A wave of new businesses is set to transform Prospect Rd, with 10 retail stores opening in the coming months across two major developments, according to the advertiser.
At 85 Prospect Rd, the redeveloped former Foodland site owned by George Velentzas, four businesses will open in late February and early March: high-end gym Fitness Factory, St Louis House of Desserts, Prospect Rd’s first pub, and an RSPCA op-shop. One more space remains available for lease.
Velentzas said he aimed “to create something exciting” at the two-storey retail space. The Fitness Factory, which will occupy the entire second floor, will “probably be one of the classiest gyms available this year in Adelaide.” The health club will feature a creche, a cafe serving juices and protein shakes, steam and infra-red saunas, yoga and pilates classes, individual showers, and Italian-made gym equipment.
The RSPCA op-shop will focus on designer fashion, similar to the charity’s Rundle St store. “There’s no way I’d let just any op-shop in,” Velentzas said.
Meanwhile, at The Harrington, a five-storey apartment complex nearby, six ground-floor stores will open by mid-May, including R3 Reform pilates studio, He Said, She Said cafe, a frozen yoghurt bar, a yet-to-be-revealed restaurant, and two unleased spaces.
The developers of The Harrington aimed for high-quality tenants. “We’ve been quite picky with who we put in,” said CBRE leasing agent Julia Pottenger.
All 55 apartments at The Harrington have already been sold.
Discoveries in historical research often come through years of meticulous study—or by sheer accident. The recent unearthing of two lost works by Apollonius, the ancient Greek mathematician known as the “Great Geometer,” falls into the latter category.
According to iflscience, these texts, long thought to be lost, were actually part of a collection of nearly 200 Arabic manuscripts brought to the University of Leiden in the 17th century. Locked away for centuries, they have now been identified as books five and seven of The Conics of Apollonius (c. 200 BCE).
“The work deals with the theory of ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas – the curves which you can see if you shine a flashlight on a wall,” explains a new book from the university. While only the first four volumes were believed to have survived, this discovery proves the enduring impact of the Islamic Golden Age in preserving ancient knowledge.
“Arabic manuscripts in Western libraries like Leiden University Libraries serve as invaluable records of Islamic civilization’s intellectual achievements, especially in mathematics and geometry,” said Mostafa Zahri of the University of Sharjah.
Despite their significance, many Arabic manuscripts remain understudied due to the specialized knowledge required to analyze them. “The study of Islamic manuscripts demands specialized knowledge, encompassing paleography, historical context, linguistic expertise, and scientific specialization,” explained Professor Mesut Idriz.
Beyond Apollonius’ works, the recovered texts include treatises on biology, astronomy, and math, such as the “Book of Perfections.” While some contain mythical elements, they remain vital records of medieval Middle Eastern scholarship.
The number of visitors to Athens has more than doubled over the past 17 years, according to an article by Ilias Bellos in ekathimerini.com
In January 2008, 636,615 travelers arrived in the Greek capital, while this January, international passenger traffic at Athens Airport soared to 1,323,915—a 108% increase.
The trend shows no signs of slowing. Last month alone, international arrivals rose by 18.7% compared to January 2024, following a 12.7% increase in January 2024 compared to the same month in 2023.
The surge is evident on the streets of Athens, with a growing number of visitors, including many from across the Atlantic.
Georgios Frangulis, the visionary founder of Oakberry, has taken the global food scene by storm with his innovative approach to açaí bowls and healthy fast food. What began as a small concept in Brazil has now grown into an international sensation, with Oakberry locations popping up in cities across the world.
TheGreek Herald delved into Georgios’ journey – his entrepreneurial spirit, the challenges he faced, and how his passion for health-conscious eating turned Oakberry into a thriving brand that’s redefining the fast-food industry. We sat down with him to discuss all things açaí.
For those who don’t know him, Georgios is 36 years old and was born in São Paulo, Brazil to a Greek family. His grandfather, Georgios, was born in Thessaloniki, and his father, Eleftherios, was raised in Brazil.
“I can say we were always a Greek family, in how we see the world, our values, and the way I was raised. I feel 100% Greek,” he explains, before recalling how he always wanted to follow a non-traditional path.
