Kepitis part-owned Winx and is the daughter of chicken king Bob Ingham and nephew of Jack.
She bought the 18-month-old filly, sired by Australian champion stallion Pierro, on the second day of trading at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale at Warwick Farm.
The sale smashed the previous Australian record of $5 million for a yearling, paid for a half-brother to Black Caviar in 2013.
There are few horses of the calibre of Winx: the retired Australian thoroughbred champion won 37 of 43 career starts and made more than $26.4 million in prize money for her owners.
Tom Magnier, principal of Coolmore Australia stud where Winx is based, confirmed on Monday that the champion mare was in foal again.
A homeless tent city in Brisbane, Queensland, is being threatened for the second year in a row by the upcoming Paniyiri Greek Festival.
The Greek festival is held every year in May at Musgrave Park in West End.
The park currently houses more than 60 tents for homeless people. Those sleeping rough have told A Current Affair they will have to give up what little they have when the park is cleared next month to make way for the festival.
Paul Slater, who runs Northwest Community Group, a charity to help the homeless, said he fears the tent tenants will be homeless over the duration of the festival.
“We’re not really sure what the plan is and what they’re going to do,” Paul said.
“It’s actually a big worry for us and for the residents, they’re coming to me every day and asking have you heard what’s going on, are we going to have somewhere to sleep?”
The tents are located on Musgrave Park, the same place the Paniyiri Festival is set to be held. Photo: A Current Affair.
The Brisbane City Council said last year’s festival proceeded with support provided to those sleeping rough.
“We’re hopeful the same can occur this year,” a council spokesperson said.
“Council has a strict process in place to ensure occupied tents aren’t removed. It is completely unacceptable for people to be living in tents and cars while the taxpayer funded 500-bed Pinkenba quarantine facility sits idle and unused.”
Vicky Meyer, a person from the Department of Housing, said crews were on the ground five days a week to try to find solutions to this problem.
“We will go tent to tent with those individuals, couples, households that are residing here, we will work with them on long term housing options,” she said.
Australian-born Greek Cypriot TV personality Ada Nicodemou has a lot on her plate at the moment. Not only has she released her first children’s book but Leah Patterson – her character in Channel 7 TV show Home and Away – is also getting married this week.
The Greek Herald spoke with Ada ahead of these two big milestones.
Ada Nicodemou plays ‘Leah’ in Home and Away.
‘I hope it’s a TV event’
Ada is known for her longstanding history with the popular Australian TV series Home and Away, having played the role of Leah for the last 24 years.
In an upcoming episode premiering on April 9, Leah will marry her fiancé and partner of several years Justin. Ada said the marriage is a “really nice thing for the fans and for the characters.”
“They’ve been through a lot, and they deeply love each other, and it’s nice to just celebrate that,” the actress said.
“The fans will get to see a really nice Home and Away wedding and it’s really lovely and joyous. It’s not one of those weddings where something bad happens. It’s just a celebration of love, which is nice thing to see, especially after so much turmoil.”
Leah and Justin. Photo: New Idea.
The Greek Cypriot actress described the wedding as “a really lovely payoff for both characters.”
“It’s not like one of those young loves. They’ve got this really nice adult relationship where they have each other’s backs,” Ada said.
“They support each other, and they’ve got their own kids and they’ve been through a lot, and they didn’t need to get married, but they wanted to in the end.
“She’s [Leah] been married many times before, but I think that this is ‘the one’.”
Ada said Leah and Justin have a “really nice adult relationship”. Photo: Back to the Bay.
Ada said she thinks the wedding episode is one “that everyone’s looking forward to.”
“I hope it is a bit of a TV event,” she said.
“I remember growing up and there were certain moments on TV that you just remember. I really hope it’s one of those because the fans have gone through a lot with these two characters so it’s a nice payoff.”
Mia Megastar
Ada also revealed her first children’s book, Mia Megastar, which will be released on April 3. She said it was loosely based on her childhood and aimed towards tweens girls (8-12 years old).
“It’s a nice, fun book that is all about family and community,” Ada said.
“Mia is a young, Greek Australian girl and she lives with her parents and her grandparents on top of their shop and the business is downstairs and it’s like a little community, which is like what I grew up with.
Ada holding Mia Megastar. Photo: Now to Love.
“Mia also loves to put on a show, just like I used to, and she goes to a play one day with her school and she becomes so inspired by the play that she decides she wants to be an actor. She then gets together with her friends and starts a drama club.
“It’s just a fun book for kids to get a little bit of insight into the acting industry, while exploring themes of friendship and culture and then there’s some Greek recipes in there and some acting tips and all that sort of stuff too.”
