, so that rubs off on you… He never kind of gave me any sort of praise, he was really hard on me, and that was annoying as a young person. You just want your dad to say ‘well done’ – he never said ‘well done’,” he added.
When asked whether he had always displayed leadership qualities, Postecoglou was quick to downplay his past as a player, saying, “I was an ordinary player, so we can start with that!” However, he acknowledged that he had always found himself in leadership roles. “I was always kind of in leadership positions. I don’t think I sought that, but people saw me in that kind of light from a very young age. I was captain of the club I grew up at (South Melbourne Hellas) from a very young age.”
“I enjoy that sort of shared vision that you can lead people through,” he concluded.
A private letter from 1998 has come to light revealing that King Charles, then Prince of Wales, regarded Orthodoxy as the sole Christian denomination unaffected by what he termed “loathsome political correctness.”
This perspective, voiced long before he ascended to the throne and became the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, could be interpreted as a veiled criticism of the institution he would later lead.
Photo: David Lay Auctions.
The letter, marked as “private and confidential,” was written from Balmoral Castle and addressed to Dudley Poplack, an interior designer who had worked closely with the royal family. Following Poplack’s death in 2005, the letter was sold at auction by Lay’s Auctioneers in Penzance, Cornwall, where it fetched over £1,700 (roughly the equivalent of $2,200 today), as reported by The Times.
King Charles has long shown admiration for the Greek Orthodox Church, the faith into which his father, Prince Philip, was baptised. This was reinforced by his description of the traditions of the Orthodox Church as “great [and] timeless.”
Greece and Serbia have agreed to strengthen their bilateral relations to ensure stability and security in the broader region. These key issues centred on defence cooperation were discussed in Belgrade between Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and his Serbian counterpart, Bratislav Gašić.
In #Belgrade I met with Defence Minister of #Serbia Bratislav Gašić. During our talks we discussed further strengthening the 🇬🇷 – 🇷🇸 defensive cooperation, in terms of training members of our Armed Forces, joint exercises, interconnection of our innovation systems & scientific… pic.twitter.com/WEOQMymaBs
Dendias, who was on an official visit to Serbia on Tuesday, November 5, was welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed expanding ties between the two nations, with a particular emphasis on defence cooperation. Dendias also expressed his gratitude to Vučić for the support Serbia provided during Greece’s firefighting efforts last summer.
“Greece supports lasting peace and security through good neighbourly relations, respect by all parties of rules-based international order and of the basic principles of international law,” Dendias remarked, outlining Greece’s approach to the Western Balkans.
Kicking off my visit to Belgrade, I was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Serbia @avucic. During our cordial meeting, we discussed the strong bonds of friendship between 🇬🇷 and 🇷🇸, and the strengthening of our defensive partnership. pic.twitter.com/VfwdURTJ4A
On the issue of Kosovo, Dendias reiterated Greece’s consistent stance. “Progress in dialogue is the only way to ensure stability and prosperity in the region,” he stated, emphasising the importance of dialogue for achieving long-term peace.
The Greek minister also pointed to significant potential for collaboration between Greece and Serbia in the defence sector. “We want to bring our defence ecosystems together,” Dendias said, referencing the new Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation as a key platform for this cooperation.
The Cypriot Australian community mourns the loss of Peter Yiannoudes, a beloved figure who had a pivotal influence on the success of Greek cinema in Melbourne.
Peter Yiannoudes was born in Vouni, a village near Limassol, Cyprus, in 1935. From 1950 he worked at various cinemas in Limassol as ticket seller and assistant projectionist. He migrated to Australia in 1956. A pioneer of Greek cinema in Australia, he formed a film company in 1958 called “Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures” together with Andreas Papadopoulos and Stathis Raftopoulos, to be joined soon after by Chris Louis from Sydney. They became the sole Greek (and other) film distributors in Australia, catering to the immigrant populations of the post-WWII period. He was also actively involved in community affairs. In 1972, he became a member of AHEPA, serving in various roles over the years, including as its national president in Australia 2016-2018.
