The Greek Orthodox Parish of St Sophia and Three Daughters’ ‘Feed the People’ program brought a heartwarming Christmas celebration to Martin Place on Monday, December 23, delivering more than 1,000 meals to those in need.
The event was made possible through the support of sponsors Crash Claim and The Butcher Boys, alongside dedicated volunteers from the Mother Maria of Paris Greek Orthodox Mission in Belmore.
A festive BBQ served at the Martin Place location provided a delicious meal for those who might otherwise have gone without, while the volunteers also distributed festive desserts to brighten the day of patrons.
The collaborative effort between local businesses, volunteers, and community groups helped create a meaningful and joyful holiday experience for the less fortunate in the area.
The initiative was a perfect example of the Christmas spirit, providing not only a meal but also a sense of warmth and connection to those who needed it most.
As a self-funded programme, ‘Feed The People’ relies on the generosity of volunteers and donors to sustain its work. The parish encourages anyone who would like to assist or learn more about how they can support the program to contact Father Irenaeus at (02) 9331 5031.
The bank is suing Kyriacou for more than $779,000, alleging she defaulted on a loan agreement entered into in 2015.
Kyriacou – who has been linked to convicted tax fraudsters Adam Cranston and George Alex but denies wrongdoing in those cases – claims her signature was forged on the financial documents related to the CBA loan.
Kyriacou attempted to delay the case, citing mental health issues, but her application was rejected by the Supreme Court.
Justice Nicholas Chen ruled the case should proceed immediately, emphasising that further delays could push the hearing into 2026.
Kyriacou was also ordered to pay the CBA’s legal costs for the application. The case continues.
To celebrate, The Greek Herald decided to dive deep into the association’s rich history and what it has achieved throughout the years.
How it all began
The KPA was established on September 20, 1959 in Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory, and has since evolved from its original founding committee of six members.
It was started by Con Mantinaos (Vice President), George Leon (Secretary), George Economidis (Treasurer), Mihalis Vassiliotis senior (Councillor), Emmanuel Xirakis (Councillor) and Frank (Frangios) Diakovasilis (councillor).
Mr Economidis is now 90 years old and resides in Sydney. He is the oldest and only living original member who contributed to the formation of the association.
Today, the association features more than 400 Greek Australian members, as well as eight current committee members. They include Frank (Frangiskos) Kochinos (President), Dora Vassiliotis (Vice President), George Constantine (Secretary), Maria Theoharidis (Treasurer), and Miltiadis Vassiliotis, Antonis Vassiliotis, John Mantinaos and Fina Vassiliotis, who are all committee members.
The KPA has become a widely respected association that is very well supported by the Greek community, especially in Canberra.
When the first settlers from Greece arrived in Australia in 1959, most of them came from Karpathos. Today, 90 per cent of Karpathians in Australia come from the villages of Othos and Pyles. The other 10 per cent from villages including Olympos, Volatha, Menetes, Mesohori, Pehadia and Aperi.
The reason the Association was originally started was to revitalise the island of Karpathos both in an economic and social sense, as well as keep the community together here in Australia.
Why members join
Current KPA President Mr Kochinos told The Greek Herald he joined the Association five years ago because he wanted to contribute to keeping his Karpathian roots alive in Canberra.
“I just really wanted to keep Greek traditions alive and keep the Karpathian flame going,” he said.
“For me, it’s really about the people. I love the team that I’ve got behind me as well. They’re amazing and we all think the same, we feel the same and we give off the same energy.”
Fina, a long-standing committee member who has previously held the title of President and Vice President, said she joined the committee to follow in the footsteps of her father, Mr Leon who was part of the initial committee.
“Karpathos has always been a second home to me, and being in the committee means I get to surround myself with others in Canberra who have that shared love for the island like me,” Fina said.
The youngest member and Secretary of the Association, Mr Constantine said he initially joined KPA in 2020 as he wanted to keep the connection to Karpathos alive, especially amongst younger generations in Canberra.
“It wasn’t until we were on the cusp of COVID-19 that I decided to attend the Annual General Meeting and put my name down to join the committee,” Mr Constantine said.
