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European race walk champion Antigoni Drisbioti sends well wishes for New Year

The Greek Herald
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European race walk champion Antigoni Drisbioti sends well wishes for New Year

Antigone Drisbioti has spent the last three weeks in Australia where she began her preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The Karditsa athlete met in Melbourne with the sportswriter of The Greek Herald, Bill Roumeliotis, and sent her well wishes for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“Merry Christmas, with health, love and joy for the whole world!! I wish you in 2024 to realise your wishes, to have health, love, happiness and success in everything you do!” she said.

“2023 leaves me with a successful year as I won the bronze medal in the 35km race walk at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. For 2024 next year it is an Olympic year and I expect distinction and a medal in July at the Olympic Games in Paris.”

Surfing and the sea: Greek man recounts his first Christmas in Australia

The Greek Herald
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Surfing and the sea: Greek man recounts his first Christmas in Australia

By Panagiotis Dalatariof

On November 26, 2023, Dimitris Papadopoulos Papadatos said goodbye to his beloved dog, Maci, at Athens International Airport ‘Eleftherios Venizelos,’ as he prepared to board a plane that would take him to the other side of the world.

In that moment, he realised how much he would miss her. He knew he would miss her beforehand, but in that moment, the harsh reality of the two of them separating hit him hard.

Today, about a month into his life in Australia, Dimitris describes his experiences in New South Wales to The Greek Herald. He talks about his first days in a country where Christmas is celebrated quite differently than it is in Greece.

No streetlights, or turkeys, or people crowding the chaotic streets of Athens, or partygoers in bars – these things were no longer part of his life in Byron Bay.

first christmas in australia

Dimitris captured his initial days in the land that allowed him to live his life in the way that he desires: by surfing, exploring nature, and experiencing his daily life where he loses himself in an ‘unreal world,’ as he describes it.

“I never believed I would find myself in such a beautiful place in my life,” Dimitris told The Greek Herald.

first christmas in australia
first christmas in australia

“I grew up with my grandfather, who spent half of his life in Africa, and told me stories about his safaris there. So, from a young age, I was inspired by watching documentaries and learning everything I could about animals, nature, and everything that surrounds them. I come from Greece, a country that is largely surrounded by the sea, but not by an ocean.

“I embarked on this journey to Australia, initially to see this wonderful country, to spend my summer surfing, and to meet my friends. I live in Athens, a beautiful but chaotic city where nothing stops, 24 hours a day. There’s endless traffic on the streets, horns and shouting from the pressure of everyday life, and I don’t have that opportunity to live in nature.

“After a 30-hour journey with three layovers, I landed in the Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia, where my friends came to pick me up. I woke up the next day around 5 am due to the jet lag, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Everything was so beautiful, peaceful, with sounds I had never heard before, like birds talking to each other. Later, I went to the Brunswick Heads area, just outside Byron Bay – this is where I listen to the sounds of the ocean every morning.

first christmas in australia

“It’s the trip of a lifetime, I felt it from the very first moment. Memories that cannot be bought and will remain sweet with me forever. Infinite nature, trees I had never seen before, endless beaches, lizards, birds, and koalas. I wake up almost every morning listening to sounds of the Kookaburra birds. I sit and watch water dragons hunting other insects and whatever else moves – I see these wonderful lizards that, when you first see them, you wonder, ‘What is this? Does it bite?’ To an Australian, it might sound funny – as it does to me now – but if you don’t know and suddenly see it in front of you, you take a step back right away.

“A few days ago, I lived the ultimate dream: I was surfing with a friend from Athens on a large beach called Broken Head Beach, where suddenly a pod of five dolphins came within 20 meters of me. I saw fins coming closer, and I honestly froze until I realised they were dolphins. Even then, encountering something so beautiful in open waters in the ocean was somewhat terrifying. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. These wonderful creatures dove under the waves and leaped; they were surfing with us. It was surreal.

first christmas in australia

“In Greece, we have sharks, but spotting one is very difficult, even for a fisherman. But here… I get out of the water, and I watch my feet. Yes, I know it may sound funny to some, but I learned to swim with sparrows and barbels. Nature and things to see! Endless… You need to have the desire to travel.

