His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia was among 350 distinguished leaders invited to a prestigious reception at the Federal Parliament in Canberra, honouring King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their recent visit to Australia.
In a warm interaction with the King, Archbishop Makarios relayed the greetings and affection of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as well as heartfelt wishes from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Photo: @RoyalFamily / X.
King Charles expressed gratitude for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s kind messages and recognised the Archbishop’s positive contributions to the Australian community.
Archbishop Makarios is set to meet King Charles again today, October 22, at a reception hosted by the Government of New South Wales, where he will also be joined by other religious leaders.
On a warm evening on Saturday, October 19, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music was buzzing with anticipation as the Australian Hellenic Choir Inc. (AHC) presented “Rebetiko Reimagined,” an unforgettable concert that paid tribute to the heart and soul of Greek music.
The event was a resounding success, with a sold-out crowd filling the venue to capacity. People arrived early, excitedly chatting about the performance ahead, and when the lights dimmed, the energy in the room was palpable.
The event was a resounding success, with a sold-out crowd filling the venue to capacity. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Leon Vitogiannis.Sandy Constantopedos.Heidi Spiliopoulos.Stefanos Maragkakis.The Australian Hellenic Choir.
As the first note resonated through the hall, the audience was immediately drawn into a journey through the rich tapestry of Rebetiko music. The blend of voices from the AHC, Heidi and Sandy, with instruments from the 30-piece orchestra was both nostalgic and innovative, and the room responded with heartfelt applause after every piece.
The audience was drawn into the performance.
What made the evening even more special was the deep sense of community, with Greek Australian youth leading the way, instilling confidence that the future of Rebetiko was in safe hands. Their passion and dedication to preserving this iconic genre while infusing it with fresh energy left the audience hopeful and inspired.
The concert, held in honour of Emmanuel Alfieris, who passed away earlier this year from a sudden heart attack, was an emotional tribute. His wife and daughter sat among the audience, visibly moved as the music unfolded. Jim Tsolakis, Founder and President of the AHC, gave a small speech reflecting on Alfieris’ support of the choir throughout the years.
Jim Tsolakis.
Official guests included the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, and the Very Reverend Archimandrite Fr Irenaeus. As the final song played and the performers took their bows, the entire room erupted in applause. The legacy of Rebetiko, passed down through generations, had come alive once more.
The event was a resounding success.
“Tonight felt like a celebration of life and heritage,” one attendee told The Greek Herald. “There was a sense of joy in the room. People were clapping, singing along, and by the end of it, you couldn’t help but leave with a smile.”
As the crowd filtered out into the night, there was an undeniable sense of unity and optimism. The future of Rebetiko – preserved and reimagined – felt brighter than ever.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
On the evening of October 19, Adelaide’s Olympic Hall came alive with transcendent melodies as over 200 people gathered to celebrate the rich legacy of Greek Laiko music.
Part of South Australia’s Odyssey Greek Festival, the event honoured the sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, a period widely described as the “golden era of Greek Music” – specifically for its role in shaping the cultural and emotional landscape of Greece during a time of significant social, economic and political change.
The cultural legacy of Laiko music
The name Laiko derives from the Greek meaning “of the people,” reflecting its role as a genre which was central to Greek folk music.
As the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of SA (GOCSA), Peter Gardiakos, explained: “[Laiko Music was] more than just entertainment, [it] became the voice of a generation, reflecting the everyday struggles, dreams, and emotions of a nation. It told the stories of migration, love, and the resilience of the human spirit, creating melodies that continue to stir the hearts of listeners across Greece and the diaspora to this day…”
A journey through the Golden Age
Under the musical direction of Nick Filippatos, the performance was a heartfelt tribute to a time when Laiko music was the soundtrack of everyday life for many Greeks.
Attendees revisited musical works by legendary composers such as Manos Loizos, Stavros Xarchakos, and Christos Nikolopoulos, and were taken on a journey through powerful lyrics and melodies given voice by icons such as Stelios Kazantzidis, Stratos Dionysiou, Haris Alexiou, Yiannis Kalaitzis and Litsa Diamanti.
The event featured a talented lineup of vocalists, including Jim Mountzouris, Nancy Karvouniari, Chris Kontoleon, and Paraskevi Siasios, each delivering powerful performances that paid homage to the legendary voices of the past, with the support of their accomplished ensemble. Together they re-created the magic and soul of the genre, connecting 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Greek Australians, including Philhellenes, to this golden age of music.
As the night unfolded, the audience embraced the invitation to sing and clap along, immersing themselves and participating in the spirit of the era.
