OPA! Magazine - Issue 6

THE BENEFACTOR SERIES – The Kaias Family XSIGHTING WEDDINGS ®

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INTRODUCING

Government subsidised places available to eligible applicants for courses in the categories of: Automotive, Building & Construction and Business Management.

AISI is offering Victorian Government subsidised places to eligible students under the securing Jobs for your Future – Skills for Victoria program. These subsidised places provide a great opportunity to new skills or upgrading your existing skills to help you get the job you want.

The Victorian Training Guarantee is making vocational education and training more accessible to people who do not hold a post-school qualification, or who want to gain a higher-level qualification than they already hold.

AISI’s mission is to assist students in achieving their academic and career goals and in doing so playing a responsible and fundamental role in global cooperation and interdependence of young professionals.

AISI strives to enhance opportunities for education and career pathways of our local students as they are the future.

Am I eligible for a government subsidised training place?

In 2011 you are eligible for a government subsidised training place if you: Meet one of the following citizen/residency status: • Australian citizen • Australian Permanent Resident (holder of a permanent visa) • holder of a Special Category Visa (sub-class 444, New Zealand citizen) • East Timorese asylum seeker, or • holder of a Temporary Protection Visa.

And are any of the following: • a young person under 20 years; • an applicant seeking a Foundation skills course; • an applicant who is an Apprentice; or • an applicant seeking a higher qualification than the highest qualification already held is eligible for the Victorian Training Guarantee.

What if I want to study and I don't meet the eligibility criteria?

You can still study at AISI, but you may not be able to access a government subsidised tuition fee.

Courses available at AISI as Government Subsidised Places to eligible applicants Automotive Mechanical: AUR30405 Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology Available as an Australian Apprenticeship requiring attendance at 1 day per week and as Skills Building (Full-time). A Guide to Australian Apprenticeships and traineeships is available from Skills Victoria Apprenticeship Guide. AUR40208 Certificate IV in Automotive Technology Available as Skills Building (Full-time). AUR50205 Diploma of Automotive Technology Available as Skills Deepening (Full-time)

Building and Construction: CPC20108 Certificate II in Construction Available as Skills Creation (Full-time).

CPC30208 Certificate III in Carpentry Available as an Australian Apprenticeship requiring attendance at 1 day per week and as Skills Building (Full-time). A Guide to Australian Apprenticeships and traineeships is available from Skills Victoria Apprenticeship Guide. CPC40508 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Site Management) Available as Skills Building (Full-time)

Business Management: BSB30107 Certificate III in Business Available as an Australian Traineeship requiring attendance at 1 day per week and as Skills Building (Full-time). A Guide to Australian Apprenticeships and traineeships is available from Skills Victoria Apprenticeship Guide. BSB40207 Certificate IV in Business Available as an Australian Traineeship requiring attendance at 1 day per week and as Skills Building (Full-time).

A Guide to Australian Apprenticeships and traineeships is available from Skills Victoria Apprenticeship Guide.

BSB51107 Diploma of Management Available as Skills Building (Full-time) Further Information To start your training at AISI, talk to Pana on (03) 9671-4400 or email to ptsiolas@aisi.edu.au.

© Australian Industrial Systems Institute 2007 Kontea Pty Ltd Trading as Australian Industrial Systems Institute, ACN 123 724 336 Provider Number: 21916, CRICOS Number: 02838D

To find out more about government subsidised training visit www.skills.vic.gov.au, or call the Skills Victoria Help Hub on 1300 842 754

www.bardot.com.au

> A SELECTION OF THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

Steve Agi

editor@opamagazine.com.au

CHRIS BINOS Chris is a valued member of the OPA! DREAM TEAM with his editorial input crucial in determining the direction and content of this publication. He is

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Chris Binos

chris@opamagazine.com.au

the newly appointed CIO, whose role is to maintain a high level of quality articles and content on the OPA! Magazine website and across all the developing online and mobile platforms. His analytical skills and continued pursuit of excellence ensure that the final product will be second to none.

SUB EDITOR

Charles Meyer BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING

Dean Georgio

dean@opamagazine.com.au

VICKY PAPAS Vicky is a multi-skilled Artist breaking through into the Fashion Industry, Her repertoire of talents consist of, Photography, Fashion Artist & Stylist, Her unique attention to detail and sense of style is portrayed through her passion to reach

DESIGN + PRODUCTION

Seed Creative

www.seedcreative.com.au

MULTIMEDIA / TAGGED CONTENT

out and inspire... “As a contributor to OPA! Magazine I’m hoping to share with

Mediacode

you all my deepest thoughts and feelings through my vision of fashion & art,

www.mediacode.com.au

and wish to strike a chord with the audience…”

PHOTOGRAPHY Tom Andronas Nick Ghionis

ANGE KENOS Ange Kenos is a well known and respected member of our community. Not only is he a civil celebrant, a local councillor and writer, he is also recognised as the first Greek Australian to enlist in the Royal Australian Navy.

We welcome him as part of the ever-growing entourage of the OPA! dream

Raymond Korn Rania Margari Paul Osta Vicky Papas Woodrow Wilson Paul Zarogiannis Ephrem Zarris

team.

CONTRIBUTORS Tom Andronas, Billy Billiris, Chris Binos, Nasia Bossinakis, Kon Bouzikos, Nicole Condos, Judy Fetter, Areti Fronis, Dean Georgio, Nick Ghionis, Nik Halik, Mr. Joshua, Dean Kalymniou, Martha Karatsioris, Ange Kenos,

DEAN GEORGIO With a strong background in marketing and sales, Dean knows what it takes to create those special relationships with clients. “I am an individual who is driven by passion, I like to inspire and to be inspired, I joined OPA! to be part of something that is rewarding where I can re-connect with my heritage and to re-indentify myself. I believe OPA! magazine offers us the chance to document the past and influence the future.

DJ Krazy Kon, Theo Kostoglou, Father Kyril, John Lazarou, Pette Liacopoulos, Chris Macheras, Rania Margari, Niko Mavro, Mary McQueen, Malchus Nevets, Marinis Pirpiris, Jaqui Preketes, Dean Psaros, James Razos, Lenita Vangellis, John Sakellaris, Pee Wee Sharkopoulos, Dr Michael Stubbs, Penelope Tsaldari, Tony Tsourdalakis, Phil Vassiliadis, Kate Wyld

MAILING ADDRESS PO BOX 406 ALBERT PARK VIC 3206

SUBSCRIPTIONS

www.opamagazine.com.au

RANIA MARGARI

subscriptions@opamagazine.com.au

Rania Margari is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer currently living in Greece.

PRINTPOST APPROVED:

Her work is published in newspapers, magazines and online sites. What she

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loves most in this life is travelling and sharing her experiences with others through writing. We warmly welcome her to OPA! Magazine as a valued contributor.

ARTICLES

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

This publication has been printed on FSC mixed source certified fibre using vegetable based inks. Manufactured under ISO14001 Environmental Certification.

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Opa! Magazine is owned and published by Caffiend Enterprises. All material in OPA! Magazine is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Caffiend Enterprises will not accept any responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in OPA! Magazine are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

Appliance Tagging Systems ARK Richmond Armstrong Lawyers King & Wilson Au t Australia Post Australian Botanical Products AWPL Ballistyx Barbarian Hussy Bar ugs Bewired Bindaree Outdoors Black Swan Bolwell Bovogen Bushranger Golf B Butterflies in Bloom Cars of France Black Dog Citi Group HP IBM AU Inglis Komats Ralliart Scouts Starlight Visy Chill On Ice Lounge Clean Teq CO2 Cowan Design Cultural Cooks Cultural Tourism Denor Group Destination Melbourne East Brunswick Echo Box Media Eletter Ednas Cafe Hudsons Noodle House The Left Bank Emirate stralia Empty Fridge Energy Intelligence Epicurean Palate Eyescan Five AM Life ent Food for Thought Foresight Financial Forma Tech French Bikini Frontier Touring F Floaties Mission Future Toys FUSECO Gecko Kids Fitness Glenn Manton Godw rance Grinders Coffee Haarsma Lawyers Hatlar Healthy Habits Heathcote Golf Club ments Home Safe Ital ceramics J&P Flexographics Jasper Hotel Jones the Grocer nside Flowers Just Express Deliveries Just Hockey KFR Financial Kirk Food La Porchet Luggage Line Luna Park Macro Solutions Mail Marketing Malvern Auto Tech Mareka g Mag Maxine Burn Max’s Muscle TV Midas National Builders Nesso Nexia ASR N Norden Office World Ophelia Opposite Lock Orana Family Services Orthotic & Pr Ostara Page Data Pan Australia Fed Paradigm Group Pittbull Media Polaris Port Me PRC Evidence Framework Prebuilt Prism Solution Production Pot ProVision Prue and Design PWB Anchor Quality healthcare Australia Rose Ridge Rubicor Health Recr onnel James Gall & Associates Care Direct Dolman Seed Talent Seven Secrets of M Knight Cleaning Shiver me Timbers Siemens Shugg Windows Six Degrees Solar 360 So Sisters Spectrum Personnel Spiegeltent Spyder Displays SRMA State Equity F rks Surat Basin Life Fully Healthy The Business Card Company The Drain Man Th Centre The Special Treatment Touch of Finance Travellers Apparel Truck Whisperer TSJ In Events Vision Portraits Vue de Monde Whirlwind Print Whitelion Wilderness Soci enselle Foods ADP Airwell Alpha Energy AMES Apricot Consulting BioNatural Celeb ise BP IBM NZ Kenworth World Youth Day Christina’s Crafts City Blues Clark Rubb Discount Supplement Dr Bruce Fox Evolution Gaming FCT Australia Fisher Graham F e Warehouse High Country Conferences IXP3 Lake Mountain Lander and Rogers Lo Madgwicks Marketfind MyGene My Time Omiros One Petal Back Clothing Designs SALMAT S Central SEN Radio Solar Beam Smart Temp St Josephs College Storm Solar tormor Strive Corporate Sydney Melbourne Touring Tabcorp Park The Mind Gallery

FRONTIER TOURING AUSTRALIA POST MARKETING MAG NINTENDO SIEMENS RUBICOR AND GROWING...

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Point it here:

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s I write this month’s editor’s piece I find myself up to the ears in Greek food - delicious, tasty, divine examples of Hellenic cuisine that simply exemplifies just how amazing this unique cuisine is and how influential it has been in the mainstream offering.

TAGGED MOBILE CONTENT

Get the free mobile app at

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!

WELCOME TO THE BANK OF CYPRUS AUSTRALIA’S FLAVOURS OF GREECE FESTIVAL! The FREE Microsoft Tag application gives you the ability to use your mobile phone’s on-board camera to take a picture of a tag, and be directed to information in any form, such as text, vCard, URL, Online Photos, Online Video or contact details for the publisher.

Two-dimensional tags can be used to transform traditional marketing media (for example, print advertising, billboards, packaging and merchandising in stores or on LCDs) into gateways for accessing information online. Tags can be applied as gateways from any type of media to an internet site or online media.

The Microsoft Tag reader application is a FREE download for any Internet-capable mobile device with a camera. The Microsoft Tag reader is compatible for Internet-capable mobile devices, including Iphones, Windows Phone 7, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Java, Android, Symbian S60, and Java ME platforms.

A unique and exciting series of events currently on in Melbourne, not only celebrating the local culinary scene, but showcasing some of the finest examples of Hellenic cuisine from around the country, with special guests like my good friends Neville Pantaz from Darwin and Peter Abraam of the UA joining us to support and be a part of something so unique and exciting.

I must thank the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria and specifically the president, Bill Papastergiadis, for the opportunity to be involved in such a great event and invite you all to experience the Flavours of Greece like never before. If Neville and Peter can make it from Darwin and the Middle East, there is no excuse not to support it!

On another note, it’s been a huge month, with lots going on. Our partnership with MEDIACODE has been phenomenal and very well received. I hope you have all been enjoying this new technology and the multimedia experience that OPA! Magazine has become.

We continue to pioneer this great technology and with this publication look forward to taking you on a journey like never before, day by day becoming more and more the voice of a new generation.

Once again we welcome the HACCI Herald as a FREE insert for you to enjoy with this issue. It is an honour and a pleasure to work with the HACCI team and we certainly hope you enjoy the reading material, which is truly inspirational.

With this issue of OPA! Magazine we begin our ‘Benefactor Series,’ which profiles and celebrates the amazing people, families and businesses that have made the planned Cultural Centre, planned for Melbourne, possible. The Kaias family, headed by patriarch Greg, has stepped up with a quarter of a million dollar donation. We hope you enjoy their story.

With the recent launch of our website, put together by the team at bwired, OPA! Magazine has been able to not only truly be embraced nationally but get some great attention around the globe. Be proud people : the whole world is saying OPA!

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®

It seems that every issue just keeps getting bigger and bigger, jam - packed with stories and information that I hope you enjoy, learn from and share, like us on Facebook and on Twitter. Subscribe to us on youtube or just grab your copy, kick back in your favourite chair, relax, enjoy and say OPA!

Everybody say OPA! STEVE AGI - PUBLISHER

w w w. m e d i a c o d e . c o m . a u

®

MEDIACODE

10 EDITOR’S LETTER

70 FRONDITHA Dementia 72 ATHLITIKA Golf

12 PRAGMATA Latest products 76 PROFILE Demetriou Brothers 13 GOSSIP! Latest gossip from Greece 80 THRILLIONAIRE Nik Halik 14 CINEMANIA Movie review 82 FINANCE Insuring your future 16 FLAVOURS OF GREECE 2011 84 TAXIDI Touchdown in Bangkok 22 EVERYDAY CHEF! Are you the Everyday Chef?

24 MATERIAL GIRL There is Superstition

86 TAXIDI Lesvos 90 ODIGOS Yours and theirs 94 NUGAS Rush is back!

27 MADAME LUXE Strong Brows are back!

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29 FASHION Vergara’s Morrocon Dream 40 PROFIL Sue Sensi 43 OPA! DAY September the 15th EVERY year!

47 LIFTING THE VEILS Wish Granted 48 IN THE NAVY Greek Sailor Profile 50 DOLLARS AND SENSE Budgeting with B.O.C.A 52 ISTORIA Tutankhamun

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54 MYTHOLOGY Behind logos 56 GO GREEK Its Time to Go Greek!

58 ALPHINGTON GRAMMARGreece - A Land of Contrasts 60 AISI Boost Your Skills!

62 KHEIRON’S CORNER Snoring 64 BENEFACTOR SERIES Kaias Family

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PRAGMATA FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH: A delicious-looking paperweight made in white marble and chromed brass.

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CORDLESS BRIKI GREEK COFFEE MAKER Brice 550ml stainless steel Greek coffee maker with innovative cordless design.

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EVIL EYE CHARMS AND IPHONE APP

The ‘evil eye’ is a look that is believed by many cultures to be able to cause injury or bad luck for the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy or dislike. Tradition tells us that wearing one of these charms has the power to ward off this evil: Believe it or not! And now there’s even a 99c Iphone App to ward it off! Get it here from the official Evil Eye Exilir website or even simpler just scan the mediacode with your Iphone:

www.theevileye.com.au

VIKTOR FRANKL’S PRINCIPLES FOR DISCOVERING MEANING IN LIFE AND WORK Second Edition, Revised and Expanded

by Alex Pattakos, Ph.D. Foreword by Stephen R. Covey

• Shows how the work of one of the greatest thinkers of modern times can help us find deeper, richer meaning in our lives.

• Features new and updated stories, new applications, new exercises,and a new chapter entitled “The Meaning Difference.®” • Demonstrates critical links between a personal sense of meaning and happiness, resiliency, engagement, and health.

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ORLD-RENOWNED PSYCHIATRIST Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning was named by the Library of Congress as one of the ten most influential books of the 20th century. Dr. Frankl’s personal story of finding a reason to live in the most horrendous of circumstances—Nazi concentration camps—has inspired millions.

In his international bestseller, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, Dr. Alex Pattakos— who was urged by Frankl to write this book—shows how Frankl’s philosophy and approach can help readers find meaning in every moment of their lives.

This revised and updated second edition features new stories and examples of people who have applied the principles in the book, or who exemplify them; new practical exercises and applications, and a new chapter, “The Meaning Difference.®” This new chapter summarizes research demonstrating the critical role of meaning in improving the quality of people’s lives, increasing happiness, and promoting health and wellness.