“I went to law school, but I’m an entrepreneur at heart. I always knew I would build a business and create something that would bring joy and good things to people.”
In what may come as a surprise, Georgios is also a professional racing driver. He explains that his biggest dream since he was nine years old has been to own a Formula 1 team.
“Managing such a complex environment always amazed me,” he says.
“I end up splitting my time between tennis matches, Oakberry, and racetracks,” he jokes.
Oakberry started in Brazil in 2016 but was created while Georgios was living in the USA. Georgios explains how he became infatuated with açaí, the fruit that made him who he is today.
“Açaí is a fruit that is only found in the Amazon rainforest, mostly in the northern region of Brazil. Being raised in Brazil, I knew the nutritional value of açaí as a superfood, and I noticed people around the world were trying to eat healthier. Açaí would be perfect to fulfill that demand. That’s essentially how the idea for Oakberry formed,” he says.
“I saw that the demand for healthy food was booming, and people started searching for açaí, but no one was offering it with a strong brand and the standards to establish a business that could grow worldwide. I took the last €30,000 I had and invested in our first store in my hometown of São Paulo. From that moment, we’ve opened over 800 stores in over 50 countries, and the rest is history!”
In a world of extreme competition in the fast-food sector, Oakberry has continued to be successful for nearly a decade, something that many newer açaí businesses aren’t accomplishing.
Georgios attributes this success to “creating a brand that is stronger than the product.”
“I think we were able to build a sense of community between our customers, employees and all the stakeholders, including the Riverside population in the Amazon rainforest that harvests the organic Oakberry açaí and our factory workers. We made sure we were keeping the standards needed for a regular fast-food operation, but with a healthy and branding factor that would surpass expectations,” he explains.
Georgios is very ambitious and in 5 years’ time, he wants to have “3,000 locations in over 80 countries across five continents.”
“I see Asia and the Middle East as key markets moving forward, alongside the continued growth we’re already seeing in Europe and the Americas. We’ve been on a very important growth track since 2016, with an average of one new store opening every three days since day one, and we won’t stop!” he says.
His end goal is to make Oakberry the biggest healthy food chain in the world. He happily offers advice for other entrepreneurs who dream of starting a business in the food industry.
“Usually, we end up thinking too much, planning too much, to the point that you start to doubt yourself. The best advice I could give is trust yourself, and make sure whatever you’re thinking of opening makes sense in your life,” he says.
“We are not that different from one another, and if it makes sense for you, it should make sense for more people – you just need to let them know, because people usually don’t know what they want! So, be true to your gut feeling, and don’t listen to the naysayers.”
Australian travelers are facing long airport queues due to ongoing technical failures in the SmartGates system, despite costs exceeding $120 million. Originally designed to streamline border clearance, the system has instead led to significant delays, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Airports Association has called the situation embarrassing, with CEO Simon Westaway stating, “Bali is a more seamless travel experience than going in and out of Australia.” The system, expected to handle 90% of travelers by 2020, has only processed 57% of inbound passengers.
A major issue is Australia’s unique two-step process, requiring travelers to obtain a ticket from a kiosk before proceeding to a SmartGate. Frequent technical failures, reduced manned processing desks, and poor signage have worsened congestion. In Sydney, queues have stretched for hours, with frustrated passengers comparing the experience to being herded through a pen.
Despite costly contracts with Idemia and Vision-Box—totaling over $160 million—Home Affairs has acknowledged that biometric scanning technology remains inadequate. While countries like Singapore have introduced passport-free clearance, Australia has yet to modernize.
Tourism and industry leaders warn that inefficient processing could deter visitors, especially given Australia’s high travel costs. Calls are growing for the government to reinvest its $1.1 billion passenger movement charge into fixing the system before international arrivals reach a projected 27 million by 2030. “Australia should be right up there globally leading this space,” Westaway said.
The Sea Turtle Protection Society “Archelon” has confirmed the first-ever documented green sea turtle nest on the island of Rhodes, ekathimerini.com, has reported.
According to Archelon, this discovery “marks a possible expansion of the species’ breeding area in the Mediterranean.”
