European Labour Law in Times of Crisis: Lessons from Greece

Venue: The Ithacan Philanthropic Society’ at 329 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne (click for map).

by Keith Ewing, Professor of Public Law at King’s College London.
Date: 7pm Thursday 2nd May, 2013
Entrance: Free Public Lecture
This lecture will address the austerity measures introduced in Greece following the intervention of the ‘Troika’.

Professor Ewing will examine some of the changes introduced in the light of the financial crisis and consider their legality in the light of the obligations of the Greek government under the Greek Constitution, and the European Convention on Human Rights.  He will also comment on the legality of the conduct of the EU institutions and the compatibility of their conduct with the EU Treaty.

Biography:
Keith Ewing is Professor of Public Law at King’s College London. Before then he worked at the universities of Edinburgh (1978–83) and Cambridge (1983–89) and has also held visiting positions at various institutions overseas, including the universities of Sydney and Queensland. He is the President of the Institute of Employment Rights (a trade union funded think tank), and Vice President of the International Centre of Trade Union Rights.

Addressing The Lemnos Heritage of Gallipoli and the Forgotten Foundations of Anzac, 1915-1918

Venue: The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street (click for map).

by Dr John Yiannakis.
Date:  Thursday 25 April 2013, 7pm 
Entrance: Free Public Lecture

Despite the island of Lemnos being just 100 kilometres from the Gallipoli peninsula and having played a crucial role in the eight month Dardanelles campaign, the island is virtually unknown to most Australians.

While much has been written about Gallipoli, Lemnos is not included in this discourse having been marginalised over time.

As the Gallipoli centenary approaches, a research project seeking to demonstrate the importance of Lemnos to the entire venture and to contribute to the island’s (re)inclusion in the conceptualisation of the Anzac campaign at Gallipoli is proposed.

What social, political, economic and technological effect did the arrival of 20th century technologies have on the people and structures of a remote Greek island that still functioned as an 18th century rural subsistence community?

What sorts of relationships developed between the locals and the foreigners, notably the Anzacs?

Did the Australian presence disrupt Lemnian society?

Dr John Yiannakis was born and educated in Perth. For many years he lectured in Modern and Ancient History at Tuart College where, from 1998 to 2001, he was Head of the Social Sciences Department. More recently, Dr Yiannakis has worked as a Research Fellow at Curtin and Murdoch Universities. He is currently working on a funding proposal to investigate Lemnos as a counterworld to Gallipoli during the Anzac campaign of 1915.

2013 Greek History and Culture Seminars

The free seminars aim to provide an opportunity for members and friends of the Greek Community to delve into the long and fascinating history of Greece and Greek Culture, aspects of which have formed the foundation of Western Civilization.

Click here to view the full program of Season 1 of the 2013 Greek History and Culture Seminars.

Το απόγευμα της 20ης Απριλίου 2013, στο περιθώριο των εορτασμών της 98ης επετείου από την απόβαση των ANZAC στη χερσόνησο της Καλλίπολης, πραγματοποιήθηκε συνάντηση στο Δημαρχείο στην οποία συμμετείχαν εκπρόσωποι της ομογένειας, οι Ελληνοαυστραλοί βουλευτές Lee Tarlamis, ο οποίος κατάγεται από τα Τσιμάνδρια, και John Pantazopoulos και ο Αντιδήμαρχος Λήμνου Δημήτρης Μπουλώτης.

Οι Ελληνοαυστραλοί βουλευτές εξέφρασαν τις ευχαριστίες τους προς τους τοπικούς φορείς για τη διοργάνωση των εκδηλώσεων και συζήτησαν τις αμοιβαίες ενέργειες ανάμεσα στο Lemnos Gallipoli Comitee της Αυστραλίας και το Δήμο Λήμνου για την ανάδειξη του ρόλου της Λήμνου στα γεγονότα εκείνης της εποχής, ιδιαίτερα ενόψει των εορτασμών της εκατονταετηρίδας το 2015.

Συγκεκριμένα συζητήθηκε η πρόοδος της συνεργασίας με το Australian War Memorial και η βοήθεια που μπορούν οι βουλευτές να προσφέρουν, η δημιουργία αναπαράστασης στρατοπέδου της εποχής, η κατασκευή μνημειακού αγάλματος, η δυνατότητα αδελφοποίησης του Port Phillips με το Δήμο Λήμνου και κυρίως η προοπτική σύγκλισης στη Λήμνο συνεδρίου για τους ΑNZAC τον Ιούλιο του 2013.

