The 29thGreek Film Festival of Sydney, proudly presented by METAXA, have included the much-anticipated documentary Ange & the Boss: Puskas in Australia in their lineup for 2024.
Directed by Cam Fink, Tony Wilson and Rob Heath, the film is an in-depth introduction to Ferenc Puskás, THE player of the 50s, an icon of world football, star of Real Madrid and the Hungarian national team. How did a FIFA team of the century superstar become the coach of South Melbourne Hellas in the early 90s? The documentary will explore his bizarre recruitment to Australia (via the paddocks of Keysborough!), South Melbourne’s 1991 triumph, and his relationship with his captain, Ange Postecoglou, destined to become the first Australian to manage in the Premier League.
Ange & the Boss: Puskas in Australia is more than a football story. It’s a story about immigration, multiculturalism, and the parallel universe that was Australia’s NSL, invisible to sports fans from an Anglo background, but vital to European Australians and their children.
The film documents the life of Greek migrants in Melbourne in the 80s and 90s (something that resonates deeply with all Greek migrants in Australia) – the struggles they faced, and how their cultural and sporting institutions helped them to make a contribution to multiculturalism, their communities and Australian society.
Visit the Palace Norton St on Thursday, October 17 at 6:30pm for a special screening followed by a Q&A with Directors Cam Fink, Tony Wilson and South Team of the Century legend Paul Trimboli to be interviewed by Sydney-based football commentator Simon Hill and Themis Kallos Executive Producer (SBS) Australia, Greek Service.
With the Ange ascendancy, this is the moment for an amazing football story to be heard nationwide through a film that contributes to our great Australian football history.
Auction records have been smashed in South Australia with the iconic plate 8 selling for more than $2.3 million dollars in a thrilling bidding war overnight.
Plate 8, among the first numeric plates issued in SA in 1906, went up for auction in late August sparking a two-week bidding frenzy and last night sold for a record $2,300,100.
Bidding started at $600,000 and took just days for the bids from passionate car enthusiasts and number plate collectors to skyrocket and set a new auction record for South Australia.
The previous record was set in 2020 when the bespoke ‘1’ plate commemorating the Adelaide Grand Prix nabbed $593,000 at auction.
Plate ‘8’ is the first single digit numeric plate to be sold by the State Government since plates 3,6 and 9 were sold at the 1985 Great Plate Auction. Back then they sold for $11,000, $6,500 and $7,000 respectively.
Number eight is considered the luckiest number in Chinese culture, while in some numerology schools it represents strength, prosperity and victory.
Experts say having an ‘8’ within a plate sequence has become the digit of choice among number plate collectors, both for its luck and symmetrical format.
Bidders were also keen to snap up a number of other genuine numeric plates that were at auction alongside the ‘8’, with plate 55 selling for a whopping $625,100 and plate 873 going for $165,100.
A total of 28 plates were up for grabs including numbers 46000, 111444, 5566 and 249, with the total of $4,014,073 raised showcasing the high demand and interest South Australians have in genuine numeric plates.
Each plate comes with ‘Class Specific Rights’ which entitle the new owners to long-term rights to their plate. This means the plate can be transferred to vehicles registered in the same name and sold to a third party.
The plates can only be affixed to a vehicle that is registered in SA.
Revenue raised from the auction will be returned to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to fund services for South Australians.
SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis said “after the New South Wales number 1 went for over $10 million earlier this year, we knew there would be significant interest in our iconic plate 8.”
“The hotly contested competition to be the one to land the iconic 8 did not disappoint,” Mr Koutsantonis added.
“The new owners of the ‘8’ and the other genuine numeric plates like 55 and 873 have incredibly rare and exclusive pieces of South Australian automotive history in their hands.
“The value of these plates as a much sought-after investment is assured. I thank Slattery Auctions, our third-party auctioneer, for their fantastic work running this process to ensure a fair and exciting auction.”
The President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis OAM, has warmly welcomed Anthony Koutoufides, an independent candidate in Melbourne’s upcoming mayoral race, to the Greek Centre today.
Also present at the meeting were the Director of the Greek Centre, Jorge Menidis, and the Greek Centre’s Venue and Event Manager, Antonia Tsamis.
During his visit, Mr Koutoufides was given a tour of the Greek Centre and received an overview of the GCM’s extensive cultural and educational activities. Mr Papastergiadis emphasised the importance of preserving and celebrating Greek heritage within the diaspora and highlighted the GCM’s role as a vibrant hub for Greek cultural expression, hosting over 100 events annually.
