Lendlease has revealed its plans for its first luxury apartment tower outside Sydney’s CBD, submitting a Development Application (DA) for the $500 million One Darling Point project in Edgecliff, just four kilometres from the city.
This marks the property giant’s debut in Sydney’s high-demand eastern suburbs, driven by downsizing locals selling large homes.
The development will also integrate the heritage-listed Commonwealth Bank building from 1941.
The tower’s top floor will offer a four-bedroom penthouse with a rooftop pool and panoramic views of the Harbour Bridge and city, while other apartments will offer expansive views over the CBD and eastern suburbs.
In partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Lendlease acquired the site for $132.5 million from Anka Property.
The project will include both market-rate and affordable housing, with a height bonus allowed due to the inclusion of affordable housing for essential workers.
Lendlease hopes to begin construction next year, with sales expected to launch in the next 12 months.
The St George Basketball Association (SGBA) has announced a groundbreaking sister club partnership with Apollon Patras Sports Club from Greece.
This exciting collaboration aims to promote international understanding, enhance the development of players, coaches, and administrators, and foster cultural exchanges between the two organisations.
The official agreement was signed by SGBA Treasurer George Aliferis and SGBA General Manager Valerie Stoddart with the full support of the Board, Ray Barbi, Con Angelis, Luther Shannon and Phillip Towers and with Apollon Patras Secretary General Aristeidis Zervas.
Apollon Patras Sports Club was established in 1926 with a rich history at all levels of basketball, volleyball and football in the past. Today basketball and volleyball are still cultivated within the club.
The partnership symbolises a shared commitment to the growth and development of basketball as a global sport.
“This collaboration presents an incredible opportunity for both organisations,” St George Basketball Treasurer Mr Aliferis said.
“We believe that by working together, we can create a meaningful framework for our members. Our players will benefit from exposure to different playing styles, coaching techniques, and cultural experiences.”
Under the terms of the partnership, the SGBA and Apollon Patras will engage in various collaborative initiatives, including player exchange programs, joint training camps, and workshops led by expert coaches. These initiatives will allow players to gain new perspectives on the game, hone their skills, and build lifelong friendships across the globe.
Mr Zervas expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This is not just about basketball; it is about bridging cultures and creating a community that spans continents. We are excited to work closely with SGBA and share knowledge and experience that will benefit our players and coaches.”
The camaraderie between SGBA and Apollon Patras is expected to blossom over the coming years, culminating in friendly matches and tournaments aimed at strengthening the bond between the two clubs.
SGBA have plans for youth tournaments that will welcome teams from Apollon Patras, providing young athletes with a unique platform to showcase their talents. Apollon Patras will also welcome teams from SGBA and opportunities for rising stars to trial in Greece.
As the local basketball season approaches, both clubs are eager to kick off their initiatives to promote development and foster lasting friendships between their players, families, and fans.
Ms Stoddart, General Manager of SGBA, said, “The partnership is anticipated to forge pathways to success for all involved, creating meaningful opportunities that extend far beyond the court.”
SGBA and Apollon Patras are committed to nurturing the game of basketball, embracing diversity, and celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship through this innovative partnership.
The unexplained void of any Greek representation in the parade has been decades-long (since 1994), and the opportunity to participate is credited to the MANASIS school’s commitment in reviving centuries-old traditions – namely the APOKRIES Carnival Season Processions, Ceremonial/Honorary Parades, and of course, Greek dance.
“We are humbled to have the privilege of representing the entire Greek Australian diaspora through our involvement, alongside countless other organisations, in what is planned to be a celebration of unity and cultural diversity,” MANASIS Director / Instructor, Dimosthenis Manasis, said.
Past parades by MANASIS.
The team will be led by a contingency of the mighty FROURA Hellenic Australian Honorary Guard – by MANASIS, followed by endless rows of dancers from the MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture in an exhibition of costumes, traditions, and dances.
Ultimately, the school has fused: 1) a customary traditional ‘parade’, complete with drummers and flag-bearers carrying all the representative regalia and insignias, 2) countless dancers in traditional costumes reflective of the various regions of Greece, and 3) the most traditional free-flowing ‘patinada’ (street/roving dance).
