The Greek Orthodox Community Home for the Aged in Earlwood, Sydney has been honoured with the 2024 Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) Excellence Award for Organisation Excellence.
This national recognition highlights the Home’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional residential aged care services and its dedication to improving the lives of older people in the community.
Photo: Vasilis Vasilas.
Photo: Vasilis Vasilas.
This year, the Greek Community Home for the Aged stood out among a highly competitive field of nominees for its hard work and dedication.
“We are deeply honoured to receive the 2024 ACCPA Excellence Award for Organisation Excellence,” the Home said in a statement.
Photo: Vasilis Vasilas.
“This award is testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who strive every day to provide compassionate, high-quality care to our residents. We are committed to continuing our mission of enhancing the well-being and quality of life of older people in our community and so proud of the work of team.”
With a focus on person-centred care, the Greek Orthodox Community Home for the Aged is committed to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment where older people can thrive.
The Daily Telegraph has published its Sydney Power 100 rankings for 2024 and five Australians of Greek heritage are listed as some of Sydney’s most influential players.
4 – Peter V’landys: Racing NSW chief executive, ARLC chairman
Born on the Greek island of Kythera, Peter V’landys migrated to Australia in 1965 with his two brothers and mum, to join his dad in Wollongong, south of Sydney. At the time, V’landys was only three years old and life was difficult. He’s the man everyone credits with ‘saving’ rugby league in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
18 – Nick Politis: Businessman and Sydney Roosters chairman
Known as the godfather of rugby league, Nick Politis is one of the most powerful people in NRL history. He is a Greek migrant from the island of Kythera and started as a Sydney Roosters club sponsor way back in 1976. After almost five decades, Politis remains faithful to his mission of making the Roosters one of Australia’s most successful sporting organisations.
43 – John Hatzistergos: ICAC chief commissioner
Levelling up a position is the lawyer, ex-politician and former District Court judge, John Hatzistergos. He is the chief commissioner of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and one of the most progressive attorneys-general of recent times as a minister during the turbulent years between 2007 and 2011 which saw three different Labor premiers.
92 –John Vellis: NRL General Manager of US expansion
New entry, former Tabcorp executive John Vellis led the NRL’s five-year strategic push into the US. Part of the strategy Vellis oversees includes the creation of the NRL Combine to unearth American athletes and provide them with a development pathway and audience, as well as the Las Vegas Nines tournament.
Vellis plans on expanding next year with a four-game extravaganza including a women’s Test and Super League fixture.
93 –Steve Kamper: NSW Minister for Small Business, Lands and Property, Multiculturalism & Sport
Leading the portfolios of Small Business, Sport, Lands and Property, and Multiculturalism, senior Minister Steve Kamper has secured his debut on Sydney’s Power 100 list. Kamper acts as a pivotal sounding board for the NSW Premier, and is one of Chris Minns’ trusted partners in parliament.
In a strong message to Football Australia (FA), South Melbourne FC have called on the national football organisation to follow through with its promise of starting a National Second Division competition in 2025.
This comes after speculation has emerged in recent months which suggest FA plan to scrap the National Second Division in favour of a ‘Champions League-style’ model where clubs would remain in their respective state NPLs and play additional matches between those fixtures, akin to cup competitions.
The Sydney Morning Herald has previously reported that the National Second Division was at risk due to a shortage of suitable teams to get the competition off the ground, as well as uncertainty surrounding the future of the A-Leagues.
Clubs which have already been selected for the National Second Division, including South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC, are opposed to the alleged ‘Champions League-style’ model, given they put significant financial resources into their bid to be involved with the new competition.
Below is an open letter from South Melbourne FC outlining their disappointment with news of a potential delay to the competition.
The National Second Division is at risk of being delayed.
Open Letter
As we stand at the crossroads of a new era for South Melbourne Football Club, we are compelled to reflect on our remarkable journey and the indelible legacy that we have carved in the annals of Australian football.
Our history is not just a chronicle of victories and achievements but a tapestry woven with passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the beautiful game.
Since our inception in 1959, South Melbourne FC has been a beacon of excellence and a symbol of footballing pride in Australia. Our journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the pre-eminent football clubs in the nation is a testament to the dedication of our players, coaches, staff, and the unwavering support of our fans.
Each victory, each trophy, and each milestone has been a collective triumph, resonating with the spirit and tenacity that define our club.