Mr Papastergiadis remarked, “It’s great to have Anthony Koutoufides here with us today. Not only is he a Carlton Football Club star, but he’s also someone deeply invested in his community, particularly the city of Melbourne, which is home to our organisation—the Greek Community of Melbourne, one of the largest Greek organisations in the global Greek diaspora.”
Anthony Koutoufides and Bill Papastergiadis. Photo: Astrini Kopeloudi Wallace.
“Fittingly, Anthony, with his Greek heritage, is stepping forward as a candidate for Lord Mayor of this wonderful city, often ranked as the world’s most liveable city. We’re excited to discuss his initiatives,” Mr Papastergiadis added.
“We also shared our thoughts on how we can improve the city, particularly in recognising the relevance and importance of the Greek Community in this vibrant, cosmopolitan, multicultural city. Key matters identified included maintaining city street events, supporting precinct programs, and cutting red tape for events and businesses.”
Mr Koutoufides commented, “It was a privilege to meet with Bill and Jorge today. What they’ve achieved with the Greek Community is unbelievable, especially maintaining the presence on Lonsdale Street, which means so much to us, including my Greek heritage. I look forward to working with them, and together, let’s make Melbourne the world’s most liveable city again.”
“This organisation is producing so many great and important events, and we need to support them as much as possible. I am in awe of the extent of their cultural and educational programming,” Mr Koutoufides added.
“I was particularly impressed by how the GCM developed its 15-storey cultural centre and how it’s utilised by so many other organisations. The replica of the Parthenon Frieze on the outside of the building is simply stunning. Thank you so much for what you’ve done for the community, and I look forward to our future relationship—once I become Lord Mayor.”
As a token of appreciation, Mr Koutoufides was presented with a book detailing the history of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria, from its foundation up to 1972.
After fifteen matches over four days at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the 2024 National Para Football Championships came to an exciting conclusion.
Football NSW has claimed its sixteenth successive title at the tournament, following a physical showdown against Football West.
Individual awards were presented following the final whistle with Football NSW lifting the National Para Football Championships trophy for the eighteenth time in the competition’s history.
Fast starting Victoria claim bronze medal
Football VIC has secured the Bronze Medal at the 2024 National Para Football Championships with a commanding 5-1 victory over Northern NSW Football.
The Victorians hit the ground running, scoring three goals in the opening eight minutes, courtesy of CommBank Pararoo duo Christian Bitsikas and Jeremy Boyce. Northern NSW never dropped their heads, looking for opportunities on the counterattack and turning away the Victorian offence on numerous occasions.
The early onslaught proved too big of a mountain to climb for the young Northern NSW squad competing in their debut tournament as Football VIC maintained their lead for the remainder of the match, securing third place.
Player of the match Christian Bitsikas said the Bronze Medal was a reward for their hard work and dedication leading up to the tournament.
CommBank Pararoos Head Coach Kai Lammert with Bronze Medal player of the match Christian Bitsikas (Football VIC).
“It’s a great feeling to win the Bronze Medal and to prove what we can do,” Bitsikas said.
“Northern NSW is a new team with new players, so it was a good test for us. It was a relief to get the first goal early in the match, and we managed to keep the momentum from there.
“Overall, I’m very proud of our team. I think we can take a lot of positives from the win today and the tournament as a whole. I’m very proud of my teammates— we all worked very hard this year, so to come away with a medal is very good.”
National Para Football Championships 2024 Award Winners
FT1 of the Tournament: Rafferty Bacon (Football West)
FT2 of the Tournament: Connor Bunce (Football West)
FT3 of the Tournament: Daniel Campbell (Football NSW)
Golden Glove: Christian Tsangas (Football VIC)
Golden Boot: Giacomo Izzo (Football West)
Young player of the Tournament: Giacomo Izzo (Football West)
Female player of the Tournament: Katelyn Smith (Northern NSW Football)
Bronze Medal player of the match: Christian Bitsikas (Football VIC)
George Tonna Medal (Gold Medal player of the match): Will McGrath (Football NSW)
Jon Adgemis’ Public Hospitality Group has lost control of five Sydney pubs after private credit investor Muzinich & Co pulled out of a deal to refinance the company’s debt.
Muzinich has called in Vaughan Strawbridge and Joseph Hansell of FTI Consulting to take over four of PHG’s trading venues (The Strand Hotel, Camelia Grove Hotel, Norfolk Hotel, Oxford House), and one development site, the Exchange Hotel.
According to a press release by FTI Consulting, they will work “with existing management and staff teams to continue to trade the venues in the ordinary course of business while they commence a sale of business campaign.”
This latest development is a fresh blow for Adgemis who struck a $400 million refinancing deal in May 2024 with Deutsche Bank, Gemi Investments, Archibald Capital and Muzinich & Co, to save his PHG from collapse.