Drawing on the entire body of Frankl’s work, which includes over thirty books, Pattakos elaborates seven “Core Principles” and demonstrates how they can be applied to everyday life and work in the 21st century. These meaning - focused principles include the ultimate freedom to choose our attitude no matter what the situation - the idea most closely associated with Frankl - but his ageless wisdom goes well beyond this. Pattakos applies each of the seven principles to various situations, enabling readers to relate personally to the principle and learn when and how to use it. By making Frankl’s seminal thought accessible and relevant to a wide audience, Prisoners of Our Thoughts opens up new opportunities for finding personal meaning through living an authentic life.

“This landmark book underscores how the search for meaning is intimately related to and positively influences health improvement at all levels. Reading Prisoners of Our Thoughts is an insightful prescription for promoting health and wellness!”

—Kenneth R. Pelletier, PhD, MD, Professor, University of Arizona and UCSF Schools of Medicine; Chairman, American Health Association; author of Best Alternative Medicine: What Works? What Does Not? Alex Pattakos, Ph.D., is the founder of the Center for Meaning in Santa Fe, New Mexico. An active blogger, his contributions are featured regularly on The Huffington Post, Fast Company, Basil and Spice, and other popular sites. He is also the co-founder of The OPA! Way®, teaching the world to say OPA! and to live your inner Greece.

189 LONSDALE STREET MELBOURNE PH: +61 (03) 9662 3133

CINEMANIA FILM RATING SYSTEM MASTERPIECE NOT TO BE MISSED GOOD TREAD CAREFULLY DON’T BOTHER

RANGO

GORE VERBINSKI

O

nce upon a time you could only really count on Pixar to deliver a digitally - animated film that could not only entertain the kids, but also rise to a whole other level to become a great and timeless film, with brilliant story - telling reminiscent of early Disney (such as the three Toy Story films, Wall-E and UP). Dreamworks have made lesser movies, but I think they have definitely lifted their game over the last few years with Kung Fu Panda and How To Train Your Dragon. Thanks to writer and director Gore Verbinski (maker of the original Pirates Of The Carribean trilogy) and George Lucas’ pioneering effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, we can now add Rango to the list.

When I saw this movie for the first time, it completely caught me by surprise and utterly blew me away. I must admit that being Greek and having a cinema - loving father, I grew up on a steady diet of Sergio Leone movies (the godfather of Spaghetti Westerns), and amongst other things Rango is one big love letter to spaghetti westerns.

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STAR RATING:

It also uses the age - old classic animated staple the shifty, power - hungry town Mayor and the of talking animals, but gives it a refreshing spin. water is a clever tribute to Roman Polanski’s masterpiece, Chinatown, and it’s small things like that which elevate this animated film above normal expectations. Throw in some truly bizarre and surreal sequences involving Rango and his mystical thoughts and I think we have something special here, an animated movie made in the Hollywood system that dares to be The lead character (voiced by Johnny Depp) is a different. domesticated lizard (a chameleon), who dreams of being an actor on the big screen. Through an There are some scenes that will go over most kids’ unfortunate turn of events he’s stuck out in the heads, but they will love it regardless because of desert and left to fend for himself. After meeting the humour and colour. They will also love the a spiritual armadillo, who gives him strange yet vivid characters that pop off the screen, including transcendental advice (which ends up helping a hilarious Mariachi Band of four owls that takes Rango later on), he finds himself in the waterless the place of an ancient Greek Chorus as they town of Dirt. In standard Western style, he’s the comment on events. The actual animation by outsider who has to prove himself to the locals, Industrial Light & Magic is breathtaking, and and with his great acting skills he manages to win the musical score by the great Hans Zimmer them over at first. Somehow he fools them into is fantastic---an awesome mix between Ennio making him the new town sheriff. He then gets Morricone and old ‘60s surf rock. Personally I embroiled in trying to solve the town mystery of can’t recommend it highly enough. their missing water supply. The storyline about

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Palace Cinemas THE PRINCESS BRIDE ROB REINER

D

on’t be fooled by the title, this film is a whole lot more than it suggests.The film starts off in modern day America, with a boy (Fred Savage) home sick from school; his grandfather (played by the legendary Peter Falk) has come over to read him a story to make him feel better. The grandson, concerned about the title, asks his grandfather if the book “has got any sports in it?” and the grandfather’s reply sums up the whole film: “Are you kidding---(there’s) fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles.”

It’s an extremely funny film that appeals to both young boys and girls, and grown-up men and women.

Proudly presenting the highest quality films from around the world.

is forced to leave to go and make a living; he promises Buttercup that he’ll come back for her. Years go by and she receives a message that Westley has been captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts. Broken-hearted, she becomes engaged to the terrible Prince Humperdinck (played hilariously by the much underrated Greek American, Chris Sarandon, whom you may remember played Al Pacino’s sex change friend in Dog Day Afternoon).

When Buttercup goes for a ride one sunny afternoon, she encounters three of the funniest criminals in cinema history, who take her captive in order to start a war between two rival countries. There’s the mastermind Vizzini (Wallace Shawn - the voice of Rex in the Toy Story trilogy) and his two kind - hearted hired helpers, Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) - whose obsession in life is to avenge his father’s death - and Fezzik (Andre The Giant) the lovable giant and trusty friend, who has a gift for rhyme.

As the four begin their getaway, could there be someone on their trail? Is it the Dread Pirate Roberts, or could it be someone else?

Meanwhile, Prince Humperdinck and his evil partner in crime Count Rugen are also hot on Made in 1987 and directed by Rob Reiner, who the trail as they search for Buttercup. You’ll have has made some absolutely classics like This Is to watch it for yourselves to see how it ends.

Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and A Few Good Men, this is a It has twists and turns and is the perfect film for movie that deserves more attention. It’s a fantasy all the family to enjoy. It also finishes nicely for movie with an unforgettable and colourful cast grandson and grandfather, as the boy learns to of characters, and with the kind of dialogue that appreciate his grandfather a little more than he is endlessly quotable. As the grandfather starts initially did. This is an out - and - out masterto narrate the story we meet Buttercup (Robin piece and it is inconceivable that anyone could Wright) and Westley (Cary Elwes): they have fail to fall for its charms. fallen in love, but because he is so poor, Westley

Alliance Française French Film Festival 9-27 March 2011

Audi Festival of German Films 7-17 April 2011

Spanish Film Festival 12-22 May 2011

Israeli Film Festival

30 August – 4 September 2011

Russian Resurrection Film Festival 18-28 August 2011

Lavazza Italian Film Festival 14 September – 5 October 2011

Greek Film Festival 13 – 30 October 2011

www.palacecinemas.com.au 15

www.flavoursofgreece.com

S R U O V A FL GREECE OF L ‘11 A V I T FES

IT HAS BEGUN!

This is truly something very special in Melbourne’s Greek Festival calendar presented by the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria and their cultural arm, the Antipodes Festival. The Bank of Cyprus Australia Flavours of Greece Festival, has begun and it will showcase the best in Greek cuisine across 6 of the cities premier restaurants and finish off with the highly anticipated briki barista battle, coffee making competition, in the heart of little Athens, Oakleigh.

With a $250 door prize up for grabs at each event, kindly donated by the Bank of Cyprus Australia, there was plenty to smile about as the retsina flowed and everyone said OPA!

PHILHELLENE

It was a divine journey with the team at Philhellene through all that is the most unique about Greek cuisine. With Saffron (krokos) and the unique Chios Mastic the heroes of the night, the team surprised and excited even the most discerning diner, as they created a veritable culinary masterpiece of flavor.

Coupled with the official Melbourne launch of Darwin’s Pantazis’ family eclectic book, “Forty Fine Years” and special guest appearance by Neville Pantazis himself down from Darwin for the event, it was an event that lived up to all the hype and was a great way to kick off the festival for 2011 – OPA!

SPITIKO

“Welcome to my place,” was the greeting by the boisterous owner of Spitiko restaurant John Ghionis. With a beaming smile, a generous hand and the obligatory lamb on the spit, it was party time at Spitiko as the guests decided to let their hair down and ‘glendisi’ hard till the wee hours of the morning. Plenty of good food, Greek dancing and even a broken plate or two added to the fun and atmosphere that John remembers growing up as a Greek/Australian in the 70’s and 80’s and that is exactly what he helped us to experience and remember when we paid him a visit during his contribution to the Flavours of Greece Festival

EVERYBODY SAY OPA!

Lucky $250 B.O.C.A Door prize winner!

BRIKI BARISTA BATTLE B.Y.O.B. (bring your own briki) Fancy yourself as Melbourne’s best Greek Coffee Maker? Then enter the BRIKI BARISTA BATTLE – if you dare…

Date: 24 September 2011 Time:10am SHARP Where: Centro Oakleigh on Station St, just outside Woolworths Register NOW: http://opamagazine. wufoo.com/forms/briki-barista-battle/

THE ANTIPODES FESTIVAL AND GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF MELBOURNE AND VICTORIA PRESENT:

FLAVOURS

GREECE FESTIVAL 2011 A selection of photos spread across two nights celebrating the Flavours of Greece at Melbourne’s Philhellene and Spitiko restaraunts

Parap Fine Foods launched their book at Philhellene as part of the Flavours Of Greece Festival - available now from www.parapfinefoods.com

y b s e p i c e R l Vakos of Phi lhellene Phi PRAWN KATAIFI WITH SAFFRON AOLI • 16 large king prawns • 1 packet of kataifi pastry • 3 cloves of garlic • Teaspoon of sea salt • Juice of one lemon • Two egg yolks • One pinch of saffron • 3/4 cup of vegetable oil • 1/2 cup olive oil • One cup of shelled unsalted pistachios • Salmon roe 1. Clean and remove head and vein from prawn.

2. Separate kataifi and roll prawns in pastry until covered with tail exposed.

3. Fry each prawn until golden brown in a fryer and set aside on kitchen paper to drain.

4. For saffron aoli place garlic, saffron and salt in food processor and start to process slowly, adding oil in a slow stream to emulsify.

Note: if too much added at once aoli will split.

5. When aoli has taken all the oil add lemon juice and set aside.

6. Blend pistachios and sprinkle prawns with a small amount and finish with roe.

7. Serve prawns with aoli and lime wedge and enjoy!

WALNUT FETTA AND FENNEL SALAD 1. Shred fennel, onion and place in a bowl with rocket, crumbled fetta, orange segments, and walnuts .

2. Place oil, lemon juice, salt, mustard and honey in a bowl and mix with a whisk until combined.

3. Dress salad with vinaigrette, sprinkle with sumac and serve

• One fennel bulb • One orange • One hand full of wild rocket leaves • 100 g fetta • Half cup of crushed walnuts • Half a small red onion • Teaspoon of mustard • 70 ml of mastic infused olive oil • (place 3 pieces of mastic in oil for a week or longer) • Half a lemon juice • Teaspoon of salt • 1/2 teaspoon of honey • Sprinkle of sumac

A NEW and EXCITING concept which gives YOU the opportunity to share your recipe, or someone else’s, with all of our OPA! Magazine readers.

Have you always thought your Mum makes the best stiffado, your Aunty makes the best avgolemmono, or you make the best hortopittes?

Well, now is the time to share your favorite recipe with us and with all those in Australia who think the same about their recipes - non professional cooks, everyday people who have the same love of food and cooking just like you We’re all called “EVERYDAY CHEFS.”

My name is John Lazarou. Many of you may know me from THE COFFEE CLUB and I’m fortunate enough to be coordinating this new and very exciting platform, where we share your favourite Greek recipes.

Are you an Everyday Chef? Enter to win!

What can you win?

WHEN YOU AND YOUR RECIPE ARE FEATURED IN OPA! MAGAZINE AS THE EVERYDAY CHEF WE WILL REWARD YOU WITH THE FOLLOWING: * Breakfast, lunch or dinner for you and five guests at any of The Coffee Club stores in Australia, hosted by me, where we can discuss more Greek recipes and all things Greek. * 12 months FREE subscription to OPA! Magazine

How t o enter!

It’s very easy to share your recipes with all of our OPA! readers by simply following these easy steps. 1-2-3 OPA! 1. Write out your recipe in full and supply a good clear photo of yourself, the everyday chef, and the finished meal. (as hi-resolution as possible) 2. Upload a 60 second movie file of you, the everyday chef, telling us about yourself and your recipe.

3. Email your photo(s) and video to me at: everydaychef@opamagazine.com.au

Good luck!

John Lazarou, EVERYDAY CHEF

MATERIAL GIRL

SUPERSTITION

“There is superstition” Whether she’s onstage or online, the Material PR Girl says OPA!

C

ountless visitors to Greece return to their homes with Acropolis replicas, Evzoni - inspired key rings and an evil eye charm collection of jewellery and ornaments. The evil eye has become a popular Greek souvenir, just as the Statue of Liberty is for those wanting a memento of their visit to New York. While Hollywood heavyweights and the stars of Greek TV & music are often seen wearing evil eye jewellery, this ancient superstition goes beyond the red carpet and glossy fashion magazine pages.

I woke up from a refreshing sleep recently, feeling like P Diddy. I checked a few emails, got myself ready, out the door and headed for the city.

Satisfied by a delicious breakfast and standard short black, I was looking forward to a day of leisure- shopping and an afternoon playing tourist in my own home town with my boyfriend. After leaving the first spot, my head suddenly began to hurt. I could feel my pulse throbbing at the tail end of each eyebrow. I began to feel nauseous, as though I had stepped off a gruelling ferry ride through the Mediterranean. I am a veteran warrior of migraines- it wasn’t that kind of splitting headache. I have the same breakfast a couple of times a week- it wasn’t a reaction to something I had eaten. Although an afternoon siesta is in my DNA, I felt suddenly drowsy.

I didn’t need to diagnose my symptoms via Google - an energy vampire had obviously paid me a visit. I had caught the evil eye or “matiasma!”

As with a great deal of folklore, the evil eye is interpreted differently amongst its believers. Many cultures that edge the Mediterranean Sea believe that the

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evil eye is a glance or thought that can cause bad luck, emotional or physical harm for the person to whom it is directed. It is inflicted at any moment, by motives of envy, dislike, jealousy or zealous admiration. An “eye” or “mati” is worn or displayed, often set in a blue glass bead, to protect and ward off negative energy and evil spirits. It is commonly hung above doorways and can decorate homes, cars and workplaces. When worn as jewellery, it is believed that if the eye charm falls off or cracks, it has protected the wearer.

A “mataki” (smaller eye) is often pinned on a baby’s clothing, or to the inside of a pram, as newborns are believed to be more susceptible to the evil eye.

In Greece and neighbouring countries, the most popular eye charm colour is blue. The pharaohs of ancient Egypt wore blue for protection from evil - the Eye of Horus, an ancient symbol of protection, was commonly painted in blue on vases, in art and jewellery. Red is associated with good luck in other cultures such as the Jewish faith, where an eye charm is worn on red, string - like bracelets. The “hamsa” is a popular symbol throughout the Middle East and North America, made into jewellery or ornaments in the shape of a hand, with a blue eye in the palm.

Being the fashion - savvy bunch we are, you can now buy multi-coloured bead bracelets (such as those designed and made by Sue Sensi) and gold or silver jewellery, all bearing protective eye charms. However, while you may deflect negative energy and evil spirits with an eye charm that matches your outfit, you may at the same time provoke a “matiasma” by someone who envies your fashion style. Perhaps beauty or being a fashionista is a curse?

“Many cultures that edge the Mediterranean Sea believe that the evil eye is a glance or thought that can cause bad luck, emotional or physical harm for the person to whom it is directed.”

Being not only a superstitious, but a religiously devout nation, many Greeks wear an eye charm on their necklaces, along with a cross. On a recent trip to Cyprus I had a necklace made, similar to the one worn

by Zeta Makripoulia in the movie Wog Boy 2, which integrated a cross, pearl and “mataki” into the chain. Both the church and superstitious beliefs agree that the curse of the evil eye really exists; however, they disagree on how the curse can be removed. The church believes that only faith, crucifixes and icons can protect, referring to the evil eye as “Vaskania.” A specific church prayer is said to eradicate the curse.

