Landing a graduate role in investment banking is a challenge, with fierce competition for a limited number of positions. For those like Anastasia Kondos who spoke in the Financial Review, her advice for incoming grads is clear and practical.
Be Excited – It’s the Right Decision
“It can be nerve-wracking starting a career in banking,” says Ms. Kondos. “[For any incoming graduates], I’d reassure them they’ve made the right decision, be excited and just relax before they start their career. You learn a lot on the job, and it’s not really something you can prepare that much for.”
She suggests taking time to recharge before diving in. “You’re much better spending your time relaxing before you start, so you can come in fresh and absorb everything like a sponge.” Ms. Kondos also found inspiration in listening to motivational speeches from senior banking leaders, including RBC Capital Markets’ Derek Neldner.
Leave the Sneakers at Home
“It’s an investment bank, and it’s a professional place. It’s always good to present yourself that way,” she advises. While casual Fridays exist, she opts for a polished look.
Acknowledging the demanding nature of the industry, Ms. Kondos embraces the challenge. “The hours are long because it’s a demanding industry with high expectations on all of us from a client perspective. I work hard; however, I take the opportunity for downtime when possible.”
By staying professional, focused, and balanced, Ms. Kondos sets a strong example for new graduates entering the field.
South Australia has a history of producing global icons, from astronaut Andy Thomas to actor Teresa Palmer and scientist Mark Oliphant. Three talented Greek-Australians who are poised to make waves in their respective fields, were included among the 25 South Australians to watch in 2025, by The Advertiser.
Panagiotis Kikianis – Football Prodigy
Adelaide United defender Panagiotis Kikianis, 19, has already etched his name in A-League history by signing the longest contract ever offered — a five-year deal. Reds coach Carl Veart lauds him as an “exceptional talent with immense potential.” Starting his journey with Fulham United as a child, Kikianis climbed the ranks through West Adelaide and state development programs. With dedication and a stellar attitude, he is expected to be Adelaide’s next big football export.
Selina Nikoloudakis – Family Law Specialist and Mentor
Selina Nikoloudakis, a highly-regarded family lawyer, recently launched her own firm, Divorce Legal, in Prospect. With over 15 years of experience and recognition in the Doyles Guide, she is among the state’s elite family law specialists. Nikoloudakis is not only a trailblazer in law but also a mentor to emerging lawyers, describing her field as “constantly evolving” and emotionally impactful. Her passion for helping families navigate challenging times underpins her success.
Selina Nikoloudakis
Photo: The Advertiser
Alexia Spyridonidis – Marketing Visionary
In just over a year since founding her marketing agency Sax, Alexia Spyridonidis has worked with brands like F45 and SkyCity. Combining her background in fashion marketing with a passion for creative content, she has quickly positioned herself as a rising star in Adelaide’s media and marketing world. Her work spans social media, publicity, and event management, making her one to watch in 2025.
The Greek Community Cup delivered another round of astonishing football, with Malvern edging out East Kew in a 3–2 thriller and Oakleigh Cannons securing a commanding 2–0 win over South Springvale to claim their spot in the Semi-Finals.
The tournament continues to showcase the passion, skill, and community spirit that define the competition.
In a closely fought encounter, Malvern’s youthful squad, featuring several promoted Under-17 players, displayed exceptional resilience and talent to clinch a hard-earned 3–2 victory over East Kew.
Photo: Kostas Deves.
East Kew started strong, taking an early lead and coming close to doubling it. Despite Malvern’s fluid ball movement, East Kew’s defence held firm until a well-worked equaliser brought the team’s level. Just before halftime, East Kew capitalised on an opportunity to go 2–1 up.
Malvern roared back in the second half, equalising quickly with a sharp finish. The match remained on a knife’s edge until Malvern netted a decisive goal to seal the win. Both teams impressed, with Malvern’s young side showcasing great potential and East Kew demonstrating determination.
Tournament hosts South Springvale showed significant improvement but ultimately fell to the clinical Oakleigh Cannons, who secured a 2–0 victory and a place in the Semi-Finals.
Photo: Kostas Deves.
South Springvale started with intent, creating early chances and pressing Oakleigh. However, Oakleigh struck first with Marco’s composed finish, gaining momentum and dictating the game. A second goal before halftime cemented Oakleigh’s control.
Despite South Springvale’s spirited efforts in the second half, their attacks were thwarted by Oakleigh’s solid defence. Oakleigh threatened to extend their lead but were denied by the crossbar and missed opportunities.
The Greek Community Cup continues to bring thrilling matches and passionate performances, with the stage now set for even greater action.
