Prince Frederik X and Australian-born Princess Mary have been proclaimed King and Queen of Denmark on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Sunday.
According to ABC News, Mary is the first Australian queen to reign over a European country.
The succession came two weeks after Queen Margrethe II announced on New Year’s Eve her decision to abdicate after 52 years of service.
On Sunday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared Frederik’s ascension three times, as the 55-year-old stood beside her wearing a ceremonial military uniform. Queen Mary, 51, and the couple’s four children, then joined him on the balcony as the crowd spontaneously sang the national anthem.
The new Danish King Frederik and Queen Mary did a balcony appearance with their four children!! They did an initial appearance, and then had an encore sealed with a kiss! pic.twitter.com/nZaLdFfHCF
“My hope is to become a unifying king of tomorrow,” Frederik said in his first speech as King.
He then kissed the new Queen, and another great cheer rose from the crowd.
Frederik married Tasmanian law graduate and former real estate agent, Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, in 2004 after a chance encounter at a Sydney pub four years earlier.
The royal couple will continue to reside with Margrethe, who will retain her title as Queen, in Amalienborg.
Lukoumades, one of Adelaide’s top Greek donut destinations, has bid adieu to its picturesque Henley Beach locale, marking the end of an era.
According to glamadelaide.com.au, in a heartfelt announcement, the Lukoumades team expressed gratitude to their cherished patrons and confirmed the closure of their seaside spot.
“Dear our valued customers, thank you for your support over the years,” the post read. “Unfortunately, we have decided to close our Henley Beach location.”
Lukoumades store at Henley Beach.
Having graced the seaside suburb since 2018, Lukoumades had become a cherished spot for both locals and visitors, evolving into a popular post-dinner hangout for satisfying late-night sugar cravings.
Offering a diverse range of toppings from classic honey and cinnamon to Nutella and Oreo, the place offered Lukoumades for every taste.
While the Henley Beach era is coming to an end, the owners revealed you will still be able to get your hands on their sweet treats, saying their Hyde Park location is still open for business along with their food truck that can be spotted at events.
The sudden caused sadness to many passionate dessert lovers, who shared their emotions about the announcement in social media.
“Oh no, I’m a regular at your Henley Beach store, but that’s okay. I will still see you guys in Hyde Park,” one of them mentioned.
As the weekend approaches, the Semaphore Foreshore is buzzing with anticipation for the 43rd Semaphore Greek Festival, set to transform the area into a vibrant hub of Hellenic culture on January 13th and 14th, 2024.
Organised by the Greek Orthodox Community of the Nativity of Christ, Port Adelaide & Environs (PAGOC), this festival is not just an event; it’s a celebration of heritage, a reunion of communities, and a showcase of multicultural South Australia.
Semaphore Vounteers.
A Gathering of Leaders: The festival will be graced by distinguished guests, including Peter Malinauskas, Premier of South Australia, symbolising the government’s dedication to cultural diversity. Other notable attendees include The Honourable Stephen Mullighan MP, Treasurer and Member for Lee, and The Honourable Jing Lee, MLC, Shadow Minister for Multicultural South Australia, all gathered to celebrate and support the rich tapestry of cultures in South Australia.
Culinary Delights and Cultural Displays: One of the festival’s highlights is the array of authentic Greek cuisine. Imagine savouring Lamb Kontosouvli, and Loukoumades while surrounded by the lively atmosphere of traditional and modern Greek music and dance. The festival promises to be a haven for food enthusiasts and culture vultures alike, offering a taste of Greece right here in South Australia.
George Diakomichalis: In the midst of the cultural revelry and Greek festivity, the role of MC will be adeptly handled by none other than George Diakomichalis, a renowned TV personality and South Australia’s beloved pastry chef. George, famed for his culinary expertise and charismatic presence, hails from the multi-awarded cafe-bakery Kalymnos Pastries. His flair for engaging audiences and deep roots in Greek culinary traditions make him the perfect host for a festival celebrating Greek culture and community. With George at the helm, the Semaphore Greek Festival is set to be an event filled with warmth, laughter, and unforgettable moments.
