Earlwood Wanderers made history with their first Australia Cup victory, defeating Shoalhaven Heads Berry FC 7-0 in the first preliminary round at Strathfield Park last Sunday.
The win featured four goal scorers: Harry Lekopoulos (18′, 49′), Luke Azizi (20′, 60′), Logan Teixeira (42′, 87′), and Dimitri Vallas (80′).
Captain Apostolos Tatsis, who attended the 2015 FFA Cup launch as an 11-year-old, led the team to the milestone triumph.
Earlwood will face Rydalmere Lions FC from NSW League One in the next round.
The team lineup included Azizi, Argyropoulos, Diniotis, Giannopoulos, Graham, Koumoulas, Lekopoulos, Maher, Saab, Simister, Tatsis, Vallas, Vavayis, Sentas, and Teixeira, under coaches Jim Athan and Christos Tatsis.
The Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, has presented a Commemorative Medallion of the Hellenic Republic to Alison Pearson in recognition of the military service of her grandfather, Private William Allen John Woods, during the Second World War.
The medal honours Woods’ role in defending Greece during the German invasion in 1941. According to family accounts shared by Pearson, the Australian soldier was captured by German forces in June 1941 while fighting in Crete.
Following his capture, Woods was held as a prisoner of war in Poland for several years before being liberated at the end of the war in 1945, when he returned to Australia.
Presenting the medallion, Mr Skemperis acknowledged the sacrifice and courage of Allied soldiers who fought alongside the Greek people during the war.
Con Damouras, co-owner of Sydney’s 75-year-old Italian institution Bar Italia in Leichhardt, has become an online sensation for his witty and blunt responses to unfair Google reviews.
The restaurant, known for its classic pasta, tiramisu, and gelato, often attracts criticism for its “cash only” policy and casual approach to bookings.
Con told Daily Mail, “People just dine in, and whether they like it or not, they go online and say whatever they want – it’s crazy. The ones that just want to slam your business -I figured the only way to get back at them is to also just write something stupid, and hilarious, in return!”
One of Con’s honest reviews.
Some of his replies have gone viral, including responses to complaints about takeaway container charges, time-limited bookings, and even the restaurant’s in-store ATM.
Con said, “Every restaurant, every business, gets slammed online by disgruntled people. But us being authentic and being such an iconic business, we had to say something back.”
The approach has drawn new patrons eager to meet Con and enjoy his food firsthand, including celebrities like Australian actress Toni Collette, who recently visited for gelato.
Bar Italia’s mix of “old school” hospitality, classic Italian dishes, and Con’s unapologetically cheeky online presence has cemented its place as a beloved Sydney institution.
Drew Pavlou and Peter Zogoulas claim to have uncovered alleged overcharging within Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) after conducting an undercover test of a Sydney-based cleaning provider.
Pavlou and Zogoulas launched the probe after speaking with a whistleblower who alleged that some providers exploit the system by billing minimum hours regardless of the time actually worked.
Posing as the carer of an NDIS participant, Zogoulas hired a cleaning service to attend a largely tidy Airbnb unit in Sydney. According to the pair, the cleaners spent around 25 minutes at the property and arrived without professional cleaning equipment.
The pair say they were then issued an invoice of $236.06, based on a two-hour minimum charge.
When challenged, the company initially stated that such a minimum was required under NDIS rules. After being confronted with NDIS guidelines, the company revised the bill to $24.18, reflecting the time spent.
The company disputes the journalists’ claims, saying the caller agreed to the minimum charge during the booking.
The case has renewed scrutiny of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, a multi-billion-dollar federal programme designed to support Australians living with disability by funding services such as personal care, therapy, transport and household assistance.
With more than 600,000 participants nationwide, the NDIS is one of Australia’s largest social programmes, costing tens of billions of dollars annually.
In recent years, however, the scheme has faced growing concerns about fraud, overcharging and misuse by some providers, prompting government pledges to strengthen oversight and enforcement to ensure funds are used appropriately and reach those who need them most.
Australian Ambassador to Greece Alison Duncan met with the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, in Athens for discussions on regional developments and issues concerning the Greek diaspora.
During the meeting, the two officials exchanged views on the latest geopolitical developments in the Middle East, a region currently facing heightened tensions. They also discussed Greece’s recently adopted legislation introducing postal voting for Greeks living abroad.
The conversation highlighted the importance of maintaining strong institutional cooperation between the two countries, particularly on matters affecting diaspora communities.