Lenders push Jon Adgemis’ hospitality group out of five Sydney pubs.
Other properties of Adgemis’ have also been seized by lenders. In Sydney’s Potts Point, Bank of Queensland has taken charge of one of his properties in Ward Avenue.
A Greek-flagged oil tanker, which had been burning for weeks in the Red Sea following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, was safely towed to a secure location.
The EU’s Operation Aspides announced the success of the salvage operation on the social platform X, stating that the Sounion “has been successfully towed to a safe area without any oil spill.” The mission will continue monitoring the situation as private stakeholders finalise the salvage.
Update on MV SOUNION salvage status
Under protection of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES 🇪🇺, MV SOUNION has been successfully towed to a safe area without any oil spill. While private stakeholders complete the salvage operation, ASPIDES will continue to monitor the situation.
Salvagers managed to move the tanker, named the Sounion, to waters away from Yemen, while the Houthis claimed responsibility for shooting down an American-made MQ-9 Reaper drone. Video footage online appeared to confirm the drone’s downing, showing a surface-to-air missile strike and debris scattered on the ground.
These incidents highlight ongoing global challenges amid the Houthi rebel campaign, which has intensified during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Despite allowing the Sounion to be moved, the rebels continue to pose a threat to ships navigating the Red Sea, a vital trade route once handling $1 trillion in goods annually.
The Brotherhood of Chalkidiki Aristotelis of New South Wales held a fundraiser luncheon at Panagia Soumela Hall in Canterbury on Sunday, September 15 that far exceeded expectations.
President Costa Dantos addressed the large crowd, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the impressive turnout. The event saw double the number of participants compared to previous years, marking a significant increase and highlighting the event’s growing popularity.
In his speech, Mr Dantos expressed his delight at seeing so many new faces, some attending for the first time or after a long hiatus of up to 20 years.
Mr Dantos emphasised that such events not only benefit the association but also contribute to the attendees’ well-being, promoting social interaction, dancing and physical activity for a happier and healthier life.
Photo: Costa Dantos.
A key highlight of the evening was the acknowledgment of the hard work of the Chalkidiki Association’s committee. Mr Dantos also extended a special thanks to Panagia Soumela Sydney, recognising the support of Chris Klazidis and Peter Papoulidis.
During the event, attendees had the pleasure of watching a video message from Athanasia Emmanouilidou, the Deputy Mayor of Nea Propontida in Chalkidiki. The video conveyed her admiration for the diaspora’s commitment to preserving Greek culture. She highlighted the importance of maintaining Greek traditions and language, even as these face challenges in Greece.
Photo: Costa Dantos.
Looking forward, several upcoming events were announced. The Pan-Macedonian 2024 Dimitria Program was introduced, featuring notable activities such as a doxology at Kogarah Greek Orthodox Church on September 29 and a Pan-Macedonian Federation of Australia dance in Brisbane on November 23. The Panagia Soumela committee will also host a dance on October 5 with a famous Pontian Greek band.
Other events on the horizon include a litany service scheduled for October at Kogarah Greek Orthodox Church to decorate the St Demetrios icon, and the annual Chalkidiki Christmas BBQ picnic at Carss Park on December 1.
As the evening drew to a close around 5 pm, attendees were treated to coffee and galaktoboureko. The event was a resounding success, marked by a strong sense of community and shared celebration of Greek heritage.
Official guests in attendance included Anastasia Karakominakis, Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW President; Chris Klazidis, Pontian Society of Sydney “Panagia Soumela” Acting President; Nikos Stanisis, President of the Nomos Pella Association “Edessa”; Christos Pazaridis, Pan-Thracian Association of NSW “Democritus” President; Peter Tsigounis, Greek RSL NSW Sub-Branch President; and Katerina Pratsas, the only living former Chalkidiki Brotherhood President who attended.
The Joint Justice Initiative (JJI) has welcomed the final History Syllabus for Years 7 to 10 released by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), which includes the mandatory study of ‘Australia’s civic action and humanitarian response during World War I’.
The historic achievement will be implemented in 2027, ensuring all NSW students will learn about the actions of everyday Australians and New Zealanders who participated in humanitarian efforts during WW1, including initiatives that saved survivors of the Ottoman Empire’s Genocide of the Armenians, Assyrians and Hellenes.
In accordance with the Syllabus released by NESA, within the Depth study (core) – Australia: making a nation – from Federation to WWI (1889 – c. 1919), teachers must guide their students through ‘Significant groups, individuals, ideas, beliefs, practices and events in Australia: making a nation – from Federation to WWI’. This includes ‘Australia’s civic action and humanitarian response during WWI’.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia was informed of this historic inclusion in a formal letter sent from the Minister for Education, the Hon. Prue Car MP, a week prior to the official release of the History Curriculum.