A Special Musical Treat: Adding a special flavour to this cultural fiesta is the appearance of Georgia Rappou, a celebrated violinist and singer from Greece. Her collaboration with the Enosis Band is highly anticipated, promising to blend traditional Greek melodies with contemporary rhythms, creating a musical experience that resonates with all ages.
Engaging Activities for Everyone: The Semaphore Greek Festival is renowned for its interactive and family-friendly environment. With competitions like the ‘Who Loves Pita’ and ‘Honey, I ate the Loukoumades,’ along with the exciting ‘Spasta! Plate Smashing Competition,’ there’s something to keep everyone entertained.
A Platform for Unity and Joy: John Douvartzidis, President of PAGOC, eloquently captures the essence of the festival, “It’s more than a celebration of Greek culture; it’s a manifestation of unity and joy within our diverse South Australian community.” This sentiment is echoed in every aspect of the festival, from the smiles of the volunteers to the laughter and chatter among the attendees.
An Invitation to Celebrate: The Semaphore Greek Festival extends an open invitation to everyone to join in this grand celebration. Whether it’s to enjoy the culinary delights, immerse in the rhythmic dances, or simply to experience the warmth of Greek hospitality, this festival is a must-visit for those seeking a weekend of culture, community, and joy.
So, visit the Semaphore Foreshore this weekend, where culture, cuisine, and community converge in a spectacular display of Greek heritage and South Australian spirit. And don’t miss the chance to witness the musical magic of Georgia Rappou with the Enosis Band – a performance that’s sure to be the highlight of your festival experience.
Yorgos Lanthimos‘ awards season continues to ramp up with his film Poor Things being nominated for a number of Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards for 2024.
Featuring stellar performances from Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things captivates festival attendees with its eccentric narrative of a woman brought back to life after suicide by a deranged doctor who replaces her brain with that of her unborn child.
According to ABC News, Stone, who plays the role of Bella Baxter in Poor Things, has been nominated for ‘Outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role’ at the SAG Awards.
Fellow castmate and seasoned actor Dafoe has also been nominated for ‘Outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role.’
These SAG Awards nominations come after Poor Things also won two Golden Globe awards on Monday for ‘Best picture — Musical/Comedy’ and ‘Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy’ (for Stone).
Lanthimos will find out whether he will also win a SAG Award during an award ceremony on February 25 at 11am AEST.
One regular evening, as grandparents Dimitri and Connie Maggos were preparing to wind down in front of their television, they were met by a small crowd of people knocking on their door.
In the now viral TikTok posted by Illiana Venetsanos, ten grandchildren (Venetsanos included), made their way to their yiayia and pappou’s home to surprise them for a sleepover.
The video shows yiayia Connie and pappou Dimitri pleasantly shocked by the arrival of all their grandchildren.
“My yiayia and pappou have four children and 14 grandchildren. One of her children lives in Rhodes, Greece which means unfortunately four of our cousins couldn’t make it. But the other 10 grandchildren all attended the sleepover,” Venetsanos tells The Greek Herald.
“My favourite part of the night was the expressions on their faces when we walked through the doors – it was absolutely priceless and totally worth the effort. I’m thrilled that we came together as a family to surprise both of them.”
Viral TikTok reminds us of childhood sleepovers at yiayia and pappou’s house.
Venetsanos captured some moments throughout their evening to fulfil the request of all the parents, who hoped to savour the memories and also catch a glimpse of what their children got up to at yiayia and pappou’s house.
The video has been making the rounds online, amassing almost half a million likes on TikTok, and has been reposted across social media by Instagram pages such as Greek and Proud.
“We’re amazed and pleasantly surprised that it’s gained viral attention. It’s heartening to read the positive comments and observe many people expressing the desire to follow and surprise their grandparents along with their cousins,” she said.
“Yiayia and pappou are thrilled and genuinely surprised by the positive response. They may not fully comprehend the extent of the video’s impact, but they are aware that it has garnered significant attention and appreciation… We have told them about the amount of views it has gotten and all the beautiful comments, and yiayia’s first response was ‘You should’ve let me fix my hair’.”
Viral TikTok reminds us of childhood sleepovers at yiayia and pappou’s house.
Originally the idea of their aunty, the Maggos’ grandchildren found the perfect opportunity to enact their plan whilst on their summer break from work.
