The Hellenic Lyceum Sydney‘s youth dance group performed on Channel Nine’s Today Show on Wednesday, August 21, showcasing their exceptional dancing skills.
Sporting traditional costumes, the group demonstrated their commitment to upholding Greek traditions by displaying their dancing in the early hours of the morning.
Dance teacher Vasilios Aligiannis coordinated the spectacle.
This opportunity to platform Greek culture came as the television program launched a competition to win a luxury seven-night Mediterranean cruise.
A Greek oil tanker was repeatedly attacked in the Red Sea on Wednesday, August 21 leaving the vessel abandoned and drifting ablaze. The attack was suspected to have been carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The attack comes during an extensive campaign by Houthis targeting ships over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that has disrupted a trade route through which $1 trillion in cargo typically annually passes.
In the brutal attack, a crew of men on small boats first opened fire with small arms. Four projectiles then hit the ship leaving the blazing vessel adrift.
“The vessel reports being not under command,” the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) said.
The vessel was later identified as the tanker Sounion, which had 25 crew members on board as it traveled from Iraq to Cyprus. There were no reports of crew injuries or casualties.
The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October 2023. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that also killed four sailors.
The last three recent attacks have all targeted vessels associated with Greek company Delta Tankers.
Shipping and Island Policy Minister Christos Stylianides condemned the attack, describing the incident as “a flagrant violation of the rules of international law and a serious threat to the security of international shipping.”
Photo: European Parliament / EU.
“Such actions endanger the lives of seafarers and disrupt the free movement of goods through critical maritime corridors,” Mr Stylianides added.
Sounion was confirmed to have been striked with missiles from two small boats while sailing 72 n.m. west of Hodeidah Yemen, in the Red Sea.
The damaged ship remains at the aforementioned site.
Jamal Hakim promises to celebrate the Melbourne’s diversity in his plan for Town Hall, pledging that his party intends to “shape a future that prioritises people, not politics.”
The objective strongly aligns with the values of Greek Australian Esther Anatolitis, who is considered one of Australia’s most influential advocates for and contributors to arts, media and urban planning.
She has aptly joined Team Hakim as its candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
“What is the future of postcode 3000 [the Melbourne electorate]? And we’re not just talking about residential in the next chapter – it’s got to be about how can we support artists, creative and community organisations to afford to do their important work within the municipality,” Ms Anatolitis said.
If elected, Ms Anatolitis will make history as the first Greek Australian Deputy Lord Mayor of the largest Hellenic city outside of Greece.
The Greek Paralympic delegation departed to Paris early this morning on a special AEGEAN flight with the message “Go Greece” on the livery of a dedicated AEGEAN aircraft. The athletes representing Greece at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris surrounded by their families and friends, as well as members of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee, gathered at the airport to start their journey with the aim of participating in the top sports event and winning awards.
AEGEAN’s management and cabin crew welcomed the members of the Greek Paralympic delegation and wished them a great success. Swimming, athletics, tae kwon do, shooting, archery, horseback riding, cycling, bench-lifting, judo and boxing are the sports that Greek athletes will participate and fight for an award.
AEGEAN is the Official Air Carrier of the Greek delegation of this year’s Paralympic Games, whereas during previous weeks it also carried the members of the Greek delegation to the Olympic Games to and from Paris.
For more than 25 years, AEGEAN has been actively supporting Greek sports and is travelling the National Teams and athletes that honor Greece by winning significant distinctions in leading sports events around the world.
(L-R) Mr. Michalis Kouveliotis, Deputy CEO AEGEAN, Mr. George Kapellakis, President of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee and Paralympic Gold Medalist.
The Deputy CEO of AEGEAN Mr. Michalis Kouveliotis addressing to the Greek delegation stated: “All of us at AEGEAN, the management and the crew, are very happy and proud to welcome you on board and take you to Paris. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are, and you are an example for us, for your hard work, dedication and passion. You have the wishes of Greece, as well as AEGEAN family. We wish you to return full of experiences and successes. Go Greece”.
Mr. George Kapellakis, President of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee and Paralympic Gold Medalist, said: “One of the most important parts of our participation in the Paralympics is the transfer of the delegation to the city of the Games. AEGEAN is by our side and has ensured our safe and comfortable transfer to Paris where our athletes will compete representing our country. I’d like to thank AEGEAN for flying us to Paris and for ensuring our safe return to Greece”.
San Diego native Rea Xenitopoulos traded the Californian sun to explore the raw authenticity of her Greek roots in Melbourne, Victoria. The young filmmaker, with a keen eye for social issues, delves deep into her heritage to craft her latest project, Agorokoritso (Tomboy).
