Greek/Australian – Page 26 – GREEK WORLD MEDIA

MIHALIS HATZIGIANNIS to headline the 2013 Antipodes Festival

In what Festival organisers have called a coup, the talented and extremely popular Cypriot born superstar Mihalis Hatzigiannis will headline this year’s Antipodes Festival in Lonsdale Street Melbourne on Saturday March 16 and the Greek Festival of Sydney at Darling Harbour on Sunday March 17.

Hatzigiannis was born in Nicosia, Cyprus and graduated from the Cyprus Music Academy (Royal College of London) with a degree in piano, guitar and music theory. Starting out young with his first major performances coming at Eurovision qualifiers when he was only 17 years old, he had three hit records (all reaching platinum status in Cyprus) and a performance at Eurovision by the time he was 20. Sold out tours and platinum records followed right across the Greek speaking world including 2 previous sold out tours of Australia.

The Greek Festival of Sydney and Melbourne’s Antipodes Festival have become renowned worldwide as the largest celebrations of Greek culture outside of Greece. Tens of thousands of people attend the free events with the highlight each year being the performance by an invited guest artist on the respective main stages at Lonsdale Street and Darling Harbour.

In taking to the Festival stages, Hatzigiannis follows in the footsteps of some of Greece’s most well-known performers including Eleftheria Arvanitaki, George Dalaras, Haris Alexiou, Glykeria, Dimitra Galani, Alkistis Protopsaltis and Pantelis Thalassinos.

“We are delighted and excited about having one of the hottest Greek artists in recent years gracing our stage.” Leonidas Vlahakis, Antipodes Festival

“Beyond simply being a great performer one of Hatzigianni’s attractions for us is his appeal amongst a younger audience.” Nia Karteris, Greek Festival of Sydney

Hatzigiannis was last in Australia in 2011, and with his broad range of musical talents and extensive song list, we’re excited to be presenting these concerts for free to Melbourne and Sydney audiences.

The Lonsdale Street Glendi is the highlight of the Antipodes Festival, the cultural arm of the Greek Community of Melbourne, which sees Melbourne’s Greek centre transform into one giant free street party, bringing together local and international performers, children’s activities and food, for a weekend of fun and feasting.

The Greek Festival of Sydney takes over Darling Harbour during the weekend of March 16 and 17, where it comes alive to the sound of fabulous Greek music, the aromas of Greek food, displays of Greek dancing and many surprises for the children. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the vibrant multiculturalism of Sydney and to explore the beauty of Greek culture.

WHAT MIHALIS HATZIGIANNIS headline performance at Greek Festivals
WHEN Saturday 16 March at Melbourne’s Antipodes Festival in Lonsdale Street
Sunday 17 March at the Greek Festival of Sydney in Darling Harbour
NOTE: BOTH PERFORMANCES ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC

For further information and image requests, please contact:
Melbourne: Penny Kyprianou | 0414 717 250 | penny.kyprianou@antipodesfestival.com.au
Sydney: Dimitra Lafazanos | 02 9750 0440 | greekfestival@goc.com.au
http://www.antipodesfestival.com.au | http://www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au

Senator Xenophon says the decision would force those people travelling on Qantas international flights to travel first to another state

Source: TheAustralian

Senator critical of Qantas change

An independent senator has criticised Qantas for ending its international flights out of Adelaide. Source: AAP

A DECISION by Qantas to end its international flights out of Adelaide is a “sick joke” on South Australians, independent Senator Nick Xenophon says.

Senator Xenophon says the decision would force those people travelling on Qantas international flights to travel first to another state.

“Qantas’s senior management assured me in September last year that the Adelaide-Singapore service was safe – that assurance has been broken,” he said.

“Why is it that other countries’ airlines fly in and out of Adelaide over 80 times a week – yet our national carrier is now abandoning South Australia on international routes?”

Qantas currently operates Adelaide to Singapore services three times a week but announced on Monday that they would stop at the end of March.

Greek Australian politicians are putting their campaign hats on, with this election period expected to be the longest yet

Greek politicians get on board for Sept election

Steve Georganas

4 Feb 2013

HELEN VELISSARIS

The date’s been set. Australians will be going to the polls on September 14. It’s become the earliest announcement of the election date in history, prompting speculation that voters will be bombarded with campaign messages much earlier than expected.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has pushed aside the issue of timing and said the announcement was to help put things in perspective.