The atmosphere was a mix of joyful nostalgia and deep cultural appreciation, with many attendees remembering the familiar songs and lyrics which would have, over the past 60 years, brought life to the homes of many and filled the air of countless Greek community dances, events and celebrations.
Paraskevi Siasios, a vocalist who made her debut into the genre of Laiko music at the event, emphasised to The Greek Herald the “vital” importance of ensuring the inheritance of Laiko music and that the songs continue into the future, acknowledging the struggle of the “Γιαγιάδες (grandmothers) and παππούδες (grandfathers) to maintain these songs.”
The evening ended on a high note, with the audience rising from their seats to dance to the exciting and energy filled melodies. The event will be remembered as a musical journey which not only honoured the passion and artistry of the Laiko period, but as a reaffirmation of the legacy these songs have had in shaping our shared and inherited Greek identity.
The event saw a packed-out crowd, hosted by A-Leagues and NPLW Victoria commentator Georgia Rajic, with FV CEO Chris Pehlivanis in attendance alongside referees of all experience levels who traveled from metro Melbourne and regional Victoria to mark the occasion.
FV extended a heartfelt thank you to every referee in its community for their unwavering dedication and commitment to the sport, and sent a huge congratulations to all the night’s award winners, listed below.
Award Winners
Rising Star Award This award is awarded to the highest-performing officials from the talent pool program, who have demonstrated enormous potential and development throughout 2024.
Thomas Rushton
Angelique Mangion
Futsal Awards Awarded to the best performing Male and Female Futsal referees throughout 2024.
Hugo Camargo
Maria Patrikis
State League Awards Awarded to the top three performing referees across the State Leagues.
Nick Tubby
Leo Crnogorcevic
Nathan Urbaniak
Local Hero Awarded to refer displayed outstanding dedication to the refereeing community and helped to foster a positive culture within refereeing circles and the wider football family.
Mile Jovanovski
Perry Mur
Daniel Papadakis
Michael McPhee
The Whistle Of Hope An extremely special award honouring the late Hary Milas’ legacy. Hary was a highly respected and much-loved member of not only the refereeing community, but the entire football community. He championed many great causes and was renowned for his communication, positivity, and selflessness.
Grant Roberts
NPL Men’s Referee Awards Awarded to the best-performing referee and assistant referee of the 2024 NPL Men’s season.
Referee: Michael Mammis
Assistant Referee: Marc Titto
NPL Women’s Referee Awards Awarded to the best-performing referee and assistant referee of the 2024 NPL Women’s season.
Referee of the Year: Courtney Van Deisen
Assistant Referee of the Year: Nikoletta Sotiropoulos
Referees Referee of the Year Voted on by the referees to highlight a peer who has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout the season.
When Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, the Antipodes periodical had just celebrated its first birthday. Since then, it has grown from a humble leaflet into the world’s longest-running Greek-English bilingual periodical. While Antipodes has flourished, Cyprus has endured a long and painful wait for reunification, filled with missed opportunities and dwindling hope.
GACL President Cathy Alexopoulos said, “Although a small country in population and land, [Cyprus] has managed to persevere, despite all the conquests it has endured over time. It is the people’s resilience, persistence, and may I say stubbornness, that has allowed their faith, language, and culture to survive.”
The periodical features accounts of life in Cyprus, essays, poetry, and art. The event brought the cultural richness of Cyprus to life with soulful singing by 17-year-old Tabitha Bourakis, Cypriot songs by Pavlos Andronikos and Argyros Argyropoulos, a Karyatides dance by students from Zenon, and a performance by Pegasus Dance School, Australia’s sole Cypriot dance troupe. To complete the multi-sensory experience, tantalising Cypriot delicacies were served.
Antonis Sammoutis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, highlighted the shared heritage of Greek and Turkish Cypriots as a “point of optimism.”
“The amazing dances performed by Greek Cypriots here today are the same dances performed by Turkish Cypriots. We are united by more than separates us,” he said.
Mr Sammoutis drew attention to Yiannis Milides’ study of Eurydiki Pericleous’ As Truthfully – the Life of Harita Mandoles. Harita’s pain at having witnessed the execution of 12 members of her family in Cyprus is mirrored by that of Sultan Kafir, who lost five members. Both sides have suffered deeply.
The High Commissioner hopes that by emphasising shared elements, it is possible to build bridges of understanding.
Maria Vamvakinou MP, married to Cypriot Michalis Michael, recalled, “Fifty years is a very long time. I remember vividly the first refugees who arrived in Australia in 1974.”
Ms Vamvakinou emphasised that the Cyprus issue remains a pressing concern, despite its lengthy history. She outlined missed opportunities for Cyprus’ reunification over the years, focusing on the Annan Plan.
