Strathfield GP, Dr Peter Alexakis was victorious in the NSW Court of Appeal on May 22 which ruled that he had not applied undue influence to convince patient, Raymond McClure to leave him the majority of his $24 million estate.
McClure died from cancer in November 2017, at 84, leaving an estate worth roughly $27 million, which included a Strathfield home worth close to $3 million. He made six wills in total months before he died with the final one leaving Alexakis 90 per cent of his estate.
Despite being found guilty of malpractice for being too close to McClure, Alexakis won a Supreme Court challenge by the Salvation Army, McClure’s business partner and friend in 2023 to have the final will ruled invalid.
The Strathfield property left by Raymond McClure to Peter Alexakis. Photo: The Daily Telegraph.
On Wednesday, May 22, a three-judge panel of the NSW Court of Appeal again ruled in favour of Alexakis, paving the way for him to inherit McClure’s fortune.
The judges dismissed five grounds of appeal including findings that Alexakis, whose wife owns an $8 million Vaucluse mansion, did not commit fraud or exert undue influence over McClure who was in poor health. However, the judges also ruled that the legal costs for the appeal were to be paid out of McClure’s estate.
When approached by A Current Affair after a shift at his clinic, Alexakis denied being too close to his patient prior to his death.
“Will you be giving some of this money to the Salvos? They were the main beneficiary before he changed his will,” A Current Affair asked.
“I’m not really able to discuss that with you,” Alexakis responded.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, an appalling milestone which serves as a reminder that the occupation of more than one third of Cyprus has been ongoing for far too long.
To mark this sombre occasion, the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria has collaborated with SEKA Victoria and the Cyprus Community of Melbourne & Victoria — all three are committed members of the 50th Year Action Group — to present a group of lectures on aspects of the “Cyprus Issue.”
The “live” lecture sessions begin at 7:00 pm (program below), and are held at the Mezzanine Level of the Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne). There will be two speakers at each session, and each speaker will be allotted 25 minutes. An opportunity to ask questions will follow.
The lecture by William Mallinson will only be presented online, i.e., on Facebook or YouTube.
Lecture Programme – 11 July 2024 (Online) “Cyprus and Kissinger: Killing the Myth”
Dr William Mallinson
Professor of Political Ideas & Institutions at Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, and formerly a member of the British Diplomatic Service
This is an online-only lecture only, so please join on YouTube or Facebook. Links to the lecture will be announced soon.
You don’t need an account with either of these services to just watch the event, but you do need one if you want to participate in the Live Q&A. At the end of the lecturer’s presentation, viewers will be asked to submit written questions through the comment or chat function of Facebook or YouTube. Selected questions will then be submitted to the guest.
18 July 2024
Pavlos Andronikos
President of ΣEKA Victoria; formerly Head of Greek at Monash University will give a talk titled “The Nature of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus in 1974.”
The Hon. Theo Theophanous
President of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne & Victoria; formerly a Minister in the Parliament of Victoria, will give a talk titled “Cyprus: The Solution Rests with Turkey, Not Greek and Turkish Cypriots.”
25 July 2024
Konstantinos Kalymnios
Lawyer and author, will give a talk titled“Pseudo State or Defacto State? The Legal Status of the Occupied Part of Cyprus.”
Γιάννης Μηλίδης
Philologist, will give a talk, in Greek only, on the literature of Cyprus and how it depicts the trauma of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Abstracts
Dr William Mallinson, “Cyprus and Kissinger: Killing the Myth”
“As the author of a recent book on Kissinger, and how he bamboozled Greece, and even Britain, over the invasion of Cyprus, I am surprised at the mainstream media’s eulogising of one of the most cynical armchair executioners the world has ever known. We must put the record straight…”
Pavlos Andronikos, “The Nature of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus in 1974”
Turkish sources describe what we call the “Turkish Invasion” as a “peace operation”. What was it really? How was it conducted, and what were its aims?
Theo Theophanous, “Cyprus: The Solution Rests with Turkey, Not Greek and Turkish Cypriots”
Evidence suggests a majority of Greek and Turkish Cypriots want a free united Cyprus under a federation model. It is a mistake to think that the election of the right-wing Tatar, who is pursuing a two-country model is now the main obstacle. The diaspora has a role in showing the international community that Greek and Turkish Cypriots can coexist under a free united Cyprus Federation, and that Turkey remains the main obstacle.