“The benefit of fixing the date now is not just the end of speculation about election timing. It gives shape and order to year,” she said.

She denied that the announcement will prematurely start campaigns, telling politicians they should not neglect their governing jobs.

“It should be clear to all which are the days of governing, and which are the days of campaigning,” she said.

For Greek Australian politicians, the election date announcement has come at a good time.

Most expected the election to be called in September and have welcomed the transparency.

“I think it is a good for democracy,” Independent Senator Nick Xenaphon said.

“We all know now when we’ll be put out of our misery.”

MP Steve Georganas believes that in an election year, the campaign will always start early.

“When you’re leading into an election year, the campaigning starts anyway,” he told Neos Kosmos.

“In my case my campaigning started the day after the last election,” he says.

For many politicians, it’s too early to start campaigning, with many of them going on with their work as normal.

MP Maria Vamvakinou says the election doesn’t serve as a distraction for her work in representing her electorate.

“It’s still early days although I don’t expect major distractions. I will continue to work in the same manner I intended before the election date was called,” she told Neos Kosmos.

Political apathy

For many voters, the thought of another election campaign is daunting. After petty bickering, multiple scandals and politicians that wont say anything without a PR team behind them, many have lost faith and interest in their leaders. Political apathy is at its highest it’s ever been and both parties will need to find new ways of campaigning, rather than resting on tired tactics.

Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella says the election is a time to give people a chance to chose a new political platform and move away from the bickering.

“The unusually dysfunctional nature of a minority government and the scandals, it really has dragged down the respect of politics and the tolerance of politics,” she told Neos Kosmos.

“They want to know that those in government have got the national interest, not their own interest at heart”.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has labeled this election as one of “trust”. His new tagline for the Liberal campaign has changed slightly to “hope, reward, opportunity”, calling for a positive future for Australia by channeling the catchphrases of the popular Howard era.

”Who do you trust to reduce cost of living pressures?” Mr Abbott asked in response to the election announcement. ”Who do you trust to boost small business and to boost job security? And who do you trust to secure our borders?”

Bookies have already started to take punts and it seems the odds are in the coalition’s favour. Just as Julia Gillard announced the date, Labor’s odds drifted from $3.75 to $4.15, while the Liberal’s odds shot up to $1.22, from $1.26.

No safe seat

The national political fatigue many voters are feeling means no seat can be considered safe.

A poll released this week by the Financial Review indicates Mr Georganas’ seat in the South Australian electorate of Hindmarsh might be in trouble with the swing every increasing.
Mr Georganas has brushed off the speculation as nothing new.

“Polls come and go,” he says.

“All I can say is Hindmarsh has always been a battle ground, I’ve fought some very tight elections, it’s no different this time. You just can’t take anything for granted; you have to work your but off.”

The last sitting in Parliament is in June.

It’s all Greek, and all good, to top HSC student

First in course: Penrith’s Claire Fassoulidis (right, with her mother) plans to continue studying Greek by correspondence. Picture: Carlos Furtado

SHE may have just topped Modern Greek Continuers in the HSC but Claire Fassoulidis plans to study physiotherapy.

‘‘I was surprised by my result because with my family at home we don’t speak Greek,’’ Claire, a former Jamison High School student, said.

Her aptitude for the language will come in handy when she arrives in Greece in a few weeks.

Claire was one of two Penrith students — and 120 statewide — recognised by Education Minister Adrian Piccoli at a ceremony held in their honour at Australian Technology Park, Redfern, yesterday.

The other was Kiera Warda, a former Caroline Chisholm College student. She topped Studies of Religion II.

“There is something about celebrating the achievements of young people that generates collective pride,” Mr Piccoli said.

To be first in course students needed to have come first in an HSC course and for their result to be in the top band.

