Kayla Itsines, once a popular fitness guru known for her Bikini Body Guide, is facing a fresh wave of criticism over the impact of her program.
Many people have come forward to say that the 1200-calorie guide led to disordered eating, with some linking it to unhealthy body image issues.
The backlash intensified after Itsines went viral for a now-deleted rant about women who post workout content from a “particular angle” under the guise of a “glute workout.”
In her video, viewed over 1.5 million times, the mother of two expressed concern about the type of content she didn’t want her children to see, explaining, “I’m trying to be an example to women. No drinking, no drugs, no smoking, no highly sexualised content.”
She added, “I probably wouldn’t care if I didn’t have kids, I’ll be like, ‘you do you, boo’.”
The video sparked significant backlash, with many accusing Itsines of hypocrisy, especially considering her Bikini Body Guide, which promoted a highly restrictive diet aimed at women.
The guide, which included a comparison chart on how much exercise was needed to burn off “naughty” snacks, was criticised for fostering unhealthy habits.
Government nutrition calculators estimated the guide’s calorie intake was about half of the recommended daily intake for active young women aged 16-20.
In 2022, several young South Australians spoke out about the dangerous cycle of dieting and bingeing they experienced due to the guide.
In response, Sweat, the parent company of the Bikini Body Guide, acknowledged the feedback, stating that they “promoted the benefits of fitness and leading a healthy, balanced lifestyle.”
Melbourne’s beloved Queen Victoria Market (QVM) is in turmoil. For the first time in its 147-year history, the vibrant heart of the market sits silent as fruit and vegetable traders stage a strike.
Traders marched through deserted aisles on Tuesday morning, accusing QVM management of alleged “double-dipping” and threatening their existence. Signs they held starkly indicted what they call “financial mismanagement” by the City of Melbourne and QVM leadership.
This isn’t just about a few extra dollars, traders say. It’s a fight for survival. They allege that new charges for electricity and waste disposal, costs they claim were always included in their fees, are a blatant cash grab.
Alleged ‘double-dipping’ and ‘bullying tactics’:
Rocco Tripodi, a second-generation stallholder, runs his business with his Cypriot wife, Jenny Theophanous-Tripodi, working in the back end. He doesn’t mince words.
“We have video proof of the QVM CEO (Matt Elliott) admitting these charges were always covered,” he claimed.
“Now they’re trying to charge us something we are already paying for to create a new revenue stream for themselves. It’s a disgrace!”
Tripodi warned that these charges, potentially reaching $40,000 annually for larger stalls like his, will force them to raise prices, hitting consumers already reeling from the cost-of-living crisis.
“They’re picking our pockets while we’re trying to put food on our own tables,” he fumed, remembering his childhood in the market when it was filled with Greeks and Italians.
The anger extends beyond just the new fees. Peter Kaparis, a veteran trader, painted a picture of a market in decline, where fruit and vegetable stalls are vanishing, replaced by “food trucks and book stalls.”
“I am lucky I have a few loyal clients; otherwise, I am the last one in A Shed,” he said, lamenting they heyday of QVM’s fruit and veggie market when he took over the family business 38 years ago.
He pointed a finger at the ballooning QVM administration, now housed on the second floor of the plush Lexus building, while traders struggle.
“They’ve got around 65 staff in their ivory tower, up from just 18 around 10 years ago, but they can’t listen to the people who make this market what it is,” he said.
Kaparis also described alleged “bullying tactics,” citing excessive regulations and petty infringement notices.
“Forget to reel in your awning after a 14-hour day? After the first infringement, they’ll slap you with a fine and lock it up, creating a safety hazard. They treat us like children,” he raged.
A market turned ‘tourist trap’:
Even fish traders, not directly involved in the strike, expressed concerns.
Sav Giannoukas lamented the market’s transformation into a “tourist attraction,” more focused on photo ops than supporting its vendors. He agrees rules have been getting out of hand, especially in the last five years.
“They’re driving away the heart and soul of this place,” he said. “Road closures, constant construction, and now these additional costs.”
As a fish trader, electricity is metered.
“This isn’t the case with the fruit and vegetable traders, and there is confusion. Also, they are introducing new costs without bringing in more customers,” he said. “This should not be happening when construction is already harming our businesses.”
