The Very Reverend Father Diogenis Patsouris was honoured during an event held at South Australia’s Parliament House on Friday, June 6.
The event celebrated Father Diogenis’ 60th anniversary of entering the priesthood and 55 years as parish priest of St George Parish in Thebarton.
South Australia’s Minister for Transport Tom Koutsantonis hosted the event and acknowledged Father Diogenis’ significant role in shaping the South Australian Greek community.
“His prominence and leadership within the South Australian Greek community has shaped many of us, and we thank him for all he has done and will continue to do,” Koutsantonis said.
The Greek Herald can reveal that Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Michail Loverdos, is planning a visit to Australia this year as part of a broader tour aimed at strengthening ties with the Greek diaspora and addressing long-standing issues.
The matters have already been discussed in detail with Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, and are understood to be key priorities for the Deputy Minister during his trip.
Also high on the agenda will be direct engagement with diaspora communities. Loverdos is expected to meet with local organisations, community leaders and individuals across several states.
The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney and NSW swapped the city skyline for countryside charm over the weekend, embarking on a spirited trip to Mudgee filled with food, fun and fellowship.
The journey began with a brisk coffee break in Katoomba, where the group enjoyed their morning pit stop in a refreshing 4 degrees. From there, the adventure officially kicked off at the Ben Bullen abandoned train station, a unique and atmospheric location that set the tone for the day.
Arriving in Mudgee township, members explored the local markets and wandered through the town’s quaint streets before settling into their accommodation for a short rest. The afternoon continued with a visit to Burnbrae Winery, where guests sampled local wines by the fire, accompanied by live music and scenic views.
The group then stopped by the Baker Williams Distillery for a taste of small-batch spirits, rounding out the day with a relaxed BBQ dinner at the motor inn, complete with dancing and a warm fire pit.
Day two began sweetly at Honey Haven, where the group experienced a range of honey-infused products, from gourmet treats to skincare. This was followed by a stop at Small Batch Brewery, where members sampled locally brewed beers and ciders, before wrapping up the tasting tour at High Valley Cheese Co. for a savoury selection of artisan cheeses. After a final lunch in town, the group began the journey home, satisfied and full of stories.
Brotherhood President Peter Psomas summed up the experience best: “A great weekend away with an awesome group enjoying the local products. Topped off with a BBQ dinner and dancing around a fire pit to warm up — it doesn’t get any better. Looking forward to Mudgee 2026.”
The Brotherhood extends its thanks to all who joined, helped, and added to the vibrant parea. With planning already underway for next year’s Mudgee trip, it’s safe to say the tradition is here to stay.
The aroma of grilled meats and the sound of Greek music filled the air as thousands packed Darwin’s Esplanade for the return of the beloved GleNTi Festival — the Northern Territory’s largest annual multicultural celebration.
Held over two days at Bicentennial Park, this year’s GleNTi featured an impressive lineup of traditional Greek fare including souvla, keftedes (meatballs), loukoumades (honey puffs), and the ever-popular dolmades. But it was octopus that nearly stole the spotlight — both for its flavour and the controversy that almost saw it pulled from the menu.
On the eve of the festival, NT Health issued a statement announcing that a batch of octopus prepared by the Kalymnian Brotherhood had breached food safety standards and was “unsuitable for consumption.” The stallholders were asked to dispose of the affected product, prompting concern that one of the festival’s signature dishes would be missing.
In response, the Kalymnian Brotherhood strongly denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “false” and describing the decision as “sabotage.” In a Facebook post, they asserted their preparation followed correct procedures and expressed disappointment over the handling of the matter. The Brotherhood ultimately withdrew from the festival.
Despite the disruption, organisers quickly sourced alternative supplies.
“We did stay up all night, rang some suppliers and local distributors, and found octopus,” Michael Koulianos, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia, told ABC News. “[It’s not the usual two tonnes], but it will be enough for people to taste it.”
All photos: Georgia Politis.
The last-minute scramble didn’t dampen spirits. As early as midday, queues snaked through the crowd, some waiting up to 30 minutes for a taste of charcoal-grilled seafood or lamb. Volunteers, including NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and federal MP Luke Gosling, joined the hundreds of locals who had already spent weeks preparing behind the scenes.
From wrapping 600kg of dolmades to rolling thousands of meatballs, the effort was enormous.
All photos: Georgia Politis.
“We start our preparations in January every year, but the last three months are quite intense,” Koulianos said. “The last month is sleepless nights to really get everything done.”
