Thanasi Kokkinakis edged out compatriot and close friend Alexei Popyrin in five sets in an all-Australian opening-round battle at the 2024 French Open.
After battling for four hours and 24 minutes, Kokkinakis was eventually able to close out a 4-6 7-6(8) 6-3 5-7 6-3 victory against his higher-ranked compatriot.
Kokkinakis, ranked 100 in the world, needed all five sets to take down world No.51 Popyrin, eventually winning the deciding set 6-3 after Popyrin had won the fourth to level the match.
⏰ 4hrs24mins
🇦🇺 Thanasi Kokkinakis 4-6, 7-6(10), 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 def fellow 🇦🇺 Alexei Popyrin in the first round of @rolandgarros 💪
This is Kokkinakis’ third consecutive win in matches which have extended to five sets, improving his career record to six wins from the 11 five-set matches he has played.
Kokkinakis now turns his attention to a second-round clash with world No.148 Giulio Zeppieri.
The Australian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA NSW Inc) marked its 90th anniversary with a splendid luncheon at Novotel Brighton-Le-Sands in Sydney on Sunday, May 26.
The event, attended by distinguished guests and members, was a testament to the organisation’s enduring commitment to education, health, and community service.
Emcee Nia Gitsa opened the event by extending heartfelt thanks to the guests, volunteers, and sponsors. Among the special guests were Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia; High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper MP, representing NSW Premier Chris Minns MP; Member for Hughes, Jenny Ware MP, representing Leader of the Federal Opposition, Peter Dutton MP; Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure MP; as well as presidents and representatives from various Greek and Cypriot organisations.
Official guests in attendance. All photos copyright The Greek Herald.
The official proceedings commenced with Jim Tsolakis performing the National Anthems of both Greece and Australia. Bishop Iakovos offered his blessing and delivered an official address.
This was followed by an address from AHEPA NSW President, Jim Papanagiotou, who reflected on the organisation’s highs and lows over the past nine decades. He highlighted AHEPA’s significant contributions to charity, particularly in education and health, and its efforts to build a strong legacy. Mr Papanagiotou emphasised the importance of unity and the need to acknowledge and forgive past mistakes, expressing his goal for the coming year to regain the respect of the Australian Hellenic community. He also discussed plans to find a new location for members to gather.
The celebration continued with the cutting of the 90th-anniversary cake by the officials, commemorating this significant milestone. During lunch, Ms Gitsa read a message from the Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic responsible for Hellenes Abroad, Georgios Kotsiras.
Mr Sammoutis then expressed his sincere gratitude for being part of the celebration. Following him, Mr Mallikourtis praised AHEPA’s president for openly acknowledging the organisation’s challenges and stressed the importance of unity to continue their community initiatives and charitable work. He congratulated AHEPA for its efforts in preserving the Greek language, specifically through its support of the Macquarie Greek Studies Foundation.
Ioannis Mallikourtis.
Antonis Sammoutis.
Bishop Iakovos.
Nia Gitsa.
Steve Kamper MP.
Jim Papanagiotou.
Jenny Ware.
Mark Coure MP.
Minister Kamper spoke about celebrating past achievements while also focusing on the future to ensure AHEPA remains a “caring, generous, and effective organisation.” He commended AHEPA’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage and its significant fundraising contributions over the past decade, including over $150,000 donated to educational initiatives and large donations to Sydney Children’s Hospital.
Ms Ware underscored AHEPA’s dedication to promoting Greek language and philanthropy. She noted the cultural contributions made by Greeks throughout history and commended AHEPA for its ongoing efforts to preserve these traditions.
The awards segment followed, with several recognitions presented:
AHEPA NSW Inc Service Award: Presented to Melpo Kaimasidou for 40 years of service, awarded by Mr Mallikourtis.
Award for Contributions to Australian Hellenism in Media and Communications: Presented to The Greek Herald, accepted by Publisher Dimitra Skalkos, and awarded by Mr Sammoutis and Mr Papanagiotou.
Award for Contributions to Australian Hellenism in Culture: Awarded to Vasilis Vasilas for his work documenting migrant stories through film and photography.