In addition to the parade, MANASIS will also be hosting an hour-long presentation at the ‘Dance Hub’ by the banks of the Yarra River for the Moomba Festival. This component will include countless performers showcasing dances from various regions of Greece, a workshop where participants will have the opportunity to learn steps to the famous Zorba, and a ‘glendi’ for all as the afterparty to the parade.
The festival is named after the belief that “moomba” is an Aboriginal word meaning “let’s get together and have fun.” The Moomba Parade in Melbourne has been held since 1955, attracts over 100,000 people annually, and the entire 2025 festival programme anticipates an estimated 1.4 million attendees.
For those unable to attend, the parade will be featured on Channels 9 and 9Now via delayed broadcast at 2:30pm.
“We anticipate a gleaming example of esoteric and exoteric unity. We hope to make everyone extremely proud and take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the City of Melbourne and the Moomba Festival Parade Creative team for their support and this honour,” Dimosthenis said.
Dimosthenis said he realises that through his school’s participation in the Moomba Parade, they are not simply representing their dance school, but have the high honour of representing the entire Greek Australian community. For this reason, Dimosthenis is extending the opportunity for participation to the wider Greek community. If interested, dancers, musicians and students from Melbourne’s various Greek language schools, cultural organisations, dance groups, and anyone else passionate about their culture is encouraged to contact the school at their earliest convenience.
A 20-year-old man from South Australia has been sentenced to up to five years in prison for stabbing an innocent commuter during a drug-induced paranoid episode.
Jayden James Spakianos, from Morphett Vale, pleaded guilty to attacking 26-year-old Scott Wimshurst in September 2023 at the Noarlunga Centre bus interchange.
The court was told Spakianos, who was on bail at the time, approached Wimshurst after noticing him across the road, making threats and telling his uncle he would “kill this guy right now.”
When Wimshurst told Spakianos to leave him alone, Spakianos pulled out a knife and stabbed Wimshurst underneath the shoulder blade. The attack left Wimshurst with a punctured and collapsed lung, requiring urgent medical attention.
Judge Joanne Tracey described the attack as “violent and unprovoked” and emphasised the ongoing physical, psychological, and financial impact on Wimshurst.
Spakianos, under the influence of alcohol, amphetamines, and prescription medication, was deemed paranoid during the incident.
Spakianos was sentenced to five years, eight months, and 12 days in prison, with a non-parole period of three years, backdated to June 4, 2024.
A year-long study by the Deon Institute of Policy Studies reveals the growing interest in repatriation among the Greek academic diaspora, highlighting a mix of motivations and challenges.
The study, led by Aphrodite Xydi and Corina Anagnostopoulou, focuses on the willingness of Greek-origin professors, researchers, and PhD holders to return to Greece.
While many are open to repatriation, they cite concerns about Greece’s academic system and socio-political environment.
Key findings from the research show that 59% of academics are open to returning to Greece within the next five years, with the highest interest coming from those in Canada (72%) and Australia (67%). However, lower interest was observed from those based in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, as well as from some fields like computer science and engineering.
Despite acknowledging low salaries, most respondents indicated they are not asking for excessive compensation to return. Instead, they cited factors like meritocracy, academic research funding, and Greece’s socio-political environment as key concerns.
“While participants believe that salaries in Greece are low, they do not demand exorbitant amounts as an incentive for returning,” said Xydi. She also noted that the meritocracy issue is a major barrier for those considering repatriation.
Personal motivations, such as ties to family and the desire to contribute to Greece, were found to be the strongest drivers for those considering a return. However, bureaucratic issues, low research funding, and lack of meritocracy in Greek universities were cited as significant deterrents.
Younger academics, particularly those aged 26-45, expressed a strong preference for permanent, full-time positions, while others were more interested in part-time or visiting professor roles.
This demographic also showed heightened interest in returning, especially those from Canada and Australia, where a sense of nostalgia for Greece is more pronounced.
In terms of Greek universities, while 61% of participants gave positive evaluations of student and teacher levels, 77% expressed dissatisfaction with salaries, and 69% highlighted a lack of meritocracy.
These concerns, coupled with Greece’s broader socio-political issues, such as housing and safety, further complicate the repatriation decision.
The study underscores the importance of addressing these challenges to successfully attract the Greek academic diaspora back to the country, offering a potential solution to the “brain drain” experienced during Greece’s financial crisis.
The Greek Community Cup Women’s Final came to a thrilling conclusion as Box Hill United triumphed 2–1 over Keon Park in a hard-fought contest at John Cain Memorial Park.
