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Archbishop Makarios of Australia meets with Greece’s Religious Affairs Minister

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Archbishop Makarios of Australia meets with Greece’s Religious Affairs Minister

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia met with Greece’s Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki, in Athens on Friday, April 11, to discuss strengthening ties between the Greek government and the Greek Orthodox church in Australia.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Education, the Archbishop offered his congratulations on Zacharaki’s recent appointment and conveyed the blessings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Sofia Zacharaki.

The discussion focused on key issues affecting the Greek diaspora in Australia, with both parties agreeing to deepen collaboration between the Ministry and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA).

Minister Zacharaki praised the Archbishop’s leadership and the Church’s contributions to the Greek community in Australia, while Archbishop Makarios expressed gratitude to her, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the Greek Government for their ongoing support of the diaspora.

Pioneering children’s Easter holiday program at St Dimitrios Moonee Ponds a success

The Greek Herald
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Pioneering children’s Easter holiday program at St Dimitrios Moonee Ponds a success

Last Friday, the parish of Saint Dimitrios Moonee Ponds held its pioneering immersive Children’s Easter Holiday Program.

Over 100 children of all ages were given a crash course in all things pertaining to Orthodox Easter.

The children participated in a re-enactment of the Raising of Lazarus and the Last Supper. They were taught how to read the icons of Holy Week and to identify their symbolism.

Children also learnt the traditional carols sung in Greece on the Saturday of Lazarus and were introduced to the customs of Holy Week: they baked lazarakia, paschal koulouria, they dyed and decorated their paschal eggs, as well as decorating their Easter Candles.

The teachers who conducted the program took pains to provide the children with an understanding of the unique Orthodox perspective regarding Easter and some of the participants then went on to chant the Apodeipnon and the Canon of Lazarus at Saint Dimitrios Church.

The program was attended by children of all ages, and significantly of diverse ethnicities.

Late equaliser helps Sydney Olympic grab a point against St George City

The Greek Herald
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Late equaliser helps Sydney Olympic grab a point against St George City

A 90th minute equaliser helped Sydney Olympic earn a 1-1 draw against St George City FA at Penshurst Park on Saturday evening, April 12.

The game was marked by two goals at the death of each half to force them into splitting the points, a disappointing result particularly for City who have scored just one win from their past seven league matches.

The game started quietly with the first half-chance created by Olympic in the 16th minute from a corner kick that fell towards Jack Armson in the box, with the midfielder striking the ball with venom as it sailed wide of the right post.

City responded with a genuine chance in the 23rd minute after the ball found its way to left winger Fumoto Kamada, who met it in the box and cut inside before releasing a shot on his weaker right foot that also went of the right post.

The best opportunity of the game came in the 28th minute after some beautiful play from the hosts led to striker Marc McNulty unleashing a strong effort in the box that smacked into the left post and ricocheted across goal, eventually going out for a goal kick.

St George City managed to take the lead in the 44th minute in fortuitous fashion after Kamada delivered a cross from the left that lobbed over goalkeeper Jack Gibson and deflected into the goal off the right post.

The Blues nearly equalised in the 56th minute when left winger Adam Parkhouse drilled a powerful low ball across goal towards Cyrus Dehmie, though the striker struggled to get control on his first-time shot as it sailed over the crossbar.

City came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage in the 59th minute through Jesse Photi, who struck the ball nicely to force Gibson into a strong save, tipping the ball over the bar.

Parkhouse and Dehmie combined again in the 65th minute with the former delivering a fine cross towards the marksman, who met it with a header that missed the target.

The pair then switched places with another chance in the 83rd minute with Dehmie finding Parkhouse in the box, but the Olympic captain’s shot went straight towards goalkeeper Jack Kenny.

The travellers eventually found an equaliser in the 90th minute with substitute Teng Kuol scoring from point-blank range after the ball was flicked towards him by a defender from a corner kick.

St George City coach Manny Spanoudakis stressed his pride for the effort from his players, particularly given the number of injuries to their senior squad.

“They worked hard. We had a game plan which I think worked, albeit we conceded a very late equaliser. We had a couple very good chances in the first half, including hitting the post, so there are a lot of positives to take out of the game,” he told Football NSW.

“I am disappointed for the boys. It is always hard to cop a goal in the 90th, but all in all there are very positive signs…I think we will get a lot of confidence out of this result.”

Spanoudakis highlighted his belief that the team is in good form with their results not matching their performances, further stating the great work done by the squad with their numerous injuries and especially the youngsters that are coming in.

“We are bringing in a lot of young guys and they are doing really well, so I don’t think we are in bad form. We have had bad results but in every game we have contested and there a lot of positives, and that is what we are going to focus on.”