Konstantinos Kalymnios, “Pseudo State or Defacto State? The Legal Status of the Occupied Part of Cyprus”
While the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is considered illegitimate in international law, this lecture looks at the various means by which some world powers seek to treat with that entity as sovereign.
ΓιάννηςΜηλίδης, “The literature of Cyprus and the trauma of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus”
This lecture will look at how the work of Cypriot writers who lived through the Turkish invasion, but even younger ones who did not live through it, change the course of history, giving the beauty of life and culture back to its victims.
Australian defender Johnny Koutroumbis has signed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership side Motherwell, subject to international clearance.
According to Canberra Times, Koutroumbis joins after a two-year spell at A-League Men side Perth Glory after previously playing for West Adelaide, Adelaide United, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers.
“There has been a lot of work to get Johnny here,” manager Stuart Kettlewell told the official Motherwell website.
“So, first of all I want to thank everyone involved as these kinds of deals are never easy.
“Johnny is a good player who has a wealth of experience in a good league. I’ve spoken with him and he is very ambitious.
“We both feel this is an excellent opportunity for him to develop and push into that next chapter of his career. He’s came to the other side of the world, which is a lot of commitment.
“He’s now got plenty time to adjust and settle before the competitive season begins.”
Koutroumbis, 26, has been capped by Australia at under-23 level.
Operations at the Hellenic Club of Sydney’s Alpha restaurant and Beta Events will be taken over by Con Dedes of Dedes Waterfront Group as Jon Adgemis’ embattled Public Hospitality Group (PHG) makes a swift exit.
PHG took over business activities of the Hellenic Club of Sydney’s Alpha and Beta venues in early January. The Greek Herald first reported that Adgemis’ pub group trumped competitors such as the Dedes Waterfront Group and the Doltone House Group to win the tender to operate the venues.
Adgemis later struck a $400 million refinancing deal with Deutsche Bank, Gemi Investments, Archibald Capital and Muzinich & Co, to save his PHG from collapse.
Despite this, Hellenic Club of Sydney members and the wider Greek community raised concerns to The Greek Heraldabout the future of Alpha and Beta Events, questioning the selection of Adgemis’ PHG over competitors, and expressing unease about the club’s financial stability as well as the potential impact on its activities and reputation.
Jon Adgemis’ Public Hospitality Group has been embattled by debt over the past year. Photo: David Swift.
In welcomed news, the Hellenic Club of Sydney confirmed in a statement on Monday, June 17 that it had mutually agreed with the pub group that PHG would depart as the operators of the Alpha and Beta businesses on Castlereagh Street.
The transition from PHG to the new operators, led by Con Dedes, has started and will continue over the coming weeks. There is no word yet on whether Calombaris will stay on at Alpha.
“On behalf of Kerrie my partner, myself and the team at Dedes Group, we are honoured to have been entrusted with this beautiful asset,” Dedes told The Greek Herald.
Dedes, the experienced operator behind a fleet of successful Sydney restaurants including Flying Fish and Sala in Pyrmont, added that the Hellenic Club of Sydney will retain its distinct Greek character.
“We thank the Hellenic Club for their trust and we shall work hard to continue the wonderful hospitality legacy which the Hellenes are famous for,” he said.
A spokesperson for PHG said they have enjoyed their partnership with the Hellenic Club over the last six months and wished them “every success with the next chapter…”
Social housing has emerged as the biggest winner of the 2024/2025 NSW budget as the NSW Government prepares to make the largest single investment in the state’s history.
NSW Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey highlighted that housing measures were aimed at helping people break into the Sydney housing market as the government shifted its “focus” to building new homes.
NSW Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey. Photo: Sydney Morning Herald.
Mr Moohkey said his “must haves and not nice-to-haves” budget “carefully absorbs” a $11.9 billion hit from a loss in GST revenue, rather than creating “misery” by making cuts to services.
“I don’t think we should be slamming the door on home ownership to the next generation.”