On the field, our successes have been monumental. With four national championships, numerous state league titles, and a cherished place in the history books as Oceania Club Champions, our achievements stand as a testament to our prowess and determination.
However, our journey has not been without its challenges. Our attempts to join the A-League have been met with disappointment on three occasions, despite our rich history and undeniable contribution to Australian football. These setbacks have not been due to a lack of capability or vision but rather biases against our storied background and flawed expansion strategies that overlooked the essence of what makes a football club truly great.
We watched as newer clubs like Melbourne Heart, sustained primarily by foreign investment, and Western United, which has struggled to capture the imagination of the Victorian public, were given opportunities that we believe rightfully belonged to us. Yet, these challenges have only strengthened our resolve. Last week, we again demonstrated our enduring spirit by defeating the A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix in the Round of 32 of the Australia Cup at our picturesque Lakeside Stadium.
In front of over 4,000 passionate fans, we showcased the magic of South Melbourne FC, proving once again that we belong on the national stage. Our club has been the nurturing ground for dozens of Socceroos and contributed to great coaching stories such as Ange Postecoglou, Joe Montemurro, Mike Valkanis, Patrick Kisnorbo, Kevin Muscat and more. These individuals have not only brought glory to South Melbourne but have also significantly contributed to the broader landscape of Australian and international football. Their journeys began with us, and their successes are a testament to the strong foundation and support that South Melbourne FC provides.
Additionally, many of our administrators have gone on to achieve prominence at the highest levels of the game, both domestically and internationally. Their contributions have helped shape the strategic direction and governance of football, ensuring that the principles of integrity and excellence that define South Melbourne FC are echoed throughout the sport. Now, more than ever, it is South Melbourne’s time to shine.
We continue to advocate for the commencement of the National Second Tier in 2025, a platform where our historic club can once again showcase its prowess and contribute to the growth of Australian football. Our place is at the forefront, driving forward with the same passion and commitment that has defined us for almost seven decades.
South Melbourne FC along with the other NST Foundation Clubs went through an extensive RFP & submission process, as well as provide a $500,000 Bank Guarantee based on the understanding & assurances that we would be establishing a standalone home & away second division.
The Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) representing over 300 clubs across Australia was established with a charter to establish a National Second Division. The FA Board & the Executive can choose to ignore the will of the majority of Community based clubs across Australia & continue to protect the interests of 12 private franchises.
The National Second Tier in 2025, is our opportunity to finally unify the game and complete the Football pyramid
It’s time for the Chairman & Board of Football Australia to be pioneers and lead our great game.
As we prepare for our Round of 16 clash in the Australia Cup, we call upon our loyal fans and the broader public to rally behind us. Your unwavering support has always been our greatest strength, and together, we can continue to achieve greatness. Join us in this journey, and let us celebrate our rich history, acknowledge our challenges, and look forward to a future where South Melbourne FC continues to shine brightly on the national stage. It’s Time, Our Time.
The AFL great will take on Nicholas ‘Nick’ Reece in the October local council election after he was voted in as Lord Mayor this July.
In a statement to kick off his campaign, Koutoufides said the “time to act is now” and announced some of his key policies. They included a pledge for a two-year rates freeze and funding for more major events to support local businesses.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece and Anthony Koutoufides at Carlton game at the MCG. Photo: @nickreecemelbourne / Instagram.
“Your voices need to be heard and the final quarter has just started… Vote for a better Melbourne,” the footy icon said.
According to the statement, “Captain” Koutoufides will lead his “high performance [Team Kouta]” having led Carlton FC from 2004 to 2006.
Koutoufides’ entire ticket is yet to be confirmed, with his running partner unknown.
Melbourne-based tech start-up E-Mersion Media has sensationally collapsed with debts of over $12 million.
According to liquidator Mathew Gollant’s report, the company, which specialised in digitising traditional print magazines, had been at a loss since its inception.
The media-tech company only managed to make four sales in the four years it was in operation, coming in at a measly $84,274.
The business also received a further $200,000 from the government’s JobKeeper grant to pay staff during the COVID-19 pandemic which kept it afloat until it went into liquidation in April this year.
Over the course of these four years, Iliopoulos’ business racked up losses of $12.6 million on staff wages, legal fees, computer and software expenses, and travel expenses, according to Gollant’s statutory report.
Staff are also owed $255,000 from unpaid employee entitlements.
E-Mersion Media had summed investments of up to $12 million from over 50 (predominantly Australian) investors, money they will unlikely recover.
