Oakleigh Grammar has inducted its 2025 School leaders from the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools.
Attended by students, staff, parents and the Board, along with special guest the Hon. Ms Clare O’Neil, Member for Hotham, the assembly opened with an Acknowledgement of Country and the National Anthems of both Australia and Greece.
Hon. Ms Clare O’Neil congratulates a student leader.Hon. Ms Clare O’Neil with Principal Mark Robertson.Hon. Ms Clare O’Neil.
School Captain Alexander Korlos conducted an Opening Prayer before Principal Mark Robertson delivered his Principal’s Address, speaking of the important role our School leaders will play in inspiring students and embodying the School’s theme this year to ‘Aim High, Achieve More.’
Ms O’Neil was then welcomed to the stage by School Captain Anastasia Kaniadakis, who delivered a warm address to the students in attendance, speaking on the importance of doing what is right rather than what is popular, and everyone’s responsibility to act as leaders within their community.
Hon. Clare O’Neil congratulates a student leader.Principal Robertson congratulates a student leader.Whole School watches on at the Leaders Induction Assembly.
The formal induction process saw 16 Senior School students, 12 Middle School and 15 Junior School students accepting their badges from Mr Robertson as School Leaders, each signing their name and making a pledge to Oakleigh Grammar as School Leaders.
There were also 26 School Representative Council students that were inducted across Year 6 to Year 12.
Captain badges.
Families and inductees then enjoyed morning tea at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The following students were appointed to leadership roles:
2025 Senior School Leaders
School Captains: Anastasia Kaniadakis and Alexander Korlos
Vice Captains: George Dimitropoulos and Michaela Millar
Life and Culture: Jaimann Kaur and Samita Upadhyaya
Student Wellbeing: Abdullah Saddiq
Social Justice: Helen Kousourakis and Mugdhasri Maddali
Bradman House: Vassos Charalambous and Dean Voutsas
Fraser House: Mary Alexopoulos, Mattea Georges and Manni Talias
Rose House: Ketrina Mawal and Megan Sheer
2025 Middle School Leaders
School Captains: Chrisanthy Psaras and Paul Makris
Vice Captains: Kosta Apostolou and Valantina Marinakis
Life and Culture: Alexia Frank and Ayden George Gigu
Student Wellbeing: Rheanna Rajesh
Social Justice: Thomai Haritidis
Bradman House: Chrisanthy Psaras
Fraser House: Anastasiya Pokrovskaya
Rose House: Alexis Ellwood and Anastasia Vrettakos
2025 Junior School Leaders
School Captains: Danai Pavlou and Nicholas Vlahandonis
Vice Captains: Cormac Mullarkey and Sofia Ryan
Faith Leaders: Eleni Damatopoulos, Alexia Giotas and Theodore Theodorou
Social Justice: Isabella Eroglu and Samantha Kehaidis
Bradman House: Matthew Douvitsas and Anastasia Georgiadis
Fraser House: Lucas Menelaou and Stella Stevens
Rose House: Nektarios Kallergis and Gregory Karitopoulos
2025 Student Representative Council
Year 12: George Dimitropoulos and Michaela Millar
Year 11: Nathanael Anastasiou, Elena Draganic, Tijana Karac, Tziovannis Konstantinidis, Elena Logan, Mary Mastelidys and Arkie Stathopoulos
Year 10: John Aivaliotis, Rylee Bower, Vasia Kosmas, Connie Lekkas, Maria Mitnovetski and Ellie Woodhams
Year 9: Kosta Apostolou, Thomai Haritidis and Valantina Marinakis
Year 8: Alexandra Barbagiannis, Olga Drakopoulos and Katerina Kaimakamis
Year 7: Georgios Kallergis and Dimitri Tsimitakopoulos
Year 6: Eleni Mavroidakos, Xavier Rajah and Ava Stavrakis
The Supreme Court of South Australia’s Full Court has ruled on a dispute between teaching graduate Dimosthenis Dillon Kourlas and the Teachers Registration Board of SA, which had denied his registration due to allegations of drug dealing in 2018.