Ahepan of the Year: Awarded to Dr Panayiotis Diamadis for his long-term dedication since 1991, presented by Bishop Iakovos and Mr Papanagiotou.
Special Honour: Given to former President John Kallimanis for his service and reforms during his presidency, including the ‘Teaching Hellenic via Tablets’ project. The award was presented by Minister Kamper and Mr Papanagiotou.
Award winners. All photos copyright The Greek Herald.
Mr Coure concluded the formal presentations by congratulating all award recipients and thanking AHEPA for their ongoing support of both the Greek and New South Wales communities over the past 90 years.
The event continued with a performance by the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney dancers. AHEPA presented two handmade traditional costumes to the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, which were modelled by Christopher Lambropoulos and Ioanna Diamadis.
The costumes were presented by AHEPA Events Committee Chair, Effie Kallimanis, and Mr Papanagiotou, and accepted by President of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, Liana Vertzayias, and committee members.
The celebration concluded with raffle prizes, live music, and an afternoon of dancing, encapsulating the spirit and dedication of AHEPA NSW Inc as it embarks on its next chapter.
On May 26, the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia’s (GOCSA) new initiative known as “Neoléa” held their inaugural event alongside the Pan-Ikarian Brotherhood of SA. The event, held over two and a half hours, transported participants to the beautiful island of Ikaria through a guided culinary experience of the art of traditional Ikarian cooking.
The event was inspired by the traditional cookbook of Irini Germanos, a trailblazing woman who left an undeniable impact on the Australian cultural and culinary scene, paving the way through her restaurants and media presence to champion authentic Greek food.
Irini’s cookbook titled “A Taste of Greek Life & Cooking” contains traditional recipes inspired by the Ikarian identity.
Cookbook of Irini Germanos – Inspiring the event. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Peter Tantalos
The Honourable Chris Kourakis (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of SA) and Tina Germanos (Founder of Kitchenhand, a food company inspired by Ikarian diets promoting longevity and fulfilment) were the culinary guides for the event, sharing and demonstrating two recipes from Irini’s cookbook.
Neoléa: A new intergenerational initiative
Neoléa (being the Greek word for ‘Youth’) is an initiative dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and connecting the next generation of Greek Australians to each other and to their cultural heritage.
Chair of the Neoléa Committee, Anastasia Mavrides, welcomed everyone and explained that Neoléa was born “out of this innate desire to connect with our cultural identity and heritage in a more authentic way and explore what it means to not only be Greek but Greek Australian.”
“[Our] aim is to contribute to build a vibrant future that honours the legacy of our ancestors.”
Anastasia Mavrides (Chair of Neoléa) launching the Neoléa initiative
Neoléa will be a source for the GOCSA to establish new youth initiatives, promote intergenerational dialogue, encourage language preservation, and forge meaningful community connections.
The Syllogo Initiative: Preserving cultural heritage
As part of Neoléa’s journey, Anastasia introduced their first project, “The Syllogo Initiative.”
The purpose of The Syllogo Initiative is to support local Greek clubs and associations by showcasing their unique region and celebrating the people who are part of that legacy.
Their stated aims through this initiative is to, through a series of collaborative events, “preserve and share cultural knowledge to connect and engage future generations.”
Anastasia explained that, “Syllogoi played a significant role in the early years of migration and helped shape a multicultural Australia. They were traditionally established by migrants to provide a home away from home. Syllogoi were a place for new arrivals, with shared heritage and values, to connect and socialise – a space where they could embrace a sense of community and belonging.”
Anastasia Mavrides (Chair of Neoléa)Dr Yianni Cartledge (PhD Graduate)
Dr Yianni Cartledge, recent PhD graduate, discussed the deep-rooted history of the Pan-Ikarian brotherhood and the Ikarian community in SA.
“The Pan-Ikarian Brotherhood of Australia was incorporated in 1958… with 35 attendees… Since then, it has been the most consistently active Greek diaspora communities in SA…” he explained.
“Earliest recorded Ikarian in South Australian arrived and settled in Port Pirie in 1910, beginning a chain of migration of Ikarians to Port Pirie in the 1910’s and 20’s…
“By the end of WWII, over 250 Ikarians had migrated to Australia, nearly 200 of those were settled in SA. Since the mass migration after the war and due to the Greek Civil War, this led to numbers necessary to establish the Ikarian Bortherhood.”
