GREEK TRIBUNE January 2015 www.greektribune.com.au Australian News New public dental clinic to open in 2017 T h e S t a t e Government has announced a new partnership agreement with the University of Adelaide to secure an integrated public dental service and dental school for the next 30 years. The agreement was reached following an extensive proposal process, which was made available to all higher education providers in June 2014 and resulted in two high quality submissions. Health Minister Jack Snelling said the historic partnership would deliver improved public dental services for the community and better facilities for students and staff. “This agreement will see the construction of a new 90-chair dental clinic within the University of Adelaide’s new clinical building situated at the SA Health and Biomedical Precinct,” Mr Snelling said. “The new clinic, expected to open in July 2017, will sit alongside the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and SAHMRI, and will ensure dental services are an integral part of this emerging health hub. “The clinic will provide state-of-the-art dental SA Health Minister Jack Snelling facilities where students can complete their training alongside skilled dental experts, and the public can access high quality dental care. The University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Warren Bebbington said the deal would reinforce the university's position as a national leader in dental education and research. “Clearly the State Government values our School of Dentistry, one of the two highest-ranked in Australia, and recognises the unique role that the University of Adelaide plays in providing public dental care. "The school will also modify its current clinical practice model to provide an enhanced year-round New Duck and quail hunting open seasons announced Due to significant drying of wetlands and reductions of waterfowl numbers in the eastern states, the duck and quail open seasons will be restricted in 2015. The duck hunting season will open on Saturday 14 February 2015 and close on Sunday 28 June 2015. There will be a total bag limit of 10 ducks per hunter, per day. S u s t a i n a b i l i t y, Environment and Conservation Minister Ian Hunter said the length of the hunting season and the bag limits were based on research into environmental conditions and waterfowl numbers across South Australia and the South-East of the country. “Good climatic conditions along the Riverland, the Coorong and Southeast in 2014 have provided habitat for nomadic ducks travelling in from across eastern Australia,” Mr Hunter said. “The blue-winged shoveler will be excluded from the game list in 2015 because it remains a species of concern to the conservation and hunting community, despite showing an increase in numbers in recent years. “Hardhead ducks will also be excluded from the game list because data shows that populations are below levels that would support sustainable hunting.” The quail hunting season will be open across the state from Saturday 4 April 2015 until Sunday 30 August 2015, with a bag limit of 25 Stubble quail per hunter, per day. There will be no hunting in Bool Lagoon Game Reserve or Bucks Lake Game Reserve due to environmental conditions. In recent years, firearms legislation has been changed and hunting regulations have been tightened to ensure all duck hunters meet stringent conditions, including passing a waterfowl identification test, using non-toxic shot and complying with the Standards for the Humane Destruction of Birds by Shooting. All hunters with a current open-season endorsed hunting permit are accredited under this system. GREEK COMMUNITY TRIBUNE ABN: 55 829 388 691 EDITOR: Peter Ppiros ADDRESS: BOX 3070, RENMARK, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 5341 PHONE/FAX: (08) 8586 5002 Mobile: 0408 865004 Website: www.greektribune.com.au E-mail: [email protected] Renmark: Ph/Fax: (08) 8586 5002 - Mobile: 04 0886 5004 ADELAIDE A taxi industry leader at the helm of the Greek Community A Taxi industry leader is the new President of the Greek Orthodox Community of SA, following an election which took place on 7 December at the St Mary's College in Adelaide, opposite the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Speaking to the Greek Tribune, Mr Gonis said his parents came to Australia from the Peloponnesus region during the mass Greek migration era, in 1956. "Like many other migrants, my parents worked hard to make ends meet, often two jobs and shift -work to provide for us and to make a new life. Their educational opportunities were limited but they never ever gave up in learning to speak English", Mr Gonis said. "My parents taught me the importance of values, about work ethic, above all to respect others and to recognise and appreciate differences in people and in the world". "I look forward to working with the GOCSA and the broader