“Where would Cyprus be today if the Annan plan had succeeded?” she questioned.
During her visits to the island, Ms Vamvakinou has observed the demographic shift.
“We are now in the second to third generation of refugees… What worries me is that we might forget. I am sure many won’t forget [in Cyprus], but people are moving on, and if you visit the refugee neighbourhoods in Nicosia, you will find the new reality and the emerging issues that Cyprus now faces. And those new realities include the large number of people who come to Cyprus illegally,” she said.
“We must keep the Cyprus issue alive on the global agenda so that it is not forgotten or abandoned.”
Labor MP Kat Theophanous has frequently condemned the illegal occupation of northern Cyprus by Turkey. It is deeply personal for her.
“For me, Cyprus is a collection of fragments: family stories, odd photos of pappou threshing wheat in Ashia, memories of plucking figs from a tree in Nicosia where I lived with my mother and brothers when I was young… our beautiful Yiannakis beach near Polis where dad was born, the prayer I whisper to my girls before bedtime,” she said, adding the emotions she felt when she visited her mother’s house in occupied territories.
Mr Sammoutis spoke of mothers with missing children, connecting the Cyprus tragedy to more recent tragedies around the world.
“I believe that if women in the Middle East had their way, there would not be wars today. The same would be the case for Russia and Ukraine,” he said, linking the tragedy of war to the subjugation of women.
His words certainly ring true as far as the female dominant leadership of Antipodes is concerned. President Alexopoulos and Vice President Andrea Garivaldi, who emceed at the launch, have put together a well-thought publication capturing the enduring spirit of the Cypriot diaspora and their unwavering commitment to keep the island’s plight alive in the global consciousness.
The Australian has unveiled its 2024 list of 100 leading innovators, showcasing talent from diverse fields including medicine, health, energy, art and design and e-commerce.
Five Greek Australians made the list of emerging entrepreneurs recognised for ambition and dedication.
Alex and Chris Naoumidis, co-founders — Mindset Health
Mindset Health has more than 30,000 paid monthly subscribers using its hypnosis-based apps to manage conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, menopausal hot flushes, and quitting smoking. The apps are designed to help users manage these chronic conditions using pre-recorded audio similar to meditation apps.
The start-up was founded in 2018 by Melbourne-based brothers and Monash University alumni Alex and Chris Naoumidis. In 2023, Mindset Health raised $17.8m in funding, with backing from King River Capital and Linktree founders Nick Humphreys and Alex and Anthony Zaccaria, among others. Alex Naoumidis says hypnotherapy is being more widely adopted.
“The global demand for our hypnotherapy programs – driven by healthcare practitioners who recognise their effectiveness in supporting patients and recommend their use – has proven our thesis and demonstrated the deep market appetite for easy-to-use solutions that can help people manage and live well with underserved health conditions,” he says.
Spiro Rokos and Paul Weingarth, co-founders — Slyp
Australian start-up Slyp is working to solve a number of problems with one tech solution. It is giving retailers more data about their customers, offering consumers more rewards when they shop, and trying to decrease the use of printed receipts in Australia. More than 10.6 billion paper receipts are printed here every year, often on paper that isn’t recyclable. The idea is a simple one: receipts are sent from the retailer to an app on your phone.
“By switching to a digital-first mindset, we can create a transaction experience that’s not only more convenient for the customer, but also more environmentally friendly for our planet,” CEO Paul Weingarth says.
He and co-founder Spiro Rokos now count some of Australia’s largest businesses, including Kmart, Chemist Warehouse, Country Road and Harris Farm, among their customers. As well as helping these companies go paperless, the Slyp platform matches retailer SKUs and data about shoppers to provide insights into in-store customers.
Alex Badran and Mario Hasanakos, co-founders — Spriggy
Photo: Anneliese Nappa.
According to research carried out by Spriggy, one of Australia’s most popular apps for teaching children about banking, 85 per cent of parents think it’s their responsibility to teach kids financial literacy, but 66 per cent of parents are reluctant to talk to their kids about money.
The Spriggy Pocket Money app is controlled by parents, who can schedule regular pocket money transfers that either go onto a prepaid card or into their child’s savings. Kids (aged six to 18) can view statement balances, while parents can monitor spending and set savings goals.
Spriggy, founded by Alex Badran (pictured) and Mario Hasanakos in 2015, has raised almost $60m from five funding rounds, with investors including Grok Ventures and National Australia Bank.
Daniel Danilatos, founder — Neara
Neara, founded by Daniel Danilatos in 2016, is on a mission to future-proof energy networks around the world. The Australian start-up uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse energy infrastructure to determine its lifespan and how it will fare in extreme weather events or natural disasters. The software can remotely design or redesign parts of the network to deliver on safety, efficiency and environmental responsibility recommendations.
