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PATRICK KARNEZIS

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G re ek Cu ltu re M ag azin e PUBLISHER & Managing Editor: Steve Agi editor@opamagazine.au Co-publishers: Chris Binos & Jim Grivas

t’s always exciting for another issue of OPA! to hit the streets and this one more so than others. Growing up as a magpie fan it gives me great personal pleasure to

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Karnezis. A great guy, a humble hero and a true gentleman of the game, it was a huge champion and I thank him and his family sincerely.

CONTRIBUTORS Steve Agi, Jaqui Perketes, Chris Binos, Jim Grivas, Fr Kyril, Kat Binos, Helen Agi, Adriana Lazos, Billy Billiris, DJ Krazy Kon, Jim Claven, Paul ‘PJ’ James, Alexander N. Pattakos Ph.D, Leonard Janiszewski, Effy Alexakis, Dean Kalymniou, BASILE, Nikita Chronis.

Along with some great stories from across the nation and around the globe, this jam packed issue of OPA! really celebrates all that it means to be a Hellene and philhellene in

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Chris Binos

Jim Grivas

CONTENTS 18 8 28

58

44 70

6 Lonsdale Street Festival 2014 8 Alexander the great 10 World Cup 12 PATSAS 14 Touch of Naxos 16 TEARS OF GOD 18 KOUZINA 22 The 3 Greek Sisters 26 Kheiron’s Korner 28 BCNA 32 ELLAS

40 PROFILE – Dean Karnezas 44 Constantinople/Istanbul 48 Eklisia 52 THALASSA 58 GODS, MYTHS & MORTALS: GREEK TREASURES ACROSS THE MILLENNIA

60 62 66 70 72

Sunsets in OIA PROFILE – Stefan Cassomenos PROFILE – Patrick Karnezis Odigos – 2015 Rolls Royce Ghost V-Specification Navarino Challenge OPAMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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ΕΛΛAΣ

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ELLAS

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Lonsdale Street Festival

A centre unrivalled in the global Diaspora

Melbourne’s largest Greek themed street party, the Lonsdale Street Festival, was once again a huge success. Over 120.000 people defying the heat attended it during the weekend 8-9 of February; more than 500 artists performed and the entire federal and state leadership was at the opening of the festival, trying to out-do each other who will best compliment Greece, the GreekAustralians and the Greek Community of Melbourne.

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H

eadlining this year’s event was Kostas Makedonas, performing in Australia for the first time with Orchestra Emmetron and Eirini Toumpaki. The Lonsdale Street Festival, which was staged in the heart of the City of Melbourne’s Greek Precinct, attracted over 120,000 people during the weekend, enjoying free entertainment, Greek food, children’s activities, cooking demonstrations, trader and community organisation displays and more.

The energy of the dancing groups, performers, musicians, street teams, demonstrators and presenters kept the street alive all weekend, creating an atmosphere that celebrated all things Greek. Opened officially by The Hon Tony Abbott, The Hon Bill Shorten, The Hon Dr Denis Napthine, The Hon Daniel Andrews, The Rt Hon Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and new Consul General of Greece Christina Simantiraki, Saturday evening was as hot as Athens in August, which did nothing to deter the public.

“Our country is a blend of different cultures brought to Australia by immigrants and Greeks”, said Prime Minister Tony Abbott during his speech. “Sometimes I feel sorry for Greece because the most capable Greeks came to our country and I feel Australia blessed because of this,” he continued.

“Behind us and nearing completion within a few months, is our 15 storey Cultural Centre. Its significance is as much aesthetic as it is physical. It is a symbol of the success story of migrants in Australia. A positive endorsement of multiculturalism,” he said.

“However, none of our achievements are ever made in isolation. They are a product of collaboration, conversation and inspiration. The support of the Federal and State Governments, community unity and individual philanthropy all played a significant role. History is being written and it is important that we honour those that deserve to be recognised.

Because nothing is achieved in one day and certainly our future as a community group and this centre are testament to the years of effort and hard work.”

He also expressed his pleasure that he was attending the Festival for the third consecutive year -twice as leader of the Opposition and now as prime minister. Very important was his statement that his government will continue to support the Greek Cultural Centre in the future.

The leader of the Labour Opposition, Bill Shorten, said that the Lonsdale Street Festival is “the biggest street party in the world”. According to Mr Shorten the Greeks applied the doctrine of Socrates: “They are citizens of the world, very proud of their heritage, but 97% became Australian citizens”.

He finally extended a big thank to all the supporters and sponsors of the festival and the Cultural Centre.

The next Greek Community event is Flavours of Greece, presented by Barbaresso Oyzo, running from 28 April – 18 May, when Melbourne’s leading Greek chefs and restaurants share their favourite dishes, and some of their secrets, through a selection of specially-designed dinners inspired by the flavours that make Greek food so unique and loved across the globe.

“Tonight we acknowledge all generations of Greeks who came to Melbourne and made it their home,” said the Premier of Victoria Dr Napthine. “Their contribution to our state and in every sector is huge, “ he added.

“Every Greek who is here tonight should applaud himself ”. He also stressed that his government is proud to contribute to the Cultural Centre $ 2,000,000.

The leader of the state opposition, Daniel Andrews, said that the new GOCMV building will become “a new Acropolis which will be admired by all Australians.”

The president of the GOCMV, Bill Papastergiadis, said that “after many years of talk, which Greeks are renowned for, it is pleasing to note that our actions now speak louder than our words”.

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ALEXANDER THE GREAT

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Alexander III of Macedon (20/21 July 356 – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great (Greek:Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας, Aléxandros ho Mégas from the Greek: ἀλέξω alexo «to defend, help» and ἀνήρ aner»man»), was a King (Basileus) of the Ancient Kingdom of Macedon, member of the Argead dynasty. Born in Pella in 356 BC, Alexander succeeded his father, Philip II, to the throne at the age of twenty.

He spent most of his ruling years on an unprecedented military campaign through Asia and northeast Africa, until by the age of thirty he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from Greece to Egypt and into presentday Pakistan. He was undefeated in battle and is considered one of history’s most successful military commanders.[2] During his youth, Alexander was tutored by the philosopher Aristotle until the age of 16.

When he succeeded his father to the throne in 336 BC, after Philip was assassinated, Alexander inherited a strong kingdom and an experienced army. He had been awarded the generalship of Greece and used this authority to launch his father›s military expansion plans. In 334 BC, he invaded the Achaemenid Empire, ruled Asia Minor, and began a series of campaigns that lasted ten years. Alexander broke the power of Persia in a series of decisive battles, most notably the battles of Issus andGaugamela.

He subsequently overthrew the Persian

King Darius III and conquered the entirety of the First Persian Empire. At that point, his empire stretched from the Adriatic Sea to the Indus River.

Seeking to reach the “ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea”, he invaded India in 326 BC, but was eventually forced to turn back at the demand of his troops. Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BC, the city he planned to establish as his capital, without executing a series of planned campaigns that would have begun with an invasion of Arabia. In the years following his death, a series of civil wars tore his empire apart, resulting in several states ruled by theDiadochi, Alexander’s surviving generals and heirs.

Alexander’s legacy includes the cultural diffusion his conquests engendered. He founded some twenty cities that bore his name, most notably Alexandria in Egypt.

Alexander›s settlement of Greek colonists and the resulting spread ofGreek culture in the east resulted in a new Hellenistic civilization, aspects of which were still evident in the traditions of the Byzantine Empire in the mid-15th century. Alexander became legendary as a classical hero in the mold of Achilles, and he features prominently in the history and myth of Greek and non-Greek cultures. He became the measure against which military leaders compared themselves, and military academies throughout the world still teach his tactics.

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World Cup 2014

by James Politis 25.06.2014

Όνειρα, Eλπίδες και Προσευχές...η ζωντανή μας σιωπή ! Σήμερα η Ελλάδα γιορτάζει Παγκόσμια Nίκη, “Φοβερή”! Απ› τους δρόμους της Βραζιλίας, φτάνοντας σε κάθε γωνιά της γης Έλληνες Περήφανοι, έφεξε ο Κόσμος Λευκό-γαλαζή! Τα γαλόνια και η δόξα χριαζοντε ψυχή Τα κυπελα γεμίζουν με ιδρώτα, καi του κοσμάκη την στοργή Μέρα για Πανηγύρι, πράξη της ενοποίησης κραυγή του ευτυχισμένου Δύσκολη υπόθεση να παραδίνης αμέτρητα χαμόγελα, και δάκρια γλυκά Ακόμα ποιο δύσκολο ίσσος, η μάχη ποτέ μην ξεχαστή...κ’ ισανότερα! !

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Δημήτρης Πολίτης 25.06.2014

Dreams, Hopes and Prayers ... the living silence!

Today Greece celebrates an “Astounding” World Victory!

From the streets of Brazil to the far-reaching corners of the earth Proud Greeks, your World is draped in White and Blue!

Medals and Glory are earned with soul Trophies are awarded with deserved sweat which fills them, and the support of the common man A Day declared for Celebration, an act of unification, a cry of happiness It’s a difficult exercise to deliver countless smiles, and sweet tears Even more difficult may be, to assure this battle is never forgetten… ...may you always attain higher greatness! !

World Cup 2014 –

J

ames Politis is a First Generation (Australian born Greek). He has lived in Australia all his life. At the age of seven years old James attended Greek School for 6 months (in Greece), during a 1 year visit, when his family was considering returning to Greece. His early studies include a Major in Business Management; and Applied Food Science Management - in Food Technologies.

James’ early career begun within the largest Corporate Food Manufacturer of its time (in Australia & New Zealand) – ‘Goodman Fielder Wattie Ltd’ GFW (as it was known then), or Goodman Fielder Ltd as we know it today. Here, James was exposed and worked in various departments from Accounts & Marketing to Stock Control & Sales Representative (in Sydney Metro & Outside MetroTerritories) including Canberra. James decided to continue in the Food Industry and entered his family Business, ‘Delico Food Products’ (Delico Dips & Desserts). With the guidance of his family, he quickly realised his unique position of contributing to a growing Business by imparting an array of accumulated knowledge and modern Management practices, and thus help carry the Business to the next level, and beyond. He Managed the Company until some ten years ago, having received numerous Industry Awards/ Acknowledgements from various Greek & non-Greek Institutions/Establishments, Media etc.

Currently, James is involved in Property and Investments Management. He has a strong passion for Greek Music, Singing and Lyrical Composition, particularly in Greek “Laiko” Music, largely influenced by his love of playing the Greek Bouzouki, from a very young age.

James continues studies in various IT courses; Sound Design; & Film/Screen & Television, which account for his additional interests in Film Production/Post Production; Web design & Development; Theatre; and Sound (Recording/Engineering). James continues to pursue his passions, fused with a strong desire to help promote Hellenism in Australia, and thus up-hold Greek Tradition/Culture for future Generations.

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ΠΑΤΣΑΣ

By DEAN KALIMNIOU

T

here are first dates which are memorable and by way of corollary, first dates which are eminently forgettable. There are also first dates that are memorable in that one wishes that they were eminently forgettable and the one of mine belonging to this particular category took place at the iconic Stalactites restaurant. Having taken great pains to pull the chair and allow the object of my ardent fascination to be seated before resting my own posterior, I promptly forgot all about her, as I pored over the menu exclaiming with delight when I unexpectedly discovered the presence of patsas therein. So enmeshed in the throes of culinary ecstasy was I when said dish was brought before me, that I did not realise that the aforementioned object of my ardent fascination had discreetly interposed her not inconsiderable handbag between myself and her good self, thus creating a visual, though not an olfactory barrier between us, which would, as she explained later, permit her in a large part, to retain her dignity while also inhibiting her inherent gag reflex.

Roaming the streets of any given Greek city late at night in the furtive search for a good “patsatzidiko” is a rite of passage for many a visiting Greek-Australian. It is also an activity fraught with danger for if one is not possessed of the requisite terminology, the act of ordering patsa becomes inordinately complex. In southern Greece, patsas generally refers to the tripe soup which is used a remedy for hangover. When, at the tender age of fifteen one of my aunts discovered that I was walking the streets of Athens in search of this delectable dish, she said to me sternly: “If you must indulge in such filthy habits, I prefer you did so 14 |

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in the privacy of our home and under supervision.” Since that date, subsequent to my every arrival in the mother country and my safe delivery via taxi to her doorstep, a bowl of this delicacy, steaming and delicious has been waiting for me.

In northern Greece, this form of patsa is known as Iskembe Tsorbas, which also happens to be its Turkish name. It is best served with skordostoumbi and hot pepper flakes, or alternatively with avgolemono, which is just as satisfying. Back home in Melbourne, owing to the fact

that my loved ones have solemnly threatened to cast me out from their loving embrace for all eternity should I even think of consuming such foodstuffs before them, when the longing becomes too much, I betake myself to Sydney Road in Coburg where I am known to the Turkish purveyors of Iskembe Corbasi, there to indulge my perversion en solitaire. Patsa on the islands and northern Greece, on the other hand, denotes something entirely different – a soup consisting of the shank or trotters and the head of a given animal and this seems to be the original form of the dish. This also serves to explain why my islander uncles had difficulty understanding why a particular northern Greek acquaintance laboured under the soubriquet of «Ο Πατσάς.»

When it was explained to them that the gentleman in question exhibited a marked propensity to burp frequently, they still could not understand the connotation, as for them, the dish has nothing to do with the stomach.

For reasons unexplained, every time Greeks borrow terminology from Turkish or Persian, they tend to stress the ultimate syllable of each word, rather than the penultimate. Thus, where the Turks would say Pásha, we says Pasás, where they say hámam, we say khamám, and where they say Pácha, we say Patsás. This is important to know as the iconic patsas is actually a Persian dish. In its full form it is known as Kale Pache, which literally means ‘head-shank.’ As such, it usually contains a sheep’s entire head, including the brain, eyes and tongue, as well as its hooves.

The dish, traditional to both Azerbaijan and Iran, is usually consumed as a breakfast soup, and is seasoned with lemon and cinnamon. In Iran, Kale Pache is almost always only served from three in the morning until sometime after dawn, and specialty restaurants that serve only Kale Pache are only open during those hours. It is my enduring dream to travel to Iran and frequent such a place, only because I harbour very dim but extremely happy memories of my grandmother cooking such a dish in her kitchen in Essendon and desperately seek to re-live this glorious moment of my childhood. Further, I recall a time when my Samian uncle, sick of the usual watered down fare our family was serving at Easter, decided to cook and bring his own pig trotter so up to the dinner table. Steaming hot and resplendent with a multitude of garlic cloves, he and I both beheld the pot with wonder, seconds before instantaneously being banished to the end of the table, there to consume the offending article away from the indignant gaze of the rest of the family, swiftly, but with eminence and style.