The 2012 HSC merit lists are at http://boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc-results/hsc-merit-lists.html

Were you happy with your results? Share your stories below or email kstevens@fairfaxmedia.com.au

All Rounders List – 2012 HSC

2012 HSC First in Course

Top Achievers in Course – 2012 HSC

Distinguished Achievers List – 2012 HSC

GALLERY – BLESSING OF THE WATERS: Unmarried men from Newcastle’s Greek Community

BLESSING OF THE WATERS: Unmarried men from Newcastle's Greek Community raced to retrieve the cross thrown into the Bogey Hole in the traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony on Sunday. Participants line up set to start. Picture BROCK PERKS

BLESSING OF THE WATERS: Unmarried men from Newcastle’s Greek Community raced to retrieve the cross thrown into the Bogey Hole in the traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony on Sunday. Participants line up set to start. Picture BROCK PERKS

BLESSING OF THE WATERS: Unmarried men from Newcastle's Greek Community raced to retrieve the cross thrown into the Bogey Hole in the traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony on Sunday. Greek community members wait at the Bogie Hole for the race to retrieve the cross from the bottom of the pool. Picture BROCK PERKS

BLESSING OF THE WATERS: Unmarried men from Newcastle’s Greek Community raced to retrieve the cross thrown into the Bogey Hole in the traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony on Sunday. Greek community members wait at the Bogie Hole for the race to retrieve the cross from the bottom of the pool. Picture BROCK PERKS

BLOOD was spilled, water was splashed and glory was won on Sunday at the Bogey Hole.

Newcastle’s Greek community marked the religious feast of Epiphany with the centuries-old tradition of the Blessing of the Waters.

More than 200 people from the Newcastle’s Greek Orthodox Church looked on as young unmarried men from their community jumped into the watering hole and raced to be the first the grab a holy cross thrown down to the sea floor.

The traditional race, which is also open to women, has been performed at the Bogey Hole since 1957.

During the service the community prays for the safety of people working at sea and the prosperity of Australia.

Sixteen-year-old Ilias Gore, was the first to find the blessed prize this year.

The New Lambton Heights resident even spilled some blood to achieve the feat, cutting his foot during the friendly race.

‘‘I went down and grabbed something and it was seaweed,’’ he said.

‘‘But then I got it.’’

Father Nicholas Scordilis said the feast marked the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan and the only in time history when the trinity – God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit – were present at once.

‘‘It’s a happy opportunity to wish everyone health and prosperity,’’ he said.

‘‘It gives me great joy to wish that to all the wonderful people of Newcastle.’’

Greek Australian family and friends of milk bar owners past and present wanted for an overview of the history of the milk bar in Australia

Historian to tell milk bars’ story

Black and White 4d milk bar, the first recorded milk bar in Australia, was owned by Greek migrant Joachim Tavlaridis.

Eamon Donnelly – illustrator, historian, founder of The Island Continent and obsessive milk bar fanatic – has a new project, and he needs the help of the Greek community.

His collection of milk bar photographs, released earlier this year in paperback form, has been such a hit that he’s decided to write a comprehensive coffee table book on milk bars.

With the Greek community’s influence on milk bars – and the first ever milk bar opened in Australia run by Greek migrant Joachim Tavlaridis after he set up the Black and White 4d.

Milk Bar in Sydney’s Martin Place in November 1932 – he will be needing the community’s help.
Donnelly describes his latest project as “three hundred pages chock-a-block full of milk bar photography of my own, plus stories of owners past and present”.

“There will be a chapter dedicated to a selection of the best milk bars from the past and those from today featuring family recollections, photos from the albums, interesting experiences, customer memories and photography of the milk bar today, open or closed.”
If you or a family member ever ran a milk bar and would like to get involved, email info@eamondonnelly.com, snail mail Eamon Donnelly, PO Box 99, Brunswick VIC 3056 or get in touch via The Island Continent, info@islandcontinent.com.au.

Not everyone agreed with the new appointment, with Anastopoulos being set upon by two thugs in a café

Source: NeosKosmos

Atromitos hires manager Nikos Anastopoulos

Nikos Anastopoulos

Super League high-flyer Atromitos announced this week the hiring of Greek coach Nikos Anastopoulos to replace Dusan Bajevic.

The new position might not have gone down well with fans, when Anastopoulos was ambushed and attacked this week in a café in Kolonaki by two unknown men.

Witnesses said that even chairs were being thrown, which forced a bleeding Anastopoulos to hide in upstairs in the cafe.

