THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside Greece email: VEMA [email protected] FEBRUARY 2004 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033

In this issue... Our Primate’s View The public image

PAGE 5/23 AUSSIES CHASING

Volunteer army gives GOLD IN ATHENS ATHOC cause On an April morning in Athens in 1896, Teddy Flack Unlike that spring 108 years ago when Flack was the only for optimism bounced out of his bed at the home of the British Ambas- Australian to compete, this year there will be some 500 athletes, sador to Greece, breakfasted well on kippers and proceeded the biggest Australian team ever at an “away” Olympics. to live out one of the most remarkable days in Australian They have no chance of repeating the 1896 average of two PAGE 18/36 sport. olive wreaths for every competitor - and an equally slim chance Flack, a Melbourne accountant who was on a month’s holiday of repeating the Sydney haul of four years ago - 16 gold. But they from his job in the London offices of Messrs Price Waterhouse, might not be far short. began the momentous day by slipping into the tennis whites that On the positive side are the results at world championship and the Ambassador’s obliging butler had laid out for him. other benchmark events over the past year. In 2003, Australian The butler had also packed a pair of athletic shorts, some run- athletes won 50 medals in competition that approached Olympic ning shoes and a tasselled hat for the man who two days earlier standard. There are, however, a few negatives. had become one of the first champions of the modern Olympic No Cathy Freeman, for example. And Ian Thorpe’s “king of Games. Flack had won the inaugural Olympic 1500m, and on the pool” crown isn’t sitting quite so squarely as it did a couple this day was to attempt the double in the 800m. But first he had of years ago. to a play a few sets in the Olympic tennis tournament. There is also the loss of the home ground advantage to the He obviously took little harm from the tennis because, after a Greek athletes and, in effect, to a lot of other European countries quick change and a dash across town, Flack duly collected his who had to make their longest Olympic journey ever to get to second Olympic title in the 800m. Sydney. For Australia there should be gold medals in swimming, That spin around the Olympic arena and the olive wreath it athletics, sailing, rowing, cycling, canoeing and shooting. produced - there were no medals awarded in 1896 - presumably But at an event where the line between expectation and reali- filled Flack with a feeling approaching invincibility, for he plant- ty is often blurred, the difference between success and failure New information ed the tasselled hat squarely on his head and ran that same after- could well come down to the performances of Jana Pittman and noon in the marathon. Ian Thorpe. sheds light Despite having not previously tested himself beyond 20km, The biggest Australian certainty at the Games, though, is Grant Flack was in the lead with four kilometres to run when, it is Hackett. Not many countries are very interested in the 1500m recorded by Olympic historians, he began to “weave and sway”. freestyle and Hackett is probably one of the main reasons why. on Nazi atrocities The faithful butler who had accompanied him throughout the These will be the first Olympic Games for national cycling race on a bicycle left a Greek spectator to care for Flack while he coach Shayne Bannan who took over after Sydney, and it could PAGE 7/25 pedalled off for assistance. well be the best ever for his sport. Delirious from his exertions, Flack, in the belief that he was Australia is the nominal favourite for the 4000m team pursuit being attacked, rose up punched the spectator to the ground. and should win with a number of other medal chances from a The record goes on to say that the butler later found his gen- team of 27. tleman at the main stadium being tended to by Prince Nicholas Another sport in which Australia has won a world championship of Greece, who was attempting to revive him with a drink of in the past year is rowing. There are bound, also, to be surprises. brandy and egg. For the first time since Flack became Australia’s Among the possibilities there are sports such as diving, archery first Olympic champion, Australians will go to the home of the and gymnastics. Games in August to celebrate an Olympiad. AAP

TRAVEL Knossos: The birthplace of Minoan civilization Opening of the Law Term Service in NSW PAGE 16/34 PAGE 2/20 FEBRUARY 2004 2/20 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

DID YOU KNOW? Winston Churchill was a stutterer. As a child, one of his teachers warned, "Because of his stuttering he should be discouraged from following in his father's political footsteps." Opening of the Law Term Service in NSW On Tuesday 10 February 2004, at the What does such a priority actually mean? Cathedral of the “Annunciation of our Is it important only for the Judiciary and Lady”, His Eminence Archbishop members of the legal profession, or is it Stylianos conducted the Service for the equally important - if not more important - Opening of the Law Term 2004 in NSW. for all of us as everyday citizens living under Dignitaries present were the Hon Jim a certain legislation which changes from Spigelman AC, Chief Justice of NSW, His time to time, according to the needs or the Honour Justice Shane Marshall (Federal political situation of each period of history? Court), Justice Keith Mason AC, President There is no doubt that the priority of of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ken Handley moral and divine order over any legal sys- AO, Judge of Appeal, Justice Peter Young, tem or court decisions is, in first line, impor- Chief Judge in Equity, Justice Barry tant for all servants of Law, whether in the O’Keefe AM, Mr and Mrs Raptakis, Judiciary or in the legal profession. It is His Eminence and the Chief Justice lead Consul-General for Greece, the Hon Bob obvious that, only by keeping in mind the the procession into the Cathedral Debus, Attorney-General, also representing mentioned priority will they be protected fundamental Commandments - and particu- the Hon Bob Carr, the Hon John Hatzister- from hubris or any other audacity towards larly in their underlined hierarchical order - gos, Minister for Justice, Mr Gordon Salier, the State and the society they serve. we are given, once and for all, the simplest President of the Law Society, Mr I. Harrison, On the other hand, it is also the obligation form of a comprehensive codex, which cov- President of the NSW Bar Association, Sir of us all to keep in mind this priority, so that ers equally all our obligations in religious, Arthur George, Mr Paul Nicolaou, repre- we do not, from the outset, expect 'miracles' moral and legal aspects. senting the Leader of the Opposition the from servants of the Judiciary or Law, who And yet, the most admirable element of this Hon John Brogden, Dr S. Ozdowski, too are only human beings! codex is the fact that there is no mention of Federal Commissioner for Human Rights, Precisely for this reason, the rest of soci- any distinction in religion, gender, race or THE IDES OF MARCH: Mr G. Todoraya, Consulate General for the ety has not only to pray for them, due to all any form of ideology, which could create March 15, 44 B.C. Russian Federation, Mr S. Karas, of the the risks they undertake in every individual potential obstacles for the desired ideals of Refugee Review Tribunal, Mr S. case of court proceedings. It must also help peace, justice and prosperity for all people Gaius Julius Caesar, dictator of Rome, is Kerkyasharian, Chairman of the Commu- them in all possible ways to reach a better in all times. stabbed to death in the Roman Senate nity Relations Commission of NSW, Mr M. judgement through our support, under- After all the above, let us hope and pray house by 60 conspirators led by Marcus Diamond, AM MBE, Mr Quang Luu, Head standing and good will. that all political and religious leaders in our Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius of SBS Radio and many members of the Following all the above, it is very charac- troubled world bear in mind, at least in times Longinus. legal profession. teristic that our Lord both condenses and of international tension and crisis, the sim- declares the value of all Law and all ple truths that the Word of God has remind- Clay TKO’s Liston: In his address, His Eminence Archbishop Prophets in only two Commandments: ed us of in today's Gospel reading. February 25, 1964 Stylianos stated the following: Firstly, to love God with all our heart, soul On behalf of all Clergy and laity of our Following our already long-established and mind, which is literally the great and Archdiocese, and of all member Churches of On February 25, 1964, 22-year-old Cassius tradition of praying together at the begin- first Commandment. Secondly, to love our the Standing Conference of Canonical Clay shocks the odds-makers by dethroning ning of the Law Term, we gathered today neighbour as ourselves, which is similar to Orthodox Churches of Australia (SCCO- world heavyweight boxing champ Sonny once again in this magnificent Church build- the first, but secondary. CA), I wish you all a truly blessed and Liston in a seventh-round technical knockout. ing, which in itself is not only a dignified As one can easily see in the two mentioned peaceful new legal term. The dreaded Liston, who had twice demol- monument of British architecture. It is, more ished former champ Floyd Patterson in one importantly, in its present form a distin- round, was an 8-to-1 favorite. However, Clay guished crossroad, and a successful amal- predicted victory, boasting that he would "float gamation, of two different cultures - the like a butterfly, sting like a bee" and knock out Australian and the Greek Orthodox. Liston in the eighth round. The fleet-footed and In such a sacred place of worship, it is loquacious youngster needed less time to make again a privilege for all of us to concentrate good on his claim--Liston, complaining of an on the Word of God, as we have just listened injured shoulder, failed to answer the seventh- to it from the Gospel according to St. round bell. A few moments later, a new heavy- Mathew. weight champion was proclaimed. Bearing in mind that the congregation of this Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Police brutality caught on video: Archdiocese is today hosting again the March 3, 1991 office-bearers of the State Judiciary, headed by the Chief Justice himself, the State At 12:45 a.m. on March 3, 1991, Attorney General, the State Minister for robbery parolee Rodney G. King stops his Justice and many members of the legal pro- car after leading police on a nearly 8-mile fession, it is good to point out some basic pursuit through the streets of Los aspects of Law as they are expressed - even Angeles, California. The chase began if implicitly - in the Gospel reading men- after King, who was intoxicated, was tioned above. caught speeding on a freeway by a California First and foremost, we must observe that Highway Patrol cruiser but refused to pull over. our Lord was asked by a lawyer. And though Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) cruis- his asking was not without a certain degree ers and a police helicopter joined the pursuit, of cunning curiosity, it is more significant and when King was finally stopped by Hansen that the Lord was asked in His capacity as Dam Park, several police cars descended on his Teacher and Master, which is obviously a white Hyundai. clear acknowledgement that, above any legal order of this world, there is always a Speech transmitted by telephone: higher authority of moral and divine deriva- March 10, 1876 tion. Before contemplating together here what On this day, the first discernible speech is trans- such an open admission means for all of us mitted over a telephone system when inventor today, let me remind you, sisters and broth- Alexander Graham Bell summons his assistant ers, that the passage we heard represents as in another room by saying, "Mr. Watson, a whole a very careful summary of the basic come here; I want you." Bell had received Old Testament legal and liturgical books, a comprehensive telephone patent just now accomplished and elevated to the spiri- three days before. tuality of the New Testament. Having said this, we must now comment briefly upon the mentioned open admission of the priority of divine and moral order vis- a-vis any kind of secular law. FEBRUARY 2004 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/21 Editorial Entering the period of metanoia From February 23, the Orthodox Church worldwide enters the period of Great Lent in prepa- looking the simple fact that the purpose of a face-to-face meeting with a spiritual father is not ration for Easter. Recognizing well that it is, above all, personal experience that leads to true simply to present a list of sins. It is rather to seek spiritual healing. The confessor meets with knowledge, the Church invites each of the faithful – in both body and soul – on an intense the specific person to give advice as to how specific hurdles in his or her life may be over- journey at this time every year. come, much in the same way as a medical doctor will not only observe a health problem, but The journey is serious, but not morbid. For it looks towards the most joyful celebration of also prescribe a cure for the particular patient. And just as a physical wound is more likely to all – the Resurrection. Every celebration has a corresponding preparation. Each local Parish be healed when exposed to sunlight, the spiritual wound also needs to be treated in the light. will highlight this preparation in the different Services it will provide, the longer Scripture The essential communication between two icons of God ‘eye to eye’ (not in the impersonal readings, the change in music and even the ‘décor’ of the Church interior. However, all these Confessional Booth that we see on Hollywood films) is a ‘joyful-sorrow’, like Lent itself. things are but means to an end, which is to cultivate and refocus the soul in response to the Joyful, that a decision has been made to approach God; sorrow at the sea of sin in which we love of God. The goal is to change ourselves, our orientation, our mind. This is literally what must all either sink or swim. The father-confessor therefore never sits in judgement of the the Greek word for repentance, meta-noia, means – a fundamentally new outlook for the faithful, recognizing that the human condition requires compassion, not condescension. The mind, the nous. In the Greek original of the New Testament, this is precisely the exhortation confessor does not stand ‘in the place of God’, since only God can forgive sins. He stands as or invitation with which not only St. John the Forerunner (Mat 3:2), but indeed Christ Himself a fellow member of the Church who would also confess to another. When the road to heaven (Mat. 4:17) commence the entire public ministry on earth: Metanoite! Repent! passes by our neighbour’s door (to use that famous expression) the process of metanoia occurs In this process, there is no compulsion or force from God to us, let alone from one human not in isolation, but in a relationship that is conducive to sincerity and, in many cases, tears of being to another. The only ‘force’ is that which we freely choose to apply to ourselves. The relief. The practice itself dates from New Testament times (see Mat. 3:6, James, Acts 19:18, kingdom of God, we are told, is taken by force. And whereas the word ‘repent’ may give the James 5:16). impression of a Christian life that is defined in the negative (don’t do this, don’t do that), metanoite is far more positive and dynamic in meaning. It encourages us to concentrate on How great the need is today for sincere, well-grounded and loving spiritual guidance, not inner intentions before looking at outward actions. It is less about where we were and more only once problems have surfaced, but even before they appear: for couples intending to about where we wish to be. It is less about why we fell (as all of us do) and more about how marry (how much heartache could be spared in advance with proper counsel?), for those we can get up. preparing to serve as godparents, for young families, for the bereaved, for all who seek ori- entation and encouragement at any stage of life. Our Archdiocese has from many years ago taken the initiative to organize a national pro- In the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, pilgrims continually ask of the Elders: ‘speak a word gram during Great Lent, according to which one or two Monks from the renowned monastic to me, that I may be saved’. Our world has greater need for sound advice that is given at the community of Mt. Athos come and visit Parishes in every major Australian city. Upon the per- right time, and in the right measure, than it does of more border protection policies, drug clin- sonal invitation and blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, they meet, listen to and ics or police stations. advise countless men, women and adolescents who admirably wait their turn in what are often large ‘queues on pews’! Needless to say, the purpose of the Monks’ presence is not to A fruitful Lent to all readers as we approach Easter, and best wishes for the new Editorial ‘replace’ the work of the Australian Clergy, but to complement it. team that will assume duties from our next issue. They come for the sacrament of Confession, the cornerstone of spiritual life which is often Dimitri Kepreotes misunderstood, if not forgotten. The sacrament can be misunderstood in legalistic terms, over- [email protected]

