The frenzy began with baked feta pasta, a TikTok sensation with over 108 million views, causing a Greek cheese shortage, as reported by the New York Times.
Now, the trend has evolved to whipped feta, elegantly served on fancy plates and piled high in big bowls, while we have passed to the era of feta tacos, where feta fried egg tortillas dominate as a quick one-pan lunch.
According to womenshealthmag.com, the world is captivated by the Greek cheese. This love extends beyond foodie and fitness TikTok, driven by its delectable taste and nutritional benefits, as nutritionist Jenna Hope indicates.
“Feta can provide a creamy texture with loads of nutritional benefits. It’s a really easy ingredient to add to a wide rage of dishes such as salads, pasta dishes and rice dishes,” she says.
The world is captivated by the Greek cheese
According to Jenna Hope, feta is typically lower in calories and saturated fats than many other cheeses due to the milk it’s made from. “It’s also a really good source of calcium which plays a vital role in supporting bone health, teeth health and maintaining heart health. As it’s typically leaner than other cheeses it’s also a great source of protein which helps to support satiety, hormone function and muscle repair and recovery.”
Of course those who love it should take into account the high salt levels. “It is also a source of saturated fats and, like everything, should be consumed in moderation,” Hope says.
The Henley Passport Index suggests that the Greek passport is now in the fifth place among the most powerful passports in the world, with access to 190 destinations.
Greece has jumped two places compared to last year, with Malta and Switzerland next to it on the list.
Australia is found in the 6th place, next to passports from Czechia, New Zealand, and Poland. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain are in the first place.
Australia now enjoys access to 189 destinations.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Henley Passport Index uses data from the International Air Transport Association for its measurements, covering 199 passports and 227 travel destinations.
Australia now enjoys access to 189 destinations (up from 188 last quarter).
Thessaloniki has been included in the New York Times’ list of 52 proposed destinations for 2024.
The paper’s experts have made this year’s travel list taking into account sustainable travel and cultural events.
From the Path of Totality, which will be one of the best places to watch April’s solar eclipse, to Paris, the host of this year’s Olympic Games, there are plenty of reasons to visit the destinations.
Photo: Jane Woolfenden
Thessaloniki stands in the 43th place, five places bellow Brisbane and is presented as a destination which is famous for its Byzantine mosaics, clubs, bars and cafes. Danial Adkison suggests that visitors should order an ouzo and enjoy it admiring Olympus mountain as it appears in the south.
“The White Tower is for Thessaloniki, what the Acropolis is for Athens”, suggests the article.
The soccer pitch at Heatherton FC was action packed on January 17 and 18 as the 2024 Greek Community Cup unfolded.
President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis, OAM, expressed his gratification with the tournament, “The GCM takes great pride in hosting this event, as it revives an element that has been absent from our cultural, social, and sporting calendar. We are thrilled about what we have witnessed so far. On Sunday, we had eight teams that played with great intensity, featuring some of the finest players in our state. This tournament unites our community and showcases an exceptionally high standard of football. We are excited about the quality displayed thus far. I firmly believe that the future looks promising, adorned in the blue and white colours of our country.”
Leonidas Vlahakis, the GCM Cultural Committee Chair, emphasized the tournaments role in community building “This tournament is not merely a series of matches; it is a shared experience that resonates with the heart of the GCM. Families, friends, and sports enthusiasts alike gather to witness the spectacle, forging bonds and creating memories that extend beyond the final whistle.”
Photo: 2024 Greek Community Cup.
The GCM Vice President’s, Michael Karamitos and Dr. Jim Bossinakis echoed this sentiment, highlighting the tournaments significance in showcasing the community’s commitment to engaging with younger generations.
“This tournament serves as a testament to the existence of our community, demonstrating that it is here for the youth,” Mr Karamitos said.
“Beyond the thrilling goals and strategic manoeuvres, the tournament serves as a nexus for the community to come together,” Dr Bossinakis remarked.
Chris Sikavitsas, GCM Board Member, recognized the legacy of Greeks in soccer, noting the high level of competition and passion.
“Greeks have been immersed in soccer since their arrival in Australia, and it’s truly heartening to witness that legacy persisting,” Mr Sikavitsas said.
Score summary:
Wednesday 17/01/24:
Oakleigh Cannons FC vs. South Melbourne FC (4-1): Oakleigh Cannons FC dominated the pitch, securing a convincing 4-1 victory against South Melbourne FC.
Malvern City FC vs. Altona East Phoenix SC (2-0): Malvern City FC claimed a solid 2-0 win over Altona East Phoenix SC, showcasing their prowess on the field.
Thursday 18/01/24:
Kingston City FC vs. South Springvale FC (3-1): In a thrilling encounter, East Kew emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline against South Springvale FC.
Heidelberg United FC vs. East Kew FC (2-0): Heidelberg United FC secured a 2-0 win over East Kew FC, solidifying their position in the tournament.
Photo: Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria.
