According to The Daily Telegraph, Adgemis and Crinis struck a deal on Monday, August 5 to settle the brewing legal dispute, which came after the former Crown Resorts boss lodged papers against Adgemis in June.
The NSW Supreme Court heard the pair had struck a deed to settle their dispute at 8.30am on Monday, with Adgemis agreeing to pay Crinis in two tranches over August and September, ahead of a new court hearing on September 6.
Sources indicate Crinis will get significantly less than the $800,000 he was seeking from Adgemis.
Sydney pub boss Jon Adgemis (above) has agreed to pay out his former business partner Peter Crinis.
Crinis joined Adgemis’ Public Hospitality Group (PHG) in November 2021. He was awarded equity in the company as part of the deal, which saw him join PHG as a consultant. But Crinis left the company in April amid a dispute over the running of the business.
PHG, which boasts 16 operational sites across Sydney and Melbourne and a further six under renovation or construction, has been under pressure in recent months, struggling under an almost $500 million debt.
A Greek track and field athlete at the Paris Olympics has tested positive for a prohibited substance, as reported by the Greek Olympic Committee.
The athlete, who did not reach the final round of their event, was informed of the positive test result by the Hellenic Anti-Doping Agency (EOKAN).
EOKAN has imposed an immediate temporary suspension, and the Greek Olympic Committee has requested the athlete’s removal from the Olympic Village. The athlete’s name has not been officially disclosed.
Greece’s men’s water polo team defeated Italy 9-8 on Monday, August 5, to secure its spot in the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics.
Led by Stylianos Argyropoulos (four goals) and Emmanouil Zerdevas (14 saves), Greece secured first place in Group A, as the USA defeated Croatia 14-11 in the last game of the round.
The match between Italy and Greece was close. At the start, Greece did not have good percentages but found solutions from the perimeter, while the Italians took better advantage of the penalties won but struggled to threaten in the straights. Somehow, a fragile balance was created, with the Greek team ending the first half 6-5, thanks to three goals by Argyropoulos.
Η Eθνική ομάδα πόλο νίκησε την Ιταλία με 9-8 και ανάλογα τα άλλα αποτελέσματα, περιμένει να μάθει τη θέση της στον όμιλο και τον αντίπαλο στα προημτελικά των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων.#TeamHellas#waterpolo#Paris2024pic.twitter.com/xo4BFuHDTc
— Ηellenic Olympic Committee (@HellenicOlympic) August 5, 2024
Italy’s Lorenzo Bruni, with his third personal goal, equalised the match at the beginning of the third period and then the attacks slowed down. The players of both teams looked tired and out of ideas. Greece remained “unbeatable” for the entire eight minutes, but the last period started from 6-6.
Thanks to a penalty won with tremendous energy at 2 metres, Konstantinos Kakaris and Konstantinos Genidounias “unstuck” the national team after about ten minutes, but Francesco Condemi “answered” immediately.
The “blue and white” regained the lead with Argyropoulos, Matteo Iocchi Gratta equalised, but Ioannis Fountoulis capitalised before the end, for 9-8.
Greece will next face Serbia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 7 at 11.35pm (AEST).
Dr Ioannis Filippatos, former chairman of the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) medical committee, has weighed in on the gender controversy surrounding Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting at this year’s Paris Olympics.
Dr Filippatos spoke during a farcical press conference on Tuesday morning alongside IBA’s Russian chief Umar Kremlev and CEO Chris Roberts, where they attempted to clarify why his association threw out Khelif and Yu-ting from their World Championships last year.
The press conference descended into chaos amid technical errors, language barriers and raised tempers.
Kremlev said that two independent sex chromosome tests prompted the disqualification of the two women from the 2023 World Championships – a decision that has not been upheld by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The first test was in May 2022 and a laboratory in Istanbul found “inconsistencies.” A further test was carried out eight months later at the World Championships at which point the IBA declared the two fighters ineligible to fight in the women’s competition.
The IBA held a press conference in Paris on Monday, where its president, Umar Kremlev, appeared via video. Dr Ioannis Filippatos sits on the left.
“The tests show they were men,” Kremlev said. “We don’t verify what they have between their legs. We don’t know if they were born like that, or if some changes were made.”
Dr Filippatos added that “the medical result, blood result, looks – and the laboratory says – that these boxers are male.”
IOC president Thomas Bach and high-level officials from Algeria and Taiwan have strenuously defended Khelif and Lin, saying they were born and raised as women, and have passports saying that.
The IOC has said that both Khelif and Lin, who were registered as women at birth and held passports as females, were eligible to compete in Paris.
Both Khelif and Lin have guaranteed themselves medals at the Olympics, with IOC eligibility rules in place for Paris 2024 after Games bosses stripped the IBA of the right to run the competition over corruption and governance issues.