Aah, I thought to myself; possibly not Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Talking quite so romantic after all. GREEK We talked further and, as I had guessed, he told me of his fiancee’s need for con- Point stant reassurance of his love and devotion. WELFARE CENTRE by Ann Coward Initially, his gift-giving was spontaneous; 378A King Street, Newtown, N.S.W. 2042 the gifts were tangible outpourings of his Phone: (02) 9516 2188 Fax: (02) 9516 3177 love and desire. As time went by, it Email: [email protected] became clear to him that they were a nec- How do I love thee? * essary key to the relationship’s survival. Surprisingly, to me at least but appar- Gambling Problems? ently not to him, his gift-giving had not r Is gambling more than a simple leisure activity? It’s over for yet another year, St been reciprocated. Since marriage was Valentine’s Day. While teenage girls still first proposed, his sincerity had become r Does gambling affect your family or work? get flustered after receiving anonymous equated in her mind with the cost of the r Do you have financial problems because of gambling? Valentine cards, whether sent by real flesh gifts he bought for her. The bigger the pre- and blood boys, or posted to the girls by sent and the more it cost, the more reas- There is a solution themselves, over recent years it’s been sured she was of his love. fascinating to watch how the customs Even though obviously smitten with associated with this day have evolved. his lady-love, it was impossible for him to The first step is to acknowledge that there is a problem or that you may Once, only card manufacturers benefited disguise the sadness in his voice as he be at risk of developing a problem. and the occasional florist and flower- spoke to me. grower, but it hardly registered a blimp on Being married, of course, doesn’t make the financial sector’s charts. Today, it’s a person an expert on marriage, especial- Some things that can be done immediately; big business. ly of other people’s, but that’s never pre- l Reduce the amount of money spent gambling. I was sitting with a young man, dis- vented anyone from voicing an opinion, l Budget an amount of money as entertainment, cussing this very matter a week or so and I’m no exception. While aware that before St Valentine’s Day. The love of his one should never underestimate the and do not exceed this amount life, his future wife, was overseas and he power of love, it seems to me that a rela- l Ask yourself why you gamble? was fretting about how he was going to tionship between one who gives freely of l When you feel depressed, angry or upset, think carefully get roses to her, along with a suitably their love, and another who demands before you gamble. impressive piece of jewellery. quite specific and constant proof of that love, will be a struggle. l Be open about your gambling. “Do you give her flowers at other times It’s not impossible that one day people l Talk to friends and family, and do not isolate yourself during the year?” I asked. “And gifts?” may be able to say of them, “And they l Ask for help if you think that you have a gambling problem “Yes”, came the reply. lived happily ever after”, but I couldn’t Lucky lady, I thought to myself, to have help but pose a question to him (with a such a romantic boyfriend. somewhat characteristic lack of tact). If you, or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact the Greek “Do you tell her regularly that you love Welfare Centre on 95162188 for free and confidential advice on gambling her?” “Why persevere with this relationship?” problems. “All the time,” he said. “She’s worth it”, came his reply. “Then why,” I asked, “do you need the trappings of St Valentine’s Day?” Financial assistance for this service is provided by the NSW government from the Casino Community “I don’t. It’s expected of me.” *Robert Browning, poet. Benefit Fund. 114815 FEBRUARY 2004 4/22 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

DID YOU KNOW? Plates carrying the continents migrate over the earth's surface a few centime- tres (inches) per year, about the same speed that a fingernail grows. ‘Athens Games and their legacy will be a revelation for the Olympics, Greece and the rest of the world’ A favourite joke in Athens at the a neat balance has been found and Athens moment sees Greek Prime Minister organising committee (ATHOC) president Costas Simitis touring Beijing to Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki believes the inspect work on the 2008 Olympics. Games and their legacy will be a revelation for “I’m impressed,” Simitis says. the Olympics, Greece and the rest of the “Yes, we’ll have everything ready by world. “This Olympic homecoming will be an 2006,” says his Chinese host. opportunity to reawaken the true spirit and “So will we,” Simitis replies. meaning of the Olympic Games, by educating people around the world about the Games’ But it’s no joke for Olympic organisers who ancient roots and values,” Angelopoulos- insist all will be ready for the Games’ home- Daskalaki said. coming on August 13, despite the chaos “In addition, it is an opportunity to reintro- enveloping Athens and the scepticism of its duce Greek history and to introduce our con- locals. temporary accomplishments to the world. Athenians have long been disillusioned by “Most people know our history, but the the disruption Olympic preparations have Olympic Games are helping us show that we brought to their ancient city and many ques- are a vital and growing 21st century European tion what benefits the Games will bring. nation. We are proud of our past, but we are a The biggest redevelopment in the city’s nation of new technologies and works as well fabled history had to strike a balance between as ancient marble and bronze.” respecting its ancient past and pitching an The marriage of ancient and modern is best under-developed country into the 21st century embodied in the brand new underground while satisfying the locals who aren’t as will- metro train system, the biggest gift to Atheni- The Athens Olympic Sports Complex ing as Australians to accept major disruption ans from the Games. for the sake of sport. Almost every station on the state of the art The appeasement has not been universal, but system, which will carry a million passengers a day, houses a museum of the ancient arte- “We have new jobs, but only for this period, facts uncovered during its construction. we will have problems, the economists say, Above ground, the history lesson continues after the Games,” one said. Fr Spyridon of Mt Athos as the Acropolis and Parthenon oversee the And it will only be after the Games, he says, HOLY CONFESSION PROGRAMME Games, as they did in 1896. when the people will appreciate the new The Games literally return to their roots with tramway, suburban railway and roads, because FOR VICTORIA the shot put to be staged in the ancient stadium they won’t be finished until the expected two at Olympia, about four hours drive from million visitors go home. TUESDAY 24-2-2004 St Catherine’s Church, MALVERN Athens. But Gilbert Felli, the International Olympic Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm And the marathon will be run over its origi- Committee’s (IOC) executive director of the WEDNESDAY 25-2-2004 Sts Constantine & Helen Church, SOUTH YARRA nal 2000-year-old course, starting in the town Olympic Games, was satisfied, after a panicky Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm of Marathon and finishing in the heart of IOC gave ATHOC a serious hurry-up last year, THURSDAY 26-2-2004 St Nectarius Church, FAWKNER Athens at the Panathinaiko Stadium, the site of that all the venues will be ready. Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm first modern Olympic Games in 1896. “We have 33 sporting venues, the situation FRIDAY 27-2-2004 Holy Monastery ‘Panagia Gorgoepikoos’, GEELONG Looking to the future, Angelopoulos-Daskala- is a bit tight with two of them only, so alto- Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (morning) ki says the Games will create 95,000 jobs, with gether we are quite satisfied with the prepara- SATURDAY 28-2-2004 Dormition of the Holy Theotokos, GEELONG 50,000 expected to be permanent. tion of the venues,” Felli said. Holy Confession She said 100,000 Greeks will receive tech- “The two are the roof on top of the Olympic SUNDAY 29-2-2004 St Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Church, BENTLEIGH nical, managerial or vocational training, while stadium and the velodrome ... but we are con- Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm Athens has been transformed by the metro sys- fident the roof will be there for the Olympics. MONDAY 1-3-2004 St Panteleimon Church, DANDENONG tem, 210 kilometres of new roads, a renovated “We would like to have it earlier for prepa- Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm port at Piraeus and a vastly improved airport. ration and testing. TUESDAY 2-3-2004 Dormition of the Holy Theotokos, NORTH ALTONA But is all that enough for the 3.5 million “But everything will be ready in May, fin- Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm locals? ished. Then we need to have the three months WEDNESDAY 3-3-2004 St John’s Church, CARLTON Their tree-less streets are choked with dust, to test all the facilities.” Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm their neighbourhoods are construction sights A forecast change of government at the THURSDAY 4-3-2004 Holy Trinity Church, FOOTSCRAY and commuting through the city remains a tan- March 7 election, however, poses another Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm gled concrete and metal obstacle course - and potential threat to smooth final preparations, FRIDAY 5-3-2004 St Eleutherios Church, BRUNSWICK they’ve put up with this for three years. although ATHOC and the IOC have received Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm “The city of Athens is in a mess,” said Sotiris assurances from both major political parties. SATURDAY 6-3-2004 Travel to MORWELL Triantasillou, Olympics reporter on Greece’s Simitis has effectively stood down as leader SUNDAY 7-3-2004 Dormition of the Holy Theotokos, MORWELL biggest daily sports newspaper Goal News. of the ruling socialist PASOK party to be Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm “You cannot go easily to your home or to your replaced by foreign minister George Papan- MONDAY 8-3-2004 St George Church, THORNBURY work. Every day life has been upset because of dreou who is trailing opposition New Democ- Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm the Olympics.” racy leader Costas Karamanlis in the polls. TUESDAY 9-3-2004 St Anthony, SUNSHINE This is just one of the reasons, says Tri- Felli said Karamnalis vowed to leave all Holy Confession antasillou, why only 40 per cent of Athenians Olympic personnel in place, and although WEDNESDAY 10-3-2004 Holy Transfiguration Church, THOMASTOWN approve of the Games according to a Gallop observers predict some minor changes, there’s Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm poll taken in January. no danger for Angelopoulos-Daskalaki who THURSDAY 11-3-2004 BREAK Greeks fear extra taxes to make up for the 7 was an MP in the New Democracy govern- FRIDAY 12-3-2004 Sts Cyril & Methodius Church, PRESTON billion Euros spent by the government and ment of the early 1990s. Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm they also feel some patriarchal disapproval of Every venue will host a test event, ranging St Eustathios Church, SOUTH MELBOURNE what’s happened to the Games they invented. from international meetings and national Night Vigil “Greeks have an ideal image of the championships to local events. SATURDAY 13-3-2004 St Andrew’s Church, SUNSHINE Olympics,” Triantasillou says. By the end of January, 1,700,000 tickets had Holy Confession 2.00 - 6.00pm “Now they realise the Olympic Games is not been sold and 44,000 stray dogs were being SUNDAY14-3-2004 St Andrew’s Church, NUNAWADING only an athletic event, it’s a social event, a round up. Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession 2.00 - 6.00pm finance event, a political event, not just sport. And by the end of August, Angelopoulos- They are upset by this.” Daskalaki is hoping for the last laugh. Economists also defy Angelopoulos-Das- MONDAY 15-3-2004 RETURN TO SYDNEY 114813 kalaki’s optimistic post-Games hopes for Greece’s fragile economy. AAP FEBRUARY 2004 Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 5/23 Our Primate’s View