I seek refuge in a country that will not only view the proclivities that have caused me much shame with compassion, but will instead, actively embrace and encourage them.

Such compassion and understanding is sadly not to be found within the Assyrian branch of my family, for while they acknowledge that Pacha forms an intrinsic component of their traditional cuisine, it provokes feeling of disgust and contempt in them and is thus banished from the dinner table. This is a tragedy of cataclysmic proportions, for Assyrian Pacha truly is a masterpiece. A happy melange of all forms of Patsa known to man, it is constructed of the sheep’s head, trotters and stomach, all boiled slowly and served with bread sunken in the broth. It goes without saying that the cheeks and tongues are considered the best parts and I am reliably advised that it is not considered impolite to discard and not consume the eyeballs, despite the protestations to the contrary by purists. The stomach lining, however, and this is pure genius, is stuffed with rice and lamb and stitched with a sewing thread, forming neat parcels of exquisite flavour and providing hours of convivial entertainment as one unpicks the thread and, quite possibly, free dental floss in the process. I have been known to drive all the way to Craigieburn in search of such morsels of rapture, yet the opportunities for transportation into the sphere of the sublime are few and far between.

I belch in the face of the smug Greek chef who recently opined that patsas is “a traditional soup that does not smell good but tastes great.” Instead, patsas is a way of life, an embodiment of our history, evocative of a time when the chances to eat meat were few and every part of the animal was utilised to full effect and with respect. It is a hearty dish of uncompromising goodness, a sure-fire pick me up yet it is the Armenians who have contrived to enshrine it in ritual. If you can, try to get yourself invited to a khash party, khash being the Armenian word for patsas. There is much ritual involved here. Many participants abstain from eating the previous evening, and insist upon using only their hands to consume the dish. Because of its potency and robust smell, and because it is eaten early in the mornings and so often enjoyed in conjunction with alcohol, khash parties usually take place on the weekend or on holidays. The guests almost always bring a bottle of vodka or arak which is one of the necessary parts of the feast. Among the Armenians, even the toasts are part of the ritual. They start with a “Good Morning” quick toast, which is later followed by another quick toast for the hosts. The last one of the three mandatory toasts is for the khash-loving guests and the humble diatribist takes your leave, proposing a fourth, to patsas itself, the dish that truly speaks, the international language of love.

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A TOUCH OF NAXOS - MATTHEOS YANNOULIS

By Stelios (Stelaras) Antoniou

M

attheos Yannoulis comes from a village of Naxos, his uncle Giorgos Yannoulis taught him many things about music After a while he moved to Athens where he studied music in National Athens Conservatory. His first contact with the public was without any sponsors and companies. He recorded himself on cassettes and distributed them around; the people’s responses were positive and demanding they wanted to hear more. This gave him a new look towards his music career where today he has many number one albums. Yiannoulis has toured most of Greece and many countries including just recently our shores.

I personally, as a Greek Singer was privileged to have met Mattheos during his stay in Melbourne, l even invited him to my home studio in Ringwood where he was speechless to see how much l love my music and he strongly believes that l have a good future in front of me.

At both of Yiannoulis’ concerts in Melbourne he asked me to get up on stage and sing a few songs with him, an experience that l will never forget, we were given a standing ovation.

All his recent Australia concerts were packed out he had brought out with him from Athens Greece Violinist Dimitris Bournis and Lefteris Simianakis on Guitar; the audience were more than surprised to see

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the talents these three artists had put together during their live shows.

Mattheos Yiannolis has now left our shores for Athens but l’m sure we will be hearing of him again in the very near future.

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TEARS

OF GOD a h i t s a M s o i h C ases, heals le p t a d h t an A tear es, relieves, perfum

M

astiha is the name of the resinous sap produced from the mastic tree which is native to the Aegean island of Chios. It is a natural, aromatic resin in teardrop shape, falling to the ground in drops from superficial scratches carved into the tree’s trunk and main branches with sharp tools by local cultivators. As it drips, this sap appears as a sticky and translucent liquid which, 15 to 20 days later, is solidified into irregular shapes which are influenced by the region’s extreme weather conditions in summer, namely drought and sunlight.

After solidifying and taking crystal form, it is the aroma and taste that give Mastiha its distinctive characteristics, while its rather bitter taste quickly subsides when consumed, it is the distinctive aroma that really makes it unique. That solid product is then harvested and washed by mastic growers, giving us finally the natural Chios mastiha. Its colour is initially ivory-like, but as time goes by, that shade is lost and 12 to 18 months later it changes to a yellowish hue, due to oxidation.

It is made of hundreds of components, amongst which only 80 are contained in identifiable quantities. Such a multitude and complexity of composition, probably justifies the multiple uses of Chios mastiha, in the areas of food, health and cosmetic care, worldwide.

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Chios mastiha has been recognized since ancient times both for its distinctive aroma and its healing properties. It has been recorded as the first natural chewing gum in the ancient world. Since 1997, Chios mastiha has been characterized as a Product of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), on the basis of Regulation No. 123/1997 (L0224/241-97) of the European Union and it has been registered on the relevant Community List of PDO Products. According to the above regulation, Chios mastiha is protected from the sale of any competitive imitation product whatsoever that would undermine the reputation of the Designation of Origin.

No place like Chios Chios mastiha’s unique quality is due to the exclusiveness of its birthplace, to its exquisite therapeutic properties and to its exceptional aroma, for which it has been famous ever since antiquity, winning a reputation as a remarkable health elixer. Its uniqueness is emphasized by its multi-usefulness and by the fact that it was prized by and therefore integrated in the culture of different people and civilizations, especially in the East Mediterranean. Chios mastiha, ‘a tear that pleases, perfumes, relieves and heals’, has a variety of applications

and uses, being a main ingredient in food and drink industry, in pharmaceutical and chemical industry, in cosmetics and perfume industry. Chios mastiha, exported from Chios to all parts of the world, is the basis for the production of a great variety of mastiha products, such as: bakery products, sweets, jams, ice-creams, chocolates, chewing gums, candies, beverages, tea, coffee, dairy products, pasta, sauces, liquors, ouzo and wine. It is also used as an ingredient for ointments against burns and skin conditions. Finally, thanks to its quality as a colour stabilizer, mastiha is used for the production of high-grade varnishes.

The Mastic Tree The mastic tree or lentisk – scientific name: Pistacia Lentiscus var. Chia (of the Anacardiaceae family), is an evergreen shrub, 2-3 metres high that develops very slowly and becomes fully grown after 40-50 years, reaching up to the height of five metres at its mature age. Its life span is more than 100 years, but it cannot produce mastiha earlier than the fifth or sixth year of its life. It reaches its maximum yield after the fifteenth year, and after 70 years of age, its yield regresses significantly. Its average annual yield by a tree is 150-180 grams of mastiha, while there are certain rare cases of trees yielding up to two kilo,s and others that only give 10 grams. Male trees are mostly cultivated because they are more productive. Another factor in terms of yield is the distance separating each tree from its neighbour. The lentisk is a resilient plant with minor demands, that is why it grows well in arid, rocky and poor soil. As its roots are spread on the soil’s surface, it can survive in conditions of absolute drought, but can be extremely sensitive to cold and frost. New cultivations are produced from old trees’ branches (grafts) and the old ones are renewed from offshoots or layers. While there are lentisks all over the island, mastiha is only produced in the southern part of Chios, in the so-called Mastihohora or mastiha villages, where the climate is especially warm and dry. This ‘uniqueness’ is probably due, besides a longtime tradition, to soil and weather conditions that favour the mastic tree’s cultivation.

History Its history goes back through the depths of time... Legends, traditions, favourite customs, historical conjuncture, religions, places, voyages, people and cultures compose the myth that makes up the legend of Chios mastiha. Ever since the Roman Empire up to the time of Byzantium, the Venetians and the Ottomans, from the studies of Dioscorides to the Jerusalem Balsam and from the first lokum in Constantinople to the traditional saliq of Saudi Arabia, mastiha enchants people with its unique aroma and its particular taste. Throughout the centuries the Chians have used Chian Mastiha as a form of currency, a prized gift and a rare treat that was reserved for royalty and dignitaries. From an early relationship with Roman conquerors, through to dealings under Byzantium rule, the Chians were quick to leverage the bargaining power of their Mastiha and make the most of this product, as they proved time and time again just how resourceful they could be when it came to negotiation with friend or foe.

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Chios’ history has been closely related to mastiha. Since antiquity the isle has enjoyed the exclusive privilege of producing it. Ever since Byzantium’s decadence, several oriental nations have obstinately claimed Chios island, in order to be able to control mastiha’s exclusive trade. The first systematic organization of mastiha’s trade took place during the Genoese Occupation of Chios. More specifically, in 1347 a company was founded in Chios and undertook the exclusive management and trade of mastiha. Mastiha’s trade was liberated during the Ottoman Occupation, even though a major part of the production was detained by the Turkish authorities as subjugation tax. Mastiha’s trade thrived until the beginning of the 20th century, when Word War I caused a severe crisis to the mastiha industry and others. By the end of the war and the return to stability, mastiha growers could finally restart the cultivation procedure. But the product did not manage to regain its past prestige. That difficult situation captured the state’s attention and in 1938 Law No. 1390 was finally promulgated, thereby founding the 20 Mastiha Growers Associations, with the compulsory participation of all growers as members. The same law also provided for the founding of the 20 Cooperatives’ Association, named ‘Chios Mastiha Growers Association’. The Association started its operations the year after Law 1390 was published, that is in 1939, presided by Dr. G. Stagoulis. Already from the first year of its foundation, the Association tripled the price paid to the growers, but World War II and the German occupation suspended the Association’s commercial activities. After the war, the Association had to deal with harsh and complex problems, as great part of the production remained unsold, adding to the reserves from the occupation period. For that reason, the Association turned to its pre-war markets and looked for new ones. In 1958, consumption reached the levels of production. The next target for the Association was to raise growers’ revenue by increasing consumption through increased production. Mastiha sales passed from 183,000 kilos in 1958 to 241,000 kilos in 1962, something that was indeed a great success. Besides that commercial activity on behalf of the Association, efforts were also made for mastiha’s industrial processing. In 1950, mastiha oil was first produced in the Association’s special 20 |

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premises, by way of mastiha distillation using water vapour. In 1957 the first chewing gum confection unit began its operations with machines covering all production stages: mixing - pulping –-confection of the chewing gum’s core - confection of tablet - packaging with material made by the Association itself in its printing unit. In 1985 it inaugurated the modern factory for the production of ELMA chewing gum. 1997 was a key year for mastiha’s history, as the European Union recognized Chios mastiha, Chios mastiha oil and Chios ELMA chewing gum as PDO products (Protected Designation of Origin), according to regulation No. 2081/92 of the EEC. In 2001, following the requirements of modern economic environment, those products were certified by ISO 9001 and HACCP. The next important event in the history of Chios Mastiha Growers Association was the foundation of its subsidiary company named Mediterra SA, with the purpose of developing a retail network for mastiha and its products, under the brand name of ‘mastihashop’. The Association desires and aims at developing a network of stores both in Greece and abroad, with a view to forward, demonstrate and promote mastiha and its different uses and qualities, through mastiha products produced in Chios, in Greece or abroad. In 2006, Mediterra S.A. founded in Chios a modern factory for the confection of mastiha based sugary products, while in

February 2008 the company was introduced into the Alternative Market of the Athens Stock Exchange, its principal stock-holder being Chios Mastiha Growers Association with 51% of stocks. The company’s deposited share capital is 3,650,000 € while its equity capital exceeds 5,000,000 €. In 2008, mastiha became part of the EU financially supported products, which is a particularly significant evolution for mastiha growers. Finally, in the end of 2008 construction work began for the building of a new, modern mastiha processing plant.

The Chios Mastiha Growers Association’s vision and target is to introduce mastiha to all consumers through modern and healthy products, to demonstrate that unique and special spice gifted with a distinctive flavour and aroma, but also with considerable and certified therapeutic qualities. Its aim is to make mastiha an indispensable ingredient for a number of functional products of everyday use, in order to be able to actively respond to its purpose and its commitment towards its thousands of growers-associates.

Respecting their labour and their efforts, the Association seeks to stand by them as an assistant, by contributing to the upgrade of mastiha cultivation, to the improvement of its producing procedure and of course to the guarantee of the highest possible profits for them.

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In the KOUZINA

Shrimp Saganaki Garides Saganaki

If you find yourself screaming “Opa” while cooking, then you are probably making a saganaki dish, whether it is with cheese, shrimp or mussels. Serve this delicious appetizer with some baguette slices for a fabulous starter. This is a classic Greek appetizer.

Serves 2-3 Bake 400 °F (200 °C)

Ingredients

Note: Saganaki is a t wo-handled lit tle frying pan.

2 tbsp Greek olive oil ½ yellow onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, sliced ½ tsp dried red chilies 12 shrimp, deveined and patted dry 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, diced 1 tbsp tomato paste ½ tsp salt ½ tsp dried oregano ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled ½ baguette, sliced and lightly toasted

Method In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and chilies and cook for a minute further. Add the shrimp and cook until the shrimp are pink on both sides. Add the tomatoes and heat through. Stir in the tomato paste, salt and oregano and cook until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the fresh parsley and basil and top with the crumbled feta. Place in the middle of a preheated oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is slightly brown and the sauce is bubbling hot.

Arrange the shrimp saganaki on baguette slices and serve.

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In the KOUZINA

Lamb Burgers

Keftedes Me Arni

Lamb burgers are a crowd pleaser and make for perfect sliders when entertaining. The ground lamb is seasoned with fresh herbs and spices and then grilled to perfection. You are sure to get many compliments when serving these up to guests.

Makes 4 Grill temperature: medium-high

Ingredients 1 lb (500 g) ground lamb ½ cup fresh parsley, minced ¼ cup fresh chives, minced ¼ cup fresh dill, minced 2 tbsp ground cumin 1 tbsp ground coriander seed 1 tbsp sweet paprika ½ tsp cayenne pepper 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 egg ⅓ cup breadcrumbs ½ tsp salt Fresh cracked pepper

Method Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly mix ingredients together. Shape lamb mixture into 4 patties.

Place the patties on a preheated grill and cook for 4 to 6 minutes on each side. Do not overcook or the patties will become too dry.

Serve on a sesame seed bun topped with our Cherry Tomato Relish or feta and red onions.

Greek Style

TRADITIONAL www.yiasouyogurt.com.au

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In the KOUZINA

Cherry Tomato Relish

A beautiful relish to add to your Lamb Burgers!

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients 2 tbsp Greek olive oil 3 shallots, minced 3 garlic cloves, minced ¼ tsp dried red chillies 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted, halved 2 tbsp capers, drained ¼ tsp salt 1 tsp sugar 1 cup water 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Method

MAKE AHEAD - Cherry Tomato relish can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 1 week in advance.