BUDGET 2024/2025:
HEALTH
* $3.4 billion to upgrade hospitals and health facilities, including nearly $1 billion for capital works in regional and rural areas
* $274 million to boost staffing at new and upgraded hospitals
* Nearly $112 million for mental health services, including funds for community teams to work in targeted areas
* $40 million to improve health services for children, including extra pediatric staff.
* $15.1 million for an upgrade to paramedics’ systems to help them find the most suitable emergency departments
* $6.3 million to examine the feasibility of a NSW “health locum agency” to bring down the cost of hiring temporary staff
Dr Ken McCroary from Campbelltown in Sydney is one of many GPs who say their patients are skipping appointments due to cost. Photo: ABC News/Holly Tregenza.
Addressing bulk-billing ‘freefall’
The budget’s second major feature is a $189 million injection into bulk-billing, which the government said will incentivise GPs to bulk-bill patients.
Mr Moohkey said he was acting on a recent survey which found 48 per cent of adults were cutting back on healthcare appointments due to the cost.
EDUCATION
* $3.6 billion for school infrastructure in fast-growing areas, including new primary and high schools at Box Hill in Sydney’s outer northwest
* $1.4 billion for new schools and upgrades in regional NSW across four years
* $1.08 billion for minor works and other upgrades and refurbishments in public schools
* $190 million for urgent repairs on TAFE campuses and a further $16 million to continue fee-free training for apprentices and trainees
* $83.1 million to retain expert TAFE teachers
The 2024-25 NSW State Budget forecasts a four-year deficit. Photo: ABC News.
HOUSING
* $450 million to build apartments for essential workers such as nurses, paramedics, teacher and health care staff
* Nearly $254 million for extra planners and technology to speed up assessment of development applications
* $200 million to buy 120 dwellings and accommodate 500 health workers in regional and rural areas
* $200 million for infrastructure in council areas that meet or beat their shares of state housing targets
* $8.4 million to the Rental Commissioner to target dodgy agents and breaches of rental laws
* Extra income of an expected $1.68 billion over four years due to changes to land tax thresholds for investment properties and businesses
Housing dedicated for domestic violence victim-survivors, essential workers
Mr Moohkey said his new social housing measures would deliver 8,400 new social housing homes, 6,200 of which will be new, which the rest are old social homes that will be knocked down and rebuilt.
TRANSPORT
* $2 billion for the second stage of Parramatta light rail, with construction to start before the next election
* More than $1 billion for roads to the new Western Sydney Airport
* $447 million to extend the life of the Tangara train fleet for another 12 years
* Nearly $140 million for bus upgrades, including on-board equipment and extra electric vehicles for western Sydney routes
REGIONS
* $946 million for biosecurity protection, including funding to control feral pigs, fire ants and Varroa mite
* Nearly $202 million for infrastructure in growing regional communities, including Wagga Wagga, Tweed Shire and Bathurst
LAW AND JUSTICE
* $230 million in emergency domestic violence funding, including money for better victim support and extra court resources
* $22.9 million for upgrades to Waverley and Rose Bay police stations in Sydney
* $14.2 million for NSW Police’s forensic evidence and technical services command
ARTS
* $45.4 million to support artists and live venues through funding to Sound NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner
EMERGENCY SERVICES
* $189.5 million to guarantee 286 existing firefighter jobs
* $15.4 million to buy land for a fire station at Badgerys Creek
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios and his mother have told a court of their anger and fear after a killer pointed a gun at his mother’s head and stole his luxury Tesla car, leaving her terrified to answer her door.
According toThe Daily Telegraph, Norlaila Kyrgios recalled the terror in a victim impact statement, telling the ACT Supreme Court that the masked gunman “shattered my soul, my peace and my perception of the world around me”.
Their statements were read to the court on Monday as the gunman, 33, who is not named for legal reasons, faced a sentence hearing following pleading guilty to charges including aggravated robbery and failing to stop for police.
Norlaila Kyrgios, pictured in 2014 with son Nick’s first tennis racquet. Photo: Gary Ramage.
The robber allegedly stole the $125,000 Tesla Model X from outside of the Kyrgios family home in Canberra’s north, knocking on the door while the tennis star was asleep; he then called out a false name to encourage Norlaila to open the door before threatening her with a shotgun.