community, to refocus our strengths and energy. We must strive to achieve common goals and interests and to re-establish our links with the community, in particular engaging our youth", Mr Gonis said. Currently, Bill is working for the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) and is the manager of the Accreditation and Licensing Centre. Bill has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the South Australian taxi and transport industry, and to the Greek community. Other elected Executive Committee members are, Peter Ppiros (Vice President) Andrew Stathopoulos (General Secretary) Dimitris Dimopoulos (Assistant Secretary) Carlene Vasilakis-Starr (Treasurer) Steve Angelis (Assistant Treasurer) and members George Daniel, Tony Marinos, John Ninos, Paul Demetriou, Ismini Spyroglou, George Vasilias, Asterios Keliouris, Elisabeth G e o r g a k o p o u l o s , Va s i l i o s Kalaboyias, Elli Speis and Chloe Germanos-Kourakis. Elected Executive Committee members are volunteers who oversee the functioning of the oldest and largest Greek association in SA, formed in 1930, in the provision of a variety of services to the local community. The Greek Orthodox Community of SA, manages the Ridleyton Greek Home for the elderly, several Greek churches, the Olympic Hall in the City and several smaller halls, runs Greek language classes attended by hundreds of primary and high school children, music and dance academies and manages several community services for the community including the youth, the elderly and the disabled. The GOCSA also holds Australian Multicultural Council members announced Federal Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews and Parliamentary Secretary Concetta Fierravanti-Wells announced the new members of the Australian Multicultural Council. Mr Andrews said the Government’s support for the Council confirmed its commitment to a multicultural Australia and to building a stronger Australian community. “The Council will advise the Government on ways to sustain and support socially cohesive communities, to ensure all Australians have the opportunity to participate, engage and contribute to Australian life,” he said. “It will examine ways to further harness the economic and social benefits of our Nation’s cultural and linguistic diversity and advise on how we can promote social cohesion by fostering the successful integration of migrants into the broad Australian community. George Str. Festival A dance stage, chairs and tables, live music and singing, family atmosphere, food stalls, dessert corners and drink bars replaced trucks, cars and busy clients on George Street at Thebarton over the weekend of 13 and 14 December as the best Greek party came to town. All this as part of the 4th George Street Festival which yet again became the hub for partying Greek-style, proudly presented by the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia. Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, the popular business strip turned Hellenic drawing thousands of Adelaideans who came along to enjoy the best of Greek food, culture and hospitality. The two-day festival featured anything from popular dishes and delicacies such as saganaki, yiros, and pies, to summer drinks, café frappes, even fruit salads for the more health conscious and an array of traditional desserts. On the entertainment side of things, an array of dance and music groups kept the stage busy throughout the weekend offering a cultural experience like no other. Greek dancers from the Community’s Dance Academy, “The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to participate fully in our society with a strong emphasis on responsibilities as well as rights.” Mr Andrews said. “At the same time, it is important for all Australians to take pride in our common citizenship and reflect on the importance of being Australian.” “The principles of citizenship remain an overriding loyalty to Australia and its people, a shared belief in our democratic process, respect for rights and liberties of others and a commitment to uphold and obey Australia’s laws.” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said Australia has been a great multicultural success story and advisory bodies such as the Australian Multicultural Council play a valuable role. “Leaders from Australian business and civil society, all with an interest in multicultural policy, comprise the new Council,” she said. The Council members are: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM, C h a i r, D r B u l e n t H a s s Dellal OAM, Ms Helena Kyriazopoulos, Ms Faiza Rehman, Mr Vasan Srinivasan and Ms Charlotte Vidor. Members will serve threeyear terms on the Council. The new Chair, a former Adelaide resident, Dr Ozdowski has served as the Australian Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Discrimination Commissioner from 20002005. He has also headed the