The Sydney University Greek Society (SUGS) has elected its 2025-26 committee with its sights set on adding a cultural and intellectual focus to its slate of initiatives planned for the coming term.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society took place on Wednesday, March 12 at the Susan Wakhil Building with roughly 50 members in attendance.
SUGS’ new president, Argyri Kallos, speaking for and on behalf of the incoming committee, expressed excitement for the upcoming year wherein they hope to build on the efforts from committees past.
“We aim to reinforce the spirit of fun that previous committees have instilled into SUGS, while also focusing heavily on the promotion of culture and intellectual connection to Hellenism and the Greek Australian community,” Mr Kallos said.
“In particular, we are keen on promoting the study of Greek and shedding light on historical and contemporary issues affecting students and the community alike.”
Mr Kallos, who has previously served as a First Year Representative and Modern Greek Department Liaison, added that SUGS “seeks to strengthen the values of solidarity and pride in both our Hellenic identity and society more broadly.”
He noted that another focus is to expand and work with other organisations to further develop on their schedule of initiatives.
“In addition to producing quality events of our own, we are deeply invested in collaborating with the Department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies at USYD, our fellow student societies and the wider Greek community,” he said.
The full Committee is:
President: Argyri Kallos
Vice President: Maria Kakali
Treasurer: Sebastian Skontos
Secretary: Eleanna Gatsi
Modern Greek Department Liaison: Savvina-Elisavet Turner
Marketing Officer: Natasha Scionti
General Committee: Demetri Tsovolos, Janni Evangelidis, Eustratios Skotadis, Rhiane Fotaras
First Year Representatives: Philip Antipas, Penny Kalantzis
Oakleigh, Melbourne – and Online! – Do you dream of effortlessly ordering a souvlaki in Greek, or engaging in lively debates about the latest news from Athens? This March, seize the opportunity to enhance your Greek fluency with free, engaging Speak Greek in March caffeine connections!
Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting your linguistic journey, this class offers a welcoming and supportive environment to practice your Greek. Participants will engage in informal discussions on a variety of topics, ranging from current events and personal interests to cultural explorations. There will also be opportunities to meet with guest speakers.
Mary Sinanidis, The Greek Herald journalist who initiated the program, says, “We want to create a space where people can feel comfortable practicing their Greek, regardless of their level.”
Dorothy Hatzopoulou, who added the in-person element to the initiative, says, “It’s about building confidence and connecting with the Greek community.”
The class promises a relaxed atmosphere, encouraging participants to learn and grow together. It’s a fantastic chance to meet fellow Greek speakers, share experiences, and immerse yourself in the vibrant Greek culture.
Here are the details:
Online Session:
Date: 26 March
Time: 6:00 PM Melbourne time (Join from anywhere in the world!)
This is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the “Speak Greek in March” initiative, now run by Pharos, that is encouraging and revitalising the use of the Greek language.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with your Greek heritage and enhance your language skills!
The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee have announced a special screening of the documentary ANZAC: The Greek Chapter as part of the upcoming Yarraville Festival.
This poignant film, which sheds light on the ANZACs’ role in the Greek campaign of 1941, will be shown at the iconic Sun Theatre in Yarraville on Sunday, March 23, at 4pm.
ANZAC: The Greek Chapter offers a rare insight into this critical part of Australia’s ANZAC story, featuring interviews with the veterans who served in the Greek campaign.
The documentary draws from over 130 hours of interviews, making it an invaluable resource for those interested in this important chapter of history.
Funded by the Australian Government and supported by Melbourne’s Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, the film was created by historian Dr Peter Ewer and filmmaker John Irwin assisted by Jim Claven OAM and Vicki Kyritsis on behalf of the Committee.
The film was launched at the Greek Film Festival last year and is not to be missed by anyone wishing to learn more about the ANZACs’ involvement in Greece and the courageous local people who supported them.
The screening is supported by the Yarraville Festival and sponsored by Eleni’s Kitchen, Yarraville Grill, and The Yarraville Club.
Tickets are essential, and all interested attendees are encouraged to book in advance. Book your tickets here.
Adelaide City Councillor Mary Couros has expressed concern over the misuse of a new behaviour standards framework in local government, which she claims is being weaponised to silence critics and harass women.
The policy, introduced as part of the 2022 overhaul of the Local Government Act, aimed to reduce lawyer costs and prevent the weaponisation of complaints.