The film – created while Rea pursues her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Melbourne – promises to be a poignant exploration of identity, culture, and the complexities of life.
Behind the scenes of ‘To Agorokoritso’ with the cast.
“Through this story, I hope to reach audiences who have struggled with similar issues, whether it’s conforming to gender norms or grappling with their identity in any way,” Rea tells The Greek Herald.
“It’s a deeply personal story, rooted in my own experiences growing up in a Greek household. While it wasn’t a traditional household, I did struggle with identity amidst cultural expectations. I hope to connect with people who’ve faced similar challenges.”
Her connection to her Greek heritage is a cornerstone of her work. Both of Rea’s parents hail from Thessaloniki, Greece, and though she was raised in the mainstream culture of San Diego, Greek was her first language at home.
Rea with her mother Katerina Semendeferi and my grandmother Oria Semendeferi.
“We lived in a multi-generational household,” Rea explains.
“My grandparents immigrated to the US to help raise my sister and me. So, while there were traditional aspects, our lives were also quite modern due to the times and our location.”
Despite growing up in a relatively open-minded environment, Rea faced challenges embracing her true self.
“There was a bit of a struggle when I opened up about myself, even just in my own house,” she admits.
“But my mom supports me more than anybody in the world, and my grandma, surprisingly, too. She’s from a very traditional background, but her mindset is ‘love trumps all’.”
Rea Xenitopoulos.
In her film, Rea has woven elements of her personal journey with her cultural background and the influence of her grandmother Rea, whom she was named after and greatly admires.
“I’ve really just used my identity journey as one point of the story, my Greek heritage as a different point, and then paid homage to my beloved grandmother through the character of yiayia Vassoula,” Rea says.
To find a yiayia for the film, Rea turned to Facebook.
“Many people expressed interest, even a pappou, but I eventually found Ioanna Antonopoulos,” she explains.
Ioanna Antonopoulos plays yiayia Vassoula, inspired by Rea’s own grandmother.
79-year-old Ioanna shares, “I wanted to participate because the film is patriotic and embodies strong family values that resonate with everyone.”
Desiree Katakis portrays Maggie, the 14-year-old protagonist grappling with identity and the rigid gender norms and cultural expectations of her Greek Australian home. She finds an unexpected ally in her friend, Claire (played by Natiya Ioannidis), though Rea intentionally leaves their relationship open to interpretation. The cast is competed by Ioanna Gagani in the role of Stella.
Maggie, the lead, says, “It was refreshing to be part of an all-Greek cast telling a story about the complexities within Greek family relationships. I can’t wait to see the film’s impact.”
Behind the scenes of ‘To Agorokoritso’.Ioanna Gagani and Desiree Kataki as Stella and Maggie.
Rea emphasises that casting an entirely Greek cast was intentional.
“The script includes substantial Greek dialogue, so I needed native speakers,” she adds.
Rea’s passion for storytelling extends beyond this project. While Agorokoritso is her directorial debut, her ultimate goal is to become a filmmaker.
Natiya Ioannidis embodies Claire.
“Every project I’ve worked on centres around women, people of colour, and social issues,” she states.
“These are the themes I’ll continue to explore in my career because I believe it’s crucial to shed light on these topics. Social issues are a recurring thread in my artistic pursuits.”
Rea’s dedication to representing her heritage and addressing social issues through film underscores her commitment to creating meaningful art. As she builds her career, she aims to challenge narrow-mindedness and foster understanding.
Director Rea Xenitopoulos.
“It’s disheartening to witness the sometimes narrow-minded views within my own cultural community,” she reflects.
“But I believe it’s essential for people within those communities to speak up and tell their stories. We need to work from within to show that these issues also exist within our own community.”
Once completed, Rea hopes to share the film on the festival circuit.
After almost two years working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikolaos Varellas has now been appointed to Canberra, Australia to fulfil the duty of Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus.
Mr Varellas has replaced Stavros Nicolaou, who was transferred to the High Commission in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Mr Varellas studied law at the Athens Law School. He also went on to obtain his masters focusing on the cultural management of Cyprus.
Athens Law School. Photo: Ekathimerini.
His new duties include the promotion and public awareness of the Cyprus issue that has plagued the island for 50 years, and organising meetings with representatives of Cypriots in Oceania nations.
Mr Varellas will also hold periodic meetings with accredited persons from member countries of the European Union, of which Cyprus is also a member.
He will assist compatriots in matters of passports, visas and signature certifications.
The finalists for the 2024 Westfield Local Heroes community recognition and grants program have been announced and among the names is Greek Australian Elizabeth (Beth) Spanos from Penrith in Sydney, New South Wales.
Westfield Local Heroes is an award that shines a spotlight on the individuals and organisations in Australia and New Zealand who make a positive impact to their local community or environment.