Keon Park started the match with intensity, applying early pressure and scoring the opening goal to take the lead. However, Box Hill United quickly settled into the game, dominating possession and midfield play, which ultimately led to an equaliser before halftime.
The second half was an action-packed, end-to-end affair with both teams creating chances and testing the goalkeepers. As the match neared its final moments, Box Hill United secured the decisive goal after sustained pressure, sealing a 2–1 victory and claiming the inaugural Greek Community Cup Women’s trophy.
Councillor Emily Dimitriadis, Deputy Mayor, City of Darebin, said, “It’s wonderful to see all the women playing out there—you really are an inspiration. We’re very excited about this inaugural Greek Women’s Cup and look forward to supporting you in the future. Congratulations to both teams for playing today and well-done Box Hill on your win!”
Kat Theophanous MP, State Member for Northcote, shared, “As the State Member for Northcote, I’m so proud to celebrate the inaugural Greek Community Cup Women’s Finals right here at John Cain Memorial Park. Local sport brings people together, builds confidence, and empowers the next generation of athletes.”
“Today, we not only cheer for the incredible talent on the field but also champion a future where every young woman and girl knows that her place in sport is celebrated and supported,” Ms Theophanous added.
“Congratulations to the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) and Northcote City FC for creating a new tradition that uplifts women’s sport and showcases the multicultural spirit of our electorate. I also want to congratulate the champions of this first women’s cup, Box Hill FC, for their outstanding performance and well-deserved victory.”
Jason D., Vice President of Northcote, reflected, “It’s been an amazing three weeks, and everyone who participated should be proud of what they’ve achieved. We were extremely honoured to host the inaugural Greek Women’s Cup and look forward to continuing this journey. Congratulations to Box Hill and Keon Park as runners-up. We’re excited to keep growing female football and strengthening this relationship for years to come.”
Michael Karamitos, GCM Vice President, expressed, “I feel very honoured to be here today because what we’ve achieved through this initiative is all about engaging with our youth for the future.”
“On behalf of the Greek Community, congratulations to Box Hill for winning the inaugural Greek Community Cup—let’s give a round of applause for the girls. We look forward to this tournament growing in the future. Before I introduce our special guests, I’d like to thank Northcote City Football Club for their involvement. We look forward to continuing this partnership and working together with Northcote. A big thank you to the supporters who came out to support the girls today,” Mr Karamitos added.
Bill Papastergiadis OAM, GCM President, added, “Thank you all. Congratulations to Box Hill and coach Stefano. Women’s football is a big part of my life, as my daughter used to play with Box Hill, and we’re excited to see this tournament grow, aiming for 16 teams in the future.”
“The Greek Community of Melbourne is an organisation that bridges culture, language, and advocacy on a variety of issues, and we’re proud to have you all with us. We encourage you to become members online. We welcome all Greeks, and while we’re gracious, we do live in a multicultural society. Many thanks to our hosts, the city, our board members, and all those who helped make this event possible. It’s been a wonderful journey and a great event,” Mr Papastergiadis added.
“The GCM is excited to see the future growth of the Greek Women’s Cup and looks forward to making the event a key part of the community’s sporting calendar in the years to come.”
Full fixtures, scores, and updates will be announced at: www.greekcup.com.au
The Greek Community Cup is brought to you by the Greek Community of Melbourne in association with Australian Football Skool. The tournament is hosted by Northcote City FC and proudly supported by LV Furniture, Accountancy Group, Active Orthopaedic Centre and Peter Tziotzis-Orthodox Funeral Services.
TikTok influencer Amelia Findlay has been ordered to pay $20,000 in damages for defaming University of Sydney student Bearte McDonald.
The case stemmed from a video Findlay posted in November 2024, in which she identified McDonald and other students involved in an incident at a Student Representative Council (SRC) meeting.
During the meeting, male students were filmed tearing up a report on sexual violence in the university’s colleges.
The Red Zone Report, which documented incidents like male students ejaculating into female students’ shampoo and an event called “The Purge,” highlighted disturbing behaviour in the university’s colleges.
