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mAigov digital assistant now available for Greeks abroad

The Greek Herald
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mAigov digital assistant now available for Greeks abroad

The digital assistant, mAigov, designed to facilitate access to over 1,600 government digital services, garnered a remarkable 63,000 questions within its initial three days of operation, as reported by the state-run news agency AMNA.

Of these queries, 56,900 were deemed legitimate, reflecting a serious engagement with the platform’s capabilities. The assistant exhibited a 30 per cent dialogue rate, indicating clarification on the initial response in around 17,000 instances.

Notably, 70 per cent of users found satisfactory answers with the first response. Primarily, the inquiries centered around identity card issuance, constituting 15.17 per cent of the total, followed by passport issuance (7.93 per cent), retirement-related questions (7.93 per cent), and other government services. 

The digital assistant accommodates up to 240 conversations in Greek per minute and ensures an interaction time of no more than five minutes per session. 

Greece’s Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou assured citizens of the ongoing commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence responsibly, with a focus on expanding applications for public service.

Importantly, the digital assistant is available for Greeks abroad, providing a valuable tool for accessing government information and services from anywhere in the world.

Source: Ekathimerini.

US approves $1.95 billion deal to sell 35 Black Hawk helicopters to Greece

The Greek Herald
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US approves $1.95 billion deal to sell 35 Black Hawk helicopters to Greece

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has officially given Greece the green light for the purchase of 35 UH-60 Black Hawk multirole helicopters.

The helicopters are estimated to cost $1.95 billion USD or $1.78 billion euros.

Aerotime shared that the helicopters come from a US manufacturer called Sikorsky, which is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin.

The new helicopters will replace Greece’s Bell UH-1 Iroquois, operated by Greek Land Forces which are currently being phased out.

Greece’s government initially made the decision to acquire the Black Hawks in October, for an order of 49 units. However on December 15, the DSCA reduced the number to 35 units.

Source: Aerotime. 

Greek Parliament approves 2024 budget amid debates and criticisms

The Greek Herald
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Greek Parliament approves 2024 budget amid debates and criticisms

In a significant parliamentary session, the Greek Parliament has given the green light to the state budget for the year 2024, with 158 votes in favour.

Notably, this marks the first budget following a 14-year period during which Greece regained its investment grade credit rating, according to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The budget allocates increased funds for defence, presidency expenses, and includes a surprising 20 per cent boost in healthcare worker allowances.

The approval was not without its share of debates, as opposition parties expressed concerns and criticisms.

The President of the SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance’s parliamentary group, Sokratis Famellos, accused the government of attempting to paint a picture of prosperity that does not align with the reality citizens are experiencing, citing high prices as the most significant challenge.

PASOK-Movement for Change leader Nikos Androulakis criticised the government’s policies, emphasising the perceived low quality of life resulting from their decisions.

In response, Prime Minister Mitsotakis defended the budget, highlighting Greece’s improved economic indicators, including a growth rate of 2.4 per cent, unemployment below 10 per cent, reduced public debt, increased investments and exports, and a 15 per cent rise in the average wage.

He reassured citizens that the government’s focus is on stable and sustainable wage increases, and he reiterated the commitment to a minimum wage of 950 euros and an average wage of 1,500 euros.

The debate also touched on the impact of high prices on citizens. Mitsotakis acknowledged the issue but presented a plan to address it, emphasising the importance of a dynamic, outward-looking economy. He highlighted Greece’s political stability, increased economic extroversion, and the availability of funds from the Recovery Fund.

As the budget passed, Mitsotakis outlined the government’s commitments: preventing economic adventures, ensuring daily improvements, fostering unity with Europe, and modernising the state to meet contemporary challenges. The investment grade, he stated, symbolises national self-awareness and the opportunity to showcase the best of Greece.

Source: Protothema.gr and Amna.gr.

First boutique Greek craft beer ‘Seven Seals’ landing in Australia

The Greek Herald
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First boutique Greek craft beer ‘Seven Seals’ landing in Australia

Capturing the contradictory despair and hope of the Seven Seals of the Apocalypse from the biblical Book of Revelation, a new, boutique, Greek craft beer ‘SEVEN SEALS’ is launching down under!

