The 2023 Christmas Markets were the community’s biggest yet, with 30 stalls selling varying products including candles, fashion products, Christmas goods, arts and accessories, and of course, plenty of food.
Photos supplied.Santa attended the Christmas markets.
Music, rides and plenty of entertainment for both kids and their families were shared.
Santa even made a special appearance with the Marrickville Fire Brigade, giving all the perfect opportunity to take plenty of photos.
Santa’s helper was also there to capture all the precious festive moments.
Michael Preneas is the new President of the KYA. Also on the Executive Committee are: Nathan Vagias (Vice President), James Valmas (Secretary), James Stewart (Treasurer), and Robert Koutzoumis (Marketing Officer). The KYA’s Events Coordinator will be confirmed soon.
Making up the General Committee are Ross Cordato, Christine Kay and Luke Schwirtlich.
In a Facebook post, the KYA Committee thanked everyone for attending the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), and expressed their anticipation for future events.
“We can’t wait to see you all at our upcoming events,” the post read.
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) took a notable step towards enhancing community safety by organising a defibrillator training seminar at the Greek Centre this month.
The seminar was specifically tailored for the priests of the GCM churches and their dedicated volunteers.
The training brought together priests from the Holy Church of “Annunciation of our Lady,” “Holy Trinity” Church, “St. George” Church, Holy Church of “St. Eleftherios” and Holy Church of “St. Dimitrios,” along with their devoted contributors.
All photos supplied by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM).
The seminar, delivered by Associate Professor Marinis Pirpiris and a “U-tech Medical” representative, featured a comprehensive step-by-step guide and detailed approach to utilising defibrillators in emergency situations.
The aim was to better equip key community members with the knowledge and skills required to respond effectively to life-threatening situations.
The GCM has invested in fitting all the GCM churches with automated external defibrillators (AED devices). These defibrillators can be used in people who need CPR, such as someone who has had sudden cardiac arrest. The defibrillators can be used to apply an electric shock to a patient to restart their heart or shock the heart back to its regular rhythm. It is used in addition to First Aid.
Dr Myron Weisfeldt of John Hopkins University estimates that in the US alone, an analysis suggested that 1,700 additional lives have been saved each year from bystanders using the defibrillators.
Associate Prof. Marinis Pirpiris, Treasurer of the GCM, emphasised the importance of the seminar, stating, “Having individuals who are trained and confident in using defibrillators can make a crucial difference. We feel it is our “duty of care” to the people attending various church services and functions.”
“In the next few months, it is anticipated that Melbourne shall be subject to severe heatwaves. We need to be medically prepared for our aged and people that have heart conditions,” Associate Prof. Pirpiris added.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage in practical demonstrations, followed by a Q&A session. The knowledge obtained assisted with further understanding of this life-saving equipment.
The seminar showcased the strong sense of community spirit and the proactive approach taken by the GCM in addressing the health and safety needs of its members.
GCM will also be organising a First -Aid training session for its churches’ first aid officers in 2024. For further information, please contact your local church.
Greece’s over 45’s Oz-tag team took the silver medal at the weekend’s Oceania Cup in New Zealand, with the Australian-based side narrowly going down in Sunday’s grand final to the tournament hosts in Auckland.
Greece came into the tournament final with five wins, including impressive showings against the Cook Islands, American Samoa, and New Zealand Invitational to secure a grand final berth against New Zealand Maori.
Comprised of Sydney-based former lower grade Rugby League players including the likes of George Siambis, John Filipis and Peter Mougios, the Greeks went to Auckland with enough talent to make a statement.
All photos from New Zealand Tag Football Inc.
With the grand final hanging in the balance at the back end of the second half, the Greeks seemingly had the Kiwis on the ropes thanks to a build-up of momentum sparked by an incredible defensive showing, coupled by their superior territorial game and an inspirational try by captain Con Benardos.
The home-side would ultimately be too good on the day though, running away with a narrow 5-2 victory.
Proud Greek player and Ouzo Talk Podcast host, Nick Athanassiou, said that it was the clock that ultimately beat the Greek side.
“If there were five more minutes in that game, we would have beaten them,” Nick told The Greek Herald.
“The boys put in such a great effort over the weekend and everything seemed to align for us. This is our highest ever finish at the tournament, which really says a lot about how much we’ve improved over the years! We just seem to be getting better with age.”
The Greeks were a hit with the locals as well as their fellow competitors, with plenty of banter exchanges before and after matches.
“We developed such a great relationship with some of these teams – particularly the Cook Islands boys,” Athanassiou added.
“They invited us into their tent, we shared food, drinks and there was just this great feeling of camaraderie all throughout the tournament. It’s what sport is all about.”
A small contingent of Cook islander kids followed the Greek team over the weekend cheering with every great play and running onto the field with high fives after a try was scored.
“I don’t even get this support from my own kids” Vass Anastasiou joked.
The gracious supportive kids did manage to walk away with Greek gear donated generously by members of the team on the last day of competition.
Oztag is a non-tackling version of Rugby League. Each team has eight players at any one time on the field, and must remove one or both tags worn on the opposition ball-carrier’s shorts to stop attacker’s progress.
