A Greek teenager from South Australia has pleaded guilty following the aggravated assault of a security guard at the Noarlunga Centre Interchange last year.
19-year-old Jayden James Spakianos. from Morphett Vale, had previously denied these allegations, but has now admitted he stabbed the innocent security guard.
According to The Advertiser, the incident occurred on August 17, 2023.
The victim, Scott Wimshurst, was at Noarlunga Centre on September 3, when Mr Spakianos and another male began to taunt him.
Mr Wimshurst was left with a punctured lung, blood in his chest cavity and a collapsed lung.
Mr Spakianos faced Christies Beach Magistrates court on Thursday, February 22, where he pleaded guilty to the bus interchange incident.
Mr Spakianos will be sentenced in the Nunga Court in April.
Hundreds of NSW Liberal members gathered at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney on Saturday, February 24, to hold their annual Council event.
During the day’s proceedings, one of the key topics discussed was the motion to expel the former immigration minister and Federal MP Alex Hawke.
This motion was proposed after Mr Hawke was accused of failing to attend nomination review committee meetings before the 2022 federal election.
The NSW Liberals members gathered at the Grand Ballroom at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney. Photo: Fullerton Hotel, Sydney.
His lack of attendance then led to a delay to preselections in Farrer and North Sydney, which caused a federal intervention to take place where a three-person panel then had to handpick nine candidates.
Mr Hawke, however, survived the attempted expulsion on Saturday.
This was thanks to his Centre Right faction securing support from the Moderates, notable because those two groupings usually don’t get along.
In the early hours of Monday, February 26, a popular Greek restaurant was targeted and left in flames in North Adelaide, South Australia.
The newly opened Greek restaurant, AMMOSGreek Bistro, was firebombed at 3 am when hooded suspects smashed the front window of the venue and threw two Molotov cocktails inside, which then burst to flames.
The manager of the restaurant, Nikola Novakovic, believes it was attacked due to jealously of the restaurant’s success.
“We do massive numbers every weekend, just shows the effort and time and money we put into this,” Novakovic said.
“For someone to do this to a small family business, not even you know four-five months running, is just terrible.”
7 news reported that the incident was first reported when the AMMOS Greek Bistro’s chef, who lives above the restaurant, heard the attacks while watching TV.
South Australia police were called to the scene and said the suspects were seen driving off in a silver hatchback, heading east on Ward St in Adelaide’s north.
Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) firefighters came to assist and put out the flames, and said the damage was estimated to be more than $100,000.
AMMOS is expected to reopen next month after it is repaired. Although no arrests have been made, police are continuing investigations.
After Vassilis Toliopoulos performed miracles by scoring 26 points in a basketball match, the Greek team secured its second consecutive win in the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers.
During the second period of the game, the Greek team found itself in a difficult spot, as it was losing by 13 points (31-18) to the Netherlands team, however, the team made a remarkable turn around, which led to them winning with a score of 74-72.
The basketball game between Greece vs Netherlands took place on Tuesday, February 27. Photo: Euro Hoops.
The victory of the Greek team was made possible with help from Vassilis Toliopoulos, who scored 26 points, while in his five previous games with the Men’s team, he had a total of 18 points. The international guard of the Aris basketball team even scored a very crucial basket at 29.5 seconds before the end of the game.
Vassilis Spanoulis’s team did not start the match well, having made 11 mistakes in the first 15 minute. However, later they improved significantly, they only made 3 mistakes by the end of the match.
During the game, one of the players, Kosta Antetokounmpo, stepped out after the first half due to a knee injury, and another player, Naz-Mitrou was not playing the match at all due to a shoulder problem.
In the game, 18-29 points were from opponent mistakes, 11-10 points were from surprise, 8-6 were second chance points, 38-28 points were from painted and 29-23 points from substitutes.
The Blue and Whites of Esteban Quintas reached three wins in as many games and are fat the top of the NPL standings.
In the 8th minute of the match, and while the goalkeeper of Greece Javier Lopez had blocked the ball with an exit, the captain of Hume, Josh Bingham, with a deliberate hit seriously injured Lopez who after five minutes left and was taken to the hospital.
An offense punishable by a straight red card, but the referee of the match, in consultation with the linesman, spared Bingham and showed him a yellow card, a decision that caused the 800 or so South Melbourne fans to boo him loudly.
