Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias has stated during a brief on Wednesday, the torrential rain in Greece has put all related authorities under great pressure to respond to the emergency.
The intensity and duration of Storm Daniel dumped record-breaking amounts of water in Greece as of Wednesday, particularly in Thessaly (central Greece) and nearby regions, reported amna.gr.
Two people died, four are still missing, while two formerly missing Austrian tourists were found safe and sound, Kikilias said, while the storms did great damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses.
Civil Protection, the Fire Brigade, Hellenic Police, the emergency ambulance service (EKAV), the Armed Forces, and local government organisations have given their all, he underlined. Civil Protection had issued warnings and directions to regional and municipal authorities about the weather forecasts since September 1, he added.
Authorities also worked on restoring critical infrastructure such as power supply, which also affected the supply of water.
Extreme weather in Greece. Photo: CNN.
Operating in Thessaly and Central Greece are a total of 360 firefighters with 158 fire engines and several units of the emergency rescue service (EMAK). They have carried out 552 water-pumping operations, 172 rescues of 417 citizens, and a total of 14 warning text messages sent by the emergency service number 112.
Cars on the Athens-Thessaloniki National Highway, where traffic was suspended between Nikea near Larissa to the borders of Magnissia (Magnesia) region due to the weather, were diverted to safe roads, the minister said.
Flights at the Skiathos airport were restored, while the port of Volos (Magnissia, in central Greece) is out of operation for reasons of safety, he added, while the Kala Nera bridge in South Pilio has been inspected and the army will restore it.
Kikilias said the powerful storm will last until Thursday night.
A ferry’s captain and three crew members are now facing homicide charges in connection with the tragic demise of a passenger, Antonis Karyotis, who met his end after being forcibly ejected from the departing vessel at the Piraeus port.
The ferry’s captain, along with the first mate and two additional crew members, is set to appear before a Piraeus prosecutor for the formal filing of charges on Wednesday, reported Ekathimerini.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has expressed his “disgust and horror” over the incident which led to the death of 36-year-old, Antonis Karyotis, who drowned in Piraeus port after he was pushed back by crew members off a ferry ramp.
“The mind can’t comprehend it, an inconceivable tragedy that no morality can tolerate,” Mitsotakis said.
“Yesterday’s shameful event does not represent the country we want. And I believe that no Greek woman and no Greek man would want to see it as its image in the mirror of reality.”
This incident, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has ignited outrage throughout the nation.
The footage depicted the passenger rushing onto the loading ramp of the Blue Horizon ferry, which was still docked on the quay and had begun to cast off its moorings. He attempted to bypass two crew members who blocked his path and physically removed him from the ramp.
Upon his return to the ramp, one of the crew members again intervened and forcibly pushed him off as the ferry was pulling away, causing the passenger to disappear into the widening gap between the vessel and the quay.
Ferry crew are facing charges of homicide in connection with passenger was pushed the ramp. Photo: InTime News.
Shockingly, the crew members did not offer any assistance, and the ferry proceeded towards the island of Crete before being ordered to return to Piraeus.
The coast guard reported that the man was found unconscious in the harbor waters and was later pronounced dead. Preliminary findings from the autopsy of the 36-year-old victim indicate that the cause of death was “drowning in seawater.” The deceased also exhibited head injuries and abrasions, with the results of a toxicology examination still pending.
Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis expressed his profound shock and sorrow over the incident. He described the actions of the detained crew members as “a disgraceful affront to Greek mariners.”
Varvitsiotis revealed that the passenger had a valid ticket and had boarded the ship shortly before the incident unfolded. He inexplicably dashed off the ferry and then attempted to reboard. The minister has initiated an investigation into the response of the port police to the incident.
Additionally, Varvitsiotis has ordered a formal administrative inquiry into the actions of the Piraeus Port Authority during the incident. Port Authority sources have disclosed that an official was in the vicinity but not stationed at the boarding ramp. They also confirmed that the ramp should have been raised before the ship’s engines were activated, and the Port Authority has recorded this violation.
Attica Group, the company that owns the Blue Horizon ferry, issued a brief statement expressing their devastation over the tragic event and pledging full cooperation with the authorities.
Piraeus stands as Greece’s largest port and serves as the primary gateway for millions of travelers visiting the Aegean Sea islands and Crete annually.
The toll of casualties resulting from the effects of Storm Daniel in Thessaly continues to climb, with the discovery of an elderly man’s body in the Ellinopirgos area of Karditsa. This unfortunate incident has brought the total known fatalities to three, reported Ekathimerini.