Current group leaders:
Group A: Malvern City FC
Followed by: Heidelberg United FC
Group B: Oakleigh Cannons FC
Followed by: South Melbourne FC
Looking ahead, soccer enthusiasts can anticipate more thrilling action as the tournament progresses.
Upcoming games will take place on Sunday, January 21, as Malvern City FC faces East Kew at 3:30pm, followed by Altona East Phoenix SC taking on Heidelberg United FC at 05:00pm.
For those that missed the action, matches can be viewed on the 2024 Greek Community Cup YouTube channel here.
All other tournament information and team fixtures can be found on www.greekcup.com.au
Australia’s leading portrait and documentary photographers, Effy Alexakis, will return to Melbourne’s iconic Hellenic Museum for an “intimate exhibition” floor talk as part of the ‘Viewfinder: Effy Alexakis’ exhibition.
Ms Alexakis will be accompanied by sociocultural historian, Leonard Janiszewski, where both will provide their insights, highlighting the significance of the Greek-Australian experience.
Those in attendance will be guided through the four themes of the exhibition, while aesthetic considerations, migration-settlement history and interconnected diasporic narratives are discussed.
Ms Alexakis, who has chronicled the Greek-Australian experience for over 40 years will also share a special selection of her key works, exploring the aspects that have underpinned her own personal and artistic journey in understanding her cultural heritage.
Visitors taking in Effy Alexakis’ works in Viewfinder. Photo: Samantha Meuleman via Hellenic Museum.
In her own words, Alexakis shared that floor talks provide the unique opportunity for the audience to “connect” and to “understand” the work, as the creators of the work discuss the “how” and the “why”.
“Floor talks are intimate, casual affairs, where discussion about the exhibition generates questions from the audience to the artists/curators – and visa versa – and sometimes, new stories and understandings emerge,” Alexakis told The Greek Herald about the upcoming event.
‘Viewfinder: Effy Alexakis’ exhibition floor talk is free to the public and will take place on Thursday, 25 January from 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM.To join Alexakis and Janiszewski for their intimate exhibition floor talk, visit the Hellenic Museum website for more information and to register your spot: hellenic.org.au/exhibitions/viewfinder.
‘Binding Threads’ photoseries in ‘Viewfinder: Effy Alexakis.’ Photo: Samantha Meuleman via Hellenic Museum.
Viewfinder: Effy Alexakis has been extended and will be on display at the Hellenic Museum until the end of March 2024.
This exhibition has been supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants, and Exhibition Media Partner, The Greek Herald.
Stefanie Costi always knew that she wanted to dedicate her life to social justice. She dreamed of doing this through journalism, but she ultimately chose law. However, her career took an unexpected turn when she faced workplace bullying.
At the time, she said nothing, but years later, seeing another colleague experience bullying at the workplace, she penned an article in ‘Lawyers Weekly’ and shared it on LinkedIn.
This article opened the floodgates, and Stefanie found her calling, quite by accident, as an anti-bullying advocate.
“People’s reaction to the article left me flabbergasted as 10,000 people liked my post, 1.2 million read it, and there were 1,516 comments and 828 reposts,” she told The Greek Herald, struggling to keep up with the 2,000 people who reached out with messages commending her for speaking up on an issue they could relate to.
“I still get private messages from people from all walks of life who draw strength from what I wrote. Two people said they wanted to commit suicide. My advice to them was to seek professional help. I am not a medical professional; I am simply a listening ear.
“Often, people going through a difficult experience simply need someone to be in their corner. My mission is to be that person, to empower those facing harassment and encourage them to seek better paths.”
Stefanie speaking at the Canberra National Press Club.
Asked about her own bullying experience, Stefanie described it as insidious.
“I was never assaulted or sexually harassed, but there were many small, hurtful incidents that all added up,” she explained, emphasising that bullying is widespread in the legal profession.
“In law, everyone has either experienced, witnessed or heard of someone being bullied in some way because lawyers are known for their sharp tongue and quick wit which can become problematic when they transform into weapons of destruction.”
Stefanie remembers “dulling” herself down after being criticised for being “too enthusiastic,” or the time she was asked by a managing partner to go out and buy him gum boots and then, in front of everyone, being asked to personally put them on his feet and then take them off.
“What made it worse was that I looked to him as a role model, so apart from the bullying there was also an element of betrayal,” she said.
“As a paralegal, you’re at the bottom of the totem pole, not in a position to help yourself. People running firms are paying your salary. If you speak up, you fear they will fire you.”
Stefanie emphasised the profound impact bullying has on a person’s self-worth is huge.
“I felt ashamed. The bullying shattered my confidence and impacted my health. Simple tasks that used to take minutes now took me hours. My confidence was eroded,” she said.
What helped Stefanie cope was her supportive Greek Australian family and seeking therapy.
“I also recently got married to the most wonderful man who is very supportive,” she added.
However, it still took her some time to share her story.
Stefanie speaking at the Canberra National Press Club.