“Here, where I live in the Byron Bay area, everything is calm, and people are grounded. They’re polite, they say good morning, and they don’t live in chaos. No traffic lights on the streets, and traffic is very minimal. You don’t hear noise, and wherever you sit, you hear the leaves rustling in the trees and birds chirping.

“I’m sure, in a city like Sydney, the rhythms and many other things would be different, but here it is like paradise. I don’t feel Christmas particularly because I’m not in London, where everything is decorated from October. The melancholy of winter and Christmas that one might feel here does not exist. It’s summer. Wherever you look, there are surfboards, children playing on the beach, groups of friends sitting and talking with smiles on their faces. The roads are wide and open, where people run and ride bicycles.

first christmas in australia
first christmas in australia

“I thought that being away from home, my family, Maci, and my friends, I would feel uncomfortable, lonely, and that I would quickly forget Greece. And yes, to some extent I do, but here, I have felt so much love from the people around me, and I get to meet new people every day. In Byron Bay, the food is incredible! It has Japanese, Thai, Korean… whatever you want. Primarily, though, it has Greek in the centre of Byron Bay. What could be better? The restaurant is called ‘Kouzina,’ and I visit it three times a week with lots of joy because it has amazing food, Greek music, and we get to dance.

“Why would I miss my home? And even if I did, here I eat dolmades, moussaka, and fava. I feel like I’m at home, like I’m on a summer vacation on an island, and my grandmother is cooking for me – it’s truly wonderful.

“Now I understand why there is such a large Greek community in Australia. I feel lucky to be in this country, to see things with my own eyes that I wouldn’t believe unless I saw them for myself, and I am incredibly grateful. I wish anyone who hesitates for any reason to come here, to just get on the plane and visit Australia. It is unreal. Thank you, thank you!”

Peter Dutton MP sends hopeful Christmas message to Greek Australians

The Greek Herald
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Peter Dutton MP sends hopeful Christmas message to Greek Australians

Australia’s Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton MP, has sent a hopeful message to the Greek Australian community to ahead of Christmas.

Full message in English:

peter dutton christmas message

A ray of hope in the gloom of war: The Palestinian Santa Claus of Jerusalem

The Greek Herald
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A ray of hope in the gloom of war: The Palestinian Santa Claus of Jerusalem

War is raging and misery has spread like a shroud over the Middle East.

In the setting synonymous with dystopia, a perpetual hopeless drabness that leaves no optimism for anything, the colour red briefly intrudes. The colour of the Palestinian Santa Claus in Jerusalem, who is a small, imperceptible ray of optimism.

These days, despite the war raging in Gaza during the Christmas season, he sent his wishes again. Louder than ever to be heard everywhere and to finally put an end to this war that is causing untold misery.

On a camel instead of a sleigh, Santa Claus sent his wishes from the Old City of Jerusalem.

For 17 years now during Christmas, the Christian by religion, Palestinian former basketball player, Issa Kassissieh has been wearing his red uniform, black boots and disguising himself as the children’s favourite Santa Claus.

jerusalem santa clause

The cave of Isa

“The most important message to send from the heart of the world, Jerusalem, is the message of peace and hope from the Holy Land. I wish that this war will stop,” the Palestinian Santa Claus said.

Under other circumstances, Jerusalem cradles civilisation, the Holy City where three monotheistic religions meet along with worshippers. The war, however, had other plans. Until last year, the streets would glow with red and green lights every December.

Christian pilgrims would arrive in the eastern part of the city, annexed by Israel, to pray in the many churches. People from every corner of the earth would take part, regardless of whether they believed or not. They would come across a figure, mounted on a camel, dressed in Santa Claus’ clothes, wishing Merry Christmas.

jerusalem santa clause

Seven years ago, Issa Kassissieh, 52, a former basketball player, turned the ground floor of his 700-year-old house into a cave.

