Maria Sakkari beat Leylah Fernandez 7-6 (2), 6-3 after a very close match to send Team Greece into the quarter finals of Australia’s United Cup.
After a very difficult match against the combative Fernandez, Sakkari managed to come back from a break in both sets to win 7-6 (2), 6-3 and “seal” the Greek qualification to the quarter finals of the United Cup.
Earlier, Stefanos Tsitsipas had made a successful start to his 2024 singles season on Wednesday when he defeated Steven Diez 6-2, 6-3 to give Greece a 1-0 lead over Canada.
Asked after his match about the strong Greek support he received, Tsitsipas said, “Athens, Sydney, it doesn’t make much difference right now. I am out here enjoying playing tennis. There is a lot of blue and white around the stadium, which happen to be my favourite colours.”
“I always have a lot of energy when I’m playing in Australia, which keeps my blood pumping.”
To clinch a quarter final place, Greece needed to either defeat Canada 3-0, or 2-1 if the sets score is not 4-4. Straight-sets wins by Tsitsipas and Sakkari mean that Canada is no longer able to win four sets in the rubber.
Greece will next compete for the quarter-finals on Friday, facing Alexander Zverev’s Germany.
In Melbourne’s iconic Hosier Lane, an equally iconic football legend has made an appearance on its walls.
Tottenham Hotspur FC manager, Ange Postecoglou’s legacy has been turned into artwork by Dean Drossos and the team behind Yitonia (formerly Greek Youth Generator).
The young Greek Australian artist has his own connection to Postecoglou, more personal than physical.
“Ange has come from very similar beginnings and places that our parents and grandparents have come from, and accomplished these incredible feats. It’s also a connection to my dad,” Drossos told The Greek Herald.
“When I was a kid, I used to go to a lot of South Melbourne games, and I still do. My dad was heavily involved in the club back in the 90s. From memory, he was in the committee and he also set up the merchandise. And throughout my childhood, I would constantly get told about the history of the club. Dad remembers all these stories of Ange playing on the field, the training sessions, and he would always tell me these stories while we were at the games.”
Aptly named ANGE TOWN, the six larger-than-life depictions and poster take you through Postecoglou’s history, from his humble beginnings in his hometown of Melbourne at South Melbourne (Hellas) FC, all the way through to the English Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou town in Hosier lane Melbourne.
“Something I wanted to do was celebrate his accomplishments throughout time. In the ANGE TOWN design it goes from the back left starting from South Melbourne, and it travels along until you get to the middle where it brings us to the present day. Ange really encompasses this quote I love, ‘anyone from anywhere can do anything.’ He’s a true example of that,” Drossos said.
Ange Postecoglou town in Hosier lane Melbourne.Ange Postecoglou town in Hosier lane Melbourne.
At a glance you see a proud Postecoglou across the timeline of his career, but the details tell the deeper story of triumph.
“Across the bottom of the poster where his feet are, you can see some of the trophies he’s won. South Melbourne has one of the NSL league trophies, there’s the shield from his win with Yokohama, the title for Australia with the AFC Cup back in 2015,” Drossos explained.
Ange Postecoglou town in Hosier lane Melbourne.
“Across the floor we’ve included a little hidden feature. Ange had a 54 undefeated win streak at home; 50 wins and 4 draws. That record is displayed at his feet, almost like he’s walking over it.”
As the artwork went up curious onlookers stopped to take photos and engage with the organising team, opening the door for the passionate young football fan to share Postecoglou’s story.
“A lot of people were really receptive to it. They really enjoyed the story behind it. A tour group had come by and the tour guide asked me if I could explain who Ange is and so I basically gave an impromptu lecture on Ange Postecoglou, in his hometown, which was amazing… I’m just proud that people are noticing what he’s accomplished,” Drossos said.
The ANGE TOWN artwork was in the works for a couple of months before being realised in Melbourne’s CBD. Drossos had reached out to the team behind Greek community group Yitonia, Peter Giasoumi and Dean Kotsianis, who helped bolster the project.
Ange Postecoglou town in Hosier lane Melbourne.
In September 2023, Yitonia unveiled their Footscray’s Hidden Hellenism mural, adorning Yewers Street in Footscray. A range of the suburb’s local Greek Australian heroes are depicted on the walls, intertwined with traditional Greek cultural elements.
Drossos was able to take some stylistic inspiration from the mural and fuse it into the tapestry of his ode to Postecoglou.
