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Swimmer Apostolos Christou makes history with silver medal at Paris Olympics

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Swimmer Apostolos Christou makes history with silver medal at Paris Olympics

Swimmer Apostolos Christou made Greek history at the Paris Olympics on Thursday, winning the silver medal in the men’s backstroke final.

Christou’s win was Greece’s first-ever Olympic medal in pool swimming.

The Greek finished in second place with a time of 1:54.82, setting a new national record. He trailed Hungarian swimmer Hubert Kos, who won gold with a time of 1:54.26.

Victory was sweet for Christou after he missed out on another swimming medal at the Paris Olympics on Monday by just a mere two-hundredths of a second.

Christou’s win is Greece’s second medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Judoka Thodoris Tselidis earned a bronze medal in the men’s -90kg weight class on Wednesday.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Program released for the First Global Conference ‘Women and Hellenism’ in Ioannina

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Program released for the First Global Conference ‘Women and Hellenism’ in Ioannina

Greek women around the world will unite for the first time and make history in Ioannina this September.

The Food for Thought Network of Greek Women in Australia (FFTN) has announced that the organising of the first global conference ‘Women and Hellenism‘ is in its final stages. This historic event will take place in Ioannina from September 2 to 6, 2024. 

The idea of organising a conference that brings together Greek women from the diaspora belongs to Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM, Chair and founder of FFTN. 

varvara
Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM, Chair and founder of FFTN. Photo supplied.

“The conference has a great impact and participation from all over the world. What is important is that we have the support of all local and state officials who embraced our effort and placed the conference under their auspices, and that makes us very happy as this year we lay the foundations to create an institution for the future,” Mrs Athanasiou-Ioannou said. 

The program has been completed and includes 50 female and male speakers, entrepreneurs, scientists, authors, academics, and politicians from Greece and abroad. The presentations will focus on three main areas: Understanding and Representing Hellenism, Profiles of Successful Women, and Sustainability of Hellenism. 

Honourable Peggy Chiampas.
Honourable Pamela Stratigakis.

Distinguished speakers include the multi-awarded scientist Professor Vasso Apostolopoulou; the Rector of the University of Ioannina, Anna Batistatou; the former Secretary General of Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Yannis Chrysoulakis; Professor Yannis Matsoukos; the honorary mayor of Solingen, Germany and president of the Network of Greek Elected Officials of Europe, Ioanna Zacharaki; the Mayor of Kalamaria, Chryssa Arapoglou; Judges Mrs. Stratigaki and Mrs. Tsiampa; the well-known activist Chanel Contos; the popular journalist Eleni Kapalou; the President of the Greek-Australian Chamber of Commerce in Northern Territory, Angela Tomazou; the owner and director of Foreign Language Press, Dimitra Skalkos; a representative of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture in the United Kingdom, Kyriaki Mitsou; and other speakers from the academic, business, cultural, and social fields. It is a holistic conference open to all. 

The conference, which will last five nights and four days, in addition to the presentations, offers a full program of activities, such as excursions, gala dinner, and cultural events, so that the participants get to experience the vibrant region of Epirus and enhance its tourism. 

“We would like as many women from the diaspora and Greece as possible to participate and become part of this historic gathering of so many distinguished women where we will learn from our achievements and reflect on the future. For the women who have not yet decided, I suggest they consider attending; it is an event not to be missed,” says Mrs Athanasiou-Ioannou said.  

Anna Batistatou
Rector of the University of Ioannina, Anna Batistatou. Photo supplied.

Registrations continue until August 20. For more information and the FULL PROGRAM visit the website of the Food for Thought Network of Hellenic Women in Australia: www.fftn.org.au. Media Contact in Greece: +306936290145. Media Contact in Australia: +61406011015.

The conference is under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Family and Social Cohesion, Region of Epirus, Municipality of Ioannina, Chamber of Ioannina, and the Office of Education of Epirus. 

Media Sponsors: ERT3, The Voice of Greece, The Greek Herald, Neos Kosmos, Hellenic News of America.

