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Julian Hill MP reaffirms government’s commitment to independent multicultural media

Andriana Simos
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Julian Hill MP reaffirms government’s commitment to independent multicultural media

Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill held an online press conference on Thursday, November 21 to provide an update on the Multicultural Framework Review and the Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion 2024 Report.

Minister Hill said the Scanlon Foundation’s report showed steady social cohesion despite pressures, with 83 per cent of Australians concerned about job competition from migrants.

The Minister emphasised the need to balance migration for economic and social interests, addressing housing pressures through increased housing supply.

Concerns about anti-Semitism and negative attitudes towards Jewish and Muslim Australians were acknowledged, with efforts to combat these issues.

The Minister also stressed the importance of a well-crafted migration program to serve national interests and the role of multicultural media in promoting social cohesion.

julian hill
Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill held an online press conference on Thursday, November 21. Photo: The Greek Herald.

‘The recommendations will continue to impact our thinking’:

When asked by The Greek Herald for an update on the implementation of recommendations from the Multicultural Framework Review, the Minister said government endorsed the report’s four core principles of connection, inclusion, belonging and identity.

The Australian Government’s Multicultural Framework Review was first released on Wednesday, July 24 this year. The comprehensive independent report, titled ‘Towards Fairness: A Multicultural Australia for All,’ was the first examination of the state of Australia’s multiculturalism in a generation, and made recommendations to strengthen it for the future.

The recommendations call for improved access to government funding for independent multicultural media by amending grant eligibility criteria and ensuring equitable processes, enabling these outlets to apply for media and digital transformation grants. The government is also urged to prioritise diverse sources for multicultural campaign advertising, directing such efforts toward independent multicultural media rather than exclusively to large digital firms or PR agencies.

In preparing the report, a panel of three eminent Australians – Dr Bulent Hass Dellal AO, Ms Nyadol Nyuon OAM and Ms Christine Castley – travelled the country and consulted with more 1,430 individuals and 750 organisations, including community groups, in more than 200 consultation events.

The report emphasised the good work of members from the Independent Multicultural Media Association (IMMA), which include established publishers like The Greek Herald and broadcasters producing newspapers, digital papers, websites, radio, streaming TV, podcasts, and video in community languages and English.

multicultural framework review
The Multicultural Framework Review report was released earlier this year.

During the online press conference on Thursday, Minister Hill said, “the [Review’s] recommendations will, and are continuing to, impact [the government’s] thinking. They’ll flow through into budget processes in the coming years.”

He added, “I know from my experience over the years that many of the independent multicultural media outlets are a very trusted voice in the community. So the continued vibrancy, viability and diversity in our multicultural media landscape is incredibly important for a range of policy objectives.”

IMMA has previously welcomed the Multicultural Framework Review, saying it is a comprehensive document that should guide governments’ media policy towards our multicultural media ecosystem. 

At the time, IMMA member and Publisher of The Greek Herald, Dimitra Skalkos also thanked the panel for their “thorough review” and encouraged the implementation of the recommendations by both federal and state governments.

“We hope that the federal government swiftly implements these recommendations, ensuring that multicultural media receives the necessary support to continue being the voice of their communities and a crucial link between the government and multicultural communities across Australia,” she said.

“We also strongly encourage state governments, particularly NSW, to adopt these recommendations and proactively support independent multicultural media. By doing so, they can play a crucial role in promoting a diverse and inclusive society where the voices of multicultural communities are recognised and appreciated.”

Lachlan Ilias signs with St George Illawarra Dragons for two seasons

The Greek Herald
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Lachlan Ilias signs with St George Illawarra Dragons for two seasons

The St George Illawarra Dragons have announced the signing of Lachlan Ilias on a two-year deal.

The 24-year-old goes to the club having made 53 appearances for the Rabbitohs and three international appearances for Greece.

“It’s fantastic to have Lachlan join us at the Dragons,” Head Coach Shane Flanagan said.

“He is coming into the best years of his career. His skill set complements our current squad and he joins the exciting group of players we have recruited ahead of the 2025 season.

“He is progressing well through his rehab and he will be ready to go for the trials. Lachlan joins a squad that is working hard and are committed to an improved 2025.

“We can’t wait for him to rip in with us.”