The festival is deeply rooted in Darwin’s Greek community, particularly its Kalymnian population, and has grown significantly since it began in 1988. Today, it’s a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar — a celebration not only of Hellenism, but of community spirit and cross-cultural unity.
All photos: Georgia Politis.
Traditional music and dancing, including performances by children in Greek costume, brought added joy to the weekend, while carnival rides and even a Smurfs-themed set entertained younger attendees.
“It’s a celebration of our Greek heritage, but also of our families, our community, and our standing in the NT,” Koulianos said. “It brings us all together.”
GleNTi continues to prove that a taste of Greece — even amid heat, queues, and a little octopus saga — is a recipe for community and celebration done right.
Australian cricket prodigy Sam Konstas recently joined teammates on a private tour of the McLaren Formula 1 factory outside London, hosted by F1 star Oscar Piastri.
The visit, kept under wraps until McLaren completed strict vetting of all media taken inside the facility, offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the elite world of motorsport.
Konstas, 19, expressed admiration for Piastri, calling the 24-year-old “a legend of a bloke” and praising his composure under pressure.
“He’s 24. First in the Formula 1. I don’t know how he deals with so much pressure on him,” said Konstas. “Having a bit of time with him was a huge honour.”
The cricketers tried their hand at McLaren’s racing simulators, with Mitchell Starc recording the fastest lap. Konstas, by contrast, laughed off his struggles.
“I was terrible. I was crashing all the time. It was good fun. I was definitely the worst one,” he said.
Usman Khawaja, a self-confessed F1 enthusiast, was reluctant to leave the simulator, while veteran Nathan Lyon kept a cautious approach: “Rather be safe than dead. That’s my theory behind the wheel.”
Konstas called the experience unforgettable, praising both McLaren’s cutting-edge facilities and Piastri’s humility.
“Hopefully he keeps coming first and he dominates,” he added.
Two of Australia’s most historic football clubs, South Melbourne Hellas and Heidelberg United, have advanced to the Round of 32 of the Australia Cup, as well as to the semi-finals of the Victoria Cup (Dockerty Cup).
On Tuesday night at the Frank Holohan Soccer Complex, South Melbourne, with goalkeeper Javier Lopez as the hero, eliminated Dandenong City in a penalty shootout (3-1), after a 1-1 draw in regular time and extra time.
The home side, despite not being better in the first half, took the lead in the 31st minute with a goal from Thomas Giannakopoulos, a score that held until halftime. In the second half, the “Blue and Whites” came out strong and managed to equalise in the 55th minute with a header from Andy Brennan.
South Melbourne then missed several chances to take the lead, as the opposing goalkeeper made crucial saves. Near the end, Dandenong City nearly won the game, with a header hitting the crossbar and the rebound striking the goal line before being cleared by Hellas defenders.
In extra time, neither team managed to create a clear opportunity, and the match proceeded to penalties. Javier Lopez saved two of Dandenong City’s four attempts (they scored only once), while one shot went wide. South Melbourne converted all three of their penalties, taken by Marco Jankovic, Samuel Francou, and Nahuel Bonada.
At the same time, in the Greek derby held at John Cain Memorial Park, Heidelberg United defeated Northcote City 2-0. Goals were scored by Anthony Theodoropoulos in the 45th minute and Sebit James Ngor from the penalty spot in the 63rd, securing the win for Heidelberg.
Australian batter Sam Konstas has been left out of the starting XI for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, with captain Pat Cummins confirming Marnus Labuschagne will open alongside Usman Khawaja, and Josh Hazlewood returns to the bowling attack.
Konstas, who impressed fans with his aggressive batting against India last summer, was in contention for an opening role but lost out to Labuschagne, despite the latter’s recent poor form.
“Cam Green, the last few weeks he’s had, coming back in great form, we thought he deserved a spot somewhere in the batting line-up,” Cummins said.
“With Marnus moving, we thought it’s one spot up, it’s not too different to batting three. He’s done well here in England in the past.”
Photo: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake / AP.
Konstas had been dropped during Australia’s Sri Lanka tour and returned to Sheffield Shield cricket, where he posted some solid scores. However, the selectors ultimately chose continuity with Labuschagne, despite widespread criticism over his declining performance.
Labuschagne, who averaged just 25.36 with the bat over the summer, remains under pressure, while Konstas will again remain on the sidelines for the WTC decider.
Australia’s final XI: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
The Board of Anglican Schools Corporation and the School Council of Danebank have announced the appointment of Dr Michele Benn to take up the position of Principal of Danebank from Monday 14 July 2025.
