The Athens prosecutor’s office opened an investigation on Tuesday into the leak of an undefined number of emails from Greeks living abroad, which were obtained by New Democracy MEP, Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou.
On March 1, multiple Greek voters rushed to social media to complain that unsolicited emails from Asimakopoulou had appeared in their inboxes soon after getting an email from the Interior Ministry, alerting them that postal voting for expatriates will apply in the next general election.
According to Ekathimerini, the voters, in addition, accused the conservative MEP of breaching the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), by sending unsolicited election campaign emails to private accounts without their consent.
“Our goal is to ascertain and confirm the adequacy of the security of personal data protection processes,” Greece’s Minister of Interior, Niki Kerameus said.
Greece’s Ministry of the Interior, is set to launch an internal investigation to determine if a candidate for the ruling conservative party in the forthcoming European parliamentary elections breached privacy regulations by sending campaign materials to hundreds of Greeks living abroad via private email accounts.
“We will not allow any shadows in this matter,” Greece’s Minister of Interior, Niki Kerameus said regarding the probe into whether her ministry was involved in providing Asimakopoulou voters’ private email addresses without their consent.
The Interior Ministry released a brief statement denying that it provided the information after the MEP claimed in an interview that she obtained it from the ministry’s election registers.
Asimakopoulou, in response, has denied breaching data protection regulations yet has presented often conflicting explanations for the origin of the addresses used in the bulk emails.
An Albanian court sentenced on Tuesday a mayor from the country’s Greek minority to two years in prison for buying votes, a ruling that is anticipated to exacerbate tensions with neighboring Greece.
Greece has urged Albania’s government to cease the proceedings against Fredi Beleri, claiming that the case may jeopardise Albania’s candidacy to join the European Union.
Beleri’s lawyer, Geni Gjyzari stated that the verdict, in its nature, was “political as the prime minister had ordered it,” further adding that he would appeal.
Beleri’s statement
“With a fake criminal record, no evidence, no other witnesses except one who was bribed by the police, with an ‘appointed’ judge, in a glass cage without communication with my lawyer, the Albanian court sentenced me today to two years in prison,” Fredi Beleri said in a statement.
Fredi Beleri sits in an Albanian court. Photo: Ekathimerini.
“My crime is that we, Himarans, want to be masters of our ancestral land. My crime is that my countrymen elected me mayor against the plans of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama,” Beleri continued and vowed to continue his fight to clear his name.
“Sooner or later, I will find justice. I have as much patience as it takes to get to the bottom of this case.”
Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry responds
The two-year jail sentence lowered on ethnic Greek and Himare mayor-elect Fredi Beleri “intensifies concerns expressed in relation to how objective the process was,” the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA) said on Tuesday.
The Ministry further stated that the final sentence is disproportionate to the gravity of the so-called felony.
Such a “selective implementation of judicial decisions and the predetermined court decision does not agree with the rule of law,” the MFA said. It added that the Greek government is “closely monitoring the issue and looks forward to a just and objective decision in the appeal process.”
The Special Court on Corruption and Organised Crime also sentenced Beleri’s aide, Pantelis Kokavesis, to an 18-month suspended sentence.
International musicians and proud Pontians from around Australia gathered over the weekend in Wollongong, New South Wales to participate in Synapantema 2024.
The Pontian Synapantema is organised by the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, which is made up of seven member associations including Pontoxeniteas NSW, Panagia Soumela Sydney, Greek Pontian Society of Wollongong “Diogenes,” Pontian Club Canberra, Akritis tou Pontou, Pontic Foundation of Panagia Soumela of Australia, and the Pontian Brotherhood of South Australia.
This year’s event began with a welcome Parakath on Friday, March 1, featuring youth musicians from all over Australia and 200 Pontians.
On Saturday, March 2, there was also a dance and music workshop in the morning, involving over 100 performers and musicians culminating in a phenomenal showcase.