Of course, seeing their grandchildren arrive meant yiayia and pappou Maggos pulled out all the stops. An abundance of food and games appeared before their very eyes.
“The moment we entered, yiayia was already pulling food from the fridge and firing up the oven, while pappou reached for the cards on the top shelf. Even though we arrived post-dinner, and she technically didn’t have to feed us, yiayia couldn’t resist ensuring our bellies were satisfied,” Venetsanos said.
Viral TikTok reminds us of childhood sleepovers at yiayia and pappou’s house.
“We all gathered, enjoying her spaghetti bolognese, an array of snacks, fruits, Greek sweets, and her famous spanakopita that everyone can’t get enough of. Later, we circled around the table, engaging in card games, sharing tales of old memories, laughing, and enjoying lots of delicious food.”
The night truly roused the nostalgia the Maggos’ grandchildren had for the evenings they were dropped off at their beloved yiayia and pappou’s home to stay the night. There was no shortage of happy memories that were brought to the surface of their minds.
Viral TikTok reminds us of childhood sleepovers at yiayia and pappou’s house.
“Some of the best memories we cherish involve yiayia’s delicious food, and coming together as a family to savour her home-cooked meals, often accompanied by her irresistible Greek sweets. Even if we were already full, Yiayia would be upset if we didn’t eat, so we’d overindulge just to see her happy,” she recalled.
“Another cherished memory revolves around lounging on the couch, tuning in to Greek news, enjoying performances by Greek singers and singing along with them, and engaging in card games and tavli. Card games have always been a favourite in our competitive family, although pappou consistently wins.”
Viral TikTok reminds us of childhood sleepovers at yiayia and pappou’s house.
There was however one sore spot for all the cousins.
“As kids, my cousins and I would eagerly anticipate finding a tin box of lollies in Yiayia’s glass display cupboard, only to discover it was actually filled with sewing equipment. It became a running joke in the family,” she said.
Mr and Mrs Maggos migrated to Australia in 1964 on a boat from Athens. Yiayia Connie hails from the island of Symi and pappou Dimitri from the island of Lipsi.
Closing in on 60 years in Australia, Mr Maggos often reflects on his voyage and life with his grandchildren.
“Another memory involves sitting with pappou as he recounted tales of their journey to Australia on a boat from Greece, his days of working multiple jobs day and night, and his enduring love for fishing, a passion he still shares with his kids and grandkids,” Venetsanos said.
Viral TikTok reminds us of childhood sleepovers at yiayia and pappou’s house.
The comment section of the video has been flooded with others expressing their desire to surprise their own grandparents.
“If you’re thinking of surprising your grandparents, do it. Our grandparents always have the same schedule so we knew they were going to be home and watching TV so the surprise wasn’t that hard to pull off,” Venetsanos concluded.
Lotto winner William John Bampton from Twin Waters on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast had his world turned upside down after winning the $986,000 lotto prize in March 2018, according to news.com.au.
92-year-old Bampton attempted to reclaim a $300,000 “gift” he provided to his daughter, resulting in an acrimonious legal struggle that has left the elderly father alienated from both his daughters.
According to a Brisbane District Court decision, Bampton put down a $50,000 deposit on a four-bedroom Mountain Creek property immediately after winning the jackpot, followed by paying an extra $505,030 to co-own the home with his son, Larry.
In August of 2018, he gifted $300,000 to his daughter, Suzanne Elaine Vourlides.
According to news.com.au, this transaction became the main point of issue as Bampton tried to have the funds set aside, claiming that [daughter] Vourlides had unfairly influenced him or subjected him to unconscionable behaviour.
A family dispute over a Tattslotto win worth nearly $1 million has resulted in a court case in Brisbane. Photo: ninenews.com.au.
Vourlides, on the other hand, claimed that her father willingly gave her the $300,000 on his own initiative.
Despite Bampton’s plea, Brisbane’s District Court Judge, Suzanne Sheridan rejected the claim, hinting at prospective cost orders unless the parties could reach an arrangement.
“Although Mr Bampton was of advanced age and had medical conditions, the medical evidence was to the effect that he had full capacity and well understood and was able to manage his financial affairs,” Judge Sheridan said.
Vourlides stated that the conflict has since destroyed her family.