In addition to the eye charm, superstitious believers boast various remedies to keep the evil eye at bay. They test to see if the evil eye has been actually cast, by placing one drop of olive oil into a glass of water, usually holy water. As olive oil is less dense than water, it should float. If this is the case, no curse is apparent. If the drop sinks, no need to dial 000, the process of “xematiasma” is your solution. This process involves a “healer” (not just any of Yiayia’s friends) who recites a prayer (that has been handed down through generations), then performs the sign of the cross three times, followed by spitting in the air three times. “Ptou! ptou! ptou!” If a curse is evident, both healer and victim typically yawn profusely. Garlic and sea salt are believed to have medicinal and cleansing powers- cloves of garlic are often found hanging from doorways in Greece and sea salts can be added to a bath, to fight off the evil eye. Personally, if I needed a dose of cleansing sea salt, I’d prefer a late July swim in the Aegean.

While eye charms and traditional remedies endeavour to protect the superficial symptoms of a “matiasma,” perhaps some of us need to unlock our hearts to release any hampering fear, and consider WHY we may be vulnerable to any negativity or misfortune. Time is precious. We are forever asking “Where has the day gone?”, forcing us to be more conscious about how we use our energy and time. Your energy is like a magnet and others are drawn to it: if it is positive, that’s what you will attract. If your energy is negative, you will continue to attract negative situations and energy drainers into your reality. If you are bearing the signs of a “matiasma,” have you perhaps done something to attract it and do you have the strength to defy it?

Your life is your own canvas - is yours a dark, sombre creation or a dynamic, spirited masterpiece? Invest your time and energy wisely - the quality of your thoughts today is what will define your tomorrow. Beware energy vampires - some of us are equipped with a conscious attitude AND a stylish evil eye charm!

Wishing you love, protection & peace: The Material PR Girl x

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THE STRONG BROW IS BACK!

By Madame Luxe

A perfectly shaped cosmetic brow tattoo can take years off your appearance and exude sophistication and style If the eyes are the window to the soul, then the eyebrows must surely be the curtains that show them off to their full potential. Perfectly groomed eyebrows can take years off your appearance and enhance your other facial features.

Classic beauties such as Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and Coco Chanel all had strong, defined looks in the brow department and this contributed to their respective trademark looks.

The luxurious and striking eyebrow that frames the face is undergoing a huge comeback and cosmetic tattooing is making it possible to have groomed and elegant brows all day, every day.

The team at Madame Luxe, an internationally - certified permanent makeup beauty boutique in Melbourne, specialises in creating bespoke brow tattooing to enhance each person’s individual beauty. European Master of permanent makeup, Mary McQueen, has recently joined the team at Madame Luxe, offering her extensive experience and expertise.

“It is imperative you choose a highly trained and skilled cosmetic tattoo practitioner when undergoing any treatment,” advises McQueen. “Results are long lasting, up to four years in some cases, so it’s important to get it right the first time and create a shape and colour definition that’s perfect for you.”

“With cosmetic tattoo techniques we can correct the shape and define the eyebrows so that all the features of the face appear lifted and symmetrical,” she continues.

“I believe just about every woman can benefit from a cosmetic tattoo brow enhancement – whether your brows are overplucked, sparse, poorly shaped or asymmetrical.”

Follow in the footsteps of old-school Hollywood glamours and update your look with your very own iconic eyebrow shape. www.madameluxe.com.au

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businesstyle.gr

w w w. gmk- excl u s i ve. co m | i n fo @ gmk- excl u s i ve. co m

Styling & Photography: Vergara Words: Dean Georgio

GIOVANNI MANGANO: A successful architect who has worked in Milan, New York & Melbourne.

Common theme in his creations is the ‘Escape from reality’ through architecture that stimulates the senses

“I love to recreate the magic and the emotion that have touched me the most in my journeys.”

Architect Giovanni Mangano opens his Moroccan inspired home to a Vergara Fashion Shoot.

When Vicky Papas set out to do her next shoot with a Moroccan - themed feel in mind, location was always going to be a challenge. Where does one start and where does one go to find the authenticity of a Moroccan - inspired location and feel…?

Enter Giovanni Mangano, a close friend and a prolific architect to boot.

Upon hearing that Vicky was looking for a Moroccan - themed setting, Giovanni was only too happy to generously offer his magnificent dwelling for the exclusive shoot…

Whilst on location I couldn’t help noticing some distinctive features of Giovanni’s architecture, which included geometric patterns and bright colours, most notably in the tiles known as zelij; in the ornamental Islamic calligraphy; the open court yard with its lush gardens, and the U-shaped entries and large domes. For a few hours it felt as if we were anywhere but Melbourne.

In this beautiful setting, once again Vicky delivered in a short time frame a work of art on human canvas.

Watching Vicky work one marvels at how quickly and efficiently she unveils the show right before your eyes, just like a magician at a children’s fair, coordinating people and equipment, location, models, outfits, makeup, hair, lighting and taking the photos. I was exhausted just watching her do this with smiles and enthusiasm, whilst I just sat and marvelled…

LOCATION

MELBOURNE

HOUSE + ARCHITECT

GIOVANNI MANGANO HOME

FASHION THEME + INSPIRATION MALE MODEL MODELS

MOROCCAN

GIOVANNI MANGANO

SAHARA DENG + OLYA D

FASHION ARTIST + PHOTOGRAPHY HAIR + MAKE UP BELTS + CUFFS

VICKY PAPAS (VERGARA)

VICKY PAPAS GMK EXCLUSIVE

FASHION MATERIAL + SILK

EUROPEAN LEATHER, CHIFFON LINEN

When asked how and when the outfits were done she responded with “Oh, just yesterday!”

We hope you enjoy this month’s shoot by VERGARA for OPA! Fashion

MATERIAL GIRL

TURN IT OFF!

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NGS

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THE WEDDING OF RACHEL AND MARK

“ A sincere thank you to the XSiGHT Photography and Video Team.

We couldn’t wait to have you guys share our special day with us and of course you surpassed all of our expectations once again.

whole day, it was nothing but perfection.

You have literally captured our perfect piece of history, a pause in time that will always be one of the most greatest moments of our lives�

Regards Rachel and Mark Tassone

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ove, protection, history, faith and peace… a few words that inspire Sue Sensi and her exquisitely unique jewellery collection. Since officially launching in 2003, Sue’s label has caught the attention of both high end boutiques and celebrities wanting pieces from her signature range.

Each design features a small eye charm, paying homage to an ancient Greek tradition that has lasted for thousands of years. It is believed that if the eye charm falls off, it has protected the wearer from negative energy.

Sue’s commitment to quality and design ensures she uses the highest quality sterling silver .925 and semi-precious beads in all her pieces. Her distinctive interplay of fashion and symbolism has carved her a unique niche. A treasure chest of coins, crosses, peace signs and other paraphernalia is complemented with a burst of colour that not only captures people’s attention and imagination but celebrates her Greek heritage and ancestry.

I am from a Greek background, and was born and live in Melbourne, Australia.

Mother to my beautiful son Harrison and

married to my best friend Pino Sensi.

My parents being in the clothing industry for more than 20 years inspired me to love fashion and jewellery.

“The brand Sue Sensi is my name and was launched in 2003,” explains Sue as we take a look at what is sure to become the NEXT BIG THING in global fashion trends.

It all started off as a hobby, and with my friends having an interest in my jewellery, it landed in the hands of fashion designer Lisa Ho. With her first order in all her stores Australia - wide the Sue Sensi label came about.

My dream became a reality.

OPA: Tell us Sue, is your Greek background a big influence in your work?

SS: It is definitely a major influence and a big help. Being from a Greek background and my father being a Greek history teacher in Australia for ten years, l fell in love with the culture and the history even more with my constant travels to Greece every year as a child.

OPA: Obviously being Greek inspired the pieces, but why did you decide to focus

on the ‘eye?’ It’s a very unique symbol.

SS: I have always believed in the power of the ‘eye’ and the ability to protect from negative energy. It might date back to ancient history but I have incorporated it within my style, bringing it up to date, making it modern and chic.

OPA: Are you very superstitious?

SS: Yes, I am in some things; I think we tend to want to be superstitious when it suits us.

OPA: Please describe the themes behind a couple of your collections?

SS: Last season the Faith Collection was based around Christian Orthodoxy. My late grandfather was a Greek priest, Fr Antonio Amanatidis, a priest for more than 50 years.

After travelling to Greece last year where there are little churches everywhere, I was inspired by the sign of the cross, the ubiquitous Christian symbol. The entire collection has crosses, and it’s been my favourite collection so far. It brings back a lot of memories of both my grandfather and Greece, and so is very personal for me.

The current season is based on the mythological King Midas and the Golden

Sue Sensi jewellery is filled with positive energy for those who wear it...

Sue Sensi

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“As long as you have love, peace, faith and protection, anything is possible.”

Touch; I’m sure everyone knows the story. I wanted to design a small gold range, as I usually work with silver, to complement the current trend.

OPA: What is it that is so unique about your jewellery?

SS: I believe each piece tells a story of its own and I design jewellery that has a meaningful purpose for those who wear it.

OPA: Outside of inspiration for your jewellery, do you feel your Greek heritage is an important part of your life?

SS: Of course, it’s always important to remember and be proud of your heritage.

OPA: Any advice for those who wish to follow in your footsteps, to those who have a dream and don’t know how to make it happen?

SS: Love what you do and work hard at it and it will happen.

Sue Sensi has proved that if you believe in something and work hard you can make it happen, you can turn your dreams into reality.

Nothing is impossible for those who believe. As she says, “As long as you have love, peace, faith and protection, anything is possible.”

www.suesensi.com

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HE CONCEPT FOR OPA! DAY was created by the founders of the OPA! Way, Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon, in 2008 while they were reflecting upon the vast contributions Greeks have made to the world.

“We thought it would be a great idea if there was one day when all people around the world focused on and celebrated Greek culture and the many contributions that Greeks have made through the ages: in Astronomy, Architecture, Art, Biology, Democracy, Drama, Food/Diet, Language, Literature, Mathematics, Medicine, Music, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Science, Sports, Theater, and of course, lessons on how to live a happy, healthy, meaningful life!”

So OPA! Day was born. September 15th seemed like a good day—it was after summer holidays in Europe and the U.S.A. but not in the winter, it didn’t interfere with too many other celebrations, and most of all, the United Nations had declared September 15th as the International Day of Democracy, which seemed especially fitting since Greece is known worldwide as the “cradle of democracy.”

It also seemed fitting that the first OPA! Day celebration be held in Greece. So on September 15, 2010, the very first OPA! Day was celebrated in beautiful and historic Rethymno, Crete, Greece, at the lovely and hospitable Aegean Pearl Hotel. The sun was shining and the sea appeared to be more blue than ever. Over 400 Greeks and visitors from around the world attended this first OPA! Day event. “Our partners at the Aegean Pearl prepared an extraordinary celebration—with beautiful decorations (including a vast array of blue and white balloons and flowers), tables full of traditional Greek and Cretan mezedes (appetizers), newly-invented OPA! Day drinks (blue ouzo and raki, special blue water), and above all, a special OPA! Day cake.”

This event marks the beginning of a global initiative to celebrate OPA! Day every September 15th. This year, celebrate OPA! Day on September 15, 2011, in your community, town, city, state, or province. Celebrate Greek culture in restaurants, tavernas, bars, stores, colleges, universities, and city centers around the world. Celebrate with special Greek food, special Greek drinks, Greek dancing, and, of course, wearing blue! Help spread the joys and value of Greek culture and contributions.

The celebration and promotion of OPA! Day is proudly supported by OPA! Magazine and The OPA! Way – Everybody say OPA! www.theopaway.com www.opamagazine.com.au

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d e t n a r G W ish

By Lenita Vangellis

A few weeks ago I received a strange request that left me both surprised and elated. I was asked if I could help a team of teenage soccer players that had recently experienced a bad run with games. A series of mishaps included injuries, illness and disappointing decisions from referees that they believed to be biased.

“We’ve been jinxed, cursed...” This is the belief that had slowly infiltrated this bunch of future Maradonnas. The psyche of every boy had downloaded this disempowering thought and it spread like wild fire, leaving them all feeling deflated.

To the credit of the open - minded adults guiding them, they realised that this would take more than just another pep talk from their inspiring, selfless coach. There was something bigger going on here, but where to start when that something was not tangible? They were asking for divine intervention and they needed someone who could look at things beyond the five senses.

I always giggle at that thought and have observed that only after all logical avenues have been explored does anyone dare to venture outside of the box. It’s kind of back-to-front in my view, but the fact remains that people are finally daring enough to step outside the box of their perceived reality. William James said:“A new idea is first condemned as ridiculous and then dismissed as trivial, until finally, it becomes what everybody knows.”

I didn’t take the request lightly and understood the responsibility that came with it. I needed to meditate carefully, and trust that I would be guided towards a solution. How could I help? What was really going on here? No sooner did I ask myself these questions, than the answers were downloaded in a flash.

All disempowerment has at its core a lack of knowledge about the Human Energy System. These boys needed to understand that they are so much more than flesh, blood and bone. They needed to understand what is powering their vehicle (body), and how their thoughts shape their reality, especially the one about them being cursed!

Most people go through life never acknowledging the powerful gift of energy and the authentic power that comes from understanding how to utilise it consciously for the highest good of all. All humans could use a crash course in this subject; after all, nothing silences the voice of the victim better than this knowledge. Once we’re able to take responsibility for everything we experience we have no choice other than to stop blaming everything and everyone else around us.

Everything is made up of energy; we are swimming in it regardless of whether we are aware of it or not. It’s everywhere! Energy is the building block of all matter. We are constantly exchanging and communicating energetically all day, every day, even without opening our mouths. Some

of us do this consciously and others unconsciously.

The human body is filled with cells containing energy. The molecules inside each cell are made up of atoms with protons, neutrons and electrons.

Sub-atomic particles make up the atoms and these sub-atomic particles are pure energy. So our bodies are pure energy swimming in an ocean of energy that connects everything. We are not separate entities disconnected from the whole at the mercy of a supreme being playing with us like pawns on a chess board.

So, based on this premise, how we behave, how we think and feel will be vibrating into this field of energy that either directly or indirectly affects everything and everyone within it. If we took this one step further it means that the way we think and feel can change the world for the better - or, as we have seen, for the worse. Our vibrating positive energy has an effect on those around us and this ripples out further and further. The state of the world is a result of the collective consciousness of humanity.

Outside the physical body we have an Electro Magnetic Field (EMF), or Human Energy Field (HEF), or an “Aura.” This field not only surrounds, but penetrates the physical body as well.

Regardless of how attuned you are to perceiving energy, everyone has at some point in their life felt it. Have you ever come into contact with

“Most people go through life never acknowledging the powerful gift of energy and the authentic power that comes from understanding how to utilise it consciously for the highest good of all. All humans could use a crash course in this subject” someone and just got a vibe about them? This person hasn’t spoken to you or done anything out of the ordinary,you just got a vibe. What does that really mean?...Vibe?...short for vibration. Vibration of what? Their frequency, that’s what. You received information energetically. Most of the time this is transmitted from within our subconscious; our subconscious is what’s running the show.

The state of the physical body depends heavily on the energy field of the individual. It is not possible for disease to manifest in the physical when the aura is clear and strong. Dis-Ease means out of ease, imbalanced.

Discordant energy starts in the EMF, often gets ignored, and only gets

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our attention when it finally affects the physical body, sometimes mildly and sometimes aggressively. Wouldn’t it be better if we were finely tuned to our personal energy field, feeling the imbalance and clearing it well before it hits our bodies?

Our thoughts have great impact on our EMF and come from two different sides of the frequency spectrum. High frequency, which modulates at a very rapid rate and encompasses all the feel good emotions, is Love. Low frequency, which modulates at a very slow rate, comes from Fear. Anxiety, Depression, Jealousy and Anger, just to name a few, all have at their core Fear. Fear cripples us emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Our vibrational frequency is what programs our physical bodies and the

Do you intend for every word and thought to be granted?

Add the words “Wish Granted” to the end of every thought or sentence and notice what happens....Are you really wishing for that?

have become acutely aware of how we create, and I choose to create what I really want to experience, not what I don’t. I cannot remember the last time I said or even thought, “I feel sick” and cannot remember the last time I was actually sick.

