New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley was presented with the Order of the Philochrist by Archbishop Makarios of Australia on Sunday, May 5.
Ms Beazley was presented with the star during the Vespers of Love service held at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Redfern, Sydney.
The Vespers was presided over by Archbishop Makarios, alongside Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevastia, Bishops Iakovos of Militoupolis and Christodoulos of Magnesia, and other clergy from Sydney. The service was also attended by the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis.
NSW Governor Margaret Beazley. Photo: The Australian.
During the Vespers, the resurrection message of the Gospel (John 20:19-25) was read out in various languages.
When presenting the Order of the Philochrist to Ms Beazley, Archbishop Makarios stressed that the NSW Governor has “been a steadfast friend and a passionate supporter of the Greek Orthodox community.”
“Your presence here today exemplifies the mutual respect that defines our multicultural society and the spirit of unity that you tirelessly promote,” the Archbishop said.
In response, Ms Beazley, who was accompanied by her husband Denis Wilson, expressed her gratitude for the honour, as well as her deep appreciation for the Greek diaspora and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria CEO, Chris Potaris, has stepped down from the role.
“I’ve decided to leave COTA Victoria after a successful period of revitalisation, unparalleled organisational change, and focus,” Mr Potaris said.
“I’ve handpicked a talented senior management team who work with dedicated social workers, advocates, and lawyers to produce outcomes benefitting older Victorians throughout this state.
“I’m proud to have achieved a financial surplus during my tenure, alongside four years of confirmed funding from government and philanthropic bodies. This is all underpinned by a comprehensive strategic plan that will steer the organisation for years to come.”
Photo: Matthias Zomer / Pexels.com
President of COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria, Robert Caulfield said that in just two years, Mr Potaris had created profound change within the organisation.
“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Chris for his focus, dedication, and leadership. He leaves COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria in a strong and stable position as the peak body representing the interests and rights of older Victorians,” Mr Caulfield said.
COTA has announced the interim appointment of Ben Rogers as CEO, while the search for a permanent replacement begins.
Mr Potaris stood down as CEO effective 3 May 2024.
The venue and the teams were a blast from the past in what was a grand opening day for Football NSW, Bayside Council and St George FC. Barton Park celebrated in style with festivities as it hosted its first ever game since the once historic St George Stadium was demolished. And amongst the festivities there was a great game of football that ended with St George FC defeating Olympic by 2-1 after the visitors took the lead towards the end of the first half through Michael Vakis before St George struck back in the second half with a Peter Grozos penalty and a late Evangelo Souris winner.
The encounter was truly fitting of the occasion between two teams that have written their own pages in the history of Australian football – St George FC back at the spiritual home and Sydney Olympic also in many ways home, as the old St George Stadium was once their venue too.
Barton Park opening. Photo: Nielsen Images
The first salvo of the game arrived in the 9th minute when a Zac Zoricich cross reached George Antonis on the far side who fired from just outside the box, but the home side’s defence was able to clear the danger.
Some sloppy play by St George FC ‘keeper Andrew Di Blasio a minute later almost gifted Roy O’Donovan a goal but the Irish striker was unable to find the back of the net from an acute angle and his attempt drifted narrowly over the crossbar.
In the 22nd minute St George FC’s Harry Jones almost had the home side on the board when his pinpoint accurate cross from the right nearly reached a lurking Troy Danaskos on the far side, but defender William Mutch’s slight defection was just enough to thwart the St George FC captain.
The Frank Arok Grandstand came close to erupting on the half-hour mark when a diagonal shot by Conor Quilligan went narrowly wide of the intended target.
In the 34th minute St George FC went ever so close again. A Grozos free-kick from the right reached Quilligan in the box who met the ball with a delightful header that went only a fraction over the crossbar, as the Sydney Olympic defence breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Just prior to the break in the 42nd minute however, Sydney Olympic took the lead when Vakis found the bottom right hand corner of the net. It was a beautiful long ball from the left by George Timotheou that was able to find Vakis who did some delightful work on the right to beat the St George FC defenders before majestically slotting the ball home.