@australiancommunitymedia The University of Sydney has launched an immediate investigation after Liberal students tore up a report into rape, harassment and hazing during an SRC meeting. #USyd The Students Representative Council meeting was held on October 30, 2024, and saw elected Liberal student councillors and members of the campus Conservative Club ripped up copies of the Red Zone Report on the rape and sexual violence epidemic at the colleges. #redzonereport#hazing#universityofsydney#politics#youth#auspol♬ original sound – Australian Community Media
In her video, Findlay called McDonald’s actions “hilarious,” referring to her as someone who “finds rape and assault hilarious” and mocked her involvement in tearing up the report.
McDonald, with the help of defamation lawyer Sue Chrysanthou, filed a lawsuit against Findlay, seeking the removal of the video. The video gained significant attention, with nearly 300,000 views and 2 million likes before being deleted.
Findlay did not file a defence, and the defamation case was settled by consent. On February 12, Justice Nicholas Owens ruled that Findlay must pay $20,000 in damages plus legal costs.
The University of Sydney and the Liberal Party condemned the incident, with Vice Chancellor Mark Scott affirming support for the Red Zone Report. McDonald was suspended from the Liberal Party for six months.
The student newspaper Honi Soit also issued an apology to McDonald in December after receiving a legal threat similar to Findlay’s.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia led the Doxology service marking the start of the new Law Term in New South Wales at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney on Tuesday, February 11.
The service was attended by Their Graces Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW The Hon. Andrew Bell, members of the judiciary, lawyers, law students, and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis.
Students from Saint Spyridon College and clergy from the Parish of Saint Spyridon also participated.
After the service, Archbishop Makarios extended his best wishes to the judiciary officials for the new Law Term, emphasising their role in upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights and freedoms. He encouraged them to find strength and inspiration in Christ as they carry out their duties.
A reception followed at Saint Andrew’s Theological College, where Chief Justice Bell praised the Archdiocese for instituting the Doxology celebration, noting that many members of the judiciary in NSW are of Greek descent and devout Orthodox Christians.
He also highlighted the importance of mutual respect and equality in Australia’s multicultural society, regardless of religion, language, or origin.
The Chief Justice thanked Archbishop Makarios for his steadfast support of the Doxology service and congratulated him on the impressive renovation of the Cathedral of Sydney.
The Victorian government has announced an extended duck hunting season for 2025, allowing hunters more time and a larger daily bag limit.
The season will run from March 19 to June 9, lasting 83 days, up from 56 days in 2024.
Hunters will now be permitted to take up to nine ducks per day, an increase from six, and seven species of ducks will be allowed. However, the blue-winged shoveler has been excluded from the list, and lead shot will be banned for quail hunting.
Steve Dimopoulos, Victoria’s Minister for Outdoor Recreation, defended the decision, stating, “Duck hunting is a legitimate activity that can be done sustainably and responsibly.”
He emphasised the introduction of a wounding reduction action plan to enhance animal welfare and ensure sustainable recreational hunting practices.
Victorian Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos.
Despite this, the decision has sparked backlash. Georgie Purcell, MP for the Animal Justice Party, criticised the extended season as “the most reckless season” in over a decade, condemning 400,000 native waterbirds to “ruthless” slaughter. She accused Premier Daniel Andrews of caving to the gun lobby.
The move follows a significant decline in waterbird populations, with numbers dropping nearly 50% due to drought, according to the Eastern Australian Waterbird Survey.
The Victorian government had previously ignored a 2023 parliamentary inquiry’s recommendation for a ban on duck hunting, opting instead to shorten the season in 2024 and introduce new measures like hunter education and wounding reduction strategies.
Wildlife Victoria has called for the abolishment of duck hunting in the state, citing the public’s overwhelming desire for a ban.
The meeting, initiated by the Ambassador, aimed to strengthen the already strong ties between the two nations.
Iatridis highlighted the historical connections between Greece and Australia, noting that since 1890, the migration of Kastellorizo residents and others from the Dodecanese islands, such as Kalymnos, Karpathos, Rhodes, and Symi, contributed to the formation of a thriving Greek and Dodecanese community in Australia. This community has significantly impacted Australia’s economy.
The Ambassador praised the achievements of the Dodecanese community in Australia, recognising their success in both the private sector and public offices across the country.
The two agreed to collaborate on initiatives to further enhance bilateral relations in tourism, trade, and women’s empowerment.
Iatridis also briefed the Ambassador on a draft law aimed at increasing women’s participation in corporate boards in Greece.
At the end of the meeting, both sides committed to maintaining open communication to further promote the discussed initiatives.