“I was able to lead the project with the backing of Dean and Peter. They gave me the wall to bounce off and say, ‘let’s try this’ and were able to put the funding behind it. A quote that really resonated with me during this process that I’ve been using to describe Yitonia is ‘it gives power to the local dreamer.’ They gave me the time, the space, the advice and the opportunity to actually create this mural of sorts,” Drossos said.
Ange Postecoglou town in Hosier lane Melbourne.
Drossos has his eye on expanding on their project honouring Greek Australian legends, but for now, the young artist and Yitonia team hope to rouse Melbourne’s “once fervent passion for football” and help the community truly appreciate the tenacity and hard work that has gone into the legend that is Ange Postecoglou.
“I didn’t know whether I would be permitted to dive for the cross,” Victoria Paneras told The Greek Herald, remembering the day she plunged into Glenelg’s chilly waters.
On that clear blue sunny day, the 17-year-old became the first woman in South Australia to retrieve the cross on Epiphany Day 2019.
She had woken up with an inexplicable urge to join the male divers.
“I told my family and they were supportive, encouraging me to go for it,” she said.
“When I arrived and asked if I could join the other swimmers, those present had to get a second opinion before this was allowed.”
While Paneras was able to dive in Glenelg in 2019, at the 2023 Epiphany Day celebration at Port Melbourne, the two people manning the registration desk would not accept female participation.
“They are not allowed,” The Greek Herald was told in hushed-up tones, no further explanation given. It is uncertain whether the organisers were acting of their own accord or following the directions of local religious leaders.
The imposition of a male-only rule was arbitrary, especially bearing in mind the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s repeated declarations that there has never been a canon against women diving for the cross provided “they are modestly dressed,” This dress code hopefully also applies to the attire of the male swimmers.
The dive itself, along with the release of the doves by local dignitaries on the male-dominated VIP stands, are recent 19th century additions to the Blessing of the Waters ceremony.
Early church fathers established Epiphany Day in the third century – sans the swimming component. They wanted Theofania (Epiphany Day), meaning the “appearance of God” or “divine manifestation,” to mark the end of the Christmas season. On this day, Greek Orthodox Christians celebrate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River emphasising the moment Christ revealed himself as God’s son to the whole of humanity.
Victoria Paneras with her parish priest, Fr Konstantinos Skoumbouridis of the parish of St George Thebarton.
In modern times, the deeper message of this pivotal moment is overshadowed by the “fun” components of Epiphany Day. The annual paraphernalia includes attendance by local politicians cordoned off from the masses, live music, souvlaki, loukoumades, popcorn, animal petting, face painting, and other money-makers.
Then there are the chiselled oiled-up male torsos, glistening in the Australian sun, firm muscles flexing during warm-ups before the young men display their athletic prowess in a 117-year ritual that has fast become a competitive sport.
It is understandable why some religious leaders are anxious about adding bikini-clad women to the equation. Some United States parishes are even considering women-only dives to work around possible moral and safety risks in the battle to grab the cross. Alternatively, and this has not been discussed, the church may also consider introducing dress codes for swimmers of both genders because it is still a religious ceremony after all.
Victoria said she had wanted to challenge the status quo as a matter of faith and not feminism per se. She just wanted to experience the act of retrieving the cross, a symbolic baptism signifying spiritual renewal and cleansing.
She told the media present that she saw the dive as a “good omen” for her Year 12 studies as, typically, the catching of the cross is associated with good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.
True enough, Victoria continued her year with a successful result and followed her passion – teaching. She is currently finishing her education degree and Bachelor of Science while working at St George’s College.
What she had not expected was the surge of faith that rushed through her following the dive. Other divers, regardless of gender, also claim to have experienced this, a feeling they carry throughout their lives. Just a chance to participate is considered an honour.
“The dive strengthened my faith and I go to church a lot more now. I also feel closer to my heritage and even learn Greek dancing,” Paneras said, adding that she always wears the gold cross she was given on that day.
“When I caught the cross, most reactions were positive, and my priest and grandparents were happy for me. Some people, however, said it was wrong for a woman to catch the cross. At the time, I hardly noticed what people were saying because I was overwhelmed.”
Paneras acknowledges that while social norms may have been different just over a century ago, these male-dominated traditions, forged over time, aren’t carved in stone. She said that the exclusion of women from such events isn’t based on biblical references but has more to do with outdated notions of female frailty and societal roles.
“I am happy to see more girls experiencing the dive and hope that I have helped contribute to this,” Paneras said, adding that she would like to meet with more women divers to share what the religious experience meant to them. “My younger sister wants to participate too, and I wholly encourage this.”