Despite police dropping all charges, the Board argued it could assess an applicant’s past conduct, proven or otherwise, when determining their suitability to work with children.
The District Court had previously ruled in favour of Kourlas, criticising the Board for “cherrypicking” evidence.
However, the Full Court has now affirmed the Board’s right to conduct independent investigations, stating it is not bound by criminal proceedings.
At the same time, the court found the Board had failed to consider relevant factors, such as Kourlas’ denials and character references. It has ordered that his application be reconsidered by a new panel of officials.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has publicly invited US President Donald Trump to attend rugby league’s season-opening event in Las Vegas next month.
Speaking on Fox News, V’landys highlighted the sport’s toughness and suggested Trump’s presence would generate significant publicity.
“Mr President, we want to introduce you to the toughest game on earth, rugby league, in the world’s sport and entertainment capital, Las Vegas,” he said.
“We know you love physical, tough contact sports. There’s no sport more brutal than rugby league, our players don’t wear pads or helmets.”
Employing all his charm and natural TV presence, rugby league boss Peter V’landys begs Donald Trump to attend the NRL’s Las Vegas extravaganza pic.twitter.com/YLu5SnrYMZ
Former NRL player Aaron Woods reinforced the appeal, presenting a custom rugby league jersey with Trump’s name on it during the Fox broadcast.
The Las Vegas showcase at Allegiant Stadium has been expanded this year to include a women’s Test match between Australia and England, a game between English clubs Wigan and Warrington, and an NRL double-header featuring Canberra v New Zealand and Penrith v Cronulla.
Trump, a keen sports fan who recently attended the Super Bowl and Daytona NASCAR race, has yet to respond to the invitation.
With a resounding win by South Melbourne FC against Melbourne Knights FC last night, Club President Nick Maikousis and Chairman Bill Papastergiadis announced at the first home game that Directed is the major sponsor of South Melbourne FC, aligning two organisations driven by success, innovation, continuous improvement, and a sense of community.
A leader in consumer electronics, enterprise technology, and IoT solutions, Directed spans own-brand and distributed products – including Eufy, Anker, Disney, Oura, Ryze, Pixbee, Zero-X, NIU, Frameo, SoHo, Schosche, Bitty Boomers, Pure, and Playermaker – as well as cutting-edge telematics and connected technology solutions for automotive, mobility, and health sectors.
With a presence in over 25,000 retail outlets across Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and Canada, Directed is dedicated to transforming the way people live, work and move.
As part of the sponsorship, Directed will showcase a selection of its brands with South Melbourne over the coming year.
The first brand to be highlighted will be Playermaker, an advanced sports motion-tracking system built into wearable footwear sensors. Used by elite sports clubs and academies worldwide, Playermaker provides real-time data on player performance, enabling smarter training, injury prevention, and enhanced decision-making for athletes and coaches.
Directed is working with South Melbourne to improve performance by deploying Playermaker in the South Melbourne high-performance program.
Steve Siolis, Founder and CEO of Directed, said: “It’s great to be sponsoring South Melbourne again. South Melbourne FC has a proud history of success over the journey, and we’re excited to be part of its future. The club’s ambition, professionalism, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our values at Directed.”
“Directed and South Melbourne FC are aligned in more than passion for the game. We both put high value on innovation, improving performance, success and community involvement,” Mr Siolis added.
“There’s a real energy around the club right now. From the players to the fans, there’s a sense of momentum and a drive for continued growth. We’re proud to support this iconic club and look forward to what’s ahead.”
As one of Australia’s most successful football clubs, South Melbourne continues to build towards the future, and Directed is proud to support the club in its next chapter.
Mr Maikousis was ecstatic with the announcement and was thrilled to have Mr Siolis at the Club.
“I am excited with this and I am confident of a long term relationship,” Mr Maikousis said.
Mr Papastergiadis said, “it is a historic day for the Club as we embark on the National Second Division. To have Steve Siolis and Directed as partners in this journey is a great coup for the Club.”
