Jessica Tzaferis secured her first win as a dual-licence holder with a remarkable victory at Morphettville Parks, as Royal Fox triumphed in Benchmark 68.
The six-year-old gelding, who was a $26 outsider, surged late to overtake the favourite, Rock The Bar, thanks to a strong tempo in the race.
Tzaferis, who had 22 starters as a trainer prior to the win, expressed her excitement, saying, “A lot of hard work goes into these things and I’m just thrilled for everyone involved. To get this win today with everyone involved and even some owners over from Melbourne is very special.”
The victory was particularly meaningful for Tzaferis, who credited her husband, Racing.com presenter James Tzaferis, for his support throughout the journey.
She also acknowledged trainer Reece Goodwin for encouraging the purchase of Royal Fox when he was up for sale.
“It was a great buy and Reece Goodwin actually encouraged us to get him when he was over for our wedding,” Tzaferis shared.
James Tzaferis, overwhelmed with emotion, celebrated the win, remarking, “I live and breathe racing, as does Jess, and it’s her first winner so it’s great.”
Tzaferis believes Royal Fox will improve further, particularly when he races at a mile distance.
“You won’t start to see the best of him until he gets up to a mile and you saw that today,” she said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced changes to the Cabinet and the Ministry of the NSW Government.
The Hon Steve Kamper MP was today sworn in as the Minister for Jobs and Tourism, in addition to his responsibilities as the Minister for Lands and Property, the Minister for Multiculturalism and the Minister for Sport.
The Hon John Graham MLC will remain the Special Minister of State, the Minister for the Arts, the Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy and will permanently take on the role of Minister for Transport.
The Hon Jenny Aitchison MP will become the Minister for Roads and the Minister for Regional Transport. Regional roads will now be incorporated into the Roads portfolio.
Mr Graham will continue to take carriage of the Government’s response to the toll review given the Government is mid-negotiation with toll companies about reforming the system.
The Minns Labor Government also welcomed Janelle Saffin into the NSW Cabinet, to be sworn in as the Minister for Recovery, the Minister for Small Business, and the Minister for the North Coast.
Janelle played a role in helping the Lismore community and surrounds recover from the 2022 floods, as well as the recent impacts from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Emily Suvaal will also be appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Small Business.
Parliamentary Secretaries perform an important role in supporting Ministers and driving action to deliver on government priorities in Parliament.
Athens’ National Gallery has removed artworks by artist Christophoros Katsadiotis, with his consent, in response to a violent incident involving far-right MP Nikolaos Papadopoulos.
The MP stormed the gallery last Monday, smashing a display case and removing four of Katsadiotis’ religious-themed paintings, labelling them as blasphemous.
The attack has sparked protests outside the gallery, with tensions escalating when ultra-Orthodox demonstrators clashed with cultural workers defending artistic freedom.
The National Gallery stated that the removal of the artworks was necessary to ensure the safety of its staff, visitors, and the institution, while also restoring normal operations.
Nikos Andrianakos, one of the wealthiest Greek Australians, has passed away at the age of 81, The Greek Herald has confirmed.
According to Argolida24.gr, Mr Andrianakos died at Argos Hospital in Argolida, Greece, due to heart failure. Mr Andrianakos was in Greece for an investment project.
Argolida24.gr reported that Mr Andrianakos fell ill during a meeting and was rushed to the hospital, where attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.
Born in the village of Pikerni in Arcadia, Greece, Andrianakos emigrated to Australia in the 1960s at the age of 22. He began his entrepreneurial journey by purchasing a small gas station in Melbourne in 1973.
Over the years, he built a vast real estate empire, expanding into malls, office buildings, and other properties. By 2023, he was ranked as the second-richest Greek in Australia, with a family fortune of $1.49 billion.
Nikos Andrianakos is one of the wealthiest Greek Australians.
In 2016, he sold his chain of 54 gas stations to Caltex Australia for $95 million.
More recently, his company, Andrianakos Property Group, continued to make significant deals, including acquiring major shopping centres in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Andrianakos was known for his rags-to-riches story and his charitable contributions, such as funding substance abuse rehabilitation centres and supporting the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne.
His commitment to both his heritage and business was unwavering, and he had plans to build a luxury hotel in Nafplio, Greece.
Despite his success, Andrianakos remained down-to-earth and authentic, earning respect in both the business and philanthropic communities.
On Sunday, March 16, Albania’s Orthodox Church elected Joan Pelushi as its new leader, following the death of Archbishop Anastasios in January.
