Day: May 1, 2013

Invitation to support our fundraising campaign for Greece

Source: Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria

On behalf of the Parent Committee (For the After-Hours Schools) of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria, and the Greek Ambassadors (Every Greek Is An Ambassador For Greece Inc.), it is with great pleasure that we invite you to take part in our joint fundraising campaign for Greece.

As we are all aware, the Greek financial crisis has had a significant impact on Greece’s population, and as Greeks of the diaspora we consider it our obligation to offer our support.

We have therefore decided to collaborate and raise funds for a worthy charity “Metropolitan Greek Social Practice”, which offers free medical and health care to Greeks who cannot afford it.

This charity is exclusively run by volunteer doctors and therapists and accepts donations in kind only. This means that all funds raised will go towards the purchase of medicines and/or medical equipment.

To open our campaign, we are holding a formal launch on Tuesday 14th of May 2013. This will be followed by gold coin donations during May as well as additional fundraising activities in June and July 2013.

This is an invitation to participate in all of these events.

Please indicate your support and attendance to our launch:

Formal Launch: By Invitation Only

Date: Tuesday 14th of May 2013,

7.30pm Venue: The Arcadia Centre,

Address: 50-56 Batman Street, West Melbourne Open to principals and community dignitaries

RSVP: 10th May 2013

If you are unable to attend the launch but would like to pledge your support, we can accept direct donations.

We look forward to working with you on this worthwhile cause.

Yours faithfully,
Theo Markos
Education Convenor
Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria

Evy Yannas
Founder
Greek Ambassadors
(Every Greek Is An Ambassador for Greece Inc.)

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard announces 0.5% levy to fund NDIS

Source: News

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has announced the Medicare levy will increase by 0.5 per cent to pay for Labor’s National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The average worker on $70,000 a year will pay an extra $1 a day in Medicare levies, Ms Gillard said.

She made the announcement in Melbourne this morning, and said all funds collected from the increased levy would go into a special fund to pay for disability support.

The Medicare levy will increase from the current 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent and starts on July 1, 2014.

The increase is expected to raise $3.2 billion a year towards Government’s major share of the NDIS.

The Government had previously ruled out a levy to fund the scheme.

“The choice me and my colleagues have made is that disability care should be supported by a 0.5 per cent increase to the Medicare levy,” Ms Gillard said.

“Every cent raised would be spent on disability care.”

She said the Government had hoped to fund the NDIS through savings in the Budget “but I do today say that I have thought about this deeply and I have changed my mind”.

“I want to be clear that the amount raised from the additional levy will not fund the full cost of disability care,” Ms Gillard said.

“There will be no free ride for states and territories, they will have to step up too.”

Treasurer Wayne Swan said it was vital the NDIS had a “stable, secure funding scheme”.

“The advantage of this fund is that all of the money raised from the levy goes straight to this fund and cannot be used for any other purpose,” he said.

“We are asking people to pay a little more to do a little more for those with disabilities that have been left behind.”
Ms Gillard said she spoke to state and territory leaders about the NDIS and potential increase to the Medicare levy at a COAG dinner last month.

Ms Gillard is also expected to announce a clampdown on the disability support pension scheme today.

Earlier this week Ms Gillard flagged a $12 billion shortfall in one year of tax revenues and said all options had to be considered.

NDIS survey

Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin spoke about a family in Melbourne who had a disabled son at the announcement today.

“(They) have explained to me how hard it is to get respite, how hard it is to get a couple of days off,” Ms Macklin said.

“How hard it was to get a new wheelchair for him as he got older.

“This is the reality for families and carers and people with a disability in Australia at the moment. This is why we need the … National Disability Insurance Scheme.”

Ms Macklin also said there would not be any further changes to the disability support pension in the coming Budget.

“I do want to assure families and their carers that this very important part of the disability support net will remain,” Ms Macklin said.

It is important to have certainty around NDIS funding, Every Australian Counts campaign spokesman John Della Bosca said.

“A levy does have its attractions… it;s transparent, people know what they’re spending their money on and that they’re getting a benefit from a social insurance scheme,” he told ABC Radio today.

“Anyone can suffer a severe and profound disability at any time.”

Mr Della Bosca dismissed comments from former Treasurer Peter Costello and business leaders claiming that now was not the right time for the NDIS because there was no Federal Budget surplus.

“Australians with a disability have waited long enough,” Mr Della Bosca said.

“It’s a question of priorities.”