“Directed is trusted organisation and Steve is also a great friend with terrific qualities. Football is being reinvigorated in Australia with the new league and we have a great partner with us in this journey. I am thrilled Steve will be with us on this journey,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
Greece is set to establish an evacuation port on the island of Santorini to ensure safe departures in the event of a significant earthquake, Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Monday, February 17.
Since late January 2025, the Aegean island has experienced tens of thousands of mild tremors, leading to evacuations, suspension of construction activities, and school closures.
Santorini is under a state of emergency. Photo: John Liakos / Getty Images.
The proposed evacuation port will accommodate passenger ferries until new infrastructure is developed.
Despite a recent decrease in tremors, emergency measures remain in effect, with authorities advising residents to avoid coastal and landslide-prone areas.
Seismologists indicate that the seismic activity, driven by shifting tectonic plates and magma movements, could persist for several months, potentially altering the island’s subsurface layers.
Australian mother-of-five Debbie Voulgaris has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for smuggling seven kilograms of cocaine and heroin into Taiwan.
The 58-year-old was arrested at Taoyuan International Airport in December 2023 after the drugs, worth $40 million NT, were discovered in her luggage.
Initially denying any knowledge of the drugs, Voulgaris later admitted she had agreed to transport them in exchange for money, flights and accommodation. She claimed her ex-husband, John Voulgaris, was behind the scheme, though he failed to appear in court when summoned.
Despite Taiwan’s severe drug smuggling penalties, which include life imprisonment or the death sentence, the judge reduced her term due to her guilty plea and financial circumstances.
Voulgaris’ family continues to support her, launching petitions and fundraising efforts for visits.
She will be deported to Australia upon her release.
On Sunday, February 16, the Greek Australian community came together at All Saints Grammar Primary School in Belmore, Sydney, for the inaugural fundraising event of the ELPIS Foundation, a charitable initiative under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
The event aimed to raise vital funds to support individuals affected by drug and alcohol addiction through rehabilitation, counselling, and withdrawal management programs.
The event was an inspiring display of unity and generosity, with attendees gathering to support the Foundation’s crucial mission.
All photos copyright Eirini Alligiannis.
Among the distinguished guests was Father Angelo Alifierakis, the Parish Priest of St Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Gladesville, who was appointed to oversee ELPIS following its establishment in 2020 and his earlier tenure as CEO of ESTIA Foundation.
On the day, speeches were given by His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis; the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; the Secretary of the ELPIS Foundation, Arthur Kopsias APM; and the Vice Captains of All Saints Grammar. All spoke of the importance of the Foundation and its work.
Some of the speakers.
A highlight of the event was a captivating performance by Stephanos Pelekanis, a renowned traditional Greek and Byzantine singer from Cyprus. His powerful renditions of Byzantine hymns and Greek folk songs added a deeply cultural and spiritual dimension to the evening, leaving attendees moved and inspired.
Captivating performance by Stephanos Pelekanis.
Stephanos Pelekanis with his friends and supporters.
The fundraiser saw overwhelming support, with guests contributing through ticket sales and generous donations. Tickets were priced at $50 for adults and $35 for seniors and children, with all proceeds directed towards ELPIS Foundation’s ongoing programs.
The event underscored the collective strength of the community in fostering positive change and ensuring that those in need receive the necessary care and support.
As ELPIS Foundation continues to expand its services, the success of this inaugural fundraiser sets the stage for future initiatives aimed at providing hope and healing.
Brad Battin has spent his career dedicated to serving the people of Victoria, first as a police officer and later as a politician. Now, as the leader of the Opposition and State Member for Berwick, he is focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the state.
His leadership comes at a time of significant change within the Liberal Party, following internal shifts and the need to reconnect with Victorians. With the next state election in his sights, Battin is making it clear he wants to do more than just talk about change – he wants to lead by example.
In an interview with The Greek Herald, Battin outlined his leadership approach, policy priorities, and how he plans to connect with communities across Victoria, including the Greek Australian diaspora.
Taking the helm amid party turmoil:
Assuming the role of Opposition Leader following internal upheaval within the Liberal Party and the ousting of John Pesutto MP, Battin is not shy of acknowledging the challenge he faces to restore confidence among Victorians.