Source: dragons.com.au

Paul Nicolaou sounds alarm on impact of Glebe Island port demolition

The Greek Herald
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Paul Nicolaou sounds alarm on impact of Glebe Island port demolition

Sydney’s world-renowned New Year’s Eve fireworks, along with other major harbour events, face an uncertain future as plans to redevelop Glebe Island port for housing gain traction.

Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou has sounded the alarm, calling the potential closure of Glebe Island a grave threat to Sydney’s economy, tourism, and cultural identity.

“The thought that the fireworks and other major events could be in jeopardy is truly alarming,” Mr Nicolaou said.

paul-nicolaou
Paul Nicolaou.

“Access to Glebe Island for preparing events is vital for the events sector and for Sydney’s economy, tourism, and culture.”

Glebe Island’s 260m of deep-water wharf space plays a pivotal role in hosting Sydney’s most celebrated events. It serves as the operational hub for loading fireworks onto barges for New Year’s Eve, as well as hosting infrastructure for events like Vivid Sydney, Sail GP, and Opera on the Harbour.

The NSW government is currently reviewing a report that considers redeveloping the port into residential housing near a proposed Bays metro station. Industry leaders are anxiously awaiting its findings, with many fearing the loss of Glebe Island would be catastrophic.

Source: Daily Telegraph.

Kristine Olaris and Emily Dimitriadis elected new Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Darebin

The Greek Herald
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Kristine Olaris and Emily Dimitriadis elected new Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Darebin

Darebin City Council have announced the election of Cr Kristine Olaris OAM as Mayor and Cr Emily Dimitriadis as Deputy Mayor for 2024-2025. 

The election took place at a Council meeting held in the Preston Town Hall on 25 November 2024. 

Mayor Olaris OAM said, “I’m incredibly honoured to accept the role of Mayor. I love that our community is so diverse, inclusive and engaged. Thank you to the people of Darebin for electing this Council. I am committed to being community focused and I have the community’s best interest at heart.” 

As Darebin stretches across 53 square kilometres of land from the inner northern suburbs of Northcote and Fairfield, to Reservoir and Bundoora, Mayor Olaris said working for positive and fair outcomes will be an important focus.  

“I will ensure that this Council works for the people of Darebin to achieve positive community outcomes. There’s lots of work to do and I’m so excited to get started, working with the other Councillors to ensure Darebin is a thriving community that is fair, inclusive, connected and sustainable,” Mayor Olaris said.  

Deputy Mayor Cr Dimitriadis said, “As a lifetime local, I’m excited to embark on this journey to work collaboratively with our community. I look forward to working constructively with all of our community and I promise to continue to listen and work in good faith to meet our community’s aspirations.” 

Mayor Olaris OAM represents Central Ward and Deputy Mayor Dimitriadis represents South East Ward. 

Greece’s Prime Minister meets with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

The Greek Herald
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Greece’s Prime Minister meets with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Maximos Mansion in Athens on Monday, November 25.

The Patriarch was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia; Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea, Director of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Office in Athens; and the Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Patriarch’s Private Office.

The meeting stressed the close relationship between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek government, reflecting their shared commitment to promoting faith, culture, and dialogue on critical issues affecting Orthodox Christians and the wider global community.

Archbishop Makarios has been accompanying the Patriarch during his visit to Greece this month. On November 17, the Archbishop was also at the Church of Panagia Balino in Constantinople to take part in a Divine Liturgy officiated by the Patriarch.

Source: Orthodox Times.

Renowned TV chef Vefa Alexiadou passes away

The Greek Herald
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Renowned TV chef Vefa Alexiadou passes away

Popular TV chef Vefa Alexiadou has passed away at the age of 91 in a Thessaloniki hospital.

Alexiadou was affectionately known as Greece’s “national chef.” She became a household name in the 1990s, starting her television career on Ant1 TV, where she hosted popular cooking shows.

She was also the author of a series of cookbooks, two of which received prestigious awards in 1998 and 2000 at the International Cookbook Exhibition in Perigueux, France.

vefa alexiadou
One of Vefa Alexiadou’s cookbooks.

Born in Volos on March 19, 1933, Alexiadou was a chemist and dietitian by profession. She graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and undertook specialised studies in the United States focusing on food hygiene, table decoration, and modern culinary arts.