In 1972, he became a member of the Executive Committee of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria, and served as its President from 1978 to 1990. From 1978-1996, he also served as President of the Federation of Cypriot Communities of Australia, and Vice-president of POMAK (World Organisation of Cypriots Abroad) becoming General Secretary of the latter in 1996-2003. From 1977 to 2003 he was President of the Justice for Cyprus Committee (SEKA). He was also involved in local fundraising and philanthropic efforts for members of the Greek and Cypriot communities. He has received several awards, including the Order of Australia Medal in 2013.
During a meeting with the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou held on Tuesday, November 5, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis asserted that regardless of the outcome of the upcoming election, Greece and the United States will continue to share a strategic relationship.
Mitsotakis also emphasised the need for Europe to develop a more mature geopolitical stance. “The time has come for Europe to roll up its sleeves and adopt different policies,” he said, underlining the importance of the continent’s evolution in the global political landscape.
Καταθέτουμε σε δημόσια διαβούλευση δύο σημαντικά νομοσχέδια: το νέο φορολογικό, στο οποίο αποτυπώνονται οι δεσμεύσεις μας όπως παρουσιάστηκαν στη ΔΕΘ, για τις σημαντικές φορολογικές μειώσεις για το 2025. Αλλά και το νομοσχέδιο για τον καθορισμό του κατώτατου μισθού μετά το 2027. pic.twitter.com/HzrYlstfKs
On the economic front, the PM reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing taxes, stating that “the government remains firmly committed to reducing taxes.” He added that “as long as the scourge of tax evasion is tackled, the government will be able to make targeted tax cuts.”
In her remarks, President Sakellaropoulou highlighted the growing significance of Europe’s geostrategic independence. “The importance of Europe’s geostrategic independence is highlighted,” she said. “Our country will work with whatever president the US people elect.”
‘The Vineyard’ in St Kilda (also known as ‘The Belly of the Beast’) has a long and rich ethnic-Australian heritage. After renowned architect Carlo Catani remodeled the original, humble boat shed in 1913 to complement his now famed ‘Catani Gardens’, thereby turning it into Victoria’s very first ‘Continental Tea Gardens’, it successively became the ‘Continental Cafe’, a European-style fish and chippery, then the ‘San Remo’ restaurant and nightspot, and finally entered into two distinct phases as we now know it, as the ‘The Vineyard’ restaurant and bar.
This nearly 120-years of hospitality was characterised by a singular trend – it was always in European-Australian hands, having been mostly owned and operated (as it is today) by Italians. What is much less known, however, is its enduring Greek lineage. Even under the Croatian owner-operators of the first phase of its existence as ‘The Vineyard’ (between 1963 and 1998), this steak house was managed by head chef, Pepe Pavlou. An off-the-boat Cypriot, Pepe dominated the venue with his huge personality and extraordinary cuisine-making skills, turning the venue into one of the three finest steak restaurants within the state.
Almost inadvertently, the new owner-operators of the second phase of ‘The Vineyard’ (from 1999 to the present day), the Iodice brothers Johnny, Alex and Adrian, have kept this Greek fire burning brightly. From the near-nightly bands, which boast strong Greek Australian line-ups, to the staff and clientele, the spirit of Pepe lives on.
‘Sienna Wild’ (composed of two Greeks, two Italians, a part-First Nations player and a true blue Aussie).
On the right night, you may well even find the Consul General of Greece to Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, never missing a gig with his many Greek-Victorian friends, casually bringing in other VIPs and colleagues for a dance or two while soaking up the uniquely European atmosphere of this St Kilda hot-spot. You’ll almost inevitably find the author of this article, an Italian-Greek Australian, joining our recently-promoted ambassador, to share plenty of laughs with the endless characters of all nationalities and backgrounds who so enliven our favourite bar.
