The author of the historic book will be Professor Anastasios M. Tamis of Notre Dame University of Australia. Dr. Tamis presented his new book “Greeks in the Far East” a few days ago with great success and is very famous among members of the Greek Community in Australia.

The book will consist of two parts – the main text and the appendix-index of the main characters. The chronicle of Macedonian immigration, the financial situation of the Macedonians, the cultural impact they had on the far continent, as well as the relationship between Expatriates and Greeks and political problems with FYROM, will be analyzed by the distinguished professor.

The issue will also represent, through 600 pictures, the story of members of the Macedonian Community of Oceania. The survey and collection of the data will continue until March 2013, while the book is expected to be published in October 2013.

In order to collect a large amount of photos, data and information, the institution calls on Greek Macedonians and Macedonian Associations to complete a specific questionnaire. They also call on the founders of the Associations to write a report about the story and the action of their organizations and post it to the offices of the Pan Macedonian Association.

The indigenous decided to camp at the new site in Musgrave Park, as their struggle is not over yet. Australian media report that today things are quieter at the new camp site, with a dozen protesters gathered around the Aborigines’s sacred fire.

A spokesman for the group says morale remains high and they have been contacted by several law firms offering assistance. Opposition leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says negotiations should have started sooner.

“Everybody has their right to their opinions but these are matters that the elders need to raise at length with the council,” she said. “Let’s not forget that the park is a public place for all to enjoy.”

Queensland historian Dr. Ray Kerkhove says Aboriginal people should be allowed to camp in Musgrave Park as the indigenous tent embassy was legitimate. Dr. Kerkhove says the park was part of a traditional camping ground that predates white settlement.

He explains that an Aborigines camp existed in Brisbane park long before the colony. “It was obviously there before settlement and this is the point I wanted to make – is that when people are saying ‘oh, they’re squatting there’ and all this, in fact if anyone is squatting it’s us – the white people.” “A lot of these places where Aborigines have chosen to camp are camps that were there before the town,” added the historian.

Meanwhile, punters are threatening to boycott the Paniyiri Greek festival this weekend. Paniyiri chairman Chris Kazonis justified the letter sent to Brisbane City Council by saying their primary concern was safety but there has still been a backlash on social media against the festival.

Some people have taken to the festival’s Facebook page to say they would boycott Paniyiri because they did not believe the tent embassy should have been forced to make way for the annual event.

A “special” announcement will be made at some point today by the Paniyiri Facebook administrators. Tent embassy protesters said they have a good relationship with the organizers of the festival. The indigenous have problems with the Australian authorities, not the Greek Community.

Under his leadership, the Multicultural Commission of Victoria awarded the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria $9000 to enable the organization to properly manage, document and store the collection of the club and develop a set of policies to ensure future collections would be managed appropriately. The success of this grant was instrumental in securing a further $4,400 from the National Library of Australia to conduct a “significant assessment” of the club’s collection.

His passion saw many more, younger members of the association getting involved. He offered endless advice and support, but also promoted activities for the senior members of the association. His enthusiasm for his heritage has filtered through to his family, with his children and grandchildren being actively involved in the association as well.

Spartel’s support and generosity also extends to the Greek and wider Australian communities. He organized and supervised the construction of the Manse at the rear of St. Eustathios Greek Orthodox Church on Dorcas Street in South Melbourne. This project was a significant and long term commitment generating a major construction of the church which houses the offices of the Bishop and it is regularly used by members of the Greek community.

The award was announced by the Kastellorizian of the Year Committee, who has the task of selecting the recipient through numerous nominations they receive every year.

Source: www.neoskosmos.com

The performance is a moving story about a talented film director who is suffering from writer’s block. One night, he is visited by a magical guide who takes him on a journey into the past when Greek cinematography was at its prime. What he observes rekindles his inspiration and when he awakes, the world witnesses a marvel.

Sydney Sizmos Greek Dance Company was established in 2007 and is a dynamic Greek/Cypriot Dancing School. The choreographers/directors are Harry Klavdiou and Nelly Kordakis. They have been dancing and teaching for more than 15 years before venturing into the dance school business, and have been growing successfully ever since starting with just 30 students. Sydney Sizmos currently has 150 students in three different locations.