The nest was identified in June 2024 during research on Rhodes’ beaches as part of a sustainable tourism project funded by the TUI Care Foundation. It was located in Apollakia Bay on the island’s western coast. On June 22, researchers spotted traces of an adult green turtle, leading to the discovery of a nest containing 86 eggs, 78 of which successfully hatched.
“The species is globally endangered, and this recent discovery is particularly important as it suggests a potential shift in the green turtle’s breeding areas, possibly due to rising sea temperatures linked to climate change,” Archelon stated in its announcement.
During an official visit to Stobreč near Split, Croatia’s Minister of Culture and Media, Dr. Nina Obuljen Koržinek, and State Secretary Krešimir Partl attended the presentation of a remarkable archaeological find—part of the ancient Greek city of Epetion, labrujulaverde.com has reported.
Archaeologist Dr. Marina Ugarković revealed that a well-preserved Greek wall, approximately 70 meters long and over three meters high in some sections, has been uncovered. This discovery, one of the most significant of its kind in Croatia, also includes structures from multiple historical periods, from prehistory through the Middle Ages. Notably, evidence suggests Epetion was inhabited as early as the 16th or 15th century BC, revising previous assumptions about its origins.
Archaeologists Silva Kukoč and Ivica Pleština explained that prior surveys identified this area as a site of potential interest. Excavations, initiated as a preventive measure before construction, uncovered additional megalithic structures, including double gates, indicating that the city may have been larger than previously believed.
Minister Obuljen Koržinek emphasized the site’s cultural significance and affirmed that further research will ensure its preservation.
With continued excavations, this discovery offers valuable insights into Epetion’s history and broader Greek influence in the Adriatic region.
As International Women’s Day (IWD) approaches on March 8, The Greek Herald is once again set to honour exceptional women within Australia’s Hellenic community.
This year, the publication is expanding its recognition program with a brand-new category: the ‘Woman to Watch’ Award, celebrating young women under 25 who are emerging as leaders and changemakers.
The theme for IWD 2025, #MarchForward, underscores the power of progress and resilience, making it the perfect time to shine a spotlight on young women who are already making an impact.
Recognising the next generation of trailblazers:
The ‘Woman to Watch’ Award joins the prestigious Greek Herald Woman of the Year Award, which honours women over 25 for their leadership, innovation, and contributions to society. This new category specifically highlights rising stars who are making a difference in their communities.
Anais Menounos was named ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ 2024.
“We are especially proud to introduce the ‘Woman to Watch’ Award, which shines a spotlight on young women under 25 who are already making waves and showing great promise as future leaders,” Andriana Simos, Digital Editor at The Greek Herald, said.
“By recognising both established and emerging changemakers, we hope to inspire more women to #MarchForward and continue shaping a brighter future for all.”
How to nominate a ‘Woman to Watch’:
Do you know an inspiring young Greek Australian woman who deserves recognition?
Nominations are now open for both award categories.
Submissions must be received by 5pm, 27 February 2025.
In 200 words or less, share how your nominee is making an impact.
Winners will be revealed on 16 March 2025 at The Greek Herald’s International Women’s Day event with the Greek Festival of Sydney. There will also be an exclusive cover story in The Greek Herald.
With the addition of the ‘Woman to Watch’ category, The Greek Herald continues its mission to celebrate and uplift women of all ages who are making a lasting impact in the Greek Australian community.
Don’t miss the chance to nominate an unsung heroine today.
Football Australia has officially unveiled the Australian Championship, the rebranded National Second Tier (NST), set to launch in October 2025. The competition, featuring 16 teams – eight foundation clubs and eight invited clubs – has been designed to bridge the gap between the National Premier Leagues (NPL) and the A-League.
However, one of the most pressing questions from journalists during a media briefing with Football Australia officials on Wednesday, February 12, was about the long-term vision for promotion and relegation between the competitions – a concept that has been hotly debated in Australian football for years.
A-League promotion: No clear timeline
When asked about the future of promotion and relegation, Football Australia CEO James Johnson reiterated that the Australian Championship is already incorporating “sporting merit” by allowing eight teams from the NPL to qualify each season.