The 82-year-old man was found lifeless, trapped beneath a car, a tragic consequence of being swept away by the relentless downpour and subsequent flooding while attempting to leave his residence.
In a previous incident, the remains of an elderly woman were recovered in close proximity to a coastal community in the southern Pelion region, near the port city of Volos on the Pagasetic Gulf, as reported by the fire brigade, according to amna.gr.
The initial victim of this devastating weather event was a man who tragically lost his life when a wall collapsed on him during adverse weather conditions in Volos on Tuesday.
Severe flooding from Storm Daniel in Greece. Photo: InTime News.
Thessaly, located in central Greece, has borne the brunt of severe flooding over the past 48 hours, according to the National Observatory of Athens weather service, Meteo.
Since Monday, Storm Daniel has unleashed landslides, led to the destruction of a bridge, caused power poles to collapse, and swept away numerous vehicles in its muddy waters. These calamities followed closely on the heels of a two-week-long deadly wildfire that had raged in the northern region.
Furthermore, sections of Athens have also been inundated by the relentless storm.
Weather forecasts indicate that the tempest is expected to persist until Thursday evening.
Chris Nikou, Football Australia Chair, advised the Board and Congress Members on Wednesday, September 6, of his decision to step down from the Chair position of Football Australia (FA) following this November’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Having initially joined the Football Australia Board in October 2014, Mr Nikou became Chair of the governance body in November 2018. Mr Nikou has advised he will not seek re-election as Chair at the upcoming AGM to be held on 22 November 2023. In the meantime, he will continue in his role as Chair until the conclusion of the AGM, which he will also chair.
Reflecting on his tenure, Mr Nikou shared, “Being in this role has been really fulfilling, and with the collaboration of key stakeholders, we’ve managed to transform the sport significantly. I have been part of the board for nearly nine years, with five of that as the Chair, but now feels like the right time for a change and to pass on the baton to a new Chair. It is important for an organisation to get fresh perspectives, especially as we look ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics and the next FIFA World Cup cycles.
Image credit: Football Australia
“This shift at such a pivotal time will bring in new energy and ideas, which are crucial in the ever-changing world of sports and leadership. This is further highlighted when you consider the great momentum we have created over the past year with the fantastic success of our National Teams (Subway Socceroos and CommBank Matildas) and after co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup here in Australia.
“It’s been a real honour serving the sport, working closely with the Board and the Football Australia Congress Members, and representing Australian football on the global stage. Looking back at my time as Chair, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and I am also excited about the current state of the sport and Football Australia’s position both at home and internationally.
“During my term as Chair, Australia has firmly established itself on the global football stage, successfully bidding for and co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and achieving record national team performances. Significant strides were made in championing equal pay, the unbundling of professional leagues from Football Australia, and aligning with global standards. These milestones, combined with further growth as the number one team based participation sport in the country, the commercial resurgence of the sport and the initiation of the Legacy ’23 plan, demonstrate that the game in Australia is at its pinnacle, commercially and in terms of national prestige.
“Football has always held a special place in the heart of Australians. The foundations that have been established ensure a prosperous trajectory for Football Australia and the sport. Following the AGM, a new chapter will unfold, which I am certain will be marked by continued growth and ambition,” Mr Nikou concluded.
As mandated by the Football Australia constitution, there will be an AGM on 22 November. Two board positions will be up for rotation-based election, and the new Chair will be elected by the Board following the AGM.
Yanni Pounartzis, a Canberra-born creative with a passion for art has officially unveiled two limited-edition memorabilia items as part of a collaboration with the Royal Australian Mint and Australia Post.
The items, a $1 coin and a postage stamp, were released on Monday, September 4 and feature Yanni’s most popular sculpture, ‘Big Swoop’ – a giant magpie eating a chip.
Accompanying Big Swoop are the Telstra Tower and a Canberra bus shelter that are also featured in the background of the coin, which Yanni says are two other Canberra icons.
“The Royal Australian Mint and Australia Post approached me about a year ago with the proposal, and obviously there was an embargo so I couldn’t say anything until the date of release, and it was honestly quite difficult to keep a secret,” Yanni told The Greek Herald.
“As an artist, it’s a huge honour to have this kind of recognition and endorsement by the Royal Australian Mint and Australia Post.”
Yanni Pounartzis unveiled two limited-edition memorabilia items as part of a collaboration with the Royal Australian Mint and Australia Post.