A Taste of Ikaria: Hands-on cooking demonstration
Following the formal launch, participants gathered their cooking supplies and the demonstration began. The first recipe demonstrated was Krousta, a traditional homemade pastry known for its thin and delicate texture. Mr Kourakis and Ms Germanos began by introducing the history and significance of Krousta and Hortopita (green leaf pie) in Ikarian culture.
They emphasised the importance of using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which are central to the authenticity and flavour of these traditional dishes, and not leaving any part of vegetable to waste. Mr Kourakis and Ms Germanos explained the significance of each step, and visited participants tables to ensure each table was achieving the right pasty consistency.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Peter Tantalos
Attendees were guided along by Mr Kourakis and Ms Germanos, following their processes of kneading, mixing and rolling their own Krousta. Once everyone had their own Krousta to take home, Mr Kourakis and Ms Germanos prepared the stuffing mixture, filling the room with enticing aroma’s, transporting everyone to the kitchens of Ikaria.
To conclude the event, Mr Kourakis and Ms Germanos were joined on a Q&A panel by the President of the Pan-Ikarian Brotherhood of SA, George Gronthos, moderated by Neoléa. During this panel discussion, Hortopita was served to all attendees to sample the finished product as envisaged by Irini’s recipie. The discussion focused on the history of the Ikarian community, the journey of the community to present day and strategies of how the Neoléa of SA can ensure the culture is maintained for generations to come.
Panel discussion with Chief Justice Kourakis, Tina Germanos and President of Pan-Ikarian Brotherhood George Gronthos
As attendees left, they carried with them not only the recipes and techniques for Krousta and Hortopita Ikarias, but also a renewed sense of optimism for the future of Hellenic culture in SA. The event was more than just a cooking demonstration; it was a celebration of community, and the timeless traditions of Ikaria – demonstrating the power of food in bringing people together and preserving cultural traditions.
*The Neoléa committee consists of Anastasia Mavrides (Chair), Mikayla Bolkus, Chloe Kourakis, George Foumakis, Chloe Katopodis and Sophia Zavlagka.
St George College in Adelaide, South Australia officially opened its new Kalimera Cafe on Friday, May 24.
The Kalimera Cafe is set to become the new heart of the College with students, staff and families all congregating there, sharing great food and enjoying good times together.
The cafe offers a selection of healthier food options prepared by an in-house chef, promoting better dietary choices to students. It will also serve as a venue for hosting before and after school events.
The space was blessed on Friday by Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Father Patsouris and Father John. Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP also joined the school community for the official unveiling, along with Russell Eley and Jane Pike, Executive Officer of the Block Grant Authority.
Steve Georganas MP
Zoi Papafilopoulos, representing the City of West Torrens Lord Mayor Michael Coxon, was also present, as well as several St George College Board members.
Following the formalities, official guests enjoyed a morning tea, prepared and presented by the College’s Hospitality students.
The Greek Parents Committee and Unley High School (UHS) Greek language program have looked into ways it can incentivise Greek language learning with a focus on creating authentic, real-world learning experiences and connection with community.
They were recently able to deliver in this area by offering an interstate trip to Melbourne involving 12 students from the Year 10/11/12 Modern Greek Language class accompanied by Greek language teacher Lazaros Gialamas and Mrs Esia Thring from Friday May 17 – Sunday May 19.
The purpose of the trip was cultural immersion and connection with other Greek speaking communities. Melbourne is unique in that it has the largest Greek speaking community outside of Greece and Cyprus with a range of opportunities for students to engage in experiences that deepen their knowledge of Hellenism and the Greek speaking communities of Australia.
The school’s initial attempt at organising the trip in time for the Antipodes festival (largest Greek cultural festival abroad) fell under time constraints. However, we were able to still deliver a hugely successful trip that took full advantage of the many organisations and initiatives on offer with the help of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), its Language Schools, Oakleigh Grammar and The Hellenic Museum.