“At the end of the day, I’m over it, quite frankly, it’s destroyed people’s lives. The whole thing is terrible,” Vourlides said.
Bampton wishes to contest the court’s ruling, lamenting that there were no winnings remaining.
Ambassador of Australia to Greece, Alison Duncan and the Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas met on Tuesday with Greek Member of Parliament, Takis Theodorikakos.
In a post on X, Theodorikakos said he enjoyed meeting Ms Duncan and Mr Georganas.
Υποδέχθηκα στο γραφείο μου την Πρέσβη της Αυστραλίας Alison Duncan &τον Steve Γεωργανά, Πρόεδρο της Αυστραλοελληνικής Κοινοβουλευτικής Ομάδας.Είχαμε μια ουσιαστική συζήτηση, με την ιδιότητα του Προέδρου της Επιτροπής του Ελληνικού Κοινοβουλίου για την φιλία με την Αυστραλία. pic.twitter.com/cBd2H5txtH
“We had a very substantive and creative discussion on friendship and cooperation with Australia,” Theodorikakos wrote.
“[Australia is] a great country with a strong Greek presence. A vibrant expatriate community, part of global Hellenism. A strong advantage for the future of our Homeland.”
Founder of Tennis Majors and creator of the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) Tour, Patrick Mouratoglou, will be opening a Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Australia.
The Academy will be part of the proposed Cape Otway Road Australia (CORA) sport and wellness tourist destination, on a 220-hectare property on the Victorian Surf Coast, replicating Mouratoglou’s flagship facility in Nice, France.
“This is a big move for our brand,” Mouratoglou said in a statement.
Having launched five tennis facilities abroad overall, this is the second academy in the globe for Serena Williams’ former coach, Mouratoglou, now collaborating with an Australian-accredited boarding school provider to offer roughly 200 spots to tennis players, with the first academic year beginning in 2027.
The proposed look for the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Australia. Photo: tennismajors.com.
“We have always loved Australia, a genuine ‘tennis nation’, and this partnership is an exciting development for the region, providing educational and career opportunities for young students as well as athletes”, Mouratoglou added.
According to tennismajors.com, the Tennis Academy complex at CORA will include 48 courts, including 33 tennis courts, 15 additional courts (padel, pickleball, and mini), a show court, and a clubhouse with a gym and swimming pool.
The Academy will also provide tennis camps to the Australian public, particularly during school vacations.
Mouratoglou is well known for hosting training centres where prominent talents including Stefanos Tsitsipas have refined their tennis skills, only hoping to expand his reach further in Australia.
Athena Spyropoulos, the woman behind Athena Cake Shop in Marrickville, Sydney, passed away on Friday morning at the age of 89.
Athena, alongside her husband Aristomenis, ran the iconic pastry shop on Illawarra Road for decades. She was known for working hard behind the scenes, cooking delicious traditional Greek sweets.
The couple had two children, Efy and Kosmas. Until recently, Efy and her husband Christos ran the cake business after her parents retired.
Athena is survived by her husband, two children and their respective families.
A Greek-owned oil tanker named St Nikolas was seized by Iran’s military on Thursday in the gulf of Oman.
The seizure by Iran’s military follows weeks of attacks on Red Sea ships by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, including their heaviest bombardment of drones and missiles ever fired late Tuesday.
According to Ekathimerini, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency declared the seizure came as the result of a court order, without providing any further explanation.
The tanker, formerly known as the Suez Rajan, was once entangled in a year long dispute between Tehran and Washington, resulting the US Justice Department seizing 1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil on board.
The U.N. Security Council scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution that would condemn and demand an immediate halt to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea area.https://t.co/TJ3agh4oAj
Private security firm, Ambrey reported that this seizure saw “four to five armed persons” boarding the oil tanker, covering surveillance cameras in order to conceal their identity.
Athens-based shipping company, Empire Navigation acknowledged losing contact the Greek tanker which has a crew of 18 Filipinos and one Greek national.
Since the breakdown of Iran’s nuclear deal, Iran has seized a number of ships in the waters surrounding the strait, with the current emphasis focusing on Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthis say their attacks are aimed at halting the suffering of Palestinians in Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, however, the rebels have increasingly targeted ships with tenuous or no ties to Israel.