Office of Multicultural and International Affairs in South Australia for five years, and since 2006 is the President of the Australian Council for Human Rights Education. Helena Kyriazopoulos, of Adelaide, is an Access and Equity Unit Coordinator for Alzheimers Australia and is currently Chair of the Multicultural Communities’ Council of South Australia. a large number of social and cultural events and celebrates all the important national and religious events on the Greek calendar. To do all that, the GOCSA, has a work force of several hundred permanent and part time employees. Opposition MP visits the Riverland Hosted by Member for Chaffey, Tim Whetstone, Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Science and Information Economy, Families and Child Protection, Social Housing and Volunteers and Youth, Ms Rachel Sanderson has conducted a two-day tour across the Riverland and Mallee on 15 and 16 December where she met with higher education providers and volunteers and discussed issues around youth, families and homelessness. Barriers to volunteering and the increasing demand for social housing across the Riverland and Mallee were discussed during the visit. Community Life Amongst the official guests at the George Street Festival, were, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison, David Pisoni MP, Matt Williams MP, the Speaker of SA Parliament Michael Atkinson, Minister Jennifer Rankine and GOCSA President Bill Gonis a Bollywood Dance group and Ukrainian dancers took spectators on a multicultural journey with their music, dance routines and colourful costumes. Meanwhile Acropolis Live band set off the party by playing popular Greek tunes on both days. All the way from Melbourne, singer Kaliroy The newly elected President of the GOCSA Bill Gonis along with Angelo Tzovaras palying the clarinet were the highlight of the Festival as they performed non-stop Greek hits drawing dance enthusiasts to the dance floor until late in the evening. On Saturday night the official opening started just after 6.30pm with a number of official guests attending. Amongst them, The Hon Zoe Bettison, Minister for Multicultural Affairs representing the Premier of South Australia Hon Jay Weatherill, The Hon Jennifer Rankine, Minister for Education, The Hon Michael Atkinson, Speaker of the House of Assembly and Member for Croydon, Mr David Pisoni, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Member for Unley, Mr Matt Williams, Federal Member for Hindmarsh, Mr Norman Schueler, representing Ms Grace Portolesi, Chair of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, Mr John Trainer, Mayor of the City of West Torrens, Mr Steve Georganas, former Federal Member for Hindmarsh and the Community newly elected President Mr Bill Gonis. On Sunday afternoon members of the Festival’s organising committee conducted the raffle draw where one lucky winner became $1000 richer after winning the first prize which was an anonymous cash donation. The Festival wrapped up on Sunday night after a successful weekend where thousands of people went through its doors having enjoyed the best Greek event of summer in South Australia. Greek Tribune "Παροικιακό Βήμα", Ιανουάριος 2015 Cultural, social and political events in South Australia Email your community's news or a photo: [email protected] The Greek Orthodox Community of SA held its annual Christmas Dinner, at the Olympic Hall, dedicated to the volunteers and supporters of the Community. At the dinner were, from left, the Speaker of the South Australian Parliament Michael Atkinson, David Pisoni MP, Mayor of West Torrens John Trainer and the new President of the GOCSA. Minister Tom Koutsantonis, Professor for Modern Greek studies at the Flinders University Michael Tsianikas and Chief Justice Chris Kourakis attended the reception given by Premier Jay Weatherill at the Stamford Plaza Hotel to farewell the Greek Counsel General Christos Maniakis Grivas who is due to return to Athens in mid January LEFT: Minister Zoe Bettison, Steve Georganas, Premier Jay Weatherill, Cypriot Community President Chris Ioannou, West Torrens Councillors Arthur Mangos and George Demetriou and the President of the Pan-Macedonian Association George Genimahaliotis at the farewell reception for the Greek Counsel General. As Greek population around the world gears up for Christmas, the most popular food website in Greece has translated hundreds of its tastiest recipes and launched cooklikegreeks.com. You can find Melomakarona, Kourabiedes, Vasilopita and many more traditional Christmas recipes that will please everyone and bring the taste of Greek Christmas to your kitchen. “There isn’t a Greek family that doesn’t love the taste of home, and cooklikegreeks.com brings all those colours, flavours and recipes right into their kitchen, no matter how far away they are,” says Stella Tsala, of cooklikegreeks.com. Authentic Greek