In a media release issued by Kyrgios’ lawyer, Pierre Johannessen, Kyrgios said that he hoped the sentence hearing would bring his mother “a small measure of peace”.
“[I hope] the court recognises the anxiety and trauma my family has been through, feeling we can’t be safe in our family home, the place I grew up and where all those great memories now have to exist next to the memory of a gun pointed at my mother’s face,” Kyrgios said.
Acting Justice Rebecca Christensen plans to hand down a sentence in July, by which time the offender will have been remanded in custody for 14 months.
Serbian soccer coach, Ivan Jovanovic is set to take the helm of Greece’s national team after reaching an agreement with the Hellenic Soccer Federation.
According to Ekathimerini, the former coach of Greek powerhouse, Panathinaikos has been without a team since his departure in December. During his time with the “greens,” he guided them to the Greek Cup.
Back in June of 2021, Panathinaikos FC announced the recruitment of coach Ivan Jovanovic, who signed a one year contract with the Club. Photo: pao.gr.
Jovanovic has previously coached Greece’s Niki Volos and Iraklis, Cyprus’ APOEL, the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Al Nasr, and the UAE national team.
The 61-year-old former player was chosen to lead the Greek national team to the World Cup 2026, which will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Apostolos Papastamos started the first finals session of the 2024 European Championships with a top-10 time in the world this year, winning gold in the Men’s 400 individual medley.
The Greek swimmer finished with 4:10.83, winning by nearly a second. That is the ninth-fastest time in the world in 2024, taking Sunday night’s final at the U.S. Olympic Trials into account.
Apostolos Papastamos Smashes World Junior Record in 400 IM With 4:11.93 in Budapest in 2019. Photo: Swimmingworldmagazine.
According to Swimmingworldmagazine, Papastamos was fifth in prelims, the best of the non-Hungarians in the race. Greece’s Daniil Giortzidis came in fourth place.
The 23-year-old Greek swimmer outdid his national record of 4:11.93, which he scored to win the 2019 World Junior Championship.
In what has been described as a “historic moment,” Cyprus and the United States declared on Monday that they will begin strategic dialogue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas, including security and investment.
The development was announced during a meeting in Washington, DC between Cyprus’ Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos and US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
Kombos described it as “a historic moment because the Republic of Cyprus enters a category of states with which the US wants to have an institutionalised dialogue with. A dialogue which is intensive and is geared towards achieving specific results.”
Constantinos Kombos (L) and Antony Blinken. Photo: The Associated Press.
It is through this lens that five decades of Cyprus’ occupation by Turkey should be viewed, he added. “On that, we count on the support of the United States,” Kombos said.
According to Cyprus Mail, the strategic dialogue involves Nicosia and Washington participating in high-level meetings twice a year on issues addressing six pillars: humanitarian crisis management; terrorism and security; energy; trade and investment; education, and cultural matters.
Senior officials from both nations’ foreign ministries are scheduled to meet in Nicosia in September for the first round.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia inaugurated a new independent living facility for seniors in Cairns, North Queensland on Saturday, June 15.
The Estia on Arlington Lifestyle Apartments are an initiative of St John’s Community Care, which is a philanthropic organisation of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA).
Estia on Arlington has 32 independent apartments, with two bedrooms each and common areas. The facility is aimed at ensuring independent living conditions for elderly residents, with the constant care and support of dedicated staff onsite.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia (centre) officially opened Estia on Arlington in Cairns on Saturday. Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
During the official opening of the facility on Saturday, Archbishop Makarios said Estia on Arlington would become a “refuge” where the elderly and those in need “can find comfort, dignity and a sense of belonging.”
“It has been designed not only to meet the physical needs of the residents, but also to cultivate their spiritual, emotional and social well-being,” the Archbishop added.
President of St John’s Community Care, Theo Bacalakis stressed that the organisation is dedicated to providing quality living services to seniors.
Present at the inauguration ceremony was Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis, Archiepiscopal Vicar of Brisbane; Father John Kapetas and Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos, Parish Priests of the Church of Saint John the Baptist; Cr. Rhonda Coghlan, Local Councillor of the City of Cairns, representing Mayor Cr. Amy Eden; members of the Board of Directors of St John’s Community Care; and the staff of the newly established facility.