“Some things don’t work out to plan,” Iliopoulos said on the collapse.
Stefanos Tsitsipas faced Jan-Lennard Struff at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday, August 14 in one of his first matches after dumping father Apostolos as his coach.
Competing at the ATP Masters 1000 event after a tense match and defeat in Montreal, Tsitsipas rallied from a set and a break down to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Tsitsipas fought to return across the second and third sets when he converted three of 14 break points he earned leading to a one-hour, 57-minute victory.
“I felt like I was in a great flow state towards the end of the match with my serve,” Tsitsipas said in his post-match interview.
“Immediately my groundstrokes improved, immediately my confidence to come forward and close in improved, so there were a lot of improvements that contributed to my game today.”
Firefighters have fought to contain the remaining fire near Athens, Greece that killed a woman and pushed thousands of people out of their homes.
Spreading from Varnavas, 35 km from the capital, most fronts were eased after firefighters battled the wildfire since Sunday, August 11.
A European Union satellite mapping agency showed 104 square kilometres of land was devastated by the blaze, covering an area almost twice the size of Manhattan and blanketing Athens with a thick cloud of smoke.
A drone shot shows the devastation of the Greece wildfire. Photo: Global News.
Greece remains on high fire alert, with temperatures forecast to hit 40 degrees Celsius raising concerns over possible flare-ups.
The wildfire follows successive heat waves across southern Europe and low levels of rainfall this year.
Despite not knowing what started the fire, Greece has recently tightened penalties for arson. The government has also announced compensation and relief measures for those impacted by the disaster.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited an air base in Elefsina to “say a very big ‘thank you’” to the country’s aerial firefighters and acknowledge the international assistance from nine countries, including Turkey. Australian helicopters from McDermott Aviation also took part in the firefighting efforts.
According to Ekathimerini, Mitsotakis addressed the pilots saying, “I know how difficult it is to do what you do, especially for the [Canadair] CL-215 operators. I am fully aware of what it means to fly airplanes that have seen hard use… [And] how much work is done by the support technicians so that you can keep the aircraft in the air.”
“I’ve said it many times, we’re always striving to improve. We don’t expect the solution to just come out of thin air. Very important work needs to be done in the area of prevention,” he concluded.
The feeling is ignited only to the lucky ones that have experienced at least one Dekapentavgousto in Greece. The sense of sacredness is diffuse in every corner of the country, heralding the end of summer, in the characteristic, mild breeze of late August.
Awakenings, traditions, pilgrimages to historic monasteries throughout the country, offers to the Virgin Mary and a 15-day period of Lent, commonly honour the Dormition of Mary.
Some places have tied their name to the uniqueness or the longevity of their celebration of the Dormition of Mary.
Panayia of Kosmosoteira, Ferai, Evros: Liturgy at the Trinational Point of Evros
Constructed on the strategically unique position atop a hill trespassing via Egnatia, close to Evros river, the church of Kosmosoteira, in the traditional Ferai settlement (district of Thrace), is an outstanding monument of the mid-Byzantine period. The monastery has been founded by the emperor Isaac Komnenos in 1152.
Over the recent years, the monastery is under extensive preservation and restoration, which has transferred the liturgy of the Dormition outdoors in the vast church yard, offering a breathtaking, clear view of the Evros river and the neighbouring villages of Turkey.
The combination of the scenery, the historicity of the place and the sacredness of the day, combine to create a thrilling experience, revived by locals and visitors every year.
Kozani, village of Siatista: The Horsemen’s Custom; Pilgrimage
This is a tradition that casts back to the days of the Ottoman occupation. At some point during the Ottoman occupation, the rulers granted to the occupied Greeks the right to honour the day of the Dormition and this was thereupon celebrated in the most venerable way, even only for a day.
After all, the collective, religious celebration was a reminder of their identity and it kept their wish for liberation alive.
The miraculous icon of Virgin Mary, kept in the homonym monastery of the village Mikrokastro (namely: small castle) during the litany, the ritualistic procession is carried by the pilgrims, mounted on their tastefully adorned horses. The sacred icon is kept in this monastery since 1603.
The embellished and long-prepared horses of the march are the highlight of the celebration, coupled with the traditional music, dance and food, all the long way up to the monastery.