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the chili flakes and sauté for 1 minute further.

Add the tomatoes and sauté until the tomatoes begin to break down, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the basil. Bring to a boil and continue boiling until liquid has reduced and thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool completely.

Add the basil, mix and transfer to a jar with a fitted lid. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

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In the KOUZINA

Yogurt Mousse

A light and fluffy mousse with a refreshing taste. This dessert can be served with fresh fruit, or with Spoon Sweets, Pantespani, and Karidopita.

Makes 2½ cups mousse Ingredients 3 tbsp hot water ¾ tsp gelatin 1 cup whipping cream 3 tbsp Confectioner’s sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1½ cups Greek yogurt

MAKE AHEAD Yogurt Mousse can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week in advance.

Tips: For perfect peaks when whipping cream, use a chilled whisk and bowl.

Method Place the hot water in a small bowl. While whisking, add the gelatin and continue whisking until the gelatin is dissolved. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand-mixer fitted with a whisk attachment add the whipping cream, Confectioner’s sugar and vanilla extract. Mix on high speed until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

Place the Greek yogurt in a large bowl. Add the hot water and gelatin mixture set aside earlier and mix thoroughly with a rubber spatula. Fold in the whipped cream mixture until thoroughly incorporated.

Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Greek Style

TANGY www.yiasouyogurt.com.au

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Back to the Beginning With the Three Greek Sisters The 3 Greek Sisters, born in the heart of Toronto’s Greek town, wrote their first self-published cookbook four years ago. Their book, “Three Sisters Around the Greek Table,” received accolades and awards in Canada, France, and New York.

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I

t is a national bestseller and the sisters have become known as the “Ambassadors of Greek Food.” When the sisters got together to write, edit and publish their first book, they knew they had to create a book that would appeal to people who had grown up in Canada and the U.S. as Greek North-Americans, but longed for the food they grew up with, or “food like yiayia used to make”. The concept had to be both clean and simple, there needed to be a photo for every recipe, and the recipes needed to stay true to the Greek kitchen.

They delivered on all 3 goals. As the sisters write in their book, “The recipes are simple and proud. They are not complex, yet they are just as delicious, and impressive as those produced by today’s hottest chefs.”

The book includes classics such as Spanakopita and Pastitsio, but new twists such as Shrimp with Ouzo and Chilies.

Their second cookbook, “Three Sisters Back to the Beginning”, released in April 2013 uses the same successful formula. It was recently recognized as the Best Mediterranean Cookbook in Canada by the Gourmand World cookbook Awards.

Two of the three sisters are teachers and one is an artist. They are all mothers. Both books are filled with stunning photographs that show-

case the beautiful Greek kitchen, and the life of growing up Greek; a life surrounded by good food and family and plenty of time around the family dinner table, something the girls cherish and encourage today’s busy families to continue to do. Those of Greek descent will most certainly relate to the stories and lifestyle portrayed in the books. There are images of parents picking Horta and summers spent in Greek villages high in the Peloponnesian mountaintops. There are also recipes such as Vissino Gliko (spoon sweets), modern Mayeritsa (Easter lamb stew), and Koliva (a memorial food of wheat berry) that were included to keep Greek traditions alive for new generations of Greeks. “We wanted to create books that make all Greeks proud and remind them that Greece has played a major role in the foundation of western culture, and that it still has much to offer.” Photographs of ancient ruins, quotes from Socrates, and wise Greek fables, are interspersed with humble images of family life and gorgeous colour photographs of classic Greek food.

The two books, “Three Sisters Back to the Beginning”, 2013, and “Three Sisters Around the Greek Table”, 2009, are sold through Amazon.com, and their website, www.3greeksisters.com.

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Kheiron’s Korner

THE INS AND OUTS OF FOOD: WHAT TO EAT, WHEN TO EAT AND HOW MUCH IS REALLY TOO MUCH!?

AKA What the heck do I do to get in awesome shape???

A

s I was planning the content for this article, I sat back for a moment and asked myself a few pertinent questions. I guess, as a health and fitness expert, I am sometimes guilty of over-simplifying the topic of food and nutrition. It’s not because I want to keep a secret and it’s not about making sure that people don’t get the best results.

Actually, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I love sharing my knowledge and I get a massive kick out of seeing someone conquer their goals. I have a knowledge base that spans over 20 years and I’m forever researching, learning and revising both old and new methods. My aim is to deliver my clients, followers and readers the best possible sustainable results in the shortest, most realistic timeframe. A lot of thought goes into everything I discuss and write about.

So, as I sat back in my recliner chair and closed my eyes, I came up with these important questions.

1. What is the main goal a person wants to achieve when they ask about food?

2. What do people find most difficult when it comes to understanding nutrition?

3. How important is the correlation between food, training and mindset?

4. How can I offer advice that works for the individual as well as the masses?

5. Will my editor allow me to write 20 pages of content to cover all this???

Nutrition is such a complex topic because each and every one of us is different in the way we think, the history we have, the relationship we develop with food in general and the way we interpret information. On top of all that is another underlying factor called body image. Some of us

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have been conditioned in such a brutal way that the inner soul has been destroyed. What clicks with one person may be devastating to another person. It really is a fine line between encouraging someone and unintentionally destroying a person’s confidence.

As a trainer, I put myself in the firing line and sure enough, certain situations arise every now and then that really test my resilience. A competent trainer is a friend, an encourager, a motivator and a source of knowledge and inspiration. You can’t just go through the motions and train someone. Eventually, you will find yourself without any clients. It seems as though every second person you meet is a personal trainer but few have the skill set to work with a number of different clients. It takes years of hands on experience to be in a position where you can work confidently with anyone that walks through the door and even once you think you’ve seen it all, you’ll still be surprised occasionally. Challenging clients are the ones I appreciate the most.

There are many highs and lows that come with the territory and sometimes you encounter both extremes on the same day.

For me personally, I focus all my energy into understanding a client as much as I can. I take it very seriously and my mission always is to empower my clients with confidence, self worth, self belief, positive body image and sound knowledge. When I see a client beaming with confidence, it feels amazing to know that a part of that confidence is because of me. By the same token, when I see a client struggling and hurting, it crushes me. I form a strong connection with the people I train and work with and I take on the responsibility of helping them become stronger, both physically and mentally. When a client puts in everything they’ve got, I put in equally as much.

Getting in amazing shape can be disheartening and frustrating at times and it takes commitment and determination to reach your ultimate goal. Sometimes you butt heads, sometimes you laugh, sometimes you cry and sometimes you walk away for a while.

It doesn’t matter where you start or what happens along the way. What matters most of all is where you finish. I encourage everyone to get fit because it teaches you a lot about the person you are. Life will throw you curveballs but if you dodge them one by one, eventually they become less of an obstacle. You see that finish line in front of you and at that point, all the past battles, feuds and setbacks become inconsequential. It is an incredible feeling to look at yourself in the mirror and say with confidence and self worth, ‘I am a champion!’

The reason I went into detail on the topic of training is to allow you, the reader, to determine for yourself what you are aiming

for. What do you really want? Do you want to just feel healthy and ‘lighter’? Are you looking for a total overhaul? Are you happy when you look in the mirror and if not, are you willing to do whatever it takes to be happy? Do you want to have abs? Do you want to be ripped?

Do you want to have a sound understanding of nutrition? Are you willing to change? These are the types of questions I ask people who inquire about training. Once I know exactly what you want, I can then base all my training and advice around delivering a result that you will be happy with.

There is a plethora of information available on the INTERNET these days and you can find an answer to just about any question you have.

With food, the best advice I can give anyone is to write down exactly what you want to know. Once you know that, write down what you want to achieve, whether it be physical, mental, internal harmony, knowledge or something completely different. Basically, are you wanting to build an impressive physique or are you wanting to be healthy and lose a few kilos at the same time? Anything you truly want is achievable so take the time to clearly define your goal and the rest will be easy.

Everyone’s interpretation of ‘clean eating’ is different. We all think on different levels. There is a marked difference, however, between eating for ‘health’ and eating for ‘fuel’. Most of us know what is healthy and what is not.

Walk into a serious bodybuilding gym and ask a bodybuilder his or her definition of eating clean. Then go down to the Olympic Aquatic Center and ask a professional swimmer for their interpretation. Ask a parent with three kids and you’ll get another answer. Ask a dietitian or a nutritionist and they too will have a different idea. The truth is, everyone gives their own interpretation. Now that you know this, ask yourself another important question? Who are you getting your advice from and why? Are they a living, breathing example of someone you would like to be? It’s

a valid question that needs addressing. Try to eliminate wasting time. After all, if you seek advice from a person who looks okay but isn’t really fit, you are setting yourself up for failure; unless your goal is to be mediocre or average as we’ll! The reason for me asking you to think about everything in great detail is because I am demonstrating the fact that more often than not, we seek advice in the wrong environment.

No one is perfect but a great start to achieving your goal is to go to the right source. Luckily for you, I’m going to give you many of the answers you will need so that you can start on the correct path for you.

A large part of my own training and development has been in psychology. I like to analyze situations and come up with constructive solutions. In short, I aim to challenge the brain in order to decipher what is acceptable and what is farcical. So much more can be achieved when you sit down in a quiet place and just allow your mind to wander. As a society, we are so consumed by the pressures in our everyday lives that we forget to unwind and just chill out. I’m as guilty as the next person and it’s a shame that we have become this way. Creativity has given way to conformity and in my humble opinion, we are worse off on a spiritual level and we have lost our true connection with one another.

Anyway, before I get carried away, let’s get back to the topic at hand. FOOD! By now, you should’ve ascertained exactly what you are seeking. For those who are after a healthier lifestyle and want to make better choices, it’s simple. Your objective is to eat unprocessed foods as frequently as possible and also monitor the amount of food you have each day. Losing 5kg and feeling better can be as easy as cutting out wine with dinner or not having dessert every night. Of course, as with any healthy eating plan, you need to exercise.

I want to cover new territory in this article so for those who are interested in calories, exercise, portion sizes and the like, check out OPAMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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Kheiron’s Korner my book TAKE IT OFF, KEEP IT OFF. It is a comprehensive, informative and educational book on health and fitness and a must read if you’re serious about lifestyle change.

Processed foods are basically all foods that don’t occur naturally. Pasta, cheese, pizza and bread are all examples of processed foods.

Unprocessed foods are things such as fruit, vegetables, cuts of meat, fish, poultry, seeds, raw nuts and grains. The human body finds it very difficult to break down processed foods.

When we eat processed foods, we feel bloated, exhausted, tired, lethargic and even moody.

By simply making a shift to unprocessed foods and removing heavy sauces, dressings and salt based flavouring, you will not only improve your metabolic efficiency but you will also notice extra benefits such as increased alertness and clearer skin. Replacing all drinks with still water and herbal tea will also have dramatic effect on your overall well being.

For those who are a little more serious about getting in good shape, there are a few extra steps you need to take. The most important one is to start daily exercise. It is a proven fact that walking in the morning for as little as 15 minutes has huge health benefits including lowering cholesterol levels, reducing body fat and diminishing your risk factors associated with diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Incorporating strength building is also something you should look at. The more muscle mass you have, the more fat you will burn. Yes, that’s another fact. Three weight sessions per week can get you looking fit and there is also the added benefit of improving the health of your brain. Monitor your natural sugar (fruit) intake and eliminate processed sugar. Salt and fat intake should be minimized.

Remember, fruit is still sugar and avocados and nuts may be great for the complexion but they’re still fats. Make small changes and make them lifelong changes for the best results.

I’m sure there are people who are sitting back waiting for all the advice on how to get a six pack and a ripped physique. Well, here it is! The key factors are commitment and discipline. If you are absolutely serious about getting ‘shredded’, then be prepared to leave all your baggage to one side. If it was easy to be in awesome shape, we all would be. We all have ‘stuff ’ going on in our lives and we are all busy but if you put your hat in the ring and you say you’re ready to go all the way, then just make sure you are. There is no room for error when you’re aiming for the highest level of body conditioning. There are rules and you just need to follow them. It’s not for everyone but neither is being a fighter pilot so you just have to weigh up what’s important to you. My clients follow strict rules and the same goes for people that I don’t train. Every single person 30 |

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who is in awesome shape has worked their butt off to get there. You may be wanting to do a competition or a photo shoot or you just want to impress everyone. All of those reasons are fine because being ‘ chiseled’ is as selfish and personal as it gets.

Before I go on, you need to understand one thing. There are no excuses in this arena. As hard as it gets, you just refuse to give in. You must commit to the very end and it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. It is a real test of strength and character. You have to learn to say NO a lot. When you’re on a mission like this, nothing gets in your way. No parties...no functions...no lavish dinners... no indulging on dessert...no sneaking in a few treats...just regular training, daily cardio and lots of sleep. In fact, the food part just becomes a routine. Simplicity is the key. You cook for yourself and you let others do as they wish. Family, friends, wives, husbands and everyone else around you doesn’t have to do what you’re doing. This is about YOU and YOUR dreams.

If you’re reading this and already questioning everything, then I’m telling you that this is not for you. Seriously, there is only one way to get ripped and that is to sacrifice certain foods for a few months. If you’re semi fit, you might take anywhere from 4-16 weeks to get a full set of abs. If you’re slightly overweight, you’ll need 12-24 weeks. If you’re overweight or obese, then start with getting healthy first before committing to something like this.

Getting ripped can do a lot of damage to a person who is not ready so please think before you choose what’s right for you.

For everyone who is committed and in the correct headspace, here are the basic training rules: * 15 minutes morning cardio on an empty stomach * Split weights routine 6 days per week * 15 minutes afternoon or early evening cardio That’s no big deal. Here are the eating requirements. In this particular article, I can’t go into detail as far as cooking methods and portion sizes are concerned but I have covered all that in my book and in other articles. If you’re unsure and have a couple of simple questions, I’m always happy to offer a few tips.

The best platform for this is my Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/paulPJjames * Eat oats with water and protein in the morning, after cardio * Aim to eat every 3 hours after the morning meals. 4 additional meals is fine. * Meals should consist of grilled lean meat, sweet potato/couscous & greens

* Protein shake after weights * REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT The food is strict but it’s so simple. You just need routine and you need to be prepared.

The more experienced you become, the more you can play around with different foods and evaluate the results. I’ve just outlined the basics for the purpose of demonstrating what is required. As with any eating plan, always evaluate your own results and add or change certain things as required. Essential fats, carbohydrates, varied protein sources and vitamins are also necessary when aiming to build the ultimate physique while staying healthy at the same time. Once again, this is not for everyone. It’s up to the individual to determine whether they are ready to attack this wholeheartedly. Read up on vitamins and supplements to build up your own knowledge.

