Paris Cockinos was left fighting for his life after a motorcycle accident in 2020 that resulted in severe internal injuries and multiple fractures.
The 32-year-old, who spent four days in a medically induced coma and required 4.5 litres of blood transfusions, now credits everyday Australians and blood donors for saving his life.
“Without the blood donations… I’d probably be six feet under,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
Paris is now urging others to donate blood, highlighting how many people remain unaware of their blood type.
His plea comes as O-type blood stocks reach critically low levels, prompting a national campaign led by emergency services workers.
Stuart Chesneau from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood stressed the urgency, noting that “an hour of your time might give someone the rest of their life.”
Greece’s remote Fournoi archipelago, rich in ancient coral reefs and marine biodiversity, is set to benefit from a government ban on bottom trawling introduced last month to protect its fragile seabed.
Local fishermen, such as 76-year-old Manolis Mytikas, have welcomed the move, describing trawlers as destructive “bulldozers” that have long depleted fish stocks in the area.
The ban follows groundbreaking discoveries by scientists from Archipelagos and Under the Pole, who found thriving coral ecosystems at depths of 60–150 metres, including black corals and red gorgonians.
Experts warn these underwater “forests” are highly vulnerable, with even a single trawl pass potentially causing irreversible damage.
While marine scientists praise Greece’s leadership — becoming the first European nation to phase out bottom trawling in all marine protected areas by 2030 — industrial trawler operators have criticised the decision, citing lack of consultation and concerns over livelihoods.
The debate is expected to feature at the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice.
Tony Xanthopoulos, director of failed South Australian home builder Xtraordinary Constructions, is under scrutiny after the company’s collapse revealed a string of luxury purchases, including a Lamborghini Gallardo valued at $200,000.
A report prepared by Xanthopoulos lists the Lamborghini as the most valuable of four high-end vehicles owned by the company, alongside a Nissan 350Z coupe, a Nissan Navara, and a Mercedes-Benz E200.
According to The Advertiser, these assets, along with a $570,000 property in Blakeview and a marina berth at Port Adelaide, are now in the hands of liquidators.
With company assets totalling around $1 million and over $2 million owed to unsecured creditors, many are expected to suffer significant financial losses.
“The Lamborghini is a valuable asset of the company that is securely stored, and will be offered for sale in due course,” said liquidator Andrew Langshaw of DuncanPowell, noting strong anticipated buyer interest.
Xtraordinary Constructions collapsed last month, leaving more than 40 incomplete residential projects worth $17 million.
The builder had been hired to complete works at Port Adelaide’s Dock One after the fall of Qattro, and was also active in suburbs including Woodforde and Glanville.
Construction giant Metricon has since stepped in to finish homes and assist affected customers with insurance claims.
It has further been revealed that Xanthopoulos, who co-directed the company with wife Tara and also operates a Wagyu cattle business Two Cow Creek Wagyu, sent abusive emails to a customer, calling them an “ass with first-world problems.”
The emails came amid growing complaints about delays and defects.
Langshaw said the directors had tried to restructure the business but rising costs and material shortages proved too great.
“Xtraordinary has faced increasingly challenging operating conditions that have affected the entire industry,” he said.
South Australian tomato grower Peter Petsios is calling for an inquiry and threatening legal action after the federal government abandoned efforts to eradicate the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), a decision he says came too late to save his business.
Petsios, owner of SA Tomato, said the now-defunct eradication policy cost him $4 million, his health, and his 65-year-old family business, which has been shut for months.
“This is the worst thing that’s happened to me – it’s like a death in the family,” he said.
The virus was detected in South Australia in July 2023, leading to widespread quarantine measures and severe industry disruption.
Petsios said he and other growers had advocated early on for a virus management strategy, in line with international approaches, rather than eradication.
The tomato virus. Photo: Growing Produce.
“This should have been a one-week issue,” he said. “Common sense has finally prevailed… We want answers now.”
The federal biosecurity committee’s change in strategy followed the discovery of infected seedlings in Victoria that originated from a nursery in New South Wales — a state previously unlinked to the virus.
Petsios described the emotional and physical toll as immense, citing persistent health issues caused by stress. “I could have had a heart attack. I could have been dead,” he said.
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said SA Tomato had received some compensation and was eligible for further reimbursement.
However, opposition MP Nicola Centofanti criticised the government’s “reactive” response, saying early transparency and consistent national policy could have prevented significant losses.
Petsios now intends to pursue legal action to recover damages, stating, “I’m gonna have to work right around the clock for the rest of my life to pay this debt off.”