Then with Willem Lejeune under the posts for Hellas, the game was balanced with neither team creating the big scoring chance. The same scenario continued until the first fifteen minutes of the second half, from then on Greece began to gain meters on the pitch and almost scored its own goal in the 60th minute when a defender of the visiting team, in his attempt to clear the ball, sent it inside the crossbar with the ball hitting the horizontal goal line and the referee very correctly signalling for play to continue.
The “Golden” goal of South Melbourne was achieved in the 74th minute with a close shot by Nahuel Bonada.
From then on, the Greek team worked hard to preserve the 1-0, but also created important opportunities for a second goal which did not come.
South Melbourne is now alone at the top of the NPL standings with nine points and without conceding a goal in three matches.
Greece has officially agreed to participate in and lead a European Union maritime security operation in the Red Sea.
According to AP News, Greece will now be able to protect shipping vessels from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Greece, recognised as a significant maritime shipping power, has directly felt the impact of the Houthi attacks. The port of Piraeus, located near Athens, reported a 12.7% decline in activity at its container terminal in January compared to the previous year.
A security committee headed by Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ordered the participation of a Greek frigate in the Aspides operation – named from the Greek word for “shield” – that was launched last week.
The operation will be run from a military base in Larissa, central Greece and overseen by the Greek navy commander Vasilios Griparis.
Με τη συμμετοχή στην επιχείρηση #EUNAVFOR#ASPIDES δεν κάνετε μόνο προβολή της Eλληνικής και της Ευρωπαϊκής σημαίας, αλλά υπηρετείτε το καθαρό εθνικό συμφέρον.
Μία επιχείρηση που έχει ελληνική ηγεσία και ελληνικό όνομα.
Greece’s Defence Minister Nikos Dendias spoke about the operation on Monday while on a visit to the navy frigate Hydra at a naval base near Athens.
“We all understand that participation in this operation involves risks, significant risks,” he said.
“Greece, as a maritime power with a leading role in global shipping, attaches great importance to the need to safeguard the freedom of navigation, as well as the life of Greek seafarers.”
Germany, Italy and France will also provide warships for the mission, joining the Hydra, while Italy will assume tactical command, according to Greek officials.
Once again, the 36th Antipodes Festival, organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), resonated with the vibrant pulse of the Greek community. Held in the heart of Melbourne’s historic Greek precinct on Lonsdale Street, adorned in blue and white, the Festival marked a significant milestone.
The Festival stands as the largest Hellenic festival in the global diaspora and this year, for the first time, has been recognised by the City of Melbourne as a Tier 1 event alongside the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Australian Tennis Open. The Antipodes Festival has evolved into a hallmark event, uniting people of all backgrounds and ages to revel in Greek culture and celebrate the tapestry of cultural diversity.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald.
The President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis OAM, officially launched the Festival joined by esteemed guests including Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Multicultural Affairs in Victoria; John Pesutto MP, Leader of Victorian opposition; Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services & Multicultural Affairs; Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis; the Consul General of Greece of Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis; Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Nicholas Reece, City of Melbourne; Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission; and Theo Zografos, Liberal candidate for Chisholm.
Amidst the spirited ambiance, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a surprise appearance, commending the vibrant contributions of the Greek community to Australia. He expressed gratitude for the cultural richness shared by Greek Australians, acknowledging their pivotal role in the nation’s fabric.
“It is fantastic to be here with you,” Mr Albanese said at the event.
“The largest Greek population outside Greece right here in Melbourne. Thank you for sharing with us your culture, your food, your language, your dance and your music. There is no community stronger in Australia than the Melbourne Greek community.”
Mr Papastergiadis and the Prime Minister mentioned Bob Hawke, the first Australian Prime Minister to attend the Antipodes Festival.
The streets were teeming with people early on Saturday as the festival commenced in earnest with the traditional “Zorba Til You Drop” dance and endurance competition on the main stage at noon. Nikos Vokolos emerged as the victor, clinching a round-trip ticket to Greece, courtesy of Scoot.
Naomi Allen, Scoot’s sales manager, presented the prize to Nikos, who expressed immense joy and indicated he could have danced for hours. He noted that he had secured the second position in the competition last year, but had set his sights on claiming the top spot this year.