Featuring a different brew for each seal, the Apocalyptic new craft beer showcased at Sydney’s
inaugural The Finer Drop Festival, The Winx Stand, Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, 18-19 November 2023.

The captivating brand is enthralling craft beer lovers and non-beer drinkers alike, the former eager to see what the promise of each seal holds and the latter intrigued by a concept that saw the brand’s creator, Dimitri Stathoris from Ierissos, Chalkidiki, outshine his UK and German classmates to take out two first prizes at his UK Brewer’s School competition for ‘Best Beer Production’ and ‘Best Marketing Concept.’

SEVEN SEALS importer, Ruby Archis, Director, Mediterranean Gourmet, says when the team’s scouts first
discovered the brand at a national fair in Athens in early 2023, they flew right over to taste for themselves, and were hooked from the very first drop!

seven seals beer

“When you think of craft beer, particularly coming from Australia, you imagine it would be inconceivable that a land that’s known for olive oil and wine production since time immemorial, would be able to produce a craft beer that can rival the great craft beers of the world,” Ruby said.

“But SEVEN SEALS, which hails from the foot of Christian Orthodoxy’s holiest site, Mt Athos, and from a land that has undergone its own countless Apocalypses with centuries-long battles between the empires of the East and West, even serving as a temporary home to Frankish Crusaders in the Middle Ages, is truly an otherworldly creation.”

And it certainly seems an ethereal force is lending a hand. Dimitri started brewing the heavenly concoctions in buckets and pots for friends and neighbours just a handful of years ago.

In 2021, SEVEN SEALS was born in a state-of-the-art microbrewery and now, two years later, Dimitri and his team are upscaling to meet European demand and preparing the Four Horseman and the cries of the martyrs for arrival into Australia!

seven seals beer

The five seals currently in production, which launched at The Finer Drop, include:

  • The first seal, The White Horseman ‘Conqueror’ – a crisp, subtle-malt, zero sugar LAGER.
  • The second seal, The Fiery Horseman ‘Fury’ – a cloudy, fruity WEISS with aromas of banana, clove
    and a spicy aftertaste.
  • The third seal, The Black Horseman ‘Famine’ – a full-bodied STOUT with aromas of chocolate, coffee,
    notes of vanilla, cocoa, and a sweet alcohol aftertaste.
  • The fourth seal, The Pale Horseman ‘Death’ – a soft, malty, DH PALE ALE with aromas of sweet
    mandarin, pineapple and mango; and
  • The fifth seal, The Chest of Souls a cloudy double dry hopped DDH NE IPA with aromas of peach,
    pineapple, passion fruit and a bitter aftertaste.

‘But where are the sixth and seventh seals?’ we hear you say. Well, the last two seals, Disturbance of the Universe, and, Preparation of the Trumpets, are in a final and meticulous development, and the new brews are being kept under wraps!

“We expect the last two seals to be released next year but it’s all a tightly held secret. We do know that the narrative isn’t ending with the beers though and we’ve been told to expect Seven ‘Spirit’ Seals, including a gin, rum and whisky. Will there be an Ouzo too? We don’t know, and that’s what makes launching this brand into Australia even more exciting,” Ruby said.

The Four Horsemen and The Chest of Souls will be on sale exclusively at The Finer Drop Festival, with the first stock expected on liquor shelves, in pubs and in restaurants in early 2024.

Colossus of Rhodes brought to life through Artificial Intelligence

The Greek Herald
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Colossus of Rhodes brought to life through Artificial Intelligence

Can you picture the Colossus of Rhodes, the Statue of Zeus, and the other ancient Seven Wonders of the World just like they were thousands of years ago when they were first made?

According to The Daily Mail, this is now a reality thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Each of these historical structures have been recreated in our modern world using AI. The statue of Colossus, which towered 100 feet above the harbour on the Greek island of Rhodes, looks the most impressive of all of them.

The giant work of art was brought back from history with the use of imagine generator “Midjourney.”