If you’re a Greek Australian who’s grown up in Canberra, you’re probably familiar with the Canberra Hellenic Dancers (CHD).
The Greek dance organisation is unique to Canberra, as it is the only one in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and offers both traditional and modern Greek dance classes for children and adults.
With 11 different dance groups, and more than 200 dancers aged 5 to 70 enrolled and attending dance classes each week, the dance organisation has been a hit for Greeks in the community since the 80s.
In an interview with The Greek Herald, the President of the CHD Maria Kouparitsas revealed how the dance organisation was founded, as well as some of its greatest achievements over the years.
How did the Canberra Hellenic Dancers come about?
Maria said the dance group started in 1980.
“It was founded by Mrs Effie Antoniou, who wanted to start a dance school for the youth of Canberra,” Maria told The Greek Herald.
“We started off with quite a small number of students, and it has grown over the years.”
What will you learn?
Joining the group is like joining a community and embracing “a love for dance.”
“Depending on your level, you will learn the basics and then the more advanced style of dance, and gain experience in the different styles of Greek dancing from the different regions in Greece,” Maria said.
Connections to the Hellenic Club
The Hellenic Club of Canberra has played a vital role in the formation of the CHD. Maria described it as the dancers’ “second home and biggest supporter.”
“It’s where all our dancing classes are held,” she said.
“If we aren’t dancing here, then on many nights we are eating here!
“We are very grateful to the Hellenic Club for continuing to support us in so many ways and we could not do what we do without them.”
Accomplishments over the years
The CHD have become known for performing all around Australia, showcasing their special talents on multiple occasions including multicultural festivals, Greek association events, private functions, National Museum exhibitions, local fetes, and at Aged Care facilities.
Maria shared that one of their biggest accomplishments includes travelling to Greece in 2024 with two senior groups for a “once in a lifetime experience.”
“Our committee spent months planning this trip for our students and tried to pack as much as possible so they could get a taste of history, culture and dance all packed in a 10-day experience,” Maria said.
“As part of this trip, we attended Greek dancing workshops with some of the best dance schools in both Athens and Crete, learned more about our history at various historic and archaeological sites, performed on the streets of Crete together with the locals and got to immerse ourselves completely in our culture.
“For many of the students, who are now second and third generation Greeks, this was their first time visiting the motherland.”
The importance of Greek dancing
The CHD President emphasised the importance of Greek dancing amongst young people.
“It is so important for us to pass Greek dancing knowledge down to younger generations to keep the passion for Greek dancing alive,” Maria said.
“I also think that Greek dancing is an excellent opportunity for our young Greek Australian community to connect with their Greek heritage and culture, meet new people and make lifelong friendships.”
The dancer experience
The Greek Herald additionally spoke with two CHD dancers, Nicole Schwirtlich and Michael Voudouris, to hear about their experiences.
Nicole, 25, with Greek origins from Kythera, said her dancing journey began when she was a child in Sydney. Once she moved to Canberra, she joined the CHD to get involved with the local community.
“In addition to being a great workout, Greek dancing teaches us about our history,” she said.
“We may live far away from Greece, but learning these traditional dances is a way for us to engage with these stories and continue connecting with our heritage.”
Michael, 19, began Greek dancing at the age of five here in the ACT.
“My parents forced me to do it and I was young, but I’m glad they did,” Michael said.
“I like Greek dancing because all of my best friends are here, and we get to travel the world together.”
He encourages more young people to join the dance group.
“The amount of people you meet and what you learn about the culture is what will make you love it even more,” Michael said.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched legal action against the former operators of Sydney takeaway outlet Big Fat Greek (Belmore) for allegedly failing to comply with a compliance notice regarding underpayment of a migrant worker.
The business and its sole director, Peter Sinadinos, are accused of underpaying a casual kitchen attendant between October 2021 and July 2022.
The underpayments allegedly covered minimum wages, overtime, penalty rates, and a clothing allowance owed under the Fast Food Industry Awards 2010 and 2020.
A compliance notice issued in October 2023 required the company to repay AUD 11,874, but the regulator claims this was not done without reasonable excuse.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said, “Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees.”
The Ombudsman is seeking court penalties of up to AUD 46,950 (USD 30,403) for the company and AUD 9,390 (USD 6,081) for Sinadinos, along with an order to repay the worker with interest and superannuation. The Belmore outlet has since closed.
Block 19 of the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre was the “first step” in Theofanis Emmanouilidis’ life in Australia and an experience that still holds great significance more than 70 years on.