This year witnessed a record-breaking number of stalls, surpassing 90, offering a plethora of traditional food, desserts, delicacies, and displays from Greek organizations, and schools. Notably among them were the stalls of the Festival’s sponsors, including the globally recognised cosmetics company, MECCA x KORRES. For the first time among the major sponsors, MECCA x KORRES provided attendees with the opportunity to sample some of its innovative products, all made from Greek herbs.
Once again, the Festival showcased exemplary samples of Greek art, culture, entertainment, and cuisine, solidifying its reputation as a cornerstone event in Melbourne’s cultural calendar.
Enthusiasts of Greek cuisine were treated to a diverse array of delectable traditional dishes, including the renowned Greek souvlaki, gyros, seftalies, Thessaloniki’s beloved koulouria, and loukoumades, all exuding the enticing aromas and flavors of Greece. Additionally, a series of cooking demonstrations immersed visitors in the heart of Greek gastronomy.
The program also featured entertaining competitions for both participants and spectators alike, such as the St Gerry’s “Loukoudomania” competition, offering prizes of invitations to theater performances to the winners and other lucky attendees.
Over the course of two days, more than 500 performers graced the festival’s three stages, with beloved music and dance groups from the community setting the tone for the festivities. The city was transformed as figures dressed as ancient Greek deities added to the vibrant atmosphere. Visitors of all ages had the opportunity to elevate their excitement levels with thrilling rides on roller coasters, the Ferris wheel, and other enjoyable activities.
The audience enthusiastically applauded the music and dance groups that participated, including the Alphington Grammar School whose students delivered stirring renditions of the Australian and Greek National Anthems during the opening ceremony. Additionally, the GCM schools paid a touching tribute to the memory of Chronis Aidonidis, the esteemed Thracian teacher of traditional music, through captivating Thracian dances and a reflection on the milestones of his illustrious career. Over 50 dance groups from Victoria and other Australian states graced the stage, adorned in vibrant traditional costumes, as they performed a series of mesmerizing traditional dances.
Standing out in the music scene were “Xylourides”, Nikos, Antonis, and Apollonia Xylouris. With profound influences from their grandfather, Psarantonis, and father, Psarogiorgis, coupled with their unique talent and passion for Cretan music, they captivated the audience and ignited spirited dancing in the city streets.
The audience erupted in applause for the “Momogeroi,” presented by “Pontiaki Estia” and accompanied by music from the “Mavrothalassites.” Notably, in 2017, this customary event was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Since their debut at the “Antipodes” Festival in 2018, the “Momogeroi” have garnered affection and admiration from Greek Australians, and this year, their impact on younger generations was particularly noteworthy with the “bride” stealing the show.
A highlight of the Festival was the presentation of the trophy to the victorious team, Oakleigh Cannons FC, winners of the 2024 Greek Community Cup. The Greek Community Cup serves as a celebration of our heritage and a showcase of the young talent within our community.
Renowned Greek singer Melina Aslanidou took the main stage in the Festival’s musical lineup. Delighting attendees with beloved songs and chart-topping hits, accompanied by local talented musicians, Aslanidou electrified the audience on Saturday night. Tens of thousands of people flocked to enjoy her performance, revelling in an evening filled with music, dancing, and pure entertainment, as her enchanting voice and unique timbre cast a spell over the crowd.
Official Opening of the 36 Antipodes Festival
The event saw a gathering of community leaders, members of parliament, and media representatives, fostering an atmosphere conducive to cultural and diplomatic exchange. Anthea Sidiropoulos, Vice President of the GCM, and Leonidas Vlachakis, Chair of the GCM Cultural Committee, introduced the speakers.
President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis OAM, officially launched the Antipodes Festival, reflecting on its significance, saying “This festival to me symbolises the simple pleasures that are brought to life, celebration with friends, coming together, the smiles associated with reuniting with sounds, smells and taste of lands afar. Greek words kefi and glendi spring to mind when we experience this Festival. So, when you leave tonight, we hope that the warmth and joy of this festival remains with you and hold on to thet 2 Greek words kefi and glendi.”
All speakers lauded Greece and the influence of Hellenism in Australia.
Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Multicultural Affairs in Victoria, highlighted the Festival’s broader importance beyond cultural sharing, recognising the enduring contributions of Greek Australians stating, “It is so much more than sharing your culture and generosity, it’s about your hard work and sharing your values. I’m very proud we have provided $800,000 to the Festival so it can keep going strong for the years ahead. We know in investing in multicultural communities brings Victoria together.”