And the stories of some of these characters, so imbued with Greek fire, are well worth recounting:
Stacey Pommer (nee Kelkipsakis), D.J., M.C., band-booker, promotor, musical impresario and all-round snappy dresser is the Thursday night ‘face’ of ‘The Vineyard’. Born in Athens to a Greek mother and an Australian father, Stacey was raised within musical royalty: his father was a long-time professional musician, specialising in percussion; while his mother, Elizabeth, managed a series of top bands, including one of my favourite Australasian outfits, ‘Dragon’.
Stacey has been entertaining audiences all around Melbourne traps for much of his young life, but has a particular fondness for St Kilda, with ‘The Espy’, ‘The St Kilda Bowls Club’ and ‘The Vineyard’ being his regular gigs. Stacey mentioned to me that he finds ‘The Vineyard’ to have the single most pronounced Greco-Italian ‘flavour’ of all the many nightlife venues he’s worked at, and while he’s not exactly certain why that is, he’s far from complaining. In fact, it’s always felt like ‘home’ to him (as with so many others). When not shopping around for his latest funky look, Stacey also spends a considerable amount of time advising and mentoring promising new acts, which is actually how he met our next Greco-Victorian musician…
Nick Nico (nee Soldatos) jokingly describes his friend and mentor, Stacey, as just like, ‘…a degenerate sailor from Piraeus.’ The two friends met one night at an open mic’ session at St Kilda’s ‘The Espy’, when Nick was hungry to relaunch his musical career. Having satisfied his parents’ (father from Patra; mother from Kalokastro) ambitions with his studies and graduated as a civil engineer and urban planner, Nick then spent a year playing as a session musician in London, before he returned to Australia to kick-start his career.
The pandemic then hit him hard – like so many – with the rolling lockdowns, so he turned that ‘spare time’ to creative ends, writing as many songs as his multiplicity of influences provided him with. With one brother (David) already a promising song-writer and another (Steve) an accomplished guitarist, Nick had a lot to live up to, but his self-belief and strong work ethic saw him triumph: his signature tune, ‘Wise Guys’, caught the attention of Stacey one night and the rest – as they say – is history.
Like his friend, Stacey, Nick is very proud of his Greek roots, interweaving Hellenic influences into his performances – inspired by rebetika, Nick plays the bouzouki as well as guitar and loves belting out old Cretan war songs and classics like ‘Minore Tis Augis’. He’s actually dedicated a Greek number or two to my diplomat friend, Emmanuel, and I at ‘The Vineyard’ after declaring, ‘This is for the two dinosaurs at the bar!’ That almost got him sacked! Almost.
‘Sienna Wild’ is a new band to start playing ‘The Vineyard’, but they’ve already made a strong impact and are gathering fans. Composed of two Greeks, two Italians, a part-First Nations musician and a home-grown Aussie, they’re not just wonderfully reflective of the diversity of St Kilda (and our state) but very talented. Their debut single, ‘Inside Out’, showcases their ability, with lead singer, Louis, demonstrating a vocal range that is mature beyond his years.
Bar manager Jeremy Wilson (nee Yiallourou) & Magic Mikey (who knows a lot of Greeks)
Like his bandmate and fellow Greek-Victorian, John Giokas, Louis Goutos is both exceptionally proud of his Hellenic origins and acutely aware of walking in the footsteps of St Kilda musical giants. ‘The Vineyard’ gives him the opportunity to play out this ‘Homeric sensibility’, just as both musicians did when they played bouzouki in Greek bands at the start of their musical careers. Louis reminded me how much he cherishes his ethnic-Australian identity, as he’s not just a history teacher by day, but is proficient at both modern and ancient Greek. In fact, as Plato – that most profound of ancient Greek philosophers – once put it, ‘Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.’ ‘Sienna Wild’ live out that axiom within The Belly of the Beast.