I recommend barley grass, flaxseed oil, Calcium Carbonate (Vitamin C) and a multi mineral. Consult with your doctor before you follow any of this advice and before you buy any supplements.

If you find yourself adding in extras or taking short cuts, this won’t work. In fact, it will probably be the worst experience of your life. I will never push someone to do something they don’t want to do. I love providing information and I leave all the decision making up to the individual. Which ever level of health and fitness you choose, your main aim should be to feel good. If at any stage the fun stops, then it’s time to reassess your goals. Choose a lifestyle that fits in with you. You can always change direction at any time. You are in complete control. Never allow yourself to be controlled by food. There’s only one thing left to say and that is: Enjoy the life you choose to live!

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BREAST CANCER NETWORK AUSTRALIA: Supporting Multicultural Communities Each year approximately 15,000 women and 125 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia. These statistics were recently brought to life in May when thousands of people stood on the MCG in the shape of the pink lady as part of Field of Women, presented by Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

T

he shock of a breast cancer diagnosis often generates an enormous need for information and support, and affects not only the person diagnosed but also their family, friends, colleagues and community.

BCNA is a national organisation that works to ensure people are not alone as they face the challenges of treatment and the long-term effects of breast cancer.

Since 1998, BCNA has been there from the moment a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. We help women and the people around them feel supported, informed, represented and connected.

We produce free comprehensive resources including the My Journey Kit for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, and Hope & Hurdles for women living with secondary (advanced) breast cancer. We also connect people through our online network, website and information forums held across Australia.

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We are passionate about ensuring that all women understand what a diagnosis of breast cancer means, what their treatment options are and what support is available for them.

Community Liaison volunteers raise awareness and increase support for people affected by breast cancer. They also strengthen BCNA’s connection with others in diverse cultural communities.

One of our priorities is to meet the needs of women from culturally diverse backgrounds who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

We will also be developing the cultural diversity section on our website where we will collate, profile and link people to quality resources and organisations that offer information and support related to their breast cancer experience. The site will also feature audio files of our translated resources and the breast cancer stories of women in their own languages.

There are very few written resources about breast cancer in languages other than English, so BCNA is developing a range of translated materials. In 2012 we researched and consulted within the cancer, breast cancer and multicultural sectors, and identified women with the greatest need for breast cancer information are from Greek, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic speaking communities.

BCNA consulted with women from these language groups to develop written resources that provide relevant information that is culturally appropriate. We are in the final stages of producing our first series of plain English resources which will then be translated into Greek, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic.

‘I can see the brochures on the wall at the hospital, but it is no good for me, it is all in English’ – Cultural Diversity program participant We always include the perspectives of women in our program development and are proactively seeking women from various cultural backgrounds to participate in our Community Liaison program. Our

This year we will also present two multicultural breast cancer forums where women can hear from health professionals about the latest in breast cancer treatment and care, and connect with others in their community. The forums will carefully consider cultural needs and community relevance.

We are continuing to establish ongoing collaborations and partnerships with organisations that represent and support women and families from culturally diverse communities. Together, we are making a difference to women from diverse cultural backgrounds who are living with breast cancer.

To learn more about BCNA or to donate, please visit www.bcna.org.au.

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BCNA is delighted to be the charity partner for the inaugural Celebrating Multicultural Arts Award Gala event on Saturday 19 July, celebrating Victoria’s cultural diversity. We hope this event will raise awareness of the vital work BCNA is doing to support women in the multicultural community.

BCNA Community Liaison profile: Thuong Sobey Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30, Thuong Sobey understands the situation Vietnamese women experience when they are faced with a breast cancer diagnosis. Thuong says women in Vietnam ‘are lonely on their journey because social support, as well as information and education, is very much limited for women with breast cancer in Vietnam.’

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Thuong was lucky to have been supported by her loving family, friends and fiancé during her treatment. Thuong came across BCNA and the My Journey Kit during her treatment and wanted to share the information and knowledge with other women in Vietnam, Thuong contacted BCNA requesting permission to translate BCNA resources for women in Vietnam. ‘I realised that thousands of Vietnamese women were much less fortunate than me, they were fighting cancer without support, without knowing anything about the disease and very lonely.’

In 2013 Thuong joined the BCNA Community Liaison program.

‘I want to give something back to BCNA and say thank you for all that BCNA does for women. A fierce desire appeared in my heart that all Vietnamese women diagnosed with breast cancer would have an improved quality of life and would be strengthened to fight cancer to the best.’

Just 18 months since her diagnosis, Thuong has also established Breast Cancer Network Vietnam while she continues to contribute to the cultural diversity work of BCNA. Thuong says ‘the disease has turned my life into a new life-direction and I intimately know that it is a full and rewarding life.’

Field of Women 2014 The Field of Women is a special event presented every few years

by BCNA. It involves thousands of people coming together in the shape of BCNA’s Pink Lady, a symbol that represents our organisation’s focus on the women, rather than the disease.

On Saturday 10 May, thousands of people stood together on the MCG in pink and blue ponchos to represent the 15,000 women and 125 men expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.

They formed BCNA’s Pink Lady, alongside others who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, to support a loved one, or to pay tribute to someone special lost to the disease.

The event raised awareness of breast cancer and reinforced BCNA’s message that people affected by breast cancer are not alone.

Funds from ticket sales and donations will help BCNA continue to provide free information and support to the growing number of Australians diagnosed with breast cancer.

We hope you enjoy the photos from this moving and inspiring event.

To learn more about this event visit www.fieldofwomen.org.au.

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Sponsorship Packages Bully Zero Australia Foundation Proudly presented by Better Living Group

Make Bullying Disappear Charity Ball - Featuring -

Cosentino The Grand Illusionist

Thando Sikwila Singer & 2014 The Voice Artist

Candice Skjonnemand Singer & 2014 The Voice Artist

Joe Avati Comedian

Saturday 11 October 2014 - 7:00pm The Victory Room, Etihad Stadium, 740 Bourke Street Docklands.

Enjoy a magical evening with a range of talent showcased throughout the night including music and many other performances. Be dazzled by The Grand Illusionist Cosentino, dance to Band “Venus Divided” and enjoy the comedy from M/C Joe Avati while enjoying a few drinks with friends, family and guests. There’s also an auction where you might bag a bargain.

For further information, to sponsor the event or purchase tickets email oyildiz@bzaf.org.au call Oscar 0413 850 357 or visit www.bzaf.org.au $175 pp or $1,700 per table (saving of $50) All funds raised contribute to Bully Zero Australia Foundation programs & initiatives.

Dress Code: Formal

Last year, we held our inaugural Black Tie Charity Ball which raised in excess of $200,000 for Bully Zero Australia Foundation. Funds raised contributed to various awareness initiatives including the delivery of education based programs to primary and secondary school students about the dangers of cyber bullying.

We hope you will join us on Saturday 11 October, 2014 to help raise funds that will allow the foundation to continue its mission to ensure all Australians live fulfilling lives free from all forms of bullying. We are passionate about establishing a Zero- tolerance culture of bullying in Australia and will work tirelessly to ensure that anti-bullying laws are implemented and enforced nationally. We stand united in our quest to create a safer nation for every generation.

1,236 people attended last year’s event ranging from politicians, corporate companies, businesses and various organisations. Ali Halkic – Board member/Director whose son Allem took his own life after being subjected to relentless internet and SMS threats spoke to the guests about his loss. The night was jam-packed with entertainment and a night to remember.

The Venue

Overlooking Victoria Harbour, the Victory room at Etihad Stadium, Docklands boasts a spectacular harbour facing promenade and outdoor space for guests to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset over the Bolte Bridge.

The Entertainment

A range of talent showcased throughout the night including master of ceremonies and comedian Joe Avati. Be dazzled by the magician Cosentino and dance to the Band “Venus Divided”.

What’s on offer?

All guests will receive a special gift from Salt & Pepper valued at $60. An opportunity to participate in a raffle draw for a multitude of prizes and silent auctions will also be available.

Tickets and inclusions

Tickets are $175 or $1,700 for a table of 10 which includes a delicious 3 course dinner and beverages. All sponsorship and supporter donations are tax deductible.

Our sponsorship packages are outlined on the following pages.

We welcome your support and can be contacted anytime to discuss your package requirements.

Oscar Yildiz JP Chief Executive Officer 0413 850 357

Sponsorship Packages

Premium Platinum

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

$10,000

$6,000

$4,500

$3,500

$2,500

Tickets to event

10

10

10

10

10

Venue parking passes

10

2

2

2

Company logo on the Bully Zero Australia website with links to respective sponsors homepage and all other social media communications Preferential seating Company logo on menu Company logo in program Logo on large Banner to be displayed at entrance to the stadium or Victory room Your Banner on or next to stage Company logo on entry ticket to the event Your company name mentioned by Emcee Company logo on thank you letter sent to all attendees Company Logo on electronic pods placed at centre of all tables Access to business cards of attendees Meet & greet with Cosentino Tickets to Medallion Club at Etihad Stadium Company Name on Rubix Cube, to be provided to all attendees

2014 CHARITY BALL - MAKE BULLYING DISAPPEAR

Supporting cultural initiatives across the Hellenic-Australian community.

Delphi Bank has long been a supporter of all things Hellenic in the community, and over the years, the Bank has developed a diverse community and cultural engagement program built upon a primary objective to give back to the community that has supported them along the way.

In November 2012, Delphi Bank launched an Australia-wide rebrand and welcomed the next chapter of their future and growth as part of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank family. Experiencing record growth results in the recent financial year, Delphi Bank has undeniably flourished under the new brand identity with family, business and community forming the fundamental pillars of the organisation.

The Bank’s success is attributed to their strong relationship orientated, community-minded approach, however, Chief Executive Officer, George Tacticos maintains ‘it is our long-term support and involvement with the Hellenic-Australian community that is central to our growth strategy and the driving force behind our cultural engagement program’.

Delphi Bank’s sponsorship portfolio extends across a vibrant array of festivals, concerts and events for a wide-range of community groups, sporting associations and educational institutions, all of which embrace and celebrate the true value of Hellenic-Australian culture.

As Presenting Partner of the renowned Antipodes Lonsdale Street Festival, founded by the cultural arm of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria and the Greek Festival of Sydney, delivered by the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales, Delphi Bank is also proud of their long-standing partnership as naming rights sponsor of the Greek Film Festival on a national level.

These festivals mirror events in South Australia – including Unley Greek Festival, Glendi Greek Festival and Semaphore Greek Cultural Festival.

Still meeting the cultural needs of the smaller community groups across Australia, Delphi Bank continues to play a key role supporting the Thessaloniki Association, Cretan Association of New South Wales, Pancretan Association of Victoria and the Cyprian Greek Orthodox Community Apostolos Andreas of Sunshine, whilst remaining present at the heart of many community service providers across the Hellenic-Australian community. The Bank holds a strong relationship with organisations such as Fronditha Care, AGAPI Care and the Australian Greek Welfare Society whose business and value propositions are closely aligned with their own.

Sport is unique in its ability to capture the community across multiple levels; at the national level which pulls on patriotic strings, right through to grassroots which binds local communities. Delphi Bank aims to recognise the importance of sport in their culture as a way of promoting community spirit, wellbeing and unity.

Grassroots soccer and football contributes to a significant portion of Delphi Bank’s local presence in the community, however, the organisation is just as involved on both a state and national level with the Bank recently signing on again as Premier Partner of the A-League’s largest club, Melbourne Victory Football Club for the upcoming 2014/2015 season.

With the Hellenic-Australian community at their side, Delphi Bank’s community engagement program is a way the Bank can continue to share their successes, demonstrating their dedication to strong growth in line with the increasing prosperity of the communities they serve.

Delphi Bank - A Division of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL / Australian Credit Licence 237879.

Interview with

DEAN KARNAZES

PROFILE

By Steve Agi

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PROFILE How did the passion for running start?

– It began at 6-years old when I started running home from school. It was an effort to lessen the burden on my mother as she was tending to three young children in the house, but I found that I loved running from the time I was a boy.

What does it mean for you?

– To me, running is the ultimate freedom. You don’t need anything to go running except a pair of shoes. When running, I feel totally liberated and alive. Running is the ultimate expression of the human form.

What are the highlights of your career so far?

– I have run upon all 7-continents of earth, twice now.

I’ve run a marathon to the South Pole, in sub-freezing temperatures, and I have run across Death Valley in the middle of summer, the hottest place on earth. Once, I ran 50 marathons, in all of the 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days. People said it would be impossible, but I somehow managed to do it. Running is my salvation.

How does your family feel about what you do and who you are?

– I have a beautiful family and they are very supportive.

They embrace me for being who I am and never pass

judgment or scrutinize the lifestyle I’ve chosen live. I am a very lucky man to have them.

How has your Greek background played a part in your life?

–M y Greek heritage has had a major influence upon my life in almost every way. Growing up in Southern California some of my earliest childhood memories are of attending services at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. My parents were very involved in Greek society and they influenced me in profound ways that I’m only now starting to realize.

My father’s family is from a small village called Silimna outside of Tripoli. My mother’s family is from the island of Ikaria. I still remember my Yiayia telling me about capturing octopus along the shoreline when she was a little girl!

Is being Greek an important part of your life?

– I mmensely so. My only regret is my lack of Greek language skills. I would love nothing more than to live in Greece and immerse myself in the Greek lifestyle and become fluent!

List three words that describe you.

–P assionate. Persistent. Loving.

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PROFILE

The best part about what you do

What do you think about all that is going on over there?

– The best part of what I do is that I get to do exactly what I love to do. Few people ever get to spend their life doing what they truly love. I am the luckiest man on earth in this regard.

– I think it is tragic, the Greek people deserve better.

Greece can recover and regain prominence, I am sure of that and will do all that I can to help. Greece still has a very good reputation around the globe and I hope that the Greek people realize this.

The worst part about what you do

– Losing toenails (laughter). Seriously, there are few drawbacks to what I do other than the occasional blister and lost toenail.

Advice to people who wish to follow in your footsteps

– Do it! Don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back. If you do that which you love and you cannot fail.

Are you a passionate Greek? Do you ever visit Greece?

– Yes, to both questions. OPA! 42 |

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Please let us know about your participation in Navarino Challenge and this whole initiative happening in Greece.

– Th e Navarino Challenge is an absolutely spectacular event. It makes me so proud to be a part of the Navarino Challege and everything about it showcases the very best Greece has to offer. I hope to see many of my fellow countrymen there!