“I understood that we were missing that kind of cultural connection and that feeling of meeting people of the same background, and at that point I felt like I was finally old enough to be able to give back and become more involved.
“I just think it’s important to try and not let associations like this one die out. Even though I am very busy, and I’ve got a lot of work and not enough time, I still try and contribute however I can.”
The 35-year-old said one of the things he loved most about being a part of the Association is the “sense of unity” it provides.
“It feels so rewarding to be surrounded by people who share the same dreams of going on a vacation back to the island that you’re from,” Mr Constantine said.
“I just love the feeling of giving back, the feeling of celebrating various life events together and the inclusivity.”
Keeping up the KPA legacy
KPA President Mr Kochinos said he hopes to see more people get involved with the Association in the future to keep the Karpathian legacy alive.
“I feel as though I am torn between two beautiful countries, Greece and Australia, and I don’t want to see the Greek traditions ever fade away here in Canberra,” he said.
“If I could pass on the emotions and the feelings that I have for our country, I would, and I’d love to be able to inject them into somebody else and encourage them to continue keeping the Association alive. I hope to see future generations have that same drive and love.”
Over the years, the KPA has been known for holding three key annual events which bring together Canberrans from all parts of Greece to a love for food, fishing and fun with family and friends.
They include the Karpathian Turros Classic fishing competition – which is a three-day event held on the last weekend of February every year; the Karpathian Christmas party – which takes place at the end of the year; and the annual BBQ, put on at the beginning of each year.
“The fishing competition is the biggest event on our calendar, and for those three days we see men, young and old, come together, mingle, and spend quality time together. It’s just beautiful,” Mr Kochinos said.
Reaching the 65-year milestone
The KPA committee members shared how it feels to see the Association turn 65 this year, and what they hope to see from the Karpathians in Canberra in the future.
Mr Kochinos said he thinks “it is amazing” the Association has stayed strong for more than 60 years.
“I am very happy to see that it’s still alive and still hosts events that people attend. However, I hope that for the next 65 years, more of the younger members in the second, third and even fourth generations start coming in to replace the older people who are involved,” Mr Kochinos said.
Fina added, “The Association has had its ups and downs, but at the moment we’re doing very well, and it makes me very proud.”
“Over the years we’ve united a lot of people through our annual events and it’s great to see so many Karpathians in Canberra who love their island come together all these years and attend the fishing comp, the BBQ and the Christmas party,” she said.
Tereapii Pokoina, a landscaper involved in the importation of $20 million worth of cocaine from Greece as part of Operation Ironside, has had his sentence increased by two years.
Originally sentenced in February 2024 to six years with a three-year non-parole period, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was “manifestly inadequate.”
The cocaine, concealed inside welders shipped from Greece, was seized by law enforcement in August 2020.
Pokoina, who arranged the shipment, paid for customs clearances, and used his employer’s address for the delivery, pleaded guilty to importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
Tereapii Pokoina.
Judge Rauf Soulio noted that although Pokoina was at a lower level in the drug operation, his actions were crucial to the importation’s success.
The Court of Appeal, comprising Justices David Lovell, Sam Doyle and Laura Stein, agreed. They resentenced Pokoina to eight years and 10 months, with a non-parole period of four years and 10 months.
The court highlighted the “significant scale” of the importation and the large reward Pokoina stood to gain. The sentence was backdated to February 26.
The legal dispute over the estate of late South Australian matriarch Florence Gemenis Polites has taken a new turn, with her twin grandsons Marcus and Alex Polites joining the battle to challenge her 1999 will.
The twins, property developers based in Queensland, revealed their intent to contest the multimillion-dollar estate before a new law changes this week, despite previously claiming they had no plans to do so.
Salkanovic, a convicted attempted drug importer, has been estranged from parts of his family and faces accusations of causing family strife.
Alex Polites.
The court learned that Marcus and Alex, the sons of property tycoon George Polites, had instructed lawyers to file a claim, with the twins stating that “circumstances have changed.” However, it is unclear what they seek from the estate under the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act.
The estate, which has not yet been granted probate, reportedly has assets worth at least $1.5 million, but also faces debts exceeding $4.4 million.
