A major wildfire which raged out of control in the northern suburbs of Athens on Monday, August 12 has shown improvements with no current single fire front.
Mr Vathrakogiannis said whilst there was no single fire front any more, there were “several active pockets of fire, especially in the greater area of Penteli mountain and Marathonas Lake.”
This news comes after a massive wildfire in Athens’ northeastern suburbs on Monday forced thousands of residents to flee their homes and sparked a Greek government appeal for international help.
Hundreds of firefighters were battling fast-moving wildfires Monday near Athens amid scorching temperatures throughout Greece, officials said. The wildfires have prompted evacuations for more than 30,000 residents, according to Reuters. https://t.co/Wlv8oCbA7Ppic.twitter.com/SV9SYhkys9
Officials said France would provide a helicopter, Italy two water-dropping planes and the Czech Republic 75 firefighters and 25 vehicles. Serbia and Romania were also readying aid. Neighbouring Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the country would dispatch two firefighting planes and a helicopter, while Spain was also finalising reinforcements to send to Greece.
The fire began Sunday afternoon about 35 kilometers northeast of Athens, burning several homes and businesses and sending a blanket of smoke and ash over the city center. Power cuts hit parts of the Greek capital and affected traffic lights at major central junctions.
Three hospitals, including a children’s hospital, two monasteries and a children’s home were evacuated on Monday afternoon. Cellphones in the area got at least 30 push alerts warning people to flee.
Women embrace after being rescued during a wildfire in Varnavas, north of Athens, on August 11, 2024. Photo: Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP.
More than 700 firefighters, backed by 27 special wildfire teams, and armed forces personnel were battling the flames. More than 190 vehicles were deployed, with aerial support from 17 water-dropping planes and 16 helicopters.
Authorities said 15 people were injured, mostly due to smoke inhalation, as the blaze reached outlying sections of a suburb about 15 kilometers from the city center. Greece’s National Observatory said late Monday that satellite images show the blaze has affected about 10,000 hectares.
More than 250 people of all ethnicities gathered at Darwin Galleria in the Northern Territory on Friday, August 9, to celebrate the opening of Georgia Politis’ Darwin DiverCity Series exhibition.
The Darwin DiverCity Series was created by Georgia in 2020, initially as a promotion to celebrate diversity in the NT. After just two sessions, the series was quickly changed to a free passion project which has achieved over 50 free sessions since June 2020. Series one has now closed, with articles and a following Australia-wide.
The exhibition launch on Friday was held to celebrate the completion of the first series of the Darwin DiverCity project after four years. Forty-eight portraits were displayed along with their stories celebrating what it means to be a Territorian, and the many characters, cultures and stories that come with it.
The event was scheduled to officially kick off at 5.30pm, but started at 4pm due to an influx of guests arriving for the VIP hour early.
“The most important thing for me was seeing everyone inside the exhibition space. It is one thing to see supporters online, but it is a completely different thing seeing these people taking the time out to visit and support you in person,” Georgia, who is an award-winning photographer, told The Greek Herald after the exhibition.
“There were over 250 people at one point, that there was a ‘person jam’ inside of the space. I originally expected 50-60 people, so I could not believe it, and it made me realise how important this series was to many people.”
Taking in the exhibition alongside portrait subjects and their families, were also a number of political and community leaders. They were Federal Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling; Paul Kirby MP; Lauren Moss MP; Nicole Madison MP; Councillor Sylvia Klonaris; Councillor Kim Farrar; Father Chris from the Saint Savvas Greek Orthodox Church at Palmerston; President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia, Michael Koulianos; Robyn Cahill, CLP candidate; Oly Carlson, CLP candidate; and Shlok Sharma, Labor Candidate.
The Darwin DiverCity Series exhibition will run until Saturday, August 17 at Darwin Galleria (37 Smith St, Darwin City, NT).Georgia has also released The Darwin DiverCity Book. The books can be purchased at $50 each including GST at this link: https://buy.stripe.com/fZe2aQ7Ka1G4by8000
*The Greek Herald was a proud media partner for this event.
Speaking in an emergency press briefing early on Monday morning, fire department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis said despite the efforts of civil protection forces throughout the night, the fire had spread over the Penteli mountain range, just north of the Greek capital.
Vathrakogiannis said that messages had been sent for the evacuation of Nea Penteli, Palia Penteli, Drafi, Dioni, Damarasi, Daou Pentelis and Agios Spyridonas, while residents of Anthousa were warned to prepare for a possible evacuation at 5:45am. Authorities were also evacuating the Penteli Children’s Hospital and the 414 Military Hospital in the area.