“It all comes down to, from here on, hard work,” he said, emphasising a strong work ethic among his team and pointing to their recent efforts in by-elections.
In terms of major policy priorities, Battin said he will be focused on cost-of-living pressures, crime, and infrastructure.
“We know that our focus is going to be on people in the community who are really suffering when it comes to cost of living, particularly around housing, rental prices, and affording a home,” he said.
He identified high state taxes as a significant barrier to affordability and vowed to explore tax reductions to ease the burden.
Crime and Infrastructure:
Crime also remains a major concern for Victorians. Recent data indicates a 10.7% increase in criminal incidents in the year leading up to June 2024, with thefts reaching their highest level in nearly a decade.
Battin, a former police officer, aims to overhaul the bail system to curb repeat offences.
“One of the first things we would do when we get into Parliament – if we were elected in 2026 – is to fix the Bail Act to ensure that we can stop the catch-and-release program that’s currently running here in the state,” he explained.
With nearly 1,100 vacancies in Victoria Police, Battin also highlighted the need to recruit officers and enhance street patrols to deter crime.
“If you get more police out there, it makes it harder to commit crime and we think that crime prevention is the best model for us moving forward,” he said.
This is what happens when you tear apart the Victoria Police to such a degree that over 1000 vacancies remain on rosters, 24H stations remain closed, police frontline is so stretched they can’t do any preventative work.
Infrastructure is another key issue, with many Victorians struggling due to inadequate transport systems.
“There’s a lot of money sitting in the growth area infrastructure contribution funds that the government hasn’t used, and these people are suffering by sitting in traffic and waiting to get home from work each night,” Battin stated.
“So we want to make sure we have a long-term plan on infrastructure… so we can get people home sooner.”
Economic Revival and Business Support:
Economic concerns are also central to the Liberal Party’s agenda, with Battin pledging to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for businesses and restore Melbourne’s vibrancy.
“The pride in Victoria, and particularly in Melbourne, has been lost. We’re seeing a lot of people who don’t want to come into the capital city anymore,” he said.
He sees cutting red tape and tax reform as crucial steps towards reinvigorating the business landscape and attracting more people back to the city.
Championing multicultural communities
Acknowledging Victoria’s rich multicultural fabric, Battin committed to supporting diverse communities, particularly in areas like small business, aged care, and cultural preservation.
“As a representative of one of the fastest-growing communities in Victoria in Berwick… I understand the importance of the aspirations that these communities have,” he said.
“They want to go out, run their own businesses and operate them. They feel the impacts that every other business feels. They know they’ve got a government that has lost control of the debt and therefore, they’re coming after them for taxes and making it almost unaffordable.
“It’s really important that we put more money back into the pocket of those businesses and the way to do that is to have a fair attack system because at the end of the day, if they employ more people… then it’s only going to be a benefit for the state long-term.”
Addressing concerns about media sustainability, he recognised the role of multicultural outlets in informing and uniting communities.
“The reality is, local papers through multicultural communities are vital so it’s really important as a government that we find ways to support them, whether it’s through advertising or putting in place to work with them in the longer term…” he affirmed.
“We do believe in supporting those local and multicultural papers for the future. They’re just too important.”
Engaging with the Greek community:
The Greek community in Victoria, one of the largest outside of Greece, plays a vital role in the state’s identity. Battin pledged to engage with the community through roundtable discussions and events that celebrate Greek culture.
“We know that the Greek community here in Victoria is not just important – it actually also brings tourism to the area. We know that you have some of the best events in different parts of Melbourne and that creates opportunities for other businesses,” he said.
“We’ve always been very supportive, and have supported in the past many of these festivals and we will continue to do that moving forward. We believe that they are an investment,” he stated.
A call for open dialogue:
As he looks to the future, Battin called for greater engagement between government and community stakeholders.
“It’s really important that we have an open and honest dialogue. As a new leader, I’ve got a lot to learn, so I encourage people within all of our communities throughout Victoria to reach out if they’ve got ideas…” he said.
With the 2026 state election on the horizon, Battin’s leadership and policy proposals will continue to take shape. His commitment to tackling crime, easing cost-of-living pressures, and supporting multicultural communities will be key themes as he positions himself as an alternative to the current government.