Here he greets visitors who want to meet the Palestinian Santa Claus, talk to him, have their picture taken with him, drink mulled wine and take a candy on the road. A year ago he welcomed the first visitors with their families who queued up to see him.

“We are dealing with many religions here in Jerusalem, we have Muslims, Christians and Jews. They all come to my house. I open my arms to everyone,” Kassissieh said.

His height – almost six feet tall – doesn’t seem to scare children when they approach him.

8-year-old, Marua, a Palestinian Muslim, expressed her love for him. “I’m not Christian, but I love Santa Claus, and we have a Christmas tree at home.”

jerusalem santa clause

Who is the Palestinian Santa Claus?

A mystery? No, he said.

“My name is Isa Anis Kassissieh, I am from Jerusalem, from the Old City of Jerusalem, my family has lived here for over 900 years. I became a Santa Claus 17 years ago. The story starts from the fact that my father liked to wear the Santa Claus costume for his children (my sister and me),” he explained.

“In 2016 I got a call from the Santa Claus School of New York, they asked me, ‘are you Santa Claus from Jerusalem?’ I said ‘yes’ and they said they wanted to invite me to the Santa Claus School in Denver, Colorado.”

jerusalem santa clause

The offer left him stunned.

“I took a breath and promised God that I want to give my best to the children and the Holy Land,” he said.

“Everyone loves coming here, and there are a lot of families who say, ‘Oh, we don’t have to travel out of the country now. We have Santa Claus in Jerusalem, we have the spirit of Christmas in Jerusalem’.”

What every child asks him, however, is if he will bring home an iPhone. But he promises nothing. He tells them, “let’s pray and if you’re on my good list, you’ll get it.”

Everyone knows him now when he’s riding around on his camel in the old city of Jerusalem.

“It’s important that our kids have fun, but we also want them to know the real story behind Christmas. It’s important to send a message of love and peace from Jerusalem, it’s the heart of the world. When we have peace here, we will have peace around the world,” he said.

jerusalem santa clause

The first steps

17 years ago, Isa discovered an old Santa Claus costume used by his father. He tried it on, it suited him so well that, wearing it, he went to the Jaffa Gate which was nearby. Children gathered and then he realised that “as a child I did not get to have this happiness, so it is time to give it to the children in Jerusalem.”

“Traveling around the world during the Christmas season, I realised how deeply embedded Santa Claus is in the culture of the West, while here, in the place where Christmas began, we only know Santa Claus from TV and movies,” he said.

The following year, Isa dressed up as Santa Claus again, but this time he also rented a camel. Since then, every Christmas, he is riding the camel. Santa Claus makes his rounds of the Old Town and in the afternoons he receives visits from children and their families at the “Santa Claus House.”

jerusalem santa clause

On days close to Christmas, visitors can wait in line for up to two hours to get in. Isa mostly funds these activities himself, but he also accepts donations from believers and organisations around the world.

When he went to Denver, Colorado, he learned to make wooden toys, make Christmas cookies and correctly say the “ho, ho, ho” that a proper Santa exclaims every now and then.

“The sound has to come from the belly,” he clarified.

“To be Santa Claus, everything you do must come from the heart, and the heart must be full of hope, love and peace.”

A few years ago, he enrolled for further studies at the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Michigan. The famous school, which was founded 83 years ago, has trained over 5,000 Santas.

“I was told: “You’re the first Santa Claus from the Middle East and the Holy Land,” Isa emphasised.

jerusalem santa clause

The Greek roots of the Palestinian Santa Claus

Isa earns his living as a basketball coach in West Jerusalem. For 700 years, “Santa’s House” has been the family home of the Kassiyehs, who were the first Christian Orthodox family in East Jerusalem.

“My family came to Jerusalem 900 years ago, but we don’t know exactly where they came from. Some family members claim that we came from Greece. Others believe we came from the Palestinian city of Lydda,” he explained.

jerusalem santa clause

Some centuries back, the Kassiyehs started a tile industry. Many of them decorate the Church of the Resurrection (the Church of the Holy Sepulchre) and other churches in the Holy Land.