They also have a performing group as well, which entertain and re-tell the history of Greek/Cypriot dances and spice it up with the ever so popular Modern Greek Dances that they showcase around Sydney at various venues, and now at the Greek Festival Sydney.

time:                5:30pm

cost:                $10

contact:          02 9750 0440 or greekfestival2@goc.com.au

For more information visit www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au

SIA, the world’s second-largest carrier by market value, currently flies to and from Abu Dhabi three times a week. The Singapore flag carrier flies to the Greek capital twice a week, rising to three times a week between early July and late September.

“The suspensions are in line with Singapore Airlines’ policy to match capacity to prevailing market demand,” the carrier said in a statement.

SIA said on Tuesday it carried 1.5 million passengers last month, down from 1.52 million in March. Its passenger load factor, however, edged up to 79.7 percent from 79.5 percent the month before.

The policemen arrested 30 Aborigines and violently removed 80 more demonstrators. Australia’s natives have been protesting since March for their rights. They had a tent-Embassy, where they gathered to talk about their requests.

Municipality of Brisbane asked them to move peacefully from the park so that the Greek Community could hold its Paniyiri this weekend. They refused and police took action. Aborigines stress, however, the fact that their fight for “national sovereignity” is not over.

It is said that the Greek Community of Brisbane sent an email to the Municipality to complain about the Aborigines’ tent, which lay at the main entrance of the park, hindering the Paniyiri attendants.

Aborigines’ leaders claim that “it is not a takeover, but a right that first inhabitants of Australia have. Whether Greek-Australians and other immigrants like it or not, this country is ours. We own this and fight for our rights.”

The Federal Government’s announcement stated that annual welfare payments will be reduced depending on the time recipients spend abroad. More specifically, pensioners, single parents and other vulnerable groups, living more than six weeks overseas, will receive lower pensions.

69,000 Greek pensioners of Australia and about 11,300 Australian pensioners who live in Greece became nervous due to the announcement but, fortunately, without reason. They have both been spared from this regulation. People from New Zealand are also among the fortunate.

But for those Greek-Australians not having already retired, the situation is a little more complicated. They have to have worked more than 35 years in Australia in order to receive full pension, or travel abroad for long periods without negative repercussions.

As a result, those who have worked less than 35 years in Australia will get lower pension, depending on the time they have worked in total.

Over 100 guests and dignitaries attended the event, which was officially launched by The Hon Konstantine Vatskalis MLA at Northern Territory Parliament House on May 4.

The Guardians program is an initiative with the intention of financing CDU’s Greek Language and Culture program through the CDU Foundation. Their overall aim is to support Greek language, culture and heritage so that it continues to flourish in the Northern Territory, utilizing the resources of both individuals and businesses who wish to become involved in the new phase of action in Greek Language and Culture at CDU.

Prominent residents of the Northern Territory spoke at the event, including Mr. Vatskalis, who spoke on behalf of himself and the Northern Territory Chief Minister to thank the Greek Guardians for their commitment to the program.

Former Honorary Consul of Greece in Darwin, George Kapetas, spoke for the Friends of Greek committee, confirming their pledge to aid in the formation of a prestigious, internationally recognized program for the undergraduate and postgraduate study of Greek at CDU.

These words were welcomed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover of CDU, who named over 30 individuals, families and businesses involved in the Guardians of Greek program who had already raised $450,000 to help achieve their goals. He also revealed that CDU was developing a new language center to teach Greek, Mandarin and Bahasa Indonesian.

Source: www.neoskosmos.gr

The event is a concert of original songs (with English subtitles), together with a visual exhibition on migration and life in Australia. The songs combine the different perspectives of a migrant to Australia from Greece, George Moudanidis, and a second-generation Australian of Greek heritage, Eleni Elefterias.

The concert features Irene Vacondios, Felicia Harris, Hellen Arestides, Peter Carantinos, Joanne Mayson, Phillip Kaloudis, Marina Thiveos, Vicki Pappas, George Caramanlis, Con Kostakidis and The Play Space Choir.

date:               Friday, May 18

time:                7.30pm

venue:            Paddington Uniting Church, 395 Oxford Street, Paddington

cost:                $22 adults, $18 Concession

contact:          For tickets, call The Play Space Bookshop Cafe – 95594424 – or email info@theplay-space.com.au

language:      Greek with English subtitles

www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au

To book an appointment, the public may call on weekdays from 10am to 2pm – (08) 82322036 or (08) 82322794.

Other contact details of the Consulate are available at (08) 82323184, or email grgencon.ade@mfa.gr

(source: www.neoskosmos.com)