For competition details, full fixture and results check out www.greekcup.com.au
A proposed mixed-use development just outside Adelaide’s CBD could rise to eight storeys, featuring 300 dwellings and 1,000 sqm of ground-floor retail space.
The site, located at 12-22 Richmond Rd, Keswick, was previously planned for a glass-walled office complex by local developer Maras Group. However, a rezoning request is now under consideration to allow for a larger, more diverse project.
Project consultant Future Urban outlined that, if approved, the new development would include an affordable and social housing component.
Senior consultant Belinda Monier noted that the site would offer convenient access to the Adelaide Showground train station, bus stops, and nearby parklands, with potential views of the CBD and the sea.
High-profile businessman Theo Maras, along with James Arsenikakis of Cambridge Private Capital, has joined the venture. The location is situated near the Urban Corridor zone along Anzac Highway, an area that has seen significant residential development in recent years.
Currently, the site houses a two-storey office block next to the SA Power Networks tower and across from the Emergency Services Headquarters. No formal design plans have been submitted, and the decision timeline from PlanSA remains unclear.
After years of heartbreak and setbacks, Laura Garcia and Max Soteris’ dream of having a child finally came true with the birth of their son, Mateo Soteris.
The couple’s IVF journey, which included five miscarriages and significant emotional and financial costs, ended with the arrival of their “gift from God.”
The couple’s story began over a decade ago when Garcia, 37, met Soteris, 47, in the Dominican Republic. After struggling to conceive naturally, they turned to fertility specialist Dr Lynn Burmeister at No 1 Fertility.
“My advice to any young woman is don’t wait, have your fertility tested and freeze your eggs,” Garcia said. Despite being young, fit, and healthy, they soon faced fertility challenges.
In March 2020, Garcia was ready for her first egg collection, only to have the procedure cancelled due to a misunderstanding during the pandemic. The following years saw the couple navigate lockdowns and delays, leading to further emotional tolls.
Photo: Victoria D’Angelo.
After several unsuccessful rounds of IVF and five miscarriages, the couple discovered they were pregnant naturally in 2020, but sadly lost the pregnancy just days later.
Despite the heartbreaking losses, Garcia and Soteris persevered.
Eventually, they sought additional help from a reproductive immunologist in Sydney, who discovered that Garcia’s immune system was attacking the embryos. With the right medication, they successfully completed another IVF cycle, leading to the birth of Mateo.
“Everything we’ve been through takes a toll. Max is a keeper. After everything we have been through to have our family, it has all been worth it,” Garcia said.
Dr Burmeister praised Garcia’s resilience, saying, “Sadly, not all fertility journeys end the way patients hope it will, but Laura’s little Mateo is an inspiration to all women and couples with fertility challenges that dreams can come true.”
Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO of Food & Drink Victoria, has played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s food scene, particularly through her leadership of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.
Under her guidance, the festival has brought international chefs to Melbourne while highlighting the best of local talent and produce.
“We can grow or make virtually anything in Victoria,” she told Sydney Morning Herald, underscoring her commitment to promoting local producers, who contribute to nearly a quarter of Australia’s food exports.
Her journey into the food industry has been anything but conventional. Born to Greek Cypriot parents in Melbourne, Loucas Bosha’s love for food was cultivated at home, where her parents, both hardworking entrepreneurs, were known for their hospitality.
Initially aspiring to be a sports journalist, Loucas Bosha shifted her focus to media.
Despite her success, Loucas Bosha faced personal challenges, including the heartbreaking loss of a child in 2012. She chose to return to Melbourne and eventually took up her current role with Food & Drink Victoria, where she now champions the state’s culinary culture.
Reflecting on her career, Loucas Bosha notes, “My passion for Melbourne and food brought all my worlds together.”
With a clear vision for the future, Loucas Bosha continues to make an indelible mark on Melbourne’s food landscape, turning the festival into a year-round platform for celebrating the state’s diverse food and drink culture.
While we live in a time when performers are curated and authenticity is rare, Mihali Georgeou constantly reminds us that some things can’t be taught.
Before the flowers come in to play, the venue is booked or the guest list is compiled, there is one element that will make or break any celebration: the music. If your guests aren’t forming a circle on the dancefloor, dropping to their knees, and downing rum shots from the ground, then sorry to break it to you, but the kefi may have left the room. But when Mihali is on the run sheet, rest assured, you’ve got nothing to worry about.
It’s hard to articulate the energy shift that takes place when Mihali is on stage. As his cousin and a bystander to many of these moments, I can say that small talk comes to a halt, smiles break out as if yielding to the moment, and the eyes of onlookers widen with awe.