recipes are guaranteed, as they are a direct translation from Greece’s favourite foodie website sintag"Find an agreement amongst yourselves (concerning the resumption of the negotiations) and then call on me". This was the statement made by the UN SecretaryGeneral's Special Advisor on the Cyprus problem Mr. Eide after his meeting with President Anastasiades. This statement can also be interpreted as the end of the international organisation's efforts for a resumption of the inter-communal talks. There is no doubt whatsoever that the suspension of the negotiations was provoked by Turkey's illegal actions against the Republic of Cyprus. Furthermore, there is no doubt that Turkey through its provocative actions is aiming to turn the issue of natural gas from a sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus to a problem between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The statement of Turkish Prime Minister Mr. Davutoglu was clear "The Greek Cypriot side (he means the Republic of Cyprus) is attempting to monopolise the exploitation of the island's natural resources". Quite rightly therefore the President and all the political forces rejected the possibility espareas.gr, a unique platform built entirely by a dedicated and growing community of Greeks, cooking in their own homes and then sharing their recipes and photos on the website. “These are real recipes from real people,” says Stella “Grandma’s secret recipe is right here, but we also have hundreds of modern Greek dishes as well, so there is something for everyone’s plate.” The Greek diet, also known as the Mediterranean diet, is famous as one of the healthiest diets in the world; with numerous medical studies showing it reduces heart disease, obesity and related illness. “You don’t have to be Greek to enjoy eating healthily,” says Stella, “and through the website our community of home cooks can help and inspire you.” Austerity curbed human rights in Greece, report says Austerity measures adopted as a result of the economic crisis have adversely impacted human rights, including the rights to work and health, according to a report released last week by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). The report was published together with the Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR). Based on research conducted in January 2014, the report noted that national and international institutions, including the EU and its member states, had ignored the impact that certain policies were bound to have on society during the crisis. The report’s conclusions reach beyond Greece, and apply to other south European states that have been assist- COMMENTARY ON DEVELOPMENTS IN CYPRUS And Now What? By Stefanos Stefanou - Member of the Political Bureau of AKEL, former Government Spokesman of the natural gas becoming an inter-communal problem. They also correctly supported that negotiations cannot take place with threats and blackmails being issued. There is unanimity up to this point. Form then onwards the disagreements begin as is the case every time, when the "we won't" end and when we must undertake initiatives by submitting concrete proposals. Who does the stalemate and deadlock suit? It suits and favours all those seeking or those whose interests are served by the partition of Cyprus, Turkey first and foremost. For Cyprus, partition forebodes new adventures and the possibility of the blessing of natural gas being transformed into a curse. Consequently, the Greek Cypriot side cannot limit itself just to what it rejects. It must, or better still, should already have undertaken initiatives for creating the preconditions for the resumption of the negotiations. If this in the end is not attainable, at least no one should apportion responsibilities on it for ensuing developments. In view of this critical situation that has evolved, AKEL has urged the President of the Republic to formulate and submit proposals which decisively nullify Turkey's allegations and at the same time, to channel the international community's initiatives in the correct direction. AKEL has submitted to the President a package of concrete proposals for the fulfillment of two goals: First, the need to strengthen and substantiate the Greek Cypriot side's position that it is ready, with the solution of the Cyprus problem, to cooperate with the Turkish Cypriot community for the management of the natural resources and to share the revenues that will stem from their exploitation. Second, to underline our side's readiness, with the solution of the Cyprus problem, to cooperate with Turkey 2 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER A lot of good things have happened in 2014. The boats have stopped, the carbon tax is gone, red tape is being cut, free trade agreements have been finalised and the largest roads programme ever is now underway. Since the end of last year, over 160,000 