Despite the shock of a new language and with only a suitcase in tow, Theofanis carried a strong sense of purpose and hope for a better life during his six-day stay in February 1954.
“It was completely strange, but I wanted to be a good citizen in Australia because I was thinking of staying here. It was my last stop,” Theofanis said.
“I went to sleep and when I woke up, the sun was rising and I realised I was in this wonderful country of Australia. It was very special and I will never, ever forget this moment for as long as I live.”
Theofanis was one of 18,441 Greek migrants who passed through Bonegilla between 1947 and 1971 – among the centre’s wider group of 320,000 people from more than 50 countries.
Ilias Tsinanis, who spent two months at Bonegilla in late 1967, remembers the “adventure” as a then 10-year-old but also recalls the fear of the unknown shared by his parents and other adults.
“In the evenings, people would sit outside their residential quarters and some of the conversations revolved around uncertainty and trepidation,” Ilias said.
“We were connected to a community but in Bonegilla, it was just the four of us. Our village had disappeared and because people were coming from all different parts of the world and being sent off virtually every day, it was hard to find connections.”
These personal memories are now captured at the Bonegilla Migrant Experience as part of the exhibition Finding Home, presented in partnership by the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora at La Trobe University and Wodonga Council.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the University was proud to make the Dardalis Archives available to the public.
“La Trobe has a strong connection with Victoria’s Greek community through its research, Greek language and culture programs,” Professor Farrell said.
“Having custodianship of the Dardalis Archives, one of the largest archives of its type in the world, ensures we are preserving and celebrating Greek heritage and we are proud to partner with Wodonga Council to present this exhibition.”
Through photos, suitcases, books and other important keepsakes, the exhibition honours the courageous journey of Greek migrants and offers a glimpse into their stories, lives and relationships.
Today, one in 20 Australians has a connection to Bonegilla, representing a vital thread in the fabric of Australia’ s multicultural identity and the ideal location for the exhibition’s new home.
Emmanouela Giannoulidou, exhibition curator and Greek archivist at La Trobe, said Finding Home aimed to illustrate both the trials and triumphs faced by Greek migrants, showcasing their resilience and remarkable contributions across generations
“Beyond the challenges of displacement, these migrants carried with them their rich heritage, vibrant culture and cherished memories, all of which became integral to their evolving identity within the Australian landscape,” Emmanouela said.
Wodonga Council Mayor Michael Gobel said the exhibition at Bonegilla Migrant Experience highlights the long-standing collaboration and partnership between La Trobe and the Council.
“This exhibition is a poignant celebration of our Greek migrant community and a shining example of the enduring partnership between Wodonga Council and La Trobe,” the Mayor said.
“Together, we’re honoured to be able to share the stories told in the Dardalis Archives as a way to preserve an essential part of our history and to deepen our community’s understanding and appreciation of its multicultural roots.”
Finding Home opens on Friday, 6 June and will be on display for one year until June 30, 2026.
About the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora
La Trobe University’s Greek Archives comprise a unique collection of more than 180,000 items documenting the migration of the Greek community to Australia, Greek history and culture and the wider Hellenic diaspora.
Established in 1997, the Greek Archives are of great value to the local Greek community as they showcase its history and contribution to Australia.
Veteran all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been dropped from Australia’s T20 squad for the upcoming five-match series against the West Indies in July, as selectors opt for fresh faces in the lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Stoinis, 35, played 17 of Australia’s 21 T20Is last year and had a strong 2024 campaign, averaging 36.66 with the bat and taking 21 wickets at 17. Despite a decent IPL stint (160 runs at 26.66), he has not retained his place in the national squad.
SQUAD ✈️🌴
Mitchell Marsh will lead a squad of 16 for the T20I component of our national men's team's upcoming tour of the West Indies. pic.twitter.com/liw6KlvtUU
His omission comes as Tasmania’s Mitch Owen earns his first international call-up following standout Big Bash form. Owen led the competition with 452 runs at an average of 45.2, including a rapid 108 off 42 in the final.
Stoinis’ international future remains uncertain. He will next appear in England’s Hundred competition.
Chair of selectors George Bailey said the squad is part of ongoing preparations for the T20 World Cup, adding that “players outside the squad can still force their way in” via performances in the Big Bash and upcoming series.
The T20 series begins on July 20 in Kingston, Jamaica.
Sydney pub baron Jon Adgemis has completed a $600,000 payment to former staff of his collapsed Public Lifestyle Management group, fulfilling his personal contribution to a rescue deal.