From Wind to Steam and Beyond – Tracing the history of windmills in The Rocks

Source: RocksWindmill

In colonial Sydney, windmills were most often the tallest structures on the harbour foreshore. However, within a 100 years of settlement, this romantic vision had been swallowed by the smoke belching chimneys of the Industrial Revolution. Our modern preoccupation with pollution and climate change might see us judging this development as entirely reprehensible, but in the 19th Century, such chimneys symbolised progress and prosperity.

When bringing The Rocks Windmill concept to fruition, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority took the approach that the historical remains of the built environment shouldn’t define our understanding of the past – rather, what is absent from the picture is just as, if not more, compelling.

One aspect of this is explored by the Authority’s resident archaeologist Wayne Johnson (pictured above), in his talk From Wind to Steam and Beyond, co-presented by Historic Houses Trust. Held on Thursday May 2nd, this presentation provides a fascinating explanation of how the rise of steam based technology sealed the windmill’s fate, erasing them from the colonial landscape.

The key, says Wayne, was the discovery of coal in Wollongong in 1797, and then later in Newcastle, allowing steam power to be seen as “a more reliable power source, and unlike windmills, worked regardless of climatic conditions.” Indeed, the climate also played a bigger role in the windmills’ demise. Most were ‘post mills’ and made from timber, which the early settlers found deteriorated quickly in their new homeland. They were also highly susceptible to termites and, worse still, often damaged by the very wind from which they derived their power.

However, as Wayne will share, the true driving force behind the windmill’s demise, was the engineer John Dickson. Holding one of the earliest patents for steam technology, he arrived in the colony with his steam mill in 1813. Between coal and Dickson’s entrepreneurial spirit, the colony’s windmills didn’t stand a chance.

Whilst From Wind to Steam and Beyond looks at John Dickson’s legacy, Wayne Johnson’s talk highlights the importance of not taking our understanding of the past for granted. “While we often celebrate mansions and public buildings,” he states, “our industrial heritage is often swept away.”

Jacqui Newling, from Historic Houses Trust of NSW, delves into another forgotten aspect of colonial life in Our Daily Bread. Long ago, bread was considered to be the ‘staff of life’, and once the windmills had regularised the settler’s supply of flour, bread became the mainstay of colonial diets. However, not all bread was created equal in Sydney Cove and, in Our Daily Bread, Jacqui will show how the quality of one’s flour ration was directly linked to their social standing.

Contrary to common belief, meal-times at Sydney Cove weren’t defined by the rations each settler received. Between foraging for wild food and the establishment of kitchen gardens, early settlers were eating fare far superior to their contemporaries in England. Our Daily Bread is one for foodies who’d like to travel back to the dinner tables of yesteryear – as gastronomer and head cook at the Historic Houses Trust of NSW – it’s a journey Jacqui Newling makes all the time!

EVENT DETAILS

Please note, both From Wind to Steam and Beyond and Our Daily Bread, are being hosted by the Historic Houses Trust of NSW. To secure your seat, register using the links below:

From Wind to Steam and Beyond – Register
Thursday 2 May
5.30pm – 6.30pm
Free

Windmills – Skyscrapers of the Colonial Era / SOLD OUT
Sunday 5 May
2 – 3.30pm
Free

Our Daily Bread – Register
Thursday 9 May
5.30pm – 6.30pm
Free

8 μετάλλια για ελληνικά ελαιόλαδα σε διεθνή διαγωνισμό!

2 χρυσά και 6 ασημένια μετάλλια απέσπασαν 7 ελληνικές εταιρείες στο Διεθνή Διαγωνισμό Βιολογικού Ελαιολάδου «Biol International 2013» που έλαβε χώρα στην Andria της Ιταλίας.

Στο φετινό διαγωνισμό έλαβαν μέρος 360 διαφορετικές ετικέτες ελαιολάδου από συνολικά 15 χώρες.

Αναλυτικά οι εταιρείες:

Χρυσό μετάλλιο: Terra Creta, Epikouros.

Ασημένιο μετάλλιο: Anoskeli, LATZIMAS S.A., Ελαιώνες Σακελλαρόπουλου, Κωνσταντίνα Καλαμποκά, Epikouros, Mani – Blauel Greek Organic Products.

The International Jury Biol, composed of 24 experts in the olive oil from different parts of the world, met in Andria-Italy, in the Salesian Oratory, on 13 and 14 March 2013, to taste olive oils finalists, chosen on the following the judgment of the pre-selection jury.

Participated in this phase all the olive oils that have been awarded by juries a score equal to or greater than 75/100.

2013 has been characterized by the presence of a large group of olive oils that had requirements for excellence and for this reason the International Jury intended to give a special award called “EXTRAGOLD” to all those excellences that, in the final stage of the competition, received a score of greater than 77/100.