Olympic coach Labinot Haliti stated his belief that his team deserved something out of the game, commending the players for backing up in what was their third game in the last week.

“I thought we deserved something out of the game. We came up with a point away from home and we will move on,” Haliti told Football NSW

When asked what Olympic did well in the second half, he went on to say.

“Just the intent and the purpose we had when going forward and winning the individual battles…I thought the goal came late but it still came at the right time. That is football.”

Match Stats

St George City FA 1 (Fumoto Kamada 44’)

Sydney Olympic 1 (Teng Kuol 90’)

Saturday, April 12, at Penshurst Park

  • Referee: Kelly Jones
  • Assistant Referees: Blake Sanchez-Cruz and Liam Smith
  • Fourth Official: Mitchell Renton

St George City FA: 1. Jack Kenny, 2. Matthew Wahby (14. Luca Ruegg 79’), 9. Marc McNulty (16. William Kounnas 79’), 10. Paolo Mitry (6. Tarik Ercan 62’), 11. Fumoto Kamada, 15. Nathan Grimaldi, 17. Noah Ovens, 18. Goncalo Agrelos (12. Kai Kamikura 85’) , 19. Jesse Photi, 23. Dakota Askew, 25. Brodie Clarkson

  • Substitutes Not Used: 12. Kai Kamikura, 21. Kaisem Mahdi, 32. Mitchy Jomaa
  • Yellow Cards: Goncalo Agrelos 12’, Jesse Photi 82’
  • Red Cards: Nil

Sydney Olympic: 1. Jack Gibson, 3. Connor O’Toole (28. Doni Grdic 34’), 5. Ziggy Gordon, 7. Michael Vakis (16. Bailey Callaghan 46’), 9. Cyrus Dehmie, 10. Jack Armson, 11. Adam Parkhouse, 12. Zac Zoricich (19. Gianni Di Pizio 88’), 14. Seth Clark, 17. Joshua Hong, 22. Dylan Ruiz-Diaz (18. Teng Kuol 66’)

  • Substitutes Not Used: 13. Monty Partington, 19. Gianni Di Pizio
  • Yellow Cards: Jack Armson 54’
  • Red Cards: Nil
  • Player Ratings:

3: Fumoto Kamada (STG)

2: Adam Parkhouse (SO)

1: Teng Kuol (SO)

Source: NPL NSW.

Debbie Voulgaris’ daughter defends her mum amid jail term in Taiwan for drug smuggling

The Greek Herald
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Debbie Voulgaris’ daughter defends her mum amid jail term in Taiwan for drug smuggling

The daughter of Debbie Voulgaris, an Australian mother-of-five imprisoned in Taiwan, has spoken publicly for the first time about her grief, calling her mother’s 15-year sentence for drug smuggling a devastating injustice.

Voulgaris, 57, was arrested in late 2023 after arriving at Taoyuan International Airport with around 4 kilograms of heroin and a smaller amount of cocaine concealed in her luggage.

She initially denied knowledge of the drugs but later admitted to carrying them unknowingly, claiming her ex-husband was behind the operation.

“She’s alone, trapped in a place she never deserved to be, carrying pain that was never hers to carry — away from her children,” said her daughter Maria, 25, in an interview with ABC.

“The pain of being oceans away from my mum… it’s unbearable.”

Voulgaris pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years in prison, later reduced on appeal to 15 years and two months.

Her legal team argued she had been manipulated due to her history as a domestic violence victim and was unaware of a hidden compartment in the suitcase.

For the first eight months of her incarceration, Voulgaris was barred from contacting her family.

Since the ban was lifted, Maria and her brothers have spoken with her by phone and visited her twice in person. Other visits have been separated by a screen.

“Trust can cost you everything — that’s what happened to my mother,” Maria said. “Her kindness, her gentle innocence… that’s what led her where she is today.”

Voulgaris, who has struggled with anxiety and health issues in prison, remains on medication but is said to be maintaining her spirit.

“Still, she shows nothing but kindness to guards and inmates and tells us to explore the beauty of Taiwan when we visit,” Maria said.

“She is always the first to show up when someone needed help,” Maria added.

“She strongly believes that the universe will correct what was wrong, even if she can’t see when or how.”

Source: ABC.

Luke Alexandrou joins forces with cousin to carry on family tradition at Royal Easter Show

The Greek Herald
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Luke Alexandrou joins forces with cousin to carry on family tradition at Royal Easter Show

Luke Alexandrou, 22, is continuing a proud family legacy as a fourth-generation contributor to the Western District display at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Alexandrou and his cousin James Leys spent hours last Thursday night laying Dorothy’s yellow brick road out of corn, just ahead of the public opening of the district exhibits’ 125th anniversary showcase.