However, according to The Advertiser, Cr Couros and other councillors argue that the framework continues to be abused, with petty complaints being filed and handled in secrecy.
Cr Couros, who was elected in 2018, shared her shock at the level of bullying within the council.
“The bullying continues unchecked, with councillors using the confidential complaint process as a weapon to intimidate and silence their peers,” she said.
She also revealed that navigating the flawed process had cost her over $10,000 in legal fees.
(L-R) Former Alexandrina councillor and current ALGWA SA president Bronwyn Lewis, Adelaide Hills councillor Louise Pascale and Adelaide City councillor Mary Couros. Photo: Brett Hartwig.
Adelaide Hills Councillor Louise Pascale echoed Cr Couros’ concerns, describing harassment, particularly of women, under the new policy.
Cr Pascale, who has taken stress leave twice due to the severity of her experience, warned that the hostile environment could deter women from entering local government.
The issue has raised broader concerns, with some calling for an independent inquiry into harassment in local councils, including sexual harassment.
The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) has been helping women navigate the code of conduct, and Campbelltown Mayor Jill Whittaker noted the framework’s slow implementation and the challenges of managing complaints in-house.
The mental toll on female councillors has been significant, with some seeking psychological support to cope with their experiences.
Councillors are calling for stronger punishment for perpetrators, including potential bans from running for office.
SA Local Government Minister Joe Szakacs stated that there is no place for bullying or harassment in local government.
Real estate veteran Tom Panos has called out the construction industry as the root cause of Australia’s housing crisis.
In a series of Instagram videos, Panos stated, “It’s not a housing problem we’ve got, it’s a construction problem,” citing skyrocketing building costs and shortages of tradespeople as key factors driving the crisis.
Panos explained that it now costs 40-50% more to build a property than it did just a few years ago, with approval delays adding to the burden.
He also noted that developers are struggling to find workers, many of whom are opting for higher-paying independent work.
“I heard a brick layer today say he has an expectation he’s getting $900 a day … this is what they expect,” Panos said.
He criticised the rising costs in Australia, claiming that construction is three to five times more expensive than in countries like the UK, USA and Canada.
Panos used ChatGPT to compare global construction costs, highlighting that Australian costs per square metre ranged from $14,000 to $18,794, while in other countries, costs were significantly lower.
He argued that, due to high costs and risks, developers are hesitant to invest in new projects.
Panos emphasised that without developers, there will be no finished homes.
“Without a developer you don’t get a finished product, and without a finished product you don’t get people inside of them,” he concluded.
His comments sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing and others criticising his use of ChatGPT and questioning the accuracy of his comparisons.
However, Panos maintained that the lack of available workers and rising costs were the main barriers to solving the housing crisis.
Nick Kyrgios is among a group of top tennis players suing the sport’s governing bodies for allegedly operating a cartel that restricts competition, caps prize money, and limits off-court earnings.
The lawsuit, filed by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic and backed by billionaire Bill Ackman, claims that the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and International Tennis Federation (ITF) violate US antitrust laws by controlling players’ pay and working conditions.
𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝘅 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀.
Today, the PTPA and over a dozen players, on behalf of the entire professional population, filed a sweeping series of legal actions against the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA to reform professional tennis. https://t.co/1r4LWQpopP
— Professional Tennis Players Association (@ptpaplayers) March 18, 2025
The lawsuit alleges that players face capped earnings, gruelling schedules, and invasive investigations, with little control over their careers and brands.
“Professional tennis players are stuck in a rigged game,” the suit states.
The players argue that the sport shares less than 20% of its gross revenues with players, in contrast to other professional sports, which provide a significantly higher share.
The ATP and WTA have denied the claims, asserting that they have worked to expand compensation for players.
Important to note that we spoke to over 300 players prior to filing and everyone was extremely supportive. Including the top players. The ATP/WTA has spread so much fear over the years that it’s not easy to put your name on this publicly. Player support for this initiative is… https://t.co/7AfaBGHsJr
The governing bodies also dispute the lawsuit’s accusations, with the ATP calling the PTPA’s legal action “division and distraction” and the WTA stating that it would divert attention from the sport’s core mission.
A key issue raised in the lawsuit is the closed system of tournaments enforced by the ATP and WTA, preventing players from competing in other events and limiting their earnings.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that sponsorship and endorsement opportunities are restricted, with players barred from endorsing certain brands and sports betting companies.