The ongoing dispute also involves George, who is challenging the appointment of estate administrator Sarah Hooper, arguing the process lacks transparency and could expose confidential family business details.
A hearing next month will determine whether the temporary suspension of Hooper’s powers will be extended.
Football Australia has announced that for the first time ever an all-female Match Officials Panel will officiate an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match this Wednesday, January 1 in Sydney.
In what will become history-making for the competition, six highly qualified and experienced female match officials will take charge of the fixture between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Macarthur FC, highlighting the continued progress and dedication of female officials in Australia.
The milestone reflects Football Australia’s ongoing commitment to creating a world class environment for referee development and increased opportunities for Australian referees as outlined in the XI Principles for the future of Australian football.
Queenslander Casey Reibelt will hold the whistle for the match after becoming just the second woman to oversee an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match in 2022 and in following year, became the first Australian woman to referee in the AFC Champions League.
Reibelt will be assisted in the VAR by Football Victoria’s Kate Jacewicz, who was made history as the first woman to referee an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match in 2020 and has also been named Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year a record eight times.
Patrolling the sidelines will be Assistant Referees’ Emma Kocbek and Maddy Allum, both from Football NSW, and both of whom made their first appearances in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men earlier this month after several seasons in the Ninja A-League Women.
Football Australia is proud to announce that for the first time ever an all-female Match Officials Panel will officiate an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match this Wednesday (1 January) in Sydney.https://t.co/GSbX5dVvJP
Vastly experienced referee Rebecca Durcau from Queensland, who has officiated three Ninja A-League Women Grand Finals and served as Additional Assistant Referee in a further three Ninja A-League Women Grand Finals, will be the Fourth Official.
Rounding out the panel will be Joanna Charaktis (Football Victoria), who was recently appointed as an Assistant Referee for the Paris 2024™ Olympic Games.
Head of Referees at Football Australia Jon Moss praised the deserved appointments and stressed their impact on the future of female referees.
“Wednesday’s match marks a historic occasion for both female match officials and Australian football,” Moss said.
“This achievement reflects the quality and dedication of our female referees and by having an all-female Match Officials Panel oversee an Isuzu UTE A-League Men match, demonstrates the strides we have made in creating inclusive pathways for officiating.
“The Panel brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to the pitch and their accomplishments at domestic and international levels emphasises the high standard of female officials in Australia.
“I hope their appearance encourages young women across the country to consider their own refereeing journey and take up opportunities to become match officials.”
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic are set to debut their doubles partnership at the Brisbane International today, December 30, kicking off the Australian summer of tennis in style.
The pair, who have formed an unlikely friendship over the past 18 months, will take to Pat Rafter Arena for their first-ever doubles match, facing Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies in the round of 32.
Kyrgios, returning to tennis after a career-threatening wrist injury, humorously acknowledged the pairing, saying, “Everybody thinks it’s a pleasure to play with him [Djokovic]. It’s actually a pleasure to play with me, let’s be real.”
Despite their differing personalities, Kyrgios and Djokovic are the headline names of the ATP 250 singles draw, and their doubles debut is expected to draw a large crowd.
“I don’t know how it’s going to be – we might get absolutely snipped,” Kyrgios joked, adding that they might not win, given their lack of doubles experience.
Djokovic echoed a laid-back attitude, saying, “Now we have the first chance right away in the first week of the season, should be fun.”
While Kyrgios is focused on his singles return against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Djokovic is aiming to build on his Olympic gold medal from Paris this year.
Both players are eager to return to top form after challenging seasons, with Djokovic admitting, “It’s been an interesting year… I’ve had more losses and ups and downs than in previous seasons,” but he remains hungry to make more history.
Off the court, Kyrgios has been outspoken about issues in tennis, particularly the handling of doping cases involving top-ranked players like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. Kyrgios criticised the inconsistency of the sport’s doping protocols, calling the situation “disgusting.”
Djokovic, while acknowledging the discomfort of Kyrgios’ comments, agreed with some of his points, especially regarding the lack of transparency in doping cases, stating, “We were kept in the dark for five months” regarding Sinner’s case.