It was a celebration on all fronts as St George Saints defeated former NSL rivals Sydney Olympic 2-1. Photo copyright The Greek Herald / Takis Triadafillou.
It was a great goal to suit a great occasion shortly before experienced former A-League referee Kurt Ams blew the halftime whistle to give both sides a welcome reprieve.
The second stanza of play opened with an Adam Parkhouse shot from an acute angle that sailed across the entire face of goal but narrowly wide in the 47th minute, as Olympic looked to double their lead early on.
A few minutes later St George FC replied with a long range shot from Grozos that in reality wasn’t too far off target.
The home side did manage to equalise in the 59th minute through a Grozos penalty. It was awarded when Grozos himself was sandwiched between Mutch and Sammy McIllhatton in the box and referee Ams who was right there awarded the spot kick from which he made no mistake.
Both sides had a good chance then in the 65th minute. Nicholas Kalogerou fired from just outside the box for St George FC but it was just wide as Olympic immediately went up the other end of the park before McIllhatton too put his attempt just wide of the target.
Sydney Olympic put more pressure on St George FC in the 75th minute. A Parkhouse cross found Abraham Majok at the far post who headed down to Oliver Puflett in a nice bit of combination work, but the latter’s attempt was just wide of the mark.
St George FC then broke Sydney Olympic’s heart in the 86th minute through an Evangelo Souris goal. A cross from Troy Danaskos on the left reached Souris who volleyed home by simply jumping high enough to meet the ball before.
The final chance of the encounter belonged to Zoricich and his rocket in the 88th minute was probably the best attempt of the night, but it finished just over the crossbar as Olympic desperately tried to find the equaliser.
After the game the coach of St George FC Jane Talcevksi was justifiably very pleased with his side and the win.
“It was a cagey first half where both teams had chances,” he said.
“They got a goal on the break towards the end of the first half but we knew that if we played the way we know, then it would be okay for us in the second half.
“With have a lot of players and staff who are connected to St George FC so for them to come in, christen the ground and then take the win was fantastic. The spirit of St George may have pushed us along in the second half.”
His counterpart at Sydney Olympic Labinot Haliti was left to rue the missed chances by his side.
“When you don’t score after creating so many chances, there is always a chance of conceding,” he stated.
“Obviously their first one was a penalty but we still had chances after that goal. We had clear-cut chances that needed to be taken to win the game and it’s as simple as that in the end.”
Former Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has terminated his $1 million Brydens Lawyers sponsorship for the NRL club.
According to Fox Sports, Hagipantelis delivered the news in a scathing two-page letter to the club.
The pulled sponsorship comes after Hagipantelis was unexpectedly dismissed in December 2023 as West Tigers Chairman, which he held for four years, following a shocking internal review.
His exit cast doubt over the future of the Tigers’ relationship with major sponsor Brydens Lawyers given Hagipantelis is the firm’s principal.
“…I find it most distasteful to contemplate the continuation of a relationship with Wests Tigers while these persons remain involved,” Hagipantelis wrote in his letter.
“I wish Wests Tigers every success in the future. I will continue to wholeheartedly support Benji, the Football Department, the players, and the staff.”
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has released a statement today condemning the release of the jailed leader and founder of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party, Nikos Mihaloliakos.
The Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria adds its voice to those who have expressed disagreement and concern regarding the release of Nikolaos Michaloliakos from prison. Michaloliakos was convicted of founding the criminal organisation ‘Golden Dawn.’ It is regrettable that he has been released after serving only four years of a 13-and-a-half-year sentence. Golden Dawn operated as a criminal organisation under the guise of a political party.
We consistently support individuals and groups who uphold democratic principles and human rights, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, or colour.
The upcoming European elections serve as a reminder of Europe’s ongoing efforts to heal and unite following the trauma of Nazism and the global wounds it inflicted, particularly in our homeland. Symbols like swastikas and chants praising Hitler have no place in our society.