Both sides reaffirmed the enduring relationship between Australia and Greece, noting that the longstanding friendship between the two nations continues to be strengthened by deep people-to-people ties, including the large Greek Australian community.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew travelled to Ankara on Tuesday, March 10, following an invitation from Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend an Iftar dinner at the Presidential Palace during the Ramadan period.
The Patriarch extended his wishes to the President and, through him, to all Muslims in the country for Ramadan.
He returned to Istanbul later the same day and was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon.
A similar official dinner had also been hosted in Ankara on Monday by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
The Ecumenical Patriarch, who is invited each year, was represented at that event by His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Prusa.
The Food For Thought Network (FFTN)kicked off the first in a series of events celebrating its 25th anniversary on International Women’s Day 2026 – with a gathering that felt less like a webinar and more like a global reunion of Greek women whose stories, histories and identities are woven across continents.
Titled Balance the Scales – Women, Migration and Leadership (1835–2026), the online event brought together participants from Australia, Greece, Europe and the United States – a digital amphitheatre filled with emotion, authenticity and intergenerational wisdom.
The event was elevated by the presence and greetings of distinguished figures.
Her Excellency Alison Duncan, Australian Ambassador to Greece, reflected on the enduring ties between the two nations.
His Excellency Stavros Venizelos, Greek Ambassador to Australia, shared a thoughtful video message honouring the strength and global contribution of Greek women.
Secretary General for Greeks Abroad & Public Diplomacy, Ms Maira Myrogianni, provided a powerful written greeting that was shared with the international audience, highlighting the State’s commitment to empowering women of the diaspora.
Professor Giannis Chrysoulakis, former Secretary General for Greeks Abroad, joined live to acknowledge the importance of such initiatives in strengthening global Hellenism.
At the heart of the event — and the emotional thread connecting every speaker — was the historical novel Η Πρώτη Έποικος (The First Settler) by Dr Fotini Papadimitriou.
This remarkable book traces the extraordinary life of Ekaterini Plessou, believed to be the first Greek woman to settle in Australia. Her journey of courage, displacement and reinvention resonated deeply with migrant women across generations. Many saw their own mothers, grandmothers and great‑grandmothers reflected in the heroine’s resilience.
The book was so widely embraced that participants expressed unanimous anticipation for the translated English edition, which is already underway. A formal book presentation will follow in Australia, honouring this extraordinary work that pays tribute to Ekaterini Plessou and the first Greek migrant woman whose story shaped the foundations of the Greek‑Australian narrative.
A defining force of the event was the exceptional moderation of Maria Dimopoulos AM, whose presence elevated the entire experience. With her signature blend of intelligence, empathy and cultural insight, she guided the discussion with a mastery that participants described as “rare,” “deeply grounding,” and “profoundly connecting.”
Maria framed the conversation with clarity and purpose, reminding the audience that migration is not only a historical movement but a lived emotional landscape — one shaped by sacrifice, identity, belonging and the quiet heroism of women. Her questions were crafted with precision, drawing out the deepest truths from each speaker while honouring their individuality and lived experience.
She navigated the panel with extraordinary skill, weaving diverse stories into a clear and compelling whole. Her ability to hold space for vulnerability while elevating the cultural and intellectual depth of the discussion gave the event its heartbeat. Her role went far beyond moderation — she led with a profound understanding of the emotional landscape of diaspora storytelling.
The emotional centre of the event belonged to the remarkable panel of women who shared their lived experiences with honesty and depth:
Shelly Papadopoulos (Los Angeles) spoke movingly about growing up as the child of immigrants — often becoming the interpreter, the negotiator and the bridge between cultures. She emphasised that the next generation should no longer have to “audition” for legitimacy, calling for a shift from mentoring to true access and sponsorship.
Perrie Veremis (Chicago) reflected on the women who shaped her life — grandmothers, mothers and resilient village women whose sacrifices laid the foundations for the opportunities enjoyed by the next generation. Her words, “when you grow up between cultures, you often become a bridge,” captured the essence of leading with empathy, courage and purpose.
Chrysa Voulgaridou (Athens, born in Poland) highlighted the continuing tensions many women face between tradition and ambition, expressing hope for a future where equality, access and safety are a given — and where domestic violence no longer exists.