Administrators BDO confirmed the funds will be distributed via an interim dividend, with the Australian Taxation Office set to verify remaining superannuation liabilities.
When the group entered administration, staff were owed $4.5 million in entitlements.
BDO’s Duncan Clubb said Adgemis is “pleased to have achieved this milestone” and thanked staff for their patience.
Attention now turns to a $6.7 million convertible note from financial backer Archibald Capital, due to be triggered by July 31 and converted to cash by September 30. BDO will update creditors in October.
Adgemis once controlled over 22 venues, but his hospitality empire unravelled amid a failed refinancing effort.
American lender Muzinich forced five venues into administration last year, and other creditors have since stripped him of key properties. Funders like GEMI Investments warn recovery of their loans may be delayed until mid-2026.
Linchpin Group now operates many of the remaining venues.
With great success and the launch of new initiatives for promoting the Greek language, the proceedings of the 11th International Summer University titled “Greek Language, Culture, and Media” concluded in Boston.
The program was organised by the University of Ioannina and the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross. Dozens of journalists from media outlets in Greece and the Greek diaspora, university researchers from institutions around the world, and prominent artists and intellectuals participated in the program, which this year bore the specific title: “Diaspora Media: Challenges and Prospects for the Greek Language and Culture.”
The program, offered free of charge, focused on diaspora media and its contribution to promoting the Greek language and culture, and evolved into a global forum for diaspora media.
Participants included media owners, directors, and representatives of newspapers, radio and television stations, and news websites from Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Oceania. They expressed the need to undertake new initiatives and actions to support the Greek language.
Specifically, a proposal was submitted to develop an educational training program for diaspora media professionals and journalists in the use of the Greek language and journalistic discourse, aiming to further enhance the quality and continuation of Greek-language journalism. This proposal was accepted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Ms. Maira Myrogianni, announced her support, particularly since the International Summer University has been included in the strategic plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2024–2027.
The Summer University also hosted an exhibition of cartoons by three distinguished Greek cartoonists— Ilias Makris, Andreas Petroulakis, and Stathis Stavropoulos—along with the presentation of the proceedings volume from last year’s conference, which focused on the dissemination of the Greek linguistic heritage in the diaspora.
This collective publication was presented at one of the largest museums in the United States—the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston—with the collaboration of the Behrakis Wing, which features captivating representations of ancient Greek temples.
The organisers:
The 11th International Summer University was organised by the Laboratory for the Study of Social Issues, Media, and Education of the Department of Early Childhood Education, School of Education Sciences at the University of Ioannina, and the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross in Boston.
It also involved the Department of Greek Education of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Greek Applied Linguistics Association, the Athens and Macedonian News Agency, Study in Greece, the Center for Hellenic Studies of the University of Chicago, the Fondazione Vexillum, and the Hellenic Association of Political Scientists.
The program was held at the Maliotis Cultural Center in Brookline and implemented through the University of Ioannina’s Center for Continuing and Lifelong Learning.
The International Summer University “Greek Language, Culture, and Media” was held under the auspices of the Hellenic Parliament, as well as the auspices and support of the Secretariat General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Secretary General Maira Myrogianni participated with a keynote speech, representing the Greek government. Representing the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, was the First Vice President Ioannis Iosif Plakiotakis, accompanied by a delegation of members from the Parliamentary Committee on the Hellenic Diaspora, including Nina G. Kassimati, Vice President of the Committee, and Stylianos Petsas, former Minister.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America honored the program with his presence, offering a keynote address and distributing certificates of participation to attendees. The program featured remarkable participation by university faculty, researchers, and doctoral students from dozens of universities worldwide.
The program included roundtables with journalists from diaspora media (organised by continent), as well as many Greek media outlets, keynote speeches, workshops, a special session for young researchers, and a roundtable on Greek excellence and medical achievements.
A rich cultural program was also featured, including a caricature exhibition, a performance by the Greek Choir of Brussels, a visit to the iconic Harvard University campus, a reception by the Consulate General of Greece in Boston, and a tour of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Behrakis Wing—made possible by Drake Behrakis—where the proceedings volume of the 10th International Summer University was also presented, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Rector of the University of Ioannina, Professor Anna Batistatou.
Program leadership:
The program was designed and implemented by the founder of the International Summer University, Prof. Nikoletta Tsitsanoudis-Mallidis, Dean of the School of Education Sciences at the University of Ioannina, and Chrysoula Kourkounti, Executive Director of the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross.