#UPDATE Greece ordered the evacuation Monday of multiple communities northeast of Athens as wildfires raged, the fire brigade said.
"Forest fire near you. Follow the instructions of the authorities," said SMS messages sent to people in the Attica region, indicating in which… pic.twitter.com/dJYV3qtR6c
Overnight, 510 firefighters and 16 teams of forest commandos with 152 vehicles and a very large number of volunteers fought the wildfire. Vathrakogiannis said 29 fire-fighting airplanes and helicopters will take off at first light to also assist the firefighting effort.
Winds remained strong during the night, creating dangerous situations, and their intensity is expected to increase in the next few hours. Citizens in the areas where the fire is burning must be prepared to carry out the instructions of the authorities.
The fast-moving blaze has already destroyed trees, homes, and vehicles, and has sent thick smoke clouds over the city.
Father Emmanuel Lykopandis, the parish priest of the Church of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist in Carlton North, Melbourne was honoured by Victoria Police on Tuesday, August 6.
Father Emmanuel was awarded the Police Service Medal for 11 years of providing spiritual counsel to the police officers from Moonee Ponds, Flemington, Avondale Hights, Fawkner, Brunswick and North Melbourne Police station, and to two specialised units, the Air Wing at Essendon airport and RPDAS at the Dawson Street complex.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton presented the parish priest with the medal on the occasion of the 50 years anniversary of police chaplaincy in Victoria. The Victorian Minister of Police and Emergency services, Anthony Carbines MP was also present.
Fr Emmanuel said it was “an honour” to be awarded.
“I was humbled by the whole thing. Especially in a place that is dominated by Western Anglican religions, to be a multicultural faith and outsider and to be recognised by the government and Victoria Police was lovely. I was on a high, I truly was honoured,” Fr Emmanuel told The Greek Herald.
Ten Adelaide artists were invited to interpret the colour blue for South Australia’s Living Arts festival (SALA) which runs throughout the month of August.
The Essence of Blue exhibition was launched on Sunday, August 11 and its theme was developed by curator Joanna Tsalikis who invited local Adelaide artists to participate.
Essence of Blue art pieces.
Joanna has been involved in the local arts community for most of her life and has curated many exhibitions through her involvement with OEEGA (Organisation of Hellene and Hellene-Cypriot Women of Australia SA Inc).
While the colour blue can often be synonymous with Greece, Joanna said she was ‘cautious’ when discussing the context with the artists.
“Blue or the “Greek blue” is one perspective, but blue is very much a social construct and not exclusive to Greece,” she explained.
Art interpreting the colour blue.
“It features throughout the Mediterranean and indeed throughout the world in a myriad of ways; our perceptions of nature, of sea and sky, our built environments, our fashions, symbols and logos, divinity and royalty.
“It can also express the emotions as in “feeling blue” or even in music and the development of Blues and Jazz.”
The nine artists who were ‘headhunted’ by Joanna are: Anezoula (muralist and painter); Anne Allen (mosaics); Debra Good (photography); Ioanna (master painter); Harry Koutlakis (abstract muralist/painter); Helen Panagopoulos (unique fabrications/using a range of media); Annie Cousins (landscape painting); Niki Sperou (combining art and science) and Litsa Tourlis (jewellery).
Interpreting the colour blue.
Joanna, who also is exhibiting, was keen to include work from a diverse range of art skills from professional artists and not necessarily artists with a Greek background.
“I didn’t want to engage people just because they were Greek. In fact, three of them are not,” she said.
Self-taught jeweller Litsa has tried her hand at a range of art over the years including painting, ceramics, glasswork and clay modelling but loves working with the art of jewellery making.
Litsa started creating jewellery out of bits of wire for friends and it developed from there. Since then she has attended jewellery and silver workshops to improve her technique.
Her work has been exhibited at the South Australian Museum, the Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide, Pepper Street Arts Centre, Glendi Festival and a range of Hellenic events.
Litsa’s jewellery pieces.
For the Essence of Blue exhibition, Litsa has made necklaces, earrings, brooches pendants and tiaras – all with an ancient Greek theme. Her favourite piece is the dolphin necklace because of a historical connection – the fresco of dolphins in the ancient palace of Knossos (Crete).
“A lot of my work relates to Greek antiquity, inspired by the museum displays of fossils, pottery, and gold and silver pieces that I’ve seen over the years,” she said.
“I like the idea of creating art that you can wear, such as jewellery, because although each piece is unique, it might share a similar design so that other people can enjoy the theme of the work.
“It’s how I relax and wind-down. It’s a great way to de-stress.”