Luckily her sister is in Adelaide and not Port Melbourne where last year this was not allowed. Instead, only the boys competed and won and were blessed for it, the male dignitaries present released the doves and the girls made loukoumades.
For the first time in 24 years, the Divine Liturgy for the feast day of the Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh and the memory of Saint Basil the Great, took place at the Church of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist in Batemans Bay, New South Wales, on New Year’s Day.
For more than 40 years, the needs of the Greek Community of the region were initially served in the local Anglican church.
New Years divine liturgy held for first time in over 20 years at Batemans Bay.
On the day, many devout Christians gathered at the church for the historic commemoration of the first day of the new year.
The liturgy was followed by the cutting of the customary Vasilopita, which was blessed by Father Savas Pizanias.
A NSW tribunal has found Sydney chiropractor Chris Vorillas violated professional boundaries by touching a female patient’s breast and genital area while they were receiving treatment.
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) said the actions were “not for sexual gratification” and “not intentional.”
Vorillas has strongly disputed all claims of inappropriate touching.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the woman visited Vorillas’ CBD clinic multiple times between October 17, 2019 and November 5, 2020, seeking treatment for neck and back problems. She filed a complaint with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) the day following her last session.
In her initial complaint to AHPRA, the woman said Vorillas massaged her inner thigh before moving up the leg and inside her shorts. She also claimed he touched her right breast.
Sydney chiropractor Chris Vorillas. Photo: LinkedIn.
The NACT concluded the conduct had breached the Chiropractic Board of Australia’s code of conduct by “fail[ing] to maintain professional boundaries so [the patient] was not exploited physically or sexually.”
Vorillas’ registration was restricted on November 19 last year, including a ban on touching any female patient’s upper breast, lower pelvis, or upper thigh.
The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) is presently attempting to completely cancel the registration of Vorillas, who has directed his practice, Kinetic Healthcare, since 2014 in Sydney’s CBD and in Narellan in its southwest outskirts.
The HCCC also seeks to bar Vorillas from seeking for a review of the NACT judgment or delivering health services for two years.
Following the conclusion of stage two proceedings next year, a decision will be taken.
Opening Week at Australian Open 2024 just got a whole lot bigger with the star-studded line up of four charity matches revealed.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic, fellow defending AO champion Aryna Sabalenka, returning AO champion Naomi Osaka, world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Maria Sakkari and Casper Ruud will wow fans in four showstopping charity matches from Tuesday 9 to Friday 12 January.
The matches are part of the expanded AO Opening Week presented by Herald Sun, giving fans more opportunities to get up close to their favourite stars and all the Grand Slam action.
Kicking off the program on Tuesday, January 9 is Naomi Osaka, two-time Australian Open winner with a total of four Grand Slam titles to her name. Naomi will return to Rod Laver Arena for the first time since becoming a mother. Her opponent for the charity match will be announced soon.
On Wednesday, January 10, Spanish young-gun Carlos Alcaraz will take on Aussie No.1 Alex de Minaur in what promises to be an epic matchup.
On Thursday, January 11, Rod Laver Arena will host ‘A Night with Novak and Friends,’ with 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic. Novak will present a tennis celebration alongside world No. 6 and AO 2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, fellow AO 2023 champion and world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka and world No. 8 Maria Sakkari. A number of other special surprise guests will join in the fun.
Novak Djokovic will join forces with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari.
The final charity match on Friday, January 12, will see Carlos Alcaraz return to centre court to take on another of the sport’s young rising stars, world no. 11 Casper Ruud.
Tickets for all charity matches are now on sale and priced from just $20. Proceeds from the matches will support a range of children’s charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation which has provided more than 49,000 opportunities for disadvantaged kids to play and belong.
“Coming back to the Australian Open and to Rod Laver Arena, where I’ve achieved my greatest success, is always very special,” Djokovic said.
“I’m very excited to be part of Opening Week and to host this wonderful event to raise money for children in need, a cause very close to my heart.
“I’d like to invite all the tennis fans in Melbourne to come out and support us, and I promise that along with Stefanos, Aryna and Maria, and some surprise guests, we’ll all have a lot of fun.”
In 2022, the Australian Tennis Foundation launched the Brighter Days program which gives kids facing challenging life circumstances and their families a fun and engaging day out at the tennis.
“We have an incredible line-up of stars taking to the court to entertain fans and support kids in need during AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.