The Home and Away star said she was excited to release Mia Megastar.
“I’m really excited about it. I really liked it and I think it’s really cute story,” Ada said.
“It’s one of three books so far, so I think everyone should get behind it. It’s also really nice to talk about Greek culture, and have a little bit of fun with it too.
“I hope this book inspires young girls to start a drama club or go to acting classes and you know, all that sort of stuff, as well as to just be nice to each other and stick with friends, I think it’s really important to be kind.”
The liquidation company KordaMentha has intervened with Public Hospitality Group’s (PHG) Jon Adgemis’ potential $500 million debt deal with Bain Capital.
The Australian revealed that Tim Fitzgerald, a partner at KordaMentha, reached out to Adgemis’ lenders, seeking to address the ongoing debt situation.
In an email seen by The Australian, Mr Fitzgerald told a lender that he understood refinancing attempts were stalling between PHG and Bain Capital, noting his firm wanted to discuss with the lenders how KordaMentha could assist.
Mark Mentha (left) and Mark Korda(right), formed the business KordaMentha in 2002. Photo: KordaMentha.
But despite reports of a potentially collapsed deal, the negotiations continue with Bain Capital insisting on exclusivity and upfront payments.
PHG now faces more challenges, including high interest rates and pending renovations.
A spokeswoman for KordaMentha stated that the firm was “not engaged to advise any party in respect to PHG,” further noting that it was not prompted by Bain Capital to reach out to the pub group’s lenders.
A professional performance from Sydney Olympic FC has seen them continue their hot form with a 2-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday, April 7, their third on the trot.
Two goals in the first half to Olympic were the difference in this round nine National Premier League Men’s NSW fixture, with the listed away side dominating their younger opponents across all areas of the match in front of their home fans.
Having most of the running and pressure through the fixtures’ opening minutes, Sydney Olympic where the first to pounce on their opponent’s misfortune.
Central Coast’s Cher Deng was unable to secure Michael Vaki’s cut-back across the face, putting it in the back of his own net.
The hosts struggled to hold out their opponents as the Mariners were forced into scramble defence on their goal line to prevent falling further ahead.
Capable of pulling off the spectacular, Olympic’s Roy O Donovan sent further warning signs as the skipper bounced the ball off his chest before soaring the half volley over the crossbar.
However, whether at A-Leagues or NPL level, O Donovan never fails to score against the Central Coast Mariners.
He did just that in the 39th minute, tapping home his fifth of the season from a perfect low-cross from Adam Parkhouse.
Central Coast came close to drawing one back to end the half through their main man Luke Smyth.
His shifty footwork drew a corner kick before a snapshot inside the box went just wide as Sydney Olympic maintained their dominant 2-0 advantage into the sheds.
Sydney Olympic had a great chance out of the half, with Vakis forcing Mariners’ goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky into a save after some strong pressing defence from the blue and white.
The yellow and navy were quick to turn defence into attack as Smyth went swiftly past defenders on his run to goal.
As solid as his first half defence, Zygmunt Gordon was there to relieve any pressure to his goalkeeper with a sliding challenge.
Parkhouse went dangerously close to adding a third as he rocketed a left-footed effort into the side net with not much room to get the shot off.
A few minutes late and it was again Vakis drawing Warshawsky into yet another crucial save before his second effort went past thew right post.
Unwilling to give in, Mariner Luke Smyth continued to show why he is his side’s leading goal scorer.
The front man came close to scoring on multiple occasions but couldn’t add to his season tally with his closest effort pounding off the chest of Noah James.
Sydney Olympic continued to press in search of a goal in the second half, but their fanciness on the ball couldn’t be converted as they came away with a 2-0 victory, their fourth of the season.
Match Stats:
Central Coast Mariners – 0
Sydney Olympic FC – 2 (Deng (OG) 16’, O’Donovan 39’)
The Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis engaged in discussions with Australia’s Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts at the NATO Member States’ Foreign Ministers’ Summit last week.
During their meeting, Mr Gerapetritis and Mr Watts exchanged their views on key international issues, highlighting the significance of diplomatic relations between Greece and Australia.
03-04.04 | FM George Gerapetritis @ the two-day Mtg of @NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs #ForMin in Brussels
The two-day NATO Summit in Brussels focused on bilateral cooperation opportunities.
In a formal statement made on the Thursday, Mr Gerapetritis said the event marked the 75th anniversary of NATO’s founding, “an alliance that has proven exceedingly important for global security and peace throughout history.”