Issa has ambitious dreams: he is negotiating with the Jerusalem municipality to organise a Santa Claus Conference, the first in Israel’s history. He intends to invite 50 Santas from all over the world and organise a parade through the streets of the city.

The war spoiled his plans, and as he said over and over again: “the most important message to send is the message of peace and hope from the Holy Land. I wish that this war will stop.”

Antonis Selekos: The chef who introduced panettone to the Greek Christmas table

The Greek Herald
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Antonis Selekos: The chef who introduced panettone to the Greek Christmas table

Βy Ilias Karagiannis

A leisurely walk in Italy on Christmas Day is enough to convince you that the ultimate dessert of the holidays is panettone. This fluffy dessert comes in various variations from including raisins and dried fruits to chocolate and other flavours. It is the equivalent of melomakarona and kourabiedes in Greece.

Only in the last five years, panettone has invaded the Christmas tables of the Greeks. And whilst it may not have dethroned the traditional kourabiedes and melomakarona, it is now a necessary supplement to the feast table. From the simple ones that can be found in supermarkets to the incredibly tasty versions found in pastry shops, like those created by the master of the genre, Antonis Selekos.

Antonis is a young pastry chef, only 31 years old, who distinguished himself at the well-known restaurant in Athens, Greece called ‘Funky Gourmet,’ which was honoured with two Michelin stars. Today, in the bustling neighbourhood of urban Pagrati, which is the ultimate gastronomic suburb of Athens, he maintains a boutique pastry shop, ‘Antonis Selekos Conceptual Desserts,’ where he sells his panettones at a frenzied pace.

Panettone-Selekos_

He is one of the main reasons that the panettone trend has strong foundations in Greece. Although he tells me his favourite dessert during the holidays is tsoureki, he believes that panettone is here to stay. Although he does not believe that it will ever replace kourabiedes and melomakarona.

“Many homes have been adding a panettone to their festive supplies in recent years. This is a trend and we see it in our orders. As Greeks, it is difficult to change our habits. We will definitely take melomakarona and kourabiedes for the holidays,” Antonis says.

However, the trend exists. It is possible, since it is fed by the supermarkets that now have panettone in a prominent place, to steal the show from the traditional sweets in Greece.

“The supermarket is both good and bad for promoting panettone. The consumer constantly sees it on the one hand. On the other hand it is not the best version of panettone that you will buy from there. It is not fresh,” Antonis explains.

Panettone-Selekos_
Panettone-Selekos_

Antonis’ passion for panettone

It all started in the summer of 2020. At the time, the young pastry chef was working at Funky Gourmet and was thinking of doing something of his own, but he had not decided what exactly that would be.

“It began by chance to tell you the truth. It was the quarantine period during the pandemic. The restaurant was closed and there was a gap to think about. At the suggestion of a friend of mine, I started to try creating panettone,” he says.

“I told him that the preparation of panettone was very difficult but I thought ‘let’s give it a try.’ I started experimenting with sourdough in Astypalea, where I spent my summer holidays. When I returned to Athens I continued experimenting and after a while I made a panettone, which I liked and sent it to Georgiana Hiliadakis, the chef of Funky Gourmet. She told me it was really tasty, and uploaded it to Instagram. That was it. I started taking orders.

“At the time, I set out to sell 100 panettones and eventually orders reached 700 in less than a month. As a result, I realised that I could not make them the way I wanted to any more.”

Panettone-Selekos_

In fact, the idea was born of distributing the panettones himself in order to change the image that the average consumer has of a chef.

“I wanted to hear the customer’s comments and see that I’m a normal person and not a chef shouting inside the kitchen,” Antonis says.

The 8,000 panettones of 2023

In 2021, thanks to the idea of his partner Anna Dionysiadou, Antonis first opened his shop in Pagrati, where they had initially decided to make only panettone. But because they weren’t sure if that’s all they were going to do at the store, the name given to the shop was ‘Antonis Selekos Conceptual Desserts.’

From 17 December to 7 January, 2021 they sold 1,300 panettones. Twice as much as the first year. In 2022 they reached 4,500 panettones, without making a wholesale sale. Retail only.