The Canberra icon, Big Swoop was initially constructed in 2021 thanks to a grant from the City Renewal Authority.
“I had the idea of a magpie eating a chip in Garema Place before the grant came out,” Yanni said.
“Garema Place (in Canberra) is an area highly populated with magpies and they kind of own that urban space, so when I received the grant, I thought that it was a good opportunity to bring them alive.
“To me, it was just a fun artistic idea at first, and I knew a lot of people were fans of magpies.
“I didn’t expect how quickly it would become an icon in Canberra. There was so much excitement and support from the whole community.”
The fibreglass sculpture, Big Swoop has now also been included as one of Australia’s 10 Big Things alongside the iconic Big Banana, the Big Pineapple, the Big Jumping Crocodile, the Big Lobster, the Big Tasmanian Devli, the Big Blue Heeler, the Giant Murray Cod, the Giant Koala and the Giant Ram.
The fibreglass sculpture, Big Swoop has now also been included as one of Australia’s 10 Big Things.
Several months after constructing Big Swoop, Yianni decided to set up an online merchandising store with T-shirts, beanies and caps due to the popularity of the sculpture.
“Now that we’ve got the collectible coin and stamp, people are going crazy for them,” the Big Swoop artist said.
“They’re selling fast, and I even had trouble getting my hands on one of the coins.
The $1 coin is only available through the Mint and the postage stamp, through the Australia Post.
“You can also get the coin in a collectible pack along with the other Australian icons listed in the 10 Big Things.”
There are also 1000 pure silver coins created, featuring Big Swoop, that can be purchased at the Royal Australian Mint.
To purchase your own Big Swoop memorabilia and keep up with Big Swoop’s latest moves, follow his Instagram @big__swoop and visit his website, bigswoop.shop.
Football Victoria hosted the NPL Victoria Senol Gold Medal Night 2023 on Tuesday, September 5, at Melbourne Park with over 700 people in attendance.
South Melbourne FC defender Jake Marshall claimed the 2023 NPLM Gold Medal.
South Melbourne FC (SMFC) defender Jake Marshall claimed the 2023 NPLM Gold Medal on 25 votes, while Boroondara goal-scorer Kurea Okino took home the NPLW Gold Medal, finishing one vote ahead of Alamein’s Sidney Allen on 27 votes.
Mr Marshall had an outstanding season in the heart of the defence for South Melbourne, guiding his side to the best defensive record in the league.
He is the third South Melbourne player to win this award, with club legends Fernando De Moraes and Milos Lujic both receiving the honour.
Left to Right: Javier Lopez,Esteban Quintas and Jake Marshall.
Also awarded from SMFC was Javier Lopez, winning the NPLM Goalkeeper of the Year.
“Javier Lopez has been nothing short of amazing during his two seasons at Lakeside and was again awarded the NPL Victoria Goalkeeper of the Season last night,” SMFC said in a statement.
South Melbourne took home the Club Media Award for a second consecutive year.
South Melbourne FC won the Club Media Award that was accepted by George Kouroumalis and Skip Fulton.
The full list of awards is below:
NPLM:
Gold Medal: Jake Marshall (South Melbourne) Players’ Player: Jonas Markovski (Altona Magic) Golden Boot: Jonas Markovski (Altona Magic) Goalkeeper of the Year: Javier Lopez (South Melbourne) Coach of the Year: Ben Cahn (Melbourne Knights), Zoran Markovski (Avondale) Goal of the Year: Kristian Bombaci (Port Melbourne) NPLM Referee of the Year: Adam Bavcar
NPLW:
Gold Medal: Kurea Okino (Boroondara Eagles) Players’ Player: Kurea Okino (Boroondara Eagles) Golden Boot: Kurea Okinio (Boroondara Eagles) Goalkeeper of the Year: Natalie Picak (Calder United) Coach of the Year: Loui Spiridis (Bayside United) Goal of the Year: Margot Robinne (Boroondara Eagles) NPLW Referee of the Year: Caitlin Williams
NPL2:
Best and Fairest: Stephen Lawless (Werribee City) Players’ Player: Luke Lofts (Bulleen Lions) Goalkeeper of the Year: Wonsuk Choi (Bulleen Lions) Coach of the Year: George Karkaletsis (Manningham United Blues) Golden Boot: Luke Lofts (Bulleen Lions)
NPL3:
Best and Fairest: Redouane Sarakh (North Sunshine Eagles) Players’ Player: Joshua Whiteley (Caroline Springs George Cross) Goalkeeper of the Year: Christian Siciliano (Melbourne Victory) Coach of the Year: Eric Vassiliadis (Caroline Springs George Cross) Golden Boot: Russell Currie (Goulburn Valley Suns), Redouane Sarakh (North Sunshine Eagles), Joshua Whiteley (Caroline Springs George Cross)
Media Awards:
Club Media Award: South Melbourne FC Bill Fleming Media Award: Jonas Markovski (Altona Magic) NPLW Media Player of the Year: Kurea Okino (Boroondara Eagles) Les Shorrock Best Football Image Award: Rob Cruse, Martin Petrusevski
Adelaide family therapist, Helena Kollias, is on a mission to help others suffering from kidney disease by raising funds for kidney research.