As both players gear up for the new season, their partnership at the Brisbane International promises to be a highlight of the tournament, with fans excited to see how their contrasting personalities mesh on the court.
Athens will welcome 2025 with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration at Syntagma Square, featuring a unique musical and theatrical experience titled “Rooftop of Time” (Ταράτσα του Χρόνου), created by renowned Greek rock musician Foivos Delivorias.
The event will kick off with a performance by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens, followed by a lively set from popular group Laternativ. The night will culminate with a DJ performance by Stavros Dioskouridis and Panagiotis Menegos from EnLefko 87.7, as the city counts down to midnight.
For the first time, Athens will celebrate the arrival of the new year with silent fireworks and a stunning drone light show, illuminating the skies above Syntagma Square in tribute to the city’s history and its future.
Photo: N Sorokin.
The highlight of the evening will be “Rooftop of Time,” a musical journey through Athens’ history, written by Delivorias and directed by Angelos Triantafyllou. The performance, a “time machine” of music, dance, and storytelling, will explore Athens’ evolution from 1945 to 2025.
Delivorias, along with Natassa Bofiliou, Martha Frintzila, and Thanasis Alevras, will guide the audience through different eras of Greek music, reflecting the cultural changes of the city.
A 10-piece orchestra, dancers choreographed by Evi Souli, and young vocalists will accompany the performance, enhanced by historical footage from Greek films and documentaries.
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas will join the artists on stage to count down to midnight, marking the city’s vibrant welcome to 2025.
Sam Konstas’ second innings in Test cricket was less dramatic than his first, but it underscored two key points: India is now clearly targeting him, and they respect him enough to adjust their tactics.
Konstas was dismissed by a brilliant delivery from Jasprit Bumrah, who pitched a stump-seeking missile that seamed back slightly to hit the top of off-stump. This type of ball, previously used by junior teams to target Konstas, has now proved successful, and India is likely to try it again in the final Test in Sydney.
Bumrah celebrated the wicket with unusual boisterousness, urging Indian fans to cheer as if he had dismissed a top player like Steve Smith. This was likely a response to Konstas, who had earlier treated Bumrah with “humbling disdain” in the first innings.
Bumrah’s theatrical celebration seemed to mock Konstas’ recent exuberance with the crowd, highlighting how much the young player has gotten under India’s skin.
Photo: Getty Images.
Despite the dismissal, Konstas demonstrated the fearless approach that has made him stand out. India adjusted their field to cover his ramp shot, forcing him to adopt a more conventional style.
Konstas had faced 41 balls from Bumrah in the Test, scoring 35 runs, but with 18 false shots—one roughly every two balls. This was reminiscent of David Warner’s struggles against Stuart Broad in 2019, where Warner also had a high number of false shots.
With his fearless play and growing prominence, Konstas will need to be both brave and talented to continue his rise in Test cricket. All eyes will be on him in Sydney, where anything could happen.
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed deep condolences following the tragic plane crash in South Korea, which claimed 179 lives on Sunday, December 29.
The ministry declared in a statement that Greece is “profoundly saddened by the tragic incident involving the plane crash in South Korea. We extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time.”
The crash occurred when Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from Bangkok, attempted to land at Muan International Airport. The Boeing 737-800, which had 175 passengers and six crew members on board, failed to deploy its landing gear, resulting in a belly landing.
The aircraft skidded off the runway, hit a wall, and exploded in flames. Only two crew members survived, both of whom were hospitalised with injuries.
Profoundly saddened by the tragic incident involving the plane crash in South Korea.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/qHxm0zkgyL
This accident is the deadliest in South Korea in nearly three decades, surpassing even the tragic 1997 Korean Air crash.
South Korean authorities are investigating potential causes, including bird strikes and weather conditions, as a bird strike warning had been issued shortly before the crash.
“At this point there are a lot more questions than we have answers,” aviation expert Gregory Alegi said, raising concerns about the plane’s speed, the lack of flaps, and the failure of the landing gear.
Boeing, the plane’s manufacturer, also expressed condolences: “We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.”
Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae apologised for the accident, stating there were no early signs of malfunction. The airline pledged to cooperate with the investigation and prioritise support for the families.