The election, which took place after a 40-minute meeting, saw Joan, the Metropolitan of Korca, chosen as the archbishop of Tirana, Durres, and all of Albania, as well as head of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania.
Two metropolitans were excluded due to their Greek citizenship, in line with church statutes.
“I humbly accept this high service and promise to faithfully carry out my duty,” Joan said after signing the synod’s decision. He had earlier led Mass at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana.
Joan, 69, had a varied career before entering the clergy. He worked at the Tirana Psychiatric Hospital until 1990, when communism ended in Albania.
He studied at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in the US and became a priest in 1994. In 1998, he was appointed Metropolitan of Korca.
The Orthodox Church of Albania was declared autocephalous in 1922 after being under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Joan is now the church’s sixth leader.
The church recognised Joan for his contributions to cultural, scientific, and humanitarian areas, as well as his efforts in fostering inter-religious dialogue and patriotism.
According to the 2023 census, Orthodox Christians make up about 7% of Albania’s population.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis recently announced a reshuffle of Greece’s government, which aims to bring “renewal and opportunities for new deputies.”
According to sources, the reshuffle signals a shift in the government’s philosophy, focusing on “efficiency and speed in government work.”
The swearing-in ceremony for the new cabinet members took place on Saturday at the Presidential Mansion, with Greek President Constantine Tassoulas in attendance.
Following the ceremony, a cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The new government lineup includes several key appointments:
Prime Minister: Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Vice-President: Kostis Hatzidakis
Minister of Finance: Kyriakos Pierrakakis
Minister of Foreign Affairs: George Gerapetritis
Minister of Citizen Protection: Michalis Chrysoichoidis
Minister of National Defence: Nikos Dendias
Minister of Education and Religions: Sofia Zacharaki
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs: Niki Kerameus
Minister of Health: Adonis Georgiadis
Minister of Environment and Energy: Stavros Papastavrou
Minister of Culture: Lina Mendoni
Minister of Justice: Yannis Floridis
Minister of Interior: Thodoris Livanios
Minister of Digital Governance: Dimitris Papastergiou
Minister of Infrastructure and Transport: Christos Dimas
Minister of Tourism: Olga Kefalogianni
Minister of Migration and Asylum: Makis Voridis
Καλησπέρα σας κι υπέροχη, φωτεινή, ευλογημένη Κυριακή αγαπημένες μου φίλες και φίλοι. Με βαθύ αίσθημα καθήκοντος και μεγάλης ευθύνης αποδέχθηκα την τιμητική πρόταση του πρωθυπουργού Κ. Μητσοτάκη να αναλάβω το αξίωμα του υφυπουργού Εξωτερικών, με αρμοδιότητα τον Απόδημο Ελληνισμό. pic.twitter.com/CSc0a2dQUZ
Yiannis Loverdos pledges commitment to Greek diaspora
Yiannis Loverdos, newly appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, emphasised the government’s commitment to responding to societal demands and transforming the message of recent protests into actionable policies.
“Mitsotakis listens to society,” Loverdos stated in an interview, highlighting the importance of substantive action over words.
He stressed his responsibility to support Greece’s diaspora, particularly in countries like Australia, Canada, the US, and Germany.
“My priority is to strengthen the ties between the Greek state and the diaspora through actions, not just communication,” Loverdos said.
Aristos Doxiadis resigns amid controversy
Aristos Doxiadis, appointed as Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation, resigned just 24 hours after his appointment.
In a statement, Doxiadis defended his innocence against accusations related to a now-defunct company, stating he was acquitted of charges in 2013. However, he chose to resign “to protect the government from a witch hunt” and to preserve his personal peace.
Doxiadis, a prominent economist and venture capitalist, expressed regret over the political toxicity that hindered his ability to contribute to Greece’s progress, despite his support for the reshuffle and the government’s vision.
The reshuffle marks a significant shift in the government’s structure as it seeks to address the challenges ahead while ensuring a more efficient and responsive administration.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis expressed his condolences and offered support to North Macedonia following a devastating nightclub fire in Kocani that claimed 59 lives.
In a phone conversation with his North Macedonian counterpart, Timcho Mucunski, Gerapetritis extended Greece’s readiness to provide any necessary assistance, including life-saving rescue teams and medical support.
“A tragic fire broke out last night in Kocani, resulting in a devastating loss of life,” stated the Greek Foreign Ministry.
“Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s willingness to assist with rescue and medical efforts.”
Some injured victims are expected to be transferred to Thessaloniki hospitals, with ongoing discussions between the two nations.
The fire, which occurred early Sunday during a concert at Club Pulse, left 59 dead and 155 injured, with authorities attributing the blaze to pyrotechnics causing the roof to catch fire.
Videos of the scene show chaotic evacuations as the fire engulfed the building.
North Macedonia’s Health Minister Arben Taravari confirmed that 118 people were hospitalised, many with severe burns.
FM Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s readiness to provide any necessary assistance, including life-saving rescue teams & medical support.
The tragic incident has sparked an outpouring of support from neighbouring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia.
“This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable,” said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited burn victims, while relatives of the deceased gathered outside hospitals, grieving the loss of their loved ones.
In an emotional statement, Dragi Stojanov, father of a 21-year-old victim, said, “He was my only child. I don’t need my life anymore.”
The fire, which partially collapsed the roof of the club, is under investigation, with authorities scrutinising the venue’s safety provisions.
A state prosecutor confirmed that arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
The tragedy has prompted condolences from leaders across Europe, including EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, all expressing solidarity with the people of North Macedonia during this difficult time.
In a full circle moment, Jonathon Atalalis has inherited his pappou Panagioti Kitsiris’ enterprising spirit, opening his self-titled cafe in Kew.
Pappou Panagioti visits Jonathon’s every week, watching over the cafe and checking on the nursery.
“It’s great. Pappou comes here, walks around, and spends his time sitting in the cafe. He enjoys it. I think it’s nice for him, because he’s always loved being in the garden too,” Mr Atalalis tells The Greek Herald.
Mr Kitsiris had experience tailoring in Greece, starting a business with his cousin. Their time together would be interrupted by the mandatory military service, followed by the young cafe owner’s grandfather making the decision to come to Australia in the 50s.
“Pappou created a pretty big tailoring business in the city after coming to Australia with nothing. He was here for the ‘56 Olympics. He found jobs across a few industries but then decided to go out on his own,” Mr Atalalis said.
“His shop had moved a few times; he was on Lonsdale at one point, then Russell Street. He had a side business making the handkerchiefs for suits and was in Myer and David Jones at one point. But the shop had some pretty big clients, like Elton John and the American basketball team.”
While Jonathon’s may not have quite yet had the celebrity visitors that pappou Panagioti’s tailoring business had, it is the magic of their bond that give the cafe its charming and homely air.
Every detail of Jonathon’s somehow seems like a binding thread between Mr Atalalis and his grandfather, be it deliberate or by coincidence.
The young cafe owner recalls memories of growing up at pappou’s house, spending hours in the garden that had been carefully cultivated for years.
“It’s amazing seeing how much he’s done for all his family. He came here with nothing, and built his life and then helped his kids. Everything he ever did was always about looking forward. He always says, ‘When I’d imagined things, it wasn’t just my own kids that I was always picturing, I’d think of my grandkids down the track’,” Mr Atalalis said.
“There was this big orange tree at his old place. Once we left the house he said, ‘I remember planting that tree, and always pictured myself sitting under it with my grandkids, eating oranges.’ It’s crazy to think that that would have been 30 years, 40 years back, well before we were around.”
A love for the garden seemed to have cottoned on to the rest of the family, as Mr Atalalis’ parents ran their own nursery in Mount Evelyn.
Prior to the nursery, his father had worked in a tavern in Surrey Hills, sparking the cafe owner’s initial passion for hospitality. In a way, it was a no-brainer to bring the family’s expertise and interests together to create the cafe.
Nestled in the Olive Tree & The Wheelbarrow Nursery, surrounded by the lush flora, Jonathan’s serves up a mix of breakfast delights and mediterranean classics.
“It was funny, initially we said we can’t go too Greek. It’s not typical of the area, we tried not to and then slowly, slowly, everyone just kept coming in and ordering all the Mediterranean dishes. Eventually we added more Greek dishes onto the menu,” Mr Atalalis said.
The community has really wrapped their arms around Jonathon’s, embracing the cultural flair Mr Atalalis and his family have brought.
“It’s been really nice. I’ve even had some old friends come through who I hadn’t seen in years. We’re looking forward to seeing the place grow,” Mr Atalalis said.
“But it’s been great getting pappou out of the house and giving him a place to hang out with his family. He looks forward to coming and we look forward to him being here.”