Smyrna ablaze, 1922. Photo: Greek Genocide Resource Centre.
The inclusion comes following a motion unanimously adopted in the NSW Legislative Council calling for mandated Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocide education and the establishment of a museum, as well as a letter co-signed by over 25 academics calling for the inclusion in the Curriculum.
Since 2020, the JJI made up of the peak public affairs bodies of the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek communities in Australia has been at the forefront of efforts to achieve federal recognition of the Genocides of the Indigenous Armenians, Assyrians and Hellenes of Anatolia and Mesopotamia.
Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director Michael Kolokossian said, “This is the beginning of a new era in the pursuit for genocide recognition, where awareness and education will play a pivotal role. By ensuring that future generations learn about humanitarianism during the 1915 Genocides, we are also equipping students with the knowledge to stand against future atrocities.”
Scholarship on the Genocides, especially the Anzac and broader Australian connection to efforts to rescue survivors around the eastern Mediterranean by members of the Australian Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (AIHGS), including Professor Peter Stanley and Mr Vicken Babkenian, who co-authored ‘Australia-Armenia & the Great War’, has been a cornerstone of recognition efforts.
The JJI and the AIHGS are committed to developing resources ready for Australian classrooms over the next two years, with the new Syllabus to be implemented from the 2027 school year.
The future streetscapes of Sydney are a step closer to becoming a reality with 21 architecture teams shortlisted for the New South Wales Pattern Book Design Competition.
Architects from across the world flocked to submit an expression of interest to the NSW Government’s International Design Competition with 212 entries from Australia, Europe, the UK, Asia, Africa, the US and South America.
The competition has been narrowed down to 12 architecture firms from NSW, Victoria and Western Australia, and three international firms – one from London, one from New Zealand and one which spans Germany, Italy, India and Sydney.
In an exciting development for the competition six architectural teams have also been shortlisted in the student category, including four University of Sydney architectural teams as well as students from Western Sydney University and the University of Melbourne.
Hope Street multi-residential project.
An important part of this competition has been attracting innovative student architect and design teams to make sure young people are contributing to the future face of their city.
Two Greek finalists include Angelo Candalepas and Associates, as well as Christos Diplas as part of a collaborative team at Site Office.
Other finalists include the Spacecraft team behind Block Party project, a co-housing design in Wellington New Zealand. The Spacecraft team designed a four-unit attached development with interesting shared spaces, such as a private street, garden, and easily replicable layouts for efficient construction.
Another finalist out of Western Australia, Officer Woods, was shortlisted for the 2024 National Architecture Awards for their Hope Street Housing project. They created a medium density project consisting of 28 terrace houses and walk-up apartments in White Gum Valley, designed to allow smaller households to share common amenities.
This city-shaping project will not only influence the State’s future skyline but will also help tackle the housing crisis with winning designs gaining access to a planning fast-track. This means a greater diversity of homes in our housing market which can cater to people at different stages of life.
Housing remains the single biggest cost of living pressure facing people across NSW and without action Sydney is at risk of becoming a city with no grandchildren.
As the competition heats up, finalists will have until mid-October 2024 to submit their designs for Stage 2. Those designs will then be judged by the five-person competition jury, chaired by the NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin.
The designs will be evaluated based on criteria such as liveability, buildability, replicability, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and their ability to meet the needs of both industry and local communities. Competition winners will then be announced in November.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “the Pattern Book Design Competition has attracted some of the world’s best architects and it was extremely tough to narrow down this talented field from 212 entries to 21.”
“To address this housing crisis, we want to come up with interesting solutions that will build better and brighter communities,” Mr Scully added. “After seeing the finalists, I can confidently say the jury have their work cut out for them.”
Acting Government Architect NSW Paulo Macchia said “the quality of entries submitted during the Expression of Interest stage made the jury’s task of selecting the final shortlist very challenging.”
“It’s encouraging to see the innovative and thoughtful submissions and the jury looks forward to reviewing the shortlisted candidates’ detailed designs,” Mr Macchia said.
“The competition will support more diverse and contemporary designs for the Pattern Book to suits people’s changing needs – from raising children, to working from home, to retirement.”
Five sites have been allocated to showcase these designs of low and mid-rise housing so that people can see the final product.
Victoria’s football community converged on Crown Palladium on Friday, September 13 to celebrate a milestone at the 2024 Victorian Football Gala, proudly presented by Senol.
