A 9-goal thriller played out at The Village Green on Sunday evening, with Sydney Olympic defeating UNSW 6-3.
Having shown their quality throughout the new season already, UNSW were no doubt excited to host Olympic at the Village Green after an unbeaten start. By contrast, Olympic were looking for a quick reaction after their loss against APIA Leichardt last weekend.
Goals in quick succession epitomized the early stages of the match, with Olympic opening the scoring through Maxine Peak’s self-assured finish across goal in the 14th minute.
UNSW would equalise almost immediately after in the 16th minute via Sarah Moore, who had to react quickly to the ball finding its way to her on the edge of the box, which the No. 88 did successfully and with some style as she buried the ball into the bottom left corner from range.
Demi Koulizakis deserves plenty of credit for her goal in the 17th minute, with the wily forward spectacularly fashioning herself a half chance in amongst a sea of UNSW defenders and taking it to give her side a 2-1 lead.
Mali Stanton then gave her side further reprieve in the 41st minute having made a smart run in behind the UNSW defence to meet an excellent ball from Brianna Oliverio and tap the ball in for 3-1.
An intelligent piece of improvisational play gave UNSW an avenue back into the match as Amanda Levaskevich latched onto a loose shot to hook the ball over Olympic keeper Sayaka Koyama and in for 3-2.
Despite UNSW’s best efforts, Olympic would retain the ascendancy for the remainder of the second half, with Koulizakis again showing her class as she calmly picked up the ball from outside the 18-yard box, and weaved in and out to set herself up in a comfortable shooting position where she smashed the ball into the bottom right corner. 4-2 to Olympic in the 64th minute.
Danielle Rutstein scored Olympic’s fifth of the night in the 83rd minute, the substitute able to place a header into the back of the net after UNSW were unable to deal with a cross from the away side.
A header in the 90th minute to Ebony Mccue-Shore ensured that it was back-to-back goals from corners for Olympic, who would eventually see out the match as the victors despite a late consolation in the form of Levaskevich’s well-guided header. 6-3 the final score in the end.
A storm of controversy has erupted following allegations of tampering with audio recordings related to the tragic Tempi railway disaster.
Dubbed “The montage in Tempe casts new shadows on tragedy” by the Vima on Sunday newspaper, the report alleges that recordings between railway employees were manipulated to shift blame onto the Larissa station master for the disaster that claimed 57 lives.
Government officials swiftly denied these claims, asserting that complete sets of unaltered recordings exist from the fateful night. They argue that the newspaper’s assertions are not groundbreaking, as some media outlets had previously highlighted discrepancies in the transcripts shortly after the incident. The government further emphasised that the station master had already confessed to his role in the events.
The Citizen Protection Ministry, which has oversight over the police, said that its “service did not make a transcript for the case in question.”
The Tempi train accident took place on March 2, 2023. Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP via Getty Images.
New Democracy said that the “tactic of misleading headlines to create impressions is extremely dangerous.”
However, opposition parties point to the fact that the edited conversations were leaked to media on March 1, 2023, a day before they were handed over to the judicial authorities.
Main opposition SYRIZA said that “the new revelations about the attempt to cover up the crime of Tempe by the New Democracy government… have caused revulsion,” adding that the government faces “relentless questions” over the affair.
The SYRIZA party has called for elections as a decisive measure to resolve the country’s political crisis. However, they have also thrown their weight behind the PASOK party’s proposal to table a vote of no confidence against the government.
Opposition parties have condemned the government’s handling of the situation, with Nikos Androulakis of PASOK labeling the incident a “continuous crime.”
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has pledged its support for the proposed vote of no confidence, citing ongoing criticism of the government’s policies. Additionally, the Greek Solution party has also declared its backing for the motion.
With indications suggesting that the constitutional threshold of 50 members required for such a proposal will be surpassed, the stage is set for a heated debate in parliament. According to constitutional rules, once a no-confidence motion is submitted, discussions must commence within two days, with a vote expected within three days.
Greek school children filled Syntagma Square on Sunday, marching proudly before esteemed officials to commemorate Greek Independence Day and the heroic struggle of the 1821 Greek War of Independence.
Among the dignitaries present were Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Athens Mayor Charis Doukas, who watched with admiration as the procession unfolded.
Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis attended the parade. Photo: The National Herald.