“We have a proud history of bringing the local tennis community and the world’s top players together to support and raise much needed funds for causes close to their hearts and to disadvantaged communities. The proceeds from these matches will make a significant contribution to a range of children’s charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation.
“For the very first time we are producing four spectacular nights of tennis action and entertainment leading into the Australian Open, another way we are bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.
“Imagine being able to get tickets down the front of Rod Laver Arena to see our defending champions, Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, 2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, rising star Carlos Alcaraz, our own Alex de Minaur and former AO champs Naomi (Osaka) and Caro (Wozniacki) for as little as $20 – it’s just incredible.
“I can’t think of a better way to kick off AO 2024, and our exciting Sunday start, than showcasing these fantastic players on our biggest stage and for a great cause during AO Opening Week.”
Along with the charity exhibition matches, AO Opening Week presented by Herald Sun offers fans a unique opportunity to experience Grand Slam tennis up close with unprecedented access to the top players. Activities include:
AO practice matches presented by Herald Sun
AO Opening Week Fan Zone player interviews presented by Herald Sun
AO qualifying
Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates.
Tickets for the charity matches are available for purchase at Ticketmaster. For more information, visit the AO website here.
Former Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) organiser, Helen Sourlas has claimed she was unfairly dismissed after calling out the former NSW state secretary for “threatening physical violence” against another staff member.
According to records provided to The Australian by the Federal Court, Sourlas condemned the former secretary, Cory Wright for his threatening behaviour at a staff meeting on February 16.
Sourlas also emailed the AMWU National Secretary, Steve Murphy “outlining numerous instances of bullying and/or harassment that other employees of AMWU had also been subjected to by Wright.”
After being interviewed about the statement, Sourlas received a letter on July 20 last year announcing the outcome of the investigation into Wright. He remains listed as the AMWU’s NSW and ACT secretary.
Cory Wright (L) and Steve Murphy (R).
Through her solicitor, a de-identified copy of this investigation letter was supplied to the AMWU on July 21.
According toThe Daily Telegraph, Sourlas claimed she was dismissed after the investigation letter was discovered in correspondence pertaining to Kelly’s case. She said she was unfairly dismissed because she made a complaint in relation to her employment
Allegations made by Sourlas against Mr Murphy were then submitted in a Federal Court case in November, after she had already filed a complaint against the AMWU in the same court in March of last year.
On December 13, Federal Court Judge, Elizabeth Raper ordered the cases to be merged and directed the case to mediation in March of next year.
This marks a significant milestone in GCM’s rich history and highlights its commitment to promoting and preserving the Greek language and culture within the diverse Australian community.
This initiative reflects the GCM’s commitment to providing a platform for individuals to validate their proficiency in the Greek language, whilst fostering educational excellence and linguistic diversity.
The GCM President, Bill Papastergiadis OAM, expressed his enthusiasm for this historic initiative, stating, “This is a momentous occasion for the Community.”
“By becoming an official examination centre for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek, we are reinforcing our mission to be a cornerstone for the Greek language in Victoria,” Mr Papastergiadis added.
“In the vibrant and multicultural landscape of Melbourne, the preservation of the Greek language and culture becomes a beacon of unity and holds profound significance.”
The GCM Head of Educational Programs, Dr. Nick Dallas, said, “GCM is poised to uphold the integrity and standards set by the Centre for the Greek Language, ensuring a seamless and reliable certification process for candidates in Victoria.”
“By serving as the official examination centre, the GCM not only facilitates the examination process, but also becomes a hub for educational and cultural exchange. Our main goal is to highlight, promote, and preserve the Greek language and culture,” Dr Dallas said.
Mrs Helene Hiotis, GCM board member and principal of Bentleigh Secondary College, commented, “I am thrilled to witness our organisation being recognised as the official examination centre for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek.”
“This designation not only underscores our commitment to promoting and preserving the Greek language, but also highlights our dedication to providing a reputable and reliable platform for individuals seeking to certify their proficiency in Greek. We embrace this responsibility with enthusiasm and look forward to playing a key role in the linguistic and cultural journey,” Mrs Hiotis said.
The Certificate of Attainment in Greek is the sole national certification, officially recognised by the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. This prestigious certificate validates the proficiency of individuals in Greek as a foreign or second language, spanning from A1 for children aged 8-12 years old to C2. As the only certification endorsed by the Greek government, it holds immense value and significance for those seeking to demonstrate their Greek language proficiency.
