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More ancient sites closed as historic heatwave persists in Greece

The Greek Herald
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More ancient sites closed as historic heatwave persists in Greece

Greece closed more ancient tourist sites in Athens on Thursday as the country’s earliest recorded heatwave persisted for a third day.

The Greek Culture Ministry closed the Acropolis, including the nearby Ancient Agora and Kerameikos Cemetery, from 12pm until 5pm on Thursday as temperatures reached 43 degree Celsius. The Acropolis was also closed on Wednesday.

Many primary schools and nurseries across the country also remained closed on Thursday.

acropolis greece heatwave
A woman takes a selfie in front of Parthenon temple atop of the ancient Acropolis hill during the July 2023 heat wave in Athens, Greece. Photo: AAP via AP/Petros Giannakouris.

Firefighters who put out several wildfires on Wednesday remained on high alert as strong winds were expected to hit several parts of the country.

This comes as Greece experiences its first heatwave of the year. The state TV meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos noted this is the earliest heatwave in Greece’s recorded history.

The heat is expected to recede on Saturday.

Source: Reuters.

Greek singer Pitsa Papadopoulou surprises elderly residents at St Basils Lakemba

The Greek Herald
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Greek singer Pitsa Papadopoulou surprises elderly residents at St Basils Lakemba

Greek singing legend Pitsa Papadopoulou gave a special performance to elderly residents at St Basils’ aged care home in Lakemba, Sydney on Monday, June 11.

Pitsa was joined by Spyros Siolos and her band for the performance which included a series of traditional Greek songs from all over Greece.

The performance had the elderly singing along and enjoying some impromptu Greek dancing.

On the day, Pitsa was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by St Basils NSW & ACT Lakemba’s CEO Diana Horvatovic in appreciation of her visit.

READ MORE: St Basil’s NSW/ACT chief addresses concerns over closure of Kensington aged care home

Upgrades complete for Greek Macedonian Association Clubroom in Western Australia

The Greek Herald
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Upgrades complete for Greek Macedonian Association Clubroom in Western Australia

The Australian Government has partnered with local governments across Western Australia to get high-priority community infrastructure off the ground – with construction of the Greek Macedonian Association Clubroom Amenities Upgrade in the City of Stirling now complete.

The $420,000 project delivered upgraded toilets and car parking – supported by $100,000 from the Australian Government under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and $320,000 from the City of Stirling.

Existing toilets were renewed as part of the upgrade, delivering new water-efficient fixtures, new energy-efficient LED lighting, a new efficient hot water unit, and new wall, floor and ceiling finishes.

A new universally accessible toilet (UAT) was added and a new cleaners’ store, with access to all facilities provided from a new corridor.

The project also delivered a universally accessible toilet and an accessibility-compliant car bay in the car park.

In addition, minor paving works have ensured safer access to the front and rear doors by removing the step at each entry and ensured compliance with current standards.

The building’s electrical distribution board was replaced and rewired to bring it up to current standards.

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon Kristy McBain MP, said “this project is a great example of the Australian Government working in partnership to deliver the community infrastructure Western Australians deserve, supporting inclusive participation in local sport.”

Federal Member for Perth, the Hon Patrick Gorman MP, said “these fabulous new facilities are a winner for the Greek Macedonian Association, and for our entire community.”

City of Stirling Mayor, Mark Irwin, said “these upgrades provide a place for the members to stay socially connected with one another, with the facility also used by other multicultural groups to host significant events and cultural ceremonies.”

Bill Papas spotted relaxing in Greece as judgement day looms on fraud case

The Greek Herald
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Bill Papas spotted relaxing in Greece as judgement day looms on fraud case

Alleged fraudster Bill Papas has been spotted relaxing in Greece just days before an Australian court set a judgement date for his $500 million Forum Finance alleged fraud case.

Papas has been overseas since June 2021 after he fled Australia for Greece after Westpac discovered an allegedly massive fraud perpetrated on the bank through allegedly fake asset financing agreements.

Westpac claims that Papas’ Forum Group orchestrated a fraudulent lease scheme, resulting in the bank, Societe Generale, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation handing over $500 million for printers, office equipment, and waste digester machines that allegedly didn’t exist.

The alleged scheme went undetected for years because Forum consistently made lease payments, only coming to light after a customer inquired about their loan headroom with Westpac.

Papas allegedly sketched out the fraud in a notebook, which was seized during a raid on Forum’s office by lawyers. He also allegedly used some of the money from the Forum fraud to purchase luxury properties in Greece and a Superleague 2 team Xanthi FC.

Bill Papas (President Xanthi FC), Tony Popovic and Damon Hanlin (former Board Member Xanthi FC).

On Wednesday, the Federal Court of Australia confirmed it would deliver judgement on the Forum Finance case in October 2024, about 20 months after hearings finished.