Council defends market management
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nick Reece offered The Greek Herald a standard media response, acknowledging the traders’ concerns but defending market management’s approach.
“Queen Victoria Market traders are the heart of this iconic Melbourne institution – and I am confident management understands this and will make fair decisions to ensure the market continues to thrive,” he said.
“We’re doing everything we can to minimise the impact on traders during the precinct renewal. Since 2017, we’ve provided around $3 million in grants and adapted our works to further reduce disruption to their businesses.
“We will continue to help traders apply for funding and rent relief, as well as with marketing support and business mentoring.”
According to the City of Melbourne, trader license fees have only seen minimal increases since 2015, remaining below inflation and the rising cost of delivering services. They argue that in most retail settings, businesses pay separately for utilities and waste disposal, and QVM has absorbed these costs for years. They also claim that traders were given 18 months’ notice of these changes and were included in discussions about their implementation.
Traders say there were mandates handed down rather than real consultation.
The gloves are off.
The traders’ message is clear: they’ve had enough.
“We’re not backing down,” Tripodi declared. “We’re being civil at the moment, but we may block Queen Street with our forklifts. We’re fighting for our livelihoods.”
*The Greek Herald reached out to QVM CEO Matt Elliott on Tuesday, who has not responded to our request.
Nick Kyrgios may be nearing the end of his career, particularly in singles, as 2025 could be his final year on tour.
The Australian tennis star has previously stated that his career would not be long, and injuries over the past two years have significantly impacted his competitiveness.
After returning to action at the Brisbane International in early 2025 and playing the Australian Open, Kyrgios has struggled to make a mark, often appearing as a shadow of his former self.
Wimbledon remains Kyrgios’ primary goal, as it offers his best chance for a prestigious result. He reached the final at the grass-court major three years ago during one of his best seasons.
Following an early exit at the Australian Open, Kyrgios is set to return to action at Indian Wells in March, utilising his ‘protected ranking’ to compete in the first Masters 1000 event of the season, where his best result has been reaching the quarterfinals twice.
Kyrgios will also compete in the Mallorca ATP before Wimbledon, a key grass-court event directed by Toni Nadal.
Greece and Australia are preparing for protests on February 28, marking the second anniversary of the deadly train collision in Tempi that claimed 57 lives and left many others injured.
Protests are also expected to be held in Australian cities. In Sydney, two protests are scheduled for February 28, one at 12 noon outside the Greek Consulate and another at 6pm outside Sydney Town Hall. In Melbourne, a 12 noon rally will take place outside the Greek Consulate, while Perth will see a 6.30pm protest outside its local consulate.
Authorities in Greece are concerned the demonstrations could evolve into the largest wave of public dissent since the 2012 economic crisis, with social media amplifying widespread anger.
Greek officials anticipate large-scale unrest, citing a surge in online posts, many demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Analysts have noted an unusual increase in activity from previously dormant social media accounts, raising suspicions that bots may be driving the movement.
Security forces are on high alert, as anarchist and far-right groups have called for mass mobilisations across major Greek and European cities.
Photo: AP Photo / Michael Varaklas.
Activist networks in Athens, Thessaloniki, and beyond are coordinating to make the February 28 protests a pivotal moment of resistance.
While the government is determined to keep protests peaceful, senior officials acknowledged the challenges of managing large crowds, admitting, “In gatherings of thousands, tensions can escalate unpredictably.”
Compounding the unrest, conspiracy theories surrounding the recent death of a prosecutor’s son, allegedly linked to the Tempi tragedy, have gone viral. Despite forensic reports ruling out foul play, opposition politicians have fuelled the controversy, sparking heated debates in Parliament.
The investigation into the Tempi disaster has faced delays, with critics accusing the government of stalling justice. Mitsotakis and his ministers, however, maintain their commitment to transparency.
Political analysts warn that the fallout from the protests could reshape Greece’s political landscape. Some members of the ruling party suggest that escalating unrest could lead to a snap election, positioning it as a choice between stability and chaos.
Dendias’ visit aimed to enhance defence cooperation with the UK, which Athens views as crucial in European defence planning after Donald Trump’s recent election win.
Turkey had reportedly requested a large number of Meteor missiles, produced by the European consortium MBDA, co-owned by France’s Airbus, Britain’s BAE Systems, and Italy’s Leonardo Finmeccanica.