Now it’s not easy to empty out our hard drives of all the disempowering thoughts that manifest as realities, but once we become conscious of what we are putting out to this matrix we are no longer surprised by what we experience. We become instead powerful, conscious creators.

The lessons presented to these boys armed them with knowledge and a limitless possibility of what they could create. I needed to customise this energy talk and speak to them in the language of the game, focusing in particular on them as athletes who were part of a team. After showing them graphically what a strong auric field looks like and comparing it to one that is struggling to contain life force energy they started to understand that physical training was not going to be enough, this vehicle of theirs requires life force energy to perform in peak condition and potentially protect them from unnecessary injury on the soccer field. Their eyes lit up with wonder and awe.

One boy in particular, renowned for going head to head in pubescent Alpha male mode with the refs, wanted to understand energetically what happened when he went into this knee jerk reaction time and time again.

The look on his face was priceless as I clearly showed him the energetic environment he was creating, not just for himself but the entire team.

Firstly, arguing with the ref. was a clear power and control struggle; I explained to him that regardless of how long he argued, apart from feeling that he was hard core, (a delusion in itself) he was never going to reverse the ref ’s decision. In the process of arguing he was flooding his body with low frequency, slowly leaking life force energy that then spread to the rest of the team, who felt his energy and were affected by it to varying degrees.

The spectators watching from the sideline were projecting their thoughts and feelings into this energetic soup towards him as well. What a creation!

When he stepped outside himself and viewed the scenario from this perspective, the penny dropped. I gently suggested to him an alternative.

Wouldn’t it be a wiser choice for all, if he chose to accept the ref ’s decision, good or bad, grounded his energy, expanded his field and continued playing the game, this time firing on all cylinders as this powerful energy fuelling his body was given an upgrade that, by the way, would spread to the rest of the team as well? He had a much better chance of playing a truly awesome game of soccer from this standpoint rather than the other one.

We see these scenarios played out daily in our personal life, business life, school playgrounds... it’s everywhere! Unconscious interactions create less than desirable outcomes. We cannot change anything or anyone other than ourselves, so instead of going into defensive mode desperately trying to make the other be or do what you want, change what you can, your response, your attitude, because ultimately that’s all you can control.

We have free will and are faced with choices every moment of our lives. As each of us becomes conscious of our own energy field and what we choose to put out to those around us, taking full responsibility for our creations, then we will all fully know the power we have to change the world...After all, we are all players and part of a team on this huge field in the cosmos called Earth; let’s stop arguing with the refs, play an awesome game and kick some goals instead!

reality we experience.

Now how does any of this help our soccer team ?

One of the boys asked me if I thought they were cursed. They waited with baited breath for my answer. I paused deliberately before answering, feeling like Pythia, the Oracular Priestess of Delphi. I leaned forward towards him and stated very clearly, “It doesn’t matter what I think, what matters is what you think, and if you think you are cursed, then you are.”

The silence was deafening.

I proceeded to share a story told to me many years ago by a wonderful man named Rob Wergin that demonstrates clearly how thoughts and/or words charged with emotion create our reality, and that energy follows thought.

The wizard is a magical being above us hearing every word we speak and every thought we think. This wizard goes by many spiritual names, but that’s not what’s important. What is important is that he loves us unconditionally and only desires the best for us. Now we all have free will to choose and because of this, the wizard’s job is to grant every wish.

He listens to our words, he listens to our thoughts and grants it all to us.

Wish Granted! Be it done as you believe!

Now just stop for a second and think about this...Do you intend for every word and thought to be granted? Add the words “Wish Granted” to the end of every thought or sentence and notice what happens....Are you really wishing for that?

“I feel sick”...Wish Granted!

“I am broke”...Wish Granted!

Or one I’ve seen so terribly overused on the social networks...”FML!”... Sending love, light and infinite blessings to all...

Wish Granted! Hmmmmm, really?...changes things alright?!

I cringe whenever I hear anyone saying things like that because I 46

one faMiLy, their Story A CelebrAtion of DArwin’s Greek Community

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By Ange T. Kenos

E

ven today there are only about fifteen Greek - Australians in the Navy and yet, as Aphrodite says, “it is one of the most amazing and enjoyable careers that you could ever hope for.”

Having myself served, I also know the magic of being on a ship’s fo’c’s’le (the front part) and seeing sunsets that would challenge the famous one of Thira (Santorini).

What made you consider a career in the Navy?

Growing up in a Greek Cypriot family, Aphrodite Bottcher (nee Papaloukas) never dreamed that she would one day enlist in the Australian Navy. But for the past twelve years, Lieutenant Bottcher has been a proud member of the RAN, joining a small core that began in the mid seventies. While Greek Australians were in the Boer War and at Gallipoli, the first Greek - speaking person did not join the Air Force until World War 2 and the first Greek - Australian did not serve in the Australian Navy until 1977.

I came to a crossroads early in life. I didn’t have much direction and wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do with my life except that I was certain I wanted to travel.

A close friend of mine joined the Navy as a Dental Assistant, but a career in the Navy certainly wasn’t something that I considered at that time.

We kept in touch over the years and I would visit her on return trips to Melbourne (where my family resides), and one day she just popped the question like a marriage proposal - ‘why don’t you join the Navy?’ So I did.

Is it a good life for a young woman of ethnic parentage?

I feel blessed by all the good things that have come into my life since joining the Navy, I have a supportive husband, a good income and I am slowly fulfilling my goals and aspirations.

Where are some of the places you have been?

Where to start.....? I have travelled to every major city in Australia. I have been to New Zealand, New Caledonia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Philippines, East Timor, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, Hawaii, various cities iin Canada, Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego. I’m sure I’ve missed a few.

How could I not be grateful for all that travel?

(And, dear readers, she was paid while on those trips, just as students at the Defence Force Academy are paid some $45000 per year whilst studying for their degrees. On graduation, the salary increases substantially.)

What skills has the Navy given you that could benefit the community when you eventually, one day, leave the Navy?

You obtain so many skills in the Navy and the important ones are those that we as individuals don’t place too much emphasis on: but corporations do, such as time management, working as part of a team, leadership and management skills, personnel management.There are other things such as mariner skills, but for me in particular there are my core job skills as a Supply Officer, which essentially covers Logistics Management: the skills there are varied.

How did you feel about taking the Oath to defend Australia against any and all enemies, in theory - although it would never happen - including the Hellenic Republic?

My heritage is Cypriot Greek, my country is Australia and that’s where my allegiance lies. I have supported my country in the War Against Terror and I felt very proud of the job I was doing.

It doesn’t mean that I dismiss where my parents came from and the hardships and struggles they encountered to get to Australia and provide me with the life I have. I appreciate it and that is why I feel as though I am doing the right thing for Australia as it is a country that has provided so much to so many.

It’s easy to find the negatives in life and blame someone else for your plight, but I certainly don’t treat this opportunity like that. I imagine what my life may have been like growing up in war-torn Cyprus and am grateful for the life I have here and the opportunities that have presented themselves over the years.

Why should more girls and boys of Hellenic parentage consider a life in the RAN?

I have served almost twelve years in the Navy and there have been many good experiences, but I have also had just as many challenges.The road to personal success is never easy, but if you put in the time and effort, success is how you perceive it and I am almost there!

I have made many friends whom I know I will keep for life and I have met many people from various other Defence Forces around the world that I also keep in touch with. Life in the Defence Force develops into a global network for work and friendships.

It is like being part of an extended family, especially when I was deployed overseas. The men were very protective of the females and would ensure that we were always safe and travelled in groups. They did their job very well and I always felt safe and it made my travels fun.

My early days in the Navy were also very challenging for me. I married very quickly and two days later I was sent to join my ship in Newcastle. It was there that I discovered I suffered from sea sickness! I didn’t know how to deal with it at first, it felt like death would be a better option, but after a while I learned how to cope. Don’t get me wrong; I still get sea sick, but I have learned to deal with it and push through. It’s not enough to deter me - I wouldn’t give up my day job!

And where do you see your future?

In the next ten years I hope to complete my Master of Business Leadership, complete my Supply Officer time on a Major Fleet Unit and, most importantly, become a mother.

It is each woman’s choice to make when they consider a career. Mine was almost forced on me, with people trying to arrange marriages. My father certainly didn’t intend for me to do anything more than become a housewife, so I took control of my life and am happy I did. My parents are proud and I am very happy with the choices and achievements I have made. Parents are more liberal nowadays and I don’t see the same issues I faced growing up. My parents migrated from Cyprus, my father when he was fifteen and my mother when she was twenty - six; they brought a lot of the old ideologies with them, which was great. I learned a lot from them, but it also gave me I don’t think that people generally give much credence to what it is that the Military achieves because it is too easy to judge what you see in a thirty second segment on TV. It’s a fantastic opportunity to develop skills, make friends and travel the world. I have.

To say that Aphrodite is a role model would be to make her blush and yet that is exactly what she is even though she believes that she is simply doing her duty and having a great career in a role she has come to adore.

With the Navy celebrating 100 Years this year, maybe we will see a bit more of this young sailor.

OPA!

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DOLLARS&SENSE B.O.C.A

Back to Basics Budgeting As tax time ends and we are now well into the new financial year, the importance of making and keeping to a personal or family budget is important.

There’s no denying times are tough for a lot of Australians, but while the majority of the Western world suffers the aftershocks of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and as new predicaments emerge within the global financial community we take a look at how you can make these times work for you.

As we write this we are witnessing some of the worst losses ntrol of ouronfinances, the Australian Stock Exchange since the peak of the est?

Global Financial Crisis. Billions of dollars have been wiped off the ASX in August, with almost all industries across Australia suffering losses.

While some major retailers also announced a decline in end of year profit and we witnessed retail store closures it was the behaviour of everyday Australians who tightened their belts and begun to save long before the losses of August that tells the story that the economic mood in Australia has been one of caution.

Having said that, for the average person who just wants simple and secure banking and is not involved in investing, negative gearing, do-it-yourself super and all the other products and services available, the choices of where to invest or where not to invest can be daunting. The stories in the media about economies in crisis can be scary.

In this month’s edition, we look at some back-to-basic budgeting hints that can help you save and keep your finances in tight control, especially for those who don’t seem to be able to save.

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1. Create a budget – there are some great online tools to help Ever seen your bank balance and thought –where did all my money go? A budget can help you to set limits on what you spend. Often by writing down all your commitments you will get a clearer indication of what you should cut down and in many cases what you can do without. Often it’s that in-your-face reminder that shakes you back to reality and might stop you from overspending on luxuries or unnecessary items.

Bank of Cyprus Australia offers a great online Budget Planner tool at www.bankofcyprus.com.au which allows you to input your income and expenses and create your own budget which you can save to your computer or print for easy reference.

2. Set some money aside…and don’t touch it We are not saying to leave your money idly in an account instead of investing, however, there are many bank accounts that offer great interest rates including term deposits and high interest online accounts to help you reach your savings goals. Securing your cash in these kinds of accounts is a safe way to add to your money while saving for a deposit on a house or an investment property.

Most employers can also split your salary into two or more accounts. That way you can send a decent chunk of your earnings straight into your repayments or into

DOLLARS&SENSE B.O.C.A

Online accounts are all the rage, but have you really checked the benefits?

If you want online banking plus a competitive rate Bank of be tempted to dip high interestinterest accounts so -you won’t Cyprus Australia’s MIDAS Account is into your savings. the account for you.

3. FOR Shop online MORE INFORMATION ON PRODUCTS

AND SERVICES CALL 1300 660 550 OR VISIT BANKOFCYPRUS.COM.AU Australians are increasingly turning to online stores to

purchase. Not only can you receive some great discounts on premium brands, you can also save precious time and fuel costs by not travelling to various shopping centres.

A great option to consider is the five-star Canstar Cannex rated Midas account. This account earns 5.5% on your money and withdrawals don’t affect your rate, no matter how many times you withdraw. This is just one example of how it’s worth taking the time to read through your products to understand the pros and cons of your banking choices.

To access Bank of Cyprus Australia’s free budget planner visit bankofcyprus.com.au or call 1300 660 550 to find out more about their products

4. Plan ahead

and services.

Often the reason people’s budgets fail is they don’t think of all the little expenses they have and then lose motivation and stop saving altogether when they fail their budget. Make sure you think of all expenses such as gifts for special events, medical check-ups, any house appliances that you may need to replace during the year or even factor in some time you may have to work without pay just to be safe.

Online banking has changed the way we bank, allowing total 24/7 control of our finances, 5. Review your most costly expenses

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but how many online accounts offer competitive interest?

Car insurance, home insurance and mortgage repayments

are some of the bigger things that can cost you. It’s HE BANK OF CYPRUS AUSTRALIA’S recommended youACCOUNT look at other providers of all those key MIDAS GIVES A HIGH services every year just to make sure ONLINE what you are paying INTEREST RATE WITH ACCESS TO YOUR FUNDS 24/7. is on par with the average.

THIS MEANS YOU CAN TRANSFER ANYTIME WITHOUT AFFECTING YOUR RATE AND Companies rely on people’s complacency and the fact THERE ARE NO ACCOUNT KEEPING FEES. that they can’t generally be bothered moving such big commitments across to other providers but those who do can save a decent amount of money every year.

6. Read the fine print The old saying of if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

A great example is the traps some banks set with their online savings accounts. It’s amazing how quickly those 6.5% online accounts from some banks revert to a much lower account when you make one withdrawal.

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In Melbourne at the moment there is an amazing exhibition, promoted as “The Greatest Exhibition of All Time.” It is the “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” Exhibition.

Photo credits by: Antikenmus Ludwig

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the

Pharaohs B

reaking all attendance records on this, its first visit to Melbourne as its only Australian stop before Egypt’s treasures return to Cairo, this exhibition is unlike anything ever before experienced. Part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces season, visitors can revel in the splendour of Ancient Egypt as they view a dazzling array of possessions unearthed from Tutankhamun’s tomb.

The name “King Tut” has instant recognition in today’s world; however, prior to the discovery of his tomb in 1922, most people were unfamiliar with this pharaoh. In fact, his name had been omitted from all of the lists of rulers compiled by the ancient Egyptians.

pantheon and the god Amun at its head. King Tut reigned for only about nine years, dying in his late teens, but he has become famous the world over because his tomb was discovered in almost perfect condition.

HELLENIC and EGYPTIAN CONNECTIONS The exhibition focuses on the 18th dynasty of Egypt. This period (c.15501295 BC) links with the Bronze Age in Greek history and a number of contacts between the two civilizations start to emerge in this time. There are three main Bronze Age cultures in the area of modern Greece: the Minoan culture on Crete, the Mycenaean culture on the Greek mainland and the Helladic culture in the islands of the Aegean. At this time, Crete seems to appear in Egyptian written sources as Kftiw, the islands as iww Hrii-ibw nw wAD-wr -”the islands in the midst of the Great Green”- and mainland Greece perhaps as Tanaia, though these interpretations can be controversial and are not universally agreed upon.

King Tut was born in 1341 BC during the Amarna Age, a time when the pharaoh Akhenaten, his probable father, had introduced quasimonotheistic beliefs into ancient Egypt, replacing the traditional religion.

Akhenaten had moved both the administrative capital (Memphis) and From this beginning, contacts between Greece and Egypt increased and the religious capital (Thebes) to Akhetaten (modern Tel el Amarna) in became culturally and economically significant. The best evidence for Middle Egypt, a site not previously associated with any other god. this later period (which is not explored in the exhibition) comes from It is here that the young prince, named Tutankhaten - to honor the Aten, the Greek author Herodotus, who travelled to Egypt in the fifth century the deity of his new religion - was born and spent his early childhood. BC, (The Histories Book 2.)