Leading the parade were high school students from Kalavryta, adorned in traditional attire and carrying the banner of the Greek Revolution. A total of 230 schools, spanning from primary to secondary levels, participated, with nearly 1,500 students hailing from Athens alone. The City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra and music bands representing the Hellenic Police, Hellenic Air Force, and the Fire Brigade added grandeur to the event.
Prior to the parade, wreaths were solemnly laid at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, paying homage to those who sacrificed for freedom.
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Minister Pierrakakis emphasised the lessons of history, noting how faith, courage, and resilience have shaped the destiny of the nation. He also underscored the importance of solidarity between the state and the church, particularly on this day of religious celebration for Orthodoxy.
Echoing the sentiments of bravery and unity, Mayor Doukas invoked the words of a Greek Independence fighter, highlighting the collective spirit of serving “the We, not the Me,” for a future illuminated by justice and the protection of human rights.
To mark the International Day of Forests, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou of the Republic of Greece led a tree-planting event in the National Forest of Parnitha.
The event welcomed The Australian Ambassador in Greece, Alison Duncan, along with many other female ambassadors, and aimed to renew commitment to safeguarding natural resources. Students from Agia Paraskevi participated.
In a statement following the tree-planting ceremony, President Sakellaropoulou expressed gratitude to the female ambassadors and highlighted the significance of their collective action.
Wonderful to join President Sakellaropoulou and students of Agia Paraskevi primary school on the #InternationalDayofForests to plant fir trees on the slopes of Mt Parnitha – so badly affected by the 2023 fires. Great to hear too about Greece’s efforts to safeguard biodiversity 🌱 pic.twitter.com/jHxtu4utnF
— Australian Embassy, Greece (@AusAmbAthens) March 21, 2024
She stated, “Today, International Day of Forests, I invited female ambassadors, accredited in our country, to plant trees together in Parnitha, in a symbolic gesture of renewing our commitment to protect our precious natural wealth”.
“I want to thank them for responding to my invitation,” Ms Sakellaropoulou said.
“I also want to thank the Ministry of Environment and Energy, as well as the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization, for supporting our effort, as well as the children of the 3rd Primary School of Agia Paraskevi, who participated in the tree planting.
“Forests are of great importance for humans, the environment, biodiversity. Sustainable management is the only appropriate way to preserve this precious natural element, both for us and, above all, for future generations.”
On Friday, March 23, the first 28 candidates for the European elections taking place on June 9, were announced by the New Democracy (ND) party. On the list is a Greek Australian, Thanasis Tsouhantaris.
Mr Tsouhantaris is a businessman and President of New Democracy Australia and will be a candidate with New Democracy in the upcoming elections for the European Parliament.
His name on the ballot is an important move, which is expected to motivate the Greeks in Australia to vote for someone they know and will represent the interests of the Greek diaspora.
Thanasis Tsouhantaris (L) with Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
As for the current MEPs of the ND, a new term will be claimed by the head of K.O. of New Democracy Vangelis Meimarakis, Eliza Vosenberg, Stelios Kymbouropoulos, Maria Spyrakis and Manolis Kefalogiannis.
Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou is left out, after the recent developments in the case with her e-mails, Theodoros Zagorakis, is heading to PASOK, but also Giorgos Kyrtsos has been deleted from the ND.
The new names include those of the director of the press office of the Prime Minister Dimitris Tsiodras, the Olympic medalist and former PASOK MP Pyrrou Dimas, the former ND MP in A’ Piraeus and co-presenter of the Mega show Nonis Dounia, and the journalist Vicky Flessa who was also on the 2019 European ballot.
The list also includes the New Democracy executive Spyros Karanikolas, as well as the secretary of Volunteerism of the New Democracy party, Pisti Krystallidou.
The new Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, along with his wife and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis, visited Archbishop Makarios of Australia in Sydney on Friday, March 22.
Mr Venizelos was given the opportunity to explore the Cathedral of the Annunciation at Redfern before meeting with Archbishop Makarios.
Σε θερμό κλίμα η συνάντηση του νέου Πρέσβυ της Ελλάδας στην Αυστραλία, κ. Σταύρου Βενιζέλου, με τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αυστραλίας κ.κ. Μακάριο, σήμερα, στην έδρα της Αρχιεπισκοπής στο Σύδνεϋ, με ευχές για κάθε επιτυχία στο έργο του. pic.twitter.com/1XhsE5LvKi
Rideshare driver Zisi Kokotatsios has been granted bail after an alleged hit and run caused the death of Sydney lawyer Mitch East on Sunday, March 17.