Aside from vocals that turn the heads of high-flying Greek talent and constant comparisons to the great Pantelis Pantelidis, what makes Mihali stand out in a sea of performers is the entertainer within him that requires no coaxing, warm-up, or recharge.
“I enjoy entertaining people and just seeing people enjoying themselves and being happy through my music. What I love about singing is that you feel free, and it feels good to perform and sing, especially when I’m doing it with others.” Mihali said.
Picking up his first bouzouki at age 14, his talent was apparent, and his passion was unparalleled. After three years of lessons, he broke out on his own.
At 17, without a single lesson, he added singing to his repertoire. With a knack for string instruments, a guitar found its way into his hands, and right in the heart of Brisbane’s Greek community, a star was born.
Ever since then, whenever there was a Greek event in Brisbane, Mihali would be the first call. Because, much like hot chocolate on a rainy day or bangers with a side of mash, it seemed wrong to have one without the other.
Much like a chameleon’s ability to cater to its surroundings, the same can be said for Mihali’s vocal range. One minute, you’ll be welling up at the tear ducts as he belts out a ballad, and three minutes later, you’ll be waving napkins above your head, wishing you could freeze time and live in the moment forever.
The storytelling quality Mihali possesses is that of an old soul, captivating those around him with a palpable passion for what he does and a deep-rooted respect for the culture that shaped him.
Unlike some of us, where the thought of singing on stage in front of people turns palms sweaty and airways tight, nerves never seem to be an issue for Mihali.
From regularly performing on the Brisbane Paniyiri’s main stage to serenading newlyweds as they take their first dance as husband and wife, I strongly feel that the best is yet to come.
What’s next for our rising star? “I would like to carve out my own voice,” he said. “I want to release my own music one day – maybe a single, or eventually an album.”
While everyone has their pipe dreams, this one seems as certain as my daily cup of coffee – spoiler alert: I never skip it.
Tahlia Kokkinis’ impressive Australian Open Juniors campaign came to an end on Thursday, as the 16-year-old was defeated by world No.7 Sonobe Wakana of Japan, 6-2, 6-4.
Kokkinis, who earned a wildcard entry into the junior girls’ singles tournament, couldn’t maintain her giant-killing form after a strong start to the second set.
After being dominated in the first set, the Queenslander fought back, breaking her higher-ranked opponent to lead 4-2 in the second.
However, a medical time-out disrupted her momentum, and Sonobe levelled the set at 4-4 before sealing the match with a final break.
Reflecting on her tournament, Kokkinis, ranked No.117 in the world, said, “I loved the crowd getting behind me again, and I feel like every time I have a match, I have this inner belief and knowing that this crowd’s always gonna be with me.”
A driver has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison after ignoring a warning about a dangerous intersection and causing a crash that killed five people in Victoria.
In April 2023, Christopher Joannidis, 31, was warned by two police officers about the hazardous roads in Strathmerton, where nine people had already died in the past 18 months.
Despite the warning, Joannidis proceeded to cross three rumble strips and ignore give-way signs, driving his Mercedes Benz into a Nissan Navara ute, which was then struck by a truck.
The crash resulted in the deaths of 62-year-old Deborah Markey, her dog Sophie, and four farm workers from Taiwan and Hong Kong: Zhi-Yao Chen, Pin-Yu Wang, Wai Yan Lam and Hsin-Yu Chen.
Photo: Joel Carrett / AAP Photos.
Joannidis, who pleaded guilty to five counts of dangerous driving causing death, had his bail revoked in November 2024.
His defence argued he should not be jailed due to psychiatric conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, prosecutor Daniel Porceddu said Joannidis could manage his condition with medication, which he had refused to take.
Judge Gavan Meredith described the crash as “horrific” and imposed a maximum five-and-a-half-year sentence, taking into account Joannidis’ remorse and rehabilitation prospects.
Joannidis will be eligible for parole after serving at least three years.
The two-day summer seminar for VCE preparation in Greek, organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools on January 22 and 23 at the Greek Centre, was a resounding success.
The seminar aimed to support students taking Greek at the VCE level, equipping them with valuable skills to excel in their examinations.
It provided specialised information and preparation to help participants become familiar with course requirements and build their confidence.
During the seminar, students focused on the structure and content of the exams and engaged in practical activities designed to enhance their oral and written communication skills.
Attendees expressed high satisfaction with the seminar’s quality and organisation. They highlighted that the presentations and practical activities offered a clear understanding of the examination requirements.
Many participants also praised the teachers for their expertise and the valuable guidance they provided throughout the seminar.
Through initiatives like this, the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools continue to demonstrate their commitment to supporting students in their Greek language learning journey and to promoting and preserving the Greek language and cultural identity.