With their help, the Greek Parents Committee at Unley High School were able to put together a program whereby students explored Oakleigh on Day 1; a suburban area known unofficially as Australia’s ‘Little Athens,’ with its Greek restaurants, cafe’s Greek-made smallgoods, and homewares stores. Students also visited the local Greek Orthodox college Oakleigh Grammar and were given a guided tour by the Hellenic Culture and LOTE leader Natasha Spanos, providing explanation of its role in the Greek community and languages overall.
Day 2 saw students welcomed by the GCM’s Language School at the CBD campus and greeted by Director Maria Bakalidou. During this visit, students were given a guided tour by Ms Bakalidou, before they participated in an interactive lesson with Year 9 Greek students from Melbourne, engaging in acquaintance activities, discussions about the Greek language and identity, and Greek traditional dances. The visit left a positive impression on everyone, concluding with the GCM providing small gifts for UHS staff and students and an exchange of promises to continue communication and explore possibilities for further cooperation between UHS and the GCM.
Day 2 continued with the group accompanied by Dr Spiridoula Demetriou, one of the individuals responsible for the curation of the Lord Byron exhibit, on show at the Hellenic Museum. Students learnt about the importance of Philhellenism; the motivation and influence of non-Greek individuals who supported the idea of an independent Greece during the revolution. This allowed non-Greek background students on the excursion to identify with and reflect on their interest in Greek language and culture.
The Greek Parents Committee’s liaising with The Hellenic Museum coincidently opened a dialogue between UHS and old scholar Evelyn Darzanos, who organised a guided tour for the school. This would take students on a chronological, Greek historical journey that spanned the Bronze, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman-Byzantine and Modern Ages with a range of amazing artefacts on loan from the Benaki Museum in Athens piquing student interest for further study. On Day 3, the group made its way back to Adelaide.
The Greek Parents Committee’s hosting of events is a vital part of raising funds to provide opportunities that enhance the Greek language and cultural learning at UHS. Their sponsorship of the trip made it a viable exercise affordable for parents and students.
The GPC and the Greek language program at UHS hope to make this a sustainable experience offered annually to Greek language students, by providing sponsorship and seeking sponsors for future iterations.
“Finding real-world opportunities for students is becoming more difficult as we can no longer assume Greek is spoken in homes of the diaspora. When we consider non-background students also, providing exciting opportunities to practice language becomes very important in encouraging students to continue studying them beyond years of compulsion,” Greek language teacher Lazaros Gialamas said after the trip.
Student Dionysia Bourboulis said it was inspiring to experience the “thriving Greek community in Melbourne.”
“The trip has reinforced my own appreciation of my Greek roots and I feel motivated to continue to share my heritage here in Adelaide. Despite being across the other side of the world, the Greek community of Melbourne has succeeded in creating a little piece of Greece for us to feel closer to home,” Dionysia said.
As a former Victorian Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services and with over 30 years of experience in public service and the law, Ms Mikakos brings a wealth of expertise to Optometry Australia.
During her tenure, she was responsible for managing multiple portfolios spanning three major government Departments. She also spearheaded significant public policy reforms and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children, families and communities.
The Optometry Australia board (L-R): Rami Aziz, Lee Baumwol, Theo Charalambous,
Margaret Lam, Jenny Mikakos, Shuvagata Bose, Albert Lee, Kevin Sun.
In a press release, Optometry Australia said Ms Mikakos’ dedication to achieving equal access and opportunity for all aligns greatly with the organisation’s mission.
“Her proven ability to drive meaningful change and enhance community wellbeing, as well as her knowledge of policy development, healthcare and advocacy, will be instrumental in guiding Optometry Australia’s efforts to advance eye care reform and improve the eye health of all Australians,” the press release stated.
President Margaret Lam said, “We are excited to welcome Jenny to our board. Optometry Australia will benefit greatly from her dedication and experience in health and public service, which are invaluable assets to our organisation.”
The couple have previously played mixed doubles in two exhibition matches – at the 2023 World Tennis League and this year’s Eisenhower Cup, where they finished as runners-up.
During a visit to Sydney over the weekend, the Turkish Cypriot leader of the illegitimate “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC), Ersin Tatar reiterated his stance on the necessity of a two-state solution to the Cyprus issue.