The prince, however, ultimately did not maintain the religious movement For a good overview and to put the period into context, a good reference his father had introduced. He ascended the throne around 1333 BC, suggestion would be; J Boardman, The Greeks Overseas: Their Early while still a child. Guided by two Court officials, Tutankhamun restored Colonies and Trade. (4th ed) Thames and Hudson. the traditional gods and re-established Thebes as the religious capital and Memphis as the administrative centre. He also changed his name Evidence of contact during the 18th dynasty can be roughly divided up to Tutankhamun in order to direct attention to the restoration of the as follows, with respect to links with the exhibition:

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Tutankhamun Art

The shape and decoration of Mycenaean vessels were sometimes copied in Egypt, especially Mycenaean stirrup vases. The Tutankhamun exhibition contains an attached pair of vessels made of calcite that are similar in style and function. Mycenaean (Helladic) pottery is common in New Kingdom sites in Egypt. They are often the so-called “stirrupjars” belonging to Late Helladic III a and Late Helladic III b.

and the Golden Age of the

Pharaohs Minoans appear in several Theban tomb paintings of the time of Hatshepsut (about 1479/1473-1458/57 BC), Thutmose III (about 14791425 BC) and Amenhotep II (about 1428-1397 BC), all royal relations of Tutankhamun. This is evidence for direct contact between Egypt and Minoan culture, rather than trade of Aegean trade goods indirectly via Western Asia and Cyprus. At Tell el-Dab’a, a palace building contained fragments of frescoes executed in a purely Minoan style. The paintings, perhaps executed by Minoan artists, may date to the early or mid 18th Dynasty, depending on interpretation of the archaeological context.

This would suggest they are from around the time of Tutmosis IV, Tutankhmun’s great-grandfather, a statue of whom is on display.

Egyptian finds in Greece are fairly common, including storage jars, jugs, glass objects, scarabs and faience figures, examples of which can all be seen in the exhibition.

Literature Some objects found in Greece and on the Islands bear the name of kings, most commonly Amenhotep III, a wooden statue of whom is to be seen. It has been assumed, but on no specific evidence, that these were presented as royal gifts to foreign courts. Amenhotep III was Tutankhamun’s grandfather and during his reign we find a marked increase in Egyptian materials found on the Greek mainland. We also find many Egyptian place names, including Mycenae, Phaistos and Knossos first appearing in Egyptian inscriptions. As well there are letters written between Amenhotep III and his contemporaries in Babylon, Mitanni and Arzawa preserved in cuneiform writing on clay tablets.

At the Theban West Bank temple of Amenhotep III a statue base within the northern half of the site was found inscribed with a list of towns and countries, labelled as the “countries of the North.”According to one possible interpretation of the names, the places may be read tentatively as Keftiu (Crete), Tanaia (mainland Greece), Amnisos, Phaistos, Kydonia, Mycenae, Bolotian Thebes or Kato Zakros, Methana or Messana, Nauplion, Kythera, Illios (Troy), Knossos, Amnisos (listed again), Lykloi. If correctly interpreted, the list indicates detailed knowledge of the Mycenaean (Greek) world.

Basic info and cargo list available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ The Ulu Burun Shipwreck dating to the 14th or 13th century BC Uluburun_shipwreck. This wreck clearly shows trade between Egypt and contained a ring with the name of Nefertiti on it. She was Tut’s step the Levant coast, including the Greek Islands. mother and images of her and her children (Tut’s sisters and wife) appear A chair used by Tutankhamun shown in the exhibition contains copper in the exhibition. fretwork. It is possible this copper came from Cyprus and was imported

Trade

on a ship like that at Ulu Barun.

The best evidence for East Mediterranean trade comes from shipwrecks: the late fourteenth or early thirteenth century BC wreck at Ulu Burun contained a cargo of items ranging from ingots for metal from Cyprus, to glass production. Cobalt blue glass ingots match those of contemporary Egyptian core-formed vessels and Mycenaean pendant beads, which suggests a common source. Blue glass of this kind was found in Tutankhamun’s tomb and a beautiful headrest of blue glass is on display in the exhibition.

Make sure you head down and take advantage of this once-in-a- lifetime opportunity. Learn about the extraordinary discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the belief and burial processes of Ancient Egypt. View results from the latest scientific testing conducted on Tutankhamun’s mummy and what it is telling researchers about his life and death. More than seven million visitors have attended the exhibition in Europe and America; don’t miss your chance to see it while it is in Melbourne.

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For more information go to: www.kingtutmelbourne.com.au

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good logo design is not just a visual representation of a business. It actually describes stories, ideas and the mission of that particular business. It can convey emotions, fascinate the viewers and even manipulate them into doing things. These logos tell you stories!

One such fascinating story is hidden behind Nike’s world famous ‘swoosh’ logo. Though many people who see that sign do not know the story behind it, the story actually tells you much about Nike, the company.

Nike was the name of a Greek Goddess in ancient Greek culture. She was the Goddess of Victory and daughter of Pallas, a Titan, and Styx, a Naiad.

Nike’s mother Styx supported Zeus in the Titan Wars and brought him her four children: Nike (Victory), Bia (Force), Kratos (Strength), and Zelus (Rivalry). In return Zeus promised that he would keep them close forever. The four young deities then stood beside Zeus. Nike was given the divine chariot to ride. During the War of the Titans, Nike comforted Zeus and helped him regain his

strength and strike back. That is why Nike is also seen as as the Goddess of Strength and Triumph.

In ancient Greece she was the Goddess of Victory and helped the rightful to succeed. Her wings ‘swoosh’ed and so does the feather she kept in her hand. Her attributes were also associated with force and speediness.

This is the story behind the logo and the brand name of Nike. The famous sportswear company is named after an ancient Greek Goddess of Victory, and her sisters were the Goddesses of Force and Rivalry, while her brother Kratos was the God of Strength (more on Kratos in coming issues).

She bestowed fame and glory upon those who achieved victory. Isn’t this what Nike (the shoe company) does for successful athletes? It gives them fame and glory by signing them up for their marketing and advertising campaigns while branding everything they wear with the ‘swoosh’ logo?

JUST DO IT!

Classes held at: Preston Girls Sec. College Cooma Str, PRESTON 4.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.

Glen Waverley Sec. College O’Sullivan Rd, GLEN WAVERLEY 4.30 p.m. - 7.30 p.m.

Elwood Sec. College Glenhuntly Rd, ELWOOD 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.

PYTHAGORAS GREEK SCHOOLS

ΠΥΘΑΓΟΡΑΣ Principal: Constantine Roubos B.DSc, B.Ed.

Shelford Girls Grammar 3 Hood Crescent CAULFIELD 2.30 p.m. - 6.30 p.m.

PYTHAGORAS GREEK SCHOOLS BOX 49 168 MARTIN ST, BRIGHTON VIC 3186 Mob: 0417 393 049 Email: pythagoras@i.net.au

Bringing young Greek Australians Closer to Greece!

Preschool classes available at SHELFORD Girls Grammar Caulfield

19968

Montague Continuing Education Centre 100 Montague St, SOUTH MELBOURNE 4.30pm - 8.00pm

by Malchus Nevets

The time has come to come out of the closet, to shout from the rooftops that which for so long has been kept a secret and hidden. There is no better time than right now to ‘go greek’!

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efore you get excited and chuckle with glee as you type this phrase into Google, allow me to explain….

It’s really quite simple, it’s not about a brand, merely a campaign or an awareness to push the Greek agenda or support Greek products: it is about a paradigm shift, a frame of mind, a sense of pride and honour in not only recognising one’s ancestry, but also embracing all that it means, and all that it implies, to support Greek businesses and the Hellenic choice as real and quality alternative to traditional and established mainstream alternatives.

Ask yourself, how often do you use the salutation ‘Ciao’ in a very public domain as opposed to the equivalent ‘Yia sou’ or the uber-cool ‘Buon Appetitto’ as opposed to it’s Hellenic counterpart, ‘Kali Orexi’ Simple? Yes - sad but True! We as Hellenes find ourselves, embarrassed, ashamed or just plain ignorant of what we can do as individuals to be true Philhellenes; be it a conscious decision to abandon the Greek way and culture or a subconscious and often unintentional, blasé attitude that is akin to mind-numbing indifference.

In my opinion, and this is all it is, it is not about specific action or re-actions: they are the fruit of the actual labour; it is about a shift 56

in thinking, a change on a personal and social level. It is all about subscribing to the idea that Greek is cool. It doesn’t have to be ‘woggy’, daggy or the poor cousin to Italian, which is always uber-trendy and hip!

If we can change the way people think, they will not be ashamed to ask for a Craft beer instead of a Peroni, or a Loux instead of a San Pellegrino. They will be just as comfortable saying ‘Yia sou’ as they are now saying ‘Ciao’ and ‘Kali Orexi’ will become part of the dining parlance for Greeks and non-Greeks alike.

Our Greek heritage is not something to be ashamed of. It is not something we should try and hide or deny. The reality is that Greeks in the diaspora are directly and indirectly responsible for so much, and have accomplished such great achievements. Case in point is the recently announced cultural centre that will soon be a part of Melbourne’s CBD skyline. Amazingly this project has been partly funded through the kind donations of a long list of benefactors who have selflessly donated over a $1m to create history - OPA! The market is ready, the people are ready.

The world is waiting and watching: are you ready to Go Greek?

P R E - P R E P

t o

V C E

Imagine the opportunities awaiting your child at Alphington Grammar School.

Limited Enrolments for 2012 available now.

All Enquiries:

Mrs Judy Fetter School Development Manager

Old Heidelberg Road Alphington VIC 3078 Tel +61 3 9497 4777 Fax +61 3 9497 3479 www.alphington.vic.edu.au 57

Greece – A Land of Contrasts Tour Dates 4th July to 2nd August 2011

by Judy Fetter, School Development Manager ■ Alphington Grammar School ■ Bilingual Greek Tour -Staff Member

C

onfronting images across Greece as depicted in recent media were far removed from the reality of experiencing first hand the beauty and compassion of its people and surroundings. Many positive memories will remain with the Alphington Grammar Bilingual Group that toured the country during July, 2011. The twenty one students visited the Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands, Kalamata, Patra, Ionnina and Athens, in awe of the spectacular scenery, rich history and welcoming locals in the villages and surrounding cities.

Students and staff from Greek-Australian and non - Greek backgrounds joined together to build a greater understanding of Hellenic traditions, their source and depth, and experience the rich traditions based on the centrality of family, community, continuity through religion and shared values. We often observed these key elements of Greek life in action at local taverns with generations of Greek families enjoying some beautiful home–style food together, and communicating in an honest and focused manner. The level of respect for older generations and the shared responsibility across families for their children and grandchildren’s welfare and happiness was clearly evident and in contrast to many Australian families living in the “fast lane”.

As an accompanying staff member, I was particularly impressed by the extremely generous hospitality of family members of a student participant who lived in a small village on the outskirts of Ionnina. This older family insisted that the entire school group of twenty four people visit them, enjoy an authentic lunch with their extended family under the vines at their local tavern and partake in the traditional, village - grown produce, cooked with love and dedication by their close friends. We were spoilt with homemade pastries, locally grown eggplant, zucchini & peppers grilled to perfection, a flavoursome Greek salad bursting with freshly picked tomatoes, cucumbers and locally made feta, chicken and pork shashliks cooked on the flame with garden herbs near us, accompanied with home - baked bread, local olive oil, and of course olives for grazing.

It was a magnificent meal not only because of the sheer quality of the ingredients. It was a memorable day owing to the warmth and empathy of this family, who wanted to share their fairly humble lifestyle and expose us to the wonderful, non - materialistic and wholesome community values which appeared to be as strong today as they may have been hundreds of years ago. Greek traditions in this family were proud and strong and their values were unwaivering. It was a very powerful message for all members of the Alphington Grammar group.

Prior to our departure from Melbourne, highly publicised riots and demonstrations were shown across the world media depicting Greece as a broken country with no purpose and future. This was a stark contrast from the Greece we visited only a couple of weeks after this negative spin.

Our tour group did not travel with rose coloured glasses! Rather, we moved through cities including Kalamata, Patra and Athens with genuine interest,

and viewed thousands of locals at work, in cafes and at the beach enjoying the Mediterranean Summer climate with their family and friends. Yes, the economy was under stress but Greek citizens are extremely resilient and their level of loyalty to Greece, and Hellenic traditions was very inspiring for our Australian - born group.

We had the opportunity to tour some breathtaking scenery in Greece.

From spectacular Porto Katsiki, Vasiliki and Agios Nikitas coastlines in Lefkada; lush vegetation near the historical site of Olympia; rugged mountains, monastaries and villages around Kalavrita; majestic countryside and lake in Ionnina; and the magnificent hills surrounding Athens and the prominence of the Parthenon standing prominently over the city. Our visit to the Acropolis Museum was certainly a highlight as the newly designed museum building is an architectural feat, second only to the impressive display of artefacts from the area. Only a personal visit to Greece can achieve these lasting impressions.

The students were extremely proud to communicate in Greek language

The twenty one students visited the Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands, Kalamata, Patra, Ionnina and Athens, in awe of the spectacular scenery, rich history and welcoming locals in the villages and surrounding cities. with locals as much as possible throughout the Bilingual Tour. This boosted their knowledge and gradually increased their confidence during the trip. They very quickly spoke to shop owners and transport providers in Greek and realised the importance of learning a second language to a high proficiency level. Students were encouraged to link their theoretical Greek knowledge gained in Melbourne with reality whilst viewing actual historical sites such as Olympia, Nafpaktos and the Acropolis, which reflected a truly global education at work.

Travel to most European centres for Australians is exciting. Exploring Greece with a focused group of twenty one students with a strong knowledge of Greek history, traditions and language was particularly special. Alphington Grammar School encourages students to explore their identity, value diversity and think globally as part of their key values.

Organising a Bilingual Tour of Greece offers a new world of exposure, enquiry and evaluation, which only a first hand experience in a country can provide. Hopefully this taste of contemporary and cultural Greece will expand their perspective of the world, increase their awareness of Hellenic influence across the globe and ultimately, develop closer bonds between Greece and Australia.

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g n i l l i F I S I A f Graduates okills Gaps in Industry S d Abroad. n a a i l a r t s u A “YOUR FUTURE. YOUR CHOICE. YOUR PRIORITY.” Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology (AUR30305) Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology (AUR30405) Certificate III in Business (BSB30107) Certificate III in General Construction (Carpentry - Framework/ Formwork/Finishing) (BCG30798) Certificate III in Low Rise Structural Framing (BCG31706) Certificate IV in Automotive Technology (AUR40205) Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) (BCG40106) Certificate IV in Business (BSB40207) Certificate IV in ESL (Further Study) (21502VIC) Diploma of Automotive Technology (AUR50205) Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (BCG50206) Diploma of Management(BSB51107)

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ΠΡΟΧΩΡΟΝΤΑΣ ΜΠΡΟΣΤΑ, ΜΕΛΕΤΩ, ΠΕΤΥΧΑΙΝΩ ΜΑΘΗΣΗ ΠΟΥ ΘΑ ΣΑΣ ΜΕΙΝΕΙ ΓΙΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ Μεγαλες ευκαιριες μαθησης και εργασιας

The Institute

Accreditation

The Australian Industrial Systems Institute (AISI), through its founders, has an established reputation for high quality Australian education provision in a number of discipline areas. The Australian Industrial Systems Institute (AISI) is a Registered Training Organisation,offering high quality education within Australian Quality Framework and international standards, in a wide range of discipline areas, to students from all over the globe.

As a progressive Australian institution, AISI offers unique educational and up-skilling opportunities to participating students through programmes as listed on the opposing page.

AISI has created an innovative environment for the training of its students in the areas of Business, Automotive Technology and Engineering, and Building and Construction. The AISI student body is made up of participants from many different backgrounds, with a new growth of participants now from Greece and Europe overall.

The main campus of AISI is located in Melbourne, Australia’s education capital. The Australian Industrial Systems Institute’s modern and well equipped facilities are purpose-built to accommodate the intensive industry skills - based training programs that the institute delivers to the highest standard. AISI is a well equipped, modern and highly progressive institution offering unique education and career opportunities to students of broad backgrounds. The main language of instruction in all programme areas is English.

Industry Education and Training – National and International Arena

Mission Statement AISI’s mission is to assist students to achieve their academic and career goals and in so doing play a responsible and fundamental role in global cooperation and interdependence of young professionals

Philosophy it fosters Given the Australian Industrial Systems Institute’s unique location within a multicultural nation,an international outlook is fostered in its overall development of young people of different cultures. AISI strives to enhance opportunities for education and career pathways of a globally competitive standard.