In old pictures, the Colossus of Rhodes is shown standing with its legs on each side of the Rhodes harbour entrance. However, researchers say that this would be impossible. Actually, the statue stood on a pedestal close to the harbour entrance, greeting ships that came by.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
The Colossus of Rhodes

Sadly, an earthquake caused the statue to fall, and it didn’t last long. It was built in 282 BC and only survived for less than a century before it was gone.

Apart from the Colossus of Rhodes, AI has also recreated the other ancient Seven Wonders of the World. Among them is the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Statue of Zeus at Olympia.

Source: Daily Mail

Five helpful tips to coping with grief this Christmas

The Greek Herald
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Five helpful tips to coping with grief this Christmas

Christmas can be a time of joy and festivities as family comes together to celebrate the year that has gone and the year to come. But for many, it can be a difficult time of the year when they are grieving the death of a loved one. It is one less place laid at the dinner table, it is one less person opening presents and it can be one less person at mass.

Funeral Director with Andrew Kennedys Funeral Directors, Peter Giarratano, has spent 18 years supporting those in the community coping with grief. He provides five helpful tips of how to look after oneself over the Christmas period.

  • Accept your feelings: After the death of a loved one people could be experiencing many different emotions over the festive season. One moment they’re sad, the next they’re lonely or they could be going through all these feelings at once. That’s OK. There is no right or wrong way to feel when you’re grieving.
  • Be patient with yourself: When many people are feeling joyful it can be easy to feel impatient with grief. Grieving takes time and it can’t be sped up. Some people feel better in weeks and others feel better in months or more. Letting grief unfold naturally is a part of people giving themselves time to feel the way they feel.
  • Take care of yourself physically: If people are feeling better physically then they will feel better emotionally. Remember to sleep, eat exercise and take time to relax. All these things will help especially with the busyness of spending time with family and friends over Christmas.
Christmas can be a difficult time of the year when they are grieving the death of a loved one.
  • Accept help from others: Grief is hard work, and there is no shame in asking friends or family for support. As many gather together for Christmas share memories of loved ones and listen to each other. This can help you cope with however you’re feeling. Remember that you can seek professional guidance if you’re struggling.
  • Start a grief journal: Putting words on paper allows people to express feelings that are painful, rather than carrying those feelings around inside. If a grief journal isn’t the right fit try to find something else. It could be exercising or picking up a new hobby of some sort. Finding ways to manage grief can help you not only over the holiday period but in the weeks and months to come.

About Andrew Kennedy Funeral Directors: Andrew Kennedy Funeral Directors draw on more than 80 years’ experience in supporting families across Sydney and specialises in supporting the Greek and Italian communities through tailored funeral services. It prides itself in valuing respect, trust and family to create a sense of belonging within the community. For more information, please visit: https://www.andrewkennedyfunerals.com.au/

Embracing change with women in charge: The rise of next-gen Greek community leaders

The Greek Herald
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Embracing change with women in charge: The rise of next-gen Greek community leaders

By Mary Sinanidis.

Concerns among older diasporans about the potential abandonment of their clubs as their generation diminishes are unfounded. All they need to do is give space to a vibrant young generation that is actively engaged in preserving their heritage while injecting a fresh perspective into community events.

Angelica Spiliopoulos-Angsiting, new president of Pallaconian Youth in Victoria, emphasises, “You’ve got to move with the times.”  

As the first female leader of Pallaconian Youth, she introduces other young leaders like Joanna Angeletos, launching the Lemnian Youth Club this year, Argyro Pollakis who is planning the Kefalonian club, and Eleni Tzimas, rekindling Papaflessas Youth. They are all there to support Angelica at the Pallaconian’s arts and culture night.

A photo of these empowered young Greek women reviving and leading clubs is a refreshing sight. Challenging the still male-dominated landscape of older generations in club factions, the younger generation is eager to reshape the status quo and infuse events with a contemporary twist.