Essence of Blue is presented by OEEGA and SALA until August 31. Venue: Cowandilla Community Room (175 Donald Bradman Drive, Cowandilla, Adelaide).
K2 Asset Management’s head of research George Boubouras has remained optimistic after the market retreat last week that erased billions of dollars in market value.
Boubouras has shifted his focus on areas of the market that are set to gain from central banks cutting rates. These include mid-cap stocks in healthcare, transport and consumer-related sectors.
He also expects lower borrowing costs to light a fire under highly geared businesses in property, utilities and infrastructure, which have been underperforming.
Boubouras said investors should expect a “shallow easing cycle” from the Fed, marking a stark departure from most fund managers and economists who are expecting the US to drastically cut interest rates in response to a slowdown in the world’s largest economy.
Photo: Bianca de Marchi / AAP.
He has also reinforced his perspective that the US and Australian economy is headed for a soft landing, despite fears of a recession.
Melburnian Boubouras justified this stance stating companies’ earnings overall are in “reasonable” shape and Australia’s economy will be a key beneficiary as global growth picks up in one year’s time.
Boubouras predicted that Australia’s Reserve Bank will cut rates twice in the first half of 2025 and that the easing cycle could be elongated because of the soft landing he expects across the developed world.
“Rate cuts don’t have to be quick and aggressive… They can come down very slowly or risk core inflation will re-accelerate,” he said.
St George FC showed they still have some fight left in staying alive in the race against relegation following a 3-0 victory over a hapless Sydney Olympic which ended the Blues hopes of playing Finals football in 2024 at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday, August 10.
The first opportunity arrived in the 8th minute when a long ball towards goal by Michael Glassock was brought well under control by ‘keeper Mackenzie Syron under the crossbar.
A few minutes later the home side went close again with Glassock who headed powerfully just wide of the goal after receiving a precise corner from Sammy McIllhatton.
The first chance worth noting for St George FC was from their captain Troy Danaskos in the 14th minute. He created space down the left channel before firing a long-range shot just over the crossbar, even though goalkeeper Christopher Parsons always had that one in his sights.
In the 18th minute a corner from the right by Jaden Casella reached Conor Quilligan in the box who headed the ball onto the underside of the crossbar, but somehow the resulting bounce didn’t go over the goal line allowing Parsons to make a scrambling save through a dense forest of legs.
Sydney Olympic had a really great chance in the 27th minute when Teng Kuol squared the ball to Adam Parkhouse who, from close-range in the middle, flicked it towards goal only to be denied by a brilliant one-handed save from Syron who turned it over the crossbar for a corner.
In the 32rd a long ball by Glassock from the right reached Roy O’Donovan backpedalling in the far corner of the box but his header in the end was just wide of the mark.
The Sydney Olympic team. Photo: Takis Triadafillou / The Greek Herald.
St George FC then broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. An in-swinging corner by Casella reached Danaskos at the far post and the visiting captain simply headed it in through the tight gap near the post to give the visitors the lead.
Sydney Olympic really should have equalised just prior to the break when another long ball from Glassock which this time reached Parkhouse who fired towards goal, but he was denied by a magnificent diving save from Syron. The first half ended shortly afterwards with both sides deservedly earning a rest after an action-packed first stanza of play.
Sydney Olympic returned to field after the interval with a triple-substitution as coach Labinot Haliti tried to reshuffle his deck of cards and spruce up his side.
However, the first real opportunity of the second half was actually St George FC’s second goal in the 51st minute. A precise, long through ball from Quilligan in a counter-attacking move reached Justin Poon who beautifully finished off the move with a glancing shot from the left that beat ‘keeper Parsons.
Two minutes later Sydney Olympic came close to snatching one back when a cross from the left reached O’Donovan, but his header was just a fraction too high.
On the turn in the 72nd minute Jack Simmons tried his luck for Sydney Olympic and in the end his effort wasn’t too far over the goal.
In the 83rd minute St George FC replied when, from the by-line, a nice ball from Jesse Spang reached Chan Yelchan unmarked in the middle but he fired over the top in what perhaps wasn’t the greatest of finishes to round off such a nice move.
On the stroke of fulltime St George FC made it three to round off the scoring for the evening. Casella found the back of the net with a superb strike from just outside the box, after receiving an accurate assist from Anthony Morabito to send the visiting bench into raptures.
After the game in the St George FC dressing room the mood was jubilant and coach Steve Karavatakis was proud of his team.
“I am so excited for the boys,” he said.
“We have been working very hard in the last few weeks and the result didn’t go our way against Marconi, but it did tonight and it is starting to build now.