Kefalonia, Markopoulo: The Snakes of Virgin Mary
An eerie, unique spectacle is observed in the Markopoulos settlement of Kefalonia island. The spectacle attracts masses of believers. The story, or the myth, of the small, harmless snakes of Panayia of Fidous (Virgin Mary of the snakes) traces back to a time when pirates threatened to invade the island and plunder the monastery.
The nuns then resorted to prayers, summoning for their salvation and the monastery’s safety. The snakes are reputed to be the God-sent salvation of the defenseless nuns against the pirates, notes Kastellariou (2018).
Thereupon, every year, on August 15, the iconic and innocent snakes peek out of the bell tower, making their way to the churchyard and the interior of the monastery, to startle the visitors and, as the folk belief goes, also bring good luck and well-being to the entire island.
Kastanies, Monastery of Panayia Soumela, Imathia: Honouring the Pontiac Orthodox past
Prior to the fateful expatriation and the forced departure, in 1922, of millions of people of the Orthodox population of Pontus, instigated by the movement of the Young Turks, two monks from the monastery of Panayia Soumela concealed in a chest, the holy icon of Panayia, a priceless cross crafted with a piece of the True Cross, owned by Manuel Konmenos the III, and a manuscript of the Holy Gospel, owned by Saint Christophorus.
They buried the chest in the chapel yard of Saint Barbara. It was in 1931, upon initiative of the Prime Minister of the time, Eleftherios Venizelos, that one of the monks, pater Amvrosios, was sent back to Pontus to unearth and recover the sacred heirlooms, which he brought back to Greece. 1951 marks the year of the construction of the new Panayia Soumela, in Vermio, Imathia district.
The foundation of the new monastery was upon initiative of Filon Ktenidis (Trabzon, 1889-Thessaloniki, 1963). The monastery is a direct symbolic reference to the original one and it enshrines the historic icon of Panayia Soumela that was brought back from Pontus, accompanied by the sacred heirlooms.
Every year in Dekapentavgoustos, the holy site is flooded with thousands of pilgrims arriving from every part of the country and abroad who arrive to honour the Dormition of Virgin Mary and observe the celebrations.
Besides being a bank holyday and one of the most glorious religious celebrations, August 15, Dekapentavgoustos or the Koimisis of Theotokos (the Dormition of Virgin Mary), is also a name day to many Greek people, therefore a family celebration, as, most probably, there is at least one member named after Panayia in a Greek family.
Wish them a happy name day if you happen to be close to a Panos, Panayiotis, Panayiota, Yiota, Mary, Maria, Mario, Despoina or Despo!
References:
Τα έθιμα του Δεκαπενταύγουστου στην Ελλάδα. YouTube. Uploaded by EΡΤ Α.Ε. Uploaded 15/08/21. https://youtu.be/DGsOTpYxyyM.
Καλτσίδη, Μ. (2022). Σιάτιστα Κοζάνης: Αναβίωσε το Έθιμο των Καβαλάρηδων. ERT News.
Kastelloriou, S. (2018). Η Σημερινή ημέρα της Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου, αποτελεί μία από τις μεγαλύτερες γιορτές της ορθοδοξίας, γνωστή και ως το Πάσχα του Καλοκαιριού. SBS Ελληνικά.
Controversial Gold Coast racing car driver, Chris Pappas, has been identified as the victim of a horrific hammer and knife attack on the Glitter Strip.
36-year-old Pappas was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after being stabbed and struck with a hammer multiple times at his waterfront mansion at Mermaid Waters early on Tuesday, August 13.
He is believed to have been stabbed in the leg and hit in the head in a 3am attack at the Sailaway St residence.
His condition was listed as stable on Tuesday afternoon.
Chris Pappas. Photo: Facebook.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Pappas had been at home with his partner Krystle Earsman when two masked men burst in. Mr Pappas allegedly wrestled with the intruders. His sister, who lives next door and was alerted by screams, rang police.
Mr Pappas is believed to have recently upgraded security at the house following threats.
Mr Pappas was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital. A crime scene was declared and an investigation has been launched.
George Paraskevopoulos’ eyes fill with tears when he talks about his father. We sit with the Greek Australian businessman in his coffee shop in Athens, Greece called The Roasting Warehouse Athens (Ntelakroua 2, Athens) when memories flood his mind.
George opens up about his migration to Australia with his parents, a brief pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic that gave him the opportunity to reflect, and the return to Greece with the opening of a coffee shop in the up-and-coming suburb of Neos Kosmos.
“It’s like a circle has closed,” he says emotionally, thinking of his father, who recently passed away.