John Pesutto MP, leader of Victoria opposition, emphasised the Festival’s role in celebrating not only Greek traditions but also the enduring spirit of Hellenism and its global impact. He said, “We don’t just meet at this iconic festival to celebrate the beautiful dances and the historic customs and traditions. We come to celebrate what we have been given by the spirit, the promise and the force from Hellenism itself and what it has given to humankind. Not just here but across the world. Not just now, but across all time. know you came in this country with nothing. Look what you have created! “
The Hon Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services & Multicultural Affairs, and His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis highlighted the profound contribution of Hellenism and the uniqueness of the Greek identity to Australia’s development and the rich multicultural fabric of Melbourne.
The Consul General of Greece of Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, praised the inspiration and passion of the Greek Community for continually enhancing the Festival, urging attendees to embrace Hellenism as a vibrant part of daily life. He stated, “The Antipodes Festival is a tremendous opportunity for our community to come together and reminds us that our culture keeps at its core the love for our fellow man. Keep sharing our Hellenic heritage and culture.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Nicholas Reece, City of Melbourne, celebrated the Festival’s significance by repeating the two Greek words that Mr Papastergiadis emphasised,”kefi” and “glenti” and introducing himself to the crowd in Greek. He said, “This isn’t just the biggest Greek Festival in Australia. It’s the biggest Greek Festival in the world. Classifying this Festival as Tier-1 event in Melbourne is truly inspiring.”
Ms Viv Nguyen AM, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, began her speech by greeting the attendees by saying “Geia sas filoi mou Ellines” and continued ” Melbourne’s multiculturalism would not have the form it has today without the contribution of the Greek community. Thank you very much for all your decades of hard work and for inspiring the other communities of the city. We need a strong, cohesive and collective society in Australia.”
The speeches concluded with Theo Zografos, liberal candidate for Chisholm, underscoring the pivotal role of the Greek community and its culture in Australia.
The heartbeat of Hellenism washed across Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park over two days to celebrate 20 years of the Greek Fest on Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25.
The Greek Fest – which is organised by the Greek Festival of Sydney supported by the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) – saw thousands of people flock to Darling Harbour to get a taste of Greek food, dance and music.
All photos copyright: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Families of all sizes and people of all ages, ranging from toddlers to elderly grandparents, enjoyed themselves as Tumbalong Park came alive with numerous dance performances by traditional and modern Greek and Cypriot dancers, and a plethora of international and local performers.
The popular Greek Australian band IHO NYX wowed the crowd on Saturday night, while international Greek vocalist Melina Aslanidou took to the stage on Sunday. Aslanidou’s performance involved a special appearance from the Pontoxeniteas NSW dance group as a way to honour the singer’s Pontian roots.
Melina Aslanidou.
Other Greek dancing groups also took part in the two-day festivities, performing in front of large crowds across three stages – the Darling Quarter Village Green South stage, the Palm Grove stage, and the main stage. Thanks to a recent upgrade, the main stage looked bigger and better than ever. This was the first time the main stage had been used for any cultural festival in NSW.
Dancing groups included the Aristotelion Academy of Greek Traditional Dancers, Sophia Ventouris School of Greek Dance & Culture, Kimata Dance School, Sydney Sizmos, Cyprus Community of NSW Dance Group, Greek Orthodox Community of NSW Dancers under instruction by Paroula Thurban, Pontoxeniteas NSW, the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW, Canberra Hellenic Dancers, the Greek Community of Newcastle Hellenic Dancers, Rallis School of Greek Dance, Kalymnian Association of NSW Dance Group, and the Greek Dance Rhythms Group.
Amongst all the dancing and music, an array of Greek delicacies were also served by food vendors during the weekend celebrations. From classic to modern twists on Greek snacks and sweets, attendees savoured the flavours of souvlakia, haloumi, loukoumades, and more.
Festivalgoers could also be seen browsing a number of stalls selling handmade jewellery, candles and religious icons, whilst the children enjoyed magic shows, colouring and face painting, and the 1st Rap Competition in Greek.
‘It’s a full park celebrating Hellenic culture’:
As the Greek Fest was celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, a number of official guests were in attendance to mark the special occasion.