The Greek Herald publisher Dimitra Skalkos meets with Greek Interior Minister

The Greek Herald
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The Greek Herald publisher Dimitra Skalkos meets with Greek Interior Minister

By Nick Siriodis.

The Publisher of The Greek Herald, Dimitra Skalkos, held a meeting in an exceptional atmosphere with the Greek Minister of the Interior, Thodoris Livanios, on Monday, July 29 in the wake of Mr Livanios’ multi-day trip to Australia in March.

Very critical issues concerning the diaspora were discussed and opinions were exchanged on key issues, which are within the competence of the Minister and which he has set as a priority to resolve. Ms Skalkos was informed extensively both about the issue of the Double Taxation Agreement that concerns many expatriates in Australia, but also about the lack of staff at the Greek consulates.

Ms Skalkos raised the issue of the Consulates and Mr Livanios emphasised that he is very well aware of the problems and stressed they do not only concern Australia. The ten-year crisis in Greece brought budget cuts, resulting in staff shortages.

However, Mr Livanios said Consulates are a priority to be resolved as soon as possible and he is diligently cooperating with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis on the matter in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance for an acceptable budget that will be available make the relevant recruitments. In fact, the goal is to recruit staff locally within Australia.

Mr Livanios stated that he was impressed by the dynamics of the Greek community in Australia and by the fact that “everyone is on the same page,” indicating that they are united and have common visions for the important issues that concern them.

“Greek Australians are more Greek and less Australian,” he characteristically said.

Theodoros Livanios
Theodoros Livanios visited Australia earlier this year.

He pointed out that it was one of the best trips he has ever taken abroad and he truly loved his time in Australia. He made special mention of St. Spyridon College, expressing how much he was moved by the Greek children who all sang the national anthem together and generally had Greece so strongly in their hearts.

Regarding the postal vote, he mentioned that it was done for the first time in these European elections on a pilot basis and that the initiative was positive, while the low presence of Greeks in Australia and New Zealand played a role and the fact that the European elections are not particularly concerning to those living in countries such as Australia. In short, if and as long as the postal vote is also used in the national polls, the participation will be much larger.

Mr Livanios also referred to the upcoming trip of the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, to Australia in November, shortly after the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s expected visit in October. The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is also expected to make a trip to Australia. According to information, March 2025 is a possible month for this visit.

Ms Skalkos and Mr Livanios renewed their appointment on a possible future trip of the Greek Minister to Australia.

At the conclusion of the meeting Ms Skalkos expressed, “It was a highly constructive discussion with Thodoris Livanios. During our exchange, we delved into significant matters and I was impressed by his keen interest and in-depth understanding of the issues that affect our community.”

St. Andrew’s Grammar to hold Greek & Orthodox Family Open Day

The Greek Herald
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St. Andrew’s Grammar to hold Greek & Orthodox Family Open Day

St. Andrew’s Grammar is a co-ed, Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 School centrally located in Dianella, Western Australia.  As the only Greek Orthodox School in Perth, St Andrew’s Grammar is proud of its Hellenic and Christian values and value them as highly as its diversity.

St. Andrew’s Grammar is a Christian School, known for nurturing honourable and kind-hearted people of good influence who are confident, compassionate and community minded. Ultimately, Philotimo is the school’s aspiration. Students all learn Christian values and graduate from the school knowing the characteristics of being a good person. At St. Andrew’s Grammar, the inclusion and focus on Christian values plays a crucial role in students’ spiritual and personal development.

Staff and students all believe and live by the values of the school which are Excellence, Independence, Commitment, Responsibility and Respect.