Additionally, we commend the Supreme Court’s decision, initiated by the Greek government with bipartisan support, to exclude the Golden Dawn party’s descendants from participating in the upcoming European elections.
After 40 years of servicing the Greek and broader community with high quality souvlakia, meats and (so many) other products, George and the Anastopoulos family have made the difficult decision to sell the family business,Supreme Souvlakia, in Belmore, Sydney.
The Anastopoulos family made a statement, thanking the community for its support spanning five decades.
“After forty years, we would like to thank our customers and community for all their support and loyalty in its success. May God bless you and your families,” they said in the statement.
”In 1982, George made the astute observation there was a great need for pre-packed souvlakia and incredible vision to seize this opportunity to create a market for pre-packed souvlakia for both the Greek and broader community.
“Supreme Souvlakia’s pre-packed souvlakia would quickly become a game-changer in the market and this success inspired other butcheries to follow. Supreme Souvlakia’s success was based on hard work and high quality, and George Anastopoulos could not have achieved this without the great support of his wife, Sotiria, and their children, Phillip, Vicki, Gina, Aphrodite, Suzy and Dimitra, and their grandchildren.
“We are proudly handing over the business to another very successful family, the Glinellis family, who has 25 years’ experience in the meat and poultry industry.
“We will, however, continue producing primary products from the Anastopoulos family’s farms, servicing the market with products of the highest quality.
“We would like to wish everyone, Christos Anesti and Chronia Polla to all the George and Georgias.”
George outside Supreme Souvlakia. Photograph courtesy of Vasilis Vasilas.
How Supreme Souvlakia became an institution in meat market
George migrated from Kalavryta, Greece, to Sydney, Australia, in 1965. The following year, he married his fiancé, Sotiria, and over the years they would have six children. Like so many migrants, George’s first jobs were in local factories. Landing a job in Sylvester’s Smallgoods at Redfern would change his life forever, as this was where he gained his first experiences in the meat industry.
After four years there, he found work at Belmore Smallgoods and worked there for four years too. George also worked at Olympic Delicatessen and Butchery in Bankstown.
Throughout these years, he gained invaluable experience and knowledge about the meat industry. His first business opportunity was surprisingly a takeaway shop on King Georges Road, Wiley Park. With his children growing up and having the foresight of establishing a business they could work in, he leased another shop – a few doors down from the takeaway shop – and established a butcher shop, which specialised in souvlakia (1984).
In the early 1980s, Greek households still used to make up their own souvlakia, so why would they buy ready-made ones? Astutely, George foresaw there was an untapped market for them.
“For Greeks, souvlakia are such a popular dish. At the time, Greeks still bought legs of lamb, for instance, and cut it up to make their own souvlakia. But clubs and shops also wanted souvlakia, and they did not have the time to make up hundreds of them. I just thought, ‘If souvlakia are so popular, why not make and sell them?’ For us, this was our business; so we passed the meats onto the souvlaki sticks… all by hand, and sold them! And there was such a demand that our business really took off!” he said.
George cutting meat at Supreme Souvlakia. Photograph courtesy of Vasilis Vasilas.
Other butcher shops may have begun making up and selling souvlakia, but it was Supreme Souvlakia that took it to another level… it was Supreme Souvlakia which took souvlakia into the mainstream Australian cuisines on a mass scale.
Whether it was sending samples all over New South Wales and media promotion, or the word of mouth about Supreme Souvlakia’s high quality souvlakia, business boomed and the wholesale part of the business was officially established when George set up a small factory to produce souvlakia (1990), at the rear of premises he owned in Belmore. In 1994, the factory was expanded to include the shop and Supreme Souvlakia has never looked back and the business continued to grow on such a grand scale.