“There is a connection. There is access between the Australian Championship and the NPL. You’ve got eight guaranteed slots and eight that are opened and can be accessed through sporting merit, which is what, ultimately, promotion and relegation is,” Johnson said.
However, he stopped short of committing to a formal promotion-relegation system with the A-League, stating that the focus is on making the competition a success first.
“We want to ensure that we’re getting and helping the clubs get the fans at the stadiums. We want to create a buzz around this model… How it evolves over time will depend on the success of this season,” Johnson said.
The Football Australia CEO also confirmed that A-League clubs had been consulted and were supportive of the new competition.
The eight Foundation Clubs have already been announced and include both South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC.
Clarifying financial requirements:
Another key issue raised was the financial burden on clubs. The Greek Herald asked about the rationale behind the mandatory $500,000 bank guarantee, particularly given the competition’s shift away from a standalone home-and-away model. The Bank Guarantee was required by the eight Foundation Clubs and revealed by South Melbourne FC in an open letter.
Football Australia responded by reinforcing the importance of the bank guarantee.
“The Bank Guarantee remains a mandatory threshold for participation in a future standalone National Second Tier league. It also secures automatic access to this year’s Australian Championship and exemption from the third NST Request for Proposal process commencing April 2025,” the organisation said in a statement.
Broadcast deal: Positive signs for the future
One of the most encouraging developments for the Australian Championship is its broadcasting plans.
When asked about media coverage, Football Australia confirmed that a major broadcast announcement is expected in the coming months, with officials hinting at a groundbreaking deal.
This suggests Football Australia is confident in securing strong commercial backing, which could be a crucial factor in growing the competition.
Hope for the future: A step towards professionalisation
Despite concerns over promotion-relegation and financial sustainability, Football Australia remains optimistic about the long-term future of the Australian Championship.
The competition is expected to increase club professionalism by providing a higher-level playing environment than the NPL.
Future changes – including the transition to a full home-and-away league – will be based on the success of the first edition.
“We think there is a market for this competition,” Johnson said. “When we talk about the Australian Championship, it’s one of our most engaging topics—almost at the level of the Socceroos. If we can harness that interest and emotion, we can grow the competition.”
While promotion to the A-League remains off the table for now, the establishment of the Australian Championship marks a historic step towards a more structured, national football pyramid. Its success in 2024-25 will be critical in determining how quickly the next evolution of the second tier takes place.
In an interview with The Greek Herald, the performer does not hide her impatience to be among the Greeks of Australia.
Are you looking forward to your performances in Melbourne and Sydney?
I can’t wait! It’s a great joy and honour to travel so far and meet the Greeks who live in Australia, to share music, emotions and memories. I’ve heard the best things about the warmth and passion of the people in Australia, so I’m looking forward to two nights full of love, dancing and singing!
What can the diaspora in Australia expect from you?
Two days full of rhythm, fun and emotion! We will travel together from the past to the present, from folk and retro music to more modern tunes, and of course, we will bring with out the Greek soul through our music. I promise that we will give our best to have an unforgettable time.
How important is it for an artist to know that some people who are so far from their homeland have the ability to connect with their country through music?
It’s moving. Music is a bridge that unites people, memories, cultures. For me, singing for Greeks who are thousands of kilometers away from Greece means that I bring a little of the sun, the sea and the sense of homeland to them. This is priceless.
Is there a song of yours that you would like to dedicate specifically to the Greek diaspora? If so, why?
I would dedicate ‘When I Dance’ to the diaspora because it is a song full of joy, freedom and positive energy. I want us to sing it out loud all together, dance to it and feel like we are one big group, united, even if we are separated by oceans.
Do you have a message you would like to send to the Greeks of Australia?
I can’t wait to see you in person, to sing together, to laugh, to dance and to feel Greece pulsating within us! You are the best ambassadors of our country and your love for the homeland inspires us. We are waiting for you for two magical evenings.
Event Details:
Melbourne – Antipodes Festival: Main Stage – Saturday, 22nd February
Sydney – Greek Festival of Sydney: Darling Harbour – Sunday, 23rd February
Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic and vibrant celebration of community and culture at the Melbourne Antipodes Festival and its Sydney counterpart, the Greek Fest @ Darling Harbour.