Later on Saturday night, more than 420 Pontians from across Australia enjoyed a Dinner Dance at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow.
There were also a number of special guests including the Parish Priest St Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Wollongong, Father Anastasios Bozikis; First Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate of Greece in Sydney, Anastasia Christofilopoulou; President of the Hellenic Lyceum Sydney, Liana Vertzayias; and President of the Pan Macedonian Association of NSW, Anastasia Karakominakis; as well as various Presidents and Committee Members of Pontian organisations around Australia.
Emcee Anastasia Tavlaridis guided the official proceedings, asking a number of people to the stage to speak including Ms Christofilopoulou and the President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, Esta Paschalidis-Chilas.
Ms Paschalidis-Chilas presented awards on behalf of the Federation to people who have extended, supported and advanced the Pontian cause, culture and history in their own way. The award recipients were:
Mithridates Award for Lifetime Achievement: Nick Chrissostomidis
Ktenidis Award for Significant Cultural Contribution: Stefanos Eleftheriadis
Ktenidis Award for Significant Cultural Contribution: Arthur Natsikas
Euclidis Award: Angela Triantafilou
Ipsilandis Award for Contribution to Pontic Hellenism in the field of Academia: Costa Vertzayias.
Diogenes Award: Theodoros Kotidis and Kostantinos Zois
Costa Vertzayias.
On the night, there was also one of the largest dance performances in Australia with 90 students across Australia from five Pontian dance groups united in one circle to perform a spectacular show.
Esteemed musicians from Greece, Thodoros Kotidis (lirari virtuoso) and Kostas Zois (drummer) brought rhythmic prowess to the Synapantema festivities.
Kostas told The Greek Herald that whilst his journey to Australia was long, seeing the Pontian community come together made him feel as if he had reconnected with long-lost relatives.
“The Pontian community’s thirst for the homeland and its musical tradition surpasses any precedent. Babies, young people, middle-aged and old people all together, embracing the rhythms and melodies of the homeland, with wet eyes and elevated hearts,” he said.
Thodoros added that he was impressed with the flawless organisation of the event, and the “ultimate family environment” it provided.
“I had mixed feelings… awe, deep emotion, warmth for the people, but also optimism for the continuity of our Pontic cultural heritage, since it is in the best hands!” Thodoros said.
The final day of Synapantema on Sunday was a casual picnic where attendees reflected on the weekend and their beautiful memories.
In a statement to The Greek Herald, Ms Paschalidis-Chilas said as this year marks 35 years since the founding of the Federation in Australia, Synapantema 2024 shows the Pontian community is going “from strength to strength.”
“What we brought together on the weekend was led entirely by volunteers. In that – we see strength, resilience and commitment to our Pontian Hellenic culture here in Australia,” the Federation President said.
“We had children and young people actively leading and participating who are many generations away from our Pontian ancestors. What’s most important to all of us at the Federation – is they participate with love of their culture. It isn’t something we need to force.
“Our member Associations are to be warmly congratulated for all the hard work they do in Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. Their vision and work locally brings all of this together.”
With more than seven years of experience in mental health, it’s no secret that Stella Ladikos has a strong passion for helping people.
Stella is not only a mental health advocate from Sydney who founded Meraki Mental Health Training, she is also a certified Mental Health First Aid trainer, a presenter for the Butterfly Foundation, and a counsellor.
Her goal is to change the way people perceive mental health, spread awareness, and encourage people of all ages to get into therapy and speak with someone.
Stella’s passion stems from her interest in helping people after volunteering at her local Head Space centre at only 17 years old.
“I had quite a lot of people around me who were struggling with their mental health when I was younger,” the Sydney counsellor told The Greek Herald.
“I had no idea what to do, what to say, or even how to help them, it was one of my most disempowering experiences. From then on, I just knew that I wanted to do something about it.”
As Stella got older, she decided to commence her studies in mental health.