When all of these gifted musicians need to pour a libation to the Old Gods (or grow tired of Platonic thought), they turn to the bar, where they are often greeted by the Cypriot Australian bar manager of ‘The Vineyard’, Jeremy Wilson (nee Yiallourou). Channeling the spirit of Pepe Pavlou, Jeremy works his magic at the cocktail counter, whipping up such divine elixirs that his ‘workbench’ is always a flurry of activity. In his inventive ‘madness’ he’s even named a drink after yours truly – if you’re feeling particularly risqué, request a ‘Wolf’ and see how that energises your taste buds. You may well end up on that slightly chaotic dancefloor, once the spirit of Dionysus uplifts you.
The Jenny Souris Foundation’s (JSF) fundraising gala, held on Wednesday, October 16 at Le Montage in Lilyfield, Sydney, brought together more than 300 attendees from the community in a heartfelt effort to support four-year-old Jack, who is courageously battling Stage IV Neuroblastoma.
Through the generosity of attendees and donors, the Foundation raised an astounding $100,000, which will go directly toward Jack’s life-saving treatment in New York.
The evening featured an elegant gourmet dinner, live entertainment, a silent auction, a car raffle, and stirring speeches that celebrated resilience and community solidarity.
Auctioning off the Cristiano Ronaldo jersey.Raffle winner.
Guests heard powerful stories from those who know firsthand the challenges that families face when confronting a serious illness, including moving remarks from Jaimee Thompson, Jack’s mother, who shared the four-year-old’s journey with raw emotion and gratitude for the community’s overwhelming support.
Jaimee Thompson.
The gala was emceed by Tim Gilbert, with guest speakers Mina Souris (husband of the late Jenny Souris), Michael Souris (Jenny’s son), and Sam Phylactou, CEO of M&J Chickens, who each shared the Foundation’s dedication to helping those in need.
Special guests included NRL Bulldogs legends Terry Lamb, James Graham, and Josh Reynolds, as well as Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton and Chairman Adam Driussi, all of whom demonstrated their support for Jack and the Foundation’s mission.
The Greek Herald proudly supported the event as a media partner, helping raise awareness for the Foundation’s work and the urgent needs of children like Jack.
The Foundation extended its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making the event a success. Funds raised will enable Jack to access critical treatment, bringing hope to his family and a chance for the four-year-old to overcome this life-threatening illness.
In a powerful demonstration of grassroots activism, young Greek Australian entrepreneur George Moulos will embark on a transformative 1,200 km journey across Greece on foot, aiming to uplift local communities through charity work and storytelling.
The initiative, known as the “March Across Greece,” will showcase the resilience and spirit of the Greek people while shining a light on the challenges they face, often overlooked by governmental support.
Whilst also being a Guinness World Record attempt for the fastest crossing of mainland Greece from north to south on foot over the 30 days, daily stories will be documented and published on YouTube and Instagram.
Motivated by a desire to connect with and support local Greeks, 26-year-old George will begin this ambitious trek on 7 November to 3 December 2024. The project will not only aim to raise funds for local orphanages and charities but also seek to amplify the voices and stories of those who call Greece home.
“This has never been done before,” George said.
“I realised that while many are eager to help, there’s a disconnect between the government and the communities in need. I want to take matters into my own hands and show that change can start with one young person’s commitment.”
As George journeys through various towns and villages, he will document the lives, struggles, and triumphs of everyday Greeks. Through interviews and personal stories, the “March Across Greece” will aim to humanise the experiences of individuals facing economic hardships, social challenges, and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.
“I first wanted to do it as it would be a challenge of my own mental and physical will. Then I realised that I could do more than just satisfy my own goals with this. I want to do this feat because it would indicate that any young Greek can achieve the extraordinary with small daily work. This is who this march is for, the youth of Greece,” George told The Greek Herald.
“I’ve also always wanted to get a real experience of Greece. Not just Athens and a couple popular destinations. The great experiences are in the small villages and isolated areas. That’s where I want to go and explore.”
The campaign is expected to garner significant attention, attracting volunteers and supporters eager to contribute to the cause. The funds raised will directly support Greek charities focused on the youth of Greece with George’s business Ecommerce-Brokers.com covering all expenses of the journey and 100% of funds raised going to Greek orphanages in partnership with the Greek America Foundation.