We ask him, what is the bet for this year.

“Very timid… This year’s target is 8,000 panettones,” he says.

Panettone-Selekos_
Panettone-Selekos_

I ask him if we will see in the next few years even bigger productions given the great success or if he fears his quality will be affected.

“Obviously I have a fear that quality can be affected if we produce large quantities. I don’t want to do big productions, I prefer to keep the shop as a boutique confectionery and do the best we can,” he answers.

The ‘Everest’ of pastry

Later, I ask Antonis what his own favourite dessert is for the holidays and he answers me immediately.

“I like to eat a tsoureki,” he says.

Many of the readers of The Greek Herald may think reading these lines that the pastry chef will offer a recipe in order to test their pastry skills. I discuss it with him and he tells me something that encapsulates the difficulty that his preparation holds.

“Panettone is the ‘Everest’ of pastry,” he says.

So is it better to get it ready-made?

“I encourage readers to buy it from somewhere from Australia. But I would say they should try to create it to understand how difficult it is. It will not be so good for them, so they will be forced to buy it,” Antonis says.

Panettone-Selekos_
Panettone-Selekos_

With the difficulties he describes, I spontaneously asked him when he was entirely satisfied with a panettone of his own. He began making them in the summer of 2020.

“Just last year [2022],” he answers.

“Even in every preparation we may find something that does not satisfy us. But now there is a constant improvement.”

Antonis has not yet visited Australia, but perhaps this interview with The Greek Herald could prove a good reason for him to travel Down Under. He also has friends in Australia, such as Giannis, who used to work at Funky Gourmet and Alex Xinis, who works with many restaurants in Melbourne and during the quarantine had created “Almost like Yiayias.”

Perhaps Antonis also has an implicit relationship with Australia, since his grandfather’s brother had emigrated to the Antipodes.

Yiayia Helen Dedes shares her much-loved Christmas Day menu

Andriana Simos
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Yiayia Helen Dedes shares her much-loved Christmas Day menu

With Christmas Day just around the corner, who better to ask for their much-loved festive menu than the social media sensation behind YiaYia’s Greek Kitchen, Helen Dedes.

From refreshing Prawn and Salmon Cocktails to traditional baklava for dessert, Yiayia Helen’s Christmas Day menu has it all.

helen dedes Christmas Day menu

Entrée – Shrimp with Smoked Salmon Cocktail

  • Five shrimps.
  • Two pieces of smoked salmon.
  • A nut in the bottom of the glass.

    Decorate them nicely and add whatever seafood sauce you prefer.
helen dedes Christmas Day menu

Main – Stuffed turkey

  • 1 turkey about 4-5 kg.
  • 1 cup of butter.
  • Two medium chopped onions.
  • 250 grams of chopped mushrooms.
  • Three quarters of a cup of rice.
  • Four quarters of chopped parsley.
  • Two glasses of cognac liqueur or good white wine.

Sauté the onions and mushrooms in three tablespoons of butter until they are wilted. Add enough parsley, rice, cognac, salt and pepper, and 1 cup of turkey (or chicken) stock.

Let the liquid drain out and stuff the turkey. Put the turkey in the oven for one hour at 200 degrees and then 180 for another two hours.

Serve with mashed potatoes and vegetables of your choice.

helen dedes Christmas Day menu

Dessert – Baklava

  • 500 grams of coarsely ground carrots.
  • 3 spoonfulls of sugar and 3 cinnamon (mix them all together in a cup of 500 grams of buttermilk (melted).
  • 500 grams of baklava pastry.

Dip the baking tray, put one filo (pastry sheet) on it, fill it with butter and add another filo on top.

Pour walnuts on the filo with a thin stick, roll it up like a cigar when all the friends are finished, brush it with butter and bake well at 180 degrees for an hour.

helen dedes Christmas Day menu

For the syrup:

  • Two and a half cups of water.
  • Three cups of sugar.
  • One cinnamon stick.
  • Three quarters of a cup of honey.

    Boil for seven minutes. Cold baklava, hot syrup.