During my meeting today with Secretary of State for Defence @JohnHealey_MP at the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom @DefenceHQ, we had the opportunity to discuss, among other things:
🔹 The potential for cooperation in tackling regional and international security… pic.twitter.com/dJgasJQ3a3
A Sydney nurse has been charged with three Commonwealth offences after allegedly making antisemitic threats in a video filmed at Bankstown Hospital and shared online.
Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 26, was arrested on Tuesday evening, February 25, after attending Sutherland Police Station.
She faces charges of threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill, and using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend.
The charges stem from an investigation launched on February 12 by Strike Force Pearl detectives.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed two nurses in NSW Health uniforms allegedly making threats toward Israeli patients during an online video call with Israeli influencer Max Veifer.
In the footage, Abu Lebdeh is heard telling Veifer, “One day, your time will come, and you will die the most horrible death.”
When asked how she would respond to an Israeli patient, she replies, “I won’t treat them; I will kill them.”
Relatives outside the home of Sarah Abu Lebdeh, the female nurse accused of threatening to kill Israeli patients at Bankstown Hospital. Photo: The Australian.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb praised Strike Force Pearl for their swift action.
“These charges have been laid following a lot of hard work and legal advice,” Webb said.
Police worked with international counterparts to obtain and translate a witness statement for court.
Abu Lebdeh, who has been stood down by NSW Health, was granted conditional bail and is set to appear in court on March 19.
Her co-worker, Ahmad “Rashad” Nadir, has also been suspended by NSW Health and remains under investigation but has not been charged.
Abu Lebdeh’s arrest marks the 14th under Strike Force Pearl, which has now laid 76 charges.
One year ago, Anais Menounos was named the inaugural winner of The Greek Herald Woman of the Year Award, an honour that recognised her remarkable contribution to education through St Nicholas Mission Academy (St Nic’s)—a school she co-founded in Ghana, providing free education to 250 students.
Her dedication to philanthropy, leadership and community impact made her a deserving recipient of the award, cementing her as an inspiring figure within the Greek Australian community.
Since that memorable moment, Anais has continued her tireless work, balancing her role as a disputes lawyer with her ongoing efforts to expand St Nic’s. The past year has been one of growth and reflection, and the award has further amplified her mission, allowing her to reach new audiences, forge valuable partnerships, and continue advocating for equal access to education.
As The Greek Herald prepares to celebrate another year of outstanding Hellenic women with the second edition of ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Awards(nominate here), we caught up with Anais to reflect on the award, its impact on her life, and what’s next for her and St Nic’s.
It’s been one year since you were crowned the inaugural winner of ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Award. Can you reflect on the moment?
Anais’ surprise of receiving award. Photo copyright Effy Alexakis.
Looking back on this special day, I still feel a huge sense of immense pride and gratitude for being honoured by my fellow Greek community. Being selected as the inaugural Greek Herald Woman of the Year was a complete surprise and I am still so incredibly humbled that I was considered worthy of this award for my contribution in co-founding St Nic’s (a school in Ghana that provides free education to 250 students).
I remember feeling quite emotional when accepting the award, as I looked out into the audience and saw my family. Growing up, my parents placed a strong emphasis on the value of education, especially coming from a migrant background, and I would not have had the strength to fight for and provide free education for children living in poverty if it wasn’t for the strong values my parents instilled in me.
What response did you receive from family, friends, and work colleagues after the recognition?
Anais Menounos, winner of The Greek Herald Woman of the Year 2024, with her mum, dad and brother. Photo copyright: Effy Alexakis.
Receiving the award was a reminder that my journey has been a culmination of the support, generosity and collective efforts of those around me. The support from my family, friends, colleagues and the community has been instrumental in helping launch and run St Nic’s and so it was no surprise that their responses were equally as emotional as mine!
The response I received from my co-founder and staff in Ghana was extremely heart-warming, with them hosting a small celebration on school premises to celebrate our collective recognition.
Celebrations at St Nic’s after Anais received her award.
How did the recognition change your life?
Being honoured with The Greek Herald Woman of the Year Award gave me and St Nic’s large-scale recognition and legitimacy to continue advocating for the provision of free education. It has opened up new opportunities to connect with people and organisations, notably being selected as the Kytherian Ball Guest of Honour, which further amplified our work and mission.