He denied to comment to the media on his way to Iraklio.

Former manager Bajevic resigned last week after the team didn’t qualify for the next round of the Greek Cup. Going in as the favourites, Atromitos achieved a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Volos from second-division Olympiakos Volou thanks to a late equalizer. The team then thought the second leg would be an easy task at Peristeri. Yet the 2-1 lead Atromitos had just before the end proved insufficient to qualify, as Olympiakos Volou equalized (2-2) a minute from time to advance to the last 16 of the competition.

Anastopoulos had also unexpectedly resigned last week from the managerial post at OFI Crete after a relatively successful spell in the Iraklio club.

The 55-year-old manager signed his contract and had his first training session with the Atromitos players this week.

Reports have also linked former OFI striker Vangelis Mantzios with a move to the Peristeri team, suggesting Anastopoulos has asked for his signing.

Atromitos lies joint third in the league table along with Asteras Tripolis after the first half of the season.

Prolific Cretan lyra player Psarantonis will be in Australia this year to play the WOMADelaide Festival and Golden Plains Festival

Psarantonis in Australia

Psarantonis is a performer who plays as he feels. No two performances are ever the same, the artist choosing to feel his way through each song.

Each new performance sees the virtuoso create a new spectacle, a new song; he chooses to improvise rather than be confined by the structure of his notes and in this way has transformed the Cretan lyra.

He was 13-years-old when he first began playing and now in his 70s still continues to explore traditions and culture through music. In an interview with Neos Kosmos this year, the artist said: “Music is the pulse. The pulse, the rhythm begets us and eats us too.

“The rhythm is in the air, otherwise it doesn’t exist. Even the sea has rhythm, otherwise everything is dead. That’s life. Nature is alive; with the rhythm of nature allowing everything to flow.”

His children followed his musical path but his grandchildren followed suit and I tell him this. The children of George Xylouris – Antonis, Nikos and Apollonia – and Psarantonis’ grandchildren, although born in Australia – play alongside their grandfather.

His grandchildren – who spent their formative years in Crete – were “charmed” by the traditions and music of the inspirational island and Psarantonis knew they would follow with the family’s musical suit.

Psarantonis plays WOMADelaide March 8-11 with his son George and Dirty Three drummer Jim White, for more information and tickets visit www.womadelaide.com.au/.

Psarantonis is also playing Golden Plains Festival on Saturday 9 March, for more information and tickets visit goldenplains.com.au

Πρωτιές που μας κάνουν υπερήφανους

Δάφνη Τρέπκα

Η Δάφνη Τρέπκα

Οι μαθητές Δάφνη Τρέπκα, Νίκος Τρέπκας, Πένη Βυσσαρίου και Τζακ Προκοπίου, έχουν κάθε λόγο να αισθάνονται υπερήφανοι, αφού χάρισαν στο σχολείο τους, το South Oakleigh Secondary College, επί της Bakers Rd., South Oakleigh, πρωτιές, που κάνουν τους δασκάλους, τη σχολική τους κοινότητα και όλους εμάς υπερήφανους.

Η Δάφνη συμμετείχε στην ομάδα μαθητών που έλαβαν μέρος στη Βουλή των Ελλήνων – συνέδριο Νεολαίας, στην Αθήνα. Η επιλογή έγινε μετά από τη βράβευση έκθεσής της με θέμα: «Human Rights in Today’s Society» («Τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα στην σημερινή κοινωνία»). Η Δάφνη αναφέρθηκε διεξοδικά και εμπεριστατωμένα στα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα και διακρίθηκε για το υψηλό επίπεδο ανάλυσης του θέματος. Οι εκθέσεις κρίθηκαν από επιτροπή ακαδημαϊκών, με έμφαση επίσης στο συντακτικό και τη γραμματική.
Τα έξοδα της συμμετοχής της Δάφνης, αεροπορικό εισιτήριο και διαμονή, καλύφθηκαν από το Υπουργείο Παιδεία και Θρησκευμάτων της Ελλάδας.