The squad members are: Angelo Berios, Con Benardos, Foti Hristopanos, George Siambis, Harry Georges, Ilias Tsivitis, Jimmy Binios, John Filipis, John Tzavaras, Michael Bourdakis, Nektario Stefanis, Nick Athanassiou, Peter Constantiniou, Peter Mougios, Savas Topalidis, Vass Anastasiou.
Tsiolkas and co-author Dan Giovannoni have been shortlisted in the ‘Drama’ category for their novel Loaded.
Kostakis has been shortlisted in the ‘Writing for Young Adults’ section for his novel We Could Be Something.
Tsiolkas and Kostakis have been shortlisted among 31 other Australian writers from a record-breaking field of entrants for the 2024 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, which feature the richest literary prize in the country.
2024 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards shortlists celebrate books for all ages. Photo: Australian Arts Review.
The works were chosen from 807 submissions and divided into eight prize categories: fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry, Indigenous writing, writing for young adults, children’s literature, and unpublished manuscripts.
“The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards are highly prestigious and can be life-changing for writers,” said Erin Vincent, CEO of The Wheeler Centre which administer the Awards on behalf of the Premier of Victoria.
“These are compelling works, exploring nuanced and complex issues through exceptional storytelling. I encourage all readers to support these writers by reading a shortlisted or highly commended work over summer.”
The winners of the 2024 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Melbourne at The Edge, Fed Square on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
The NSW Government has appointed Chris Bertinshaw as the new Chair of the Responsible Gambling Fund (RGF) along with two new Trustees, Anastasia Polites and Steven Gal, following a publicly advertised merit-based selection process.
NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said the appointments reflected the Government’s commitment to minimising harm from gambling across NSW.
The RGF Trust was established in 1995 through funds from a levy on casinos. The Trust plays a key role in advising the NSW Government on the allocation of funds for programs and initiatives to minimise gambling related harm. The RGF budget is used to fund programs consistent with the Office of Responsible Gambling’s vision to work towards zero gambling harm.
RGF Trustees are appointed by the Minister to make recommendations on the use of the Responsible Gambling Fund for gambling harm minimisation initiatives for research, community education, support services and support for policy and regulation. They also provide expert advice to the Minister on gambling policy.
The RGF Trust has a representative on the Government’s Independent Panel on Gaming Reform.
In 2023-24, the NSW Government committed an additional $10 million to the Responsible Gambling Fund to further support the work of the Office.
The RGF Trust was established in 1995 through funds from a levy on casinos.
The new appointments are for three-year terms:
Chris Bertinshaw (Chair and Trustee) is an accomplished leader with more than 30 years’ experience in governance and public health. As Chair of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Board and with CEO experience in five diverse organisations, he will bring valuable insights and strategic direction to the RGF.
Anastasia Polites (Trustee) is an accomplished senior manager who has worked in employment and industrial relations law, with experience in supporting disadvantaged clients affected by gambling harm through previous roles in the community legal services sector. Her leadership skills and board experience will be valuable assets for the Trust.
Steven Gal (Trustee) brings extensive expertise in health and community development. He has led funding reforms and program development in multiple portfolios and for diverse populations. He is currently a director on the boards of the Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service and the Accessible Diversity Services Initiative.
The Government has also reappointed three existing Trustees: accomplished Board Director Anne Fitzgerald and experienced public health executive Robert Lagaida to December 2027, and former head of the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney Professor Joel Negin to December 2024.
The RGF’s work is delivered by the Office of Responsible Gambling. More information about its work is available online at www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au.
Thousands of migrants are set to get their papers legalised in Greece in an effort to alleviate acute labor shortages affecting crucial sectors of the economy.
Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pushed through legislation on Tuesday to legalise the status of 30,000 unregistered laborers, causing turmoil within his center-right party.
According to The Guardian, migrants will be able to legalise their status more quickly under the bill, obtaining residence permits in three years rather than seven if they can demonstrate employment.
Rescued migrants at the port of Kalamata following a rescue operation. Photo: Yahoo News.
Despite some who disagree with the legalisation, Greece’s migration and asylum minister, Dimitris Kairidis, defended the one-time move, telling The Guardian, that it will assist with not just labor shortages but also societal cohesion.
The measure has been hailed at a time when anti-immigrant sentiment is fueling far-right support across Europe, with the left seeing it as long overdue.
Over 100 guests attended the lunch, taking part in the activities and food sharing. Donations were also made towards the Community’s Christmas Appeal.
Over 34 bags of food were donated and well over 150 toys collected at St George’s Church in South Hobart.
In a Facebook post, the Greek Community of Tasmaniashared their gratitude for all those who attended, along with sponsors who made the joyous event possible.
“A massive thank you to all those who donated to the Greek Community’s Christmas Appeal,” the Facebook post reads.
“Thank you to the Hobart City Mission who partnered with the Greek Community to assist in distributing all donations to those in need.”
Sturt Street Primary School student, Zefyros Louca won the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) Award for Excellence in Greek this month.
Zefyros was presented with the award by GOCSA President, Peter Gardiakos and Administrative Council Member, Sandra Scounos Sifis.
The state member for Adelaide, Lucy Hood MP also attended the award presentation.
In a post on Facebook, the GOCSA congratulated Zefyros for his achievements in the Greek language.
“Bravo Zefyros! We are so proud of you!” the Facebook post wrote.