The cousins are among a group of volunteers behind the Western District’s entry, which competes alongside Central, Northern, and Southern NSW regions for prizes recognising both produce quality and creative display.

“Every year we still come back, and we’re only volunteers. But we do it because our great-grandfather did it, our grandfather did it, our mothers did it. Why would we not do it?” Leys told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Despite rising costs that have already pushed South-East Queensland out of the competition, Alexandrou hopes the tradition continues.

“If it’s still around,” he said.

“It’s dying, but it can pick itself back up. A perfect example is South-East Queensland: they just ran out of money. It gets too expensive, especially since COVID.”

He added that if the tradition survives, future generations in their family will also take part. “They won’t have much choice,” Leys joked.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show runs until April 22.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald.

Victorian Court increases fine to $3 million over workplace death of Michael Tsahrelias

The Greek Herald
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Victorian Court increases fine to $3 million over workplace death of Michael Tsahrelias

A Victorian company has been ordered to pay a $3 million fine over the workplace manslaughter of subcontractor Michael Tsahrelias, after the state’s Court of Appeal ruled the original penalty was too lenient.

According to ABC News, Tsahrelias was killed in 2021 when a forklift, driven by LH Holding Management Pty Ltd owner Laith Hanna, tipped while reversing down a slope at the company’s Somerton warehouse and crushed him.

The incident, described as “harrowing,” was captured on security cameras.

Initially, the company was fined $1.3 million—the first conviction under Victoria’s workplace manslaughter laws. However, following an appeal by the Office of Public Prosecutions, the fine was more than doubled.

On Friday, April 11, appeal judges acknowledged the company’s conduct was not the worst case of workplace manslaughter, but involved “a very significant departure from acceptable safety standards.”

Laith Hanna. Photo: AAP Image.

They also noted the fine may go unpaid due to the company’s financial state, but said it must reflect the need for general deterrence.

Prosecutors also attempted to increase the penalty against Hanna, who was fined $120,000 and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service. That appeal was dismissed.

WorkSafe health and safety director Sam Jenkin told ABC News that Tsahrelias’ death was “a completely preventable tragedy” caused by employer negligence.

“While no penalty will ever make up for a life lost, today’s decision reinforces that WorkSafe — and the courts — will hold negligent employers accountable when they fail in their ultimate responsibility to protect the lives of their workers,” he said.

Source: ABC News.

Two men charged with alleged murder of SA man Bill Frangos

The Greek Herald
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Two men charged with alleged murder of SA man Bill Frangos

Two men have been arrested and charged over the alleged murder of 74-year-old Bill Frangos, whose body was discovered following a house fire in Woodville Gardens, Adelaide, late last year.

Police allege Frangos was murdered before his body was found by firefighters inside his Essex Street home on November 7, 2024.

Emergency services were called to the scene just after 4am, after a passer-by noticed an “orange glow emanating from the premises.”

Following an extensive investigation and public appeals, Major Crime detectives on Friday arrested a 27-year-old man from Novar Gardens and a 27-year-old man from Fulham Gardens.

Both have been charged with murder, arson, and destroying human remains.

Photo: NewsWire / Dean Martin.

In March, police stated the “net is closing” on the suspects and alleged the house was set on fire more than three hours after Frangos was killed.

A woman named Catherine, speaking to 7NEWS, described witnessing one of the arrests.

“I then heard a big bang and saw a car rolling across my front yard,” she said. “They pinned down a gentleman on the floor. It was quite loud and quite confronting.”

In December, police released CCTV footage showing two men and a red Ford Falcon XR6 utility believed to be in the area that night. The XR6 has since been located, and detectives had been searching for a second vehicle.

Frangos, described as a “well-known” member of the local community, lived alone with his dog.

The accused men are set to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court this week.

Source: The Advertiser.

James Tsindos’ family want answers after his preventable death at Victorian private hospital

The Greek Herald
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James Tsindos’ family want answers after his preventable death at Victorian private hospital

Four years after the death of 17-year-old James Tsindos, his family has spoken publicly for the first time, calling for accountability over what they say was a preventable tragedy at Holmesglen Private Hospital’s emergency department, operated by Healthscope.

James, a Brighton Grammar student and gifted pianist, died in May 2021 after suffering a severe anaphylactic reaction from inadvertently consuming cashew-based sauce.

He was taken by ambulance to Holmesglen, where he later went into cardiac arrest and sustained a catastrophic brain injury.

“I’m burying my son, and I don’t really know what happened,” his father, Harry Tsindos, told 60 Minutes.

“I’ve got a kid that walks into an ambulance, says to me, ‘Dad, I’m fine,’ and I’m burying him. What went wrong is that we took him to Holmesglen hospital. That’s what went wrong.”