ALP H A FACI LI TI E S GRO UP Pty L td Suite 48, 21- 23 Aristoc Rd Glen Waverley Vic 3150 T: 03 9764 8944 | M: 0458 516 319 E: lk@alphafacilities.com.au W: alphafacilities.com.au

PROVIDING CLEANING, MAINTENANCE, SECURITY SERVICES & TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Constantinople – Istanbul The Cosmopolis … the international City of the Eastern World” Lord Curzon, British Foreign Minister, 1919

By Jim Claven

W

alking the City of Constantine, the centre of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, and now the heart - if not the capital - of modern Turkey, I was struck by how the history of the city and its people remains in a thousand ways, sometimes imposing its presence, at others only glimpses of its past.

HMAS Parramatta The Australian flag flying from the bow of the H.M.A.S. “Parramatta” on her arrival in the harbour at Constantinople, 13 November 1918 (Donated by Mr. P. C. Slaughter.). AWM Image J03215.

This great city emerged from a little colony of Greek traders on the Bosphorus, as they spread out from their homeland across the Aegean, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. It would be transformed by the Roman Emperor Constantine as he moved the centre of the great Roman Empire to the east, to this bridge between east and west, to this great waterway linking the worlds of the Black Sea with those of the Mediterranean.

Over 1,000 years as the centre of the Roman World has left its impressive mark on the city – in its architecture, its churches - and its cosmopolitan character begins here. Greek would become the language of this new Roman capital and the centre of Christianity when the Romans converted to this new religion. The great Hagia Sofia – the Church of the Holy Wisdom – would confirm the city’s place as one of the great centres of the Christian religion.

When the Ottoman’s came in the mid-15th century, a new layer would be added to the richness of the city. They would add to the great architecture of the city and its place as the bridge between east and west would continue in a new form. The Western presence in the city would continue – in its Greek residents, in its Western and Levantine traders and embassies, and this continuing cosmopolitan character would be reflected in an increasingly western architecture as the 20th century approached.

Coming “to the city” from the Gallipoli Peninsula is moving with the tide of history.

The Persians crossed the Hellespont at Chanakale in their fateful invasion of the Greek city states. Alexander the Great would re-trace their steps on his way to build his Empire. Mehmet the Conqueror crossed at the same spot and encircled the great city that would become the heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 500 years. And the Allies would finally enter Constantinople from Thrace and the Bosphorus as they occupied much of that Empire at the end of the First World War.

Galata view British sailors keeping a close watch over Constantinople, 1920.

Reproduced from Robert Holland, Blue Water Empire: The British in the Mediterranean since 1800, London Allen Lane, 2012.

When the Anzacs landed at Anzac Cove at 6am on 25th April, 98 years ago, their aim was to march to Constantinople. The campaign would end in defeat eight months later, but Colonel John Monash wrote with confidence from Mudros Harbour on Lemnos before the landing that he expected to soon occupy the city, a victory “which will stir the whole world”.

Three and half years later, Australian troops would finally enter this great capital.

Australian warships sailed up through the Dardanelles and along the Bosphorus, to enter the city and the famed Golden Horn. They had sailed from Corfu via Lemnos, where they had served along with 5 other Australian warships earlier in the war operating across the mouth of the Adriatic. The sailors of HMAS Parramatta took photographs of the city; the Australian flag flying in the breeze while one of the cities’s famed mosques sits on the shoreline in the background. In so doing, Australian sailors were following in the wake of over two thousand years of sailors approaching Constantinople. HMAS Swan, another of the Australian ships to reach the city, would transport a British attaché and two Greek officers to Constantinople following the signing of the Armistice of Mudros in 1918.

Grande Rue de Pera

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These sailors entered the city along with thousands of other Allied troops in 1918.

They wouldn’t leave until 1923. In the intervening years, the Allies would effectively administer Constantinople – overseeing the police, the post office and transport for

example – and the troops would wander around the city, taking in its cosmopolitan character, its history that oozes from its stones, smells and the vibrance of its people.

By November 1918, over 50,000 soldiers and 167 warships and other vessels would make the city their home.

Amongst these troops – and Australians sailors – we know of at least three Australian soldiers would walk the streets of the city as part of this occupation. Ballaratborn Lieutenant Rex McKay and Captain A.L. King came to the city following three years fighting with British units on the Salonika Front. Another Ballarat soldier, Major George Devine Treloar who had served on the Western Front with distinction, would begin his new career as a refugee worker in Constantinople. In November 1920 nearly 146,000 White Russian refugees arrived from the Crimea on 126 vessels. Treloar would be appointed by the occupation authorities to organise and manage the camps for these new visitors in nearby Tousla, then on the outskirts of the city on its Asian side, on the Sea of Marmara. Many of these Russians would be transferred to the Greek Island of Lemnos and Treloar would go on to fame as the League of Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thrace, helping over 100,000 Christian refugees from the former Ottoman Empire.

The Grande Rue de Pera Allied occupation troops marching on the Grande Rue de Pera, 1919.

One Australian who entered the city before these new arrivals was Captain Thomas White, from Hotham in Victoria, a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps who been captured in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) and transferred for medical treatment to Constantinople. He wrote later of his arrival: “Beneath the shady planes and acacias and festoons of coloured lights, a moderately bad band discoursed immoderately ancient music, and as we watched the gay and well-dressed heterogeneous throng, pretty unveiled Turkish women, attractive Greeks and Armenians, swaggering German, Turkish and Austrian officers in resplendent uniforms – we lived in a seventh heaven of transient freedom and content.”

Protected by local Greeks while on the run in the city –whether by an anonymous Greek traveller on a train, a welcoming family near the great aqueduct to the city’s west or a waiter named Theodore at the Café Martiza - White later wrote of his “sincere and everlasting gratitude” to these “good Samaritans” of Constantinople, without whom he could never have survived or succeeded in escaping.

Along with these Australians and other Allied troops, Greek forces entered the city on the 5th November 1919. Nearly 800 soldiers secured the famed Phanar district, the home of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and many of the city’s thousands of Greek residents.

They would be joined by three Greek warships, including the Greek battleship Averof which had defeated the Ottoman fleet in 1912 and helped join Lemnos, Imbros and Tenedos to Greece. The presence of the Allies – including the Australians and Greek troops – has left their evidence in the photos and stories told of their time in the city.

The Averof The Greek battleship, the Averof, enters Constantinople’s harbour with the Hagia Sofia in the background, 1919. Painting by Likourgos Kogevinas, National Naval Musem Athens. Public Domain.

The city’s thriving Greek residents totalled over 200,000 in 1919. The richness of their lives here is reflected in the thousands of photographs, of weddings, of promenades and business transactions. Many rose to prominence under the Ottoman’s as administrators and successful businessmen. And they would have their place in the Ottoman parliament, as Members of Parliament and Senators. The passing of the Ottoman Empire in 1923 and the rise of the new nationalisms would leave one Greek Senator – Alexander Mavroyeni – full of sadness.

One of the great avenues of the city was the Grande Rue de Pera – the current Istiklal Avenue – across from the Golden Horn. Pera was also the second major residential area for the city’s Greek community. As I walked this famous diplomatic, business and trading avenue in April this year, the old photographs were brought to life.

Beginning in Taksim Square, one of modern Istanbul’s great public squares, with its monument to Mustapha Kemal Ataturk, the victor of Gallipoli, I turned to the southern end of the square. In 1919, a huge portrait of the Greek Prime Minister – Venizelos - was erected in the square by its Greek residents. Walking south, I was immediately struck by the late 19th century European architecture of the grand buildings that line the Avenue.

Grande Rue de Pera Postcard

On the left in a side street – opposite the French Consulate - is the impressive Greek Orthodox Church of Agia Triada, with children playing in its gardens. Further down on the right is the Greek Consulate, now a thriving cultural centre, and a little further the ornate entrance to the Roumeli Bazaar, with its legends written in Greek letters for all to see and be reminded of the Greek-ness of old Pera.

There are some great examples of late 19th century architecture here. One of the most interesting is an art deco apartment block, designed by the Greek architect C.P. Grande Rue de Pera

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Kyriakides. Its doors have ornate brass work and the combination of fine lines and swirling curves well known to lovers of this style. Nearby is the impressive Cite of Pera building, with its statues and columns, inviting you to view its wares.

Further along are the Russian, Dutch and Swedish Consulates, all established in the early 1700’s as the nations of Europe vied for trading and diplomatic footings in this thriving capital of what was known as the Sublime Port. The Russian Consulate – then the Embassy – would be the home of the White Russian government-in-exile in 1920.

And there are the reminders of lost Empires too – the once influential Embassy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire sits silent witness to the impermanence of Empire. Captain White while on the run in Istanbul in 1917 as an escaped prisoner of war had to dodge the attentions of Austro-Hungarian officers in the cafes near this very avenue while he organised his escape from the city and the Ottoman Empire.

As one continues down the avenue there are the coffee and confectionary shops, providing halva, baklava and ekmek with some traditional coffee to the weary pedestrian.

Hellenic aviators in Constantinople Aviators of the Helllenic Naval Aviation Service, at Constantinople’s San Stefano airfield, 1918. Public domain.

Sitting in the traditional Imbroz Restaurant – just off the avenue, beneath art deco street lighting - with my friends Ozan and Yiannis, the smells and music of this cosmopolitan avenue flood around us. The fresh fish from the Bosphorus, the Turkish feta and mezze satisfy the palate. The sounds of Asia Minor come from the folk musicians nearby, from what looks and sounds like a Cretan lyra and the bazoukia - at once Greek and then Turkish, of sadness and love - reinforces the sense that this was a great meeting of cultures.

Yet one cannot talk of the city without mentioning its sadness. For many of its Greek and Armenian residents are now here only as ghosts of its rich past. Waves of emigration, from the 1920’s onwards, reduced the city’s Greek community. Over 150,000 would leave in 1923. Orhan Palmuk, the noble prize winner and one of the modern cities great writers and residents, has written in his book Istanbul – Memories of A City with love of his visits to the Greek Phanar district before 1955. To this day, he remembers the exotic sweets of the Greek cake shops that peppered the area.

Leaving the avenue as it enters the Galatas area, with its great medieval tower the centre of the areas Genoan community, I enter a lovely ancient second hand bookshop to browse and make a purchase of another record of the cosmopolitan nature of this land. Above the door, in elegant art deco lettering is a brass sign stating that this is the home of the Librarie de Pera.

Leaving the beautiful avenue for the awesome vistas given up by Galatas, with the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Spice Bazaar glittering beyond the great Galata Bridge, reveals again this meeting place of cultures. British sailors gazed out on this view in 1919, as no doubt the Genoan defenders of the city did in 1452.

Scottish troops of the Allied occupation force in Constantinople, 1919

Genoan Tower Galata

Crossing the great bridge, with the Golden City ahead, the fresh air from the busy Bosphorus heightens the spirit as I pass the hundreds of locals fishing hopefully from the bridge’s edge. It was near this very spot that the Australian warships caught there first glimpse of Constantinople in 1919.

Walking on and up the hill, through the magnificent Spice Bazaar, I look up and see the ancient Roman and Byzantine houses, still in use after over a thousand years. As I emerge into the wide vista that is the former Roman Hippodrome, looking around one is witness to the passage of time – the great Hagia Sofia to the left, followed by the mag-

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The Spice Bazaar – est 1597

nificent Blue Mosque – with its strange little grandfather clock, the gift to the Sultan by Queen Victoria, a reminder of the Crimean War - and on the right the Basilica Cisterns built by Emperor Justinian to bring water from the north to the city’s thriving residents.

Ahead stands the Serpentine Column, brought to the Hippodrome by Constantine. This had been erected in Greece to commemorate the great victory of the Greek City-States over the Persian invader at Plataea. Moving it to the capital in east, Constantine was recreating a new Rome but also continuing the Greek connection to the City.

I leave my travels here at the marble Million monument, opposite Hagia Sofia.

Erected by Constantine, this marks the geographic centre of what would become the Byzantine Empire. It also marks the beginning of the great road leading west to Greece and Rome. The Via Egnata begins here and makes its way west, to Thessaloniki and beyond. Walked on by St Paul in his journeys spreading the gospel, it would also be the road walked by Australian nurses and soldiers in Thessaloniki as they arrived to help defend and heal the region in the First World War after the end of the Gallipoli campaign. But that is another story waiting to be told.

Jim Claven, MA, is a historian, published author and tour leader, who is completing research into the Anzac presence in Greece during WW1 and WW2, especially the role of Lemnos in the Gallipoli campaign. He is Secretary of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee.

Grande Rue de Pera – Old Trams

Quote from Lord Curzon is from Philip Mansel’s Constantinople – City of the World’s Desire, John Murray, 1995 and that of Captain White is from Fred and Elisabeth Bentley’s White’s Flight, Wiley 2004.

Grande Rue Pera – Ayia Triada Greek Orthodox Church

Grande Rue de Pera – Greek Consulate Cultural Centre (former Embassy Building)

Hagia Sofia – Christ Mosaic

Grande Rue de Pera – Greek Market Building – Cite Rumeli, est 1897

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EKLISIA

English Liturgies at Melbourne University

H

oly Ascension Orthodox Mission is an English-language Orthodox Church for Melbourne. With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and Archbishop of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand, Holy Ascension Mission was established in 2009 with Priestmonk Kyril and Deacon Emil Mishriky as its founding clergy. Fr Kyril is also an accredited chaplain at Melbourne University.

Since June 2013, Holy Ascension Mission has been gathering at the United Faculty of Theology Chapel, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, to serve the Divine Liturgy. We now serve the liturgy (completely in English) every Sunday at 9am. These weekly liturgies in English are attended by around 30 people of various ages and backgrounds. The Mission Choir has both male and female singers with a varied repertoire of ecclesiastical music.

After the liturgy the faithful gather in the adjoining café for fellowship.

This is where they have an opportunity to catch up with each other and

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also spend quality time as a spiritual family with the clergy. It is also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate each other’s various anniversaries (name-days, birthdays…etc).

Holy Ascension Mission also has a Sunday School for children up to 10 years of age. It takes place in the adjoining room next to the chapel immediately after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. This way the children do not miss out on attending the Liturgy and receiving Holy Communion. Sunday School runs for 20 minutes while the rest of the congregation has fellowship in the cafe.

For more information about Holy Ascension Mission, please visit www. ascensionorthodox.org There you will also find information on how you can donate to help raise much needed funds towards the church building project.

We invite you to join us in our weekly worship. It’s all in plain English!

Please visit us soon. God bless!

The Feast of Pentecost and the Mission of the Orthodox Church “The Church of Constantinople does not seek to impose domination or influence, or to impose its language and culture, in its missionary efforts in different lands. As seen in the work of Saints Cyril & Methodius, the Church of Constantinople does not seek to impose Greek language and culture on others, but rather encourages the use and growth of local language and culture.”