Married to the late Professor Konstantinos Alexiadis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the couple had two daughters, Alexia and Angela, who tragically passed away within months of each other in 2014 and 2015.

Source: Ekathimerini

Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney puts on spectacular production ‘Women of Byzantium’

The Greek Herald
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Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney puts on spectacular production ‘Women of Byzantium’

The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney put on a spectacular production entitled “Women of Byzantium” on Sunday, November 24 at the Hermes Lounge in Kogarah, Sydney.

The production combined elements of theatre, audio-visual material, music and dancing. It centred on a time travelling journalist (Theodora Zourkas) who interviewed nine historical women from the Byzantine era.

Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
All photos copyright Effy Alexakis.
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum

The nine women were:

  • Hypatia (Nia Gitsas), which highlights the clash of two worlds and the transition from Greco- Roman civilisation to Christianity;
  • Evdokia (Antonia Nikolopoulou), who founded the first university in Europe;
  • Pulcheria (Anna Micos), who guided ecumenical councils;
  • Theodora (Sophie Brunetta), who saved Justinian’s throne and thereby went on to re-build Ayia Sophia and make Byzantium the largest state of the time;
  • Kassiani (Stephanie Giannas), saint and hymnographer;
  • Irene (Vivian Spanos) and Theophano (Maritsa Micos), ambitious women who resorted to brutal means to hold on to power;
  • Zoi (Linda Legas), an empress who married three times after turning 50 and who turned the palace into a chemical laboratory;
  • Anna Commena (Hellen Demas), world’s first woman historian whose work, the Alexiad, is indispensable to knowledge of the first Crusade.
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum

The script was written by Costa Vertzayias and the play was directed by Liana Vertzayias. The costumes and jewellery were made by Angela Kiki Konstantinopoulou, Linda Legas, and Christine Tsakonas.

The theatrical section was then complemented by a dance segment also unique – dances from Asia Minor which are rarely performed and in costumes rarely seen. The dancing was choreographed by Irene Tsenkas and Vassilios Aligiannis.

Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum

This was followed by a discussion on controversial issues arising during the Byzantine era such as iconoclasm and the murder of Hypatia. This was moderated by Dr Vasilis Adrahtas, Convenor of Greek Studies at UNSW, and he was assisted by John Theodore.

Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum

Speeches by Lyceum President, Ms Vertzayias, His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, and Anastasia Christofilopoulou, First Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, rounded off the afternoon. Canapes inspired by Constantinople were also offered after the performance.

The event was held in collaboration with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in celebrating its 100 years in Australia and the University of NSW, and under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Greeks Living Abroad of the Hellenic Republic.

Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum
Women of Byzantium presentation by Hellenic Lyceum

It was a production that entertained, educated and made those in attendance, think. Words do not do it justice for those who missed it and the consensus is that it should be repeated.

*All photos copyright Effy Alexakis.

Greek-Australian Archive launch: A celebration of migration stories and heritage

Andriana Simos
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Greek-Australian Archive launch: A celebration of migration stories and heritage

The launch of the Greek-Australian Archive on Wednesday, November 20, marked a poignant celebration of cultural preservation and community resilience. Held in the elegant Gallery Room of the State Library of New South Wales, the event honoured the completion of an oral history project documenting the experiences of Greek migrants who arrived in Australia between 1948 and 1972.

With over 120 interviews and nearly 500 photographs now accessible online, this monumental project safeguards the voices and stories of a generation whose journeys shaped Australia’s multicultural identity.

The archive was created in partnership with the University of New South Wales, the State Library of NSW, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) and the Australian Research Council.

The launch event brought together scholars, community leaders, and dignitaries, including the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; Professor Claire Annesley, Dean of UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture; and Harry Danalis, President of the GOCNSW.

The launch event brought together scholars, community leaders, and dignitaries. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

Preserving voices for future generations

Richard Neville, the Mitchell Librarian and Director of Engagement at the State Library of NSW, emceed the evening and opened the event with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the project’s long journey, which began with an email exchange in 2015. He described the archive as a living repository of courage and determination, highlighting the library’s unwavering commitment to digital preservation.

Mr Neville also underscored the importance of making these stories accessible to researchers, educators, and the broader community for generations to come.

greek australian archive
Richard Neville, the Mitchell Librarian and Director of Engagement at the State Library of NSW.