“The utility industry is spending billions physically assessing and maintaining their ageing assets, and simultaneously trying to resolve how to integrate renewable assets,” says Neara chief commercial officer Jack Curtis. “Our platform enables a holistic approach to addressing these key challenges.”
The company, which services Australian clients such as Ausgrid and Essential Energy, as well as global clients in countries including the US and Ireland, secured $20m in Series B funding in 2022 and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies in 2024.
*Please note the above list includes the names of those who are recognised as Greek. If you know someone else, please email us at greek@foreignlanguage.com.au.
It was time for the second round matches of the All Nations Cup 2024 football tournament over the weekend. They were hosted at Egan Lee Reserve.
For the second consecutive game, Greece was held to a 1-1 draw, this time against Sudan, while Cyprus achieved its first victory, winning 1-0 against North Macedonia.
File photo.
Detailed results of the second round
Saturday, October 19 Group B Cyprus – North Macedonia 1-0 South Sudan – Iraq 5-1
Group D Turkey – Eritrea 2-1 Serbia – Mauritania 2-0
Sunday, October 20 Group A Greece – Sudan 1-1 Albania – Burundi 1-0
Group C Ethiopia – Australia 1-3 Zimbabwe – Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0
Churchgoers at Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Templestowe have raised concerns about the campaign tactics of Isabella Eltaha, a candidate for the Manningham council, after she distributed flyers despite being explicitly asked not to campaign during a Sunday service.
Eltaha attended the church as part of her election efforts, but the church president informed her that while she was welcome to participate, she “could not campaign during the liturgy or service.” This decision was made as the church sought to remain neutral, not aligning with any election candidates or political policies.
Despite these guidelines, a long-time church member, who requested anonymity, told The Herald Sunthat Eltaha proceeded to hand out flyers.
“I recognised her face from the posters across the street and spoke to her,” he recalled. “She came across as very polite and charming and told me she was an Armenian Christian.”
However, many congregants felt taken aback by her actions, deeming them “inappropriate.”
One parishioner commented, “There are better ways to campaign than going to a church you have been asked not to campaign at. It’s not a good look campaigning at a church.”
Additionally, some members expressed doubts about Eltaha’s authenticity in her campaign, especially after learning of her affiliation with the Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM).
According to Herald Sun, a senior parishioner said, “Our church is full of people of different ethnicities, and not everyone is Greek… I would not have a problem if she came to our church and was honest, but members are confused about whether she was being authentic.”
A young girl’s fascination with a historical figure ignited a lifelong passion.
Dr Spiridoula Demetriou was still a schoolgirl when her parents took her to their ancestral home of Messolonghi in the late 1970s. Surrounded by Lord Byron’s influences in the local architecture, artwork and toponymy, young Spiridoula’s interest sparked years of research. She shared this passion at the Greek Consulate of Melbourne on Saturday, October 19 in her presentation, titled “Lord Byron in art: The poet as a saviour of the Greek nation.”
Greek Consul General in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis asked for extra chairs to be added as audience numbers exceeded expectations. Dr Demetriou wasn’t surprised by the turnout.
“In Greece, he is a hero who cast the spotlight on our War for Independence,” she told The Greek Herald. “In Britain he was a poet, but he also has appeal to diasporans due to his work as a Philhellene.”
Despite years of academia, Dr Demetriou’s bilingual presentation was accessible, demonstrating Byron’s life and legacy through art and Byronic imagery. She took the audience on a journey through Byron’s life from poet to the “Messiah of the Greek War of Independence.”
“Lord Byron was not the first Philhellene to revive or die in Greece, but he certainly was the most famous,” she said. “In the 19th century Philhellenism developed into a global political and artistic movement advocating the freedom of the Greek nation.”
Byron was known to be uncomfortable with portraits.
“In today’s world he would not be a fan of selfies,” she said, proceeding to analyse well-known works by Richard Westall and Thomas Phillips, a lithograph by Adam de Friedel and others, including Theodoros Vryzakis’ The reception of Lord Byron at Messolonghi.
Prior to the keynote address, educator Vicky Petala gave a biographical account of the poet.
“He sacrificed himself for his ideas, for the freedom of Greece, drawing his last breath on 19 April 1824 in Messolonghi (aged 36) beside revolutionary Greeks,” she said. “His Philhellenic poetry, his ideals and the place of his death wakened international public opinion for Greece and gave new momentum for the revolution and Hellenic movement.”