Αξιοσημείωτη είναι και η πρωτιά του Νίκου σε παναυστραλιανό επίπεδο, στην κατηγορία ελεύθερης πάλης. Συγκεκριμένα, στους αγώνες 16-17 ετών στο Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Η 10χρονη Πένη Βυσσαρίου αγωνίστηκε σε ένα άλλο χώρο. Στην τοξοβολία, όπου βγήκε δεύτερη στην Αυστραλία και 8η σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο.
Τέλος, ο 13χρονος και πολλά υποσχόμενος Τζακ, που αγωνίζεται με τους Oakleigh Cannons, αφού κέρδισε υποτροφία για να παίξει με την ομάδα των Τζούνιορ του Παναθηναϊκού, ταξίδεψε στη Θεσσαλονίκη.

Η δραστήρια καθηγήτρια τους, κ. Σόφη Σταματελάτου, θα πει: «Το σχολείο μας είναι υπερήφανο για τις επιτυχίες των μαθητών μας σε όλους τους τομείς. Πρόσφατα, μαθητής του Year 12, κέρδισε το χρυσό μετάλλιο του Πανεπιστημίου Νέας Νότιας Ουαλίας σε διαγωνισμό γραπτού λόγου. Ωστόσο, χειροκροτούμε και τις επιτυχίες των μαθητών μας τόσο στον τομέα των Σπορ όσο και των Τεχνών. Και οι επιτυχίες τους είναι πολλές. Τους στηρίζουμε και τους ευχόμαστε να πραγματοποιήσουν τα όνειρά τους».
Αναφορικά με τους νεοφερμένους από την Ελλάδα μαθητές, η κ. Σταματελάτου προσθέτει: «Δίνουμε μεγάλη έμφαση, τους ενθαρρύνουμε και στηρίζουμε τις προσπάθειές τους για επιτυχίες».

Αξίζει να αναφέρουμε ότι η διευθύντρια του Κολλεγίου, κ. Debbie Locco, και η υποδιευθύντρια, κ. Ελένη Κοζιάρη, έχουν προγραμματίσει επίσκεψη μαθητών στην εκκλησία Τριών Ιεραρχών Κλάυτον, όπου θα παραδώσουν καλάθια με τρόφιμα για τους μη προνομιούχους, με πολλές ευχές, για Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Καλή χρονιά!

Jamison High School student Claire Fassoulidis tops state in HSC Greek

Source: Penrith-press

Claire Fassoulidis was first in modern Greek continuers, which the Jamison High student studied at the Saturday School of Community Languages. MATT SULLIVAN

CLAIRE Fassoulidis has topped the state in modern Greek continuers – and she did it all for her beloved grandmother.

The Jamison High School student studied Greek at the Saturday School of Community Languages at The Hills Sports High School for the HSC.

The 18-year-old has also topped her high school with an incredible ATAR of 99.25.

Claire said she would often speak Greek over the phone with her grandmother Georgia during her HSC studies.

“I did this for my grandmother. My grandmother passed away three weeks before the exams,” Claire said.

She said tough times were no excuse and as well as grieving for her grandmother, she had to cope with her parents’ divorce.

“You can do anything, no matter what hardships you face,” she said.

“All my hard work paid off and I have been acknowledged for all my hard work.

“It is important to know that even if you don’t have the financial luxuries that some people have – anything is possible.”

Claire, who lives in St Marys, is a former York Public School student. She said she had also topped her school subjects during the year.

She plans to study physiotherapy at the University of Sydney next year, but also hopes to teach Greek.

PENRITH Selective High School has again achieved outstanding results in the HSC.

The school had 11 students who became HSC All Rounders after achieving more than 90 per cent in their best 10 units and more than 250 results in individual subjects with a mark above 90 per cent.

Principal John Elton said he was proud of his students’ results.

“Overall results are excellent and are what we expected from a hard-working and talented year group,” Mr Elton said.

“The teachers are excited about the achievements of their students and looking forward to hearing about their ATARs.”

Mr Elton said 100 per cent of students had scored in the top two bands in subjects including history extension, drama, extension 1 English, mathematics extension 1 and 2, music 1, society and culture and Italian extension.

He said there were also many standout performances, including Owen Morris, who scored full marks in extension music and whose trumpet performance was shortlisted for encore, and Jessica Washington and Siri Anderson, who achieved particularly impressive results in every subject.