Iran launched approximately 200 missiles targeting Israel, marking a significant escalation following the deaths of key leaders from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
In Israel, warning sirens blared throughout the country with residents reportedly hearing substantial explosions in major cities, including Jerusalem.
The attack was described by the Greek Foreign Ministry as “a serious escalation and increases the threat to regional security.”
The Greek government strongly condemns Iran’s attacks against Israel. This is a serious escalation and increases the threat to regional security. Greece stands by the people of Israel and their right to live with security. Greece reaffirms its call for immediate de-escalation. pic.twitter.com/YlNmr7l4Gz
According to Sydney Morning Herald, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gathered his security cabinet for a late-night meeting following the attack, declaring “Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed what he described as “escalation after escalation.”
“This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire,” the official announced.
Concerns for Cyprus’ Safety
International flights with destinations in the Middle East were diverted to Cyprus on Tuesday evening, October 1 as Iran launched a series of missile strikes on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.
Public anxiety has been raised by residents of Cyprus, with a number of missiles having been visible from the island’s coastal towns and cities.
Voters gearing up to have their say at the 2024 local council elections in Victoria will have to navigate a raft of changes before any boxes are ticked.
More than half the state’s 79 councils have moved to single councillor wards – many of them with new names – and up to a million ratepayers who were previously given an automatic right to vote, now have to enrol.
Voters looking forward to a democracy sausage will also be disappointed, as the 2024 council elections will be conducted via postal vote rather than in person.
The official election day is October 26 but all votes must be posted by 6pm on October 25.
With this in mind, The Greek Herald has compiled a list of all the candidates of Greek heritage who will be in the running in your local council electorate.
Melbourne City Council
Mayor: KOUTOUFIDES, Anthony
Mayor: ANATOLITIS, Esther
Councillor: ZERVOS, Nicolas Paul
Carlton FC legend Anthony Koutoufides to run for Melbourne Lord Mayor. Photo: Anthony Koutoufides / Facebook.
Banyule City Council
Bakewell Ward: ROUMELIOTIS, William
Sherbourne Ward: GIOVAS, Michelle
Bayside City Council
Ivison Ward: BATZIALAS, Nicholas
Bleazby Ward: SOLDATOS, Jerry
Dendy Ward: GEORGOULOS, Paras
Boroondara City Council
Maranoa Ward: PATTAS, Chris
Studley Ward: STAVROU, Nick
Brimbank City Council
Albanvale Ward: RASPA, Kristian
Copernicus Ward: PAPAFOTIOU, Georgina
Copernicus Ward: KORONEOS, Stefan Christopher
Copernicus Ward: HAVELAS, Aristea
Mount Derrimut Ward: VORGIATZIDIS, Tayla
Horseshoe Bend Ward: TACHOS, Virginia
Georgina Papafotiou.
Casey City Council
Casuarina Ward: LAZAROS, Rex
Darebin City Council
North Central Ward: TSALKOS, Vasilios
South East Ward: DIMITRIADIS, Emily
South East Ward: TSIGARAS, Elias
West Ward: ZEMBEKIS, Leon
Emily Dimitriades.
East Gippsland Shire Council
TREVASKIS, Ian
NICHOLAS, James
Frankston City Council
Ballam Ward: SOLIS, Cristy
Glen Eira City Council
Mallanbool Ward: PALAMARAS, Nick
Greater Geelong City Council
Cheetham Ward: METRIKAS, Jon
Deakin Ward: KATOS, Andrew
Hobsons Bay City Council
Altona North Ward: DAMASOLIOTIS, Alexandra
Hume City Council
Jacksons Hill Ward: KARAGIANNIDIS, John
Kingston City Council
Bunjil Ward: ATHANASOPOULOS, Tony
Wattle Ward: EREVNIDIS, Georgia
Manningham City Council
Bolin Ward: TAFIDIS, Dimitrios
Ruffey Ward: GRIVAS, Jim
Ruffey Ward: PALIOURAS, Amanda
Maribyrnong City Council
Saltwater Ward: SOUMILAS, Terri
Merri-bek City Council
Brunswick West Ward: TAPINOS, Lambros
Harmony Park Ward: PANOPOULOS, Angelica
Harmony Park Ward: POLITIS, Helen
Pentridge Ward: HELOU, Anthony
Randazzo Ward: ROLOGAS, Kosta
Randazzo Ward: ALLIMONOS, Voula Paraskevi
Westbreen Ward: THEODOSIS, Katerine
Westbreen Ward: PAVLIDIS-MIHALAKOS, Helen
Lambros Tapinos.