This included, but is not limited to, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; NSW Premier Chris Minns; NSW Liberal Leader, Mark Speakman; Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia; Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlethwaite MP; Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney MP; Federal Member for Banks, David Coleman MP; NSW Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Mark Coure MP; NSW Minister for Finance, Courtney Houssos MLC; NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis MP; President of GOCNSW, Harry Danalis; Chair of the Greek Festival of Sydney, Nia Karteris; Bank of Sydney CEO, Melos Sulicich; and a number of other politicians and Greek community leaders.
Emcee Mr Tsilimos kicked off the official program with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Alan Madden and a traditional smoke ceremony, followed by the National Anthems of Greece and Australia. Speeches were then given by Mr Danalis, Mr Mallikourtis, Bishop Christodoulos, Mr Minns, Mr Speakman, Mr Thistlethwaite, Ms Burney, Mr Coleman, Mr Sulicich, and Ms Karteris.
Bishop Christodoulos.Harry Danalis.
Matt Thistlethwaite MP.Linda Burney MP.
Melos Sulicich.
In his speech, Mr Mallikourtis congratulated the organisers of the Greek Festival of Sydney for being able to promote the Greek culture in Australia for more than 20 years, and thanked Greek migrants for their contribution to Australia’s multicultural society.
“I was told that the Greek ships arriving in Sydney used to arrive about two kilometres from here until the 1970s, one a week, and some of you who are here today were on those ships,” Mr Mallikourtis started.
“If someone had told you then that in about 40 or 50 years’ time the whole leadership of the state and of the country would be at Greek Festival and that you would be able to sing your songs, and eat your food, and have a great time with Greek traditions, you’ll probably think that he or she would be out of his or her mind… so you’ve gone a very long way and we’re very grateful to Australia for having provided these opportunities to our compatriots.”
Ioannis Mallikourtis.Chris Minns MP.
NSW Premier Minns also approached the podium to speak, drawing loud applause from the crowd as he joked that he “knew the Greeks would pull a bigger crowd than [singer] Taylor Swift.” Swift’s recent Sydney concerts drew tens of thousands of fans to stadiums to watch her perform.
“This is amazing,” Mr Minns said as he looked at the thousands of people standing around. “It’s a full park celebrating Hellenic culture and the Greek community in Australia.
“Those who came to this country on boats for decades… would look at the Greek community of Australia today with enormous pride… for one simple reason – it will have meant all of the sacrifices they took to come to this foreign country paid off.”
NSW Liberals Leader Mark Speakman also praised Greeks for all they’ve achieved since migrating to Australia, and praised festival organisers for the event.
Nia Karteris.Mark Speakman.
“[Tonight] we celebrate the Greek diaspora, one of the largest in NSW… and their contribution to business, to families, to religion, to art, to politics. We celebrate this festival as a great chance to celebrate all that is great about Greeks,” Mr Speakman said.
For her part, Ms Karteris spoke proudly as the Chair of the Greek Festival of Sydney, touching on the 20-year history of the Greek Fest and encouraging the state and federal governments to continue supporting it.
The official speeches ended with the arrival of Aslanidou who had people singing along to her rhythmic music and slowly jumping up to dance the night away.
A simple idea of gathering the local Greek community on the grounds of a church in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia has grown in popularity, attracting a new generation of Greek Australians.
Network Ten journalist Alan Murrell Michael and Pip Klimentou. Photo: The Greek Herald/ Martina Simos.
Attendees.
On a perfect summer evening, more than 4,000 people of different ages came along to enjoy Greek food and entertainment at the Parish of the Prophet Elias Norwood in Adelaide.
Families Jadon and Canatselis attending the event.
Attendees. Entertained by the accordian player Carlo Anzellotti.
The idea of a Greek festival based on the traditional ‘Paniyiria’ of Greece was initiated in 2011 by the former parish priest Father Stavros Psaromatis, with the support of his family.
MCs from FIVEaa Stacey-Lee and Matthew Pantelis.
FIVEaa radio personalities Stacey-Anastasia Lee and Matthew Pantelis.