Striving for Excellence – St. Andrew’s Grammar strongly believe that everyone has success within them. The school aspires to facilitate gaining the very best from every student and foster each student’s strengths and work together with them on their respective areas of need. In that, the school staff know every student not just by name but on abilities and aspirations. The school’s opportunity, which is taken seriously, is to bring out the best in every child. In doing so, the school ensures that they are acknowledged for their respective talents but also challenged to strive for improvement. Striving for Excellence is a personal quest which St. Andrew’s Grammar challenge every child to work toward. The school’s commitment to this extends beyond the classroom with plenty of unique opportunities on offer through its extensive Co-curricular Program

St. Andrew’s Grammar has a unique Greek heritage; however, it is welcoming to students of all backgrounds and faiths who wish to be educated as long as they accept and adopt the school’s values. In doing so, the school is able to uphold its inclusive, multicultural disposition. St. Andrew’s Grammar has over 50 different nationalities across the school. 

St. Andrew’s Grammar is small enough to care yet big enough to provide all students with exactly what they need as individuals, while teaching and learning staff keep them focussed and consistently guide them on their path to success – whatever that may look like.  An example of this is how students now have four pathways to university with over 35 electives in years 11 and 12, offering the range that many of the larger schools do.

St. Andrew’s Grammar has seen rapid growth over the last few years and has been identified as one of Australia’s fastest growing schools.  A school in real demand.  It is no longer the same school as back in 2018, with waitlists building across all year levels. The school has more than doubled in size in five years, however, is committed to not just becoming another large school. The school will restrict its size to no more than 900 and then continue its selectivity and waitlists. 

Hence, St. Andrew’s Grammar is urging people to book in to attend its Greek & Orthodox Family Open Day on 13th August 2024. This is an opportunity to give your child an unparalleled educational experience.

Join St. Andrew’s Grammar for its next Open Day

Following the school’s recent successful Whole School, Perth Glory Academy School and its STEM, Netball and Performance Arts Academy Open Days, St. Andrew’s Grammar is inviting you along to its Greek & Orthodox Family Open Day which is happening on Tuesday August 13, 2024. (Registrations are essential).

By attending, you will hear first-hand from the school Principal, Leaders, teachers and students and you will get to experience what a regular day is like at St. Andrew’ Grammar. You will discover more about the vast opportunities for students on offer now, as well as what the St. Andrew’s Grammar team are working towards for the future of our school.

Discover St. Andrew’s Grammar and everything it now offers. Register here.

Cyprus Community Club of NSW launches new branding and logo

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Cyprus Community Club of NSW launches new branding and logo

The Cyprus Community Club of New South Wales in Stanmore, Sydney is about to launch new logo and branding, the first for well over half a century.

Speaking exclusively to The Greek Herald, the Club’s President Michael Kyriacou said that the current logo and branding was inspired by the first large influx of settlers arriving in Sydney after World War One, as Britain annexed the island to itself. 

“At that time, we were a Brotherhood, “Adelphotita,” it was a masculine name for a male only kefene, the Greek flag with the map of Cyprus was what could loosely be called “branding”,” he said.

“We were just another Greek island kefene, competing with the Kastellorizians and Kytherians, all founded in the 1920s. What made us unique was settlers coming from a very large predominantly Greek island, with strong ties to Hellenism, but like most Greek islands, parochial in many ways, very “Cypriot”.”

Mr Kyriacou said that the war experience, especially those who served in World War One, left a mark on the Club.

“We know Cypriots joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Cypriots from Cyprus serving in Greece, Africa and Middle East came in contact and befriended AIF soldiers. It was the first introduction to Australia, and many Cypriots were hooked on the idea of coming to Australia,” he said.

“Some Club elder members have referred to the sun ray as inspired by the AIF badges 1914-1918, which also includes a sun ray. A sun ray is usually associated with optimism, energy, power, progress, and looking forward. It is a natural force outside human control, but like the rainbow in the Wizard of Oz, there is hope at the end of the rainbow. There is hope for Cyprus as the sun rays shine on the island.”

The newly declared Republic of Cyprus inspired the current logo. It is a synergy of Australia and Cyprus, focusing on the olive branch.

In 2024, the Club decided it’s time to review everything from Club finances, asset management, operations, activities and branding.

Terry Bieri, the Club Treasurer, said, “We have engaged in a review of the Club over the last few months, especially with the two younger members joining the board who bring decades of experience in logo branding, marketing operations and on being relevant and pro-active.”