Amid sculptures and photographs, Angelica notes that young people are exploring new avenues to express their identity. While she says she respects the legacy of the “rigid and structured” approach of early immigrants, she believes in allowing today’s youth the freedom to explore. This approach played a crucial role in reviving the Pallaconian Club when it lay dormant from 2015 to 2017.

The GCM dance troupe entertained guests with an interactive performance. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.
The GCM dance troupe entertained guests with an interactive performance at the Pallaconian Youth’s arts and culture night. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.

Inspired by the success of Pallaconian Youth’s arts and culture night, Eleni envisions similar events for Papaflessas Youth, including meet-and-greets, dances and school holiday programs. The future teacher emphasises the importance of drawing young people through initiatives like the creation of her committee’s Instagram page.

Joanna shares her journey of reviving the Lemnian Youth Club, spurred by her father’s involvement in the Lemnian committee in 2011. She would ask her father whether there would be any more Lemnian events, but people seemed to have grown apart. She took matters into her own hands when she taught at a Greek school and met another teacher of Lemnian descent.

 “We started talking about a youth club which hasn’t operated for 20 years, though there were unsuccessful efforts made to start it up again six years ago,” Joanna says.

“Our panigiri last Sunday was a huge success because it was like a panigiri you’d find at any village in summer with traditional food and dancing. My village is Romanos and I went to a panigiri there and we tried to emulate this.”

Argyro looks at the other three and knows she has her work cut out for her.

“I’m still at the early stages of my journey of starting a Kefalonian community for youth,” she says.

“I came to Australia from Kefalonia in 2016, and I am one of many new arrivals who want to feel closer to our homeland and more at home here. We want to express our culture and traditions and share these with the world.”

The next generation is different to the first wave of mainly uneducated migrants, unable to speak English, working in factories and needing clubs to socialise and survive.

To move with the times and cater to new challenges, a different approach is needed, but the enduring elements of Greek events – dancing, good food and bouzouki – remain constants. And that’s something all generations can agree on and continue to enjoy!

Angelina Dimitrakopoulos: Meet the winner of The Greek Herald’s Christmas cover design

Andriana Simos
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Angelina Dimitrakopoulos: Meet the winner of The Greek Herald’s Christmas cover design

For the third year in a row, The Greek Herald asked youth aged 5 to 18 to help design the front cover of today’s special Christmas print edition.

Like never before, we were overwhelmed with the number of entries from Greek schools across Australia. The entries we received were filled with colour, and many were focused on the theme of the competition – ‘Christmas in Greece’ or ‘A Greek Christmas.’

We thank all the children for their entries! A special thank you must also go to the parents and grandparents who encouraged their children to take part.

Winner: Angelina Dimitrakopoulos

The Greek Herald is excited to announce today that 12-year-old Angelina Dimitrakopoulos from the Greek Community of Melbourne’s Language & Culture Schools is the winner of our Christmas print cover competition for 2023. Congratulations Angelina!

Angelina shared a special message with The Greek Herald after finding out she had won the competition and was the recipient of a $200 Westfield gift voucher.

“It’s hard for me to find the right words to express what I’m feeling right now. I am very, very happy and I am sure that this is one of the moments of my life that will always be engraved in my mind,” she said.

“It is a great honour to have my work on your festive front page, and even more so when this work has to do with Christmas in Greece. This is something I have yet to experience, but I always think of it with a sense of romance, and the sea. That is what I tried to convey in my painting.”

Angelina also thanked The Greek Herald for the honour of selecting her as the winner, as well as the Greek Community of Melbourne’s Language & Culture Schools for encouraging her to take part in the competition.

“I also want to congratulate all the participants for the hard work and imagination they put into their work. I am certain that your work is good,” Angelina said.

“Merry Christmas to all, in good health. I hope the joy I feel from being the winner of this contest is something you all feel in your lives soon! Happy 2024!”