Speaking at the Kytherian Ball.
I have also felt more motivated to make a positive impact and work harder, knowing that the award carries with it an opportunity to lead by example and a pathway to inspire others, especially young women. I am honoured to carry this recognition as a reminder to keep striving for progress and push me further in my journey of creating access to free education for those who need it most.
Where are you now?
The last year has been a period of reflection, growth and consolidation. I am still working as a disputes lawyer at Gilbert and Tobin by day and pouring the remainder of my time into running St Nic’s.
Can you provide an update on St Nicholas Mission Academy. What has happened since the award recognition?
Over the last year, St Nic’s has thrived. We finally received our official school license of operation from the Ghana Ministry of Education (6 years in the making… talk about a slow bureaucracy!) and have continued to partner with local organisations to provide a variety of extra curriculars for our students (including computer and coding classes, Child Rights Club and Girl Guides). We have also renovated some areas of our school grounds, including installing a permanent hand washing station at our entrance. In addition, our goal in the next three years is to purchase our own land to be able to expand and build our own junior high school. In honour of this, we have begun separately raising funds for this purpose.
Anais with donated items brought from Australia.Hand Washing station.
Why would you encourage others to nominate an ‘unsung heroine’ for this year’s ‘Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Awards?
I believe it’s so important to recognise the women who may not always be in the spotlight but are making significant impacts in their communities or fields. By nominating an unsung heroine, you are helping shine a light on remarkable Greek women who deserve to have their stories shared, inspiring others to keep creating positive change and pushing boundaries.
This year’s new ‘Woman to Watch’ category for women under 25 is especially exciting as it creates a designated space to highlight young women who are already showing immense promise and making waves. This new category will help elevate these voices and empower the next generation of female leaders.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Thank you to everyone at The Greek Herald for supporting me over the last few years and giving me a voice to share my story and mission with the wider community.
Do you know an inspiring Hellenic Australian woman who deserves recognition? Nominations are now open for ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Awards 2025 and can be submitted through our web form here. Nominations close at 5pm, 27 February 2025. In 200 words or less, tell us how your ‘unsung heroine’ is making an impact.
The Parish of St Sophia and Three Daughters at Surry Hills, Sydney celebrated its Golden Jubilee on Saturday, February 22, marking 50 years of faith and community service.
A formal gala dinner was held at an events venue near Hyde Park, attended by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who delivered a heartfelt message of gratitude and encouragement.
In his address, the Archbishop paid tribute to the pioneers of the Parish’s foundation, beginning with the late Archbishop Ezekiel of Australia and later Archbishop Stylianos, under whose leadership the church in Surry Hills was purchased.
His Eminence also acknowledged the clergy who have served the Parish over the years, including Fr. Stephanos Pantanassiotis, Fr. Gervasios Koutsouras, Fr. Nektarios Zorbalas, Fr. Ioannis Evangelinidis, Fr. Panagiotis Baskoutas, Fr. Agathangelos Masteas, and current parish priest Fr. Irenaios Triantis.
“We are also grateful,” he stated, “to countless people, some of whom have departed this present life, but who had worked hard and contributed in various ways, visibly and invisibly, to our reaching this remarkable milestone. All worked harmoniously with the clergy to support the progress of the Parish. We thank them; as we thank the benefactors and donors for their generosity and contribution.”
The Archbishop expressed his appreciation to those who continue to contribute to the Parish’s development, including parish priest Fr. Irenaios, President Con Zannetides, the Parish Council members, and the Philoptochos Association.
He also praised the Parish’s community initiatives, such as the “Feed the People” programme, the Senior Citizens’ and “Parea” Groups, the Greek Dancing Group, and its Youth activities.
The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, was also in attendance and delivered a speech congratulating the Parish and its contributors. Other distinguished guests included Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek MP, State Minister Sophie Cotsis MP, Greek Consul General in Sydney Ioannis Mallikourtis, and Deputy High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia Nikolaos Varellas.
The event marked a significant milestone for Sydney’s Greek Orthodox community, honouring the dedication and perseverance of those who have built and sustained the Parish of St Sophia and Three Daughters over the past 50 years.