Mr Bieri said that it was time for renewal, and branding is part of the drive to “refresh” the Club in so many ways.

Kyriakos Panayi, the Club’s Secretary with more than two decades experience in branding, said, “we respect the works of our pioneers and understand the legacy and recognition the elders have with the logo. The launch of the new banding and logo says ‘we are vibrant, we are relevant, we are today,’ with a nod to our past and our pioneers.” 

The new logo symbolises the native olive branches.

Mr Panayi said “the olive is an ancient symbol found on many Cypriot reliefs, vases, statues and icons. Prior to the advent of halloumi, it was the symbol of Cyprus. Homer called the olive ‘liquid gold,’ Hippocrates called it ‘the great healer,’ the Old Testament peace, and for Cyprus it was ‘Cyprus’.”

“The new logo highlights ‘US’ in CYPRUS. The Club is about all of ‘US’, together as a community. It’s accessible, modern and quickly recognisable,” Mr Panayi added.

“The olive branch is a neutral symbol, universal, an icon of harmony and togetherness. It’s the idea of community, it’s who we are! The olive branch is very Greek, symbolises Hellenism, it is worn by brides, awarded to Olympic victors, a gift from the gods. It’s who we are. Cyprus is known in Australia. We are now going into the next stage of our evolution,” Mr Panayi noted. 

“It’s a time for change! Together we are a relevant, dynamic and forward-thinking community.”

Mr Kyriacou said “that the launch of the new branding was central to the ongoing renewal process which included recruiting young adults and new faces with experience in the corporate world, academia, commerce and public service. Experience, know how, commitment to community – that’s what the Club has been seeking out in the past few months to put the organisation on the renewal track.”

“Every community is going through a generational change. Perhaps we as a Club are coming to it a little late, but we are determined to renew the organisation in many ways to ensure its survival for our next 100 years,” he added.

Mr Kyriacou said that “the legacy brand will still have a place to remind us of the sun rays meaning, of where we all came from.”

Results released for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek exam

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Results released for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek exam

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has announced that the first Certificate of Attainment in Greek Examination came to a successful conclusion with the release of the exam results by the Centre for the Greek Language.

To access the results, candidates need to log onto the Centre for the Greek Language website http://www.greek-language.gr/certification/results/index.html using their: (a) The exam centre code number, (b) Registration code, and (c) Surname.

Rescoring of exam papers 

Candidates who have not passed the exams may have their exam rescored by submitting a written request to the Centre for the Greek Language. Rescoring requests must be submitted by email to ellinomatheia@komvos.edu.gr by 31 August 2022. A 60 euro fee will be required payable to the bank account as advised by the CGL. Responses will be received mid-September. 

Certificates of Attainment in Greek for successful candidates will be sent to the examination centres by post around the end of September and will be awarded at a special event organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne.

In the GCM’s inaugural role as an official Examination Centre in Victoria, the organisers at the Community are proud of the excellent conduct of the examinations and the outstanding results of its candidates who secured a pass rate of 99%.

Melbourne’s Epocha restaurant to close after more than a decade

The Greek Herald
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Melbourne’s Epocha restaurant to close after more than a decade

Epocha, the iconic European restaurant in Carlton run by Angie Giannakodakis and Guy Holder, will close down after 12 years in service.

The co-owners broke the news of the closure of their beloved restaurant on social media on Wednesday, July 31.

Following the announcement, Giannakodakis spoke with Herald Sun and declared, “I’m beyond words, I’m overwhelmed with the sentiments that are coming through and I do hope to do some beautiful things in the future.”

“The freehold of the building is being sold and the landlords were trying to sell the building for the past ten months… And yes, the economic downturn has had some impact… it’s definitely time to call it a day. We wanted to leave on good terms and while the love of the industry is with us,” she added.

Epocha’s closure is among many longstanding Melbourne restaurants shutting due to the financial burden of the rise in cost of living. The venue’s last service will be on Saturday, September 14.

Source: Herald Sun.