However, there is so much more to Supreme Souvlakia than the bricks and mortar of the shop. Beyond the shop window was decades of building such a strong relationship with the community based on trust and reliability – people just knew they could rely on Supreme Souvlakia whenever they needed their souvlakia, meats and other products for any occasion. And one indicator of this customer trust was clear from all the long queues down Burwood Road, Belmore, on the Greek calendar’s big occasions – Easter, Christmas and New Year.
The impact and contribution of the Greek migrants to Australia’s post-World War II era should be recognised and celebrated, and Supreme Souvlakia epitomises this as the Anastopoulos family successfully integrated the Greek souvlaki into mainstream Australia. Throughout the last 40 years, the Greekness of the souvlaki was never compromised – with George giving non-Greek customers “lessons” on the souvlaki’s origin. George has a humorous anecdote about correcting customers who came into Supreme Souvlakia and asked for kebabs, “I would ask them, ‘What is this kebab?’ and then teach them to call them ‘souvlakia’.”
This may be a humorous anecdote but the underlying significance is how Greek shops and businesses, such as Supreme Souvlakia, impacted the Australian cuisine and Australian perceptions about foods, with the Greek souvlaki becoming part of the Australian story.
This Orthodox Easter, tens of thousands of Greek Orthodox faithful gathered at churches across Australia on Sunday, May 5 for the annual Anastasi service to mark the end of Holy Week and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ after his Crucifixion.
When the clock struck midnight on Holy Saturday, Orthodox faithful began chanting loudly the Resurrection hymn of ‘Xristos Anesti’ (‘Christ is Risen’). Later, they broke Lent with family and friends over a traditional magiritsa, lamb on the spit and red-dyed eggs.
New South Wales
Despite the persistent rain, tens of thousands flocked to their local church in Sydney for the annual Anastasi service.
At the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Kogarah, Sydney, the Anastasi service was presided over by Archbishop Makarios of Australia alongside Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis and Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia.
There were also a number of federal and state politicians present, including Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; member of the Hellenic Parliament, Dimitrios Kouvelas; Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos; Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis; Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Linda Burney MP; NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper MP; Federal MP and former Minister, David Coleman; Member for Oatley, Mark Coure MP; and the Mayor of Georges River, Sam Elmir; and many other politicians and Greek community leaders.
At midnight, the Archbishop and dignitaries moved outside to greet the packed crowd who were waiting in the rain to chant ‘Christ is Risen.’
In a message to the crowd, Archbishop Makarios stressed that whoever believes in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ does not consider that with death everything ends and all is lost, but that “the sweet dawn arrives and something beautiful commences.” The Archbishop also thanked the faithful who defied the adverse weather conditions and came en masse to the “feast of feasts” of Orthodoxy.
In his speech, the Prime Minister told crowds it was a “joy” to be with them to mark the occasion.
“To attend a Greek Orthodox Church at this sacred time is to be immersed in history, heritage, culture and of course faith, and to feel the warm embrace of family and community,” Mr Albanese said.
Wishing a peaceful, happy and Holy Orthodox Easter Day to all celebrating today.
I joined Archbishop Makarios and the congregation at the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Kogarah tonight for midnight mass.
Orthodox Easter was celebrated at Greek Orthodox churches across Victoria on Sunday, May 5.
At the Holy Monastery of Our Lady “Axion Esti” in the Archdiocesan District of Northcote in Victoria, the Anastasi service was presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta. On the night, he read the Easter message of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
St Raphael at Bentleigh. Photo copyright The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
St Raphael at Bentleigh. Photo copyright The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
Agioi Anargiroi in Oakleigh.
Agios Eustathios in South Melbourne. Photo: Con Deves.
Agios Eustathios in South Melbourne. Photo: Con Deves.
South Australia:
In South Australia, Anastasi midnight services were attended by thousands of Greeks wanting to partake in the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At churches such as the Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of The Nativity of Christ in Port Adelaide, there were lines out the door as people waited their turn to receive the Holy Light from the parish priest.
From there, the entire congregation, both elderly and youth, stood outside and chanted together ‘Xristos Anesti.’
Orthodox Easter at Saint Sophrony Orthodox Church in Hectorville. Photo supplied by Peter Tantalos.