The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry National Federation (HACCINF) is proud to host its inaugural national online event ‘Bridging Markets: Greece-Australia Trade Insights’ on Thursday, 20 March.
The event will explore the expansive trade opportunities between Greece and Australia, offering a platform for dialogue and connection between leading market experts from both nations. The event’s speakers include Panayiotis Hassapis, Executive Vice President, Greek Exporters Association (SEVE), the largest association of exporting companies in Greece; George Moschovakis, Group Commercial Director, KLEEMANN Hellas SA, a leading manufacturer of elevators, escalators, and related mobility solutions; and an executive from ALUMIL, Greece’s leader inin research, development, and production of aluminium architectural systems.
The session will be chaired by HACCI NF Council Chair (and HACCI WA President) Dr. Elena Limnios, with contributions from the chairs of HACCI VIC, HACCI SA, HACCI NT, and HACCI NSW, enriching the conversation with a diverse array of perspectives and expertise.
About the Speakers:
Panayiotis Hassapis is Corporate Finance & Strategy Advisor, Board Director for several companies, investment committee member of Loggerhead Ventures equity fund and Executive Vice President of SEVE-Greek Exporters Association, which represents more than 800 active and dynamic exporting companies and business groups throughout the Greek territory. Panayiotis provides advisory services in the areas of loan financing and restructuring, investment and business strategy. He has worked as CFO at MEVGAL SA, CFO & Legal
Representative at ZANAE SA, and as Treasurer at PYRAMIS METALLURGY SA following a brief career at the banking sector. He has been teaching Financial Management & Banking at CITY COLLEGE (Sheffield University affiliated) in Thessaloniki. Panayiotis brings a deep understanding of corporate finance and international business expansion, with a history of significant roles in both economic analysis and strategic advising.
Panayiotis Hassapis
George Moschovakis is the Group Commercial Director at KLEEMANN Hellas S.A., An executive with over 20 years of experience, he holds two MSc degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick. Overseeing profitability across 15 markets in a multinational group operating in 110 countries, Panayotis is recognised for his extensive experience in international sales and business strategy.
ALUMIL will be represented by a member of the leadership team, who will guide us through the company’s international sales efforts, driving expansion in the aluminium industry. Alumil is redefining modern architecture with high-quality aluminium systems for windows, doors façades, and shading. With 32 subsidiaries and a presence in 63 countries, Alumil combines innovation, sustainability, and precision engineering to create solutions that excel in energy efficiency, security, and design. The representative from Alumil will discuss the cutting-edge manufacturing of aluminium systems and how sustainability and design innovation drive their global strategy.
This online event underscores the importance of international connectivity, enabling participants globally to engage and exchange ideas. It is a prime opportunity for businesses interested in the Greek and Australian markets to gain valuable insights and create lasting connections.
Ensure your participation in this landmark event and join us to uncover the vast potential of Greece-Australia trade relations and engage with industry leaders at the forefront of this dynamic interaction.
Criminally forgotten in the modern era, renaissance man, archaeologist and social activist Themistocles Sofoulis was not only the architect of the union of Samos with Greece, but also a staunch proponent of democracy, playing pivotal roles in the development of Greece during the first world war, the national schism, the aftermath of the Asian minor catastrophe, the Metaxas dictatorship and the aftermath of the German occupation.
Emollient, collegial and measured, always willing to include all sides of politics in the national conversation, had he been listened to, chances are the civil war never would have taken place or at least would have ended quickly.
Three times a prime minister of Greece, his vision of a democratic progressive and inclusive society remains if not a forgotten then certainly an unattained dream.
This seminar will explore the fascinating life and times of this great Greek, while also analysing the obstacles that lay in his path.
BIO
Dean Kalimniou is a lawyer, poet and short story writer within the Greek community. Since 2001 he has maintained a weekly column – opinion piece in Neos Kosmos called Diatribe. His prolific writings include numerous poetry collections in Greek and translated the works of many local Greek authors into English. He has also published translations of Papadiamantis’ short stories in the critical anthology “The Boundless Garden. Selected Short Stories.” A few years he released his first bilingual children’s book. “Simela and the Magic Kemenche”, and this was followed by another one children’s book in 2024, “The Librarian from Cappadocia”.
Event Details:
When: Thursday 20 March 2025, 7pm
Speaker: Dean Kalimniou
Seminar: Themistoklis Sofoulis – The man who could have saved Greece from the Civil War
Where: Greek Centre (Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne)