She recited excerpts of his work, including the Curse of Minerva, a scathing poetic indictment of Lord Elgin’s removal of the Parthenon Marbles from Greece – a powerful critique of cultural plunder that continues to resonate today.
Roma Siachos, President of the Hellenic Writers Association of Australia, said, “Lord Byron was not only a great poet but also a fighter who dedicated his life to the freedom and independence of our country. His contribution to the Greek struggle is undeniable, and his sacrifice is a source of inspiration for us all.”
Siachos told The Greek Herald the event is held to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Lord Byron in Messolonghi. Greece’s Culture Minister Lina Mendoni inaugurated the exhibition ‘Byron and Greece,’ declaring 2024 as a year dedicated to Lord Byron and Philhellenism.
Those present were engrossed by the engaging presentation, emceed by Anthi Tzani, with speeches mixed with musical accompaniment by Stavroula Thomopoulou, Odysseus Kripotos and Evangelia Baxa. The melodies beautifully captured the spirit and emotion of Byron’s poetry.
“Finding the songs for the event was challenging. For example, Byron’s Maid of Athens involved a lengthy process starting with a Youtube clip,” Ms Baxa said. “But it was crucial to include the melodised works to make Byron’s work more accessible to the audience.”
Following the event, audience members lingered, discussing Byron’s legacy over wine and appetisers. Steve Kyritsis, president of the Hellenic Australian War Memorial, spoke of Byron’s philandering ways.
“An infamous seducer!” he joked, darting a mischievous glance at his wife, Mary.
Historian Jim Claven told The Greek Herald that Byron was a complex human being, a flawed superhero, capable of great empathy.
“Despite his flaws, Byron understood and appreciated the complexities of the Greek people and their struggle for independence. He was more than just a romantic hero; he was a man who truly cared about the cause he fought for,” Mr Claven said.
Christos Fifis took the stage following question time for an impromptu recitation of Miltos Malakasis’ 7-stanza poem Byron.
“It is a hard poem because of the Messolonghiot dialect, however it is important to show the influence of Byron,” Professor Fifis told The Greek Herald.
He drew attention to the quatrain where Malakasis explains he had experienced the excitement of meeting Byron in person because he was a “drop of blood” in the strong body of one of his Missolonghiot ancestors who was physically present there.
Bearing that in mind, those present all had the opportunity to meet Byron in spirit.
The Rugby League gods worked their magic at the NSWRL Harmony Nines over the weekend, when two nations making their debut at the tournament – Greece and South Sudan – met in the Open Men’s Emerging division final at Croom Regional Sporting Complex, Shellharbour.
Greece overcame being a man down after Tyrone Tsagalias was sin-binned for three minutes in the second half, when Leon Bakis scored the match-winning try regardless for a 16-8 victory.
In the Open Men’s, the Ozzy Cook Islands left their run until the final seconds, when forward Shaiquan Terekia barged through the middle of NSW First Nations Indigenous defence to score under the posts.
The First Nations players thought they had snuck away with the trophy scoring in the 14th minute to lead 14-12 with two minutes left in the 16-minute (two eight-minute halves) final. But the Cook Islanders had other ideas, eventually winning 18-14.
Captain Michael Lett accepted the cup from NSW Women’s Origin fullback Emma Tonegato.
“We’ve been coming here for a couple of years now. We fell short in the semi-finals last year but this year we promised ourselves we’d come here and change our luck around,” coach Richard Dean said.
“We took it up a notch and got the job done.
“We really only had one full session together but the majority of the boys were playing up on the Gold Coast in a Tri-series three weeks ago. So this is a team that knows each other and works for each other.
“They are very proud of where they’ve come from. Cook Islands may only be a dot on the map but a lot of people know much more about us because of Harmony Nines.”
Greece and the Cook Islands came away with the silverware in the Harmony Nines Men’s Open divisions 🇬🇷🇨🇰
“Very proud …” said coach Jim Pizanias, as his players chanted ‘Hellas! Hellas!’ (Greece! Greece!) behind him.
“Some of them are only 17. Our eldest is just 25 years-old. So the bulk are 18 or 19, which is good for Greece as we want to be up there in the future and these are the kids who can do it.
“It’s our first time at Harmony Nines and we’ve won it. How good?
“These boys know the Greek culture, it’s a part of them already. You see them – and hear them – proudly carrying the flag and supporting each other.”
Player of the match, No.7 Eddie Markopoulos, collected his medal from Tonegato, while captain Anthony Halikas explained how his side pulled off the maiden title.
“We’re still finding our feet, still getting the best out of each other, but all the boys stuck to the process and got the job done in the end,” Halikas said.
“It means everything to the boys to be the first team here for Greece.