Orthodox Easter at Saint Sophrony Orthodox Church in Hectorville. Photo supplied by Peter Tantalos.
This Pascha, the Parish and community of Saint Sophrony Orthodox Church in Hectorville also celebrated their second Holy Pascha.
Saint Sophrony Orthodox Parish is the first dedicated English-speaking Orthodox Parish in Australia. It represents a new chapter for the Orthodox church, with a mission of welcoming new English-speakers to the Church and enabling all peoples to seek and live a Christian life.
Western Australia:
Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea officiated at the Resurrection Service and the Paschal Divine Liturgy at the Church of St Nektarios in Dianella, Western Australia.
At the conclusion of the Resurrection Service, just after midnight, Archbishop Makarios’ Easter Message was read by Bishop Elpidios.
The Consul of Greece in Perth, Georgia Karasiotou, also delivered a brief Easter message and reminded everyone on the forthcoming visit of the Ambassador of Greece in Australia, Stavros Venizelos to Perth during Bright Week.
Millions of Orthodox faithful across Greece and the world celebrated Orthodox Easter on Sunday, May 5 this year.
In Jerusalem, the Holy Light – or Holy Fire – was lit in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre earlier on Saturday. As is the custom, it was taken to Greece and greeted at the Athens International Airport as an arriving head of state.
Nine Aegean Airlines planes and seven Sky Express planes then took the Holy Light to various destinations within Greece.
In Athens, the light arrived first, at 9 pm, at the Church of Agioi Anargyroi in Plaka, the seat, or “Metochi” of the Holy Sepulchre in Greece.
Καθώς η Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα προσεγγίζει το τέλος της, η προσδοκία της Ανάστασης μας γεμίζει όλους ελπίδα, δύναμη και αισιοδοξία. Θέλω να ευχηθώ σε κάθε Ελληνίδα, σε κάθε Έλληνα, όπου και αν αυτοί βρίσκονται, καλή Ανάσταση και καλό Πάσχα. Χρόνια πολλά! pic.twitter.com/FXT3MGuByY
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) May 4, 2024
In his Easter message, Mr Mitsotakis said “the Resurrection fills us all with hope, strength and optimism.”
“Tradition dictates that we spend these Holy Easter days together with our loved ones. Our thoughts, however, must be primarily with our weakest fellow citizens, those who more than ever need our support these days, but also to all Greek uniform personnel, those who day and night, and these Holy days, they are fighting so that we all can be safe,” he added.
Elsewhere in Greece, two churches in the town of Vrontados were lit up on Saturday night, as they fired streams of rockets at each other as part of an Orthodox Easter tradition. Throughout the annual “rocket war,” Easter Mass continues inside the churches on the island of Chios.
The spectacle dates back to the 1800s – when Greece was ruled by the Ottoman empire – but now rockets are used instead of cannons. Parts of the local area are boarded up with metal barriers, to try and protect them from fire damage.
In Rome, Pope Francis also extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers gathered in St Peter’s Square, expressing warm wishes for their Easter celebrations.
“May the Risen Lord fill all communities of believers with joy and peace, offering comfort to those undergoing trials. I wish them a blessed Easter,” Pope Francis said.
Amidst the reverence and reflection of Greek Orthodox Easter, we highlight the work of artist Konstantina Sideris and her connection to Byzantine art and its traditional artistic techniques.
Renowned for its spiritual depth and symbolic language, Byzantine iconography serves as a profound source of inspiration for Konstantina. The rich visual vocabulary of Byzantine art —its stylised forms, vibrant colours, and spiritual themes — resonates deeply with her exploration of identity, belief, and cultural heritage. Gold leaf, a prominent feature in Byzantine art, plays a pivotal role in her work, symbolising heavenly light and enriching her subjects with transcendent qualities.
In her artwork, Konstantina explores two fascinating processes: the French technique of verre églomisé and the Byzantine art of iconography, employing traditional egg tempera and luminous gold leaf. Her work represents a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, meticulously crafted to convey a contemporary narrative infused with profound historical depth and richness.