Monash City Council
Banksia Ward: ATHANASOPOULOS, Arthur
Scotchmans Creek Ward: DAYANDAS, Bill
Wellington Ward: KLISARIS, Paul
Moonee Valley City Council
Queens Park Ward: VASILOGIANNACOPOULOS, Peter
Moyne Shire Council
DOUKAS, Jim
Nillumbik Shire Council
Swipers Gully Ward: MITROPOULOS, Terry
Edendale Ward: BAKOS, Andrew
Stonnington City Council
Malvern Valley Ward: KLISARIS, Jami
Wattletree Ward: STEFANOPOULOS, Steve
Swan Hill Rural City Council
SARANTIS, Jana
Warrnambool City Council
Central Ward: SYCOPOULIS, Peter
Wellington Shire Council
Northern Ward: ILIOPOULOS, Christos
Whitehorse City Council
Terrara Ward: MANOS, George
Lalor Ward: HAJICHRISTOU, Nicholas
South Morang Ward: FILIPPOPOULOS, Andrew
Thomastown Ward: STAVRAKIS, George
North Ward: KRASSOS, Mary
Yarra City Council
Hoddle Ward: GLYNATSIS, Michael
Lennox Ward: RAZOS, Peter
*NOTE: If you have Greek heritage and believe you should be on this list, please email us at editor@foreignlanguage.com.au.
New funding will support an Australian-first project that brings together engineering students and diverse communities in search of solutions.
RMIT first-year engineering students are meeting with community groups in Victoria and New South Wales to co-design and prototype innovative engineering solutions to solve community problems. A recent surge in support has seen the funding pool increase from $10,000 to $40,000, bringing the total to $210,000 until 2030.
The project sits within RMIT’s Humanitarian Engineering Lab, co-led by Dr Spyros Schismenos and Dr Nick Brown, and its recently established HERCULES – which stands for Humanitarian Engineering Research Consortium: Understanding and Leveraging Engineering with Society.
It is a collaboration between RMIT and SydWest Multicultural Services, Settlement Services International (SSI) and PRONIA – all not-for-profits (NFPs) which work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
Dr Schismenos, lecturer in humanitarian engineering, oversees the project.
“Humanitarian engineering issues are complex. The point of this program is that students understand the power and responsibility they have, even as engineers in training, to help address these issues,” Schismenos said.
“Students focus on a range of topics, including energy, housing, health, and domestic and family violence.
“About 1,500 students in Australia’s biggest engineering degree work with communities and our partner NFPs to prepare a proposal for community needs. The most potentially impactful of those go onto meet with community groups and services and, together, develop their idea into a product or a service.
“I hope many of the students will go onto develop their prototype, whether it be through study – such as a capstone subject or even as a Masters or PhD – or as a startup.”
Group photo with SydWest seniors and staff, Jeremy Chu and Mike Engelsman from the University of Technology Sydney, RMIT students and Dr Spyros Schismenos.
The initial round of funding saw humanitarian engineering students awarded $10,000 from SydWest to develop prototypes to help improve outcomes for the Blacktown community in NSW. Their prototypes focused on issues such as housing crisis, energy insufficiency and sanitation.
Community talks for the first round of the expanded project have already kicked off, with students travelling to Sydney to speak with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) seniors at SydWest in early September. They also met with staff from Settlement Services International.
Humanitarian engineering student Tahlia Torcasio has led prototype presentations back to community leaders.
“My team is focused on hoarding in social housing. An elderly lady in the workshops said she is having this problem on her front porch, with clutter spilling over from neighbours,” Torcasio said.
“She is the sweetest lady, which has given team members even more motivation to help her.
“We’re looking at solutions around sanitizing the area, making it safer, and making the spaces more accessible to seniors like her.”
Peter Kan, an RMIT civil engineering student, also visited Blacktown in the pilot program.
“I think it’s clear to all 20 of us who received the funding that it’s no longer an engineering and social sciences assignment for our studies,” Pan said.
“It’s become emotional. You’re sharing Tai Chi and morning tea with the seniors, visiting local areas and connecting in a WhatsApp group. And at the same time, you’re learning a lot more about the engineering design process in practice, especially when working with culturally diverse seniors who have so much to share.”
RMIT students and SydWest staff engaging with culturally diverse seniors in Blacktown.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to empowering engineering students and supporting communities to co-design solutions to some of our most pressing challenges.
“Diverse communities face numerous challenges, often punctuated by inequality and lack of opportunity afforded to other sectors of society. SSI supports refugees, people seeking asylum, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people living with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander communities, women, youth, families and LGBTIQA+ communities,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
“By working with RMIT University and HERCULES consortium partners, we’ll provide a unique engagement experience that supports students in their educational pursuits and helps communities co-create place-based solutions.”