(Photo on left) The Greek Australian businessman, George Paraskevopoulos (left) with his partner and Greek coffee champion, Nikos Antzaras (right).
George’s father didn’t get to see the Roasting Warehouse Athens, but he felt proud of his son and the small coffee empire he had created in Melbourne, Victoria. With two stores in Airport West and North Melbourne, and later South Fremantle in Western Australia, George has instilled the philosophy of coffee not only in the Greek community, but also in his Australian customers.
The opening of the store in Athens, he tells me, “is an opportunity to come to Greece five to six times a year.”
Within a few months of opening, Roasting Warehouse Athens has already become a meeting point for Greek Australians in Greece. It has also been visited by the Australian Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan. A regular visitor is the stunning model, Mary Vitinaros.
“In just three days, I met about 100 people from Australia,” George says, pleased with the early support for his venture.
The Australian Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan (third from left) meets with George Paraskevopoulos (left), his family and work team.
Meeting the coffee champion
The Roasting Warehouse Athens was the result of a friendship between George and the Greek coffee champion, top barista Nikos Antzaras.
“I met Nikos in Australia. He was competing there in a global coffee competition. He had come with his wife, Eleni, who now oversees everything in the store,” George says.
“I told my son to go pick them up from the airport, to help with whatever they needed. We had a good time. A few months later, we came to Greece. We met with the kids, they treated us, we talked but we didn’t discuss anything about the store. In April 2023, Eleni sent me a proposal to open the store. She asked if I was interested.
“I thought about it, sometimes I said yes, sometimes no. The mind plays games. Finally, I said yes. I came to Greece. Nikos had chosen the location, and I liked it very much.”
George had a coffee empire before, which inspired him into offering the best possible coffee to his Australian customers.
“I always had businesses in Melbourne. Starting in 2002, I created a chain of 27 stores, which was doing very well. I decided to buy a store in Perth to roast coffee, and immediately after, I bought a store in North Melbourne,” he explains.
For George, coffee is a bonding agent that brings people together. What he wants now, as he raises his three children to take over the business, is to have contacts with people who share his vision. The coffee community, as he calls it.
“Now I know what I want. I want a community of people with my interests. I like the coffee community. It doesn’t discriminate. You go, have a coffee, no one will ask you what religion you believe in or where you are from. And I like that,” George says.
Life in Greece
George was born and raised in Melbourne, but life brought him to Greece when he was nine years old. From a metropolitan center in Australia to a Greek village in the 1970s.
“We lived in Greece for a few years. In the village of Panagitsa, a little outside of Levidi. I was nine years old then. I remember the landmarks of my life from my trips to Greece,” he says.
“It was incredible. It was a cultural shock having lived in Australia and then living in a small village. We left again for Australia, then came back to Greece and lived in Vrachati, Corinthia. For about a year. My father had the adventure in him. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
George adds that his mother visits Greece every year and she was happy that he opened the store in Athens.
“She is 82 years old and comes to Greece every year. My mother knows me, that I am adventurous. She was naturally happy,” George says, adding that he visited Greece six times last year.
“I’m trying to do two things. Work and come to Greece.”
Expansion in London, Cyprus, Lebanon, Turkey
His plans are ambitious. After all, coffee and entrepreneurship run through his veins.
“Today I woke up, put on my clothes, and came straight to the store. To talk to Eleni about what went well and what didn’t the previous day. I like entrepreneurship,” George says.
I ask him about his future plans after the opening of the Roasting Warehouse Athens.
“First of all, we want to do the best for the customer. My philosophy is to give the best experience to the customer, and that’s why we created the largest store in Melbourne. I have specialised staff who ask customers if they liked the food, the coffee. If something went wrong, we will solve it on the spot. If we don’t solve it, the customer won’t come back,” he says.
“I do what I love. In Greece, I will give you the food that is very popular in Melbourne, the freddo, and excellent service.”
George has entrusted the Australian executive chef, David Stewart, with the delicacies of Roasting Warehouse Athens. At the same time, the Roasting Warehouse brand is beginning to spread.
“They always said Greece was in the most strategic location on the planet. So I decided to expand. In London, I’ve made a deal with a professional cricket player, who is already in training. We will sell coffee wholesale. This is our main business. Additionally, we are close to an agreement with Cyprus, Turkey, and Lebanon,” George explains.
One thing is certain – the Roasting Warehouse Athens has already become the hangout spot for the Greek Australian community in Athens.