A court spokesman said the delays in delivering a judgement on the case were due to Justice Elizabeth Cheeseman sustaining serious injuries in a car crash shortly after arguments concluded in February last year.

Throughout the whole fraud case, Papas has remained overseas and is currently enjoying a Greek summer – as evident from pictures obtained by The Greek Herald.

Bill Papas in Greece
Bill Papas has been spotted relaxing on a beach in Greece. Photo copyright The Greek Herald.

The outcome of the case could set in motion further efforts to recover funds from companies in the Forum Group or associated with figures within the business.

NSW Police have also held an open file on the alleged fraud, with the fraud squad awaiting the outcome of Justice Cheeseman’s judgement.

Source: The Australian

South Melbourne qualify for Australia Cup Round of 32

The Greek Herald
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South Melbourne qualify for Australia Cup Round of 32

By Bill Roumeliotis

After Heidelberg United, South Melbourne FC has become the second Greek team to qualify for the round of 32 of the Australia Cup.

On Wednesday, June 12 at Lakeside Stadium and in the context of the last qualifying round in the Victoria group, South Melbourne defeated St Albans Dinamo FC 1-0.

Nahuel Bonada scored the “golden” goal for South Melbourne in the 49th minute with a high-hanging shot. Esteban Quintas’ side could have scored more goals if they had been more clear-headed in crucial phases.

In the end, South Melbourne returned to the Australia Cup Round of 32 for the first time in three years, while also qualifying for the semi-final of Victoria’s Dockerty Cup.

Marconi Stallions crushed by clinical Sydney Olympic

The Greek Herald
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Marconi Stallions crushed by clinical Sydney Olympic

The Marconi Stallions were thwarted by a clinical Sydney Olympic side at Marconi Stadium on Wednesday, June 12.

There were two goals in each stanza, with Abraham Majok and Roy O’Donovan netting goals before the half-time whistle, followed by Adam Parkhouse and Jack Simmons in the second half, seeing the visitors secure a deserved three points from the match.

On a cold Wednesday night at The Palace fans braved the elements to watch two NSL giants come face-to-face in Round 19 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.

There was action from the onset as a chance came in the 7th minute through James Temelkovski, but his effort couldn’t meet the target.

Fans didn’t have to wait long for a goal, with the visitors opening the scoring in the 12th minute of the match.

The goal came as O’Donovan made a forward run and passed to an open Majok, who confidently slid the ball into the bottom corner.

The hosts looked poised to retaliate in the 20th minute as Temelkovski worked his way into a great position, but when he couldn’t find the space to get a shot off, passing the ball to Franco Maya whose effort flew left of the target.

Marconi earned a free kick in the 27th minute after Jackson Bandiera brought down Maya on the edge of the box, however the hosts weren’t able to capitalise on the opportunity.

A free kick in the 39th minute saw Marconi come close again but the impressive effort by Maya was kept out by Sydney Olympic ‘keeper Noah James.

Sydney Olympic doubled their advantage in clinical fashion just before the half-time break, this time through veteran Roy O’Donovan.

A poor touch from Temelkovski saw the ball come straight to the feet of O’Donovan, who showcased his experience by calmly sending the ball into the back of the net, giving his team a valuable advantage at half-time.

O’Donovan came close to making an early impact in the second half; however his effort was kept out by Marconi custodian James Hilton.

Domenic Costanzo came agonisingly close for the Stallions in the 50th minute, but his impressive effort was tipped over the crossbar by James.

Nathan Millgate hit the back of the next in the 63rd minute through a header, but for the second match in a row his goal wasn’t awarded due to a foul in the area.

Frustration mounted through the next stage of play as the game became more physical, but it was calm confidence that saw the visitors extend their lead further.

Oliver Puflett sent a ball overhead to Parkhouse, who slid the ball past Hilton to secure a third for Olympic in the 77th minute.

Moments later Olympic took their lead even further, this time through Simmons.

Puflett again set up a great opportunity for his side and Simmons took a touch before clinically finishing to secure a fourth goal in the 78th minute.

Although Marconi injected some fresh legs to the field, they weren’t able to make an impact on Olympic’s controlling, leaving the visitors and their travelling fans with a resounding victory and three points at the full-time whistle.

Source: By Madeline Riley, Football NSW.

Remains of the late Archbishop Stylianos of Australia’s father identified years after Nazi execution

The Greek Herald
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Remains of the late Archbishop Stylianos of Australia’s father identified years after Nazi execution

For the first time in Greece’s history, DNA analysis was performed on victims of Nazi executions during World War II and among those remains identified was the father of the late Greek Orthodox Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis of Australia.

The father of Archbishop Stylianos was among 18 victims identified from a Nazi massacre that took place at a little town on the Greek island of Crete called Adele. Other victims included four relatives of the Alexandrakis family.