The 63-year-old driver was arrested and charged with dangerous driving resulting in death, as well as failing to stop and assist after causing death.
ABC News reported that Mr East, the 28-year-old lawyer who previously worked in the Supreme Court of New Zealand and as an adviser for the Royal Commission of Inquiry, was found dead on Fletcher Street in Tamarama shortly after 4am on the Sunday.
Mr Kokotatsios appeared at Parramatta bail court on Saturday morning, where the court was told he was on his way to pick up a passenger and allegedly ran over Mr East, who was lying on the road.
CCTV footage from a neighbour showed that the car “lifted up” when it ran over the man, before slowing down and then driving off.
A rideshare driver has been granted bail after he was charged with killing a young lawyer in a horror alleged hit-and-run. Zisi Kokotatsios, 63, appeared in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday to make an application for bail. FULL STORY: https://t.co/QpeuVBjsg1pic.twitter.com/lDEnQvTFnF
After Mr Kokotatsios applied for bail, a prosecutor said there was “no doubt the occupant knew he struck something.”
“If he’d stopped and had a look to see what he’d hit he would’ve seen a person lying on the road,” he told the court.
The prosecution further alleged that Mr Kokotatsios used his phone at the time of the crash, however, his defence lawyer Mohamad Sakr told the court that the phone was mounted on the dashboard, and it was not used illegally. He also revealed that Mr Kokotatsios continued picking up passengers after the incident.
“Had he known he had hit a person my client would’ve stopped and rendered aid and assisted the young man,” Mr Sakr told the court.
“Your honour can draw a reasonable inference that my client has a defendable case.”
Mr Sakr further reported that his client had no criminal history and had offered his “condolences to the family” of the victim.
The magistrate then sided with the defence, revealing that the prosecution “has difficulties” with their case and that Mr Kokotatsios “deserved bail.”
Mr Kokotatsios is now due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on May 9. He will also be required to report to a police station weekly and is currently banned from driving.
This year for Greek Independence Day, The Greek Herald was on a mission to find out what March 25th means to our readers and why they feel proud to be Greek.
As well as discovering how people in the Greek community keep their culture and traditions alive, we also wanted to uncover whether they think Greek Independence Day is still relevant today.
We received eye-opening answers from a recently graduated teenager in Victoria, Katerina Piromalis, a New South Wales father-of-two, George Havas, and a beloved yiayia from Canberra, Mary-Linardis Goulimis.
Katerina Piromalis
Katerina Piromalis is a proud Greek dancer.
Katerina Piromalis is an 18-year-old from Melbourne, Victoria who recently graduated from high school. Although she was born in Australia, her Greek roots trace back to Lemnos, Kalymnos, and Zakynthos.
She told The Greek Herald having pride for her culture was instilled in her from a very young age.
“Being able to not only admire, but to also promote the Greek culture, language and traditions is an absolute privilege,” Katerina said.
“There are so many ways Greeks can express their love and joy. For me it was about attending Greek School, where I learnt to play Greek songs on the guitar, take part in theatre and sing to old classics.
“I was also born and raised in the Greek Orthodox Church and have kept up with Greek dancing for the last 15 years.”
Katerina with her Greek dancing group when she was younger.
As someone heavily involved in the Greek community in Melbourne, and passionate about her culture, Katerina shared the importance of carrying on traditions for future generations.
“I think it’s so important for the Greek traditions and culture to be passed down to our kids and into the future,” she said.
“Otherwise, they will be lost. It is up to us to continue them.”
When asked about the 25th of March celebrations, Katerina described it as a very important day where, “we remember the strength of our ancestors.”
“Although the years have passed and some knowledge of the importance of Greek Independence Day has been lost, I still think it is still relevant. I think more awareness of the Greek strength to overcome suppression would be good though,” she said.
George Havas
George Havas is a family man with a wife and two children who originally grew up in Sydney, and now lives in Jerrabomberra, NSW. His Greek background comes from his mum being from Mytilene, in Lesvos, and his dad, from Lemnos in Greece.
He said he felt proud to be Greek as Greece has such a rich culture.
“Our religion, language, music, food and values are all such a big part of our culture,” George said.
“Greece itself is such a beautiful place and every time we go back, we reconnect and feel a little more Greek. Then as the days approach to come back we are already thinking ahead to our next trip.”