Mother and child
The ancient craft of verre églomisé, characterised by the application of gold leaf and pigment on the reverse side of glass, holds special interest for Konstantina due to its luminous depth and reflective qualities. This technique, often associated with opulence and spirituality, serves as a compelling medium for reinterpreting Byzantine iconography. Through a process of careful layering and manipulation of materials, Konstantina strives to evoke ethereal beauty and imbue her works with profound symbolism. The egg tempera medium carries symbolic significance reflective of the cycle of life and creation, adding layers of meaning to her artistic expression.
Through the synthesis of verre églomisé and Byzantine iconography, Konstantina aspires to create artworks that transcend temporal boundaries, resonating with universal themes while celebrating the enduring legacy of ancient artistic traditions. Her ultimate goal is to invite viewers into a contemplative space where the sacred and the modern converge, fostering dialogue and reflection on the profound mysteries of existence.
Mother and child
Konstantina’s artistic practice is driven by a deep desire to bridge the past and present, infusing ancient motifs with contemporary perspectives. Each piece becomes a dynamic dialogue between tradition and innovation, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of faith, transcendence, and the enduring power of visual symbolism.
Still Life
Inspired by her passion for visual arts, particularly colour and pattern, Konstantina draws inspiration from her life experiences—including family, education, travel, and personal relationships. Her artistic practice continually evolves, embracing diverse techniques like pyrography and digital montages, reflecting her deep appreciation for the interplay between materials and mediums. Her art is characterised by its decorative, serene, sensual, and grounded qualities.
Looking ahead, she envisions expanding her subject matter into realms of imagination, allowing for organic interchange between materials and techniques. Each stage of her artistic journey illuminates the path forward, revealing beauty and mystery in all facets of life. This storytelling through art is a testament to her ongoing exploration of the human experience, cultural heritage and personal expression.
Konstantina Sideris is amongst many Greek Australian artists who have participated in the GAAD (Greek Australian Artist Directory). An initiative by the Greek Australian Cultural League (GACL), the GAAD celebrates Greek Australian visual and performing artists by showcasing their works and contributions to the Australian arts landscape. By preserving and promoting the artistic legacy of Greek Australian artists, the directory ensures that their talents are duly acknowledged and cherished, cementing their place in Australia’s artistic narrative.
Interested artists can register their profiles by visiting www.gacl.com.au and clicking on the dedicated GAAD section. For any inquiries related to the GAAD, individuals can either email GACL President Cathy Alexopoulos infogaclm@gmail.com or contact GAAD Co-ordinator Vasy Petros on 0412 242 557.
*This is a Greek Australian Cultural League Initiative supported by The Greek Herald.
Chris Lucas, the restaurateur behind Chin Chin in Sydney and Melbourne, is about to open a new restaurant named Carlotta in Canberra this spring.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the restaurant is going to have 150 seats, and is going to open “in the heart of Canberra” at Scotts Crossing.
The city has competitive advantages. Lucas pointed to its younger demographics. Canberra has “the highest disposable income in Australia” and a lower saturation of restaurants to population compared with Sydney or Melbourne.
“It’s a city that takes food seriously, it has a great food culture,” Lucas told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Canberra has already put itself on the food map.
Photo: Pete Dillon, Broadsheet
“It felt like the stars were aligning for Canberra,” Lucas says. He skipped the obvious route of opening one of his existing brands, but hasn’t ruled out a future play: “I’d love to have a Chin Chin here, but at the moment, all our energy is focused on Carlotta.”
“I wanted to do something just for Canberra. It is its own city with its own culture,” he mentioned.
The Carlotta restaurant will offer a variety of Mediterranean flavors. Although the name suggests an Italian influence, it will feature elements from Spain and Greece as well. A custom wood oven, crafted in Italy, will be a focal point, while the dining room will draw inspiration from mid-20th-century Italian design.