The perceptive person has always were always renowned as the par excellence their Leader, precisely in those ‘idioms’ which been able to distinguish between what is ‘pri- people of the ‘agora’ (the market place) and they should never do so (e.g. autocracy/ sub- vate’and what is ‘public’. That does not mean, for public oration in the market place servience, materialism/ populism, narcissism/ however, that he has sought to apply in his life (‘agorevein’) which is, by nature, the first self-abasement, pseudo-piety/ impiety, etc). ‘two measures and two standards’ - something deposit of democracy! Further to what we have said thus far which would have constituted a moral ‘schizo- Thus, after all this, we must accept about the importance placed upon individuals phrenia’ and hypocrisy. On the contrary, with that the epigrammatic saying for the protection and social entities regarding the care and the distinction into ‘private’ and ‘public’, the of what is private, rather expresses a self- respect to be exercised toward their private prudent person – who in advance respects him- respect which does not allow the person to and public image, we must still underline self, as well as others – has always sought to leave himself exposed to the public view with- some details out of which could develop secure, as far as possible, a necessary ‘balance’ out reason. Simultaneously, however, we see unforeseen serious and dangerous misconcep- in his private environment and decency in his that in this same self-respect is contained a tions. social life. hidden, withheld respect for others whom no In the first instance there exists the Just how important the distinction to one should burden with his own issues and danger that an individual might not be con- which we refer is, can be readily understood problems. cerned with protecting his ‘private image’from from the following thoughts. This self-respect, therefore, and inquisitive and dangerous eyes, believing The ‘private life’, that is the ‘per- mutual respect which we observe, clearly indeed that such unconcern constitutes ‘sincer- sonal datum’ of each individual, is respected proclaim a praiseworthy dual sense of worth ity’, therefore virtue. Such an oblivious atti- and inviolate only in the judgement of those (‘axio-prepeia’) – the worth (‘axia’) which is tude, however, does not merely demonstrate who are in a position to evaluate the unique and due (prepei) to us and the worth which is due small-mindedness and vulgar primitivism. entirely individualistic circumstances of the to others. Precisely this sense of dual dignity is More so it reveals a ruthlessness of dual direc- human person, as well as his immediate fami- expressed in a verse of the Greek national poet tion (not only against himself but also against ly environment. Kostis Palamas (let us not forget that this year others) but above all it demonstrates an unac- On the contrary, in the public marks the 60th anniversary since his death!) ceptable confusion of criteria. For this reason sphere, two very serious ‘insults’, if not injus- which beseeches: ‘don’t abandon your pain it has been said quite correctly and descriptive- By Archbishop tices, are inevitably perpetrated against the here…’. ly that ‘in the lounge, one does not display the Stylianos unrepeatable, unique human person. Firstly, However, beyond the psychological toilet of the house in order to appear sincere, of Australia all are silently equalized in advance, as if they needs (for balance and social dignity) which nor does hiding it in an inconspicuous place were matchsticks. Secondly, it is overlooked or impose the distinction into private and public, mean hypocrisy’! ignored that not all have the same natural or there is also the spiritual and moral dimension Yet another wholesale misunder- cultivated readiness to see and to evaluate of the subject we are examining. Christ standing occurs sometimes even with spiritual their fellow human in the context of his or her touched upon this dimension epigrammatically people as concerns their public image which singularity without probing into or even being in his counsel ‘do not let your left hand know they disregard provocatively but also leave scandalized by the particularities of each per- what your right is doing’ (Mth. 6:3). This con- themselves open to the misinterpretation that, son. cerns the essential introversion which is with methods altogether farfetched, they are Those who do not possess the matu- required by the ‘unselfish’ acts of prayer and attempting to impose ‘the dissolution and era- rity or the good will to appreciate the thoughts fasting (these usually go hand-in-hand) and sure’ [of their image]. we have expounded above and to acknowledge especially by the exercise of ‘charity’. Of course, the well-known example the need for a distinction between private and It is noteworthy that on the basis of of the ‘fools for Christ’ always constitutes a public, means that they fail to recognize the sacredness of the human person in one’s absolute ‘nakedness’. In other words, what one is from birth, and not what one later becomes or is thought to be or appears to become THE PUBLIC IMAGE externally. And whoever cannot or does not want to accept such obvious truths concerning prayer and fasting – parallel to the admonition soul-stirring case of self-humiliation and self- our common human nature and our common of Christ for complete isolation in one’s private lessness. However, who could exclude the pos- human adventure (‘do not exalt anyone before quarters (see Mth. 6:6) – there also developed sibility that for many sensitive and sometimes the end’!) («ìçäÝíá ðñï ôïõ ôÝëïõò quite naturally the practice of common prayer unbelieving townsmen such an attitude might ìáêÜñéæå»), obviously has not comprehended and fasting in the Church temple, as a form of scandalize – instead of setting them aright – by other more simple and basic truths about the public worship, without this being interpreted presenting what might appear to them an anti- mystery of life. One such truth, perhaps the as a deviation. In the case of charity, however, social attitude and stance? most fundamental, is that the worth and hon- whatsoever publicity here leads to the undoing In closing our speculation with refer- our of a person is not determined by or depen- of the sacred purpose. The central aim, in any ence to the private and the public image we dent upon that which he or she ‘desires’ or event, to avoid formalism, hypocrisy and what- should add that what has been stated above ‘thinks’ or ‘does’. Foremost, what is always ever else, in the guise of a self-satisfying Phar- becomes even more dramatic when applied to valid for the human person is that he or she, isaism, might possibly do harm to the ‘doer’, or an entire national whole or to an entire country. from birth, is an ‘icon of God’. Who – be he scandalize the ‘observer’. And unfortunately, at this very hour, our distant intelligent and educated, or naïve and unedu- In this way, any activity engaged in yet unforgettable motherland of Greece which, cated – cannot see and acknowledge that the ‘to be seen by people’ (Mth. 23:5) harms not following her entry into the European Union being and essence of each human are not only the show-off, but also the intelligent and could have been an exemplary nation, not only determined decisively by one’s self, nor are sensitive observers who are in a position to in the Balkans but also in the broader environ- prejudged to an absolute degree by the genes ‘notice’ the ‘ulterior motive’ of each activity ment of civilized Europe, appears not to be pre- inherited from one’s parents? Here, God the and to be scandalized. It is quite characteristic senting the best public image which we rightly Creator has the first and final word. that Christ said “woe to the person by whom would have expected. If the above could be viewed as an the offence comes” (Mth. 18:7), without say- That it is now being stated entirely introduction to the moral dilemma created by ing something similar about ‘sin’, though He without reservation and in such a cynical man- the distinction between private and public, knew only too well that sin is prevalent every- ner that the forthcoming national elections of then we have the basic presuppositions to where, regardless to what degree. Perhaps the March 7th will be directed exclusively by the understand how important this distinction is for reason for such a distinction is the fact that our odd ethos of Greece’s current unrestrained each of us in light of any moral problem personal sin damages primarily our own self, ‘media-directed’ format (whilst everywhere regarding our private or social lives. yet when we scandalize others, especially the there are accusations of disgraceful collusion In days gone by, when it was said: weaker ones, by our sinful public image then, by politicians with financial interests of the “in-house, not in public” – «ôá åí ïßêù ìç as the people say most vividly, we ‘endanger country), means that, by sleight of hand and åí äÞìù» - (do not expose to the public view others along with ourselves’. ‘overnight’, fundamental principles of tradi- the internal matters of your household), it is If the public image of every citizen tional parliamentarianism, as all the civilized evident that they wished to protect their pri- must be decent, so as not to harm himself pri- world has understood them until this day, have vate circumstances and lives from the needless marily when judged by others, then this applies already crumpled. The irresponsible masses comments of outsiders. The succinctness with ever so more to those who hold public office, who are following this ‘puppet show’ so mes- which this proverbial saying was formulated, since they are continually in the public eye, merised, instead of being concerned for and without providing explanations and without exposed to criticism from all. For this reason, fearful of the unforeseeable developments, to a declaring the conditions that have elevated it to the Leader in any sphere of life is obliged to great extent are chuckling for the time being a wise adage, allow us to deduce its real mean- pay attention continually to his public image. with delirious enthusiasm. ing. We can, therefore, say with certainty that In contrast to actors and other professionals in Let us hope that there will not prevail we do not detect in it any trace of ‘unsociabili- show business generally, he does this not to here the tragic condemnation foretold by the ty’ or arrogance or ‘snobbishness’. We would deceive the throngs with virtues which he does loud-speaking Prophet Jeremiah when he said: have even less right to suspect here even a trace not possess, but so as not to set a bad example. “…you have fattened your hearts as in a day of of ‘agoraphobia’ (the opposite of ‘claustro- And, unfortunately, we know how easily and slaughter” (James 5:5, see Jer. 26:21). phobia’). In any event, the ancient Greeks indiscriminately the masses readily emulate FEBRUARY 2004 6/24 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

DID YOU KNOW? Of the more than $50 billion worth of diet products sold every year, almost $20 billion are spent on imitation fats and sugar substi- tutes.

HACCI Business Bulletin

Sam Saltis (VIC) Peter Andrews (NSW) Bill Evangel (WA) George Psaltis (QLD) John Kari (SA) Commment by Sam Saltis PO Box 7077, St Kilda Rd, Level 2 251-253 Hellenic PO BOX 350, Francis Street, 40 Annerley Road, P.O Box 6204 Halifax St, [email protected] Melbourne 3004 House, Sydney 2000 Northbridge, WA 6865 Woolloongabba, 4102. Adelaide SA 5000 Tel: 03 98185020 Tel: 0419 299542 Tel: 08 9328 5141 Tel: 07 3391 1396 Phone 08 82977533 Above my desk is a small anecdote about Fax: 03 98185024 Fax: 02 92618848 Fax: 08 9227 9652 Email: [email protected] Fax 08 82970549 two stonecutters who were asked what they Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.hacci.com.au Email:[email protected] were doing. The first replied, “I’m cutting this Web: www.hacci.com.au Web: www.hacci.com.au Web: www.hacci.org.au web: www.hacci.com.au stone into blocks”. The second replied, “I’m on the team that’s building a church”. It is with those words in mind that we begin the local Hellenic Business and professional sideration by email to [email protected] staff. Peter Vlant has created a business in new HACCI business series taking over from community. b. Profile - where we ask you to provide helping people with the management of their Con Berbatis. We would like to thank him for 2. To interact with all readers regularly your thoughts on a specific issue or to answer ‘Human Capital”. beginning this page in September 2002 and using the newspaper and the supporting web- a series of questions regarding a particular His article gives us insights into the ways introducing many readers to the activities of site to debate topics, and allow networking. industry or topic and processes required to manage staff to HACCI. His dedication and persistence has 3. To keep you informed of all the activi- c. Events - Broad listing of events that are ensure we have proper measurement of per- helped make this page interesting and infor- ties and opportunities that may arise both here planned across Australia for HACCI or for formance and alignment to organisation mative for those reading the VEMA. We look and in Greece. The format of the page will fol- community groups that HACCI supports. goals. forward to his continued contribution as we low the following guidelines. Your feedback and comments are always Finally, we have provided you with the cur- move into the new series. We have three goals a. Feature article - A discussion of specif- welcome. I urge you to communicate with us rent contact details for each of the state cham- in mind: ic topics in business and the professional directly on email at [email protected] bers. We look forward to receiving your feed- 1. To make you all aware of the depth of world. These articles are provided by our Our feature article this month discusses the back and requests. knowledge and diversity that exists within the members. Articles can be submitted for con- key component of any business being your Human Capital Solutions Maximise Your Business’ Profitability Business success flows from a combina- tic KPIs, which are tied to the organisation’s tion of savvy financial management plan (the SMART principal). and a sales driven culture. Optimise Human Capital The truth is, this outcome can only be achieved if organizations have the right It is often heard in the press that today’s employee talent in place. workers are expected to do a lot more in much The financial press is dominated by news of less time. There is a requirement for the organ- shareholder dissatisfaction and the appoint- isation and the employees to work much ment of new CEOs and management teams to smarter rather than much harder. Human Cap- appease them. ital management consultancies provide a vari- New CEOs have four quarters to formulate ety of suitable consulting services such as: Job their recipe for success and another four quar- profiling where the consultant uses analytical ters to deliver on their proposed program. If techniques to determine what it is about suc- their approach does not deliver the results cessful individuals that make them so good at sought by shareholders it is end game and the their roles; Human Resource consulting such cycle commences all over again with another as establishing HR procedures and HR man- new CEO. agement; Team and executive coaching which The question rarely posed by the sharehold- Manage Human Capital is either individual professional or career ers is why do these CEOs fail? The answer Alignment coaching for teams and individuals; Manage- simply comes down to firstly, does the organi- Managing Human Capital is all about provid- ment consulting for managers in those areas of zation have right talent in place and secondly, ing a performance management framework All staff are measured on what their actual jobs business where general business issues such as are they managing it appropriately to achieve for all employees and their managers. This is are supposed to be rather than what the Workcover or Sales Training issues exist; Psy- the desired outcomes? handled poorly in many organisations and is employees original letter of offer contained. chometric assessments to help determine best If we accept that an organisation’s success is usually managed by annual reviews. More up This is critical in today’s knowledge employee fit and so on. intrinsically linked to their employee talent, to date solutions are computerised and offer a economies because organisations have to the primary issues senior management need to number of key benefits including: quickly adapt themselves to an ever changing Events be focused on is sourcing and managing their global marketplace. More importantly for talent effectively. Depth employees, their development goals can also For further details about the below events con- tact the individual chambers. All levels of the business or organisation are be mapped and finally aligned with the goals QLD - is holding leaders in business breakfast Acquire Human Capital managed. The executive team have to meet of the organisation. Any such electronic sys- in March and have asked Con Berbatis who their own targets as do all the middle manage- tem should allow either the staff member or will be in Queensland at that time to come and Acquiring Human Capital means providing a ment teams and all the customer facing and the manager to initiate a review. talk at our meeting. recruitment service. This is typically per- operational teams. formed using resume databases containing Reporting/Relevance VIC - March Network Cocktail evening. resumes from at least 10% of the working pop- Frequency WA - 17th March HACCI Scholarship awards ulation. One of the biggest problems facing business night with the Premier attending. The size of the resume databases is critical as Reviews happen on a quarterly or more fre- leaders is trying to work out how much of their NSW - 18th Feb Cutting of the Vasilopita. it allows employees and employees to find not quent basis because the system is comput- message is getting through to the workers. Any SA - March 26th Hellenic National Day Cele- just the best skills and experience match but erised and does not require paper forms to be performance management system must there- bration Dinner Dance. also the best cultural fit between employee and shipped around the country. The quarterly fre- fore be able to provide concise reports about employer. Resume databases are equally quency results in much better communication which staff have been reviewed plus which Want to make a comment or read what applicable for employees from CEO level flow between workers and managers and managers have performed their staff reviews. people have said about this article? Visit the down through all other levels of the organisa- allows work or employment issues to be man- It is critical that reviews are structured around HACCI website for discussions about this tion. aged proactively. Specific, Measurable, Achievable and Realis- article at www.hacci.com.au FEBRUARY 2004 Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 7/25