SydWest Multicultural Services CEO, Elfa Moraitakis said the impetus to join the HERCULES consortium grew from the students’ response to the RMIT SydWest Engagement Challenge where she saw first-hand the impact of collaboration that comes from genuine engagement.
“Working from a strength-based perspective enables individuals and communities to provide insights and solutions to the challenges impacting them. This approach enables students to develop these skills early in their career and to design engineering solutions with the end-user in mind,” Moraitakis said.
“The Western Sydney region is a diverse and vibrant area with a mix of unique challenges and creative insights and perspectives providing students with a rich learning ground.”
After almost 40 years, the Kiriakidis family have sold Nina’s IGA at Hamilton in Newcastle as owners George and Nina want to enjoy their retirement.
The family made the announcement on Facebook and confirmed that Monday, September 30 was their last day operating the store after selling it to another family.
“The past months have been a time of reflection for all of us. Reflecting on the past 37.5 years in our little store,” George and Nina wrote on Facebook.
“And with today being the day that we, as a family, move on from here and hand over the store to the care of another family, we have nothing but profound gratitude to have been of service to so many.”
George and Nina thanked customers for their “patronage and friendship.”
“It is difficult to fully express just how seriously we have taken this service; together with some of the challenges, hopes, dreams and aspirations that come with being part of such a diverse community,” they wrote.
“All we truly want to say on this day is thank you God, for this magical life so far. And thank YOU to all of our wonderful customers for your humbling love, support and appreciation of our little grocery store.”
The sad news travelled fast with many customers commenting on Facebook and thanking the Kiriakidis family for their hard work and service to the Newcastle community.
The Greek Community of Melbourne’s Schools (GCM) successfully completed their Greek Cooking Classes for Adult Students on Thursday, September 26, at the Greek Centre.
Participants learned how to prepare traditional Greek dishes such as spinach pie, galaktoboureko, and moussaka.
In a warm and welcoming atmosphere, the adult students honed their culinary skills while gaining a deeper appreciation for Greek gastronomy and its cultural significance. They experienced the essence of a typical Greek meal, which is rooted in love and the spirit of sharing.
Anthi Tzani, teacher and coordinator of the Modern Greek for Adults program, highlighted the importance of these classes: “This experience not only connects our students to one another but also strengthens their bond with Greek culture and tradition, enhancing their enthusiasm and love for learning the Greek language.”
These cooking classes are part of GCM Schools’ holistic, experiential teaching approach, reflecting the school’s mission to integrate language learning with culture and tradition.
Football Australia have welcomed a number of new appointments to the Subway Socceroos’ coaching and support staff under the direction of Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach, Tony Popovic.
These appointments, set to commence with Football Australia today, reflect Popovic’s vision for the Subway Socceroos as the team aims to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup™ in 2026.
Tony Popovic made the appointments. Photo: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images.
The following individuals will join the Subway Socceroos’ coaching and support staff:
Assistant Coaches
Paul Okon
Hayden Foxe
Goalkeeper Coach
Frank Juric
Specialist Roles
Michael Mantikos – Team Analyst
Julie Meek – Sports Dietician
Upon making these appointments, Popovic said: “I am excited to welcome these talented individuals to our team of coaching and support staff. Each of them brings a wealth of experience and expertise that will be instrumental in our journey ahead.”
“Together, we will work tirelessly to develop a dynamic and competitive Subway Socceroos’ squad that embodies the spirit of Australian football. Our goal is to not only achieve success on the pitch but to also foster an environment where every player can thrive and reach their full potential,” Popovic added.
Well-known ‘Good Samaritan’ and founder of CrashClaim Accident Management, Nick Karagiannis, has pleaded guilty to secretly defrauding his former employer out of half a million dollars.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, while working as general manager with former employer Suttons Motor Group in Homebush, Karagiannis “juggled” money and caused a financial disadvantage of $475,675 to the company between 2016 and 2019.
The “juggling” involved organising for customers to pay for cars through his personal bank account and reimbursing his employer from his own account. Karagiannis wasn’t able to catch up with those repayments and his debt grew.
Nick Karagiannis surprises aspiring Olympian with generous gift back in 2021. Photo: Supplied / A Current Affair.
In an interview with NSW Police after they were notified, Karagiannis said the accounts team knew what he was doing and many people had their “finger in the pie.” He said he gained no financial advantage, but admitted to owing money.
“I think I owe around $450,000… half a million dollars,” he said.