Τέλος προτάθηκε η παρουσία της Λήμνου σε συνεργασία με τον ΕΟΤ στο Τουριστικό Road Show της Αυστραλίας το Μάρτιο του 2014 και λοιπές δράσεις οι οποίες θα εντάξουν οριστικά τη Λήμνο στο επίσημο πρόγραμμα των εορτασμών του 2015.

Πηγή: lesvosnews.gr

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

“The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association conveys its deepest sympathy to the people of Boston, Massachusetts and the running community who today are dealing with the shocking and cowardly explosions at the 117th Boston Marathon.

This major global sporting event attended by many thousands of runners and participants from around the world is known for its celebration of endurance, willpower and freedom epitomized by the original Greek Marathon in 490BC.

It is an event sponsored and supported by New England’s large Greek community where the Greek Consul General in the spirit of the original Marathon crowns the victor a winning wreath of olive branches.

The olive wreath in the ancient Greek world symbolizes peace.

The W.H.I.A has 7 members in the State House of Massachusetts and I was honoured to be a participant just over a week ago in the State House recognition of Greek National Day.

Today we stand with the people of Boston who have lost loved ones and been injured. We wish US authorities a speedy outcome in bringing the culprits to justice.

The Greek community around the globe is dismayed that such an event that commemorates the best of the ancient Greek world should be targeted with such tragedy.

The Marathon long-distance running event (42.195 kilometers -26 miles and 385 yards) is run commemorating the Greek messenger Pheidippides who, according to the legend, was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated at the battle of Marathon (490 BC).

That Greek victory secured for mankind the intellectual treasures of Athens and the liberal enlightenment of the Western world”.

Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation

Australian Museums blockbuster exhibition Alexander the Great: 2000 Years of treasures must close its doors on Sunday 28 April after setting attendance records for the museum over summer.

As a final celebration before these treasures are packed for transport back to the State Hermitage in St Petersburg, the Australian Museum announce The Week of Alexander.

Between Monday 22 and Friday 26 April, anyone who has Alex in their first or surname will gain entry at a special price. (proof of identity required)

And as Alexander the Great founded 20 cities that bore his name, the Museum has extended this offer to all residents of Alexandria. (proof of address required)

I urge people to take the opportunity to see these treasures for 28 April as they will not travel to Australia again in our lifetime, says Frank Howarth, Director of the Australian Museum. And I urge all Alexes to come along and discover the legacy of their famous historic namesake.

The Week of Alexander offer
to purchase your discounted tickets mention the promotional word ALEX
Adult $18 (normally $24) saving of $6 or a 25% discount
Family $50 (2 adults & 2 children – normally $60) saving of $10 or 16% discount

Alexander the Great: 2000 years of treasures
Collection from the State Hermitage, St Petersburg, Russia
Exclusive in Australia to the Australian Museum in Sydney
http://www.alexandersydney.com.au

Tickets available at the museum, but to avoid the queues pre-purchase tickets
at http://www.ticketmaster.com.au or by calling 136 100

WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD (SAE)

Δρ. Όλγα Σαραντοπούλου
Γραμματέας

​​​​​​​​​Vienna, 09.04.2013

THE NEW TAXATION LAW FOR EXPATRIATES WILL BE REVIEWED

Following the pointing out of aspects of the proposed new taxation law for Expatriates and the multiple interventions by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad through SAE Secretary Dr. Olga Sarantopoulos, and the subsequent mobilization of the Greek Organizations around the world, the Greek Government decided to review this extremely important issue.

We believe that the review of the new law regarding the taxation for Greeks living abroad should deal with the essence of the problem and should not exclude the Diaspora from the process. It is necessary that the Government takes seriously into consideration the proposal for the establishment of a Committee involving representatives of the Tax Department for residents abroad, who know in depth the issue, tax consultants, finance professors, representatives of the Omogeneia , SAE, the Secretariat for Greeks Abroad of MFA and the Ministry of Finance. So that the new regulations which will emerge through this cooperation will meet up with a just solution for the Expatriates and will bring them closer to the Homeland in these difficult times experienced by our country.

As highlighted by Dr.Sarantopoulos, after long consultations she had with relevant personalities responsible for the Tax Department for residents abroad, tax consultants, legal advisers and other competent people, each region where expatriates live has its own pecularities, which should be examined in detail. It is a fact that intergovernmental agreements to avoid double taxation do not exist everywhere -like e.g. in Australia for which she called for the immediate commencement of procedures in order to reach an intergovernmental agreement. She also pointed out that the certificates requested by the law are not issued by all countries as they have different rules.