DID YOU KNOW? Cuban President Fidel Castro late last month handed Ecumeni- cal Patriarch Vatholomeos, the key to a Byzantine church built and donated by Facts & Stats his communist government. Wealth of new information sheds light on Nazi atrocities With their newly disclosed stories expand- previously known. amputations and organ removals. Some proce- it because they'd have to relive it - and who ing knowledge of World War II atrocities, Statements written by the victims to satisfy dures were done without anaesthesia. wants to be subjected to a nightmare like that some 1,778 survivors of Nazi medical requirements of the settlement payouts were "It's unbelievable so many (survivors) are again," he said. experiments were sent cheques from the "fragments of history we're rescuing at the alive and they were courageous enough to Karen Heilig, a lawyer for the fund, said an proceeds of Holocaust lawsuits. very last moment," Taylor said. He noted the come forward," said Eli Zborowski, chairman experiment in which Jews were placed in victims are now at advanced ages. of the American Society for Yad Vashem and a freezing water to see if they would survive has The $US5,400 ($A7,034) payouts are con- Greg Schneider, chief operating officer of Jew who survived World War II hidden by been more fully documented because of the sidered symbolic by the Conference on Jewish the conference, said two of six people han- non-Jews in Poland. statements. Material Claims against Germany, a group of dling claims by Nazi experiment survivors had Zborowski said some questions still need to AP Jewish organisations dispersing money from to quit because "they just couldn't handle how be answered - such as how the experiment pro- Holocaust court settlements. emotional it was". gram could develop among highly educated Full alert But the conference hopes the new informa- The staff has compiled a list of experiments doctors, and where and when the experiments tion will promote further research on the - 178 in all - conducted in more than 30 con- began. experiments - one of the less-documented centration camps and ghettos from 1942 for fatal bird flu aspects of the Holocaust. It sent letters to sur- through 1945. The large majority were known Zborowski said he believed the doctors were vivors asking permission to release their state- from prior research, books, camp archives and recruited gradually as Jews were dehumanised Australian authorities remain on alert for the ments anonymously to Holocaust museums. claimants to a 1951 fund. in a process that began with discrimination and fatal bird flu which has claimed human lives "Sixty years after the fact, you're suddenly But more than a dozen have been added evolved into the murder of millions. and wiped millions from poultry stocks piecing together history," Gideon Taylor, the based on the 1,778 submissions. The new Roman Kent, chairman of the American across Asia. Poultry from the countries conference's executive vice president, said statements show torture-like experiments were Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, sug- where the flu has been detected is already after the new claims were announced at a press more widely practiced than previously known, gested some survivors will never surface. banned from entering Australia. But a health conference. conference leaders said. About 20 respondents did not qualify for pay- department spokeswoman says health and Taylor said lawyers who filed lawsuits seek- The list mentions the already well-known Dr ments because they would acknowledge being quarantine authorities remain on alert at bor- ing reparations for Holocaust survivors never Josef Mengele experiments on twins and victims of experiments but would not provide der entries and in mail centres. Pakistan is the imagined that so many people would provide dwarfs. It also identifies experiments involv- supporting detail. eighth county to declare the presence of the information about medical experiments. In all, ing sterilisation, injection of infectious dis- Kent said he has blocked out portions of his disease, after Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, people from 33 different countries responded, eases and poisons, injections to try to change time at Auschwitz and the ghetto. Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Indone- describing experiments of a magnitude not the colour of people's eyes, unnecessary "Even to close friends, they hate to describe sia. Greek land scandal sets back Victorian women giving birth later Papandreou election drive Victorian Health Minister Bronwyn Pike says more Victorian woman are having children later in life with the average age of women giving birth now over 30. Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou Pahtas, one of two deputies to Finance Min- Ms Pike says birth statistics for 2001 and 2002 show the average age of mothers has risen was plunged into the first crisis of his leader- ister Nikos Christodoulakis, was in charge of from 27.6 years in 1986 to 30.2. ship of the governing socialists in the runup to European issues including disbursement of She says the proportion of women aged 35 and over giving birth had now reached 20.5 per a March general election. European Union funds. cent, almost double that of 10 years ago. Fallout from a land scandal involving social- The Sunday Eleftherotypia said the scandal The statistics also show that while there has been a steady decline in Victoria's birth rate in ist politicians has so far led to a deputy finance had reinvigorated New Democracy and the last decade, the number of babies born in Victoria in 2002 increased by 988 to 62,678 on minister and MP resigning and the party drop- allowed it to go on a new offensive. the previous year. ping eight sitting parliamentarians as candi- “New Democracy did its duty; it pointed out a AAP dates for the March 7 vote. political crime, a scandal of shame,” said party The politicians’ sin was to sign and back a spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos. parliamentary amendment that would have Leading by three per cent in election opi- allowed a construction company to build villas nion polls - the gap was up to seven per cent on a picturesque peninsula near Thessaloniki before Papandreou took over - the conserva- in northern Greece, despite environmental tives have made corruption a key campaign laws supposedly protecting the forested area issue. from development. In a bid to limit political damage, the social- There were also reports prosecutors were ists hailed Papandreou as a decisive and new- considering looking into claims by several of style leader in demanding within 24 hours of the barred parliamentarians that their signa- the row surfacing that the politicians accept tures on the amendment had been forged. “responsibility” for their action. After seeing Papandreou halve their poll lead “The Greek people demand that there are no in just the two weeks since he took over effec- grey shadows in the political life of our coun- tive control of the election fight, the conserva- try,” said Papandreou. tive New Democracy party seized on the issue Mr Costas Simitis has announced that while as a way to stop the momentum the popular he will remain prime minister during the cam- foreign minister has built up for the Panhel- paign he will step down the day after the elec- lenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). tion if the socialists win. “Unexpected crisis puts Papandreou off bal- However there were some rumblings in ance,” read Sunday’s Kathimerini front page PASOK that Papandreou acted too hastily after headline. It said the decision to bar the 10 MPs several barred politicians said they were either - two of whom, including deputy finance min- misled into signing the amendment believing it ister Christos Pahtas, have resigned from par- was meant to create jobs or had their signa- liament - cast doubt on whether the socialists tures forged. can keep their slim six-seat parliamentary majority even until March 7. Reuters

34,000 university places to be divided nationally Around 34,000 university places will be population growth and unmet demand, like divided among different states in the next Western Australia and Queensland, would five years, under a new federal government gain more students under the plan. tertiary funding scheme. Universities that over-enrol students would (02) Education Minister Brendan Nelson is be penalised, according to the paper. expected to announce the new $500 million But National Union of Students president funding formula this week, The Australian Jodie Jansen said the redistribution scheme newspaper reported today. would not match student demand for univer- States with higher cut-off scores, untapped sity places. AAP FEBRUARY 2004 8/26 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Windows to Orthodoxy Who is God the Father? Having discussed the Tri-unity and Unity of God, the ensuing defined primarily in terms of his relationship to his Son and not we too can call God, Father. This universal scope of God’s articles of VEMA will endeavour to articulate the distinctive to his fatherhood of the universe. In contemplating God, in fatherhood in which all Christians are now invited to share, is characteristics of each Person of the Trinity. faith, the Christian fathers came to see that God is not alone in a call for all to enjoy all that the Father has naturally given to his divinity, but from all eternity had a Son and it was for this His Son by grace. reason that He was called Father. In fact, in the Scriptures of The fathers of the early Church, faithful to the Scriptures, Israel, God the Father was never without His Word or Spirit nor From the above brief analysis, two aspects of God’s Father- considered the term “God”, when used as a proper name, did He act in the world alone. For this reason, St Irenaeus (2nd hood have been discerned: God as our “adoptive” Father in belonging primarily to God the Father. Therefore the Scriptures century) described God as acting with his two hands, that is to Jesus Christ, and God as the “generative” Father of His Son claim that the Son (Jesus Christ) is the “Son of God” and the say His Son and Spirit.2 In the Fourth Gospel we read that the from all eternity and it is the second of these two aspects of Spirit is the “Spirit of God.” The Christian Bible claims that Word of God, fatherhood that we now turn to. Upon reflecting on the mystery God is both the Father of Israel and Father of his only begot- “was in the beginning with God. All things came of God, the early Church described God as Father since He had ten Son Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, there are many pas- into being through him, and without him not one generated or given birth, from all eternity to his Son, the Word sages, which refer to God as Father. For example Deuterono- thing came into being” (Jn 1:2-3). of God. In this understanding, God is called Father simply my describes the relationship between the people of Israel and The above passage makes it clear that Jesus Christ was not only because He has a Son by nature from all eternity – that is to say, God in terms of fatherhood: the agent through whom the world was created but existed, that there was never a time when God was not Father since his “Is not he your father who created you and estab- from the very beginning with God the Father. Son and Spirit are co-eternal with Him. All statements con- lished you?” (Deut 32:6) cerning the generation of the Son intend to state explicitly that Elsewhere in the Scriptures God is depicted, in a strikingly pro- Now, in fellowship with the one Lord and Saviour Jesus God’s only begotten Son, was not merely created by the Father found way, lovingly caring for, and having compassion on his Christ the early Christians also dared to call God “abba” which but that He is of the same essence or substance (homoousios) people: means “beloved father” or “daddy”. The early Christians, in with the Father; something which cannot be said about the cre- “When Israel was a child, I loved him and out of partaking of the life of Christ, made possible through God’s ated world. It is in this eternal begetting of the Son that God is Egypt I called my son…. I took them up in my ongoing presence in the Holy Spirit were also entitled to call known as Father. The Christian tradition would therefore claim arms… I led them with bands of love… I was to God ‘father’ as Jesus did. that the Son is begotten of the Father, and the Spirit proceeds them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are chil- from the Father, but that God the Father proceeds from no other bent down to them and fed them.” (Hos 11:1-4) dren of God… When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is cause or origin - rather He is the origin and cause of the divine that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit persons of the Son and Spirit. God the Father is precisely In the New Testament, the image of God as father is taken that we are children of God.” (Rom 8:14-15) Father in that He is the one supreme almighty being, uncreat- up by Jesus and it becomes the most characteristic way in As God’s children (Gal 3:26) living in union with Jesus Christ, ed, self-sufficient, all-perfect, who is the transcendent fount, which Jesus addresses God. So intimate is Christ’s relationship we too are adopted in God’s eternal kingdom becoming, by source and author of all other beings.3 The Christian tradition with God, his Father, that He says to Philip, his apostle: grace heirs of His eternal life with all the gifts belonging by would therefore claim that God is Father since He is without “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” nature to God’s Son. Calling God, “father” was unprecedented origin and secondly since He is both Father of the Son, and the (Jn 14:9) as previous to that all people of Israel considered the name of One from whom the Spirit proceeds from all eternity. As the And the image of God as loving Father is fully made known in God too sacred even to pronounce. The reference to God as eternal ‘origin’ of the Godhead God is the “I am who I am” the giving of His Son to redeem, sanctify and unite the entire Father by the early Church was used only after the revelation (Ex 3:14) – that is, God the Father who does not draw His exis- world with him: of the perfect image of God to the world in the person of Jesus tence from any other reality. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Christ who taught his followers to pray to God in what came to Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be called the Lord’s prayer: “Our father in heaven…” The perish but may have eternal life. “(Jn 3:16) communion between God and the world realised by Jesus God is Father because here He is depicted as the ground of all Christ was such that the gap between the divine and the world The Greek Australian confidence, trust and our existence. It was for this reason that was bridged to such an extent, which now made possible the in the early Christian tradition the name of God as Father did invocation of God as Father. not refer to some characteristic of God but signified his very Vema being.1 For the early Christian tradition, it was only to the extent that the early Christians dwelt in the only begotten Son that they In analysing the fatherhood of God, the first point would be could refer to Christ’s father as their father as well. It was for The oldest circulating that the term ‘father’, used to describe the one God of faith in this reason, that, in the early Church, the Lord’s prayer, which the Scriptures is not a title projected onto God by human per- was directed to God the Father, was not taught to the catechu- Greek newspaper sons. For the early Church the title ‘father’ was never meant to mens (those preparing to become Christian) until a few days imply any biological maleness to God or attribute to him any before their baptism because they did not have the competence outside Greece so called masculine characteristics. Therefore, in reflecting to call God, “abba” and could not do so because they were not upon the mystery of the God as Father, it is of paramount in Jesus and had not yet received the Holy Spirit. According to importance to detach from this title any patriarchal or male St John Chryssostom, in the East, the Lord’s prayer was only Tel: (02) 9559 7022 notions of human fatherhood. As Father, God is not a coercive taught for the first time to the catechumens on Holy Thursday or authoritarian father-figure holding his creation to him by so that they could recite it for the first time during the Paschal Fax: (02) 9559 7033 force. Rather, in the early Church it was only in gazing upon liturgy where they would have been baptised and sealed with the only begotten Son and Word of God in the flesh that God the Spirit. So it is only in fellowship with the Son of God that E-mail: [email protected] came to be called “father” beyond any anthropomorphic notions of human fatherhood. Therefore God the Father is beyond any human characteristics whether they be male or female. Indeed God the Father is described with certain attrib- utes usually associated with the feminine: God is compared to a midwife (Ps 22:9), a suckling mother (Isa 49:15) and even a uestions & nswers mother comforting her child: Q A “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” (Isa 66:13) *** Nevertheless the Orthodox tradition would claim that the term What is the significance of the ‘father’ is not simply one of many metaphors or images used to “Heretismoi” services during the Fridays Q of Lent? From the Orthodox Church: 455 Questions and Answers, describe God’s qualities but is the distinctive term addressed by by Stanley S. Harakas, published by Light and Life. Jesus to God. Its unshakeable basis lies in Jesus’ intimate and On the next to the last Friday of Lent the Church filial relationship to God whom he witnessed and proclaimed sings the Akathist Hymn. It was composed and If you have any questions about the Orthodox faith during his earthly ministry and therefore this term cannot be A sung, according to tradition, as a thanksgiving to which you would like answered in the VEMA, send surrendered in favour of other language about God. the Theotokos, for the protection of Constantino- them to ple from a siege by the Persians in 626 A.D. The twenty- From what has been said thus far, we can see clearly that the four verses, each beginning with a letter of the Greek VEMA - Q. & A. name of God as Father is a purely theological term – which is alphabet form a beautiful religious poem regarding the to say, that it has always been understood in terms of God’s P.O. Box M59 Marrickville South coming of Christ for the salvation of the world. The hymns eternal relation to his Son. It was in his self-revelation to the NSW 2204 honor the Theotokos. The Heretismoi services are portions world in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, that God most of these verses (six each week) and are sung on the first or email them to: clearly made Himself known as Father. Therefore it is in four Fridays of Great Lent. The whole Akathist is sung on respect to God being the Father of His Son that he must be [email protected] the fifth Friday of Lent. called Father. In other words, this specific attribute of God is FEBRUARY 2004 Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 9/27 Windows to Orthodoxy

Thus far, we have seen that the fathers of the early Church From the above quote, we would conclude that the Orthodox the Father is inherently productive and creative in his very always described the one God of faith as “Father” indeed tradition declares that God the Father is distinguished from the nature - in that He generated His Son and breathed forth His “Father almighty”. Now, the Orthodox Christian tradition other Persons as eternally begetting, from His nature God the Spirit from all time - is He also Creator and “maker of heaven would claim that there is one God, not necessarily because Son and as breathing forth the Holy Spirit; the Son is distin- and earth”. However, it is clear that the Father created the there was one essence in Godhead but primarily because there guished, in his person as being eternally begotten of the Father; world through his Son (Word) and in the Holy Spirit; and it is is one Father. In the Symbol of Faith (known as the Nicene- and the Holy Spirit as eternally proceeding from the Father. to this unified action of God to create the world out of nothing Constantinopolitan Creed) we confess that the one God in that we will turn out attention in the next issue of VEMA. whom we believe is the Father almighty. Only then do we con- Having briefly outlined the specific characteristic of God as tinue to confess our faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit: “I Father, we must however affirm that in reference to other By Philip Kariatlis believe in one God, Father almighty…. and in one Lord attributes of God, what the Father is, the Son and Holy Spirit Academic Secretary and Associate Lecturer, Jesus Christ… and in the Holy Spirit.” We believe in one also are since they are of the same essence and share the same St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College God because we claim that there is one Father. Therefore in divine nature with God. Thus if God the Father is everlasting reflecting upon the Godhead we say that it is one because there and eternal, invisible, incomprehensible, unfathomable; loving, 1 See for example St Athanasius, De decr., 22. is one cause who is the Father. This was clearly affirmed by St 2 St Ireneaus, Elenghos, 4, 20. wise, holy and pure, so is God the Son and God the Holy Spir- 3 St Athanasius, Contr. Ar., 2.54. Basil the Great in the fourth century who succinctly said that: it. Not only is their nature and essence identical but also their 4 Contra Sab., 3; PG 31:605A. 4 “God is one because the Father is one.” will and action towards the world is common. Now, since God 5 De fide Orthodoxa, 1, 8; PG 94;324B. However in beholding the persons in whom the Godhead dwells, we worship three persons since the Son and Holy Spirit from all eternity and with equal glory have their being from the Father. The fathers however would even that since the Father is the sole cause and origin of the Godhead that He is “greater” that His Son and Spirit even though there is an essential identity of essence. This was the spirit in which the early Church interpreted the words of Jesus found in the Gospel of John: “the Father is greater than I” (Jn 14:28). We end with a quote from St John of Damascus (675-749), who in his Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, affirmed the essential dependence of the Son and Spirit upon the Person of the Father in a clear, coherent and concise way: “Whatsoever the Son has from the Father, the Spirit also has, including His very being. And if the Father does not exist, then neither does the Son and the Spirit; and if the Father does not have something, then neither has the Son or the Spirit. Furthermore, because of the Father, that is, the Son and the Spirit are; and because of the Father, the Son and the Spirit have everything that they have”.5 BIG CALL SAVINGS AREARE YOUYOU PAYINGPAYING TOOTOO MUCH?MUCH? Alpha Telecom gives you the UNBELIEVABLE rate of 9.9c* to GREECE!