Emmanouil (Manolo) Karalis clinched the bronze medal in pole vault at the Paris Olympic Games on Monday, August 5.
The Greek champion achieved a performance of 5.95 meters, securing third place and earning Greece its sixth medal (one silver and five bronze) at the Paris Olympics.
🥉Ο φοβερός και τρομερός Εμμανουήλ Καραλής κατέκτησε το χάλκινο μετάλλιο στο άλμα επί κοντώ στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες στο Παρίσι. 👉Με άλμα 4.90 πήρε την τρίτη θέση για το πρώτο Ολυμπιακό μετάλλιο στη συλλογή του και το έκτο για την Ελλάδα έως τώρα στη διοργάνωση! 💯Μπράβο Μανόλο pic.twitter.com/pkG3DNCkW3
— Ηellenic Olympic Committee (@HellenicOlympic) August 5, 2024
Manolo easily passed the 5.80 metre mark and was just as successful in clearing the 5.85 metre vault. He then continued on with the 5.90 metres, breaking his personal record of 5.87 metres. He failed in the 5.95 metre jump and went straight for the 6.00 metre but unfortunately didn’t make it.
Manolo showed significant improvement in his performance since the Tokyo Olympics, where he finished fourth.
Public Hospitality Group, the hotel empire founded by former KPMG dealmaker Jon Adgemis, is set to overhaul its management after successfully closing a refinancing deal with Deutsche Bank and other lenders.
“This transaction underscores the confidence that our financial partners have in both our real estate assets and our long-term vision for the business,” Adgemis told The Australian Financial Review.
“The strengthened financial foundation will allow us to accelerate our strategic initiatives, enhance our properties, and further elevate our exceptional property portfolio.”
Mr. Adgemis had built a portfolio spanning from the Karen Martini-fronted St Kilda diner Saint George in Melbourne to a series of pubs in inner Sydney, including The Strand Hotel and Noah’s Backpackers hostel at Bondi Beach. However, Public Hospitality was burdened with significant debts to various lenders, necessitating the refinancing.
The refinancing, completed this week, was arranged by Archibald Capital and anchored by Deutsche Bank and GEMI Investments. Muzinich & Co became a funder to key Public Hospitality properties in June.
Public Hospitality stated the transaction would allow it to make “significant property improvements” to sites in Bondi, Darlinghurst, Balmain, Potts Point, and Annandale. Mr Adgemis is expected to focus on developing those assets, with a new team to run the business to be announced soon.
The refinancing will also help the group restructure and stabilize its operating businesses, providing certainty for staff and suppliers.
Mr. Adgemis noted that Public Hospitality’s staff and suppliers had “demonstrated incredible loyalty and resilience” as the group navigated its challenges. The Financial Review reported, for example, that one venue had difficulty securing a gas connection and was using LPG canisters.
That was the main sentiment during an event at 20 Martin Place in Sydney on Wednesday, July 31 as descendants of Mick Adams and members of the broader Greek community gathered to witness history being officially recognised after seven long years.
The historic occasion was made possible thanks to researchers Leonard Janiszewski and Effy Alexakis from Macquarie University. The dynamic duo have been fighting since 2017 to formally recognise Mick – a Greek Australian also known as Joachim Tavarlidis – and his achievement in establishing the world’s first modern milk bar – the Black & White 4d. Milk Bar at 24 Martin Place, Sydney.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Mr Adams’ modern milk bar revolutionised the provision of a cold refreshment beverage – the milkshake – across the nation and later in Great Britain, Europe, New Zealand, South Africa, South Pacific Islands and even Japan.
Mr Janiszewski and Ms Alexakis applied to the City of Sydney’s historical ‘green plaques’ program in 2017 to have the site of the milk bar etched in history for its cultural and historical significance. The Council’s historical office reviewed the application and approved the recommendation for a plaque to be produced.
The milk bar plaque.
However, the new owners of the site would not agree to the plaque being placed on their building, which is now the ANZ tower in Sydney.
For seven years, the researchers and Mick’s descendants called on the Council to provide a solution for where to place the historical plaque. Over that time, Mick’s daughters Lilian Keldoulis and Helen Gerondis passed away.
Finally, on Wednesday, July 31, the plaque was unveiled not on the actual site of the milk bar, but further east on a Pembroke-owned building at 20 Martin Place, as a compromise.
The plaque on display outside of 20 Martin Place, Sydney.
‘Nice to finally see it up’:
Mick’s grandson, Adam Gerondis, was present at the unveiling and said despite the delays, he was happy to see his grandfather’s hard work recognised.
“It’s close [to the spot] and it’s great to have [the plaque] finally on display. My mum and aunty actually got to see the original plaque when it was made. Even though it wasn’t installed, at least they knew it was happening. So it was something they were looking forward to. It’s a shame it took so long, but it’s nice to finally see it up,” Adam told The Greek Herald.