George said he and his family visit Greece every 2-3 years as they love exploring Greece’s history, visiting their relatives, getting a better understanding of where their traditions started and enjoying the beaches, tavernas and nightlife.
The Greek Australian dad said keeping the Greek culture alive for his family is something very important.
“We try and travel to Greece every few years, we attend church as much as we can, eat plenty of Greek food, especially at yiayia’s house, and the kids love listening to Greek music. They are also a part of the Hellenic Dancers here in Canberra,” George said.
“We also really try to get the kids to spend time with the grandparents to hear their stories and experiences.”
Growing up, George’s two kids were a part of the Canberra Hellenic Dancers. Photo: Canberra Hellenic Dancers / Facebook.
George said he thought Greek traditions and the Greek language is something that needs to be carried onto future generations.
“While it will be hard to keep the Greek language alive living abroad, our traditions I feel will never end,” he explained.
“While our kids and future generations may not speak Greek, having our traditions will help keep Hellenism alive.”
In terms of Greek Independence Day, George said he and his family celebrate every year.
“We try and go to church in the morning, and then attend the service at the Greek War memorial here in Canberra. In the past we would also enjoy seeing the kids dancing at the Greek Embassy as part of the celebration,” he said, adding that he thinks the 25th of March is still relevant today.
“It reminds us of the rich history of Greece, and also helps us understand what sacrifices have occurred to allow us to enjoy this beautiful culture today.”
Mary-Linardis Goulimis
Mary-Linardis Goulimis says March 25th is still relevant today.
72-year-old Mary-Linardis Goulimis is a beloved mother-of-three and grandmother-of-two from Canberra, who is also proud to be Greek. She was born on the island of Kefalonia in Greece, and came to Australia more than 50 years ago, at the age of 18.
She said her parents and grandparents had taught her the importance of our religion, Greek history, and values, and that was then continued in her school years.
“I felt and still feel proud of our culture heritage. We are a small country, but we are known in every corner of the planet because of our ancestors,” Mrs Goulimis said.
“I am proud because after centuries of Roman and Ottoman occupation, we as a country, managed to preserve our identity, language, religion, and traditions, and managed to liberate ourselves.
“We try very hard today to keep our traditions and our culture alive by going to church, celebrating Christmas, Easter, name days and having family over for dinner and conversing and explaining to them our traditions and our culture.”
Mrs Goulimis said although she moved to Australia many years ago, she sees value in regularly visiting Greece with her family as a way of staying connected to her home country.
“We have gone back because of the sun, the lifestyle and our special childhood memories,” she said.
“But Australia is our adopted country, and it is now a country which I consider home because I have lived here longer than Greece, but Greece is the place that made me the person I am today.”
A photo of Mary and her friends at a March 25th parade in high school. Mary is bottom left, next to her friend Katina Spathis, and behind them is Dora Dafoulas.
Coming up to Greek Independence Day, Mrs Goulimis said it is a time of year where “we acknowledge our Greek ancestors and their brave fight for independence and remember those souls who sacrificed themselves so that we can be free today.”
“We are celebrating that day by going to church, lighting a candle for their souls and then having a special lunch with family and friends, which consists of fish – bakaliaros and skordalia,” she said.
When asked whether the 72-year-old thought the 25th of March was still relevant today, Mrs Goulimis said it was and is the most important day of our history.
“It is a day of both religious and national celebrations,” she said.
“By knowing history, it helps us understand how events in the past have made things the way they are and the way we are today.”
Tasmanian Liberal MP for Clark, Simon Behrakis, has retained his seat in the state’s recent election held on March 23, 2024.
According to ABC News,the Tasmanian Liberals will win the most seats in the state’s new parliament, but have fallen short of majority government.
On election night, Behrakis expressed strong confidence in the Liberal Party’s ability to maintain government, stating, “At the moment, yeah, I am very confident that we will retain government.”
“If we fall short of a majority, we will have those conversations as necessary,” he said.
The Tasmanian Liberal MP also emphasised the Liberal Party’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises.
“We’ll do it in a way that reflects what we’ve promised and what we’ve seen in the election, unlike the Labor Party,” Behrakis said.
Ms Archer announced her resignation at the end of September 2023. She announced she would leave the Assembly, then re-considered her position before resigning after Premier Rockliff threatened an early election unless she resigned from parliament or offered reliable support for the government.
With Tasmanians having put in their votes, Behrakis remains confident about the Liberal Party’s future in Tasmania.