Paramedics had administered two doses of adrenaline before transferring James for observation. As he arrived at the hospital, he began to wheeze — a sign the medication was wearing off — but this was not passed on to the triage nurse.

Despite using his asthma puffer and showing signs of respiratory distress, James was triaged as a category three patient, to be seen within 30 minutes, and placed in isolation for a COVID-19 test rather than in a resuscitation room.

“James at that point of triage could have and should have gotten immediate adrenalin,” Sharri Liby, the Tsindos family’s lawyer, said.

“That’s the drug that is the baseline standard of care for anybody having an anaphylactic reaction.”

His mother, Venetia Tsindos, said the inaction in an emergency setting remains unfathomable.

“It’s not only frustrating, but it’s tragic and traumatic to try and come to terms with the fact that first aid wasn’t actioned in an emergency hospital,” she said.

James’ sisters, Kristina and Georgia, said their brother’s death should never have happened.

Kristina, Elpida and Georgia Tsindos with a photo of their brother James who died after suffering an anaphylactic reaction. Photo: Wayne Taylor.

“I personally don’t think they should have an emergency department,” said Kristina.

“They should scratch their whole emergency department.” Georgia added, “I’m angry that he didn’t get to live his life … it was so preventable.”

The Tsindos family said the knowledge that a single dose of adrenaline could have saved their son has left them devastated.

“What they should have said is, ‘We are sorry. This shouldn’t have happened. James should still be alive. We screwed up, bad’,” Harry said.

Healthscope, owned by Canadian asset manager Brookfield and burdened by $1.6 billion in debt, is under scrutiny following multiple patient deaths in its private emergency departments.

CEO Tino La Spina said the company is cooperating fully with the coronial inquest into James’ death and will implement any recommendations.

“We have expressed our deepest sympathies to the families of Antoinette O’Brien and James Tsindos,” La Spina said, acknowledging rare but serious failures in patient care.

Source: 9Now.

Extremist group claims responsibility for Athens train office bombing

The Greek Herald
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Extremist group claims responsibility for Athens train office bombing

An emerging extremist group, ‘Revolutionary Class Struggle,’ has claimed responsibility for a bomb that exploded Friday, April 11, evening near the offices of Hellenic Train, Greece’s main railway operator, and for a separate device planted near the Labor Ministry in early February.

The explosion caused limited damage and no injuries. Perpetrators had called two media outlets 40 minutes in advance to warn of the blast.

In a lengthy statement posted Sunday, April 13, the group framed the attacks as part of an “armed struggle against the state,” dedicating them to “the Palestinian people and their heroic resistance.”

They also paid tribute to Kyriakos Xymitiris, who was killed last year while assembling an explosive device in Athens.

The attack comes amid ongoing public outrage over the 2023 railway disaster, Greece’s worst, which killed 57 people and injured dozens more.

The crash, caused by trains accidentally being placed on the same track, exposed major safety flaws in the system and led to mass protests against the conservative government.

Revolutionary Class Struggle linked the accident to broader systemic issues, calling it one of many “murders” of the working class by capitalists.

“With the blood not yet dry, they attributed the accident to human error and the ‘chronic deficiencies of the Greek state,’ in effect demanding even more freedom of movement for capital, more privatisations and new attacks on any remaining state-owned infrastructure,” the group stated.

Hellenic Train, responsible for passenger and cargo transport, was sold to Italy’s Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane in 2017. The state-owned Hellenic Railways retains responsibility for infrastructure maintenance.

Greek authorities are investigating the attacks, analysing security footage of one or two suspects and tracking potential cellphone activity.

Officials describe the perpetrators as part of a new wave of domestic extremists, continuing a tradition of politically motivated violence dating back to the 1970s.

Source: AP News.

Greek naval cadets disciplined for anti-Turkey chants during March 25th parade

The Greek Herald
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Greek naval cadets disciplined for anti-Turkey chants during March 25th parade

A Greek naval inquiry has concluded with disciplinary action against cadets involved in chanting offensive slogans against Turkey during the March 25th military parade.

The incident involved members of the Navy’s Non-Commissioned Officers School (SMYN), and while penalties were issued based on rank, no cadets were expelled.

In response, a senior officer with the rank of captain has been appointed as the new commander of the school—the first time such a high-ranking official has held the post.

Photo: AFP Photo.

The investigation was launched immediately after the parade to determine the facts and assign responsibility.

Both Greece’s military and political leadership condemned the incident, emphasising the importance of discipline and restraint.

Turkey denounced the chants as “arrogant” and “unacceptable,” and formally requested an explanation from Greek authorities through diplomatic channels.

Source: Ekathimerini.

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