O

(His All Holiness Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch, on his Patriarchal visit to the Philippines in March 2000)

ne of the many reasons why the Orthodox Church keeps celebrating the feast of Pentecost annually, a reason mainly neglected and forgotten by many these days, is in connection with the missionary imperative of the Church to go to all nations and teach everyone about Orthodox Christianity in their own language.

Now when the day of Pentecost came, they were all gathered with one accord in the same place. Suddenly, there came from Heaven a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Divided tongues that seemed like fire appeared and one tongue rested on each of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. At that time of year, devout Jews from every nation under Heaven were staying in Jerusalem. When this sound was heard, a crowd formed and people were bewildered because everyone heard the disciples speaking in his own language.

They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans? How is it that we hear everyone speak in our own native language?

Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages about the deeds of power of God!” (Acts 2: 1 – 11)

What is our ‘mission’ as Orthodox Christians? What does it mean to be a ‘missionary’ in our contemporary world? ‘Mission’ often means ‘telling other people what we believe,’ and ‘trying to get them to believe as we do.’ In effect, the idea of ‘mission’ is combined with another, that of ‘proselytism,’ which is the technical term for the work of drawing other people into one’s own religion or belief system.

But is this what we mean as Orthodox Christians? Can it be that our ‘mission’ is, as such examples would suggest, to create more Orthodox Christians, to cause more people to convert?

As tempting as such a vision might be the true testimony of the Church is that the answer must be ‘no.’ Creating converts is not our mission, and it cannot be our aim as missionaries in the modern world. But then what is it? Our mission must not be defined by what the world expects; it must be defined by what the world needs, and what God offers to it in that need. Our source for understanding mission is in our past, in our heritage, which is vibrant and alive in our present. Our source is in our Church Fathers and Mothers, who convey to us the truth of ourselves, of the world, of God and of His Church. It is by looking to what we receive from our Fathers in the Faith, that we will learn what is our true mission as Christians, and in what our true missionary work might consist.

So what do these divine sources tell us? The ‘mission’ and aim of the Christian life is the salvation of our souls and bodies, and the attainment of the Kingdom of God. This is first and foremost, and above all else.

It is for this that God the Father sent His only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, into the world; it is for this that He offered Himself and sent the life-creating Spirit, so that we who are fallen and broken, suffering and crippled by sin and death, might rise up by His power and attain to the life He has fashioned for us, living eternally with Him in His heavenly Kingdom.

Our aim is not to help the people around us find a more fulfilling life; it is not to help them discover better worship; it is not to help them locate and become part of a more satisfying community. Our mission is to help them find the Kingdom of God, to overcome their sin by His power, to be transformed into the life of His blessedness.

This is our mission as Orthodox Christians; and for this reason, it is neither a popular or easy one in the world today. To be a missionary requires struggle, and a confident boldness. To fulfil this mission, we must proclaim boldly and without hesitation: That there is but one God, not the many gods, ideologies and spiritualities that the world likes to foster today;

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EKLISIA That this one God is our God, who ‘does great and wonderful things,’ and He alone is true and the Truth, and not that endless variety of ‘truths’ and ‘wisdoms’ the world embraces around us; That there is such a thing as sin, that there is right and there is wrong, there is good and there is bad and it can and should be identified as such, even if the world might call this ‘judgmental,’ And, perhaps most importantly: that there is a way out of sin, namely, the Life in Christ that is the mystery of His Church.

Our mission is to attain the Kingdom of God, and to draw all those around us, even the whole world, into that same Kingdom. To be ‘missionary,’ then, is to live our lives in such a manner that these two things are possible, and more than simply possible: that they actually take place. The foundation of practical missionary work, then, begins in the heart: in your heart and in mine. It begins with repentance. Our hearts must see their brokenness, and turn from our sin towards redemption in Christ. Without this, we seek to share with the world what we do not have, and we seek to point the world toward a Kingdom that we are not ourselves moving toward or living within.

Missionary work begins in the Holy Mysteries, in Confession and the Communion in the holy Body and Blood of Christ. It does not begin in a plan for travel, or an outline for catechesis, or a useful translation of the sacred writings or a manual for encounters. Nor does it begin with an idea for a good Christian bookstore or coffee-shop discussion groups. It begins with an epitrachilion (the vestment a priest wears, also called a stole) laid across our head (just as at Confession), our heart laid open by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and the sins which bind us to death and darkness defeated by the power of God. It begins when, through this sacred Mystery, we are freed of the burden of sin, and are made ready to draw near to Christ Himself in the Divine Liturgy, receiving in soul and body Him who shows us His Father’s Kingdom.1 “As we make our ‘good confession’ (1 Timothy 6: 13) we sincerely desire that the Orthodox Church be understood by all people, and especially by all the members of the Orthodox Church herself, not as an ‘Eastern’ Church or as a national church necessarily bound to certain human cultures and traditions, but as the Church of Christ founded by God in the Holy Spirit for the salvation of all men and the whole of creation. Let us Orthodox Christians never forget that our own nationalism and ethnicism often obscure and betray this divine mission of the Church. We will have to answer before God for the great gift of Orthodoxy which He has given to our care.”2 Imparting Orthodox Christianity in the language of the people that it goes to evangelise has always been the standard practice. It is 2000 years of Holy Orthodox Tradition, stretching all the way back to the Apostles (Apostolic Tradition), and to Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ Himself. This is a Tradition begun by Christ and put into effect from the time that He sent the Holy Spirit from God the Father, ten days after He ascended to Heaven, on the day of Pentecost (50 days after Pascha). The immediate followers of Christ, His apostles and their followers, helped to spread Orthodox Christianity to all lands and in all languages: Greek, Latin, Armenian (by St Gregory the Illuminator of Armenia), Coptic, Ge’ez (an Ethiopian language), Arabic, Slavonic (by Saints Cyril & Methodius); in the languages and dialects of the peoples of Alaska by St Innocent and St Herman of Alaska, in French and Malagasy by the evermemorable Bishop Nectarios of Madagascar; in the languages and dialects of the peoples of Indonesia by Archimandrite Daniel Byantoro of Indonesia, in the languages and dialects of the peoples of Albania by Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, in Japanese by St Nicolas Kassatkin of Japan…etc.

1 Archimandrite Irenei (Steenburg). Address at Western American Diocese (ROCOR), Youth Conference.

2 Synod of Bishops of the O.C.A., Christianity & Ecumenism (N.Y.: O.C.A., 1973), pg. 7.

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“There are many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them are without meaning. But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I would be as a foreigner to the one speaking, and vice-versa.” (1 Corinthians 14: 10 – 11) A good reminder of the importance of receiving the Good News of Christ in our own language is the reading of the Gospel in many languages on Pascha. For many, the meaning has been reduced to just another ethnic, liturgical ritual in keeping with Easter. The true meaning may be lost for the majority, who believe it is more important to be x-nationality rather than Orthodox Christian first and foremost, and who believe that only people of x-nationality can be truly Orthodox. We must be reminded that this church service at Pascha is conducted in a multiplicity of languages because we are commanded to spread the Faith to all peoples, in all languages, to the ends of the earth - Australia being at one of those ends!

“I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind (i.e., with understanding). I will sing with the spirit, and with the mind also.” (1 Corinthians 14: 15)

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Thalassa:

Greek-Australians and the Sea Part 1

Leonard Janiszewski and Effy Alexakis Macquarie University, Sydney Go as far inland as you can [in Greece] and you are never more than a day’s walk from the sight of the sea. It was by the sea that the first human inhabitants came to Greece, and by the sea that the island dwellers set out to seek their fortunes because the land could not support them. Greek mariners, from the Argonauts to the shipowners of today, succeeded so well that there are now half as many Greeks living outside the country as the ten million in it.

Nicholas Gage (Nikolaos Gatzoyiannis), author/journalist, 1987

1. Bill Florence (Vasilios Florias) being welcomed to Australia Melbourne, Vic., 1922 Bill arrived from Ithaca as a young teenager eager for “a better life”. He became part of the chain migration of his family to Australia – his father, Georgios Florias, having initially journeyed to the Antipodes in the mid-1870s. Bill’s brothers, John (Ioannis) and Bob (Haralambos), his sister Androniki, as well as his maternal grandfather, Efstathios Raftopoulos, also migrated. Bill’s family, like thousands of other Greeks between the early 1800s and late 1970s, had made the long, arduous passage to Australia by sea. The last migrant ship to dock at Station Pier, Port Melbourne, was the Australis in 1977.

Photo courtesy S. Raftopoulos and J. Florence, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

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reeks have traditionally had a close affinity with the sea, not only as a means of passage but also as a means of both domestic and commercial sustenance. For over two hundred years, Antipodean waters have continued to nourish this association.

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Greek migrants travelled to this continent as part of one of the most pronounced government-orchestrated mass immigration schemes of the modern era.

Greek sailors attached to British merchant or naval vessels may have sojourned in Sydney as early as the 1810s – the Ionian islands were a British protectorate from 1814 to 1864 and were a source of skilled seamen for Britain. A Greek connection is implied by the birth of a

George Papas in the colony in 1814. Recorded as a “Man of Colour” (a person in the colony having one Indigenous Australian parent), his father may have been a visiting Greek sailor. Whilst the suspected Hellenic origins of Papas’ father cannot presently be authenticated, the sea did provide passage some fifteen years later to seven Greek sailors convicted of piracy in the Mediterranean. Amongst them, two would become Australia’s earliest confirmed Greek settlers – Andonis Manolis and Ghikas Boulgaris.

Across the sea came other isolated Greek arrivals prior to the 1850s. Most were sailors. With the Australian gold rushes of the 1850s-1880s, quite a considerable number of Greek sailors and fishermen, serving mostly with British vessels, eagerly jumped ship and made off to the inland diggings of New South Wales and Victoria. Many of their names appear in regular listings of shipjumpers in both the New South Wales Government Gazette and the Victorian Police Gazette. Before the end of the nineteenth century, sea passage endowed all Australian states with Greek settlement, and through the chain migration which followed, the establishment of Greek communities. Despite the imposition of Australian immigration restrictions upon southern Europeans during the 1920s, and two notably intrusive periods when departures exceeded arrivals, Greek communities maintained their growth during the opening three decades of the twentieth century. Significantly, like the earliest Greek arrivals, most Greek migrants between the late 1800s and the end of the 1940s came from areas possessing strong traditional associations with the sea – coastal Greece and the Greek islands. Immigrants from three islands, Kythera, Kastellorizo and Ithaca, were predominant during this period.

2. Tasmania Piraeus, Athens, Greece, 1956 One of a number of migrant ships which brought post-war Greeks to Australia.

Built originally as a cargo vessel in 1940, the ship was soon converted to an aircraft carrier. After World war II it was rebuilt to serve as a cargo vessel yet again, and later as a bulk carrier. In 1949, following another refitting, it was utilised as a passenger ship with quarters for 600 persons. In 1956, Hellenic Mediterranean Lines acquired the vessel for its Australian passenger route renaming it, Tasmania. While entering Port Phillip Bay on 3 April 1956, the ship ran aground and suffered damage to the bottom of its hull. Peter Antypas, was “one of about 1,500 Greek migrants on board” and recalls the incident: “I nearly drowned in Melbourne Harbour! A big hole – water came up three to four metres”. The vessel ended its service in the manner in which it had commenced – as a cargo ship. Early in 1962, whilst being broken up, fire swept through the vessel totally destroying it.

Photo courtesy P. Antypas, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

In 1946 Arthur Calwell, Australia’s first Minister for Immigration, declared that “the days of our isolation are over... more and more people... will come from overseas to link their fate with our destiny”.

Australia’s post-war mass migration policy had been launched.

Over most of the following three decades, Greeks from all over Greece would journey by ship to the Antipodean continent in unprecedented numbers, hoping for “a better life”. Passenger vessels such as the Chandris Line’s Patris, Ellinis and Australis, the Cyrenia of Hellenic Mediterranean Lines, and Lloyd Triestino’s Toscana, have since become Australian maritime icons – symbols of the populating of the “new Australia”. Unfortunately though, beyond the mythology, some vessels, such as the Tasmania, Skaubryn and the Radnik, were converted cargo and/or military ships, and not particularly suited to long distance civilian passenger trade.

Numerous individual stories of the vicissitudes of the “voyage out” on most of the migrant ships have been well documented since the 1980s, clearly revealing the personal conflicts of cultural and geographical dislocation.

An important, and significant feature of post-war Greek sea migration to Australia was the creation of “bride ships”. Prior to the late 1950s, Greek migration to Australia was overwhelmingly male.

With the “bride ships”, which carried large numbers of single Greek women as prospective brides for Greek men in Australia, an attempt was made to redress this imbalance. The Begona, for example, is reported to have carried 630 female passengers (37 of whom were aged between one and twelve) and only 58 male passengers (34 of

3. Giannopoulos family Greek Passport 1953 Konstandinos and Afrodite Giannopoulos, together with two of their children, George (Georgios) and Arthur (Athanassios), migrated from Kalamata to Australia in 1953, aboard the Skaubryn. Initially built as a shelter deck cargo ship, the vessel was refitted as an emigrant liner and made six voyages to Australia from 1952 to 1958.

Passport courtesy A. Giannopoulos, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

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whom were aged between one and twelve) on its trip to Australia in mid-1957. Initially stimulated in 1956 through an Australian Government and ICEM (Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration) “assisted” migration program specifically targeting single Greek women, overall, most female arrivals were privately sponsored migrants, rather than “assisted”. Between 1957 and 1963, more Greek females arrived in Australia than males.

Migration provided a means for single Greek women to extricate themselves from the burden of the traditional dowry system in Greece and proxy engagements to Greek men in Australia became common. As portrayed in David Martin’s 1962 novel, The Young Wife, “bride ships” succeeded in capturing the Australian media’s and public’s imagination: Anna was gazing sideways at a copy of the evening newspaper… On the third page, looking straight up at her, was her photograph… The photographer had caught a moment when a breeze was blowing her hair and she had put up a hand to restrain it. “Young Bride Gazes at New Country. Belle of the Brideship.”

4. Vasilios Karaoglanidis with his sons, Michael (on right) and Alex, aboard the Patris 1961 The Karaoglanidis family left Greece for Australia aboard the Patris in October 1961 – the journey lasted approximately one month. Vasilios had made the decision with his wife, Eugenia (nee Hatzimouratis), to migrate “for the future of the family”. There was no work available in their village of Vathilakos in northern Greece, Australia was wanting migrants, and Vasilios’ older brother, Fotis, had successfully migrated to Melbourne 1954. Though only a child at the time, Michael Karris (Karaoglanidis), vividly recalls “the journey through the Suez Canal, the desert landscape, the heat and the golden light, the dark-skinned boys diving towards the ship’s bow to retrieve coins that passengers tossed into the sea… the costume party and toys when we crossed the equator… and that constant sound of the engines beneath us.”