As every year, the International Prize BIOL awarded, on the basis of pre-selection jury, the GOLD MEDAL and the SILVER medal awarding this year all the olive oils that received a score above 60/100.

In particular have been assigned SILVER MEDAL for all olive oils with a score from 61 to 70/100 and the GOLD MEDAL for all the olive oils with a score equal or greater than 71/100.

The International Jury 2013, in fact, made some improvements to the regulation that defines quality oils all oils whose judgment expressed on the basis of the evaluation of BIOL is equal to or greater than 61/100.

All these olive oils will be part of BIOL Guide to the Best Organic Oils of the world to be published before 30 April 2013.

Will shortly be sent to all the companies that have received recognition quality (ExtraGold, Gold and Silver Medal) a certificate.

All companies may, subject to authorization, use the mark and references to BIOL Prize.

All participants will receive, however, a report and write to mr Alfredo Marasciulo and Anna Neglia, info@premiobiol.it

LABEL COMPANY REGION/TOWN COUNTRY MENTION

Shkalla Shkalla Tirana Albania SILVER
Anoskeli Anoskeli S.a. Crete Grecia SILVER
Latzimas Latzimas S.a Crete Grecia SILVER
Athermo Armonia Armonia Sakellaropoulos Organic Farm Lakonia Grecia SILVER
Eirini Plomariou Konstantina Kalampoka North Aegean Islands Grecia SILVER
Demeter Extra Natives Olivenol Epikouros Organic Products Ltd Peloponnese Grecia SILVER
Mani Blauel Olivenol Native Extra 500ml Friedrich Blauel & Co Ltd. West Mani Greece SILVER
Olio di San Martino Azienda Agricola Persiani Sas & C Abruzzo Italia SILVER
Ranieri Frantoio Oleario Alfredo Ranieri Abruzzo Italia SILVER
Gagliardi Rosetta Azienda Agricola Gagliardi Rosetta Basilicata Italia SILVER
Casale La Farfalla Blend Sabino Classico Azienda Agricola la Farfalla Lazio Italia SILVER
Casale La Farfalla Monocultivar Frantoio Azienda Agricola La Farfalla Lazio Italia SILVER
Casale La Farfalla Monocultivar Leccino Azienda Agricola La Farfalla Lazio Italia SILVER
Dop Sabina Biologico Azienda Agricola Biologica Augusto Spagnoli Lazio Italia SILVER
Quattrociocchi Coratina Azienda Agricola Americo Quattrociocchi Lazio Italia SILVER
Il Bausco Az. Agr. Il Bausco dei F.lli Maccario S.s.a. Liguria Italia SILVER
Pisano Pisano Danila Liguria Italia SILVER
Fioralba Azienda Agricola Fioralba Lombardia Italia SILVER
Garda Bresciano Dop Azienda Agricola L’Ulif Biologica Dal 1989 Lombardia Italia SILVER
Antica Masseria Brancati Azienda Agricola Antica Masseria Brancati Puglia Italia SILVER
Biogranoro Dop Pastificio Attilio Mastromauro Granoro Srl Puglia Italia SILVER
Biolidoro Coratina Azienda Agricola Mortellito Eredi Talia Puglia Italia SILVER
Don Nino Azienda Agricola di Giacomo Maccagnano Puglia Italia SILVER
Eliosole Dop Agostinello Azienda Agricola Agostinello Simone Puglia Italia SILVER
Eredi Perrone Dop Terre Di Bari Eredi Perrone Puglia Italia SILVER
Intini Intini Srl Puglia Italia SILVER
L’olpe Di Marco Biancolilla Soc. Agr. L’olpe Di Marco di Galiulo Giuseppe e Sante S.S. Puglia Italia SILVER
La Chiusa Michele Ponziano Puglia Italia SILVER
Le Matine Azienda Agricola Ritrovato Matteo Puglia Italia SILVER
Marcinase Fruttato Leggero Monocultivar Cima Di Bitonto Azienda Agricola Ing. Gregorio Minervini Puglia Italia SILVER
Marcinase Fruttato Medio Azienda Agricola Ing. Gregorio Minervini Puglia Italia SILVER
Marcinase Monocultivar Coratina Fruttato Intenso Azienda Agricola Ing. Gregorio Minervini Puglia Italia SILVER
Masseria Giummetta Masseria Giummetta Azienda Agricola Sabatelli Giovanni Puglia Italia SILVER
Masseriola Coratina Azienda Agricola Masseriola Puglia Italia SILVER
Melolio Azienda Agricola Le Filare di Melorio Margherita Puglia Italia SILVER
Olea Aurea Azienda Agricola Biologica Olga Rollo Puglia Italia SILVER
Olie’ Az. Agr. Ramundo Annatonia Puglia Italia SILVER
Profumi Di Castro Monocultivar Coratina Azienda Agricola Adriatica Vivai Soc. Semplice Puglia Italia SILVER
Roberto Azienda Agricola Roberto Riccardo Puglia Italia SILVER
San Biagio Azienda Agrituristica E Didattica Masseria San Biagio Puglia Italia SILVER
San Martino Azienda Agricola Masseriola Puglia Italia SILVER
Serrilli 1855 Monocultivar Ogliarola Garganica Azienda Agricola Serrilli Pia Gloria Anna Puglia Italia SILVER
Selezione Contrada Torre Marina Azienda Agricola De Carlo Sas Puglia Italia SILVER
Tre Colline Dop Azienda Agricola Il Frantoio Puglia Italia SILVER
Tresca Azienda Agricola Cito Puglia Italia SILVER
Troiano Bio Gruppo M.& G. S.r.l. Puglia Italia SILVER
Ulivi Secolari Masseria Giummetta Masseria Giummetta Puglia Italia SILVER
Masseria Giummetta Dop Colline di Brindisi Masseria Giummetta Puglia Italia SILVER
Vantu Sandro Chisu Nuovo Oleificio Sandro Chisu Sardegna Italia SILVER
Bio Filo D’oro Di Chiusa Ditta Individuale Sicilia Italia SILVER
Zenia Azienda Agricola F.lli Mangano Sicilia Italia SILVER
Argento La Poderina Toscana Toscana Italia SILVER
Il Mandorlo Frantoio e Azienda Agricola Il Mandorlo Toscana Italia SILVER
Il Ficareto Dell’aquila Laura Toscana Italia SILVER
San Benedetto Dogana San Benedetto Dogana Toscana Italia SILVER
Affiorante Azienda Agraria Marfuga Umbria Italia SILVER
Frantoio di Spello Frantoio UCCD Umbria Italia SILVER
Marfuga D.o.p. Umbria Colli Assisi-Spoleto Azienda Agraria Marfuga Umbria Italia SILVER
Zejd Olive Trade North Libano SILVER
Green Acre Farm Green Acre Farm North Libano Libano SILVER
Luque Alcubilla 2000, S.l. Andalucia Spagna SILVER
Olicatessen Moli Dels Torms, Sl Lleida Spagna SILVER
La Organic Oro Suave La Amarilla De Ronda S.l. Madrid Spagna SILVER
L`alqueria Blanqueta Almazara La Alqueria, S. L. Montanas De Alicante Comunidad Valenciana Spagna SILVER
Aceite Artajo Arbequina Aceite Artajo S.l. Navarra Spagna SILVER
Pago De Quiros E.a La Moncloa S.a Toledo Spagna SILVER
Sofra Sarra Huiles S.a. Kalaa Kbira Tunisia SILVER
Oyya Cogehuile Tunis Tunisia SILVER
Domaine Sidi Mrayah Domaine Sidi Mrayah Tunis Tunisia SILVER