Personal reflections and community contributions

The Hon George Souris AM shared his personal connection to the project, reflecting on his family’s migration story from Greece to Australia. He spoke of the sacrifices made by Greek migrants and their enduring contributions to Australian society, particularly during significant moments like the Battle of Crete during World War II.

“The differences and also the commonalities of all the stories in this archive are what make it such a rich resource of both Australian and Greek Australian history,” Mr Souris said.

greek australian archive
The Hon George Souris AM.

The Onisforou family are one of the major supporters of the archive, with the Oral History Collection being named in memory of Gregorios and Stavrini Onisforou. Their son, Theo, teared up at the launch event as he shared his family’s migration journey and the emotional significance of honouring the stories of migrants.

“The reality is that I understand death and I accept death, but what I don’t like is extinction, and what I know is that these Greek people who migrated to Australia will soon be extinct. All we have left is us, their children, and it is incumbent on us to be appreciative of the sacrifices they made,” Theo said emotionally, drawing applause from the packed crowd.

“All I can say is that in the future, when the Italians and every other nationality have an archive in this library, we can say we were first.”

greek australian archive
Theo Onisforou.

greek australian archive
Professor George Kouvaros.

Professor George Kouvaros of UNSW Sydney, a key architect of the project alongside Professor Nick Doumanis, spoke of how the archive came into being as a collaboration between GOCNSW and the Hellenic Studies Foundation at UNSW, and later evolved into a broader initiative. He also emphasised the importance of recording these stories before they are lost.

“Anyone who listens to the oral history and looks at the photographs will… understand that migration is not an event that happened back then, something that’s over and done with, but it is an experience which continues to shape all our lives,” Mr Kouvaros said.

Kathy Kallos, another pivotal contributor to the project having interviewed many migrants, also delivered a deeply moving speech. She reflected on the archival material and what it represented: a shared humanity and an enduring connection between past and present.

greek australian archive
Kathy Kallos.

“The Greek Australian archive has preserved our language, replete with accents, regional dialects and other linguistic and cultural nuances,” Ms Kallos said, before reverting to the Greek language.

“The Greek Australian archive is first and foremost, a homage to you and your courage.”

A living legacy

As attendees mingled over drinks and canapés, many marvelled at the rich tapestry of stories presented in the archive. For some, it was a deeply personal experience.

“My son brought me here today,” Evangelia Athanasiou, who’s story is documented in the Greek Australian archive, told The Greek Herald on the night. “It’s important to have this archive so the youth can see what we went through and how we migrated here [to Australia].”

greek australian archive
Evangelia Athanasiou (second from right) is part of the Greek Australian archive.

greek australian archive

greek australian archive

greek australian archive

Another guest and project researcher Leah Varvaressos expressed her joy at finally launching some of the interviews after years of work.

“I think by being consistent with the sort of themes and time periods of our interviews, there’s certainly scope to build a precedence for future generations. I feel that we’ve very effectively laid the groundwork for further work. It’s just the beginning,” Leah said.

greek australian archive
Leah Varvaressos (left) with her brother.

greek australian archive

With plans to promote the archive more widely and expand its reach, the project team envisions a future where these stories inspire other communities to preserve their histories.

The evening closed with a call for unity and collaboration, echoing the sentiments of many speakers who highlighted the collective strength that defines the Greek Australian community.

Greek Community of Canberra’s AGM highlights progress, unity, and future vision

Andriana Simos
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Greek Community of Canberra’s AGM highlights progress, unity, and future vision

The Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra (GOCCC) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Hellenic Club on Sunday, November 24, bringing together members to reflect on the past year and outline priorities for the future.

The meeting celebrated significant achievements, endorsed leadership, and emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration. Updates were provided on the activities of the Community’s Greek School, the church hall development, and the St Nicholas Aged Care centre. The audited financial statements for the last financial year were also approved by members.

Specifically, key updates shared during the meeting included:

  • Constitution review: The committee is reviewing the GOCCC constitution to ensure compliance with current regulations and alignment with the community’s evolving vision for the future.
  • Community hall redesign: Progress continues on redesigning the community hall, with plans to create a venue that accommodates current and future needs, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of community life.
  • Greek School recognition: The Greek School of Canberra was acknowledged by ACT Community Languages for Greek being the fastest-growing language in the ACT, a testament to the school’s success and cultural significance.