Eventually, after completing her Bachelor’s degree in Behavioural Studies majoring in Psychology, her diploma in Counselling, and her certificate in Mental Health, Stella went on to create her own service for helping people.
“I wear a couple of different hats,” she said.
“One is running my business called Meraki Mental Health Training, which I started in 2020.
“It basically offers Mental Health First Aid Training along with various mental health workshops and programs aimed at promoting awareness, education, and advocacy surrounding mental health issues.”
Stella has now spent her last few years delivering mental health training programs and workshops to schools, community organisations and businesses as she sees a need for more education and information to be available around mental health.
“There’s still a stigma around seeking help. But just like with physical health, it’s essential to reach out when you need support,” she explained.
“When you have a broken bone, you don’t just kick back and sit around and be like ‘if I think positive, it’ll get better and it’ll change and I can do it myself,’ you go straight to the doctors.
“In that same sense, your brain is also a part of your health, so when you’re not feeling good, or down, or have a lot on your mind that worries you, it’s best to chat to someone to look after your mental health too.”
Stella emphasised the need for people to prioritise their mental health.
“Your mental health is just as important as your physical health and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” she added.
“If you don’t look after your mental health, you’re not going to function to the best of your ability as a human.
“Mental health is something that is important for everyone of all ages to keep in mind, even if you are doing well in life.”
The 26-year-old counsellor serves as a beacon of hope for those trying to understand and improve their mental health. She aims to continue educating people and inform them that they are never alone and that there is help available.
“One of the most incredible stories I must share was from a two-day training course I did, where we were touching on suicide first aid. At the end of the day, I had someone come up to me and tell me that he had never learned about suicide before and after going through this section of training and learning the warning signs, he said she feared someone in his life might be suicidal,” Stella said.
“He then told me he was going to see that person that same night and use the skills he learnt with me to have a conversation. The next day, he came back and said that person in her life actually was suicidal. He then helped them put forward an action plan to keep them safe and get the help they need, all because of the course he had attended.
“It’s moments like this that makes me wonder, imagine if that person didn’t attend that training course that day, they could have completely missed the warning signs and the chance to help out someone who was struggling.
“It’s just such a rewarding feeling to be able to help people and make difference in their lives.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling, The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3PM – 12AM AEST or email responses within 24 hours).
The Greek Returned Service League members (RSL) went on a trip to NSW’s South Coast.
It was a fantastic, sunny day, despite the forecast. The drive included heading to Gerroa, about 150km south of Sydney. Other visited areas included Bald Hill, Stanwell Park, Kiama, Blow Hole, and Wollongong.
Greek RSL Trip.
Greek RSL Trip lunch.
Greek RSL Trip sights.
Greek RSL Trip gathering.
Greek RSL Trip food.
Greek RSL Trip group.
President P. Tsigounis and the Board has expressed their gratitude to all of the 50 passengers who came on the trip.
Singing, humour and good heart made the trip an overall wonderful experience. RSL President, Peter Tsigounis and the Board, expressed their gratitude to all of the 50 passengers for their participation on the trip.
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, the 42ndGreek Festival of Sydney, in collaboration with The Greek Herald, will hold an inspiring event to recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements of Greek women in Australia and around the world.
Andriana Simos: Panel Moderator & Digital Editor at The Greek Herald
Jenny Zagas: Principal at Lucas Gardens School & Disability Advocate
Anais Menounos: Sydney Lawyer & Co-founder of the St Nicholas Mission Academy in Ghana, Africa
Marika Kontellis: Director at Zakumi Consulting, CEO at Inner Sydney Voice, CEO at Council on the Ageing NSW
Yiana Roumeliotis: Community Engagement Officer at the Addison Road Community Organisation
In the lead up to the event – which will also feature the inaugural presentation of The Greek Herald Woman of the Year award– we will showcase each panellist and their accomplishments.
The event will also feature the inaugural presentation of The Greek Herald Woman of the Year award.
Who is Jenny Zagas:
From a young age, Jenny knew she wanted to be a teacher and work in the area of disability.