Want more recipes from Helen Dedes? You can follow her on

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wishes Australians a happy Christmas

The Greek Herald
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wishes Australians a happy Christmas

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued a message ahead of the festive season, wishing everyone a “happy and safe Christmas.”

Full message in English:

anthony albanese christmas message

James Pasakos: An artistic journey of identity and place

The Greek Herald
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James Pasakos: An artistic journey of identity and place

Visual artist James Pasakos has found a profound connection between his art and his personal experiences.

The Docklands, Melbourne’s historical precinct from the Victorian Gold Rush era, has served as a powerful backdrop in his exploration of identity, belonging, and the intricate interplay between cultural heritage and upbringing. For Pasakos, these docklands symbolise more than a maritime landscape; they are a mirror reflecting his quest to fathom the essence of belonging and the complexities of cultural identity.

Drawing from his Australian upbringing and Greek heritage, he intertwines these diverse worlds, creating a narrative that celebrates the blending of cultural values and the evolution of personal identity.

Employing Printmaking, Drawing, and Mixed Media, Pasakos crafts works that exude a surreal yet atmospheric quality, drenched in hues that evoke a sense of mystery and personal introspection. His artistic journey extends beyond solitary creation, engaging in collaborative projects, exhibitions, and print exchanges that enrich both his techniques and narrative.

james pasakos
Windmill at Antimachia, Kos, Monotype, 2018, 49.5 x 64cm, Edition 1/1

While rooted in Melbourne, Pasakos now calls Ballarat home, where he serves as a Visual Arts Lecturer at Federation University Australia, sharing his expertise in Printmaking, Drawing, and Studio Practice. His academic journey boasts a Master of Fine Art and an array of Visual Arts qualifications.

Since 1991, Pasakos has exhibited extensively across Australia and globally, featuring in solo and group exhibitions, with his works finding residence in public, private, and university collections, and participated in global conferences and exhibitions like IMPACT in Spain, China and Scotland.

james pasakos
Ntomates, Silkscreen, 2022, 59 x 42cm, Edition 12

Pasakos founded the regional collective ‘Goldfields Printmakers’ in 2012, a concept brought to fruition from an international Printmaking conference held at Monash University, Melbourne in 2011. The collective has exhibited and participated in projects throughout Victoria and internationally. Pasakos is also co-founder of the international collective ‘Thinking of Place.’ A collective beginnings at an international Printmaking conference in Scotland, Dundee 2012. Various initiated international projects have seen the collective embrace and included many other cities across the globe. Projects have travelled through Germany, USA, Serbia, England, New Zealand, Canada and many other international cities.

james pasakos
Merging Metamorphosis (part of), Monotype – Ceramic Printed Plate / Work on Paper, 2022, Edition 1/1

Beyond artworks, Pasakos’ art is a testament to the migrant stories he cherishes, serving as touching reminders of the fragility and resilience of human identity. His ongoing projects, ‘Thinking of Place’ and ‘Parallel Prints NZ&AU’ transcend geographical boundaries with diverse narratives and collective experiences.

Pasakos’ artistic journey embodies not only personal introspection but also a celebration of cultural diversity, inviting viewers to traverse landscapes of identity, belonging, and the ever-evolving human experience.

Links to projects, exhibitions, and achievements can be found in the artist’s profile at Federation University Australia and various exhibition websites:

james pasakos
Elies, Silkscreen, 2022, 59 x 42cm, Edition 12

James is amongst many Greek Australian artists who have participated in the GAAD (Greek Australian Artist Directory). An initiative by the Greek Australian Cultural League (GACL), the GAAD celebrates Greek Australian visual and performing artists by showcasing their works and contributions to the Australian arts landscape.  By preserving and promoting the artistic legacy of Greek Australian artists, the directory ensures that their talents are duly acknowledged and cherished, cementing their place in Australia’s artistic narrative.

