On Saturday, March 16, the Greek afternoon and Saturday schools of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) celebrated the end of Apokries with a fancy dress event.
Students from various schools came along to join in celebrating the Greek tradition, which took place at the Clemton Park Primary School playground in Sydney’s Earlwood.
Apokries
From 11 am to 1pm, students came dressed in their favourite fancy dress costume, with lots of dancing to be enjoyed including the Greek “Gaitanaki” dance.
A costume and mask parade followed on the special day, with lots of winners announced among the following categories: best dressed, best unusual costume, scariest dressed, oldest student, and youngest student.
Classic games were also played, including well-known musical chairs, and there was even a piñata.
The Honorary Consul General of Greece in Queensland, George Mastrocostas, has announced a special Open Consular Reception on Monday, March 25 to commemorate the 203rd anniversary of Greek Independence Day.
Held at The Greek Club in South Brisbane from 6pm to 8pm, the reception is open to all members of the community, where they will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from the Honorary Consulate-General of Greece, learn more about Greek culture, and enjoy a memorable evening of camaraderie.
“I am privileged to serve as the Honorary Consul General of Greece in Queensland, and facilitate such gatherings that invites the community to come together and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit of Greece,” Mr Mastrocostas said.
“This event symbolises the strength of international ties and the importance of diplomacy in our ever-changing world.”
The event will also host the Evzones Collection by Nick Bourdaniotis, a showcase of the elite unit of the Presidential Guard, the Evzones, as a powerful tribute to Greece’s favourite sons and the values they represent. This collection of stunning photography has captivated audiences around the world, serving as a reminder of the importance of honouring and preserving Greek cultural heritage for future generations.
The Evzones Collection. Photo copyright: The Greek Herald / Kostas Mastorakis.
This reception has been highly anticipated as not only is it the first to occur since the role was previously vacated, but it is the first event to be hosted by the newly appointed Honorary Consul General of Greece in Queensland.
In his role, Mastrocostas is building bridges and strengthening the ties between Greece and Queensland, contributing to the vibrant cultural, economical and social exchange between the two regions.
Aside from his role as Honorary Consul General of Greece in Queensland, Mastrocostas is a Board Director for The Hellenic Initiative Australia, as well as a dynamic leader in the development and construction industry, leading Aniko Group, one of the largest private developers on the Gold Coast.
The 42nd Greek Festival of Sydney, in collaboration with The Imvrians Society of Melbourne, has announced “From Imbros Over the Sea,” a captivating photographic exhibition and lecture curated by esteemed historian Jim Claven OAM.
This exhibition pays tribute to the pivotal role played by the Northern Aegean island of Imbros (Imvros) in the Gallipoli campaign during World War I.
Jim Claven OAM is a distinguished historian with academic qualifications from Melbourne’s Monash University. With over ten years of research into various facets of Hellenic culture and history, his work delves deep into the Hellenic link to Australia’s ANZAC story. Claven is a published author and freelance writer, having contributed numerous historical articles to journals and newspapers worldwide. His books, including “Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed” (2019), “Grecian Adventure” (2022), and his most recent publication “From Imbros Over The Sea: Imbros & Gallipoli Revealed” (2023), showcase his extensive archival and field research.
In addition to his scholarly endeavours, Claven has delivered historical presentations on the Hellenic link to ANZAC in Australia and Greece, including at the Athens War Museum. As Secretary of Melbourne’s Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, he has spearheaded significant commemorative projects, such as the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial, the Australian Pier Memorial on Lemnos, and the Lemnos Gallipoli Photographic Exhibition, among others.
The exhibition, part of the 42nd Greek Festival program, showcases the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Greek community in Australia. The exhibition was created by the Imvrian Society of Melbourne, with the support of the Victorian Government and Victorian Veterans Council.
Festival Chair Nia Karteris expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This exhibition is a testament to the shared history between Imbros and Australia. It vividly portrays a crucial era, highlighting the bravery and sacrifices made by those who served during the Gallipoli campaign.”
The “From Imbros Over the Sea” Photographic Exhibition & Lecture will be held on Sunday, 7th April 2024, starting at 4:00 pm at the Prince Henry Centre. Admission is free, but bookings are essential.
Event Details:
What: From Imbros Over the Sea | Exhibition & Lecture by historian Jim Claven OAM
When: Sunday 7 April 2024 | 4:00 pm
Venue: Prince Henry Centre, 2 Coast Hospital Rd, Little Bay NSW 2036
The reopening of Melbourne’s oldest Greek Orthodox church will take place against the backdrop of the Sunday of Orthodoxy feast and Greek National Day.
Bishop Kyriakos Sozopolis will preside over a Vespers service at the church on Sunday, March 24 from 7pm. This will be followed by a Divine Liturgy on Monday, March 25 from 7.30am.
A luncheon will then be held at the Aegean Greek Restaurant in Fitzroy to not only observe one of the principal feast of the Orthodox religion but also fundraise for the East Melbourne church.
A family-owned supermarket in Adelaide’s north has officially been crowned the world’s best by its global peers at a recent awards ceremony in Vegas.
According to Adelaide Now, Saints Road Foodland, in Salisbury Plain, was named IGA International Retailer of the Year in Las Vegas, securing the top honour from more than 6,000 stores worldwide.
Saints Foodland in South Australia has been named the IGA International Retailer of the Year. Photo: 9News.
Saints Foodland director, Spero Tsapaliaris, and Foodland chief executive Franklin dos Santos were among those on hand to accept the award, presented by the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA), which was founded in 1962, and operates in more than 30 countries.