Greece Mobile 45c/min* Athens 9.9c/min* National Calls 9.9c/min Cyprus 29c/min Greece 12c/min* Macedonia 37c/min*

Pre-paid and Post-paid (billed monthly) services available.

Call 1300 305 266 www.alphatelecom.com.au *Rates include GST. Flagfall of 25c applies to all calls. For full rates, any questions about our services or becoming an agent, see our website www.alphatelecom.com.au or call 1300 305 266. FEBRUARY 2004 10/28 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA FEBRUARY 2004 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 11/29 FEBRUARY 2004 12/30 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

Charity Dinner Dance to support local health

A night of fun and frivolity is being held to raise funds for community, Mr Kokkinos has raised many thousands of dol- entertainment, and there will be Greek music to add a multi- the Rosebud Rehabilitation Unit. The charity dinner dance lars on the Peninsula. cultural flavour to festivities. with a Country and Western theme and a touch of Greek music “For a donation of $35, guests will be treated to an exciting Peninsula Health’s Rosebud Rehabilitation Unit provides an will be held on Saturday 6th March from 7pm until 12.30am. evening of great entertainment, food and drink,” Mr Kokkinos essential service to the community, providing support and care People are invited to bring their dancing shoes to the Rose- said. to many on the Mornington Peninsula. Proceeds from the char- bud Memorial Hall. There will be great food and wine, as well “It’s supporting a great cause in the Rosebud Rehabilitation ity event will be used to purchase rehabilitation equipment. as beer, soft drinks, coffee and sweets provided. Unit, so we want people to bring their friends, book a table, and Tickets can be purchased from Dromana Disposals at 3 Pier St. The charity dinner dance is being organised by local fund- double the fun.” Dromana, or by phoning George on (03) 5987 1139, or Lyn on raiser George Kokkinos. Well known in the Melbourne Greek Country and Western singer Travis Hammond will provide (03) 5987 2131.

Electioneering begins in Greece

Greece's election campaign has begun with George Papandreou making his first speech as the new leader of the governing socialists. Although the socialists trail in the polls, most Greeks surveyed say they want to see Mr Papandreou become their prime minister. Mr Papandreou chose the rundown suburb of Karysaloss on the outskirts of Athens to give his first pre-election speech as the newly appointed leader of the governing socialist party, Pasok. Signalling his desire for radical change, Mr Papan- dreou, who was voted by over a million Greeks to the post, spoke of the need to introduce a new era where meritocracy and transparency prevail in Greece. Most of those gathered to hear him speak dispensed of the ruling socialists' traditional symbols and chanted new slogans hailing the era of change. 2,000 die in NSW a year from hospital infections

At The Towers of Chevron Renaissance, dine, shop and play in Chevron’s village atmosphere

Luxury Living... in the heart of Surfers Paradise Around 2,000 patients in NSW die every year from infections contracted in hospital, new figures show. Health Minister Morris Iemma said the figures, THE TOWERS OF CHEVRON RENAISSANCE released today by NSW Health, were unacceptable. "It's not acceptable (but) it needs to be seen in the context of how large the system is and how many peo- ple go through our hospitals," Mr Iemma told reporters. About 1.3 million people are admitted for medical procedures in the state's hospitals each year. Mr Iemma said there were infection control guide- lines in place for medical professionals, such as wash- ing hands and wearing protective clothing. NSW hospitals' post-operative infection rates were among the best in the country, he said.

"NSW setting up a mandatory system for reporting Visit our display from 10am - 8pm daily. (hospital infection rates) is a first," Mr Iemma said. Chevron Renaissance Village He did not rule out a league table system for individual 3232 Gold Coast Highway Surfers Paradise Phone 07 5526 2736 or 1800 268 299 hospitals but suggested grouping hospitals or examin- www.raptis.com/chevron ing infection rates for specific procedures may be a bet- ter option. AAP FEBRUARY 2004 Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 13/31

DID YOU KNOW? The very first bomb that the Allies dropped on Berlin in World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.

Every year during Great Lent, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia invites one or two Monks from Mt Athos to travel to all major Australian cities for the purpose of hearing and advising the faithful within the Sacrament of Confession. Those who wish to prepare themselves for Easter in this way are advised below of the program of Fr Damaskinos and For the Fr Spyridon, at least in Melbourne and Sydney, bearing in mind also that both Athonite Fathers communicate in Greek. bibliophiles... Fr Damaskinos of Mt Athos HOLY CONFESSION PROGRAMME A Grammar of Modern Greek FOR VICTORIA & TASMANIA By Theodore C. Papaloizos (pub’d in U.S.A.) PM declines Dr Papaloizos has written an entire series of Modern SATURDAY 21-2-2004 Dormition of the Holy Theotokos, LAUNCESTON Greek language textbooks and workbooks for young Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession children through to adults. Favoured by many after- Athens noon Greek schools throughout the English-speaking SUNDAY 22-2-2004 St George Church, HOBART world, these books are sometimes available from parish - Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm Olympics invite churches or Greek bookstores. An economical way, - Talk 7.00 - 8.00pm Prime Minister John Howard has especially if ordering in large numbers, is to buy them MONDAY 23-2-2004 RETURN TO MELBOURNE directly from the publisher. Language audio cassettes, TUESDAY 24-2-2004 Holy Trinity Church, RICHMOND been officially invited to attend the Athens Olympics in August but, CD-roms and teaching aids such as maps, flash cards, - Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm school plays and Christmas carol books are also avail- - Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm with an election looming, will decline the invitation. able. Concentrates on everyday practical language use, WEDNESDAY 25-2-2004 Holy Archangels Church, MENTONE Greek ambassador to Australia and is more suitable to classroom learning rather than - Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm Fotios-Jean Xydas said Prime Min- self-help. - Talk 7.00 - 8.00pm ister Costas Simitis had sent a VIP THURSDAY 26-2-2004 Three Holy Hierarchs Church, CLAYTON invitation to Mr Howard and hoped For free Catalogue contact - Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm he would be in Athens to cheer on www.papaloizos.com - Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm the Australian team. FRIDAY 27-2-2004 Presentation of Our Lady Church, N. BALWYN But Mr Howard told AAP he had Greek Language and People: Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm a busy year ahead with an election a BBC television course SATURDAY 28-2-2004 Holy Monastery of ‘Panagia Kamariane’, RED HILL to be called in the second half of the in Modern Greek for beginners Holy Confession 10.00am - 2.00pm year and would not be attending. By David A. Hardy (BBC Books) Theophania Church, FRANKSTON However, federal Sports Minister Rod Kemp said he would attend the Holy Confession 4.00pm - 8.00pm The videos made to accompany this book have been Games on behalf of the govern- SUNDAY 29-2-2004 Holy Monastery of ‘Axion Estin’, NORTHCOTE aired many times on television, but are not an essential ment. part of the course. As with other BBC language cours- Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 7.00pm "Your prime minister, the hon- MONDAY 1-3-2004 St Andrew’s Church, NUNAWADING es, this book (and the two audio cassettes that supple- ourable Mr Howard, received an ment it) is an excellent introduction for adults with lit- - Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm official invitation to be a guest of tle or no knowledge, who wish to travel to the country. - Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm honour to the Athens Olympic Essential words and phrases are given for ordering TUESDAY 2-3-2004 Presentation of Our Lord Church, COBURG Games from our prime minister, Mr food, booking accommodation, asking for directions, - Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm Simitis," Mr Xydas said at the and carrying on a simple conversation about the pre- launch of an Olympic fundraiser. - Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm sent, past and future with native speakers. "We hope, with the prime minister WEDNESDAY 3-3-2004 Sts Anargyri Church, OAKLEIGH (there), it's going to be a great effort Available: www.bbclanguages.com Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 7.00pm from your side." THURSDAY 4-3-2004 Holy Cross Church, BOX HILL He said Australia would be the most - Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm popular team in Athens because the How to Pray with Icons: a - Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm Greeks loved the Aussies. n activity book for children FRIDAY 5-3-2004 St Basil’s Church, BRUNSWICK "I can guarantee something, the By Myroslaw Tataryn Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm Australian Olympic team will be (Novalis, Gracewing publishers) SATURDAY 6-3-2004 St Nicholas’ Church, YARRAVILLE the most popular in Athens," Mr Xydas said. Each double page contains information about one icon - Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm AAP and a prayer. The 12 full colour icons are on gummed - Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm sheets and these are to be cut out and pasted onto the SUNDAY 7-3-2004 St Athanasius Church, SPRINGVALE ‘Oarsome Foursome’ appropriate pages. Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm to lead Olympic MONDAY 8-3-2004 St Charalambos Church, TEMPLESTOWE Available from Light & Life Publishing - Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm torchbearers www.light-n-life.com - Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm Australia’s Olympic rowing team TUESDAY 9-3-2004 BREAK and other star athletes will lead the National Museums: Negotiating Histories: WEDNESDAY 10-3-2004 Sts Anargyri Church, OAKLEIGH relay of runners carrying the Athens conference proceedings Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm 2004 Olympic Torch Relay through Edited by Darryl McIntyre and Kirsten Wehner THURSDAY 11-3-2004 St Basil’s Church, BRUNSWICK Sydney and Melbourne, where the (Pub’d by the National Museum of Australia in asso- Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm flame will arrive on June 4 and 5, ciation with the Centre for Cross-Cultural research FRIDAY 12-3-2004 St Eustathius Church, SOUTH MELBOURNE respectively. and the australian key Centre for Cultural and Media Australia will be the first country Policy) - Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm to host the Olympic Flame, which - Night Vigil will be flown here from Greece. Papers included in these conference proceedings of SATURDAY 13-3-2004 St Paraskevi Church, ST ALBANS Australian Olympic Committee 1999 deal with museums from around the world and Holy Confession 2.00pm - 7.00pm (AOC) Secretary General Bob with different concerns. Of interest to those concerned SUNDAY 14-3-2004 ‘Panagia Soumela’ Church, EAST KEILOR Elphinston, said that 120 runners, about issues arising from post-WWII immigration to Divine Liturgy, Holy Confession until 6.00pm including many Australian Australia is the paper entitled “Challenging or conven- MONDAY 15-3-2004 St Demetrius Church, PRAHRAN Olympians, will make a nostalgic tional? Migration history in Australian museums” by - Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm re-run of the torch relay across Mel- Ian McShane. McShane questions the narrow focus of bourne, ending at the Main Olympic migration museums and the conceptual framework that - Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm Stadium MCG, the venue that host- gave rise to these museums. TUESDAY 16-3-2004 St Demetrius Church, ASCOT VALE ed the XVI Olympiad in 1956. - Holy Confession 9.00am - 6.00pm In Sydney, the Olympic Torch Available: Bookshop of the National - Talk 7.00 - 8.00 pm Relay will be led by Australian Museum of Australia, Canberra champion sprinter Cathy Freeman. (02) 6208 5000 A.C. WEDNESDAY 17-3-2004 DEPARTURE FOR ADELAIDE 114814 After its Australian leg, the flame will travel to Tokyo. FEBRUARY 2004 14/32 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA Greek mythology PROGRAM OF CONFESSION of Father Spyridon in Sydney wings its way Tuesday Parish of Sts Constantine and Helen - Newtown 17th Feb Confession 9.00 am - 6.00 pm to the computer age Wednesday Parish of St Stylianos - Sutherland Think of Hermes as the patron deity of and raised on Homer. He was seen, and saw 18th Feb Confession 9.00 am - 6.00 pm all couriers. Dispatched from Olympus himself, as god-like. by Zeus, Hera and company, the mes- "There's a fair bit of evidence from antiqui- Thursday Parish of St Catherine - Mascot senger-god would speed to earth on a ty that Alexander the Great modelled his life 19th Feb Confession 9.00 am - 6.00 pm natty pair of sandals with feathered and warrior career on the figure of Homer's wings attached. Achilles," writes Dr Mackie in the university's research report for 2003. "To the Greek world Friday a) Parish of St Andrew - Gladesville The Iliad was like a bible. For us today it is a 20th Feb Confession 9.00 am - 2.00 pm A new ABC-Melbourne University web window into pre-literary Europe. project which aims to bring the classics to "The Iliad reflects great changes in Greek b) Parish of St Nektarios - Burwood every child of school age – and every curious Confession 4.00 pm - 8.00 pm society as the monsters of earlier myths give adult – invokes the memory of Hermes in its way to real-world foes and a new generation title: Winged Sandals. of heroes arises as warriors... Homer deals Sunday Parish of the Holy Apostles - Newcastle Recently, at an up-market industry event in with the great questions of human existence; 22nd Feb Celebration of Divine Liturgy and Confession 8.00 am - 6.00 pm Sydney sponsored by the Australian Interac- of life and death, war, ethnicity, heroism, tive Media Association, the site won the over- morality, how to confront life and death." Monday Departure for Melbourne all "best of the best" prize and was also award- Another Melbourne University classicist ed first prize for the best e-learning site for the 23rd Feb recruited as consultant to the program, Chris past year. Gribbin, sees the collected myths of the The site won because of its rich animation, Greeks as a source of eternal relevance. PROGRAM OF CONFESSION educational edge and its innovative partner- "The myths contain certain sorts of charac- of Father Damaskinos in Sydney ships between independent producers, the ters and events which relate to experiences ABC and the university sector, particularly that people went through 2000 years ago, go Melbourne University. through today, and will always go through," Tuesday Parish of All Saints - Belmore Integrating animation with solid scholar- 17th Feb Confession 9.00 am - 6.00 pm Dr Gribbin says. ship, it offers digital story-telling to a poten- "Aspects of life contained in the ancient sto- Talk / Seminar 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm tially global audience and is believed to be a ries are as relevant to today's society as to early world first. civilisation. Wednesday Parish of The Resurrection of Our Lord - Kogarah Students can now access the animated and "The myths tell of struggles, and of the pas- interactive website – Hermes is the navigator 18th Feb Talk / Seminar 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm sage to adulthood. They are about defining – dedicated to the ancient gods and their eter- yourself as an individual and facing terrors." nal exploits. The ABC will market the site, Thursday Parish of St Stylianos - Sutherland The idea for Winged Sandals came to Allim- which took 10 months to develop, to teachers nos like a message from the gods. 19th Feb Talk / Seminar 7.00 am - 8.00 pm through the year. "I kept dreaming of an animated version of Rosie Allimnos, creative director of the pro- the Homeric hymn to Apollo where he trans- Friday Departure for Melbourne ject at ABC Online, describes it as a website forms into a dolphin and founds the Oracle at 20th Feb targeted "primarily at children", that adults too Delphi," she says. should find engaging. 114817 "I wanted to encourage our website visitors "We have avoided an oversimplified account to step away from their computer and have of the stories, and have instead provided mul- some fun in real life, so we have also included tiple layers of meaning." some crafty activities for kids to make. This The site relates the foundation myth of the way they can use what they have learnt from Delphic oracle – the god Apollo's slaying of the website as a source of inspiration and can the giant Pytho (or serpent) – in a short car- create their own artworks." CountryCountry and & WesternWestern toon. It goes on to provide oracular answers to Greek-Australian by birth, she grew up students' questions. between Athens and Australia and was CharityCharity Dinner Dinner Dance Dance Aiming to avoid what its producers describe immersed in Greek mythology from an early as the "Disneyfication" of classical literature age. "The stories of magical flight, of heroic AlsoAlso withwith Greek Greek Music Music and legend, it also features a Who's Who of journeys into the underworld and of gods with Greek myth, drawing on the expertise of Mel- the power to transform themselves into other th bourne University's department of classics and beings, really captured my imagination as a Saturday 6th 6March March archaeology. 7pm - 12.30pm child." She now hopes to do the same for 7pm - 12.30 pm Chris Mackie, director of Melbourne Uni- every child with a dream – and a computer. versity's centre for Classics and Archaeology Great Food, Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks provided Says Allimnos: "The animations are full of Great Food, Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks provided in the School of Fine Arts, Classical Studies humour and exceptionally beautiful illustra- Kick up your heels with and Archaeology, was the ABC's chief acade- tions of ancient people and places. The games entertainmentKick upfrom your Travis heels Hammond with mic consultant. are so much fun – we avoided the 'shoot em entertainment from Travis Hammond Myth and epic poetry were popular enter- up' online gaming cliche and instead have cre- tainment in the ancient world, and Dr Mackie ated music-making machines and a game RosebudRosebud Memorial Memorial Hall Hall sees a revival of this tradition in films such as where you can make wings to help Icarus fly." NepeanNepean Hwy Hwy the duelling Alexander the Great biopics of The website also includes animated versions Baz Luhrmann and Oliver Stone, and Wolf- of the stories of Demeter and Persephone, gang Petersen's Troy, currently in production Only $35 perad he Perseus and the Gorgons, and Orpheus and Only $35 per person in Italy and starring Eric Bana as Hector and Eurydice. Brad Pitt as Achilles. For bookings, phone: Alexander, the Macedonian general who For bookings, phone: The Australian (9-2-2004) George:George: 5987 5987 1139,1139, or or Lyn: Lyn: 5987 59872131 2131 conquered the east, was tutored by Aristotle