George Calombaris departs Victorian hotel but finds lifeline at Jon Adgemis’ pub group

The Greek Herald
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George Calombaris departs Victorian hotel but finds lifeline at Jon Adgemis’ pub group

George Calombaris has departed the prominent Hotel Sorrento on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula as pub baron Jon Adgemis swipes the celebrity chef for a culinary director position with his Public Hospitality Group (PHG) in Sydney.

According to The Australian, Calombaris and a number of his Hotel Sorrento staff are leaving the iconic venue in Victoria to join PHG in September.

“To my beautiful family at Hotel Sorrento, it was a 12-month contract, it ended up being two and a half years, it was awesome and I wish the Pitt family all the success as well as executive chef Beth Candy… love them to bits,” Calombaris said on Instagram.

Jon Adgemis. Photo: Ready Media Group.

This is not the first time Calombaris has worked with Adgemis’ PHG, having previously advised the pub group on its Greek restaurant Alpha at the Hellenic Club of Sydney.

Calombaris first took over the reigns at Alpha from founding chef Peter Conistis in March 2024, just a few months after operations at the Greek restaurant were taken over by PHG.

This takeover came despite PHG being weighed down by $500 million debt at the time. Adgemis’ project started to fray after he took on hundreds of millions in debt at high interest rates from a variety of lenders just before financing costs rose.

Some lenders started trying to sell off his properties, staff were left out of pocket, and suppliers were unpaid. The Australian Taxation Office also visited the pub group’s offices in early May 2024.

Adgemis later struck a $400 million refinancing deal with Deutsche Bank, Gemi Investments, Archibald Capital and Muzinich & Co, to save his PHG from collapse.

In June this year, operations at Alpha restaurant and Beta Events were taken over by Con Dedes of Dedes Waterfront Group after PHG made a swift exit. The departure of PHG marked the end of Calombaris’ stint at Alpha after only five months.

Source: The Australian.

Maira Myrogianni appointed Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad

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Maira Myrogianni appointed Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad

Maira Myrogianni has taken over from John Chrysoulakis as Greece’s Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad.

Myrogianni publicly extended her appreciation to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for being appointed.

Myrogianni is a lawyer and an expert at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Immigration and Asylum issues. She is a graduate of the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Law School of the University of Lille II, France.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Discrimination, Immigration and Citizenship and is a PhD candidate at the School of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Peloponnese.

Her research area of interest is Human Rights and European Law.

“It is an honour to serve the Greek Diaspora and advance our country’s public diplomacy through culture, language, communication, education, history and international cooperation, with the valuable support of Greeks abroad, who are our country’s finest ambassadors in their communities,” Myrogianni said on her new role.

Cyprus on high alert as conflict in Lebanon escalates

The Greek Herald
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Cyprus on high alert as conflict in Lebanon escalates

Cyprus anxiously awaits instruction as other countries have been directed to activate their equivalent ‘Estia’ plan to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon.

According to Cyprus Mail, foreign ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis confirmed that no requests to activate the ‘Estia’ plan had been given to the island nation.

The ‘Estia’ plan is Cyprus’ existing strategic protocol in the event of mass evacuation of European Union and third country nationals from neighbouring countries.

Cyprus’ deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou, added that the government is “ready,” and their facilities are “on standby” in accordance with the ‘Estia’ plan.

“If help is needed, we will provide it. We have the know-how and the infrastructure to do so,” Antoniou said.

Cyprus yet to receive requests for Lebanon evacuations
Photo: CBS KKTV.

Tensions have risen in the Middle East region after Israel promised to retaliate following the deaths of 12 people in a strike attributed to Hezbollah in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday, July 27.

Israel also claimed on Wednesday it had killed high-ranking Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr during its bombing of Lebanon’s capital Beirut on Tuesday.

Cyprus has also previously been targeted by Hezbollah, with the head of the Lebanon militant group Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah threatening to consider the island nation as a “part of the war” should it continue to allow Israel to use its airports and bases for military exercises.

Source: Cyprus Mail.

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