Mick’s 11-year-old great granddaughter Harriet Keldoulis added that she always heard about the milk bar growing up.
Harriet Keldoulis (left) with her mum.
“My yiayia Lilian used to tell me stories about the milk bar,” Harriet said. “She always used to make me milk and cookies and talk about milkshakes.
“That’s why I’m proud to be here today. I love my family and I wanted to come and represent them.”
‘It’s a celebration’:
Mingling with Mick’s descendant on the day of the plaque unveiling were also a number of official guests including the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO; Pembroke’s Regional Director for Australia, Joe Fitzpatrick; and the Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia, Chrysa Prokopaki.
When questioned by The Greek Herald on why it took seven long years to finally recognise Mick’s milk bar, Mayor Moore said whilst it was sad the plaque was not put on display before Mick’s daughters passed away, the unveiling event was still a great occasion.
“Their children are here and they are very excited,” the Mayor answered. “I just feel this is a celebration of a wonderful Australian story. It’s fantastic.”
Mick Adams’ descendants.
Mr Fitzpatrick, representing Pembroke, said the real estate group was proud to play a role in recognising the unique and revered history of the milk bar’s site.
“Our belief is real estate is more than buildings. Our global portfolio is a collection of properties for people—places to live, work, create community and stay connected. As the world’s first milk bar of its kind, this site is of incredible historical importance to the descendants of the original owner and Sydney’s community,” Mr Fitzpatrick stressed.
Historian Mr Janiszewski summed it up perfectly when he expressed his joy at the world’s first milk bar finally being cemented in Australia’s rich history.
Mayor Clover Moore (second from left) with Pembroke’s Regional Director for Australia, Joe Fitzpatrick (left) and descendants of Mick Adams.
“At one stage I thought it would never happen… but it’s finally here and it’s fantastic,” Mr Janiszewski said.
“The voice of the ‘other’ in Australian history, those from a non-English speaking background, is often forgotten. They are aspects of Australian history that we tend to use as footnotes and not in the main documentation. But here we have an example of a migrant settler who changed the landscape of popular culture within Australia.
“Two things happened in 1932 that became iconic – the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in March and then the opening of the first modern milk bar in November. People know about the Harbour Bridge, but very few actually know about how the milk bar developed, when and where. So now we’ve literally put it on the map with the plaque.”
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Friends and supporters of The Hellenic Initiative Australia (THI Australia) were privileged to attend an intimate reception at Government House Sydney on Wednesday, 31 July 2024 hosted by Her Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC.
The event marked THI Australia’s 10th anniversary and also served as a formal welcome to acclaimed Greek conductor, Zoe Zeniodi, to Sydney.
Governor of New South Wales. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis.
In her address, Her Excellency spoke of the significant contributions that Greek Australians have made to Australian life and prosperity and their enduring love for their heritage and homeland, which did not diminish their love for Australia.
Her Excellency congratulated THI Australia on its 10th anniversary and for a decade of uniting Greek Australians in support of vulnerable communities in Greece.
Her Excellency also welcomed Ms Zeniodi, who is in Australia to conduct Così fan Tutte at the Sydney Opera House, and congratulated her on a career of significant achievements.
THI Australia Director, Professor Helen Zorbas AO, extended her appreciation to Her Excellency for generously hosting the reception and for her warm expressions of Philhellenism.
Professor Zorbas also welcomed Ms Zeniodi, otherwise known as ‘Ms Dynamite’ and the ‘Ingenious Greek Maestra’, and her family to Sydney.
Guests in attendance. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis.
“I know I speak for all Greek Australians when I say we are so very proud of your extraordinary standing on the world stage, and are thrilled to have you here in Sydney, making history as the first Greek orchestral conductor for Opera Australia,” Professor Zorbas said.
Professor Zorbas spoke about the formation of THI Australia in 2014, at a time of significant economic depression and austerity in Greece.
“Some say resilience is in the DNA of Greeks, and this resilience was tested across all generations. Resilience and perseverance helped our forefathers build a life here in Australia, and the generations of Greek Australians that followed have benefitted and thrived in this wonderful country as a result of their resilience and sacrifice,” Professor Zorbas said.
Ten years on, THI Australia works with 13 trusted inspirational partner charities in Greece to deliver programs across social services, education, health, employment, arts, and culture. Despite the significant economic improvement in Greece, the need has not diminished. THI Australia’s charities on the ground are overwhelmed with requests for support.
In reply, Ms Zeniodi thanked Her Excellency for her generosity and for welcoming her and her family to Government House. She spoke about the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Opera Australia and Australian artists and her desire to spend more time in Australia.
Zoe Zeniodi. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis.
“This is the most beautiful country,” Ms Zeniodi said.