The players also argue that the governing bodies’ control over ranking points and attendance requirements further limits their opportunities to earn income.
The lawsuit names the ITF as a defendant, accusing it of conducting invasive anti-doping investigations and imposing illegal arbitration agreements.
Kyrgios, along with other players, is challenging the ATP, WTA, and ITF’s control over the sport, which they argue undermines their ability to earn and compete freely.
The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has sparked widespread criticism, with accusations of political oppression and attacks on democracy.
Imamoglu, a key rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained on charges including corruption, aiding a terrorist group, and leading a criminal organisation.
He was arrested alongside over 100 others, including journalists and business figures.
This comes shortly after Istanbul University annulled his degree, which could disqualify him from the upcoming presidential race.
Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek, condemned the arrest as politically motivated, calling the circulation of “dirty information” about her husband an attempt to undermine his political future.
She also described the degree cancellation as unlawful, aimed at preventing Imamoglu from running for president.
Φίλε Εκρέμ, είμαστε δίπλα σου.
Με ανησυχία παρακολουθούμε τις εξελίξεις στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και τη σύλληψη του δημάρχου @imamoglu_int και 100 συνεργατών του.
Ο κύριος αντίπαλος του Ερντογάν, εκλεγμένος από το 54% των πολιτών της Κωνσταντινούπολης βρίσκεται υπό κράτηση,… pic.twitter.com/vCk9DCnYEX
The arrest has drawn international condemnation, including from Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, who expressed solidarity with Imamoglu, calling the actions against him an “attack on democracy.”
Doukas highlighted the growing persecution of Imamoglu, who was elected by 54% of Istanbul’s population.
The situation has also led to unrest within Turkey, with the opposition party, CHP, denouncing the arrest as a “coup against our next president.”
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel emphasised the importance of opposition unity, while Imamoglu vowed not to give up despite the pressure.
In response, the Turkish government has rejected claims that the legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated, with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc asserting that the judiciary operates independently.
However, international bodies such as the Council of Europe and foreign ministries from France and Germany have called the arrests a serious setback for democracy in Turkey.
Donald Trump described his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “very good,” marking their first conversation since Trump publicly criticised Zelenskyy three weeks ago.
Trump reassured Zelenskyy that intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine would continue, despite Russia’s demand for its end as a condition for a full ceasefire.
Trump also mentioned the possibility of the US taking ownership of Ukraine’s power plants, though Zelenskyy did not address this in his public summary, calling the call “positive, substantive, and frank.”
I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11—this meeting of the teams significantly helped… pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to implement a 30-day pause on attacks on energy infrastructure, with hopes it would help end the war.
However, Zelenskyy later accused Russia of violating the agreement, reporting that drone attacks continued on Ukrainian energy sites just hours after Putin’s commitment.
Zelenskyy also requested additional air defence systems, including Patriot missiles, which Trump agreed to explore.
Despite diplomatic efforts, both sides face significant hurdles, including Putin’s demand for a halt to foreign military aid to Ukraine.
Trump and Zelenskyy’s call comes amid ongoing challenges in the conflict, with Ukraine losing territory in regions like Kursk.
Political analysts stress the importance of maintaining direct communication between the two leaders.
Aside from your parents, grandparents are the most important relationship, especially in Greek culture. They are always there to wrap you in a blanket of love, feed you all the treats Mum and Dad said you couldn’t have, and attend your dance recitals, cello performances, and soccer games with a prideful grin plastered on their face the whole time.
With their love being unconditional, they’re arguably the only people in the world who give you all of them – including the food on their plate sometimes – and want absolutely nothing in return.
As well as this, anyone who has grown up with their grandparents in their pockets knows that they might even be funnier than most of your friends. And most of the time, it’s not even intentional.
So, with that being said, let’s talk about intergenerational living. Because when you put three generations under one household, the stories practically write themselves.
Do you ever get this feeling like someone’s watching you? Like, you’re asleep and you can’t shake the sense that someone’s nearby. Then, you tell yourself, “Don’t be silly, no one’s watching me sleep – that would be ridiculous.” Well, I’m here to tell you that you are 100% right – that it is ridiculous – but not impossible.
In the household I grew up in, that was just another Tuesday. It was only when I’d peel my eyes open and rub the sleep away that I’d see Yiayia, who would swiftly bust the barely open crack in the door wide open before bounding in to say “Oh, you’re up!” Then, she’d find a comfy spot on the corner of the bed, ready to start the day – together – as one. I saved so much money on alarm clocks.