Since being fired by Suttons, Karagiannis founded CrashClaim Accident Management and became well-known in the Greek community for many brave and philanthropic acts. He has also been awarded an Australian Bravery Decoration.
After pleading guilty to dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception, Karagiannis will be sentenced in November.
A large wildfire near Xylokastro in eastern Corinthia, Peloponnese, that started on Sunday and claimed two lives, remains uncontrolled, according to fire service spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis.
Vathrakogiannis stated that the fire began at 10 a.m. on Sunday, but strong winds, reaching up to force 8, caused it to quickly spread beyond control.
“The fire has a large perimeter and is spreading through mountainous areas in the Municipality of Evrostini-Xylokastro. However, we are not dealing with a single front,” Vathrakogiannis said and added that it could be tomorrow before the fire is brought under control.
“It seems that today we will not be able to declare the fire as having been contained. That is a conversation we can have from tomorrow.”
Firefighters try to fight the blaze. Photo: Kathimerini.
Additionally, Nikos Lavranos, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Fire Service Employees, informed Kathimerinithat the fire front has now stretched to 32 kilometres.
“This is one of the most difficult fires we have faced this season, with the front stretching 32 kilometers, even though it is not continuous,” he said.
Authorities have ordered the evacuation of six villages, and two people have tragically died as a result of the fire.
The fire service has deployed 350 firefighters, 110 vehicles, and 18 aircraft (seven planes and eleven helicopters) to battle the blaze. On Monday afternoon, 13 more vehicles from the Western Macedonia region were added to the firefighting efforts.
Two firefighters have suffered minor injuries—one from respiratory issues and the other from an eye injury caused by water spray.
The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved a ground invasion of Lebanon, according to The Australian. The US has confirmed limited incursions have already begun.
Israeli media reported the cabinet approved boots on the ground, as the Israeli military told journalists not to report on troops movements.
Israeli officials “have informed us that they are currently conducting… limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists.
The First Images of Israeli M109A5 “Doher” 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers in the Upper Galilee Region of Northern Israel firing on Hezbollah Positions tonight, in support of the Israeli Ground Invasion of Southern Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/H5UXVYRz50
The 41st Dimitria Festival was officially opened in Sydney on Sunday, September 29 with a Cocktail Party at Ramsgate RSL.
The Dimitria Festival celebrates the ancient and modern culture, history and geography of the Macedonian region in Greece. It is organised by the Pan-Macedonian Association of New South Wales.
Close to 100 people were present at the opening event, filling the Auditorium and listening intently to a number of speeches from VIP guests.
Emcee Dimitrios Kametopoulos kicked off the official program by inviting young Eleni to give a Welcome to Country.
Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia, then spoke and commended the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW for their efforts in cultivating and safeguarding Greek traditions.
In his speech, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis highlighted the historical ties between Macedonia and Australia. He said the Dimitria Festival was a chance to celebrate these ties and to “commemorate the sacrifices of those who lost their lives for both countries.”
Consul General Ioannis Mallikourtis.
Bishop Iakovos.
Sophie Cotsis MP.
Mark Coure MP.
Dimitrios Kametopoulos.
The NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis MP spoke about the importance of events such as the Dimitria Festival to preserve Greek culture and language for future generations.
The Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure MP elaborated on Ms Cotsis’ idea and said language and cultural preservation was key in NSW. He also shared a personal anecdote about his grandmother and the importance of language schools.
In her speech as President of the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW, Anastasia Karakominakis thanked everyone for attending and highlighted the significance of the Dimitria Festival, its history and its role in connecting the Macedonian community to its roots.
Anastasia Karakominakis.
Keynote speaker, historian and lawyer Konstantinos Kalymnios from Melbourne was the last to speak, delivering an engaging speech which drew interest and laughter from the audience. Mr Kalymnios provided a historical context of the Dimitria Festival, its significance and its connection to Macedonia and Australia.
Konstantinos Kalymnios.
Mr Kalymnios also discussed the resilience and endurance of Macedonian culture, its multicultural heritage, and why it should be preserved for future generations.
“The Dimitria Festival symbolises all this rich and multifaceted historical and cultural experience but adds a unique Australian flair to create something that is truly unique, authentic, and speaks to people of all cultures – something that is definitely worth a celebration,” Mr Kalymnios said.
At the conclusion of Mr Kalymnios’ keynote speech, dancers from the Aristotelian Dance Academy, under instruction by Taki and Stavroula Papapetros, performed authentic Macedonian dances dressed in traditional costumes.
Also present at the event were the Chair of the Greek Festival of Sydney, Nia Karteris, and Bayside City Councillor Fiona Douskou.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