Director The CEO, Managing Director Ms Roula Tsiolas, has twenty years experience in the international education arena, with a portfolio of experience in formation operation and management of managerial/entrepreneurial companies, and in particular, registered training organisations. Her managerial and technical expertise, along with the capital brought to the institute, has allowed for her to set up and operate the company and business to the success it is today.

The Vice Principal, Mr Stelios Tsiolas, has over twenty years experience in education and training and is instrumental in the management of all pastoral care programs and consultation guidance sessions provided to students during their time at the Institute.

Staff All trainers/lecturers at the AISI are fully qualified and highly experienced in their field. With a special appreciation and understanding for international students, they present new systems of learning in a pleasant, professional and caring manner easily understood by all students, while concurrently making them feel comfortable.

Memberships, Affiliations and Articulation • Ho Chi Minh Vocational College of Technology, Vietnam • European University of Cyprus, Cyprus • Charles Darwin University, Australia • University of Tasmania, Australia • Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers, Australia • Central Queensland University, Australia • Society of Automotive Engineers, Australasia

AISI WELCOMES ITS NEWLY ARRIVED STUDENTS FROM GREECE!

P: +61 3 9671 4400 | M: +61 417144066 | F: +61 3 9671 44 40 Level 2, 213-215 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Kontea Pty Ltd Trading as Australian Industrial Systems Institute, ACN 123 724 336 Provider Number: 21916, CRICOS Number: 02838D

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KHEIRON’S CORNER

HEALTH

Snoring: more than just noise pollution

BY DR MICHAEL STUBBS

A

recent study undertaken in the United Kingdom showed that 78% of couples reported snoring as one of the major issues affecting their relationship. The noise is principally caused by the vibration of the tongue against the back of the throat, but can also occur because of the soft palate or back of the nose vibrating when we sleep. For many people this can be as loud as a motorbike or jet engine, resulting in many couples sleeping in different rooms or at opposite ends of the house in extreme cases.

In Australia, 40% of men and 20% of women are known to snore. The problem is always worse when sleeping on the back or if alcohol or some medications are taken at night before bed. We also know that 10% of snorers may also suffer from a condition called sleep apnoea. This is where the airway becomes blocked whilst breathing, resulting in disturbed sleep. Often the sufferer is unaware other than feeling as if they haven’t slept on awakening and tired during the day. One of the signs of sleep apnoea during sleep is the production of a choking or gasping sound while breathing, or the person stops breathing completely for up to 60 seconds before re-commencing.

For most couples, this means that not only is the person affected with sleep apnoea feeling tired and irritated during the day, but so is their partner, who is either disturbed by the snoring or who worries if their partner will continue to breathe.

Sleep apnoea has been shown to increase the risk of a heart attack by four times and a stroke by eight times in these patients. Apnoea can also result in increased blood pressure and more recent research has found a link between diabetes and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and sleep apnoea.

Fortunately there is a solution to this problem! In many cases, your doctor or dentist can assist by referring you first to a sleep doctor to have an overnight sleep test undertaken to properly assess how bad the problem is. In cases where it is simple snoring only, or even in situations where the patient may stop breathing less than 20 times an hour (what we call sleep apnoea) there are a number of very successful treatments available from your dentist to stop both problems. These devices are called sleep splints and there are several good designs available to choose which is best for you. One of the latest developments in these splints is available from The Dental Solution dental laboratory, called the Ortho-Apnoea device® and it has shown good results in keeping a patient’s airway open at night for a better sleep for everyone. Another commonly used device is the Somnomed sleep splint® and the Moses®, which is also showing excellent results.

If you recognise someone in your family or friends having either snoring problems or anytime tiredness issues, have a chat to your family dentist or doctor.

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SCAN FOR WEB CONTENT

The Benefactor Series

The Kaias Family OPA! Magazine pays homage to the individuals, families and organisations that have been instrumental in their support of the community, becoming an inspiration for future generations .

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The Benefactor Series

The Kaias Family

From small things big things grow. Bright-eyed sixteen-yearold Greg Kaias arrived in Melbourne in the early 1960s from Kozani in northern Greece and started up Preston General Engineering in 1971. From these humble beginnings has grown an industry leader in the fabrication and assembly of metal, aluminium and stainless steel parts.

Greg’s sons, James and John joined the business in the eighties and, working together, the company has continued to grow, taking it to another level.

“It’s all about honesty and integrity; it’s very important to be ethical and not too greedy,” explains Greg when we ask him the secret behind his enormous success. “It’s also important to give, not just to take. We need to look around us, to help, to do what we can, to help those in need, those less fortunate.”

“With the new board at the Greek Community, headed up by Bill Papastergiadis, I am confident that we will finally do some great things, leave behind a legacy. They are young and passionate, educated and full of new and exciting ideas which I feel I must support and encourage. If we don’t get behind the next generation and help them to grow, I feel we may slowly lose our Hellenism totally.”

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o much so that he has been able to become one of the main contributors to the proposed Cultural Centre that the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria are planning, contributing an amazing $250,000 in order to help get this project off the ground. A modest and friendly man, Greg simply takes it all in his stride and shrugs, “It isn’t that big a deal.” Oh Greg, it is a big deal, not just because of the huge amount of money, but also because of the vision, the passion and the inspiration you will pass on to others to follow in your footsteps.

Greg founded Preston General Engineering (PGE) in 1971 in the Melbourne suburb of Preston.

The company built a reputation for delivering quality products on time, so that it quickly became a key supplier to Kenworth, presently earning its reputation as an integral part of Kenworth’s success.

Greg built his business slowly and steadily through hard work and determination, never forgetting his Hellenic roots, working hard and ethically to create a business that has gone from strength to strength.

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“This Cultural Centre will be something great for us as a community, but also for later generations to be able to remember their past, their ancestors. It will also be a beacon to the rest of the world, to the Greeks in the diaspora anywhere, to show them just how alive and well the Hellenic heart and spirit is in Melbourne, Australia.”

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WORLD COUNCIL OF CRETANS

By Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis President, Pancretan Association of Melbourne THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CRETANS, otherwise known as Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο Κρητών, held its Annual General Meeting last month at the Cultural Centre in the City of Rethymnon in Crete.

It was attended by representatives of the member organisations, namely the Pancretan Federation of Europe, the Pancretan Association of America, the Panhellenic Federation of Cretan Organisations and the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand.

After delegate registration was completed the WCC President, Mr. George Aerakis, thanked everyone for attending and welcomed the delegates and wished for a wonderful and prosperous meeting for all. He then asked His Grace, Bishop of Rethymnon Eugenios and the Holy Clergy to conduct the blessing ceremony.

Following the blessing the following people greeted the delegates with their warm wishes for a successful Annual General Meeting : • His Emminence Archbishop of Crete IRINEOS • Member of European Parliament Mr. Giorgos Hatzimarkakis • Member of Parliament of Chania Ms. Litsa Kouroupakis • Member of Parliament of Iraklio Mrs. Maria Skrafnaki • The Governor of Rethymnon Prefecture Mr. Maria Lioni • The Mayors of Rethymnon Giorgos Marinakis and Chania Mr. Manolis Skoulakis • The SAE Europe President Mr. Dimitrios Amarantidis.

The delegates appointed the Honorary President of the WCC, Mr. Stavros Semanderes, to the position of Chairman for the AGM, with Mrs. Maria Stratoudakis in the position of Secretary / Minutetaker. The Chairman requested the outgoing President, Mr. George Aerakis, to come forward and present his report for the past three years, followed by the Treasurer, Mr. Giannis Epitropakis, who gave

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members a detailed account of the WCC’s financial status to date.

He was followed by the Chairman of the WCC Audit Committee, Mr. Ioannis Fyladakis, who in turn reassured representatives that the books were in sound order and there was no mismanagement.

The Presidents of the four member organisations then gave their reports, namely : • Mr. John Manos, President of the Pancretan Association of America • Mr. John Epitropakis , President of the Pancretan Federation of Europe • Mr. Christos Polentas, Vice President of the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand • Mr. Manolis Paterakis, President of the Panhellenic Federation of Cretan Organisations The chairman continued the Annual General Meeting with the conducting of Elections for the new WCC Board for the term 2011 – 2014. The two Federations that nominated for the WCC Executive were from Greece, with Mr. Manolis Paterakis, and from Australia, with Mr. Tony Tsourdalakis. Elections were held and the Australian candidate was successful, with twenty four out of thirty four votes. Elections for the remaining positions were also held.

The following Executive was elected: Tony Tsourdalakis, President ( Australia ), George Neonakis, Vice President ( New Zealand ), Manuel Starakis, Secretary ( Australia ), Maria Lagoudakis, Treasurer ( Australia ), Stavros Perdikis ( Belgium ), Xanthipi Gelasakis ( USA ), Alexandra Saridakis ( Luxembourg ), Ipokratis Beladakis ( USA ), Manolis Kougioumoutzis ( Germany ), Ted Manousakis ( USA ), Dimitris Giannadakis ( Germany ).

WE ARE INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH AND IN THE PROMOTION • The Scholarship will cover Year 10 to Years 12 inc.

OF THE MODERN GREEK LANGUAGE BY OFFERING THREE • The Student must have arrived from another Government educational institution.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THREE YEARS, TO THE VALUE OF $40,000 • The Student must complete his / her studies at the school. The In an effort to contribute actively and vigorously to the promotion of the Scholarship cannot be transferred.

Greek language in Australia, but especially in Melbourne, the Pancretan Association of Melbourne has decided to offer scholarships to the three The Pancretan Association of Melbourne hopes that with the introduction Greek bilingual Colleges. A scholarship has been offered to St. Johns of these Scholarships it will become a leading example in our Greek Greek Orthodox College in Preston, to St. Anargiri Greek Orthodox Australian Community, thus encouraging other Greek organisations to College in Oakleigh and to the Greek Community’s Alphington follow suit and also offer Scholarships.

Grammar school.

The Scholarships were presented at the Members Pavilion of the The Scholarships will commence in 2012 and end in 2015. At the Cretan Village in the presence of the School Principals, Community end of 2015 they will be reviewed.

Leaders, College Captains, Students and the Members of the Pancretan • The Student MUST be studying the Modern Greek Language Association of Melbourne.

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Dementia.

(THE “D� WORD)

By Anne Davey Regional Manager Fronditha Care

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eorge and Helen had been married for just on fifty years and were enjoying retirement. They were caring for grandchildren and able to have a holiday back in Greece every two or three years. George was fit and muscular, a legacy of his days spent working as a carpenter - builder, where he was proud of his position as head foreman of a well - reputed building company. At seventy two years of age he was still able to lift a chair into the air single - handedly, holding just one chair leg –quite a feat of strength and quite difficult to do. George had always been a quiet achiever, enjoying his own space, in particular his shed, vegetable garden and bets on the races. He was certain that he had cracked the code for winning; he was just waiting to perfect it! It was not at all obvious that changes were occurring with George; he was perhaps a bit quieter and less likely to leave the house to socialize. One day he accompanied his daughter Anna to the hardware store to purchase some timber for the bathroom that they were renovating. Anna was taken aback when they were trying to calculate what length of timber to buy; George suddenly had a temper outburst, something Anna had

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never before experienced with her normally loving and gentle father.

Anna was puzzled and upset and later that day mentioned what had happened to a friend who worked in aged care. The friend, suspecting that there might be some cognitive changes, asked Anna a few questions, such as what the father did during the day, and how his sleeping pattern was?

Anna realized that her father was not engaging in any conversations and in fact had routine answers and statements for conversation. For example the way he greeted people was almost always the same, using familiar phrases from a stockpile of statements. Anna recalled her mother saying that her father was not sleeping well at night, often getting out of bed and wandering around the house. The pattern of his wife answering for him was happening more and more of late. Anna then realized the outburst in the hardware store was possibly due to her father not being

able to calculate the timber length, something George had done easily all his working life.The friend advised Anna to speak with her mother and arrange an appointment for her father with their doctor. Later, following the visit to their doctor, it was found that George had dementia and it was quite advanced. George had insight enough to know that he was forgetting and he had been using a pattern of responses that largely masked the memory loss.

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing, yet one in four people over the age of eighty five have dementia. Dementia can happen to anyone, but it is more common after the age of 65. There are people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s who have been diagnosed with dementia. The population of Greek - speaking elderly people in Melbourne is increasing and it is recognized that often diagnosis of dementia of people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background can be made later than people born in Australia. Early diagnosis enables a person with dementia and their family to receive help in understanding and adjusting to the diagnosis and prepare for the future in an appropriate way. This might include making legal and financial arrangements, changes to living arrangements, and finding out about aids and services that will enhance the quality of life for the person with dementia and their family and friends. Early diagnosis can allow the individual to have an active role in decision - making and planning for the future, while families can educate themselves about the disease and learn effective ways of interaction with the person with dementia.

For further information contact Alzheimer’s Australia 1800 100 500

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The first Australian Hellenic Golf Open (AHGO) was held at Kingston Links, Melbourne, in 2004. This event was organised by the Aegean Golf Club to bring together Greek - Australian golfers for a unique golf tournament. The outstanding success of the event presented an opportunity to harness this potential into an annual event. For such an undertaking it was clear that the support of other Greek golf clubs was required.

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HE AEGEAN GOLF CLUB approached other Greek social golf clubs with the aim of setting up a Federation of Greek Social Golf Clubs to both administer the annual Tournament and investigate the potential for such a Federation to utilise golf as a means of advancing broader aims and activities.

In 2005 the Australian Hellenic Golf Federation (AHGF) was incorporated with the Aegean Golf club and Golden Olives Golf Club (Melbourne) as the founding constituent clubs. Since 2005 a number of other clubs have joined the AHGF as constituent clubs, namely: Greek Gentlemens Club (Melb);Pin High Golf Club (Adelaide); AHEPA Golf Club (Sydney) and Double Eagles Golf Club (Melb).

As well as the six constituent clubs, the AHGF currently has over 100 individual members from across Australia – Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth - made up from members of the constituent clubs and individual members.

The AHGF is an Incorporated Association administered by a Committee which is elected biennially from delegates of the Constituent Clubs.

Whilst the AHGF spends a great deal of time administering the annual AHGO, it has broader aims which can be summarised as follows:

support and promotion of the health, cultural and sporting development of the Hellenic Community in Australia (AHGF has raised over $25k for nominated charities).

• To foster relationships between Greek Golf clubs throughout Australia.

• To participate in the annual Greek Hellenic Open in Greece.

• In addition, and as part of the furtherance of the aims of the AHGF, the AHGF has: • Initiated and contributed to the conducting of the annual Greeks Abroad Tournament held in Greece between 2005 – 2009. The years 2010 & 2011 have seen the development of the Omogeneia Tournament, which the AHGF has supported and organised along with the Glyfada Golf Club (Athens).

• Conducted junior golf clinics, with the support of the Bank Of Cyprus, at a number of Greek Australian schools.

The AHGO has been held seven times and is always fully subscribed, with participants from all over the country, and Greece on several occasions.

NIKE TROPHY

The AHGO champion is presented with the perpetual Nike trophy. The trophy, sculpted by Michael Meszaros, is based on the “Winged Victory” statue of the Goddess Nike by Paianios. The bronze Nike is portrayed walking through Pentelic marble to victory. The marble was donated by the Glyfada Golf Club in Athens and stands on Tasmanian Blackwood to symbolise the bonds between Greece and Australia.

This year will see the AHGO move to Kooindah Waters Golf Club, Wyong NSW on October 29th and 30th 2011. It is the first time that the AHGO will be played outside Melbourne and the AHGF is excited to be providing an opportunity for the NSW Hellenic Golf community to experience the event in their home state.

Further details about the AHGF and on the 2011 AHGO, including registration, can be found on our website www.ahgf.com.au.

• To promote and develope the game of golf within the Hellenic The AHGF continues to evolve and grow. Its ongoing advancement Community of Australia.

• To use golf as a vehicle to foster and strengthen cultural and sporting and success is reliant on the strength and unity of its constituent clubs, links with Greece. members and sponsors. The AHGF can be contacted via email on • To raise funds for a nominated charity or organisation involved in the golf@ahgf.com.au.