The Certificate of Attainment in Greek:
provides any user of Greek with an expert and objective opinion of the level of their knowledge of Greek;
serves as proof of the successful candidate’s level of attainment in Greek in the work market;
is a requirement for the practice of various professions in Greece; and
at Level C allows foreigners to register at a Greek institution of higher education, in case they do not have a Greek secondary education certificate (P.D. 138/9-7-99).
The opening of applications for the 2024 Certificate of Attainment in Greek examinations will be announced in the following month.
The Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis unveiled the priority bills set to kick off the new legislative year, emphasising the significance of reforms in private universities and the introduction of a postal voting system.
Marinakis highlighted that the proposed bills cover a wide range of crucial issues, including changes in the justice system, measures against sports violence, and economic interventions aimed at boosting incomes. The government is particularly focused on addressing companies’ profiteering, and Marinakis emphasised the imposition of fines to curb such practices.
Among the key legislative initiatives, the introduction of postal voting stands out as a landmark move. The government aims to streamline and facilitate the voting process by allowing citizens to cast their votes via mail. This step is expected to enhance accessibility to the electoral system, providing convenience for individuals unable to visit polling stations in person.
In response to concerns about the bill for marriage equality, Marinakis reassured the public that it is on the government’s agenda and will be submitted within the next four years.
When questioned about potential reactions from the Church, Marinakis emphasised the separation of powers, stating, “The Church does not legislate. The Hellenic Republic holds executive, legislative, and judicial power. We respect all opinions, including those from the Church.”
As the parliamentary session unfolds, citizens and stakeholders eagerly anticipate the outcome of these proposed bills, with the postal voting initiative taking center stage as a significant step toward modernising the democratic process in the country.
In a groundbreaking humanitarian effort, Britain and Cyprus have collaborated to send 87 tonnes of aid to Gaza, utilising a unique route via Egypt.
Cypriot officials announced the successful testing of a screening mechanism for cargoes, presenting an alternative path for delivering much-needed supplies to the beleaguered Palestinian enclave.
The aid, which arrived on January 1 at Port Said in Egypt, is set to be transferred to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. While falling short of Cyprus’ ultimate goal to establish a direct aid corridor to Gaza, this initiative provides a workaround by eliminating security checks within Israel itself, a development hailed by officials.
The shipment comprises 10,770 thermal blankets, 4,805 shelter packs, and 10 tons of pharmaceutical products, generously contributed by Cyprus.
Humanitarian aid trucks sent by UNRWA and Red Crescent pass through Rafah Border Crossing on Egyptian border as they drive to a storage of UNRWA, in Rafah, Gaza on December 18, 2023. Photo: MEMO / Abed Rahim Khatib / Anadolu Agency.
According to Ekathimerini, the Cypriot initiative involves aid undergoing security checks in Cyprus by various government agencies, including those from Israel, before being dispatched from the eastern Mediterranean island.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides expressed optimism about the impact of this alternative route, stating, “The international community now has a workable alternative at its disposal to send additional humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza.”
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting the people of Gaza, emphasising the urgent need for more aid to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population.
The ongoing offensive by Israel in retaliation for cross-border activities by Hamas militants has left much of Gaza in ruins, with a devastating toll on the population. At least 22,000 people have lost their lives, and the humanitarian disaster has left the majority of the 2.3 million population homeless and facing severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel.
Israel’s outgoing foreign minister, Eli Cohen, announced on Sunday that his country was prepared to allow ships to deliver aid to Gaza immediately. However, the logistical challenges in executing a direct route to Gaza, including security matters, have not been fully met at this point, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The proximity of Cyprus, being just 370 km northwest of Gaza, positions it as the closest European Union member state to the region. The plan aims to enhance the capacity for humanitarian relief to the Gaza Strip beyond the limited overland deliveries currently taking place through Rafah.
While the direct sail to Gaza with Israel’s consent could signify a significant easing of the naval blockade imposed in 2007, the dynamic situation and ongoing deliberations with stakeholders underscore the complexities of operationalising this initiative. The British Royal Fleet auxiliary ship, Lyme Bay, which offloaded aid in Egypt, faced a 10-day wait for clarity on its ability to sail directly to Gaza, revealing the intricate nature of the process.
![Humanitarian aid trucks sent by UNRWA and Red Crescent pass through Rafah Border Crossing on Egyptian border as they drive to a storage of UNRWA, in Rafah, Gaza on December 18, 2023 [Abed Rahim Khatib – Anadolu Agency]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-03-101531-1024x676.png)