When the committee for St Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church in Prospect, South Australia put the word out on social media for volunteers to sign up for the inaugural Greek festival, more than 100 people signed up.
On Saturday, February 15, the team effort of different generations culminated in a well-attended festival on church grounds.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Martina Simos.
The paniyiri had been held at a nearby park until 1999, but in April last year the committee began discussing the ‘rebirthing’ of the festival.
President of St Anthony’s, Con Dalas, said ‘persistent requests’ from their local community was a driving force to deliver a festival for the community.
“Over 25 years ago, we hosted an annual Paniyiri Festival at St Helen’s Park -a beloved tradition in our community,” Mr Dalas said.
“Unfortunately, the festival faced various challenges, including changes in committees, funding issues, restrictions on park usage, and insurance premiums leading to its discontinuation.”
Fast forward to Saturday and the festival was back with a bang. Hot food, sweets, drinks and loukoumades were available at stalls. There was also an area for face painting and games.
Entertainment during the night included Greek dancing performances by the St Anthony Greek Language School, St George College School, Cretan Dance Group, St Anthony Youth Dance Group, and the Messinian Dance Group, as well as music by DJ Stelio and the ‘Enosis’ band.
Mr Dalas welcomed the crowd, thanking the volunteers, the VIPs, and sponsors for their involvement in making the event a success.
“The main goal is to celebrate our Greek culture and heritage, to reconnect our older members… who previously organised this event (over 25 odd years ago), with our younger members who have yet to experience the rich traditions of a true Greek Festival,” he said.
He also thanked supporters of the Festival including the state government for contributing $10,000, Multicultural SA ($5,000), Federal Government ($5,000) and the Prospect Council ($3,000).
“This funding has made it possible for us to bring this festival to life, allowing us to celebrate our culture, our community, and our traditions,” he said.
Special guests on the day included Greek Consul General in Adelaide, Alexandra Theodoropoulou; His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide; Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP; State Member for Adelaide, Lucy Hood MP; State Member for Enfield, Andrea Michaels MP; City of Prospect Mayor Matt Larwood; parish priest Father Nicholas, and Archons of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Chris Diamantis, John Kiosoglous and Panagiotis Demourtzidis.
In her speech, Ms Hood spoke highly of all involved in their dedication to bring the inaugural festival event to her local community.
“My heartfelt thanks to the organisers of today’s festival for bringing Prospect and the wider community together for such a beautiful celebration of Greek culture, cuisine, music, dance and community spirit,” she said.
“I also want to express my gratitude for St Anthony’s Church, which brings together community not just for this special day, but every day.”
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Martina Simos
As a swarm of earthquakes continues to rattle the Aegean Sea, the Greek government has declared a state of emergency on four islands, including tourist hotspot Santorini.
Tens of thousands of tremors have been recorded since January 26, with experts noting the prolonged seismic activity is unusual for Greece.
Despite the concerns, Australian travel companies report minimal impact on bookings.
John Polyviou, General Manager of Sun Island Tours, stated, “As it is winter season, we do not currently have any clients in Santorini, Amorgos or other Cycladic islands impacted by the earthquake tremors.”
He reassured that future travel plans would proceed as scheduled, with bookings for the summer season continuing without disruption.
Photo: Marcos del Mazo / Getty Images.
Similarly, Halina Kubica, Managing Director of Greece & Mediterranean Travel Centre, highlighted that no cancellations had been made so far, and most Australians do not travel to the islands during the winter months.
“We recommend they change destination and of course, we will be flexible,” she added.
Santorini Hoteliers’ Association President Antonis Pagonis echoed these sentiments, confirming that bookings remain consistent with normal patterns.
However, experts warn that the earthquakes could persist for weeks or even months, raising concerns about the potential impact on the upcoming tourist season.
For now, both local authorities and travel experts remain hopeful that the situation will not affect the summer tourism season, urging tourists to stay informed and follow safety protocols.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to advise travellers to “Exercise normal safety precautions in Greece” while monitoring the situation.