She spoke to The Greek Herald about her personal journey with chronic kidney failure and how it hasn’t stopped her from setting goals and embracing life’s journey.
As a youngster growing up in the Riverland – a fruit growing region about 300 kilometres from Adelaide, South Australia – Helena loved the outdoors and the country life. She also had a love of music and has continued to play her beloved piano to this day.
Helena loved the outdoors and the country life growing up.
Her family were part of a large Greek community where many Greeks had migrated in the late 1950s and 1960s in search of a better life.
“When I was a child, I wanted to play piano, but I wasn’t given the opportunity,” Helena says.
Helena’s family migrated to Australia in the late 1950s and 1960s.
“Instead, I was encouraged to play the didgeridoo. I became quite proficient and went around the country towns with my school groups playing in concerts.
“When I later learned that it is considered disrespectful to play the didgeridoo if you’re not an Indigenous person, I decided to stop playing the didgeridoo and start learning the piano, which was always my first love.”
Helena playing the piano.
Life-changing news:
Helena’s life changed dramatically at the age of 15 when she became very ill. The doctors in the Riverland were unable to diagnose her condition. It wasn’t until a visiting doctor was in the area and diagnosed her with lupus nephritis.
Helena became very sick and was rushed to the Women and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.
“I was cold and tired all the time, even in the peak of summer,” she says.
“I also had high fevers. No-one believed I had a problem; they thought I was just being lazy or was depressed.”
Lupus nephritis was considered a rare condition for someone that young, so she moved to Adelaide to live with her aunt and older sister so she could receive treatment.
Her parents and siblings stayed on in the Riverland and eventually moved to Adelaide six years later once their fruit block was sold.
“At the time of my diagnosis, the doctors were shocked because they hadn’t heard of a child having lupus before,” Helena recalls.
“This was a rare occurrence at that time, but it has become more common.
“Research has since shown that it wasn’t as uncommon as they thought because they can now trace the onset of lupus back to childhood and it is inherited from the mother.”
Helena’s life changed dramatically at the age of 15.
To complicate matters, Helena also contracted sepsis which led to chronic kidney failure. She was given large doses of cortisone when first diagnosed and then began dialysis treatment three times a week from the age of 17 to 20.
This also involved a monthly transfusion and a kidney transplant at the age of 20 in the late 1980s. A few years later, Helena was given the news that the kidney transplant was being rejected and that she would be on dialysis in two years’ time.
Making a choice to travel:
Undeterred, she decided that instead of going to university she would travel, visiting America and even living in California for seven months on her own.
After her long holiday came to an end, Helena went on peritoneal dialysis and proceeded to plan another holiday that lasted three years with the last stop being Japan in 1999.
“The first kidney was toxified by the early anti-rejection drugs, so I had another kidney transplant in 2000 and decided it was time to go back to university and study,” Helena says.
“I still have that kidney today.”
Helena is now working part-time as a family therapist, primarily helping children with severe intellectual disabilities, but she also finds time to raise funds for a cause close to her heart.
The fundraising champion:
Since 2019, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Helena began fundraising for Kidney, Transplant and Diabetes Research Australia.
“Raising money for vital research is important to me because I have lost friends to kidney disease and diabetes, and I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the research that has been conducted to date,” she says.
“We have come a long way since I was diagnosed with kidney disease at 15 years of age, but there is still more that can be done.
To date she has raised $127,932 for Kidney, Transplant and Diabetes Research Australia.Helena began fundraising for Kidney, Transplant and Diabetes Research Australia.
“For example, when I had my first transplant, the anti-rejection medication had a 75 per cent risk of causing cancers but that is now down to 5 per cent. That is an incredible achievement but with the help of research we can eradicate the risk completely.”