Regarding the review of the law, Dr. Olga Sarantopoulos called upon Finance Minister Ioannis Stournaras to take into account the serious objections from the part of our organizations around the world and to take personally care of the very important issue. She underlined once more that the institutional process should be followed in order to restore the sense of justice in the Greek Diaspora.

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ΕΠΑΝΕΞΕΤΑΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΝΟΜΟΣΧΕΔΙΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΦΟΡΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΟΜΟΓΕΝΩΝ

Κατόπιν της ανάδειξης των πτυχών του προτεινόμενου νέου νομοσχεδίου για την φορολογία Ομογενών και των πολλαπλών παρεμβάσεων εκ μέρους του Συμβουλίου Απόδημου Ελληνισμού μέσω της Γραμματέως ΣΑΕ Δρ.Όλγας Σαραντοπούλου και της ακόλουθης μαζικής κινητοποίησης των Ομογενειακών Οργανώσεων ανά τον κόσμο, η Ελληνική Κυβέρνηση αποφάσισε να επανεξετάση το άκρως σημαντικό για την Ομογένεια αυτό θέμα.

Θέλουμε να πιστεύουμε ότι η επανεξέταση της φορολόγησης των Ελλήνων του εξωτερικού θα ασχοληθεί με την ουσία του προβλήματος και δεν θα γίνει ερήμην της Ομογένειας. Είναι αναγκαίο η Κυβέρνηση να λάβει σοβαρά υπόψη της την πρόταση για την σύσταση Επιτροπής στην οποία θα συμμετέχουν ειδικοί εκπρόσωποι της ΔΟΥ κατοίκων εξωτερικού, που γνωρίζουν σε βάθος το θέμα, φοροτεχνικοί, καθηγητές οικονομικών, εκπρόσωποι της Ομογένειας και του ΣΑΕ, της ΓΓΑΕ και του Υπουργείου Οικονομικών, ώστε οι νεες ρυθμίσεις που θα προκύψουν να ανταποκρίνονται σε μία λύση που δεν θα αδικεί την Ομογένεια και θα την φέρει πιο κοντά στην μητέρα Πατρίδα στίς δύσκολες στιγμές που βιώνει η χώρα.

Υπενθυμίζεται ότι όπως ανέδειξε η Δρ.Σαραντοπούλου, μετά από πολύωρες διαβουλεύσεις με τους αρμόδιους υπεύθυνους της ΔΟΥ κατοίκων εξωτερικού, φοροτεχνικούς ,νομικούς και άλλων αρμοδίων, υπάρχουν ιδιαιτερότητες σε κάθε περιφέρεια οπου ζουν Ομογενείς , οι οποίες θα πρέπει να εξεταστούν λεπτομερώς. Δεν υπάρχουν παντού διακρατικές συμφωνίες για την αποφυγή διπλής φορολόγισης -όπως π.χ.στην Αυστραλία για την οποία ζήτησε την άμεση έναρξη των σχετικών διαδικασιών για να υπογραφεί διακρατική συμφωνία. Υπογράμισε δε οτι και τα πιστοποιητικά που ζητάει ο νόμος δεν εκδίδονται απο όλες τις χώρες .

Η Δρ. Όλγα Σαραντοπούλου καλεί τον Υπουργό Οικονομικών κ. Ιωάννη Στουρνάρα κατά την επανεξέταση του νομοσχεδίου, να λάβει υπόψη τις σοβαρές ενστάσεις εκ μέρους των ομογενειακών μας οργανώσεων ανά τον κόσμο και υπογράμμισε ότι θα πρέπει να ακολουθηθεί η θεσμική διαδικασία για την αποκατάσταση του αισθήματος δικαίου στον Απόδημο Ελληνισμό.

Three famous Greek singers of Laika (Folk-Popular) songs, Katerina Stanisi, Elli Kokkinou and Kostas Karafotis, are preparing for their performances in Australia.

The three singers on  May 10 will be in Sydney, May 11, in Melbourne and May 12 in Adelaide.

Elli Kokkinou has also performed in concerts in America and Australia in the past, with Christos Dantis.