Δειτε το VIDEO CLIP της ΑΘΗΝΑ ΓΕΩΡΓΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ – ΔΕΝ ΣΟΥ ΚΑΝΩ ΤΟΝ ΑΓΙΟ

H ΑΘΗΝΑ ΓΕΩΡΓΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ καταθέτει την νεα της μουσική πρόταση στην ελληνικη δισκογραφία από πολύ μικρη ήρθε σε επαφή με την μουσική που την κέρδισε για πάντα.

Άρχισε να τραγουδάει από τα σχολικά της χρονια και μέχρι και σημερα εχει τραγουδήσει διπλά στα μεγαλύτερα ονοματα του ελληνικου τραγουδιου.

Ολοκληρωμένη καλλιτέχνης πιά εισβάλλει δυνάμικα στο προσκήνιο του συγχρονου λαικου τραγουδιού με το δευτερο digital single ΄΄ΔΕΝ ΣΟΥ ΚΑΝΩ ΤΟΝ ΑΓΙΟ΄΄

Μουσική:Αλέκος Χρυσοβέργης- Στίχοι: Σπύρος Γιατράς

Η ΑΘΗΝΑ ΓΕΩΡΓΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ είναι από τα γνωστά πρόσωπα στην ελληνική δισκογραφία που έρχεται να μας κερδίσει για μια ακομα φορα με την φωνη της τις μουσικές της και τα τραγούδια της, Αναζητήστε την στις ζωντανές της εμφανίσεις κι απολάυστε μια πολλά υποσχόμενη νεα φωνή.

Δειτε στο youtube το VIDEO CLIP Στο link