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PASOK Oceania issues statement after death of former Greek PM Costas Simitis

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PASOK Oceania issues statement after death of former Greek PM Costas Simitis

The Greek community worldwide is mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who served as Greece’s leader and PASOK president from 1996 to 2004. Known for his progressive and reformist vision, Simitis left a lasting impact on Greece’s political landscape.

In a statement issued on January 5, the PASOK/KINAL Oceania Regional Committee paid tribute to Simitis, describing him as “a significant, progressive, and reformist political leader.”

The committee highlighted his contributions to Greece’s modernisation, including landmark infrastructure projects, economic development, and improved daily life for citizens.

Officials mourn the loss of former Greek PM Costas Simitis
Costas Simitis has passed away. Photo: Fayez Nureldine / AFP / Getty Images.

The statement further noted Simitis’ dedication to supporting the Greek diaspora whereby, under his leadership, significant funding was allocated to programmes for Greek language education abroad, cultural festivals like the Greek Festival of Sydney and Melbourne’s Antipodes Festival, and organisations facing financial difficulties.

Beyond his domestic achievements, Simitis was a champion of international relations, ensuring Greece maintained strong ties with its expatriates and the broader Hellenic community.

The Oceania Regional Committee of PASOK/KINAL concluded their statement saying, “We bid farewell to former Prime Minister Costas Simitis with sadness, while extending our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Thanasi Kokkinakis pays homage to his Greek heritage at the Adelaide International

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Thanasi Kokkinakis pays homage to his Greek heritage at the Adelaide International

At the Adelaide International on Monday, January 6, tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis secured a thrilling 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka while sporting blue-and-white shorts that paid tribute to his Greek heritage.

The shorts, featuring the iconic colours of the Greek flag, were a visual tribute to ancient Greek warriors. One side depicted a Spartan warrior in battle, while the other displayed a Spartan helmet on a shield, alongside a traditional meander design.

The design beautifully combined athleticism and cultural pride, drawing on themes of strength and resilience.

Kokkinakis, born in Adelaide to Greek immigrant parents, has long embraced his Greek roots.

His father, Trevor (Tryfon), hails from Tripoli, and his mother, Voula (Paraskevi), is from Kalamata, both cities in Greece’s Peloponnese region.

The 27-year-old has consistently celebrated his heritage, with it influencing both his playing style and public image.

Nick Kyrgios withdraws from match casting doubt on Australian Open participation

The Greek Herald
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Nick Kyrgios withdraws from match casting doubt on Australian Open participation

Nick Kyrgios’ participation in the Australian Open is now in doubt after he withdrew from a pre-tournament exhibition match against Novak Djokovic.

The 29-year-old revealed on Instagram that he is dealing with a grade 1 abdominal strain, having undergone an ultrasound.

“Unfortunately won’t be able to play my good friend [Novak Djokovic] this Thursday on the 9th as I’ve had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain,” Kyrgios wrote.

“Will be resting and doing everything I can to be OK by the AusOpen.”

Kyrgios played three matches at last week’s Brisbane International, including two doubles matches with Djokovic, but was eliminated from the singles by Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Source: ABC News

South Australian government cracks down on illegal tobacco and vape stores

The Greek Herald
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South Australian government cracks down on illegal tobacco and vape stores

South Australians have been urged by the state government to report stores selling illicit tobacco and vapes to Consumer and Business Services, as authorities estimate around 200 unlicensed tobacco shops are operating across the state.

Most of the products sold at these stores are imported from overseas, posing serious health risks as they lack proper health warnings and screening. Some vapes have been found to contain harmful chemicals like arsenic and lead.

In addition to health concerns, these illegal businesses have previously been linked to criminal activity.

A shop selling e-cigarettes on Sir Donald Bradman Drive in Cowandilla firebombed in 2024. Photo: Brett Hartwig.

Consumer and Business Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing the issue, saying, “We are not going to allow these illegal shops to operate in our community. We have all seen the danger they bring, including to innocent neighbouring businesses.”

The announcement follows a recent botched operation to shut down an illegal tobacco store in Hindmarsh. The government has pledged to continue cracking down on these businesses, with penalties for operating without a licence reaching up to $1.5 million.

According to the Australian Border Force, around 75 percent of the illegal tobacco market is controlled by organised crime.

Source: The Advertiser.