 

DOWNLOAD SYDNEY VENUE LAYOUT

 

Coming to Sydney for one night only, acclaimed Melbourne group Rebetiki’s Tribute to VASILIS TSITSANIS celebrates and pays homage a legend of Greek folk and blues music. Vasilis Tsitsanis (b. 1915) was a Greek songwriter and bouzouki player. He became one of the leading composers of Greek music, particularly the style Rebetika.

 

Vasilis Tsitsanis (1915 – 1984) is considered the finest rebetika composer having written over two thousand songs. Though not a rebetes in the sense of being an outcast, (he came to Athens to study law), he has written some of the best rebetika and laika. He also discovered and recorded with some of the finest female singers including Marika Ninou and Sotiria Bellou.

Melbourne’s REBETIKI will bring the heart and soul of Greek blues back to life. With a variety of instruments including the traditional six string bouzouki, baglama, oud, lute, guitar and percussion Rebetiki present an acoustic passage through a musical style just as vibrant today as it was during its initial development.

For years REBETIKI have been playing urban Greek blues along with rural folk music from many regions of Greece. These songs dominated the music scene in Greece for decades during the 20th century and remain to this day a major influence in the direction of modern musical trends.

Members of the band include, Argyris Argyropoulos, (Baglama, Oud), Takis Dimitriu, (Bouzouki, Tzoura), Tony Iliou, (Guitar, Lute), and Achilles Yiangoulli (Bouzouki, Toubeleki).

Rebetiki have performed at WOMADelaide, sheppARTon Festival Shepparton, the National Folk Festival Canberra, Bellingen Global Carnival, and at Carnivale Multicultural Festival at the Sydney Opera House. The band also played on the occasion of the Greek Prime Ministers Australian Visit and Manolis Mitsias Concert, Melbourne in 2007.

 

The Greek Festival of Sydney presents (ΘΕΑΤΡΟ ΤΕΧΝΗΣ ΑΥΣΤΡΑΛΙΑΣ) Hellenic Art Theatre’s production of IPHIGENIA IN AULIS

Iphigenia at Aulis is the last existent play of the playwright Euripides, written between 408 and 406 BC, the year of Euripides’ death. It was first performed after his death.

The story of Iphigenia’s sacrifice is a story for our time as much as any other, with Greeks from Greece and Cyprus now being the ‘Iphigenia’ of today.

When Helen, Queen of Sparta, abandons her husband Menelaos for Paris, the Prince of Troy, a thousand ships are launched on a mission to reclaim her and invade Troy.

The fleet is becalmed at Aulis, goddess Artemis decrees if King Agamemnon will sacrifice his daughter to her then she will send a wind to drive them on to war.

The play revolves around the Greek army leader Agamemnon and his decision to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, to appease the gods and ensure the good fortune of his forces in the Trojan War.

Iphigenia is summoned under the pretence that she will marry Achilles but when her mother, Clytemnestra, uncovers the plan she resolves to stop the sacrifice at any cost.

Performed by Hellenic Art Theatre and H.A.T Youth Group, in Modern Greek (with English surtitles), in the classical style and with wonderful Ancient Greek costumes.

Sydney Council has passed a motion to investigate a suitable location for exhibition of the Hellenic Lyceum historic artefacts, costumes and jewellery.

The announcement, timed to coincide with Greek Independence Day, was met with delight by Greek Australians. According to councillor Angela Vithoulkas:

“Greek Australians are one of the largest and oldest migrant groups in the country. Hellenic culture has significantly shaped and contributed to the City of Sydney since the 1850s.”

The Hellenic Lyceum collection has involved generations of immigrant Greek women preserving their heritage since 1951. There are five Hellenic museums in Victoria, which has traditionally boasted a larger Greek population than New South Wales. TheAlexandria Town Hall is the preferred short term option to display the artefacts in Sydney while the council searches for long term preservation and accommodation.

The Sydney Council meeting discussing the proposal was attended by a delegation from the Lyceum. The group included girls in traditional Greek attire. The decision is another progressive step toward consolidating a multicultural Australia.

The Sydney Hellenic Lyceum is closely affiliated with the Athens branch; itself a member of the larger international association based in Geneva. The purpose of the Lyceum is to preserve Greek customs and revitalise traditions.

The original Lyceum in Sydney was instrumental in assisting post war Greek immigrants at home or in hospitals, where they could communicate in their mother tongue. Today, the Lyceum is also focused on reaching out to Australian born Greeks.

Alexandria printing services and brochure printers will be well placed to assist in promotion of the Lyceum treasures.