Photo courtesy V. Karaoglanidis, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

But not all “promised brides” were content with their betrothed husbands upon meeting. Some bravely chose to break their agreement, placing their destiny in a new land solely into their own hands, a point well developed in Theodore Patrikareas’ 1963 play Throw away Your Harmonica Pepino; the play was later produced as a film (Greek title My Name is Antigone, English title The Promised Woman) and was subsequently retitled The Promised Woman.

A generally neglected aspect of Greek migrant ships of this period was that whilst the majority of passenger trade was to Australia, the return trip was often not simply cargo, but also paying passengers.

These generally included those returning to Greece permanently (either to retire or because of disillusionment with life in Australia), or for a holiday, and even to marry; Greek return migration by sea from Australia had commenced as early as 1837. Moreover, aboard some of the migrant ships Greek-Australian interpreters, such as Ted (Telemachos) Payzis, were utilised as a means of introducing migrants to their new country, teaching English, and generally dealing with communication problems as they arose. Ted, who was born in Newcastle, New South Wales (his father, Spiros, migrated from Ithaca around the mid-1880s), was employed as an interpreter on the Patris. Ted’s cynical, though generally positive description of life aboard a migrant ship provides strong contrasts to many of the despondencies articulated by passengers.

5. A “bride ship”, the Begona 1957 The pattern of gender imbalance in Greek migration to Australia during the period prior to World War II initially persisted during the post-war migration boom with men still greatly outnumbering women.

Between mid-1953 and mid-1956, Greek male “assisted migrants” exceeded Greek female “assisted migrants” by five to one. In 1956 a program was instituted to redress the imbalance and bring out single Greek women. Such women would be trained in Athens for domestic work in Australia, as well as being taught basic English. Between 1957 and 1963, more Greek females than males arrived in Australia, though most were privately sponsored rather than “assisted”. With migrant ships carrying large numbers of single Greek women to Australia, many prospective brides for Greek men, the vessels became known as “bride ships”. Of a total of 688 passengers aboard the Begona on its mid-1957 trip to Australia, 630 were female.

Photo courtesy N. Pirtidis, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

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In 1949, at the age of just 25, Les Liveris, an Australian-born Greek (both of his parents having migrated from Kastellorizo during the 1910s), was appointed to the position of Commonwealth Migration Officer for the Northern Territory – joining the public service at age 13, he had originally been informed that as a Greek, he would not advance beyond the limited duties of a messenger boy. Les was officially involved with immigration to Australia for the next 34 years and oversaw, amongst other migrant arrivals, the post-war influx of Kalymnian, and later Greek-Cypriot immigrants, to Australia’s “Top End”. From 1980 to 1982, although post-war Greek migration to Australia had dramatically fallen away since its peak during the mid1960s, Liveris was offered the position of Immigration Counsellor with the Australian Embassy in Athens. Upon accepting, he became the first Australian of Greek background to hold the post.

Between the end of World War II and the early 1980s, approximately 250,000 Greeks had arrived in Australia as permanent or long-term settlers. Passage for most, had been by sea.

Located on the western bank of Sydney Cove, the Sydney Dock Yard provided Damianos Ninis (one of the seven Greek convicts who arrived in 1829) with not only his required assigned labour, but also with the distinction of becoming the first Greek to undertake work in Australia’s maritime industry. Others soon followed. Early Greek arrivals like Samuel Donnes (Antonatos/Antonakis) and John Peters (Ioannis Iakoumis), both of whom arrived in Sydney during the 1830s, initially utilised their skills as sailors and became mariners on coastal or river vessels. An unidentified Hellene was commanding a Sydney-based coastal vessel in 1852. George North (Georgios Tramountanas), who arrived in Port Adelaide, South Australia, in 1842, was working as a seaman at the time of his marriage in 1858. He fortunately left his position of First Mate aboard the coastal steamer Admella, before the vessel’s tragic demise off the South Australian coast the following year. Antonio Fossilo/ Fossili (Andoni Phasoulas), who jumped ship in Albany, Western Australia, in 1870, soon took up work as a Fremantle barge operator, and in 1889 displayed much courage in simultaneously saving a oneyear-old infant and twelve-year-old girl from drowning – apparently the incident had been his third rescue of children from drowning.

Jack (John) Caparatus (Athanasios Kaparatos), who arrived in Launceston, Tasmania, in 1884, also exhibited exceptional valour while employed as a boatman and stevedore. Ten years after his arrival, Caparatus was presented with the Royal Humane Society’s medal for rescuing, at different times, eleven individuals from drowning in the Tamar River.

6. Greek women receiving life-saving instructions aboard the Patris 1961 Whilst both married and unmarried Greek men were arriving in Australia, the effect of draining single men away from Greece, particularly in regions heavily involved in early and ongoing migration to Australia, was devastating to the unmarried women left behind.

Many single women would wait and hope that someone amongst those men who had migrated from her village would remember her and propose marriage. The 1956 Australian Government and ICEM (Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration) migration program targeting single Greek women, attempted to alleviate this situation.

Photo courtesy Kagelaris family, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

7. Ted (Telemachos) and Janet Payzis Newcastle, NSW, 1986 Ted’s father, Spiros, had migrated from Ithaca to Newcastle in the mid-1880s. Born in Newcastle in 1923, Ted was employed as an interpreter on the Patris. His cynical, though generally positive description of life aboard a migrant ship provides strong contrasts to many of the despondencies articulated by passengers.

Photo by Effy Alexakis, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

8. Les Liveris Darwin, NT, 1987 Although initially informed that he would not advance beyond a messenger boy in the public service because he was Greek, Les Liveris rose to become the Commonwealth Migration Officer for the Northern Territory and oversaw, amongst other migrant arrivals, the post-war influx of Kalymnian and later Greek-Cypriot immigrants to Australia’s “Top End”. In the early 1980s Liveris was appointed Immigration Counsellor with the Australian Embassy in Athens.

Photo by Effy Alexakis, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

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Naturalisations in Australia prior to 1903 reveal that almost 40 Greeks had recorded their occupations as either mariners or as wharf labourers – most being located in South Australian ports, followed by Queensland and New South Wales. By 1916, New South Wales was dominant with 34 Greeks reported to be working on the state’s coastal shipping and wharves. Unfortunately in 1928, newly arrived or out-of-work Greek migrant workers found themselves caught up in a bitter national Australian maritime strike. Employed – together with other European and British migrants – to work the wharves left idle by striking members of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, the underlying racial tensions of “White Australia” were quick to surface. Non-British “scab labour” was particularly targeted by union retaliation – verbal abuse, pelting with debris, and bashing. On 1 December 1928 a bomb exploded on the roof of the Acropolis Café in Melbourne’s Lonsdale Street where a group of Greek stevedores were playing cards. Fifteen individuals were injured by the blast. Five British-Australians were charged and found guilty of the offence and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment – one was a union member. During World War II, alliances rather than divisions were forged between Australian maritime unions and Greeks. Greek ships left stranded in Australian ports following Greece’s invasion by Axis forces, were chartered by the Australian Government and Australian unions were successful in gaining improved conditions for Allied Greek seamen on a par with their own.

From World War II onwards, Australians of Greek background have continued to maintain a relationship with the sea as sailors, and in a variety of roles. Some, like Michael Sofoulis and Socrates Likiard (Likiardopolous), joined the Royal Australian Navy. Sofoulis’ youngest brother, Angelo (“Lucky”), later became a marine engineer with the Adelaide Steamship Company while Likiard’s brother, James (Jerasmus), spent many years captaining various ships in Queensland waters. At least three Greek women served with the WRANS (Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service) during World War II – Polyxeni Lucas, Helen Metaxas and Rita Svokos. Brothers Wayne and Grant Vafiopolous, served with the Royal Australian Navy during the Vietnam conflict, as did Paul Martin Procopis.

Based in Darwin, during the 1980s, George Haritos was captain of a barge which delivered supplies to Indigenous communities from the Kimberley coast to the Gulf of Carpentaria. During the early 1990s, Steve Pelecanos was employed as a marine pilot, navigating bulk carriers, oil tankers and other vessels in and out of Brisbane’s busy port and through south-east Queensland’s channels and environmentally sensitive reefs. While Royal Australian Navy Reservist, Lieutenant Andrea Argirides, served in Iraq in 2008, in 2010, John Stavridis was given command of HMAS Arunta, one of the Australian Navy’s eight Anzac class frigates.

(To be continued – Thalassa: Greek-Australians and the Sea, Part 2 – in next issue)

9. George North (Georgios Tramountanas) and his wife Lydia (nee Vosper) Port Lincoln, SA, c. 1858 Arriving in Port Adelaide in 1842, North was documented as a seaman at the time of his marriage in 1858. In Greece, his family were shipbuilders and seaman. He fortunately left his position of First Mate aboard the coastal steamship Admella before the vessel’s tragic sinking in 1859 near Cape Northumberland on the far eastern coastline of the Great Australian Bight – 89 lives were lost.

Photo courtesy Purcell family, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

10. Antonio Fossilo/Fossili (Andoni Phasoulas), with members of his family Fremantle, WA, c. 1912 Fossilo/Fossili jumped ship in Albany, Western Australia, in 1870 and soon found employment in the state’s developing maritime industry – he became a barge operator at Fremantle. On three separate occasions he saved children from drowning in the waters of the Swan River; the West Australian newspaper suggesting in 1889 (at the time of his third rescue), that his courage should be recognised by the Royal Humane Society.

Photo courtesy of J. Pollard, from the “In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians” National Project Archives

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IN THEIR OWN IMAGE GREEK AUSTRALIANS w w w. p h o t o w r i t e . c o m . a u

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Commencing on 12 September 2014, the long-term collection Gods, Myths & Mortals: Greek Treasures Across The Millennia brings the history of modern man to Australia’s doorstep. The exhibition, which will be housed for a decade at the Museum, is the first traveling collection from a ten-year partnership between the world-renowned Benaki Museum, Athens and the Hellenic Museum, Melbourne.

The exhibition is designed for audiences to travel through the centuries via the objects that have survived them: figurines; jewellery; manuscripts; tools; vessels; artefacts; textiles and costumes. This comprehensive collection resounds with Melbourne’s multicultural community through the appeal of the historical eras it traverses: PreHistorical; Greek and Roman Periods; Byzantine; PostByzantine; and Neo-Hellenic Period.

These periods encapsulate the foundations of Western society as we know it today. Last month, Victorian State Premier, the Hon Dr Denis Napthine, announced State Government support for the Benaki Museum and Hellenic Museum venture, which will see a strengthening of ties between Greece and Australia as the two institutions embark on one of the most committed partnerships that the global arts scene has witnessed.

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About the Hellenic Museum/Benaki Museum partnership: Over the course of the last 12 months, the Hellenic Museum and the Benaki Museum have worked closely to establish a major cultural initiative. At the heart of this initiative is an inspiring collection from the Benaki, spanning some 8,000 years of Greek history, which will be on display in Melbourne for an unprecedented period of 10 years.

This collaboration provides a catalyst for extending and strengthening the relationship between Greece and Australia, as well as becoming a viable platform for further cultural dialogue and connection between the two countries. A partnership of such a duration and commitment is rare on the international stage, and the relationship between the Benaki Museum and the Hellenic Museum proves to be an innovative example for future global programming in the arts.

With an extensive long-term collection of Greek art and antiquities, dynamic contemporary exhibitions and high quality education programs, the Hellenic Museum plays a pivotal role in Australia to promote an appreciation of Greece’s cultural identity.

About the Benaki Museum: The Benaki Museum is one of the oldest museums in Greece. Established and endowed in 1930 by founder and benefactor Antonis Benakis, the museum is housed in the Benaki family mansion in Athens. Since 2000, the Museum has expanded with the creation of satellite museums that hold specific collections, including an Islamic collection that is among the world’s finest with pieces from the Ottoman Empire, Asia Minor, the Middle East, North Africa and India; as well as other museums that house the Children’s Toys Collection, and the Historical Archive Collection.

The Benaki Museum is consistently placed in a world ranking, alongside the Louvre and the MET, and is recognised in listings such as the UK’s Telegraph The World’s Best Museums: a guide.

For more information on the collection: http://www.hellenic.org.au/coming-soon For more information on the Benaki Museum: http://www.benaki.gr/index.asp?lang=en

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TREASURED

ISLAND Sheila Busteed pens sexy, sophisticated debut novel about Santorini romance

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[02/02/14] A dazzling remote island, delectable food, soulful music, steamy romance and life-changing experiences – this sounds like the making of a remarkable vacation retreat. And it can all be enjoyed within the pages of SUNSETS IN OIA. Now, readers everywhere can escape their everyday lives and travel along with exciting characters as they explore a real-to-life location.

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he debut novel by Canadian writer Sheila Busteed, Sunsets in Oia follows Selene Doherty, whose excitement from the successful tour with her Wellington-based band is cut short when she learns that her parents were killed in the Athens riots. After the funeral, she escapes to her bequeathed summer home on the island of Santorini to recover from the tragedy. She is haunted. The loss of her family leaves her with a feeling of disconnectedness that is unshakable.

But a chance reunion with a man from her past brings new romance – and hope. Drawing strength as he helps her get in touch with her roots, Selene begins the journey to redefine her life.

Sunsets in Oia offers a snapshot of a summer, blending vibrant characters, enduring culture, vivid scenery and impactful themes – plus a bit of erotica – that will leave readers cheering, “Opa!” Sunsets in Oia is for sale through the FriesenPress Bookstore (http://www.friesenpress.com/ bookstore/title/119734000012276129) as well as other fine retailers, including Chapters Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Google, iTunes, Kindle, Kobo and Nook, among others.

About the Author: Sheila Busteed, 28, is a freelance writer, teacher, journalist, photographer and designer who possesses a deep connection to music. Originally from Tecumseh, Ontario, Busteed is an avid traveler, and the creation of Sunsets in Oia took her back to the island of Santorini for a writing retreat. After nearly a decade in Canada’s capital, Busteed moved to South Korea to begin a new career as an English teacher. She spends much of her spare time writing, traveling and learning about her newly adopted home.

For more information: www.sheilabusteed.com

Photos by Marli Janse van Vuuren

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PROFILE 62 |

Stefan Cassomenos OPAMAGAZINE.COM.AU

PROFILE Performances in 2015–16 include recitals in Zurich (Tonhalle), Leipzig (Gewandhaus), Bonn, Weimar, Ludwigshafen, Kirchheimbolanden, various recitals and concertos in China, and a UK concert tour.