Peter Tzannes opposes push to increase Centennial Park’s event cap

The Greek Herald
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Peter Tzannes opposes push to increase Centennial Park’s event cap

A proposal to increase the cap on major events at Sydney’s Centennial Park has been rejected following strong opposition from local residents. The current limit of eight events per year will remain in place, despite the Australian Festival Association’s call to raise it to 12, as part of a regulatory review.

The proposal faced backlash from nearby residents, including Peter Tzannes, co-chair of the Centennial Park Residents’ Association, who argued that the park’s grass is damaged by large events and that the festivals bring noise, anti-social behaviour and traffic disruptions.

“The park and grass takes a battering during festival season and it can take months for the grass to grow back,” Tzannes said, also highlighting issues such as litter and drug-related incidents.

The decision also received opposition from Greater Sydney Parklands, the state agency overseeing the site. The agency warned that increasing events would negatively affect public access to the park and could attract “significant community criticism.”

Mitch Wilson, Managing Director of the Australian Festival Association, criticised the decision as contradictory, citing the recent lifting of event caps at Allianz Stadium. He also pointed to the high costs associated with hosting events at Centennial Park, such as hefty hiring fees and revenue-sharing with the Centennial Park Trust.

Wilson further argued that lifting the cap would help festivals share costs and improve feasibility, particularly for smaller events.

Source: The Daily Telegraph.

European court rules against Greece in landmark immigration case

The Greek Herald
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European court rules against Greece in landmark immigration case

The European Court of Human Rights has found Greece guilty of systematically conducting illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers, ordering the country to pay €20,000 in damages to a woman forcibly expelled to Turkey in 2019.

The Strasbourg-based tribunal ruled that Greece violated the European Convention on Human Rights by forcibly deporting the woman, identified as ARE, despite her attempts to seek protection.

The court cited “strong indications” of a “systematic practice of pushbacks” by Greek authorities, particularly in the Evros region, marking the first time Greece has been publicly condemned for such actions. This ruling also represents the first time the court has examined a pushback complaint involving Greek authorities.

The Greek Council for Refugees (GCR), which represented the complainant, called the judgment a “landmark” decision. ARE, who fled political persecution in Turkey, had been detained and expelled under cover of darkness by commandos in balaclavas, before being sent back to Turkey. She was later arrested and imprisoned by Turkish authorities on charges related to the Gulen movement.

Marina Papamina, GCR’s legal coordinator, described the ruling as a “vindication” for the many others subjected to pushbacks, urging Greek authorities to end the illegal practice. Greece’s government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has consistently denied such allegations, maintaining that its migration policies are legal and fair.

The ruling is seen as a major step in exposing widespread pushbacks, with human rights groups calling it a significant victory. Lefteris Papagiannakis, director of the Greek Refugee Council, said the decision would serve as a precedent for similar pending cases before the court.

Source: The Guardian.

First-time diver Billi Mitsou succeeds at Frankston’s Blessing of the Waters

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First-time diver Billi Mitsou succeeds at Frankston’s Blessing of the Waters

Heavy rain in Melbourne, Victoria did not deter a dedicated crowd from attending the Blessing of the Waters ceremony at Frankston Pier on Monday, January 6.

Despite the smaller-than-usual turnout due to the weather, a significant number of faithful gathered, with the rain easing just in time for the event around 1pm.

Twelve participants braved the cold waters to retrieve the ceremonial cross. Ultimately, it was first-time diver Billi “Vasilli” Mitsou who succeeded.

Mitsou, from Clayton, had been at the pier since 11.30am and expressed his intention to participate in future ceremonies.

GOCSA to celebrate Epiphany with annual Henley Beach Greek Festival

The Greek Herald
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GOCSA to celebrate Epiphany with annual Henley Beach Greek Festival

The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) is organising its annual Blessing of the Waters event on Sunday, 12 January 2025, to celebrate Epiphany Day.

The event, which has become a cherished tradition, will take place at the Henley Beach foreshore in Adelaide and is expected to attract hundreds of visitors. 

In the Orthodox Church, the Feast of Epiphany marks the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. It is the third and last holiday of the twelve days of Christmas and officially brings the holiday season to a close, sending a message of spiritual rejuvenation and inner cleansing. 

All photos by Zara Dimitria Photography.

On the day, the clergy accompanied by parishioners and other guests, will begin the procession from the start of the jetty at 12pm. Together, they will walk to the end of the jetty, where the symbolic Blessing of the Waters will take place, and the faithful will dive into the waters to retrieve the cross. 