Ms Zeniodi’s international career has led to collaborations with Lyric Opera of Chicago, LA Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Queensland, New Zealand Opera, Opera Southwest, Florida Grand Opera, Bremen Opera, and orchestras such as the Philharmonia, Orchestre de Paris, Köln Gürzenich Orchestra, Bremen Philharmonic, Brno Philharmonic, Buenos Aires Philharmonic, and Castilla y León, among others. Ms Zeniodi was a finalist at the 2022 La Maestra competition in Paris and features in a documentary covering the five finalists.
A delegation of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA), a global organisation that comprises of elected members of legislatures of Hellenic descent, visited the Republic of Cyprus this week to coincide with the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the invasion of the island. The purpose of the visit was to express its support for the Republic and to encourage the reunification of the island. Three of the legislators present were of Greek Cypriot descent.
The visit included an important meeting with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides. Apart from expressing its support for the Republic and its efforts to seek a lasting and peaceful solution for the reunification of the island, the delegation also expressed its willingness to encourage ongoing and increased economic and cultural ties between the island and the various regions represented by WHIA. The delegation acknowledged and applauded the constructive role Cyprus is playing in assisting with the humanitarian sea corridor delivering food and vital supplies at a time of conflict in the region.
With regards to the ongoing illegal occupation of the island, the delegation visited the Minister of Defence, Vasilis Palmas and the Cypriot National Guard to receive a briefing on the current status, as well as the Hellenic Forces in Cyprus (ELDYK) where they paid their respects to the soldiers who lost their lives as a result of the invasion.
The delegation also visited the Green Line in Nicosia with the Mayor, Charalambos Prountzos and then spoke with civil society stakeholders who underscored that Nicosia remains the only divided capital in the world.
The delegation also dialogued with several Cypriot diaspora organisations working towards the reunification of the island. The WHIA also attended the opening ceremony of a conference hosted by the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA), the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the World Organization for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK).
Furthermore, the delegation was honored to meet Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus.
On July 21, 2023, the WHIA passed a resolution on Cyprus at its 14th General Assembly. The measure expressed support for the President of Cyprus in his efforts to restart negotiations through the European Union and the United Nations. Since that time, WHIA President and Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis has pushed for Cyprus to be included in the United States visa waiver program and a group of 24 American legislators has been pushing to extend the waiver renewal period for the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus from one year to five years.
The Parliament of Canada unanimously passed a Resolution on June 13, 2024 marking the 50th anniversary of the invasion and calling for a just and peaceful reunification of the island. Canadian members of WHIA visited the United Nations controlled Buffer Zone to pay tribute at a monument for the 28 Canadian peacekeepers who lost their lives during the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Cyprus.
On the July 4th, 2024, Federal MP of Australia, Steve Georganas raised the issue of Cyprus and the unjust 50 year occupation of the North and called for a united and just Cyprus in the Australian Federal Parliament.
The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union and is a stable and reliable partner in the region. It is time to enable the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to decide their own future in a peaceful and united Cyprus.
The WHIA delegation was comprised of elected legislators of Greek and Cypriot descent from Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ukraine and the United States.
Leonidas Raptakis, Rhode Island State Senator (U.S.A.)
Stavros Anthony, Lt. Governor of Nevada (U.S.A.)
Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Connecticut State Representative (U.S.A.)
Michael Tannousis, New York Assemblyman (U.S.A.)
Stephan Pappas, Wyoming State Senator (U.S.A.)
Effie Triantafilopoulos, Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario (Canada)
Annie Koutrakis, Federal Member of Parliament (Canada)
Aris Babikian, Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario (Canada)
Steve Georganas, Federal Member of Parliament (Australia)
Andrea Michaels, Member of South Australian Parliament (Australia)
George Michalakis, Member of Parliament (South Africa)
Hryhoriy Nemyria, First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament (Ukraine)
Greek farmers have reassured the public that feta cheese production will continue as normal after concerns rose following the outbreak of a highly infectious virus among hundreds of thousands of goats and sheep.
“Around 9,000 animals have had to be killed because of the outbreak but it won’t endanger feta exports… Our country has 14 million goats and sheep, more than any other [EU] state,” said Christos Tsopanos from the Association of Greek Livestock (SEK).
Tsopanos said around 120,000 tonnes of the Mediterranean staple would be made this year.
“We have enough milk. Authorities have moved fast to deal with this situation,” he added.
Photo: Universal Images Group.
Referred to as the “sheep and goat plague”, peste des petits ruminants (PPR) can kill between 80% and 100% of infected animals. It was first confirmed in the central Thessaly region of Greece on July 11.
European regulations state that if a PPR case is detected in a herd, the entire flock must be culled. Exposed areas including farmsteads must also be disinfected.
Greece has imposed nationwide restrictions on the movement of goats and sheep to help mitigate the spread of the disease.