Following a thorough selection process, Dr Benn was selected to lead Danebank into its next phase of growth and development. Both the School Council and the Board have affirmed their full confidence in Dr Benn’s leadership of Danebank into the future.
Dr Benn will succeed Dr Emma Burgess, who departs Danebank on 4 July 2025. Dr Burgess has led the school with true vision, great love, compassion and a beautiful Christian faith for over five years. She leaves our school well placed for a wonderful future. For this, the Board and the School Council thank her most sincerely.
Dr Benn comes to Danebank as a brilliant thinker and an outstanding leader in girls education. In her career of more than 30 years in education, she has held numerous senior positions, including (currently) Head of Teaching and Learning (Meriden School), Head of Junior School (Meriden School) and Deputy Head of School (St Peter’s Anglican Grammar).
Dr Benn brings a deep commitment to empowering young women through a holistic education underpinned by an authentic Christian foundation. In fact, it is Dr Benn’s strong faith and recognition that Danebank’s strategies, programs and activities are shaped by the gospel, that lie at the heart of her desire to serve as the school’s Principal.
Dr Benn believes in the transformative impact of education, saying: “Danebank offers a powerful environment where young women can build their confidence, resilience and leadership skills. The school’s approach to keeping Danebank’s girls at the heart of decisions strongly resonates with me.”
The past five years at Danebank have seen impressive strategic momentum and growth, from the development of the school’s physical environment to furthering the commitment to contemporary learning approaches that nurture academic achievement and personal character. Dr Benn admires the strategic vision and momentum Danebank has cultivated as a school that honours its traditions, while continuing to evolve, ensuring that students are equipped for the future.
“I intend to continue and build on this outstanding momentum through the next phase of Danebank’s journey,” Dr Benn says.
Dr Benn and her husband, Patrick, are well known in their community where they attend the local Anglican church. Together, they have six children.
In a landmark decision, Greece’s electoral tribunal has stripped three MPs from the far-right Spartans party, including leader Vasilis Stigkas, of their parliamentary seats, citing electoral fraud.
The ruling reduces the Greek Parliament to 297 members for the first time since the fall of military rule.
The court found that voters were misled during the 2023 general election, as the real power behind the Spartans was not Stigkas, but Ilias Kasidiaris—an unrepentant neo-Nazi and jailed former leader of the disbanded Golden Dawn party.
Greek law prohibits parties from participating in elections if their true leaders have been convicted of serious crimes, such as running a criminal organisation.
“This is a message for the far-right—that it must respect the norms of democracy,” said Lamprini Rori, assistant professor at the University of Athens.
Kasidiaris, a Holocaust denier, was sentenced to 13.5 years in prison in 2020 for his role in orchestrating Golden Dawn’s violent activities. Despite his incarceration, he endorsed the Spartans from prison after his own party, the Hellenes, was banned.
Political analyst Dimitris Psarras said the Spartans served as “the vitrine of Kasidiaris in parliament,” and warned that while this ruling is a setback, far-right influence in Greece is far from over.
“Kasidiaris still has a support base of mostly young people who hold regular meetings on the internet to discuss his comeback.”
Rori noted that 80% of Spartans voters previously supported Golden Dawn. “Many supporters may now be waiting for Kasidiaris to tell them what to do next.”
Though the Spartans have lost momentum amid internal conflicts, the broader far-right remains a growing force in Greek politics, with three far-right parties currently represented in parliament.
A Russian overnight airstrike on Kyiv has damaged the Saint Sophia Cathedral, one of Ukraine’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The blast wave from the June 10 attack destroyed the cornice of the cathedral’s central apse.
“Last night, the enemy struck at the very heart of our identity again,” said Ukraine’s Culture Minister Mykola Tochytskyi.
Calling the 11th-century cathedral “the soul of all Ukraine,” he accused Russia of waging war not only against cities, but “against our culture, memory and future.”
Saint Sophia Cathedral’s management has notified UNESCO of the damage. The cathedral, designed to rival Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, is renowned for its extensive 11th-century mosaics and frescoes. It has been on UNESCO’s danger list since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Photo: Getty Images.
The June 10 attack involved 322 aerial units, including 315 drones and seven missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Air defences intercepted 284 of them, including all missiles.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that the Kyiv and Odesa regions were hardest hit, with 19 fires breaking out.
In Odesa, a residential building was struck, killing two and injuring nine. A maternity hospital, first aid station, and business were also damaged.
In Kyiv, four people were injured, with damage reported in Darnytsia, Obolon, Shevchenko, and Holosiiv districts.