“My sister, who works in HR, warned me against going public about my experience, and there was the fear that it would be career limiting but, so far, it has been anything but that,” she said, adding that employers tolerate workplace bullying because employees fear that speaking up will damage their reputation.
“Since writing my article, I have had speaking engagements at the Canberra National Press Club, I’ve been interviewed for articles on bullying and have addressed universities. I’ve been asked to write about bullying, and have been offered jobs. In fact, my current position is the result of my boss recognising me as a trailblazer,” she said, expressing her desire to raise the bar for creating positive workplace cultures.
“I spoke at the Dean’s Merit Ceremony at Sydney University of Technology in July, shedding light on the gritty reality of what you might face as a young lawyer and some students came to me afterwards to thank me for being so candid.”
She believes bullying can occur at any stage of a person’s career and is not gender specific. A “zero tolerance policy” and a reporting mechanism which is “anonymous, safe and can’t be hacked” are necessary, Stefanie said. She also advocates for mental health support in every organisation, particularly smaller ones that lack an Employee Assistance Program.
Since sharing her own bullying experience, Stefanie has realised the gravity of the problem. She is determined to be an advocate for all those who endure daily humiliation, gaslighting, and abuse at work.
Perth Lord Mayor, Basil Zempilas has hit back at claims made by Crown Perth’s CEO, David Tsai, that the city lacks vibrancy and things to do, stating that Crown is failing to deliver on its promises.
According to The Western Australian, Tsai, who relocated to Perth in 2022, stated that while the city is safe and sunny, it “lacks a little bit” and that with limited trading hours, “there’s not a lot to do” compared to Sydney and Melbourne.
Zempilas retaliated by stating on 6PR Perth that it was “poor” [for Tsai] to compare cities.
“The idea of comparing our capital city [Perth] to other cities around the world, is a poor one”, Zempilas said.
“Those cities don’t have what we have, we are a lifestyle city…the people of Perth want to get up early and use the daylight, use the great weather and use the beaches, they don’t want to stay up until midnight every night.”
93-year-old Greek-Australian woman, Rubina Liosatou, has donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Kefalonia Hospital in Greece from Australia.
Liosatou made this bequest after leaving Greece 65 years ago for Australia, where she currently lives, hoping to give back to a place that she could never quite forget, her hometown of Argostoli.
Donations include a digital mammogram machine and an ambulance, which can be used to discharge patients.
Ambulance service at Kefalonia Hospital. Photo: Inkefalonia.gr.
“I always liked to give to others and I also worked at the Argostoli hospital as a volunteer,” Liosatou emphasised.
This is not the only donation Liosatou has made since 2023, however, offering her assistance with refurbishing the Pyrgos Hospital, where her husband was born.
“To the Pyrgos hospital, she [Rubina] donated beds for short-term hospitalisations…and a modern X-ray machine for the radiology department,” Director of the 6th Health Department, Yannis Karvelis said.
Liosatou reiterates her passion for the hospital, Greece, and her husband, as her reasoning behind the donations.
“The face of the hospital changed, I did this in memory of my husband. We love our homeland, we love it very much. I wanted very much to do something for my country of Greece”, explained Liosatou.
Greece’s government intends to accelerate the submission of legislation that would legalise same-sex marriage, prompting the Church of Greece to call an emergency meeting.
According to amna.gr, the Church of Greece leadership has arranged an emergency meeting on January 23 to examine the topic of same-sex marriage, ahead of a bill likely to be tabled by the government.
A statement released by the Church of Greece declares that the Holy Synod will convene next Tuesday at 9am under the chairmanship of the Archbishop, Hieronymos of Athens, and all of Greece.
The only item on the agenda, according to the statement, will be “Church and instituting marriage between persons of the same sex”.
Government sources state the initial plan was to present the bill at the end of February, but it is believed that the date has been brought forward, as reported by Ekathimerini.
Despite significant opposition from the Conversative Party and the Church of Greece, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has stated that the bill will grant gay couples full parental rights, however, it will not permit medically assisted reproduction via surrogate.
Roughly 60 Conservative MPs are presently leaning towards abstaining from the vote or voting against.
Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his concerns over the growing crisis unfolding in the Middle East to Foreign Policy Editor-in-Chief, Ravi Agrawal on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland.
Mitsotakis emphasised Greece’s engagement with all sides involved in the Middle East crisis, maintaining an unbiased approach when offering support, including Israel’s right to self-defense regarding innocent victims in Gaza.
According to amna.gr, Mitsotakis specifically addressed the unfolding events in the Red Sea during the discussion at the World Economic Forum, highlighting the link between the aftermath of conflict and the impact on the bank’s efforts to reduce inflation.
“Now that we are trying to reduce inflation, every break in the supply chains can only complicate central banks’ efforts,” Mitsotakis said.
Mitsotakis also showcased continuing compassion for the Ukraine and Turkey, reaffirming Greece’s stance with Europe in its united support of Kiev, alongside promoting the collaboration on the migration issue by welcoming Turkish tourists to Greek islands.