Stefan’s London debut was described by John Amis, as ‘alive, passionate, and dramatic … as if the pianist’s life depended on it. This was a prodigious London debut by a formidable talent.’ (Musical Opinion, UK, 2007). His recent performance of Beethoven’s Sonata Op 110 was acclaimed as ‘a model of clarity, depth of expression and irrefutable musical logic.’ (West Australian, 2013)

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elbourne pianist and composer Stefan Cassomenos is one of Australia’s most vibrant and versatile musicians. Stefan has performed internationally since the age of 10, and performed the premiere of his own composition Piano Concerto No 1: Aegean Odyssey with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at the age of 16. More recently, he has performed concertos with the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria. He has worked with many conductors including Olari Elts, Fabian Russell, Christopher Seaman, Nicholas Braithwaite, and Arvo Volmer.

Stefan now gives regular solo recitals and concerto performances throughout Australia, Europe, and Asia, having appeared as a soloist in St Petersburg, Tallinn, Warsaw, Krakow, Bonn, Athens, Rome, Milan, Amsterdam, London, Bangkok, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Tokyo.

In 2013, he was a grand finalist and recipient of the Second Grand Prize in the prestigious International Telekom Beethoven Piano Competition Bonn, in Germany. He was also the recipient of the Chamber Music Prize. In 2012, he was a grand finalist in the Rhodes International Piano Competition. He has also been a grand finalist and prize-winner in the 2013 Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition, the 2013 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer Awards, the 2009 Melbourne Asia-Pacific Chamber Music Competition, and the 2009 Trieste International Chamber Music Competition.

Stefan is also active as an artistic director of various festivals, projects and collaborations. He is a founding member of the contemporary chamber ensemble PLEXUS with violinist Monica Curro and clarinetist Philip Arkinstall, both of whom are principal players in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Launched in 2014, PLEXUS has commissioned over fifty composers, and is featured as part of the Metropolis New Music Festival in Melbourne, the Festival of Words and Music at fortyfivedownstairs, and the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Spotlight Series. This new ensemble gives the world premiere of 21 new works this year.

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PROFILE

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PROFILE Stefan has been writing music since the age of seven, and his compositions are regularly commissioned and performed throughout Australia. Stefan’s music has been performed by the Melbourne and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, the Queensland Youth Symphony, Orchestra 21, and the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir. He has also written music for the Melbourne International Brass Festival, Patma Music, and the Australian Music Association.

In 2010, Stefan was Composer-in-Residence for Creative Universe’s CI-2010 Conference, culminating in the premiere of his Piano Concerto No 3, The Art of Thought, at the Melbourne Recital Centre. In 2012 he was awarded the annual Lyrebird Music Society Commission, culminating in the world premiere of his String Quartet No 1 by the Curro String Quartet.

Born in 1985 in Melbourne, Stefan began his studies with Margarita Krupina, before completing his tertiary studies on full scholarship at the University of Melbourne and the Australian National Academy of Music, majoring in piano performance, under the mentorship of Stephen McIntyre, Ian Munro, and Michael Kieran Harvey.

Stefan was recently awarded the 2012 Young Achievement Award by the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is generously supported

by Kawai Australia, the Youth Music Foundation of Australia, and the Helen MacPherson Smith Trust.

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plex·us

noun \ˈplek-səәs\

1. a network of anastomosing or interlacing \ˈplek-səәs\ blood vessels or nerves; 2. an noun intertwining combination partsof or elements orininterlacing a 1. a of network anastomosing blood vessels[from or nerves; 2. an intertwining structure or system Latin plectere "to

plex·us

of from parts Greek or elements braid" (past combination participle plexus) plekein in a "to plait, twine," plektos "from Protostructure or "entwined; system [from Latin plectere "to Indo-European root (past *plek"to plait, twist, from entwine"] braid" participle plexus) Greek plekein "to plait, twine," plektos "entwined; "from ProtoIndo-European root *plek-OPAMAGAZINE.COM.AU "to plait, twist, entwine"] | 65

Patrick Karnezis

by Steve Agi

Photos by: Mark Bayes Photography

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Patrick Karnezis (born 23 April 1992) is a professional Australian rules football player at the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was taken at pick number 25 in the 2010 National Draft by the Brisbane Lions. Karnezis made his debut in Round 13 of the 2011 season, against Richmond.

On 25 October 2013 he was traded to the Collingwood Football Club in exchange for Jackson Paine.

He is also a great bloke and fun to have a chat with.....

Tell us about what it was like growing up Greek/Australian and choosing to play AFL as a career?

It was in fact actually not too bad. My dad loved his footy as did my whole family but we also loved our soccer. The only difficult thing I faced was all my friends played soccer hence I found it hard at times fitting into the football culture but as time goes on it became easier and easier.

What is an average day like for you?

An average day differs, no two days are the same. You’ve got pre-season which is really 5-6 days of the week which is full on, two of them half days and the others full days. Then in season it’s about recovery and getting the body right. It’s about training 3-4 days a week and then playing on the weekend, it is basically a full time job.

What did it feel like being drafted by Brisbane? Was it hard to move away from family?

It was great that I got drafted and that’s what I wanted to achieve. I would be lying if I said moving to Brisbane was what I wanted and I had to adapt.

It was tough! I missed family, friends, my girlfriend and especially my grandparents. That is my life really and I couldn’t be happy if I didn’t have that in my life.

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Is being Greek a big part of your life?

Being Greek is a big part of my life. It’s my culture and it’s where my family comes from, it is my heritage. I am a very proud Greek!

Do you ever/often go back to visit?

I have never gone overseas let alone Greece - I wish! The last three years were hard because all I wanted to do was come home after the season . My parents go once a year , and now I am home I intend on going soon to meet more family!

(Editor’s Note: It is worth noting that Patrick is cousin’s with Orestis Karnezis ( National Goal-Keeper for the Greek Soccer team) and also Dean Karnazes (whom we coincidently also feature in this issue of OPA!)

What do you think about everything thats going on over there now, with the crisis?

It’s sad and it’s hard to accept because you feel some way involved and a part of it. I have got family there which I know are going through a tough time, I wish there was someway we could help them.

How are you fitting in at Collingwood? What did it feel like ‘coming home’?

It’s going well . I’m at home and at the club I barracked for as a kid, so it’s like a dream come true. My year hasn’t gone exactly to plan, but hey, that’s football . My main focus is to just stay injury free. The club itself and the people involved are great. Coming home made me feel great - living the dream!

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What did it feel like to be selected as multicultural ambassador to the AFL? It’s very special and important to me, being an ambassador. I really believe in multiculturalism and being apart of it is my way of trying to improve this area of the game as much as possible.

What are some of the highlights of your role as multicultural ambassador for the AFL? Being my first year it’s all about understanding the program and just learning. Simply going to different clubs and schools with diverse backgrounds and cultures is eye opening and an amazing experience. As the years go by that’s when hopefully I can start developing my own programs and really make a difference.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans are to see how far I can go in my football, to push myself and my career to the limits. I want to become an elite AFL player and I am striving for that. As well as outside opportunities that I am pursuing and trying to do.

Describe yourself in 3 words Humble Driven Generous http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/player-profile/patrick-karnezis-coll

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2015 ROLLS ROYCE

GHOST V-SPECIFICATION

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R

olls-Royce Motor Cars announced the launch of RollsRoyce Ghost V-Specification; a limited series of Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase motor cars that will be available for customers to commission from January to June 2014.

“This limited series celebrates one of Ghost’s defining characteristics; the exquisite 6.6 litre Rolls-Royce V12 engine,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Since its introduction in 2009, an extraordinary marriage of assured presence and remarkable driving dynamics has endeared Ghost to a new generation of highly discerning businessmen and women, ensuring the car’s position as the statement of choice for a growing band of successful entrepreneurs around the world.”

At the heart of the Ghost’s driving experience is its hallmark V12 engine. Acceleration is delivered with a characteristic immediacy and smoothness, propelling occupants from 0 to 60 mph in just

4.7 seconds with 80% of power available from idle. This unique powertrain is celebrated with a 30bhp / 22kw power increase on all Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification motor cars.

Elegantly applied design touches hint at Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification’s inherent dynamism.

V-Specification motif coachlines finish the exterior paint-scheme whilst customers can either choose from five specially selected exterior colours, or from Rolls-Royce’s 44,000 hue palette. Optional visible chrome exhausts and 21” part-polished wheels add further expression to the car’s dynamic promise.

The V-Specification motif is echoed around the car’s handcrafted interior through engraving to the treadplates, embroidery to the rear armrest and hand-applied steel inlays to the front multimedia screen lid. The interior is completed with an exclusively designed clock with a black crown surrounding the face.

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PRESS RELEASE

“Navarino Challenge” returns, September 19th-21st 2014 “Navarino Challenge” one of the main sporting events in Greece last year, is set to return for a second run from 19th to 21st of September 2014.

T

he Greek-American ultramarathon man Dean (Konstantinos) Karnazes will set the pace across the three day running event in the Messinian region, southwest Peloponnese, and through his participation, will contribute once again to raising awareness of the global issue of childhood obesity and the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

Karnazes will again lead the way in the event’s races, joined by a number of other leading and distinguished athletes.

This year, “Navarino Challenge” – which gained recognition as a highly important initiative on sports tourism with a Gold Award at the Tourism Awards 2014 – will showcase an enhanced schedule and varied routes.

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On Saturday September 20th, “Navarino Challenge” will include a special route in the Messinian capital Kalamata, while on Sunday, September 21st 2014, races for both adults and children will take place, all with a starting point at Navarino Dunes, Costa Navarino.

For guests of The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, the schedule of “Navarino Challenge” will include an informative workshop on childhood obesity as well as encouraging a healthy lifestyle though taekwondo lessons for children and adults from the twice Olympic medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis.

Furthermore, pilates trainer Mandy Persaki, will undertake the warm up of participants, before each race, while pilates lessons will be offered

About Dean Karnazes TIME magazine named Dean Karnazes as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in the World.” Men’s Fitness hailed him as one of the fittest men on the planet. An internationally recognized endurance athlete and NYC bestselling author, Dean has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits. Among his many accomplishments, he has run 350 continuous miles, foregoing sleep for three nights. He’’s run across Death Valley in 120 degree temperatures, and he’s run a marathon to the South Pole in negative 40 degrees. On ten different occasions, he’s run a 200-mile relay race solo, racing alongside teams of twelve.

His most recent endeavor was running 50 marathons, in all 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days, finishing with the NYC Marathon, which he ran in three hours flat.

Dean and his incredible adventures have been featured on 60 Minutes, The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS News, CNN, ESPN, The Howard Stern Show, NPR’s Morning Edition, the BBC, and many others. He has appeared on the cover of Runner’s World and Outside, and been featured in, to mention a few. He is a monthly columnist for Men’s Health, the largest Men’s publication in the world.

Costa Navarino Costa Navarino is the prime, sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, located in the Greek region of Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese. One of the most unspoiled and breathtaking seaside Mediterranean landscapes, this area has been shaped by 4,500 years of history. Its philosophy is driven by a genuine desire to promote Messinia, while protecting and preserving its natural beauty and heritage. It will comprise a number of distinct sites featuring 5-star deluxe hotels, luxury residences, conference facilities, spa and thalassotherapy centres, signature golf courses, as well as a wide range of unique year-round activities for adults and children. Navarino Dunes, the first area, is home to two luxury 5-star hotels, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort and The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino; The Dunes Course – the first signature golf course in Greece- Anazoe Spa, a 4,000sq.m. spa & thalassotherapy centre; the state-of-the-art conference centre House of Events; specially designed facilities for children; as well as a variety of gastronomy venues, sports, outdoor and cultural activities. Navarino Bay, the second area is home to the signature golf course, The Bay Course.

throughout the weekend. In addition, workshops for Greek traditional dances will take place, and the three-day event will conclude with a great feast, showcasing the Greek culinary heritage with traditional products.

The message: “Eat well, run well, live well” that was promoted during the event’s inaugural year is captured in the highlights of the event’s promo video: http://youtu.be/vfR5qt9SnIQ

Website: www.navarinochallenge.com, Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Navarinochallenge Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/296405240505800/ Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/NavarinoC Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/NavarinoChallenge

Google + Account: https://plus.google. com/115165548850159469774/posts Instagram Page: http://instagram.com/navarinochallenge Hashtag: #NavarinoChallenge

For more information: Races Press Office: Active Media Tel.: +30 210 9343020 Races Sponsorship Program: Focus On Sports Tel.: +30 210 9312881-2

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as v i r G IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME An expression that is incomprehensible due to the complexity or impression, generally with respect to verbal expressions with excessive jargon of dialect, mathematics or science.

Did you know?

uted The invention of formal city planning was attrib very to Hippodamos of Miletus, who was born at the to d helpe s damo end of the 6th century BC. Hippo served design the new harbor town of Piraeus, which d. inlan er furth s Athen for port ercial comm as a Hippodamus’ name is frequently associated with hus, other orthogonally planned towns, such as Olynt these in nt veme invol t direc His us.

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Do you remember?

GREEK WITH ENWORDS DERIVATGLISH IVES

Citation fo rm Root form : φυτόν : φυτο - ph Meaning: utoplant English D erivatives: dermatop microphy hyte, geo te, neoph phyte, ma yte, ooph phytoche crophyte yte, perip mical, ph , hyton, ph ytology, p saprophy ytic acid, hytopath te, sperm o lo gy, phyto atophyte tomy, , thalloph yte, zoop hyte

Famous Greek Australians

ου.» ιτοκαλυβάκι μ π σ ι κα υ ο μ ιτάκι own.” «Σπίτι μου σπ house of my a little y little home, • “My home, m eet home». t of «Home, sw en al iv u q e ek • Gre

What’s in a

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Surname: V lah Origin & m eaning: G akis reek: patro nymic from also a nick name mea Vlachos ‘Aromanian’, ning ‘hillbil ending is p ly’. The -ak articularly is associated where the with Crete re is no ind , igenous A population romanian ; so the seco nd is probably more frequ ary, pejorative sense ent in this instance.

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Vassy (singer) - Vasiliki Karagiorgos (born in Darwin, Northern Territory), known mononymously as Vassy, is an Australian singer-songwriter.[1] Vassy, whose parents are both Greek immigrants,(from Florina) was discovered in 2003 after winning Australian radio station Triple J›s Unearthed talent contest. Her single «We Are Young» reached the top of Billboard›s Hot Dance Club Songs.[5] Her songs have appeared on American television series such as Grey›s Anatomy and Ugly Betty; advertisement campaigns for Nike, Inc., Google, and Victoria›s Secret; and her song «Desire» was featured on the soundtrack for The Cabin in the Woods. Her song ‹We Are Young› was also used as in the recently ‹Gok Loves› campaign for Target Australia.

Have a look at her web page - http://www.kissmyvassy.com/

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The Age best cafe award 2013 and

Best Cafe Design in the Eat Drink Design Awards 2013

Top Paddock, 658 Church Street, Richmond PH: 9429 4332 www.toppaddockcafe.com

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