Over 800 attendees, including players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers, united to acknowledge winners across all levels of the game, from Community clubs and Victorian Premier Leagues, through to the showpiece NPL Victoria Gold Medal Men’s and Women’s awards.
Hosted by A-Leagues broadcaster Michael Zappone and Channel Nine presenter Catriona Rowntree, the inaugural celebration was a unique opportunity to reflect on the significant growth in football, with a record-breaking number of coaches and referees, alongside 95,000 participants, taking to the pitch across the state this year.
Mario Barcia. Photo: Mark Avellino Photography.
Hume City’s Aamir Abdallah was crowned the 2024 NPLM Gold Medallist with an outstanding season, earning top honours with 32 votes. The dynamic winger delivered nine goals and six assists across 20 matches. Abdallah’s stellar year also saw him claim the prestigious Bill Fleming Medal for the best NPLM player as voted by the commentary team, as well as the Players’ Player award.
In the NPLW, the Gold Medal was shared between Bulleen’s Maja Markovski and Alamein’s Rebecca Saber, with both forwards earning 24 votes. Markovski had a standout evening, adding the NPLW Golden Boot and NPLW Media Player of the Year awards to her accolades.
The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Environment and Outdoor Recreation, was in attendance and applauded the unity of the football community.
“These record participation figures show Victorians love their football and are passionate about taking part on and off the field,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“It’s why we’re so committed to supporting football at all levels from the grassroots to the elite level, highlighted by our $42.29 million into The Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University Sports Park.”
Football Victoria President, Antonella Care, reflected on what will be her final awards ceremony leading the FV Board.
“This is a night where we recognise the very best of our game and honour all those who contribute so much at every level from the grassroots to the elite,” Ms Care said.
“It gives us the opportunity to reflect on our journey, to recognise excellence, and to express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed to our beloved sport.”
The full list of winners is below.
NPLM
Gold Medal: Aamir Abdallah (Hume City)
Players’ Player: Aamir Abdallah (Hume City)
Golden Boot: Alex Salmon (Oakleigh Cannons), Harrison Sawyer (South Melbourne)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Javier Lopez (South Melbourne)
Coach of the Year: Esteban Quintas (South Melbourne)
Goal of the Year: Mario Barcia (South Melbourne)
NPLW
Gold Medal: Maja Markovski (Bulleen Lions), Rebecca Saber (Alamein)
Players’ Player: Isabel Dehakiz (Bulleen Lions)
Golden Boot: Maja Markovski (Bulleen Lions)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Bethany Mason-Jones (Essendon Royals)
Coach of the Year: Caitlin Friend (Bulleen Lions)
VPLM1
Best and Fairest: Connor Bell (Preston Lions)
Players’ Player: Dylan Allshorn (Brunswick City)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Bon Scott (Preston Lions)
Coach of the Year: Joe Palatsides (Melbourne Victory)
Golden Boot: Michael Domfeh (Northcote City), Archie MacPhee (Langwarrin)
VPLM2
Best and Fairest: Callum Schorah (Goulburn Valley Suns)
Players’ Player: Graham Kelly (Essendon Royals)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Patrick Cristea (Altona City)
Coach of the Year: Zeljko Popovic (Melbourne Srbija)
Golden Boot: Callum Schorah (Goulburn Valley Suns), Prince Jordan Adeyemi (Essendon Royals)
VPLW
Goalkeeper of the Year: Brooke Bennett (Ringwood City FC)
Coach of the Year: Liam Drury (Keilor Park SC)
Best & Fairest: Addison Steiner (Casey Comets)
Top Goal Scorer: Addison Steiner (Casey Comets)
Community Awards
Inclusion Award: Footscray Rangers
Female Coach of the Year: Rebecca Berry (Strathfieldsaye Colts United)
Male Coach of the Year: John Topic (Surf Coast)
Volunteer of the Year: Laurel Irvine (Sale United) and Enrico Marrone (Whitehouse United)
Futsal Club of the Year: Fitzroy Tigers Futsal Club
Regional Club of the Year: Wangaratta City
Metropolitan Club of the Year: Collingwood City FC
Female Football Champion of the Year: Michelle Williamson (Melton Phoenix)
Referee Awards
NPLM Referee of the Year: Michael Mammis
NPLW Referee of the Year: Courtney Van Diesen
Female Referee of the Year: Liana Georgiev
Male Referee of the Year: Hengsheng Li
Media Awards
Club Media Award: Hume City
Bill Fleming Media Award: Aamir Abdallah (Hume City)
NPLW Media Player of the Year: Maja Markovski (Bulleen Lions)
Les Shorrock Best Football Image Award: Matthew Johnson