Central to all of her education roles has been her vision to ensure every student receives a rich, comprehensive education that provides them with skills that take them beyond the classroom walls and into the community.
As an educational leader, she has had the privilege of leading schools that cater for students with disabilities and mental health challenges, as well as students receiving their education within juvenile justice centre. She prides herself on the equitable implementation of programs and initiatives that support the learning needs of all students.
Currently, she is the principal of Lucas Gardens School. Working in tandem with a team of educators, Lucas Gardens school supports the complex learning needs of students from 4 to 18 years of age who have a severe or moderate intellectual disability.
As the principal, she models a collaborative school culture where everyone is respected, valued and acknowledged, creating an environment where staff and students have the opportunity to thrive.
Her Head and Heart leadership style has seen her nurture, support and mentor aspiring leaders, to ensure that future generations of students are supported by outstanding leaders committed to excellence.
Notable photographers, Effy Alexakis and Yanni Dramitinos, are pushing the frontiers of contemporary portraiture with their latest exhibition ‘Face off: Portraits’ at the Greek Festival of Sydney from March 6 to March 19.
Two contemporary Australian photographers of Greek heritage, Alexakis and Dramitinos aim to expose not only their subjects in the exhibition, but also themselves, and the preconceived ideas of viewers in stunning portraits of the celebrated, the familiar and the previously unknown – the psychological interplay between photographer, subject and viewer is inescapable.
My grandfather, 1978. Photo: Effy Alexakis.
Zoe Carides, actor, 1997. Photo by Effy Alexakis.
Australians from various walks of life – artists, writers, actors, labourers, business people, retirees – from a mix of cultural and cross-cultural backgrounds, including of course Greek Australians, are observed and exposed with insightful sensitivity, respect, understanding and humility.
Capturing the humour, determination, sadness, tragedy, success, the lived experiences of their subjects, Alexakis and Dramitinos bring their personal interpretive eye into play and in so doing, confront both their subjects and those viewing the portraits to contemplate their sense of ‘self.’
Salvatore Zofrea, artist, 2021. Photo by Effy Alexakis.
Sisters, from the ‘Binding Threads’ Series, 2023. Photo by Effy Alexakis.
Well known in their chosen visual field, the respective reputations of both photographers have been developed amongst, through, and with the Greek Australian community on multiple levels.
This exhibition showcases their portraits of Australians, identifying both photographers as skillful exponents of the portrait as narrative. Greek Australians are presented as significant contributors within the mosaic of the diverse faces of the nation’s peoples.
Poet Kit Kelen, 2023. Photo by Yanni Dramitinos.
Poet Les Murray, May 2014. Photo by Yanni Dramitinos.
“Portraiture stands apart from other genres of art as it marks the intersection between portrait, biography and history. They are more than artworks; when people look at portraits, they think they are encountering that person” – Alison Smith, chief curator, National Portrait Gallery, London.
Smith’s description of portraiture on initial reading may imply a tight traditionalist perspective, but upon closer consideration, her implication is much deeper, broader. The psychological interplay between artist, subject and viewer is interwoven within her statement. The evolving relationships that develop between all three are arguably at the essence of contemporary portraiture. Indeed, such interplay is particularly obvious in the photographic portrait, where what may be hidden through other mediums is not as easily cloaked.
Details:
Dates: Wednesday 6 March 2024 – Tuesday 19 March 2024.
Location: Luna Studio, 465 King Street, Newtown, NSW.
Hours: Mon – Thu 12pm-6pm; Fri – Sat 12pm -10pm; Sun 12pm-6pm.
Entry Fee: Free.
Exhibition Official Opening Event: Sat 9 March @ 6pm; the exhibition will be formally opened by Rhonda Davis, Senior Curator, Macquarie University Art Gallery.
By popular demand, an additional show on Sunday, March 10 at 7:30 PM has been announced for the exhilarating theatrical comedy “Opou Gis & Patris,” co-produced with the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM).