In an intense encounter, South Melbourne FC secured a vital away victory 2-1 against Dandenong Thunder. The match showcased moments of brilliance, missed opportunities, and ultimately decisive goals.
The game began with South Melbourne displaying early dominance, testing Dandenong Thunder’s defence repeatedly. Pierce Clark, the former South Melbourne goalkeeper, turned out to be a formidable obstacle, denying South Melbourne’s attempts on goal.
Despite South Melbourne’s early pressure, they found themselves trailing in the 23rd minute when Birkan Kirdar of Dandenong Thunder exhibited exceptional skill to navigate through South Melbourne’s defense and slot the ball past Javi Lopez, leaving the South Melbourne goalkeeper helpless.
Undeterred by the setback, South Melbourne mounted a spirited comeback in the second half. Just a minute into the half, their captain Harrison Sawyer was fouled inside the penalty area, leading to a penalty. Sawyer confidently converted the spot-kick, leveling the score for his team.
The second half saw South Melbourne continuing to press forward, creating several promising opportunities. Halfpenny, Peios, Archibald, and Bonada all came close to scoring, but were unable to find the crucial breakthrough.
However, South Melbourne’s perseverance paid off in the 79th minute when Ross Archibald capitalised on a loose ball in the penalty area following a free kick, securing the lead for his team and sending the traveling fans into jubilation.
Despite both teams having chances in the closing minutes of the game, South Melbourne held on to their lead, emerging as deserving winners in Dandenong. The victory would undoubtedly serve as a morale booster for South Melbourne, while Dandenong Thunder would rue missed opportunities.
Metropolitan Theoklitos of Ierissos, Mount Athos and Ardamerion welcomed Archbishop Makarios of Australia to his Metropolis headquarters on Friday, April 5.
Archbishop Makarios was accompanied by elder of the Ecumenical Throne, Metropolitan Apostolos of Miletus, and the Abbot of the historical Holy Monastery of Saint Anastasia the Pharmakolitria.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia (left).
Archbishop Makarios is travelling, via Ierissos, through to Mount Athos to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos at the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial, Great Monastery of Vatopedi.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides engaged in discussions on migration with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a luncheon with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, Greece.
The meeting followed Christodoulides’ address at the ruling New Democracy Party’s conference.
After delivering his speech, Christodoulides held a private meeting with Prime Minister Mitsotakis at Maximos Mansion before joining von der Leyen and Mitsotakis for lunch.
Συνάντηση Προέδρου της 🇨🇾 Δημοκρατίας @Christodulides με την Πρόεδρο της @EU_Commission @vonderleyen με βασικό θέμα συζήτησης τη διαχείριση των αυξημένων μεταναστευτικών ροών από τον Λίβανο των τελευταίων ημερών και συγκεκριμένους τρόπους αποτροπής του εν λόγω φαινομένου μέσω… pic.twitter.com/GptSHSnqt8
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis highlighted that “the main topic of discussion revolved around managing the recent surge in migration flows from Lebanon, and exploring specific strategies to address this issue with greater EU involvement.”
Christodoulides is scheduled to travel to Lebanon on Monday accompanied by the ministers of interior and foreign affairs, the Chief of the National Guard, and other officials. They will meet with Lebanon’s leadership to address the migration challenge and explore potential solutions.
Greek authorities nationwide remain vigilant following the outbreak of 71 wildfires reported within a mere 12-hour period on Saturday. Among these blazes, the most significant occurred on the Greek island of Crete, prompting the evacuation of numerous residents.
The wildfire, now successfully contained, ignited early on Saturday, rapidly spreading across the mountainous forest slopes east of the coastal town of Ierapetra, driven by strong winds.
As the fire approached residential areas, precautionary evacuations were ordered for the villages of Achlia, Galini, Agia Fotia, and Mavros Kolimpos.
🔥🚒 And so it begins again!!
A fire is currently raging in Ierapetra, Crete, resulting in four injuries so far. Residents from four villages in Crete have been advised to evacuate as firefighters combat a significant wildfire in a mountainous region northeast of Ierapetra.… pic.twitter.com/rLrvzbWWnr
“The fire has significantly diminished following the efforts of hundreds of firefighters,” stated a fire service official to Reuters. “This marks the first major incident near residential zones this year.”
Minor injuries led to the hospitalisation of a firefighter and a local resident. Approximately 150 firefighters, aided by three helicopters, battled the forest inferno on the ground.
With Greece having experienced its warmest winter on record, concerns among scientists persist regarding the potential severity of the fire season, exacerbated by warm and dry conditions across the land.
The Civil Protection Ministry has raised alerts due to anticipated strong winds in the coming days.