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Words: Steve Agi

Growing up Greek

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he Demetriou brothers are well known around the state and around the country for their tireless work and passionate stance with regards to a fair go and multiculturalism, especially in sport. It comes as no surprise that they credit much of this to a strong family upbringing and a Hellenic spirit, growing up as they did in the 60s and 70s in Melbourne’s tough northern suburbs. They credit family life with deep values and love of their Hellenic heritage (as well as a fondness for mum’s cooking!) for getting them through those early, dark days of racism and vilification.

do all she could for those less fortunate, the underpriviledged, even with four young children and during a time when it was tough just to put bread on the table. She didn’t care, she felt it was her duty and that is something that has remained with us all to this day.”

Watching the four brothers Demetriou sitting around the table, laughing, joking, enjoying one another’s company, it’s not hard to see that these brothers are very close, there are strong family bonds that tie them together. It’s quite deep and spiritual to think that, after all these years, there’s still a strong connection between them and their respective families.

“It was tough, unforgiving, cruel, even scary,” recall James and second eldest George. “Growing up in those days it was a challenge just to avoid getting beaten up each day at school. Think about a school with over 900 kids and only twenty or so ‘wogs’: lunchtime and recess were all about survival; hiding, running, avoiding the gangs who were out to get us. But we survived, and were all the stronger for it.”

“It’s a credit to mum and dad,” begins eldest brother James, “ they worked hard seven days a week in our family fish and chip shop in Pascoe Vale to give us a life they dreamed of. They wanted the best for their kids and instilled in us a deep respect not only for ourselves and our heritage, but also for others.”

“It got easier,” explains the youngest and arguably the most famous of the four siblings, Andrew, CEO of the AFL. “By the time I made it through the ranks, approximately six years after James, the Coburg High School we went to had become a melting pot of ethnic groups, who were now no longer the minority - the scales were more balanced, the pendulum had swung.”

“Mum was so selfless, a real saint,” interjects Phiv, the second youngest brother. “She would give, give, give, and although we used to question her then, we all understand it now. In the true Hellenic spirit she would

It’s great to watch all the brothers together: they are so animated, boisterous, with their hand gestures and passionate with their words; every piece of information which comes from their lips is clearly from the heart and not just a flippant comment.

It was now the late 1960s and the brothers Demetriou had come out of the experience all the better. “Stronger, prouder, more determined

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next generation and beyond, a love for our culture and heritage, a deep respect for our Hellenic roots and history. They taught us respect, the value of a close family and social justice. They taught us how to give and I hope we have made them proud, because we owe them so much.”

Growing up Greek in those days was tough; it was not the norm to be going to dances and ethnic cinema with your parents, attending after “We found that sport was part of the solution to being accepted. Not hours Greek School and going to church on Sunday mornings, but the that we ever felt ashamed or embarrassed about who we were or where we came from. But sport allowed us to integrate and be treated as equals parents persisted and the brothers endured. above and beyond any other social activity,” says Phiv.

“Mum and dad often had to bribe us with the promise of hamburgers, which we all loved, to do these tedious activities,” remembers Andrew, “The fact that our entrepreneurial father used to take lunch orders out smiling. “Mum was such a good cook, all she had to do was promise to of the boot of his car at the local school, pre - canteen and tuck shop make kourambiedes or pastichio , our favourite foods, and we would do days, and supply all the kids with ‘minimum chips’ and potato cakes at lunchtime, also helped raise our ‘cool’ status,” smiles Andrew, obviously whatever she wanted!” proud of his parents and all they achieved after arriving here in the All these years later the brothers still have a strong connection with early 50s with nothing to call their own, only a dream and a hope that their heritage and their Hellenic roots, travelling to Greece and their they would build something better than they had back home, for their homeland Cyprus often, and instilling in their own children a deep as yet unborn children. rooted love for and appreciation of everything Greek.

“Mum and dad, like all the immigrants that came out here, were true It was an honour to catch up with the brothers at Colombo’s Restaurant heroes, brave and strong,” explains George. “We were all born here in Balwyn, to enjoy their company and to get a bit of an in - depth look, so no matter how hard life may seem we are still at home, so to speak. not just at how hard it was, but also how rewarding it has been for these They were strangers in a strange land; they didn’t understand the four brothers from Pascoe Vale who have come out of the back of the language, the culture, the people, but they soldiered on and made a fish and chip shop that they grew up in to become leaders, pioneers and difference. I don’t just mean achieving material wealth - they accomrole models and an inspiration to their peers and future generations. plished so much more. They instilled in us and through us, into the to work hard not to allow such prejudices and racial vilification to continue in this wonderful, multicultural nation,” explains James, who himself is the chairman of the multicultural, not for profit, organisation, Sports without Borders.

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hen most people think of money, they feel a negative vibration – they think fearfully of debt, and what they owe, and how the money just seems to slip through their fingers. Think about how you regard the visit to the letterbox, with the fear of receiving bills in the mail. What are your real feelings at this stage? Where are you with regards to money? Are you the servant or the master?

The majority of my global clients seeking financial freedom are ‘baby boomers’, the post-war age group who were born between 1945 and 1965.

In those years, following World War Two, the countries of the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia experienced an unusual spike in birth rates, a phenomenon commonly known as the ‘baby boom’. If they were only exposed to the Mind and Wealth Prosperity concepts and distinctions of my education as teenagers, their lives could have turned out differently. Life for some is a misery of linking more pain to money than pleasure. They wish somebody had taken them aside and blessed them with some form of fiscal education. Baby boomers globally were sold the dream of going to school, volunteering to go out into the world, acquiring a job that they did not particularly like and work really hard for forty years. The instructions were to work Monday to Friday, maybe Saturday to pay bills and taxes. Then at age sixty-five they would retire. Within a few years whilst struggling to service their lifestyle, they would exit this world and fertilize daffodils.

Any individuals struggling through life in miserable jobs have digested

the program of the system to the point where it encompasses their being.

In today’s modern age we have a new phenomenon, ‘terra incognita’, a Latin phrase used to describe unknown land. Those employed in a job are in unknown territory and in a dire unpredictable predicament. Job insecurity will be standard protocol. Job insecurity is now officially one month’s notice if you are paid monthly, and one week’s notice if you are paid weekly. Can they turn their lives around? Yes, they can. Any life can be turned around. Firstly, it takes massive action. You must also raise your level of awareness and understand that the only difference between living in a rut and in a grave is the dimensions. In terms of financial freedom, it’s never too late – or too early. A few years ago, I had a client come to me who was ninety-five years of age. I thought, wow, a paradigm pioneer at that age.

My youngest client thus far has been a young child from Singapore who was fiscally educated by me when she was nine. It’s never too late or too early for anyone to embrace positive change and empowerment. I am simply the pilot in their transformation. I encourage clients to search for ways they can serve other people. This will ensure they lead a fulfilling life by becoming an outstanding example for others to follow. A relationship with money is imperative. One of the formative lessons I provide to young teenagers is a philosophy I adopted with great success. My wallet philosophy consists of keeping notes only and discarding coins. This means that I refuse to pocket small change of whatever denomination. Collecting change from any transaction, be it a restaurant, retailer or supermarket will only energize emotions of scarcity in later life. If you remove yourself from collecting the small change and focusing on the larger notes, you will integrate a higher consciousness of prosperity. Put back the small change into circulation and do not accept it.

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Insuring for a secure future For most people, the journey of life comes with its fair share of ups and downs.

Unfortunately, things happen in our lives that are out of our control. It’s not a nice thought, but what if you or your partner passed away or suffered a serious illness or injury and was unable to work? Suddenly your world can turn upside down and your financial security placed in jeopardy if you do not have the ability to repay debts and look after your family.

Surprisingly, personal insurance is still one of the most neglected aspects of the average person’s financial planning. While many Australians don’t think twice about insuring their car, home and contents, their most valuable asset is often overlooked. That’s right ... you!

Consider this: A 40-year-old earning $40,000 per year (increasing at 5 per cent per year) will earn $1,909,000 in total by the time they reach 65. This makes your ability to earn an income and provide for yourself and your family a valuable asset worth protecting.

There are a few different types of insurance worth considering in order to protect you and your family.

Income Protection Protecting your income means protecting your lifestyle. Income Protection usually pays a monthly benefit of up to 75 per cent of your regular income if you are too sick or injured to work.

This type of insurance – which is even more important for self-employed people – is designed to help you continue paying the mortgage, children’s school fees, phone and utility bills, running your car, buying food and clothes and basically covering your day-to-day living expenses.

Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) TPD cover provides a lump sum payment if you are totally and permanently disabled. This cover can help you pay for medical expenses, repay major debts and help provide for your future.

Trauma Cover Trauma cover provides a lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a specified “trauma” condition. The types of conditions that trauma insurance will cover you for include heart attack, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, a major organ transplant, severe burns, cancers, dementia, stroke or paralysis.

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Trauma cover is designed to help cover your increased medical costs and living expenses, providing you with some financial security during the important recovery process even after you have returned to work.

Death Cover Death cover offers you the security that, should the unthinkable happen, at least your family won’t have to worry about money.

Death cover works by making a lump sum payment to your family if you die. Some death cover will also offer an option of receiving the funds if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness.

It’s important for people of all ages, especially if you have others relying on you financially or you have large debts such as a mortgage.

There are many different insurance options available, so it’s important to speak with a qualified financial planner to ensure you get the right insurance solution for your specific needs. Even if you already have insurance, it’s important to review your policies to make sure that the cover meets your current needs and that you are not paying too much.

Death and TPD cover can often be built into your superannuation, which can be a simple and effective option, especially if cash flow is an issue..

Information current as at May 2011. This article contains general information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the appropriateness of the information in light of your personal circumstances. If you decide to purchase or vary a financial product, your financial planner, our practice, AMP Financial Planning and other companies within the AMP Group will receive fees and other benefits, which will be a percentage of the premium you pay and/or the advice fee you agree with us. Some of the information in this article is based on our interpretation of the law.

It is a summary of the subject matter covered and is not intended to be comprehensive financial advice.

No reader should act on the basis of this article without obtaining specific professional advice. Further details are available from your planner or AMP Financial Planning Pty Limited, telephone 1300 157 173.

             •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •       

 

    

   83 

“You bag – pa-ba-seof?” I was baffled. Something about my bag and patting myself? No, that couldn’t be it.

“You pa-ba-seof?” said the Thai Customs official as I handed over my passport. “I beg your pardon?” I had no idea what she had just said. “You pa-ba-seof?” she asked again. I squinted as if I were hard of hearing.

“Pa-ba-seof!” Now she was getting stroppy, and I was becoming sweaty.

What could she possibly be asking me? I went over the syllables in my mind … pa / ba / seof … Nope, I wasn’t getting it.

“I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand?” I replied, as politely as I possibly could. She rolled her eyes, and her little Asian nostrils seemed to expand to a degree I wouldn’t have previously thought possible. Flipping through the pages of my passport, she decided to add more details in an attempt to make me understand. “You bag – pa-ba-seof?” I was baffled. Something about my bag and patting myself? No, that couldn’t be it.

As the beads of sweat gathered on my brow, I watched as my friends left the Customs queue one by one, smiling as they went to the luggage carousel. Not me. I was still stranded with the Asian version of Eva Braun.

Realizing she was getting nowhere with me, Eva (well, that’s what she is now affectionately called) summoned her colleague in Thai, laughing a little whilst pointing to me. Relieved that she seemed to have relaxed her temper, I gave a little giggle too. The moment I did so, her top lip disappeared and she shot me a stern frown that put me right back in my place.

Eva spoke in Thai to her pint-sized colleague, and made yet another attempt. “Pa-ba-seof, you bag?” “Yeah,” I thought, “swapping the order of the syllables is really going to help.” In a surprisingly clear British accent her colleague translated “Your bag, did you pack by yourself?”

In an instant, I was delighted that I could understand. In the next, I had flashbacks of the movie Bangkok Hilton. Why was she asking about my bag? I quickly thought back. “Yes,” I declared, wondering if I should have confessed that my sister had stashed a few condoms in the suitcase before final lockdown. Did that count for not having packed my bag entirely by myself? I decided to say nothing. Thankfully, Eva was satisfied with my answer, stamped my passport and welcomed me with the traditional Thai greeting “Sawadika”.

I always inform my clients that the question of whether they have packed their bags themselves is likely to be asked at airports. Of course it is a common question, especially when checking in for a flight. The answer ensures that the passenger takes full responsibility for everything and anything that is in his or her luggage.

Not quite sure what to expect of the remainder of our short time in Bangkok, we took the express train which runs from within the airport directly into town. We were staying at the Pullman King Power Hotel in the centre of town.

Bangkok is fantastic because it is so chaotic 24/7. Like most cities in Asia, people are practically living on top of each other, and the pollution in the city centre would make Julia Gillard’s carbon offset tax a blessing! But that’s what is so great about it. It is manic. It is frantic. It is insanely busy.

You cannot walk anywhere without having your personal space invaded.

As for shopping, if you want a great, multi-level department store that sells everything from electric gadgets to expensive and not-so-expensive European shoes, MBK is the only place to be. If you think Chadstone is huge, you really have seen nothing until you get to MBK. And, it’s not just a tourist trap. This place attracts the locals as much as it attracts the tourists. One of the greatest things about MBK is that the prices are the same, whether you are a local or a foreigner.

With the strength of our Aussie dollar, you are way ahead financially, as one Aussie dollar buys around thirty one Thai baht. You can purchase a SIM card for your phone and make calls back home to Australia for around 6 cents per minute. As for genuine designer clothing … let’s face it, they’re all made in the sweatshops of Asia. So, yes, you can pick them up for the equivalent of around AU$80 - 120 per garment.

Shopping is why we all go to the big Asian cities, and Bangkok fits the bill like no other. The night markets are not only a must, they are an institution. Patpong Night Market is where it’s all happening, and no visit to Bangkok is complete without it. Imitation YSL handbags can be purchased for around $20. Gents can pick up a ”genuine imitation” Calvin Klein belt and buckle for about $12, and even less for the fake Pierre Cardin wallets.

Bartering is essential in Thailand. So, whenever you’re about to spend, remember it is almost expected that you have some fun with the locals, negotiating a price. On this issue, let me get serious for a moment … when you are bartering, no matter which country you are in, take note of your surroundings: more likely than not, you will notice you are in an impoverished country, bartering with people who struggle to put a meal on their family’s table. Enjoy the bartering by all means, play with the locals. But please, maintain respect for them as well. Remember, they are making a living, and they work far longer hours for far less pay than you or I ever would. Do not barter them out of a living. Barter them into a living. Use the barter not as a means to take away their profit and their livelihood, but rather as a means of enjoying being a part of the culture.

Know when to stop. Remember, 100 Thai Baht is the equivalent of about $3. Play fair. Respect the locals.

Touchdown Tours have packages to Thailand starting from just $1,338 per person including return airfares flying with Thai Airways, 4 nights accommodation in a 4* hotel, buffet breakfast daily, and a Grand Palace Tour. As always, conditions do apply. Until next month, Sawadika!

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Lesvos:

the island that makes you forget about the beach and focus on the architecture...

Lesvos (λέσβος) is a greek island located in the north-eastern aegean sea. It has an area of 1632 km² with 320 kms of coastline, making it the third largest greek island and the largest of the numerous greek islands scattered in the aegean. It is very close to turkey, separated only by the narrow mytilini straits. The population is approximately 90,000, with a third living in the capital, mytilene, in the south-eastern part of the island. The remaining population is distributed in small towns and villages, the largest of which are: kalloni, the gera villages, plomari, agiassos, eresos, and molyvos (the ancient mythymna).

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ou can see it immediately upon arrival : this island has an amazing architectural style, quite different from all the other islands in the Aegean Sea. From the mansions in Mytilene to the picturesque villages of stone houses with colourful windows and doors, and the many soap and olive factories scattered around the island, the unique style of most churches and monasteries and exquisite school buildings awakens your architectural sense. It gets you to slow down and explore as many places as possible in order to take in its beauty and go tell others…

“How come you never told me that you come from such an outstanding place?” I ask a good friend of mine who comes from Lesvos. “Well, I suppose it’s because you wouldn’t believe me if you didn’t see for yourself; you would probably say that I ‘m just bragging about my birthplace,” he points out, leaving me speechless. He has got a point though.

A natural beauty, an extended coastline of sand and pebble beaches along with secluded coves, olive groves, pines, chestnuts and oaks amongst other tree varieties, and mountainous surface with the two major peaks of Lepetymnos and Olympus, reaching almost 1.000m, set the scenery.