Tickets are selling fast, and this is your chance to experience the laughter and joy of “Opou Gis & Patris,” the hit play written by Dean Kalymnios.
The production aims to illuminate the lives of uprooted Greeks worldwide, addressing the pain of separation, the challenges faced, and the moments of happiness.
Lawyer and author Konstantinos Kalymnios is the theatrical show’s playwright. Photo: Konstantinos Kalymnios, Facebook.
It serves as a historical examination, drawing parallels between past and present, and embracing the universal aspects of human existence while injecting a healthy dose of laughter.
With a runtime of ninety minutes, the performance unfolds seamlessly, without an intermission, providing an immersive experience enriched with well-known Greek songs. Delivered in Greek with English captioning.
The MySat subscription platform has been experiencing interruptions to its ANT1 channel from Greece in Australia since February 2024, leaving viewers in distress as they are unable to access their regular programmes.
Acknowledging the widespread issue, MySat attributed the disruption to damage sustained by the Intelsat 8 Ku satellite, affecting not only their services, but also impacting other major broadcasting companies relying on the same satellite.
A representative from MySat has issued a statement to The Greek Herald addressing the situation.
“As you understand we are experiencing a major service outage, not only us, but all the major broadcasters such as TV Plus, on our satellite,” the representative said.
“Our dedicated team is working diligently to restore full service to all your favourite channels as swiftly as possible. Your patience and understanding during this challenging period are sincerely appreciated.”
MySat offers free streaming access as it works to restore interruption of ANT1 in Australia.
To address the inconvenience faced by users, the company has offered compensation for the period of service outage; the impact of the loss of Greek channels has been particularly felt by many, especially elderly expatriates who consider these channels as a valuable source of companionship.
Complimentary access has now been provided to the MySatGO streaming service, one of the many steps taken by the company to help rectify the issue.
Customers have also been advised that they can regain access to Ant1 Pacific by simply rescanning their set-top-box.
While the exact timeline for service restoration remains uncertain, MySat said it is committed to keeping its subscribers and The Greek Herald readers informed about any developments.
The company has extended its customer service hours to address inquiries and provide assistance, expressing gratitude for the trust and support of its subscribers during this challenging time.
For assistance, customers can visit www.mysat.com.au, the MySat Facebook page, or contact the customer call centre available seven days a week on 1300 976 483.
Subscribers can also watch all their favorite Greek channels through MysatGO. Download the app – no log-in required.
More than a third of Victorian councils begin their usual monthly meetings with a prayer, and while they are accepting of all religions, the bulk of those 29 councils recognise a Christian God before delving into their goals of “rates, roads, and rubbish.”
According to ABC, the other 50 Victorian councils have now done away with the monotheistic rite, reflecting a broader trend in Australia.
More than 85% of the population was Christian 50 years ago, yet according to the 2021 census, little under 44% of Australians identify as Christian, while 49% identify as other religions or have no faith.
Most Victorian councils that still open meetings with a prayer (indicated here by yellow symbols) are located in the regions. Photo: ABC News.
President of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), David Clark, stated that most opening prayers had stayed “pretty much unchanged” since council restructures in the mid-1990s.
Mr Clark added that whilst some councils have made changes to the traditional Christian prayer to better reflect their communities, this might not work for smaller rural communities which typically weren’t as spiritually diverse.
“I think it is for each council to work this through themselves,” he said. “Thinking about the community they’re representing and… what they might do as an alternative.”
Council Watch is instead advocating for the standardisation of the Acknowledgement of Country, which is customary practice in all but one of Victoria’s 79 municipalities.
“We have no problem whatsoever acknowledging that Indigenous people were the original and only first inhabitants of the land… that’s a statement of fact,” Council Watch president, Dean Hurlston said.
“But if we’re going to say that a Christian prayer or a Muslim prayer is not appropriate in a council meeting, we have to be consistent in that position.”