Tatar spoke at the opening of a festival marking the 80th anniversary of the Turkish Cypriot presence in Australia.
Referring to the failure of the last federal solution attempt in Crans-Montana in July 2017, Tatar said, “The primary reason for the failure to achieve a solution based on equality for over 50 years is the inequality itself. The internationally recognised Greek Cypriot side does not want to share the administration and resources of the island with the Turkish Cypriots.”
He also expressed his pride in the cultural and traditional preservation efforts by the Turkish Cypriots in Australia.
He said the aim of his visit was to meet and embrace “our wonderful and resilient people who have settled here since the 1940s.”
So far, Tatar has not had any official meetings with politicians or government representatives.
Tatar’s arrival comes amid tensions with the Cypriot Australian community.
Since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus fell to the Turkish military. The north unilaterally declared its independence on 15 November 1983 under the name of the TRNC.
Tatar calls himself the “President” of the TRNC – a territory that is not recognised by any country except Turkey.
The SEKA Victoria Committee has written a letter to the Victorian Government requesting that they ignore the visit of Turkish-Cypriot politician, Ersin Tatar.
In the letter, President of SEKA Victoria Pavlos Andronikos said it would be “totally inappropriate for any Victorian Minister or Government official to meet with Tatar,” and explained that Greek and Cypriot Australians were distressed by his visit.
“We believe that the purpose of Tatar’s visit is to push for recognition of the illegal “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”,” Mr Andronikos said.
The letter concluded by calling on the Victorian Premier to issue a statement making it clear the state government will not engage with Tatar during their visit, and to show their support for the Federal Government’s position on the TRNC.
The unveiling of the Greek-Australian Memorial in the Northern Suburbs of Victoria took place on Sunday, May 26, dedicated to the Battle of Crete and the ANZACs. The ceremony, held at the Parish of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Thomastown, was attended by a delegation from the Armed Forces of Greece and numerous dignitaries.
The day began with a Memorial Service at the Church, led by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta. The service honoured the souls of those who fell during the Battle of Crete, marking the solemn beginning of the event.
Following the service, attendees gathered in the church forecourt for the official unveiling of the Memorial. This memorial, featuring a marble plaque dedicated to the ANZACs, is part of the 83rd Anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Crete.
The unveiling was held in the presence of Vice-Admiral Christos Sasiakos, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the National Defence of Greece; Captain Pavlos Angelopoulos; Lieutenant Commander Stylianos Mitsiotis; Military Attaché of Greece in Canberra, Colonel Ioannis Fasianos; Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis; President of the World Council of Cretans, Nikolaos Markogiannakis; President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Emmanuel Mountakis; and representatives of Cretan associations and the Cretan Youth.
At the conclusion to the ceremony, the chanter of the Parish recited the Ode for the Fallen. Students from Saint John College and Oakleigh Grammar, as well as from the Aetolian College, sang the national anthems of Greece and Australia.
The unveiling of the Memorial was a moving tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in the Battle of Crete and served in the ANZAC forces, strengthening the bonds between Greece and Australia.
Greece’s Personal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) on Monday imposed a 400,000-euro fine on the Ministry of Interior and a 40,000-euro fine on New Democracy MEP Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou for their respective roles in violating data protection regulations.
PDPA said a file of about 25,000 voters registered for the June 2023 elections was leaked between 8 and 23 June 2023. The list, which included voter emails, was sent to New Democracy’s then Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Nikos Theodoropoulos, by an unknown individual. Theodoropoulos forwarded the file to Asimakopoulou on January 20, 2024, who used it to send mass campaign emails.
The authority said it has postponed its verdict on Theodoropoulos and New Democracy to examine new claims submitted by the former on who gave him the list.
Following the revelation of “email gate” in March, the general secretary of the Interior Ministry, Michalis Stavrianoudakis, resigned, Theodoropoulos was dismissed by New Democracy and Asimakopoulou announced that she would not be running in the European Parliament elections.
The Conservative MEP is facing 75 lawsuits by citizens and the Interior Ministry more than 200 lawsuits since the “email gate” scandal broke.
The Ministry of Interior said that it will “thoroughly study” the PDPA’s decision to consider further legal actions.