Following the ceremony, visitors will be treated to a traditional Greek Festival featuring traditional dance performances from GOCSA Dance Academy, the Pontian Brotherhood of SA, as well as a special showcase of Ukrainian culture by the dancers of Adelaide’s SLAVA Ukrainian Cultural Centre.

The event will continue with live music by local band ‘Kerasma Live’ and delicious food and desserts, such as loukoumades (Greek honey puffs). 

In his message to GOCSA, the Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, stated: “Today, we celebrate the strength and unity of the spiritual ties that bind the Greek diaspora here and around the world. Your festival, staged on the foreshore, exemplifies the renowned hospitality of the Greek community, a testament to your warm tradition of ‘filoxenia’.”

“I commend the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia for your dedication to preserving this time-honoured tradition, which not only enriches the Greek community but also contributes significantly to the vibrant multicultural tapestry of our great state,” Premier Malinauskas added.

GOCSA Cultural Committee Chair, Hellas Lucas, said: “Henley Beach Greek Festival incorporating the Blessing of the Waters, or as we know it ‘Theofania’, is an annual event that all South Australians can look forward to.”

“It’s not only a wonderful opportunity for our Greek community to showcase its culture and traditions, but it’s also a chance for all South Australians to celebrate the state’s cultural diversity and promote cultural understanding,” Ms Lucas added.

*All photos by Zara Dimitria Photography.

Epiphany celebrated at Greek Orthodox churches across Australia

The Greek Herald
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Epiphany celebrated at Greek Orthodox churches across Australia

The Feast of Holy Epiphany, a significant day in the Greek Orthodox calendar commemorating the baptism of Christ and the revelation of the Holy Trinity, was celebrated with devotion across Australia this year.

Churches from Sydney to Perth hosted liturgical services and blessings, drawing faithful from near and far.

In Redfern, the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady hosted His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who presided over the Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of the Waters.

The Archbishop was joined by the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Archimandrite Christophoros Krikelis; his Assistant Priest, Archimandrite Stephanos Tinikashvili; and other clergy from Sydney.

archbishop makarios
Epiphany celebrations in Sydney.

Among the congregation were the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; the Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Criminologist from Greece, Athanasios Kehagioglou; and the Vice President of Saint Basil’s Aged Care Homes, Dr Theo Penklis.

In Kogarah, the Church of the Resurrection of Christ also held a well-attended service, where parishioners came together to honour the holy day. The services were presided over by His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, with help from parish priests Father Athanasios Giatsios and Father Socrates Dokos.

In Brisbane, the Church of the Dormition of Our Lady in Mt Gravatt celebrated with vibrant participation. The faithful gathered for the Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of the Waters, reflecting the unity and devotion of the community.

His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane presided over the services, assisted by parish priest Father Nicholas Brown.

brisbane epiphany
Epiphany celebrations in Brisbane.

Perth also observed the feast with grandeur at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen. The Blessing of the Waters ceremony was a highlight, attended by a large congregation. His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth presided over the services.

epiphany in perth
Epiphany celebrations in Perth. Photo: Robi Gerovasilis Photography.

The Holy Archdiocesan Church of Our Lady “Axion Esti” in the Diocese of Chora hosted a traditional liturgical service, marked by heartfelt prayers and hymns, and presided over by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora.

The service emphasised the deep spiritual significance of the day, fostering a sense of collective faith among attendees.

chora epiphany
Epiphany celebrations at the Diocese of Chora.

Across all locations, the Blessing of the Waters stood out as a central ritual, symbolising the purification of the faithful and the sanctification of nature. The Feast of Epiphany continues to unite Greek Orthodox communities across Australia, serving as a profound expression of faith and cultural heritage.

Nick Kyrgios returns to Davis Cup after five-year absence

The Greek Herald
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Nick Kyrgios returns to Davis Cup after five-year absence

Nick Kyrgios has been named in Australia’s Davis Cup team for the first time since 2019.

Kyrgios will be joining Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, and Thanasi Kokkinakis for the qualifying tie against Sweden in Stockholm on January 31 and February 1.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist returns after years of reluctance to compete, previously citing a lack of public support.

While his fitness is uncertain following recent wrist surgery, Kyrgios’ doubles expertise could be a key asset for captain Lleyton Hewitt.

Australia, led by world number eight de Minaur, are heavy favourites against Sweden, whose top player is ranked 327.

Kyrgios’ comeback adds excitement to the campaign as Australia seeks another strong Davis Cup run.

Source: ABC News

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