Helena credits her team of dedicated volunteers – Marianna Spiniello, Mung Pham, and Mark and Kerry Harrigan – with successful fundraising.
Helena credits her team of dedicated volunteers.
“Marianna and her family are major sponsors of all my fundraising,” Helena says.
“As well as helping at the functions and attending meetings, Mung looks after most of our administration. Marianna and her family are also always very generous with donating prizes.”
To date she has raised $127,932 for Kidney, Transplant and Diabetes Research Australia.
Helena Kollias and her partner Adam enjoying a musical outing.Helena Kollias and her partner Adam.
Food for Thought Network are holding a free seminar for Women’s Health Week on Sunday September 10 online via Zoom.
The Leading Greek Australian Women’s Network founded by Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou has bought together four leading experts to discuss pertinent issues relating to Women’s Health in a free panel discussion online.
The panel of speakers will provide evidence based information on women’s health issues such as breast and ovarian cancer, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome and menopause.
The panel:
Vasso Apostolopoupos
Vice Chancellors Distinguished Professorial Fellow (Distinguished Professor), world renowned immunology researcher to present on women’s cancers (breast, ovary, cervical).
Magdalena Simonis AM
Medical Doctor, Associate Professor at University of Melbourne, and world renowned Women’s Health expert to present on Endometriosis.
Lily Stojanovska
Emeritus Professor at Victoria University, lecturer at UAE University, and world renowned researcher to present on menopause.
Melpomeni Malamouli
Studied pharmacy in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and currently at the end of her PhD studies at Victoria University, to present on polycystic ovary syndrome.
Event details:
The ‘Food for Thought’ online seminar will be at 8:00am to 10:00pm on Sunday, September 10 via zoom). Bookings are required to received the Zoom link: Bookings
In support of Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week, Monash Council and Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health are holding a free morning tea and information session on women and heart health on Friday September 8 in Oakleigh.
The session is delivered in Greek with a focus on, ‘Grow Your Knowledge’ for this years Women’s Health Week. The theme aims to support women in making informed decisions about their health with easy to understand information.
The morning tea is a free event with a friendly chat, and attendees will receive a free Jean Hailes tote bag and other goodies.
Event details:
The session delivered in Greek, for Women and Heart Health, at 10:30am to 12:00pm on September 8 September at Oakleigh Chambers, 1 Atherton Road, Oakleigh. Booking is essential: Trybooking
The devastating wildfires in northeastern Greece’s Evros region have triggered an environmental catastrophe with severe repercussions for the local agricultural sector.
It is estimated that approximately 130,000 olive trees, constituting 60% of the region’s total of 200,000, have fallen victim to the flames. Additionally, hundreds of beehives and thousands of productive animals, primarily sheep, goats, and cows, have been consumed by the inferno, reported Ekathimerini.
Businesses in the region reliant on agricultural production, including olive mills and dairy product processing facilities, may face significant challenges in their survival due to a shortage of raw materials.
The process of restoring the natural ecosystem will be time-consuming and may pose a threat to the survival of creatures that managed to endure the calamity.
The Evros Regional Authority has already calculated that there is a pressing need for food to sustain 44,000 animals and support 21,000 beehives, as much of the farmland has been reduced to ashes.
Honeybee on the flowers of an olive tree. Photo: Norfolk Olivetree.
The entire bee flora in central and southern Evros has been obliterated, leaving the bees without the abundant pollen substitutes they require under normal circumstances.
President of the Beekeepers’ Association of Central Evros, Paschalis Christodoulou, expressed concern, stating, “If the bees do not forage now to prepare for winter, we will have no bees in the spring.”
Dimitris Evrou, Deputy Regional Governor of Evros, emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive strategic plan to aid the recovery of Evros.
A photo taken with a drone shows schorched land in the aftermath of wildfires in Dikela, Alexandroupolis, Greece, 04 September 2023. With no active front on the Evros, the fire died down after 17 days. Firefighters are constantly on the lookout for possible flare-ups. Photo: Achilleas Chiras.
The region boasts approximately 350 farms, with an estimated 90 of them suffering damage from the fire. Evros contributes 4% of the national milk production and 20% of the national mushroom production. Agronomists have initiated the documentation of the damage since the fire was extinguished on Monday, but this process is anticipated to span several days.
Dimitris Pantazis, the manager of the Greek Agricultural Insurance Organization (ELGA) in the region, acknowledged the challenges, saying, “We are making progress but it takes time. Many animals were lost, reduced to ashes, or are still missing. Alexandroupoli is still coated in ash.”