Finalists:

Below you can find our amazing top ten finalists:

The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Filia Zorbas, 11 years old, St Spyridon College.
The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Madeleine Kokkinogoulis, 9 years old, St Spyridon College.
The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Anna Elefantis, 9 years old, Greek Orthodox Community of NSW’s Greek afternoon and Saturday schools.
The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Christopher Kokkinogoulis, 11 years old, St Spyridon College.
The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Myra Varetimidis, 9 years old, Clemton Park Public School.
The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Kaitlyn Piera, 12 years old, Alphington Grammar School.
The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Ava Apostolopoulos, 11 years old, Greek Community of Melbourne’s online Greek school.
The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Μia Morisson, 13 years old, Greek Language and Culture Schools of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria.
The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Isabella Kollias, 7 years old, Unley High School.
The Greek Herald Christmas competition
Gabriel Tsagalidis, 5 years old, St John’s College.

Year 12 Chinese student excels in HSC Modern Greek Beginners

Andriana Simos
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Year 12 Chinese student excels in HSC Modern Greek Beginners

During a time where uptake of the Modern Greek language at secondary and tertiary levels is declining in Australia, The Greek Herald has found a story of optimism for the future.

A story of how Modern Greek can be loved and studied by not only Australian-born Greeks, but also by people of different ethnic backgrounds with great success.

Today, we want to introduce you to Justin Chow – a Year 12 student with Chinese heritage from Blakehurst High School in Sydney’s south.

For his Higher School Certificate (HSC) this year, Justin studied Modern Greek Beginners and received the highest Band 6 (a score of 90 and above). He told The Greek Herald he’s “very pleased” with the result as he’s put a lot of effort into the language since he first studied it in Year 7.

“I decided to take Modern Greek Beginners because I was placed into the Greek class in Year 7 and I found it very interesting, especially having read several Percy Jackson books, which helped to further my interest in Greek,” Justin said.

“[In the HSC now] I was very pleased to get Band 6 as I put a lot of effort into the subject and I was glad to see that my efforts were fruitful.”

year 12 HSC results
Over 60,000 students sat for their HSC this year.

Along the way he was supported by his Modern Greek teachers, Mary Fotiadis and Natasha Vacchio. Ms Vacchio reached out to The Greek Herald about Justin’s result because she was very proud of her student.

“He took on both our teaching advice. He was a very, very, very conscientious student. He was always on top of his work. Over time, he just flourished in the language. His pronunciation is impeccable for a non-Greek,” Mrs Vacchio said.

“He really impressed us with his final mark, but it was such a deserving mark because he worked so hard throughout Year 11 and 12.”

Ms Fotiadis jumped in to add that she was very happy to see Justin succeed in the Greek language.

“We’re very proud of him. I guess it’s more than being proud as well because you can get kids from Greek backgrounds that don’t choose the language [for the HSC] for various reasons… and here’s a student that has no Greek link to anything and managed to do very well just by loving the subject and studying and applying himself,” Ms Fotiadis said.

“He wants to continue with it as well and improve on his knowledge of Greek.”

Justin will do this as he also studies Law at Macquarie University in Sydney next year.

Irene Anesti stands down as President of OEEGA NSW

The Greek Herald
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Irene Anesti stands down as President of OEEGA NSW

President of the Organisation of Hellene and Hellene Cypriots of Australia (OEEGA NSW), Irene Anesti, is handing over the baton of Presidency following a decision made by the Executive Council.

Irene has been the soul of OEEGA NSW for several decades, however, she will be stepping down from the prominent role for health reasons.

The new President of OEEGA NSW will be Poppy Skalkos, a remarkable and active member of the Organisation’s Administration for years.

Following a unanimous decision made by the Executive Board, Irene will remain the Honorary President of OEEGA NSW, who together with the Board of Directors will provide every assistance to the new President, Mrs Skalkou.

The new Board of Directors is:

  • President – Poppy Skalkos
  • Vice President – Vicky Sirius
  • Honorary President – Irene Anesti
  • Secretary – Sylvia Tserdanis
  • Assistant Secretary – Ivi Georgakakos
  • Treasurer – Chrysanthi Petridis
  • Assistant Treasurer – Christina Kalligas
  • Public Relations – Dimitra Skalkos
  • Members – Despina Kekatou, Katerina Vali, Soula Gerasimou Litsa Diakovassilis
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