My sisters and I were lucky enough to grow up under the same roof as our grandparents. Aside from being overfed and developing an unhealthy affinity for Deal or No Deal, Judge Judy, and The Chase (Yiayia answered every question – correct or not), we also picked up a fair few life skills.
I’d bet the clothes off my back, and then some, that my sisters and I would feel pretty comfortable behind the Genius Bar at an Apple store. My specialty was turning the phone off and back on, which in most instances, worked every time – magic, I know. But when it came to wifi, phone bills, and ‘hacked’ Facebook accounts, I palmed that off to my sister. Because if you want to test your will to live, this is the perfect instance. And it was her turn.
You’d think that living with your Greek grandparents would mean you’d pick up at least a bit of Greek – or Greeklish. Well, this wasn’t the case. Instead, I’d be sitting smack-bang in the middle of the car on the way to school, making stops every few streets to pick up Yiayia’s friends for the morning church service, being involved in conversations, in which I barely knew the subject. For all I knew, they were asking if I was training to be a fighter pilot, and I’d just smile and say, “Yeah aha…” with a confident look on my face, ready to change my answer to “no” if facial cues called for it. When I inevitably gave the wrong answer – 50% of the time – Pappou would glance at me in the rearview mirror. His mouth was silent, but his eyes said disappointment.
It wasn’t just in the car where we had run-ins with friends, though. It wasn’t uncommon to wake up, walk into the kitchen in my pyjamas (a singlet and shorts only a mother should see), and be greeted by a great-uncle, a neighbour delivering silverbeet, or maybe the postman. And when that did happen, I began to welcome the morning conversation. You never knew what you were going to get – gossip that someone’s grandchild recently got divorced or that a certain member of the community’s kourabiedes (Greek biscuits) weren’t that good this year.
I could probably write an article a week on what happens between the four walls of an intergenerational household. But for now, I’ll leave you with a few unexpected upsides.
I always had a heart monitor nearby, and emergency groceries were just a quick trip upstairs. If I didn’t look my best before a date, I was told. And if I ever missed family, it was only a matter of time before my auntie, cousin, Yiayia’s cleaner, or – at this point, probably Oprah – would pop her head through the blinds (always when I’m in a compromised state, like getting changed) to say a quick hello.
I had a personal chauffeur if ever needed, who had the best streets in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley for a 2am pickup mapped out, and a Mr. Fix-it was on site for whenever I broke the washing machine by accidentally washing handfuls of bobby pins or had broken a heel on my favourite pair of shoes (super glue was my Pappou’s Windex).
But the best part? If I was ever home alone, I knew that I wasn’t really alone. I had a best friend upstairs with a kettle ready to boil, a couch that reclines, and a smile that could brighten up any room. I’ll count my lucky stars for having experienced something not many people get to. That being said, if anyone ever asks me if I’d move back in, I’ll have to plead the fifth.
So, to anyone who drives past the red-brick house on West End’s main strip, the one with the pink roses and wet concrete, make sure to wave to the man on the balcony swing. Even though he’s probably deep in sleep, do it anyway. Or beep. I’ve got to keep him on his toes – even from Melbourne.
Oakleigh Grammar has commemorated the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day with its annual Independence Day Assembly.
The event was attended by students, staff, parents, members of the School Executive, and representatives of the School Board – Chairman Chris Damatopoulos and Treasurer Sam Vassos.
Also present was special guest His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, along with Rev Father Chris Dimolianis, Rev Father Panteleimon Laskaridis, Rev Father Stavros Kakavas, Tony Tsourdalakis (President of Intercommunities and Parishes Council of Victoria – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia), and Maria Triantafyllou (Acting Coordinator of Educational Affairs Australia and New Zealand).
On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, His Grace delivered a profound speech to those present, emphasising the importance of Greek Independence Day and its coinciding with the beginning of Great Lent and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, two central dates in the Orthodox Christian calendar.
The Byzantine Choir then performed several beautiful hymns before Principal Mark Robertson delivered his Address, focusing on the Greek concept of ‘Philotimo’ and emphasising its special connections to the School values of Humility, Aspiration, Respect and Kindness.
Parents and guests were then presented with several musical performances by each Junior School year level, including a live bouzouki performance by Vasili from Year 5, as well as a performance from the Middle School Dancing Group.
Each student admirably displayed their talents to mark such an important event for the international and local Greek community.