Leadership and Committee

John Loukadellis. Photo: George Serras.
John Loukadellis was endorsed as President for the next 12 months. Photo: George Serras.

Near the end of the AGM, former President of the GOCCC, John Loukadellis was endorsed as President for the next 12 months, ahead of next year’s election. He is taking over from Pana Tsironis.

In a statement to The Greek Herald, Mr Loukadellis expressed his gratitude to members.

“I am extremely proud to have been endorsed by the members as President again. I am humbled and honoured in the trust and confidence they have showed in me, and I am committed to elevating the status of the Greeks of Canberra and St Nicholas Church in our community,” Mr Loukadellis said.

“I will work closely with the Hellenic Club to ensure a strong Greek language program and with our members and friends for a community hall we can all be proud of. It is great to be back.”

The GOCCC committee was also announced as follows:

  • President: John Loukadellis
  • Treasurer: Yvonne Varela
  • Vice President: Harry Kay
  • Secretary: Theo Merkoureas
  • Committee Members: Leon Merkoureas, Pana Tsironis, Dimitrios Saragas, George Pertsinidis
  • New Member: Petros Satsias, 18 years old, tasked with leading GOCCC Youth and Social Media initiatives

The committee thanked the community for its unwavering support and emphasised the importance of unity.

Youth display their Hellenic spirit at the GCM’s inaugural Olympiad event

The Greek Herald
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Youth display their Hellenic spirit at the GCM’s inaugural Olympiad event

On Saturday, November 23, the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) schools came together in a remarkable celebration of unity and pride to honour the Olympic spirit and its values through a unique Olympiad event.

Students, parents, and teachers united in an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and emotion to celebrate a day of sport, unity, and Greek culture at the Box Hill Athletic Club Stadium.

Despite the heat, students from all GCM campuses gathered to mark the end of the school year with a memorable celebration of Greek heritage and the timeless ideals of Olympism.

This year, the GCM Schools took a bold step by organising their first-ever Greek School Olympic Spirit Event—a milestone that brought together students from all campuses in an inspiring display of collaboration and community spirit.

All photos by Constantly Flashing – Peter Kakalias.

The day featured all the traditional elements of the Olympic Games, including opening and closing ceremonies, Olympic oaths and hymns, dances, songs, and, of course, competitions and awards.

Highlights of the event included the lighting of the Olympic flame and its journey, the grand entrance of students carrying flags representing their campuses (each designed by the students themselves), and the emotional moment when younger students extinguished the Olympic flame.

Teachers encouraged the students to “blow with all your strength, so that the message of unity and peace reaches the whole world.”

One of the most moving moments occurred during the Cypriot dance, performed by students from all campuses united in one large circle as a tribute to the island of Cyprus.

The event concluded with two unforgettable songs performed by all students. The first, “A New Beginning,” carried a message of unity and hope, while Dionysis Savvopoulos’ “Ας κρατήσουν οι χοροί” reminded everyone present that “the communities of the Greeks create another galaxy.”

The event was honoured by the presence of Lee Tarlamis, Government Whip in the Legislative Council; Maria Triantafyllou, Deputy Coordinator of the Education Office for Australia and New Zealand; Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria; and many members of the Community’s Board of Directors and Education Committee.

Special thanks were extended to Aristos Panagakis, founder and President of the Australian Hellenic Organisation in Support of the Olympic Spirit and Ideal, for his presence and for generously donating the Olympic flag for the event.

Maria Bakalidou, Principal of the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools, shared her excitement: “We are thrilled with the result of this great team effort. It was a bold undertaking, and we overcame many challenges to bring this event to life. The joy and pride we felt from the messages of fair play, unity, and peace conveyed by our students were truly inspiring. This was a wonderful opportunity for us all to honour our rich cultural heritage and be inspired by the universal values of the Olympic spirit.”

She concluded: “I would like to congratulate our students for their excellent participation, as well as our organizers, teachers, and volunteers for their heartfelt support in making this vision a reality.”

This special event, showcasing the unity and spirit of the Greek community, has become a proud milestone for GCM Schools and a testament to the enduring legacy of Olympic ideals.

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