In support of Rosebud Rehabilitation Unit In support of Rosebud Rehabilitation Unit The Greek Australian Vema 114819 For your advertisements contact one of our sales representatives on (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033 E-mail: [email protected]

FEBRUARY 2004 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 15/33

HEALTH THE PSA TEST AND PROSTATE CANCER concentrations in the ejaculated fluid. When testing should always be combined with a dig- treatments have potential side effects. The the prostate is abnormal, some of the chemical ital rectal examination of prostate. This is most common are impotence, urinary inconti- NEWS leaks into the blood stream and can be detect- where the doctor performs an examination of nence and bowel problems such as chronic WITH DR. THEO PENKLIS ed in a blood test. Elevated levels suggest that the prostate gland in which the doctor feels the diarrhoea and bleeding. Another disadvantage there is something wrong with the prostate. prostate gland through the patient’s rectum. of PSA testing is that in a very small number PSA is specific to the prostate but not spe- The blood test may detect an abnormal level of of people, prostate biopsies can lead to serious The prostate is a small gland about the size cific to prostate cancer. There are other condi- prostate specific antigen. The digital rectal infection. of a small chestnut (about 2cm in diameter tions which cause an elevated PSA such as examination may detect an enlarged or abnor- The controversy here of course is that not weighing about 10-15 grams). It sits at the benign prostatic enlargement or prostatitis. mal size, swelling or asymmetry or abnormal only can PSA testing lead to early detection base of the bladder. The prostate surrounds The PSA is a blood test. It can be performed consistency of the prostate. and save lives, but to counter balance this, it the area where the bladder connects with in isolation for the purpose of PSA testing or If the blood test is abnormal or there is an should be mentioned that, particularly in older the urethra. That is, it encases the tube that as part of a comprehensive preventative health abnormality on digital rectal examination, fur- people, PSA testing leads to a good proportion carries urine from the bladder. check including screening for cholesterol and ther tests or monitoring or a biopsy of the of men being diagnosed with non-life threat- The prostate gland produces secretions blood glucose, depending on the context of the prostate may be required. ening cancers that can lead to unnecessary which help in the transport of sperm. consultation. As prostate cancer can be a very slow grow- concern, treatments and side effects. Use of the PSA test has been controversial. ing cancer, sometimes the PSA test can be Further, the doctor needs to follow sound Symptoms of Prostate disease The understanding of prostate cancer is in a used to predict the accuracy of whether principles in interpreting PSA tests, and needs rapid phase of evolution, and there are no cut prostate cancer is present or to monitor treat- to take factors such as the patient’s age, fami- The usual warning sign that something may and dried answers to the many questions about ment of prostate cancer and to detect recur- ly history, symptoms and clinical signs in to be wrong with the prostate gland is trouble prostate cancer screening, investigation and rence of the disease. account before recommending biopsy and passing urine. This may present as difficulty treatment. There is now a body of evidence The advantages of prostate cancer testing treatment. starting to urinate, poor urinary stream, drib- which suggests that the PSA test does lead to are that it increases the chance of early detec- Around the world, the official view in bling at the end, feeling a greater urge to uri- the detection of cancer at an earlier and more tion thus allowing more opportunity for prostate cancer testing differs from country to nate, and frequently needing to urinate again curable stage and consequently many doctors detecting the cancer at a curable stage. With country. The Urological Society of Australia and again soon after, producing little urine are in favour of prostate cancer screening. On early diagnosis, there is a better chance of had the position that: individual men aged fifty each time. the other hand, many men who develop offering treatment with fewer adverse effects. to seventy years with at least a ten year life Some men experience frequent night time prostate cancer may not necessarily develop The disadvantages of PSA testing are that expectancy should be able to be screened by urination and sometimes infections causing the threatening cancer and therefore may be not all cancers produce PSA and in many annual digital rectal examination and PSA pain or a burning sensation when passing urine treated unnecessarily leading to the risk of side instances the PSA may be normal. This is why testing after appropriate counselling regarding may occur. effects. the digital rectal examination should be per- the potential risks and benefits of investiga- These symptoms occur because the prostate formed in an effort to increase the chance of tions and the controversies of treatment. gland becomes enlarged. The mechanism of What does a man need to know early detection. However, even with early this enlargement is not well understood. before undergoing PSA Testing? detection cure cannot be guaranteed. Some But the most popular theory is that the prostate prostate cancers are not life threatening and * The information given in this article is of a general growth is linked to hormonal changes with The aim of PSA testing is to detect prostate may be treated unnecessarily leading to the nature and readers should seek advice from their own advancing age. cancer at an early and more curable stage. PSA risk of adverse side effects and of course all medical practitioner before embarking on any treatment. The prostate enlarges outward and inward, thereby narrowing the urethra. When the ure- thra is narrowed ‘by the enlarged prostate’, urination becomes more difficult. The bladder Greek Orthodox Scouting Committee then has to work harder to expel the urine through the narrowed urethra. This extra effort UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA of the bladder makes the bladder wall weaker and sometimes causes it to become distended, Correspondence to: 16 Crewe Street, Bardwell Park, 2207 Tel: (02) 95671835 Fax: (02) 95920301 Email: [email protected] making urination more difficult. LEADERS WANTED What kind of Prostate diseases exist? In order to begin Greek Scout and Cub units at the Greek Orthodox Parishes, we require Leaders (min.20yrs) and The prostate can be irritated and infected by Assistants (min.18yrs) Group Leaders (min.25yrs), male & female, to be trained for active service. certain micro-organisms. The resulting inflam- mation is called prostatitis. Previous experience in Scouting or special knowledge is not mandatory, although previous involvement in Scouting in The prostate can become enlarged because Australia or in Greece would be useful. It is imperative that you care about children, that you would like to help them of prostate cancer or because of a condition become good and useful citizens and be willing to undertake the required training. called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. In some men, both conditions may exist, but Benign The Scouting Method involves activity, opportunity for action, imagination, adventure, useful knowledge, outdoor life, Prostatic Hyperplasia is not a precursor to and helps to develop the child's character and their enjoyment of life. prostate cancer. The Greek Scout Units will also provide the opportunity to improve their Greek language skills and learn more about the Greek Orthodox Culture which the Australian Authorities consider should be encouraged in order to becoming better Prostate cancer citizens. Prostate cancer is the second most common Scout Leaders prepare the children (boys & girls) for their journey in life with the Scouting Method, which is an inter- cause of cancer death in western men. It is rare nationally accepted educational method with its roots in the ancient Greek civilisation, in Christianity and in the Western below the age of 50, but it becomes more com- European civilisation. mon with increasing age. By the age of 70, one Scouting is a voluntary educational movement open to all, with the following basic principles: in two men will have cancer in their prostate gland, although for many it will not cause any DUTY TO GOD problem because prostate cancer is a slow DUTY TO COUNTRY, FELLOW MAN AND TO SOCIETY growing cancer and many men die with DUTY TO SELF prostate cancer, but not from prostate cancer. Family history is significant in prostate can- The Scouting Motto is BE PREPARED. cer and any man who has a close male relative BE PREPARED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED YOU, (father, brother or uncle) with prostate cancer is at a higher risk of developing prostate can- WITH GOD'S BLESSING. cer. IT IS GREAT TO BE A SCOUT! The PSA Test To register: Please contact (02) 95671835 Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA is a chem- Mr George Papadimitriou James - Commissioner for Greek Scouts ical made exclusively in the prostate. It is nor- Scout Association of Australia, NSW Branch. mal for the PSA to be detected in very high FEBRUARY 2004 16/34 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

DID YOU KNOW? Julius Caesar was the first to encode commu- nications, using what has become known as Travel the Caesar Cipher. Discovering Knossos

The Royal Villa The Little Palace

Aerial photo of Knossos The Palace of Knossos Temple Tomb

Knossos is the site of the most impor- have been excavated by the British School of baths and decorated with wall paintings. House of the High Priest. It lies 300 m. to the tant and better known palace of Archaeology at Athens and the 23rd E.P.C.A. The "Unexplored Mansion". Private build- south of Caravanserai and contains a stone Minoan civilization. According to tra- The restoration of the palace to its present ing, probably of private-industrial function, to altar with two columns, framed by the bases of dition, it was the seat of the legendary form was carried out by Arthur Evans. The the NW of the palace. It is rectangular, with a double axes. king Minos. The Palace is also connect- interventions were mostly imposed by the central, four-pillared hall, corridors, store- The South Mansion. Private civic house, ed with thrilling legends, such as the need to preserve the monuments uncovered. rooms and remains of a staircase. Dated to the located to the south of the palace. It is a three- The Archaeological Service of the Ministry 14th-12th centuries B.C. storeyed building with a lustral basin and a myth of the Labyrinth with the Mino- of Culture carries out only consolidation work, Temple Tomb. It is located almost 600 m. to hypostyle crypt, dating from the 17th-15th taur, and the story of Daidalos and whenever necessary. the south of the palace and was connected with centuries B.C. Icaros. The most important monuments of the site the "House of the High Priest" by means of a Villa of Dionysos. Private, peristyle house of are: paved street. It seems that one of the last kings the Roman period. It is decorated with splen- The site was continuously inhabited from The Palace of Knossos. It is the largest of the of Knossos (17th-14th centuries B.C.) was did mosaics by Apollinarius, depicting the Neolithic period (7000-3000 B.C.) until preserved Minoan palatial centres. Four wings buried here. Typical features of its architecture Dionysos. The house contains special rooms Roman times. are arranged around a central courtyard, con- are the hypostyle, two-pillar crypt, the employed for the Dionysiac cult. Dated to the The Linear B tablets (Mycenaean script) of taining the royal quarters, workshops, shrines, entrance with the courtyard, the portico and a 2nd century A.D. the 14th century B.C. mention the city as ko- storerooms, repositories, the throne room and small anteroom. no-so. banquet halls. Dated to 2000-1350 B.C. Intensive habitation occured mostly in the The Little Palace. It lies to the west of the Minoan period, when the so-called first (19th- main palace and has all the features of palatial 17th centuries B.C.) and second palaces (16th- architecture: scraped wall masonry, reception The Impressionists Printing 14th centuries B.C.) were built along with lux- rooms, a pristyle hall, a double megaron with urious houses, a hospice and various other polythyra (pi er-and-door partitions) and a lus- Printing & Publishers structures. After its partial destruction in 1450 tral basin-shrine. Dated to the 17th-15th cen-