The official guests at this year’s festival included: Bishop Silouan of Sinope; Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP; Federal Member for Sturt, James Stevens MP; SA Minister for Transport, Tom Koutsantonis MP representing the SA Premier Peter Malinauskas; the Leader of the Opposition, David Spiers MP; SA Minister for the Arts, Andrea Michaels MP; SA Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Zoe Bettison; Connie Bonaros; Member for Bragg, Jack Batty MP; Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, George Psiachas; City of Norwood Mayor Robert Bria; Chair of the SA Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, Adriana Christopoulos; and President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of Prophet Elias Norwood and Eastern suburbs, George Morias.
Father John Choraitis, His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope Mr George Psiachas Greek Consul General and Mr David Speirs Leader of the Opposition.
Andriana Karagiannis, Father John Choraitis His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope Greek Consul General Mr George Psiachas Leader of the Opposition Mr David Speirs.
The official guests who gave a speech included: Bishop Silouan, Mr Koutsantonis, Mr Spiers, Mr Psiachas, Mayor Bria and Mr Morias.
Bishop Silouan of Sinope and Father John Choraitis.
In his speech, Mr Morias acknowledged Father Stavros, who began the ‘humble’ event, while thanking the current parish priest Father John Choraitis for his support.
Two of many of the volunteers.
Volunteer. Peter Antoniou cooking for the crowd.
He also praised the efforts of the ‘hard-working’ volunteers, the sub-committee, the Philoptochos, the SA Premier, sponsors and the Executive Council.
President Mr George Morias centre and his Executive Committee.
Parish priest Father John Choraitis with volunteers and Executive Committee.
“It was the vision of The Very Reverend Fr Stavros Psaromatis to establish a Greek festival, more in line with the traditional ‘Paniyiria’ of Greece, hosted on the grounds of their local Church where people visit the church, open a candle, venerate the icons and then join the festival,” Mr Morias said to the crowd.
“The aim of the festival is to showcase our Greek Orthodox traditions and customs whilst still embracing multiculturism.
“We have in excess of 100 volunteers helping at this festival ranging in age from 15 years to volunteers in their eighties.”
Slavo-Ukranian Cultural Dance Group.
On the night, the attendees enjoyed different cultural dance performances and music entertainment from the Slavo-Ukrainian Cultural Dance Group, the Cretan Dance Group and the Messinian Dance Group, the Norwood Greek School Dance Group, the band Kosmos and Michael Papacharalambous on clarinet.
Norwood Greek School Dance Group.
This year’s event was supported by the South Australian Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and Mr Morias acknowledged their pledge of $75,000 to assist with the festival over the next three years starting in 2024.
The Hon Tom Koutsantonis representing the Premier of SA.
On the night, Minister Koutsantonis pledged a further $36,000 to the church for security cameras and lighting.
“We also thank the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Zoe Bettison MP for the $5,000 support under the Celebrate Together program,” Mr Morias said.
Chairman of Board of Directors at St Basil’s NSW/ACT James Jordan has announced that after a robust recruitment process, Diana Horvatovic has been successful in being appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for St Basil’s NSW/ACT.
“In the last 6 months as acting CEO, Diana has been instrumental in driving improvement in standards across all of the St Basil’s Homes,” Mr Jordan said.
“She provided St Basil’s with continuity in leadership and the strong expertise to lead the organisation in the vital role of delivering quality aged care services.”
Mrs Horvatovic joined St Basil’s in 2021 and brings to the role over 17 years of valuable Aged Care industry experience in both governance and operations gained at the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and the Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance, and other leading aged care organisations.
“The aged care industry is continuously changing and with Mrs Horvatovic’s deep understanding of consumer needs and expectations, the Board is confident that she will continue to drive the St Basil’s team on its current trajectory to fulfil its mission of delivering quality services to support individual needs of ageing Australians including Greek Australians,” Mr Jordan added.
“Mrs Horvatovic is a key driver of our Continuous Improvement Plans across our clinical and non-clinical environments. The delivery of best-practice aged care services to our residents is her passion. Her hands-on approach, empathetic nature and practical guidance brings a wealth of support to the St Basil’s workforce.
“The Board is confident that Mrs Horvatovic’s experience, leadership style and energy will be critical to in the continual evolution and ongoing improvement.
“We wish Mrs Horvatovic all success in her new role. Together with support from Senior Executives, Senior Management and all of our staff, we are all committed to providing best-practice care every day and supporting ageing Australians to live a life of spirituality, meaning, and joy.”