“Even though it is close to the end of the season we’ll happily take the crucial three points. Sydney Olympic is a very good team and if you look at them on paper I think they are one of the best teams, so we played good football to win.
“I am particularly proud of our work ethic, keeping possession, moving the ball quickly and we are playing the way we have been training which is very pleasing.”
On the other side of the fence the coach of Sydney Olympic Labinot Haliti, who rides every emotion of the game from the sidelines, was in a more sombre mood.
“Give them [St George FC] credit because they came in with a plan and they were good tonight,” he said. “We were off in the first half and we tried to change a few things, but it didn’t work. That’s the way it is sometimes.
“We weren’t ourselves tonight and we did try some things, but in the end I am disappointed for the boys after some really good work in the last nine weeks.”
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has announced that tickets for the Opening Night of the 29th Greek Film Festival are now on sale.
The festival, which will run from 15-27 October, opens this year with the Niarchos Thodoris’ feature Hear Who’s Talking.
The quirky comedy explores the story of Fotis, a life-coach whose own life has reached an impasse.
Fotis (Elias Meletis) is in a dead end both personally and professionally. A life coach, in his profession, who has lost his bearings. The sessions, which once fulfilled him professionally, no longer offer him the same inner satisfaction and he has also become completely isolated in his personal life. At this critical junction for himself and his career, a voice he is familiar with will take action, a voice he knows only in his head. Will Fotis be able to find… Fotis again and fall in love before all is lost?
The 29th Greek Film Festival in Melbourne will play across Palace Cinemas at their Astor Theatre, Palace Cinemas Balwyn, Palace Cinema Como and for the first time at Palace Pentridge in an expanded program.
It was a week where all fell into place for South Melbourne FC. Dockerty Cup champions, followed by a win against A League Wellington Phoenix and wrapping it up as Premiers for 2024.
Recently retired football director Andrew Mesourouni commented, “It’s always important for a club like South to win trophies. It’s in our DNA. Where it hurts most is when we don’t deliver silverware.”
“We have been competing at the top for the past few years, but this year it feels different. It feels right,” Mr Mesourouni added.
(L-R) Nick Maikousis, Esteban Quintas, Andrew Mesourouni and Bill Papastergiadis. Photo supplied.
“One step at the time. A week ago, we were competing for trophies, we have two in that time. So, the grand final needs to be our next goal to put things right. The past two years has been devastating. Then the big one. To be the first NPL club to win the Australia Cup. For South to win another national trophy.”
Michael Tsoukalis, long-time supporter, said, “this is arguably the best week at South Melbourne Football Club in a very long time. Dockerty Cup winners (last Saturday), progressing to the final 16 in the Australia Cup three days later against a full time professional franchise (Wellington Phoenix) in a match South controlled, and now wrapping up the league with a week to go.”
“Thank you to the board, players, coaching staff, volunteers, and of course the loyal fans who turn up irrespective of the occasion, these moments are for all South fans Australia-wide (and globally), but they no doubt feel extra special for those watching most if not every week,” Mr Tsoukalis added.
Club Chairman, Bill Papastergiadis said, “football transcends our daily lives and brings us closer to a dream state where one feels anything is possible. Hence this last week has locked us in a dream state at South Melbourne Hellas.”
“A week where we dared to dream and our players and coaches brought ultimate satisfaction and elation to the tribe of South supporters. We are proud of their achievements and thank Esteban our coach for his dogmatic approach,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
“Third success augurs well for the National Second Tier which is slated for 2025 as aspirational clubs like South Melbourne and fans throughout Australia are desperate for renewed competition. Football Australia must allow these clubs to grow and prosper and allow them to dream big.”
This too is the message of Tom Kalas, the architect of the National Second Tier, in his message to the club.
“Congratulations Bill, to the players, coaching staff and board. Great way to prepare for the new National League,” Mr Kalas said.
Club President Nick Maikousis was simple in his assessment, “Two trophies down, two more to go.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas has officially announced the termination of his coaching arrangement with father Apostolos having earlier criticised his tactics in a tense match and defeat against Kei Nishikori at the ATP Montreal on Thursday, August 8.
Declaring his decision on X, Tsitsipas said “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my cooperation with my father as a coach has come to an end… I prefer to keep my father in his role as a father, and only as a father.”
Σας ενημερώνω με βαριά καρδιά ότι η συνεργασία μου με τον πατέρα μου ως προπονητής έχει φτάσει στο τέλος της. Προτιμώ να κρατήσω τον πατέρα μου στον ρόλο του ως πατέρας, και μόνο ως πατέρας.
Η φιλοσοφία μας διδάσκει ότι η σοφία έρχεται μέσα από την κατανόηση των ορίων μας και…