B.C., Knossos was settled by Mycenaeans turies B.C. A I M We offer complete print services E T from the Greek Mainland. The Royal Villa. It lies to the NE of the palace W O Specialising in The city flourished again during the Hel- and its architectural form is distinguished by lenistic period (sanctuaries of Glaukos, Deme- the polythyra, the pillar crypt and the double Artwork & Design ter, other sanctuaries, chamber tombs, north staircase, with two flights of stairs. It is strong- Stationery & Invitations cemetery, defensive towers) and in 67 B.C. it ly religious in character and might have been 4 Colour brochures was captured by the Roman Quintus Caecilius the residence of an aristocrat or a high priest. ip Metelus Creticus. The "Villa of Dionysos", a Dated to the 14th century B.C. Flyers & Posters private house with splendid mosaics was built House of the Frescoes. It is located to the NW Menu & Menu Covers in the same period. of the palace and is a small urban mansion Booklets Knossos was discovered in 1878 by Minos with rich decoration on the walls. Dated to the Docket/Invoice books Kalokairinos. Arthur Evans conducted sys- 15th, 14th-12th centuries B.C. P L E S E 117100 tematic excavations at the site between 1900 Caravanserai. It lies to the south of the palace A Dicutting & embossing and 1931, bringing to light the palace, a large and was interpreted as a reception hall and section of the Minoan city, and the cemeteries. hospice. Some of the rooms are equipped with Since then, the site and the surrounding area FEBRUARY 2004 Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 17/35

DID YOU KNOW? An onion, apple and potato all have the same taste. The differences in flavour are Food & Wine caused by their smell. Mind your manners: the rituals of eating

By Imogen Coward all the while is, in Western society, very poor Manners, like language and culture, are or a formal dinner where many of the guests manners and often offensive to other people. continually changing, absorbing new ideas are barely acquainted. In contrast, in the com- Eating is undoubtedly one of the most fun- Not so in Asian society. Conversely, while it and discarding old ones. What was correct, pany of people whom we know well and trust damental activities for all humans. Without does not bother Australians which hand we use polite or proper in our grandparents’ or even (usually close family) the boundaries of eti- consuming food regularly we would soon when taking finger-food, to take food with our parents’ era may no longer be the done quette are often relaxed without risking dis- wither away and die. Is it not curious then one’s left hand is, in Indian society, extremely thing amongst our own generation. To jealous- comfort or offence. that over many thousands of years eating offensive as the left hand (unlike the right) is ly guard and enforce old manners because Our own eating rituals are often so in- has become highly ritualised? What we eat, considered unclean. For Europeans it is polite that’s how we were taught to behave, whilst grained as to have become second nature. It is when and how we eat not only serve to to make conversation at the dinner table; after frowning on those who are ignorant of them or only when mixing with people whose eating define who we are as individuals but can all, eating together is a social occasion. For the follow different customs, is not only inflexible rituals aren’t familiar that we start to consider simultaneously bind us to our social groups Balinese, though, it is the custom to eat in but largely defeats the purpose of manners. manners. “Will this cause offence? Should I while excluding us from others. So impor- respectful silence, concentrating on the food. While eating rituals are often regarded as an start eating now or wait? Who should be tant are these rituals to many people that While differences in eating rituals are often inherent part of tradition their essential func- served first?...” Unfortunately there is no woe betide any person who breaks an easy to spot when comparing different cul- tion is really more basic: to allow groups of magic formula for deciding what is polite or unwritten rule about eating whilst in the tures, differences occur even within the one individuals who are often very different from impolite and no one set of manners that is uni- company of others. At best one may be con- culture. Do you, for example, expect people to one another to get along without causing versally acceptable. Never-the-less in her book sidered ignorant, at worst shunned for wait until everyone is seated at the dinner table offence or upset. The Rituals of Dinner (Penguin, 1992) the his- being barbaric or uncivilised. before starting to eat, even if it risks the food If people’s behavior is predictable, follow- torian Margaret Visser suggests flexibility as Between different groups of people the becoming cold and unpalatable? Or do you ing set rules and patterns, it gives us a sense of the key to maintaining good manners at the nature of eating rituals, whether known as encourage people to follow the “two four six security and comfort. After all, to eat when dinner table. While guests’ behavior often fol- table manners, etiquette, customs or by any eight hop in and don’t wait” motto and begin stressed is unpleasant and liable to cause indi- lows the host’s lead, the host who aims to other name are often not the same nor neces- eating as soon as the food is placed in front of gestion! The less familiar we are with the peo- make their guests feel at home is not averse to sarily even remotely similar. To lift a bowl of them? Which is right; which is wrong? It ple we’re dining with, the more stringent the changing their own eating rituals to accommo- noodles or spaghetti from the dinner table and largely depends on your upbringing and your rules and rituals. Take dining in a restaurant for date those of their guests. As the old saying shovel food into one’s open mouth, slurping attitude towards manners. instance, surrounded by people we don’t know goes: “When in Rome...”

Greek recipes Dolmathes boiling water then rinse Saganaki Wine Review (Stuffed grape leaves) them with cold water and By Imogen Coward Serves 4 wipe dry. Mix the onions with half the olive oil. After Jamiesons Run are complimented by a touch of sweet- a while, mix in the rice, Coonawarra Shiraz, 2001 ness, honey-like acidity and a long 250mL hot water and the smooth finish. A comforting drink. remaining ingredients, Coonawarra, has except for the oil and the Cost: under $20 lemon juice. Boil the mix- a reputation for flavoursome reds ture for 4 to 5 minutes. Wrap Confessions of a Wine Lover one tablespoon of the mix- 1/2 lb. Kefalograviera with good tannins and a vibrant By Jancis Robinson ture with a grapeleaf and Cheese (Penguin) repeat until completed. 1 Lemon (squeezed) colour and cer- Carefully place the dolmath- 1/8 cup Butter tainly this wine es in a pot with some space lives up to the 1/2 lb Grape leaves between them. Cover the Cut the cheese into a slab expectations. Its 1 lb Finely chopped onion dolmathes with a plate a add about 3/4’ thick. Heat the intense black red 1 cup Rice the rest of the oil and the butter in the frying pan and colour and nose 1 cup Olive oil lemon juice with 500mL of sear the cheese. As the of spice and 1 batch Finely chopped dill water. Boil at low heat for 30 cheese starts to brown pour blackberries with 1 batch Finely chopped mint minutes, until some water is the lemon juice over it and a hint of wood all Juice from 1 lemon absorbed and the rice is remove from the heat. Serve speak of cool cli- done. Serve cold with slices hot with fresh pita or bread mate shiraz. A slightly dry wine, flavours Briefly dip grape leaves in of lemon. for dipping. of black cherries with a hint of spice and bitter cocoa are complemented by smooth tannins and a velvety mouth feel. Well balanced and very satisfying, this wine is good to drink now or to cellar for three years.

Cost: under $20

All Saints “The Keep” Golden Cream Sherry This autobiography takes the reader on a Made by one of journey through the career of Jancis Australia’s premium Robinson, one of the world’s foremost wineries, this sweet authorities on wine. Filled with amusing sherry has a warm anecdotes and colourful characters, along honey golden glow the way Robinson also shares her knowl- and enticing aromas edge on grapes, wine and blind tasting. of raisins and dried Written with passion and charm, it makes apricots. Flavours of for interesting reading. raisins and vanilla with a hint of spice Cost: around $20 FEBRUARY 2004 18/36 TO BHMA Greek Australian VEMA Towards Athens 2004 Extra Athens Games Volunteer army gives tickets go on sale

More than 35,000 extra tickets for the ATHOC cause for optimism Athens Olympics, including some for ATHOC itself doesn't have a terised by low pay and career sought after events like the opening and Over 140,000 applicants clear answer. uncertainty. But Fani Kokorelia, closing ceremonies and the sprint finals, are have asked to join the "We expected a great who volunteered to be a ceremo- now available. Games, but a new challenge response...[but] not numbers like ny dancer, says most people she The unexpected batch of the Games’ most lies ahead in finding these," ATHOC volunteers' sec- knows simply can't afford to vol- popular tickets came up for grabs after a enough helpers to hold the tion manager Olga Kikou told unteer. review of seating arrangements at the main Olympics opening and clos- the Athens News. "The turnout "Dancing is difficult enough Olympic stadium, the aquatic and gymnas- ing ceremonies. exceeded our expectations." as a hobby, let alone as a profes- tics centres. "The Greeks are always ready sion," says Kokorelia. "If I didn't “By finalising the operational plan and It’s not a situation that arises to respond to an important roll- have my parents supporting me finalising the partner organisations’ needs it often, but for the past few call," said Michalis Malatestas, financially, maybe I couldn't is possible to modify the tickets for the pub- months, the Athens 2004 organ- who helped at a January 29-31 have afforded to volunteer lic,” the organisers said in a statement. ising committee (ATHOC) can Boccia Paralympics test. either." The tickets include 1,000 for the opening afford to laugh at critics who Based on past statements, the The Panhellenic Association ceremony, some for the basketball final, predicted disaster in the volunteer drive appears to have of Musicians, some of whose expected to feature the United States’ latest Olympics volunteering pro- taken ATHOC's own manage- members marched through ‘Dream Team’, and attendance at the men’s gramme. ment by surprise. Last January, Athens on February 3 to demand 100 and 200 metres finals. For years, observers noted that volunteer division general man- employment, raises similar The new tickets went up for sale on Fri- Greece has neither a background ager Dimitris Caramitsos-Tziras objections. "The culture ministry day 13 February and spectators from out- in volunteerism nor the proper said that ATHOC's initial target kept us out of Cultural Olympiad side the European Union, Iceland, Norway mentality. They pointed to of 150,000 applicants had been jobs, and now Games organisers and Liechtenstein have to purchase tickets Greeks' tendency to moan about over-optimistic, and that a reser- want us to work for free?" says through their respective Olympic commit- the inadequacies of the state voir of 80,000-90,000 would be Yiannis Lardis, the association's tees. During the first phase of ticket sales rather than pick up their own more than sufficient to secure general secretary. from May 12 to June 12 last year more than garbage or shovel snow out of 60,000 volunteers during the Amid rumours that the pro- half a million out of a total of three million their frontyards. But six months Olympics and Paralympics. "If source. "There's still a shortage gramme is faltering, ATHOC tickets on offer were snapped up, netting prior to the Games, ATHOC say we get any more, we may not be of medical experts such as phys- initially declined to release any more than 40 million euro ($A65 million). they have over 142,000 volun- able to manage them," he told iotherapists." details on the number of ceremo- A separate batch of 2.3 million tickets set teer applications - 60,000 are this newspaper. ny volunteer applicants. "The aside for sponsors, national Olympic com- needed for the Olympics and But despite its feat, ATHOC Elusive professionals evaluation of ceremonies volun- mittees and TV rights holders has already Paralympics - and a force of has undeniably overshot its orig- teers... is an ongoing process," brought in about 80 million euros with already practice - hardened hel- inal deadlines to get this far in read a statement from ATHOC's some 1.1 million tickets sold. The second pers to rub in their critics' faces. ATHOC is more tight-lipped the programme. Organisers had volunteer office. Repeated sales phase that started in September runs "We have improved on Syd- when it comes to discussing initially planned to begin select- inquiries led to the eventual until the end of this month and the Athens ney's figures and disproved those another key aspect of the volun- ing volunteers early in 2002, but acknowledgement that the Olympic Organising Committee (ATHOC) who said that Greece has no tra- teer programme, the search for ended up doing it in early 2003. organising committee has select- hope to make a total of 183 million euro dition in volunteer contribution," 8,000 volunteer performers and Volunteer training was to begin ed some 7,500 hopefuls. The ($A298.7 million) from ticket sales. ATHOC president Gianna 2,000 production and stage Angelopoulos-Daskalaki on in the second half of 2002, but assistants for the Games' open- exact number of ceremony vol- February 2 told volunteers who instead is starting now. ing and closing ceremonies. unteers will be announced after 2004 security discussed completed a recent cluster of "Our planning has changed The organising committee February 15, when the applica- with Russian government Games test competitions. "You since we started," said Kikou. made its first call in July 2003, tion phase is expected to end. showed your quality... When "We found that it would be wiser giving applicants only until Sep- "The programme is a mess, A public order ministry delegation, head- snow and rain made transport to hold training in a festive cli- tember to enrol. because the relevant volunteer ed by Minister George Floridis, met in difficult, you were there on mate, and in the actual venues." The response must have been staff are more concerned right Moscow earlier this month with top Russ- time." Part of a volunteers' training, less than stellar, because on Jan- now with gathering Olympic ian officials, as the issue of 2004 Olympics which involves familiarisation uary 26 a second call was sent torch relay runners," an ATHOC security reportedly dominated the agenda Secret of success: with their respective area of out. This time, no deadline was source said. of talks. Unclear operation, must be carried out in mentioned in the relevant press "First they issue a call for vol- The Greek delegation also included completed sports venues. In announcement. unteers in the middle of summer, Greek Police (EL.AS) Chief Fotis Nas- According to ATHOC figures, some cases, this may take until The apparent lack of interest when most arts schools were sakos, national intelligence officials and the some 2,500 volunteers have spring. from professionals in this once- closed...and now they're on a director of ATHOC’s security department. already seen action in test events Insiders point out other poten- in-a-lifetime opportunity is sur- last-minute scramble to make According to reports, the Russian side since this summer, with very sat- tial hiccups. "Just because there prising, given that many of dancers out of martial arts stu- focused on the issue of suicide attacks by isfactory results. Given this are over 140,000 applicants Greece's performers sometimes dents." Chechen terrorists, saying Moscow would response, were predictions of doesn't mean that all sectors are work in near-volunteer condi- provide all necessary information and Greek apathy misguided? covered," says an ATHOC tions anyway, in a sector charac- ATHENS NEWS , 06/02/2004 assistance regarding this issue. Both sides also touched on issues relating to the stay of the Russian team and NOC Older Athens homes fair game in hunt for Games lodgers delegation during the 2004 Games. Athens' looming accommodation shortage tificate from the Earthquake Restoration Fund the Olympic Games fortnight. Six months First Paralympic ‘test during the 2004 Games has failed to produce (TAS) confirming their building is solid. before the Games, some 1,600 requests have the expected demand surge for the city's home "We received a lot of requests for central been received for an estimated number of up event’ organised rentals programme, leading organisers to homes, which were mostly built before 1981," to 6,400 guests. Besides the Olympic sport events, cer- throw older downtown properties into the fray said Angelike Zamboukou at EOT's quality "I wouldn't say that we have a problem yet, tain Paralympic Sports are also being test- to attract visitors. control office. "The ruling [abolishing the ban] but the trend is certainly troubling," Filoxenia ed at Athens’ venues, with a Boccia com- According to official Athens 2004 housing will be made official in the coming days. managing director Constantine Pallis told the petition held late last month at the new Ano agents Filoxenia, a growing number of Homeowners must still certify that their build- Athens News. Liossia Olympic Hall, southwest of down- prospective guests prefer one- and two-bed- ing has suffered no earthquake damage, or that Not only has the Athens rentals option not town Athens. Taking part in the Boccia room flats close to the city centre, looking for all necessary repairs have been carried out if it been adequately promoted abroad, argues Pal- sport event were 36 Greek athletes (20 easy access to the city's numerous museums has." lis, but government authorities have also done men and 16 women), two British athletes and archaeological sites. Asked whether this certificate is enough to little to counter fears that Greece will be exor- (1 man and 1 woman), as well as one ath- Dating from the sixties and seventies, the ensure visitor safety during the Games, Zam- bitantly expensive during the Games. In lete from Denmark. majority of central Athens homes lie beyond boukou replied: "We have issued what safe- December, To Vima daily reported that some Boccia is a competitive sport played by organisers' reach because of a Greek National guards we can. If certain homes are danger- Swiss tourists were being charged 3,000 euros individuals, pairs or teams of three. It is Tourism Organisation (EOT) proviso exclud- ous, then their owners wouldn't be living there for a three-night stay at low-quality hotels far played both as a recreational activity or at ing all buildings built before the 6.7-Richter in the first place." outside Athens. the competition level by people with cere- earthquake which struck the capital in 1981. Official Athens 2004 housing agents Filox- "[Two months ago], EOT's offices abroad sent bral palsy or other disabilities who are EOT has now consented to drop this restric- enia (www. filoxenia2004. com) made plans in reports citing foreign complaints about wheelchair users. tion, provided that homeowners obtain a cer- to handle some 20,000 visitors per day during Greece's 'larcenous' prices," says Pallis.