The late Archbishop Stylianos’ father’s name is on the list of victims recently identified (last name inscribed).

18 males ranging from age 67 to 16, were rounded up by Nazi forces in the town of Adele on June 2, 1941, marched to a secluded area amongst the olive groves, ordered to start digging, were shot on site, and buried in a mass grave. Their remains were found two weeks later and moved to another grave. In 1960, the remains were exhumed but they could not be individually identified until today.

The identification effort led and sponsored by the Alexandrakis family, is a collaboration between Dr George Alexandrakis, the University of Crete, and the Foundation of Technology and Research [HTE]. The effort not only hopes to bring closure to an 83 year old wound, but to also create awareness of many forgotten injustices that have taken place, not only in Greece, but worldwide.

Memorial at execution site
Memorial at execution site.

“I’ve been working on a family project for several years now, and hoped that one part of the project would be matching the massacre remains to surviving family members through DNA analysis, but the whole process was beyond me. Two years later my father had the idea to make it happen, and here we are,” two-time Grammy-nominated musician Eric Alexandrakis said.

Eric Alexandrakis holding one of the bullets found in one of the skulls
Eric Alexandrakis holding one of the bullets found in one of the skulls.

“It’s been an interesting journey watching the progress, holding the bullets, watching my father unknowingly looking at his grandfather’s wallet and the money in it, and even helping one of the scientists handle the remains.”

On leading, and sponsoring this effort, Dr Alexandrakis said: “Our most sacred oath in Crete is taken on the bonds of our ancestors. I object fundamentally to the inhumanity of mass executions, an act which denies people their identity.”

Prespa Agreement signatories call on North Macedonia to respect deal

The Greek Herald
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Prespa Agreement signatories call on North Macedonia to respect deal

The former prime ministers of Greece and North Macedonia, Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev, have called on the leadership in North Macedonia to respect the terms of the Prespa Agreement

Tsipras and Zaev were the signatories to the landmark agreement in 2018.

In a joint opinion piece on the Euractiv website, Tsipras and Zaev called on the European Union and the international community to take a stance against recent provocative statements made by the new leadership of North Macedonia which violated “the letter and spirit of Prespa.”

North Macedonia's new President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova
North Macedonia’s new President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, violated the Prespa Agreement earlier this year. Photo: Robert Atanasovskis/AFP via Getty Images.

They were referring to repeated violations of the Prespa Agreement by the newly elected president, Gordana Siljanovska, and prime minister of the Balkan country, Hristijan Mickoski, who insist on referring to it as “Macedonia” and not by its constitutional name of “North Macedonia.” Mickoski has not formed a government yet and is expected to do so next week.

“The EU and the international community must make it clear that respect of the agreement is the only path to further democratic integration, to European accession and pre-accession support,” they wrote.

The former leaders also warned that any violation of the deal will lead to “an existential challenge not only for North Macedonia’s European future, but for its future as a whole.”

Source: Ekathimerini.

Acropolis closed as Greece hit by earliest heatwave on record

The Greek Herald
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Acropolis closed as Greece hit by earliest heatwave on record

Greece closed its most popular tourist site, the Acropolis, on Wednesday as the country experiences its earliest heatwave on record.

The UNESCO-listed archaeological site in Athens closed from 12pm to 5pm on Wednesday, as temperatures reached 43 degrees Celsius.

Schools were also closed in several regions of the country on Wednesday and will remain closed on Thursday. The labour ministry advised public-sector employees to work from home, and ordered a pause from midday to 5pm for outdoor work, including food delivery, to Thursday.

The Acropolis was forced to close in July last year during a two-week heatwave that was unprecedented in its duration.

These measures come as Greece experiences its first heatwave of the year. The state TV meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos noted this is the earliest heatwave in Greece’s recorded history.

“In the 20th century we never had a heatwave before 19 June. We have had several in the 21st century, but none before 15 June,” Giannopoulos said.

The climate crisis and civil protection ministry has warned of a very high risk of fires in the Attica region around Athens.

Source: The Guardian.

Emmanuel Karalis secures silver medal at European Athletics Championship

The Greek Herald
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Emmanuel Karalis secures silver medal at European Athletics Championship

Emmanuel Karalis secured the silver medal in the pole vault final held on the last day of the European Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy.

The 24-year-old champion performed amazingly and achieved a personal record with 5.87m.

Karalis finished behind the unbeaten Armand Duplantis who set a Games record of 6.10m. The bronze medal went to Turkey’s Ersu Sasma with 5.82m. 

Karalis’ victory means Greece has finished the European Athletics Championships with three medals this year after Katerina Stefanidis won the silver medal in pole vault and Miltos Tentoglou secured the gold medal in long jump.

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