The John Chapley family owns Saints Foodland, which is run by Mr Tsapaliaris, who also serves as the chairman of Foodland Supermarkets.
Last year, Saints won the national prize, along with IGA National Large Store of the Year, allowing them to represent Australia in the global event.
St Basil’s Aegean Village in South Australia has come in as the second lowest rated aged care home in the state for its food, with 13 per cent of those surveyed claiming that they never liked the food, and 47 per cent saying they only liked it sometimes.
Although operated under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, St Basil’s Homes (SA) is separately incorporated and independently managed.
St Basil’s Homes (SA) Corporate Services CEO Michelle Church told Adelaide Now that while their other aged care homes performed well in the survey, the Aegean Village’s results were “disappointing.”
St Basil’s Aegean Village in SA.
“We have not met our usual high expectations at one of our sites, something we were aware of at the time of the survey and have already taken positive steps to improve the situation at the Aegean Village,” Ms Church said.
Ms Church added that among the adjustments are frequent resident meal tasting events to get feedback on anticipated menu revisions.
“Our recent internal data is far more positive and I’m confident with these new initiatives that we are on the right track to significantly improve these results in the next formal resident food survey.”
Residents at other Adelaide aged care homes ranked among the worst spend up to $100 a week on Uber Eats because they claim they cannot stomach the food.
From 18 – 24 March, the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) encourages the community to join them through Cultural Diversity Week and celebrate the power, influence, and stories of Victoria’s rich multicultural communities.
This year’s theme “Our Shared Stories – Celebrating Together” goes beyond individual narratives, encouraging people to recognise and celebrate the beautiful intersections that enrich Victoria’s cultural diversity.
Some of the many stories the VMC has uncovered throughout 2023 came from the Multicultural Awards for Excellence and Honour Roll.
Nandita Chakraborty, an advocate for improved policy and programs to support those with non-visible disabilities, especially across multicultural communities, was honoured as the recipient of the Arts Award in 2023. Through her continued work, installations, and film Nandita highlights the challenges faced by women from multicultural backgrounds with non-visible disabilities.
Helen Stamoulis, an Honour Roll Inductee for 2023, played a vital role in establishing the Greek Media Group, which initiated 3XY Radio Hellas and Ta Nea newspaper. Through 3XY Radio Hellas, people enjoy a range of radio programs, which provide a connection to their culture.
Asvin Phorugngam has worked passionately and tirelessly for over 25 years to support multicultural communities in a range of social justice roles. Recognised as an Honour Roll inductee last year, his work has included designing and implementing progressive programs to support LGBTQIA+ people from multicultural communities.
To plan for Cultural Diversity Week, councils, businesses, organisations, government agencies, service providers and community groups are all encouraged to start conversations in their workplaces and communities, and to host events and activities that align with the theme.
At a time when overseas conflicts have had an impact on the wellbeing of local communities, it is even more important to show support and commitment for Victoria’s multicultural society.
Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen AM said “Multicultural Victoria is vibrant, diverse, intergenerational, and inspiring. Cultural Diversity Week is an opportunity to celebrate these shared experiences and their contribution to our state’s identity.”
“Our multicultural communities remain connected and inspired thanks to these and many other often unheralded champions. Cultural Diversity Week gives us the opportunity to recognise and thank the people and organisations whose contributions create significant impacts on the broader society,” Ms Nguyen added.
Cultural Diversity Week activities will run across regional and metropolitan Victoria, with many led by local councils and promoted in an events calendar on VMConnect; the VMC’s online community platform.
Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham and the Matildas-laden Arsenal will join Newcastle United in Melbourne this year for exhibition matches at the MCG and Docklands.
According to ABC News, Tottenham will take on Newcastle United in a midweek friendly at the MCG on May 22.
Postecoglu sent a message ahead of the matches, sharing his excitement for returning to his hometown, Melbourne, to manage Spurs during the exciting period.
The matches will be played during the AFL season, with the MCG hosting Aussie Rules games on May 19 and 25, while Docklands hosts games on May 23 and 25.
The A-League Men’s grand final is set to be played on May 25 or 26.
NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos says future state budgets will include a performance and wellbeing framework that aims to drive “positive social outcomes” and improve transparency.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the NSW government will revise the state budget to include people’s well-being in addition to standard economic measures like growth, employment, and deficit.
Other countries that have adopted wellbeing frameworks to assess results not entirely represented by economic statistics include the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Germany.
Targets for vital services such as health, education, transport and housing will be scrutinised. Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP. PHOTOS
Mrs Houssos said measuring improvements in schooling standards was an example of how the framework would help.
“Addressing the big challenges facing the state will take time, and we want to show how we are progressing on the solutions,” Houssos said.
“We will consider what other countries around the world are doing and where we can learn from them.”
The performance and wellness framework in the NSW budget will replace the former Coalition government’s outcomes statement, which comprised over 250 objectives and 700 performance metrics.
Melbourne lawyer, author and journalist Dean Kalimniou will be delivering the Con Castan Memorial lecture at the behest of the Solomos Society in Brisbane, Queensland on Wednesday, March 20, at the Greek Centre from 7pm.
The topic will be the ‘Great Ionia: The Chinese Connection,’ looking at the remarkable Greek kingdom that existed in ancient times, on the fringes of China.
Dean Kalimniou will be presenting a special lecture on Wednesday, March 20. Photo: Solomos Society.
Though the memory of these outlying Greeks was lost to their compatriots, through a close reading of the Chinese historical sources, Kalimniou will examine this fascinating facet of lost Greek history.