new jobs have been created – and this is helping families and small businesses right around Australia. But we’ve also listened to the Australian people. This week, we announced changes to ensure that Medicare is sustainable for the long term while also protecting the vulnerable. GPs will have the option of charging those, like me, who can afford to pay up to $5. But bulk billing will be protected for children under 16, for pensioners, concession card holders, veterans, and for people in nursing homes and other aged care accom- modation. Te n y e a r s a g o Medicare was costing us $8 billion, it's now costing $20 billion. In a decade, it will be costing us some $34 billion. That’s why the Government is acting now to protect Medicare for the long term. We’re also acting to improve child care and parental leave. Australian families are doing their best to juggle work, family life and child care. So we’re developing a comprehensive plan that will both deliver a parental leave scheme which really helps families as well as deliver more affordable and more accessible child care. The Government is listening and it’s delivering. Our policies are creating jobs, helping families and bringing the Budget back under control. Tony Abbott Prime Minister New Book by Adelaide woman, celebrates Greek Life RIGHT: Premier Jay Weatherill with Mr and Mrs Maniakis Grivas. Greece’s most popular cooking website just went global! “Greek Tribune”, January 2015 ed financially due to the recession. Strict targets for deficit and debt reduction set by the country’s lenders were accomplished through cuts to public expenditure, including in the healthcare sector, “without any consideration for the need to preserve minimum levels and meet minimum core obligations with respect to those rights,” said the report. Meeting financial targets also led to major cuts in the public sector’s employment as well as to unemployment in general. The report also highlighted the rise of neo-Nazi Golden Dawn and the government's decision to shut down public broadcaster ERT in summer 2013. in the field of energy and natural gas. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, t h e President of the Republic instead of opting for a pro-active policy that will give the initiative of actions to the Republic of Cyprus has opted for inertia which harbours dangers. The President didn’t even dare proceed to the self-evident, that is to say to put forth the very important convergences that were agreed by the former President of the Republic Mr. D. Christofias with Mr. Talat and Eroglu on the critical issues of the maritime zones, natural resources (including that of natural gas) and the distribution of the federal revenues (including the revenues from the natural gas). At this very crucial juncture for the Cyprus problem the President of the Republic has demonstrated fearfulness. However, developments are worrying and the prospects menacing. The President is called upon to, even at this stage, to assume his responsibilities and do what he himself on various occasions likes to declare: to be useful, instead of popular - before it is too late. Having grown up in Adelaide, Eugenia Pantahos has been immersed in a family that truly celebrates the unique Greek way of life. This inspired a desire to pass forward the teachings of her parents; and so Greek Life literally came to life! Greek Life can be described as a specially prepared trousseau of time-honored Greek traditions, culture and recipes lovingly assembled for future generations - to be preserved and not lost, to be embraced and not forgotten, and always to be enjoyed and celebrated. Greek Life is described as a unique and inspiring book, and a feast for the senses that takes readers on a journey in celebrating the unique Greek way of life. Eugenia shares traditional recipes that accompany life’s major events, supported by beautiful photography and thought provoking philosophy. A truly unique book, Greek Life explains the essence of what it means to be Greek, and how to celebrate with the special spirit of life that the Greeks call Kefi. Beautifully presented, Greek Life is not only a valuable reference book but also a lovely coffee table book, and is the perfect gift for lovers of Greek culture! Hard Back edition complete with dust jacket and black velvet ribbon bookmark will be available online from mid-January at www.greeklifestyle.com. au for $49.99 Be sure to secure your copy of this valuable edition! If you want to join the celebration of Greek culture, then connect with Eugenia on: Instagram: Greek_ Living Facebook: Greek Life AUSTRALIA DAY C E L E B R AT E Y O U R WAY Australia Day means something different to everyone, and it’s important you do what’s right for you. So on January 26, reflect on what you love about being Australian. australiaday.org.au #australiaday
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