FEBRUARY 2004 Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 19/37 Towards Athens 2004

Daskalaki : “Participation in the Olympic Ceremonies AOC aiming will be a memorable, fascinating and creative experience” for 50 “Ceremonies’ Volunteers will be the very first people to say ‘Welcome to Greece’, Athens medals and convey the very first message from our country to the rest of the world. They The Australian Olympic Committee will be the performers in a show to be (AOC) is aiming for 50 medals at this watched by four billion viewers around year’s Athens Olympics. the globe and 70,000 spectators in the Olympic Stadium.” The AOC released its final list of possi- ble Athens medals, adding a bronze medal ATHENS 2004 President, Gianna in men’s tennis doubles to its pre-Christ- Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, underlined the mas predictions. above, among others, while attending audi- Swimming (four gold, 18 total) and tions for candidate Volunteers for the Open- cycling (one gold, six silver) are expected ing and Closing Ceremonies of the 2004 to be the most successful sports for Aus- Olympic Games, held in the “Dais” Sports tralia at the Games. and Cultural Centre (in Paradeisos The AOC is aiming for 14 gold, 20 sil- Amarousiou). ver and 16 bronze, based on results at A total of 8,000 Volunteers-performers will major events in the various Olympic sports take part in the Opening and Closing Cere- last year. monies, together with approximately 2,000 It is also hopeful of two gold in rowing and two in triathlon. technical support Volunteers. The first round Mrs Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki of auditions, which took place during the last Australia was also hopeful of two few months, resulted in the selection of some anyone who is in good physical condition. In be a memorable, fascinating and creative triathlon gold at the Sydney Games, where 6,000 Volunteers, with another 4,000 inter- other words, we are addressing younger age experience for everyone of the contributors.” the sport made its Olympic debut, but man- views scheduled to take place during the sec- groups, people, that is, who might have more In response to questions by journalists on aged just one silver. ond and final round of auditions from 14 time available for rehearsals.” the content of the Ceremonies, Opening and Major gold medal hopes at Athens February 2004. Applications for the Opening Addressing the journalists, Mrs Gianna Closing Ceremonies Artistic Manager and include 400m hurdles world champion and Closing Ceremonies Volunteers Pro- Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said: Director, Dimitris Papaioannou, stated: “The Jana Pittman, swimmer Ian Thorpe and the gramme should be submitted electronically “We have invited you here today so that Opening and Closing Ceremonies will world-record 4000m teams pursuit track at the address www.athens2004.com/volun- you may have a taste of the celebration we reflect two main features of Ancient Greek cycling squad. teers. Any further queries can be made by are preparing, but also because the applica- Culture: Apollonian and Dionysian. The geo- Australia was fourth on the Sydney dialling the freephone number for Volunteers tions - for those interested - will only be graphical physiognomy of Greece will be medal tally with a national-best 58 medals (800-11-2004-1). A key requirement in order accepted until the end of February. We have reflected in the programme, together with all - 16 gold, 25 silver and 17 bronze. for candidates to be eligible is that they must taken into account a lot of things, such as, for forms of cultural expression in our country, The AOC is also aiming for Australia to be over 16 years of age and in good physical example, that candidates who are students since ancient times. The Opening Ceremony finish in the top five on the Athens medals condition. and have exams will have their rehearsals will be three-and-a-half hours long, includ- table. AAP ATHENS 2004 President pointed out that after the examination period. I would also ing the athletes’ parade.” Jones ponders “possibility” the invitation is addressed to “anyone in like to make clear the following: the audi- Present at the event were ATHENS 2004 good physical condition. To anyone 16 years tions are taking place so that we can make Executive Director and Chief Operating of five golds in Athens and over - and this I would like to stress, the best possible use of the special traits and Officer, Marton Simitsek; Volunteer Adviser because all other Volunteers must be over 18. skills of each person, and to give to him or to Mr Simitsek, Christos Komninos, in Any knowledge of, and experience in, dance, her the most appropriate role in a unique Cer- charge of preparations and of the organisa- music, theatre, sculpture, painting, crafts and emony.” tion of the Opening Ceremony; and hundreds make-up will of course be very useful and Mrs Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki fin- of Opening and Closing Ceremonies Volun- will be utilised. ished by saying that one thing is certain: teers. “But I want to stress that we are inviting “participation in the Games’Ceremonies will Doctors to travel with Olympians Marion Jones, who won five medals at the Sydney Olympics, spoke about the “possi- but doubts for other athletes bility” of again seeking five gold medals at August’s Athens Games. The sprinter and long jumper, has not taken Team doctors will travel with Australian “They’re covered under a no fault insurance there was nothing to prevent insurers provid- part in a meet since September of 2002. Olympians to Athens, but insurance prob- cover which we have for all team members,” ing cover. She gave birth to a baby boy last June lems could stop other sporting teams taking he said. “There’s no reason why the medical indem- and missed all of last season. their medicos on tour. “We also have a provision in our team nity insurers can’t write a policy that will “I can’t really speak about Athens yet. I agreement where athletes can’t sue other team cover the doctors in this situation,” he said. have to make the team first,” said Jones, Warren McDonald, team doctor to the members ... you can’t sue officials, doctors or “(The government has) done a lot to try to who plans to compete in the 100 and 200 Brumbies, warned that doctors accompanying anyone like that.” improve the medical indemnity system ... I metres and long jump at the US Olympic sports teams overseas were having problems AMA president Bill Glasson said a glitch in don’t think it’s realistic to expect the federal trials in July at Sacramento, California. getting appropriate insurance. legislation designed to address the medical government to do any more.” “Hopefully, I’ll do the same in Athens.” Dr McDonald said he had legal advice not indemnity crisis had created the problem. A spokeswoman for Mr Abbott confirmed Jones would also take a spot on the US to travel overseas with the team. “The government’s high cost claims and the government indemnity guarantees did not 4x100m and 4x400m relays, giving her the ACT Rugby chief executive Rob Clarke exceptional claims schemes don’t apply to extend to doctors working overseas. chance of improving upon her 2000 medal said the Brumbies would be travelling without doctors travelling overseas with sporting But she said there was nothing to stop med- haul at Sydney, where she won gold in the a doctor for the time being. teams,” Dr Glasson said. ical insurers writing policies to cover the 100, 200 and 4x400m relay and bronze in “At it stands to date, we haven’t been able to “The AMA understands that the extension shortfall. the long jump and 4x100m relay. get any indemnity from any insurance compa- would involve minimal cost.” “The MDOs have covered overseas insur- “Sure there’s a possibility of going after ny and the government aren’t moving on it at Under the high cost and exceptional claims ance for the past 100 years, they only stopped five, or four,” Jones said. this point, so we’re left uncovered.” schemes, the government covers half the cost last year,” the spokeswoman said. “But I have the feeling most of you guys The Australian Medical Association sug- of claims over $300,000 and any claim in United Medical Protection (UMP), Aus- are going to write about the possibility of gested it may even apply to doctors travelling excess of the limit of medical indemnity con- tralia’s biggest medical defence organisation five.” with Australian athletes going to the Athens tracts. which was resurrected last year, said it offered Jones indicated that her running in the Olympics. Dr Glasson said the problem could even an appropriate policy for sports doctors. relays was far from a certainty, and that she But Australian Olympic Committee extend to government doctor Graeme Killer, “We have a policy covering doctors travel- and coach Dan Pfaff will decide in July. spokesman Mike Tancred said his organisa- who accompanies Prime Minister John ling overseas with sporting teams, it’s a limit- “It’s really up in the air,” she said. “Dan and tion had an insurance policy which covered its Howard overseas. ed policy but it’s available to all of our mem- I decided to make the call after the trials.” doctors. But Health Minister Tony Abbott insisted bers,” a UMP spokeswoman said. AAP AFP

AOC aiming for 50 SPORTS Athens The Greek Australian VEMA medals PAGE 19/37

ATHENS 2004 BIGGEST PEACE-TIME SECURITY OPERATION

In ancient times warriors would lay down their weapons The military will assist about 41,000 police, coast guard make sure preparations are on track six months out from the during the Olympics but as the Games come home to officers, firefighters and other personnel. opening ceremony. Greece, the hosts are planning the country’s biggest Pilots will fly surveillance aircraft and warplanes over International Olympic Committee president Jacques peace-time security operation. Greece during the games with air defence systems, including Rogge believes “everything humanly possible” is being anti-aircraft batteries, forming part of the Olympic security done to safeguard the Athens Games, but says security can In the four years since former Olympics boss Juan network. And navy ships will help protect harbours and never be foolproof. Antonio Samaranch declared the Sydney Games the best patrol sea lanes, Papantoniou said in a recent briefing. “I believe the Greek government has done everything, ever, the world has been turned on its head by September 11, More than 600 military doctors and personnel will be on everything humanly possible in cooperation with other gov- the Bali bombings, and US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. standby in case of a terrorist attack or disaster. The doctors ernments, to protect the games,” he said last month. Always a crucial part of organising an Olympics after the will bolster a 200-strong special unit formed to deal with bio- “We are very satisfied from the level of preparations. But, 1972 Munich Games when Palestinian terrorists killed 11 logical, chemical or nuclear threats. of course, no-one can guarantee 100 per cent security.” Israeli team members, security is now paramount. Greece’s NATO allies will also help, and may provide Air- Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates The Greek government is planning the biggest security borne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance was also satisfied with the level of security in Athens. operation in Olympic history at a cost of about $A1 billion - planes. Despite the unprecedented security, Athens mayor Dora three times the budget in Sydney. Athens organisers are receiving assistance on security Bakoyannis has vowed the world’s biggest sporting event Nearly all of Greece’s defence resources will be deployed planning from seven countries, including the US, Britain and won’t be held behind closed doors. or put on alert during the games from August 13-29, accord- Australia, and are working with the CIA to gather informa- “It is a joyful event and it is very important for us that it ing to Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou. tion on potential threats around the world. is seen that way and that people don’t feel all those security A special Olympic force - comprising army, air force and Papantoniou says the main threat to the Games is an attack measures are just to keep them out.” navy personnel - will help guard Olympic venues, protect organised from outside his country, but he believes Olympic officials and athletes, carry out patrols and provide bomb dis- visitors should not fear coming to Greece during the Games. posal experts. Security exercises and drills are planned this month to AAP Stamfords is an Australian Demand Innovation advisory and consulting firm with offices in Sydney Value Solutions and Perth with vast experience in Australia and abroad providing the following services:

• Asset Accumulation and Taxation • Assurance and Risk Management • Business Process Outsourcing • Corporate Advisory • Information Systems and Technology Solutions • International Development and Aid Services • Management Consulting - Strategy and Operational • Private Equity and Venture Capital

Perth Level 8, 216 St Georges Terrace Perth Western Australia. GPO Box 2753 Perth WA 6001. Tel: (+618) 9476 3144 Fax: (+618) 9322 1022 Email: [email protected]

Sydney Level 67 MLC Centre Martin Place Sydney NSW 2000. Tel: (+612) 9238 6881 Fax: (+612) 9238 7633 Email: [email protected]

www.stamfords.com.au