“Every step I take will be a reminder that even small actions on a daily basis can lead to significant changes in the long term for our country, and our continent,” George added. “I hope to inspire others, especially young Europeans, to engage with their communities and take initiative when they see a need.”
The “March Across Greece” will not just be a fundraising effort; it will serve as a call to action for young people across Europe to take charge and make a difference, emphasising the importance of storytelling, local engagement in addressing social issues.
On November 20, the team behind the proika project invites you to the launch their multimedia exhibition, melding fashion, photography and conversations.
proika (pree-kah) – or in Greek, προίκα – encompasses the physical and metaphorical heirlooms passed on from generations of Greek Australian families.
Artist Demi Kromidellis, designer Maria Koutsoukos and journalist Marianna Alepidis have joined forces to bring the vision of the proika project to life.
Hosted in the Thematikos x MBO Tailors creative space, the exhibition will showcase photographs taken in a selection of Greek immigrant homes, featuring clothing made from reused materials and stories exploring the history of homeowners Thomi Kalavrianos, Panagiotia Mavraganis and Christine Boursinos.
“proika is an immersive, contemporary perspective on Greek culture in Australia. This exhibition will embody a new way of viewing ethnic culture in Australia, promoting viewers to see what particular cultural elements truly bound us together as a community,” the team said.
“It invites people to imagine what our Greek heritage in Australia might look like in the future.
“After migration, there is an inevitability of native culture diluting, particularly through settling in and adapting to a new country. However, there will never cease to be conversations about Greek immigration to Australia, especially as it relates to those who made their voyages in the mid 20th Century.”
Produced by bespoke network Yitonia, proika asks what early Greek Australians perceive of newer generations’ current performances of heritage and where they think their treasure trove of items will go after they move on.
“Over decades they have collected their own rich stories, doilies, experiences and knick-knacks. Unfortunately, as they start to close in on their circle of life, we want to ensure that we have conversations with them that understand their perspective, and while we might not take on all the furniture, or crystal ware, or intricate cross-stitching creations, we can find ways to reinterpret them in our own way,” the team said.
After the launch event, the exhibition will be on reduced display for the following four weekends until Sunday, December 15.
The proika project is supported by sponsors Pitliangas Food Group. The community can also throw their support behind the project by donating via donorbox.org/proika-project.
Launch Event Details:
Wednesday, 20 November
7:00pm
16 Cubbit St, Cremorne, 3121
On street and paid parking available on Gwynne St.
More than 300 guests gathered at the Star International Reception on Sunday, November 3 for a vibrant celebration of the Melbourne Cup, hosted by the Greek Women’s Network (Heliades) and the Greek Australian organisation EEAMA.
This annual event has become a beloved tradition, eagerly anticipated by members of both organisations who join together in excitement to honour Australia’s most famous horse racing event.
The packed venue came alive with Greek music, dancing, and a joyful atmosphere as attendees embraced the festive spirit. True to the Melbourne Cup tradition, guests dressed to impress, with many women wearing elaborate and eye-catching hats, adding a distinct flair of elegance to the celebration.
One of the event’s highlights was a fashion parade, judged by the well-known Harry Konstantinidis, whose humour delighted the audience. Konstantinidis was tasked with selecting the top three hats, which received awards for their creativity and style.
The culinary experience also took centre stage, with Christos Sardelis curating a gourmet menu that exceeded guests’ expectations, adding to the evening’s enjoyment.
Organising committee members, including Heliades Vice-President Sylvia Kourkouvelis, Mary Lefteriotis from Heliades, and Vetta Kalaitzis, a board member of EEAMA, were instrumental in the event’s success. They worked tirelessly to ensure the celebration captured the excitement and spirit of the Melbourne Cup.
The evening was beautifully documented by volunteer photographer Petros Sachar, whose images captured the celebration’s vibrant energy, joy, and style.