The successful hero will be awarded a $20,000 grant for the group or organisation they represent, and each finalist will receive a $5,000 grant for their group or organisation.
Ms Spanos is a dedicated volunteer and committee member at Penrith Community Kitchen. In her role, she helps dish up nutritious meals to 500 people weekly while combating social isolation.
Ms Spanos has recently helped expand the kitchen’s services to support families in 12 local schools by providing pantry food and meals.
If Ms Spanos is successful, the funding will be used to provide food to 12 local schools, ensuring no child goes hungry.
The voting period for Westfield Local Heroes has now opened and closes at 6pm on Monday, September 9. To vote for your chosen finalist, please visit this website: westfield.com.au/local-heroes. Each Westfield centre’s successful hero will be announced on Tuesday, October 15.
*Please Note: The above finalists are those The Greek Herald could identify by their Greek name.If you believe you should be on this list please email us at greek@foreignlanguage.com.au.
An Adelaide family who care for their intellectually-disabled daughter full-time are “on the verge” of homelessness after the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) cut support funding.
According to The Advertiser, Alex Kosteriadis and his wife Leah spent over $100,000 opening their former smoothie bar business last year, but had to shut the business for good in June to care for their 19-year-old daughter, Georgia, after they were rejected for increased NDIS support in April.
Georgia suffered a stroke as an infant, severely damaging her frontal lobe. She lost 80 per cent of the left side of her brain function causing her to struggle with regulating emotions, resulting in multiple aggressive episodes a day.
Despite reports from their daughter’s psychologist which indicated she required two support workers, NDIS declined the family’s application for more support due to it not being “value for money.”
Photo: Kelly Barnes / The Advertiser.
“I can’t understand how this one lady (NDIS review officer) can make a decision that overrules a specialist that’s been looking after my daughter since 2019,” Mr Kosteriadis told The Advertiser.
Mr Kosteriadis said psychologist Jon Martin has inspired significant improvements in Georgia’s behaviour, reducing her need for strong medication.
“The last meeting we had with the psychiatrist, his aim was to get Georgia off all medications within a few years… But on the date the funding got slashed her world got turned upside down… We’ve been increasing it [again] because she’s just getting too irate,” Mr Kosteriadis claimed.
A National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) spokesperson commented, “The Agency continues to provide a significant level of funding for Georgia… Her current NDIS plan has slightly reduced but remains at more than $300,000 per year (which is comparable to her previous 12-month plan) – which supports her to lead a more inclusive, independent life.”
Around 20 home buyers were left with the skeletons of a home in abandoned, unfinished developments at O’Halloran Hill after their builder Felmeri Homes entered liquidation in July 2023.
Among them was Adelaide man Edward Gilmore who hoped to be raising his first-born in his new home before he became a toddler. Four years after he approved the build, his family has grown and they finally moved into their O’Halloran Hill property recently.
“It has been relatively traumatic, especially for those who have been financially impacted pretty heavily, have moved back in with family and watched interest rates go up and up during the construction loan, unable to lock it down,” Mr Gilmore told ABC News.
South Australian Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis. Photo: Matt Turner.
The South Australian government invested over $4 million to have the infrastructure completed.
South Australian Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said it was “gratifying to see some residents” moving into their homes.
“The level of service work required on this project was significantly higher than could have been expected, given the condition the project was left in, with some essential services poorly installed or not installed at all,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
Mr Koutsantonis also added the state government continues to “actively work through options to recoup all taxpayer money spent” to fund the incomplete infrastructure.
An investigation into Felmeri by Consumer and Business Services that began in 2023 continues.
The pending approval for a third runway for Melbourne Airport is placing substantial political pressure on electorates largely held by the Australian Labor Party.
Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus has been patiently anticipating the federal government to approve the third runway, a $3 billion project aimed at bringing in more flights and lowering airfares.
This has raised concerns over aircraft noise pollution among Melbourne citizens, particularly as flight paths will have to be altered (over houses) to accommodate the extra flights.
Despite 18 months of consultation, Federal Transport Minister Catherine King doesn’t look like she’ll decide on the third runway any time soon.
Kos Samaras. Photo: Wayne Taylor / The Age.
Kos Samaras, former Labor strategist and RedBridge Group pollster, said it’s “definitely going to be a problem [for Labor].”
“The federal seats of Calwell and Gorton, they absorbed 10 per cent swings against them last election. It will hit the state seats as well, where it’s a larger problem. That’s why it’s been sitting on her desk… It was on her desk for approval last December,” Samaras added.
In Melbourne, electorates closer to the airport at Tullamarine in the north-western suburbs suffered big swings away from Labor in the last election. Hence, this issue promises trouble to come for the Labor party during election time.