Together, their voices created a tapestry of lived experience that resonated across continents. These were women who had crossed borders, broken barriers, rebuilt identities and carried forward the strength of generations before them. Their honesty was disarming, their reflections deeply human, and their willingness to share personal histories transformed the event into a collective moment of remembrance and recognition.
What emerged from the gathering was not simply a discussion about women’s leadership, but a collective affirmation of the Greek female spirit — a spirit shaped by migration, strengthened by adversity and carried forward by generations of women who refused to let their stories fade.
As the Food For Thought Network continues its mission to empower Greek women worldwide, this International Women’s Day event stands as a powerful testament to the organisation’s 25-year legacy — and to the enduring bonds that connect Greek women across the globe.
The founder of the Food for Thought Network, Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM, thanked all who attended and acknowledged the dedication of her team. She highlighted the resilience, adaptability and cultural intelligence that Greek migrant women have carried across borders and generations.
She urged participants to go beyond mentoring and actively sponsor those who struggle to access opportunity—particularly the many talented graduates who today find it difficult to enter their professions.
She concluded with a powerful reminder: “Intelligence and talent are distributed equally across cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. Opportunity is not. That is why our responsibility is clear: we must lift one another, open doors, and make space for the next generation.”
St Basil’s Home for the Aged has been convicted and fined $150,000 over workplace safety failures during a devastating COVID-19 outbreak at its Fawkner facility in Victoria in 2020.
The outbreak began in July 2020 when the first case was confirmed on July 9. Within days, widespread infection was detected after all residents and staff were tested. In the weeks that followed, 45 residents died from COVID-19-related complications, while dozens of staff members were also infected.
WorkSafe Victoria initially laid nine charges under occupational health and safety laws. However, after extended discussions, St Basil’s pleaded guilty to a single charge relating to whether five staff members had received adequate training and instruction on how to correctly put on and remove personal protective equipment (PPE). The remaining eight charges were withdrawn.
The Victorian County Court found the aged care provider had failed to properly train and supervise the workers during the early stages of the pandemic. At the time, the facility housed more than 90 residents and employed around 110 staff.
In sentencing today, the court acknowledged the case had taken more than five years to resolve and noted that St Basil’s has since strengthened its systems and procedures.
In an earlier statement, St Basil’s said the organisation has undergone “a complete renewal of Board oversight and senior management,” adding that governance and day-to-day operations are now significantly different from those in place during the 2020 outbreak.
A separate coronial inquest examining the deaths of residents remains ongoing.
Outspoken Queensland Senator Matt Canavan has been elected leader of the Nationals after David Littleproud’s surprise resignation.
Canavan won a party room vote this morning, defeating Bridget McKenzie and former deputy Kevin Hogan, though the Nationals do not disclose vote tallies.
Victorian MP Darren Chester was chosen as deputy leader.
Party whip Michelle Landry said, “We’ve got a mighty battle coming up ahead of us, we’ve got two years to get ourselves up in the polls. So we really need strong leadership, I think we’ve voted for that today and we’re looking forward to getting on with the job.”
Littleproud announced his resignation, explaining he was “buggered” and no longer had the energy to lead the party.
Australian activist Drew Pavlou says he helped draw global attention to the plight of the Iran women’s national football team after Donald Trump shared one of his social media posts about the players’ situation in Australia.
“I was extraordinarily delighted and shocked to see that the president shared my post and he called up Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at 2 am,” Pavlou told Sky News host Sharri Markson.
“He requested that the Australian government protect these players, and look, I’m just absolutely delighted.”
The Iranian team had travelled to Australia for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup but faced uncertainty about returning home after refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem in their opening match, shortly after US and Israeli airstrikes hit Iran.
The silent protest sparked anger in state media, where a presenter said: “traitors during wartime should be dealt with more severely.”
Police officers clear the road as Iran’s women footballers leave their Gold Coast hotel. Photo: Patrick Hamilton / AFP / Getty Images.
As the team exited the tournament following a 2–0 loss to the Philippines women’s national football team, some players began exploring options to remain in Australia, fearing persecution if they returned to Iran.
The Australian government later offered temporary humanitarian visas, with five players, captain Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh and Mona Hamoudi, choosing to stay.
Trump had earlier criticised Australia on social media, warning the players could face danger if sent back to Iran and urging the government to grant asylum.
He later spoke with Albanese by phone, after which he said the prime minister was “doing a very good job… with this rather delicate situation.”
Australian officials confirmed assistance remains available to other members of the team who may seek to remain in the country.