Interested artists can register their profiles by visiting www.gacl.com.au and clicking on the dedicated GAAD section.  For any inquiries related to the GAAD, individuals can either email GACL President Cathy Alexopoulos infogaclm@gmail.com or contact GAAD Co-ordinator Vasy Petros on 0412 242557

*Written by Vasy Petros. This is a Greek Australian Cultural League Initiative supported by The Greek Herald.

Greek father-and-son duo deliver Christmas gifts to domestic violence victims

Evelyn Karatzas
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Greek father-and-son duo deliver Christmas gifts to domestic violence victims

A Canberra father-and-son duo have generously donated gifts to the Queanbeyan Women’s Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter for Christmas this year.

George Andonaros and his 9-year-old son Hugo have been gathering Christmas gifts to give to the less fortunate for the last four years.

“Every year for the last four years, Hugo loves to give back to people who aren’t as fortunate as he is,” George told The Greek Herald.

“At Easter time, we had bought a box of 30 chocolate Easter bunnies to distribute, and this year for Christmas, Hugo chose gifts for three boys and three girls.”

Hugo and George.
Hugo.
HUGo-and-George-2
Hugo with gifts.
HUGo-and-George-2
Hugo.
HUGo-and-George-2
Gifts.

The gifts included Hot Wheels cars, Barbie dolls, and arts and crafts supplies including pencils, texters, erasers and colouring books.

George said after going through a divorce a few years ago, he wanted to show his son the importance of giving back to others and teaching him that there are other kids worse off than him.

HUGo-and-George-2
George (L) and son Hugo.

“Hugo has all the luxuries a child could want and more, and I wanted to show him how something so small can mean so much to someone who has nothing,” George said.

“Buying and giving these gifts I think also teaches Hugo to be grateful for what he has and it shows him how much of a difference it makes to even one child by donating something or purchasing them a gift to open on Christmas Day.”

George said he hopes to continue this tradition of gift giving with his son for many more years to come.

“It’s something I love to do with Hugo,” he said.

HUGo-and-George-2
Hugo with gifts.

“This year, he actually reminded me and asked me himself when we were going to go shopping for the kids for Christmas.

“He just loves it. And it makes me so proud to see him want to help other kids.”

George and Hugo dropped off the presents to the domestic violence shelter on Friday, December 8.

Greece’s Ambassador to Australia pays visit to Greek Orthodox Community of SA

The Greek Herald
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Greece’s Ambassador to Australia pays visit to Greek Orthodox Community of SA

Following his tour in Melbourne and Perth, the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, George Papacostas, visited the offices of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) on Tuesday, December 19.

The Ambassador was accompanied by his wife Gohar Badalyan, and the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, George Psiachas.

In his first-ever visit to South Australia since he assumed his diplomatic duties in February 2020, the Ambassador was met by several members of the Administrative Council, including President Peter Gardiakos and the new General Manager, Con Dalagiorgos.

Mr Papacostas took the opportunity to learn about GOCSA’s Greek Language Schools and Dance Academy, as well as the Ridleyton Greek Home for the Aged (RGHA). He was also proud to hear about the organisation’s numerous cultural initiatives and its commitment to preserve and further advance the Greek language and culture by engaging in constructive intercultural dialogue with the state’s diverse communities.

Mr Gardiakos emphasised the importance of the Ambassador’s visit as a way to enhance ties with the motherland and boost the morale of the state’s Greek community.

“I am very pleased with what I see here, at the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia. Hellenism here grows and prospers. It’s an organisation where the older generation of Greeks pass on the knowledge of their ancestors to the younger generation, which is very encouraging for the future,” Mr Papacostas said.

“I am sure this good work will continue with the current President and Administrative Council.”

Mr Psiachas stated, “It is a great pleasure to have the Ambassador here in Adelaide, where he got to see the city, meet with community stakeholders and discuss issues that concern them in person.”

Two books detailing the rich history and journey of the GOCSA were presented to the Ambassador, as well as a white orchid plant as a token of appreciation on his first visit to Adelaide and to GOCSA’s head offices.

The Ambassador also took time to sign and write a message in the official visitors’ book of GOCSA, which interestingly was first signed by the 35th Premier of South Australia, Don Dunstan, in 1975.

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