Lesvos is the third biggest Greek island (after Crete and Evoia); consider that you will need at least a week here in order to get a good feeling of the whole island. Many of the villages have a “double” face: the main settlement, and its port (e.g. Skamia and Skalia Skamias, Kalloni and Skala Kallonis and so on). It’s not a mass tourism destination and perhaps that is the reason the island has kept such an unspoilt character. Because of its size, deciding where to stay can be tricky. If you want to visit most parts, maybe the best solution is to stay somewhere in the middle (e.g.

Skala Kallonis), so that every place will be reachable within a day.

WORTH VISITING  Agiasos, Plomari, Petra, Skala Kallonis, Filia, Eresos, Sigri  Vrana Olive-Press Museum of the Archipelagos Company, Papados (http://vranasmuseum.gr)  Natural History Museum of the Petrified forest of Lesvos , Sigri (www.lesvosmuseum.gr )  Barbayannis Ouzo Museum, Plomari (www.barbayanni-ouzo.com )  Theofilos Museum, Varia, Mytilene (+30 22510 41644)

“I truly believe that this time, you will let the beach wait for you patiently…”

Mytilene

If you come by plane (the easiest way considering that the ferry takes at least 9 hours to reach the island) you will reach the town of Mytilene, passing by the district of Sourada, which used to be a resort of the upper classes and has now become part of the town, showcasing many impressive mansions with beautiful gardens and enviable views over the sea. Just like an impressionist painting, Mytilene will enchant you from the moment you arrive. Built in the form of an amphitheatre on seven hills on the east side of the island and only a few miles off the Asia Minor coast, it is the capital of Lesvos. It has about 30,000 inhabitants and some of its most important attractions are the castle, the ancient theatre, the Church of St. Therapontas with its impressive dome, and the bronze Statue of Liberty, a copy of the equivalent statue in the harbor of New York.

Bear in mind that you will need at least one or two days to get the feeling of the town, to stroll around its various neighborhoods, and spend time in Ermou St. with its antique shops and unique atmosphere; in Ermou St. you will also find the mansion of Chalim Bei, which

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now houses the Municipal Gallery. The gallery has a very important collection of paintings, which were donated to the city by art critic George Simos - Petris and his sister Ellie Simos. Today the Petris collection consists of 138 paintings, rare prints, books and engravings.

Stop by the shop “Buy Lesvos” on the east side of the port, which opened about a year ago and offers excellent local products from Lesvos, Chios and Lemnos such as Ouzo, sardines, Extra Virgin olive oil, wine, soaps and much more. Enjoy a coffee at the historic “To Panellinion” at the waterfront and taste delicious ice-cream and sweets from “Maskotitsa” or “Flokaki” patisserie.

Madamados

Going north-east you will find Madamados, a village well-hidden from the early pirates and built with stone and tiles. Madamados is wellknown for its ceramics and its livestock and dairy products, but also for the monastery of Taxiarchis (Archangel) which lies a little outside the village and is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations of the island. Taxiarchis is known as one of the patron saints of Lesvos and

many children around the island are named after him(Taxiarchis for male and Taxiarchoula for female).

Sykamnia – Skala Sykamnias

which raised it to fame. Sitting in one of the many tavernas and coffee shops just by the seafront is the best way to absorb the atmosphere and tranquility of this place.

A little bit further along you find Sykaminia (locals call it Sykamnia), a village with lush vegetation built on Mount Lepetymnos, with an amazing view over the Aegean Sea. The settlement preserves its character extraordinarily well and has been declared a traditional village. Walking around its cobblestone streets, you get carried away by the amazing mansions and the nineteenth century inscriptions.

Sykamnia is the birthplace of the prose writer Stratis Murivilis and his family house has been transformed into a museum where you can see some of his personal belongings.

Molivos

Only five minutes away, the seaport of the settlement, Skala Sykamnias -a small fishing village-draws the attention of the visitor, with its small church of “Panagia I Gorgona” (the mermaid Madonna) dominating the port. Built on a rock in the entrance to the small port, the church has been the inspiration for Stratis Murivilis’ novel “Panagia I Gorgona,”

Don’t forget: whichever part of Lesvos you visit, there is always a beach nearby where you can enjoy the sun and sea for which the Greek islands are famous . But I truly believe that this time, you will let the beach wait for you patiently…

Going west from Sukamnia you can visit Molivos or Mithimna, one of the most picturesque and popular places on Lesvos and at the same time one of most beautiful medieval villages in Greece. Built on a hillside with its imposing castle on top, at first sight it takes your breath away Take a stroll and lose yourself in the uphill,narrow roads between the stone-tiled houses and exclusive mansions, meet the locals and feel the unique aura.

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2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT

BY CHRIS BINOS Vehicle Type: 4 door hatch/sedan

Maximum Torque: 156Nm @ 4200rpm

Price: (Approx) $16,990-$22,990

Width: 1699mm (Hatch) 1699 (Sedan)

Configuration: Transverse front-mounted driving front wheels

Length: 4114mm (Hatch) 4370 (Sedan)

Engine: 1.6-litres (1,591cc) Four (4) in-line

Height: 1450mm (Hatch) 1450 (Sedan)

Transmission: 5 manual or four-speed automatic gearbox with

Weight: 1132kg (Hatch) 1190 (Sedan)

sequential manual mode

0-100 KPH(Secs): 10.5 (M) 11.5 (A)

Maximum Power: 91kW @ 6300rpm

Top Speed(KPH): 185 (M) 190 (A)

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SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS

YUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY AUSTRALIA has added another exciting model to its range - the all - new Accent hatch and sedan, further demonstrating Hyundai’s ‘New Thinking. New Possibilities.’ philosophy.

The all-new Accent hatch and sedan are positioned in the light car genre, offering modern design, surprising interior space and an abundance of comfort and safety features while maintaining the delivery of advanced technology, fuel efficiency and performance.

Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) Six airbags standard across range Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Full iPod®/USB connectivity Bluetooth® hands-free phone system Rear view camera, reverse park assist and electro chromatic mirror available on Accent Premium variants

KEY FEATURES OF THE ALL-NEW ACCENT “Fluidic Sculpture” design language Spacious interior design for a light segment car Segment first introduction of Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) Australian - tuned suspension and steering 1.6-litre ‘Gamma’ petrol engine. Five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission with electronic sequential mode Fuel economy from 6.0L/100kms^ (manual transmission) 5-star ANCAP safety rating Standard safety features; Vehicle Stability Management (VSM); Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Traction Control System (TCS); Anti-skid

Following the ix35 compact SUV, i45 mid-sized sedan and recently launched Elantra compact sedan, Accent is the fourth Hyundai car to join the Australian line-up, showcasing the company’s signature “Fluidic Sculpture” design language. Designed at Hyundai’s Namyang R&D Centre in Korea, the exterior lines project a futuristic, dynamic and sleek stance, making Accent striking and distinctive at first glance.

The Accent hatch and sedan are powered by a 1.6-litre Gamma petrol engine. The all-aluminium four - cylinder engine delivers a peak power output of 91kW @ 6300rpm, and peak torque of 156Nm @ 4200rpm.

NEW ACCENT IS LIKE ITS DRIVER - CLEARLY ON THE MOVE. 91

ODIGOS

READER’S CAR

CAR > 2000 NISSAN S15 SILVIA, SPEC R NAME > JENGIZ AGE > 21

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i readers of OPA! Magazine, my name’s Jengiz. Apparently this is supposed to be a write - up about my car - and not me.

Although I’d love to talk about myself, that’s not why you flicked to the last few pages, so let’s get to it.

Well, for starters ... it’s pearl orange ... model Nissan S15 Silvia, Spec R, imported I guess you could say it’s my “one and only”, my baby, my pride and joy etc - the typical love story between a man and his machine.

Sure I’ve had some troubles here and there and some uphill battles along the way, but it all becomes worth it when people drop their jaw, snap their neck and stare like there’s a parade of nude Brazilian chicks walking by!

It’s got quite an aggressive stance, sitting on a set of 9.5inch wide rims, a vertex body kit, and some sick looking dual trumpet exhaust tips!

The interior is pretty much clean and untouched, with a two way sunroof; rare JDM - optioned orange/black seats, and a nice sound system to complement the simplicity of the cabin.

She was bruised, beaten to a pulp, and looked like she could use a break.

I managed to convince the previous owner to hire a trailer, tow my new car to Melbourne and give me a lift along the way. I’m assuming he turned around and went back home after that.. I mean... hiring trailers for more than a day isn’t cheap, you know! it’s a 2000 At first I was a bit sceptical. Orange paint, big wheels... attractive sound - and I from Japan. don’t mean “girls take your tops off” kind of attractive, I mean the WRONG sort of attention from the boys in blue. Now to be quite honest - I have only ever had one accident with the car and that was when my friend was driving like a school kid playing with his Tonka truck!

The car’s been quite faithful to me and I’d like to think I’m just as faithful back. Most days I just want to cruise, show off my ride, make people stare - other days I just want to give it to her really, really hard. Now if she were my wife I’m certain I’d have a divorce on my hands! I just can’t help myself, with such stiff handling, raw, responsive, sharp and aggressive power at your feet, it really does bring out that inner beast.

Most people compliment when they can, even if it’s not necessary - but you do get the odd non - appreciative knob who feels the need to try and put you down. But at the end of the day I don’t blame him for driving a stock standard VS Commodore. They say you can tell a lot about a man (or nothing at all) from the type of car he drives.

The motor?.. well, nothing standard there: a high - flow T28 breathing out a 3inch stainless steel exhaust, tuned using a PowerFC computer running on 16 pound boost, with upgraded injectors, intercooler, air box, Well ,they are damned straight with me. I’m a blunt, out there, in YOUR FACE! airflow meter, fuel pump and some green liquid I put into the radiator. kind of guy and just like the impression my car leaves on passers by; I too would I purchased the car from South Australia - and boy, did it need some TLC. like to think that I am a unique individual who lives life like he doesn’t give a damn!

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Meeting ing its Annual General n Students will be hold Union of Greek Australia place of NUGAS itself! birth the – Perth This year the National than better place to hold it (AGM) in August, and what to the in Australia date back student organisations Club both formed in on our history, Greek d spee ourne University Greek Melb To bring you up to the and Phi lon y's Sigma Epsi 1950s. Sydney Universit Australia was on the rise. rn of Greek migration to the 1950s, when the patte led to the first nationa the states in the late 60's ch, the Greek the clubs on campus and issues such as the Chur and variou ssed Communications between discu ts cipan May 1970. Parti Greek-Australians gathering in Sydney in Service in Greece for ry Milita , ralism icultu Mult Language, Education, s. economic and social issue , the National Unio ents held in Perth in 1976 SA n of Greek-Australian stud entio ative bodies of NSW, WA, Conv nal At the 7th Natio ed. The four represent form was AS) (NUG ents nal body. natio the of ture of Greek-Australian Stud struc s formulated the aims and and Victoria and the Club ident I am very proud as Pres was held in Perth, and dship and promotion since a National event s year 4 of fun, education, frien end It has been over week a Alum for our us of e the West host up with som , we also hope to catch have our dear friends in to. Their stori While in Western Australia know what we are up to want our heritage and culture. ys alwa and touch with us who regularly keep in g I will never tire of. e in NUGAS is somethin involvement and experienc forward to working wit t enjoyable, and I look mos e been ident of NUGAS has m and passion. For thos The past year as Pres more ideas, enthusias even find all bring to able be rg.au – where you will as.o .nug www new Committee who will – ite se head to our webs want to know more, plea may have. for any query or idea you information and contacts Lex Georgiou President k Australian Students National Union of Gree

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The story of the RMIT United Society of Hellenes can be likened to the Greek mythological bird, the phoenix.

When the bird dies, it sets itself aflame and from the ashes, a new phoenix is born. It is a symbol of rebirth, resurrection and renewal. Just like the phoenix, the RMIT United Society of Hellenes, or RUSH, has been reborn.

RUSH has been part of the University’s and the NUGAS community for decades. It has experienced a series of peaks and troughs: now it is finally set to grow again. Beginning with three committee members in late 2010, the small team worked tirelessly early in the year to organise an eye-catching stall during O-Week. With music, costumes and a sense of optimism, the trio managed an unprecedented number of membership sign-ups. It was quickly realised that to gain interest, we must show interest!

As quickly as Semester One began, the committee decided to organise a Souvlaki Day on campus in early March. Being their first official event for 2011, the team wanted to ensure the souvlakia were tasty, the music was pumping and the skies pleasant. Given their recent luck, the souvlakia were sold over two days, thanks to not so pleasant weather. Nevertheless, the team signed up even more members and it was pleasing to see so many Greeks at RMIT coming together and enjoying the food etc.

Since a committee of just three members can be hard work, it was decided an annual General Meeting was needed. It was fantastic to see such positive responses from the RMIT student community. These responses directly translated into an impressive five additional members joining the committee, all first year students. Given this exciting response from the newest of university students we can safely say that with the extra hands and minds, RUSH is set on producing bigger and better events soon.

In fact, they have already organised their first major event for 2011. As the 24th of June marked the final day of exams for RMIT students, what better way to celebrate than with an end-of-semester party, tavern night style?!

Held at the reputable tavern, ALPHA Ouzeri, it provided a chance to let our hair down after some stressful weeks. With music, food and dance, the party did not end at midnight, as they all headed down to Kinisi to continue the celebrations well into the wee hours of the morning.

Apart from parties, RUSH is looking into other programs that promote Greek culture and society. Only recently it was discovered that RMIT University offers a whopping ten Greek language courses at undergraduate level. With four for Beginners, four for Intermediates and two for Advanced Level, students are blessed to have such a rich and well - grounded Greek language program at the University. There are hopes to develop closer connections with the Language Department and in the future, to see RUSH supporting and promoting the Greek program amongst the wider community, so that it remains an ideal elective for years to come.

On a grander scale it is worth noting RUSH’s close affiliation with NUGAS. With three representatives from RUSH, the ideas of Greek RMIT students will be heard on a state level. They will continue to preserve their close relationship to NUGAS, as it provides RMIT students with direct communication to other Greek student unions across different Victorian universities. This will allow them to organise and advertise even larger events and programs for all Greek university students across the state.

With plenty of future events already on the horizon and an eager committee, RUSH is set on becoming the proud, passionate and powerful Greek society it truly deserves to be.

Like the phoenix rising from the ashes; so is RUSH!

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Photos courtesy of Alumbra More photos available from www.facebook.com/alumbra.melbourne

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PROVERB OF THE MONTH: “Τον καβαλλάρη μην τον λυπάσαι που κρέμονται τα ποδάρια του.”

Translation - “Don’t feel pity for the rider’s hanging legs.”

Meaning - The implication being that at least he has a horse, whilst you don’t.

WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS: IT’S (ALL) GREEK TO ME: An expression that is incomprehensible due to complexity or imprecision, generally with respect to verbal expressions with excessive jargon of dialect, mathematics, or science.

PARDON ME,YOUR GREEKROOTS ARE SHOWING: The word “tragedy” is Greek for “goatsong” because early Greek tragedies honored Dionysus, the god of wine, and the players wore goatskins. Tragedies were noble stories of gods, kings, and heroes. Comedy or “revel,” on the other hand, were about lower-class characters and their antics.

The true size of the Earth was known seventeen and a half centuries before it was first circumnavigated. In 230 B.C., the Greek philosopher Eratosthenes worked out its circumference of 25,000 miles by studying shadows cast by the sun in both Alexandria and Syene on the day of the Summer Solstice.

MACEDONIA / ALEXANDER THE GREAT In 335 BC, Alexander the Great had a meeting with three Celtic envoys in Macedonia. Knowing the Celts’ valour, Alexander asked what the Celts feared above all else. “The sky may fall on our heads,” was their reply. “Boastful chaps,” muttered Alexander. (He expected that they would fear him the most.)

REALLY?

Many Greek structures such as doors, windowsills, furniture, and church domes are painted a turquoise blue, especially in the Cyclades Islands. It is used because of an ancient belief that this shade of blue keeps evil away. (The Evil Eye maybe came from this as well???)

They called the colour kyanos, from which the words “cyan” and “cyanide” are derived.

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Some Things Never Change...

The Tradition Continues...

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