On Sunday, February 23, whilst much of the community was centred at Lonsdale St for the annual Antipodes Festival, a cohort of students from the MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture showcased a plethora of traditional Greek folk dances, at the Bentleigh Festival, proudly presented by the Bentleigh Shops Traders’ Association.
For another consecutive year, the event fell across the same weekend as the Greek community’s headline event, and again event organisers called upon MANASIS for the Greek entertainment component.
The MANASIS school regularly performs and presents dances which highlight cultural similarities with host organisations.
“When we’re invited to perform alongside Serbians or Bulgarians, we present dances from Macedonia and Thrace; when we’re with Albanians- Epirus; or with Turkish- Pontian, Asian Minor,” MANASIS Director / Instructor, Dimosthenis Manasis, said.
“We don’t shy away from cultural similarities- we actively research it all in order to highlight these parallels; and when our audience is entirely diverse as it was over this weekend, we’re able to present an array of dances, costumes, and music, and of course finish off with the famous Sirtaki/Zorba dance, in order to encourage our audiences to join in with us.”
The Bentleigh Festival is a staple for the South-East Melburnian community, and the area boasts a fusion of trendy eateries, retail outlets, and uber-cool bars.
Centre Rd (from Jasper Rd onwards) is closed off to traffic, transforming an entire kilometre stretch, into a busting pedestrian precinct, complete with rides, activations, representation from various organisations, and street entertainment.
The young students from MANASIS performed in the blistering heat, the pouring rain, and won the admiration of the thousands in attendance.
This Friday, the APOKRIES Carnival Season reaches its pinnacle, as the school concludes its presentations with the annual Masquerade Party at Vanilla, Oakleigh. Across the weekend, MANASIS will be performing at headline events of the Bulgarian community’s “MARTENITSA FESTIVAL”, together with Serbian, Hungarian, and Romanian dance groups, and renowned folk singers/musicians currently touring Australia from the “Pirin Ensemble” in Bulgaria, Dimana Boyanova and Boyan Boyanov. Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Encho Dimitrov is flying down to open the event.
MANASIS and the FROURA | Hellenic Australian Honorary Guard, are also preparing for a significant lineup of events this year, including their participation in the Moomba Parade and Festival (the first of any formal Greek representation since 1994), flash-mob activations, dance presentations, flag-raising ceremonies, parades and processions.
Their last participation in the 2023 Greek National Day Parade (Lakeside Stadium) was a spectacle of epic proportions which caught the attention of officials and media in Greece, with the endless array of flags and banners from the Hellenic Revolution, their marching band, and endless rows of hundreds of students dressed in traditional attire grouped by geographic region.
The school was not a participant in the 2024 parade, or in the National Youth Parade during His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit.
When asked if they will participate in this year’s parade, Dimosthenis remained optimistic.
“We understand there is a new chairperson and committee at the helm, and we anticipate honest and transparent communication. It appears they have already been quite proactive, and we would be inclined to support their initiatives,” he said.
“I’ve even requested joining the committee, and I’m awaiting updates regarding that, along with a series of other queries I’ve flagged. There’s a very simple application form which we have completed and submitted.
“The sky is the limit with what our participation can contribute towards the event, however our involvement is not straight-forward and often requires further consideration due to the scale and magnitude of our cohorts. With some support from the organising committee, we’re looking beyond the sky!”
The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) has issued a message of solidarity ahead of the second anniversary of the Tempi train tragedy on February 28. Protests are planned across the world, including in Melbourne, Australia.
Full message in English:
The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia, on behalf of its members and expressing the sentiments of the wider Greek diaspora in Australia, declares its solidarity, support, and love for the families of the 57 innocent victims—the majority of whom were young people—who are fighting for the truth behind the tragic railway disaster in Tempi.
We join our voices in this struggle and call for the Greeks of Australia to stand in unity during the upcoming protests on 28 February, ensuring that our collective demand for justice is heard:
That the causes of this deadly accident are not covered up.
That justice is served.
That responsibility is assigned to all those accountable for the long-standing mismanagement of Greece’s railways.
We pledge that the Greeks of Australia will remain steadfast in our solidarity with the families of the 57 victims, until full accountability is established and those responsible for the policies that led to this railway disaster are held to account, ensuring that Greece never again mourns innocent lives.
