THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside Greece email: VEMA [email protected] MARCH 2003 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033

In this issue... SHOWCASING THE PRINCIPALS OF GREEK ORTHODOX COLLEGES ANTHONY TSOUTSAS: “I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in Year 2”

PAGES 16/36-17/37

FEATURE St Spyridon College Past Students Reunion The Civic Theatre, Scone: more than bricks and mortar

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TRAVEL

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Adelaide: charming CHURCH and attractive PAGE 19/39 AGAINST WAR From the moment the Government of ATHENS 2004 “Planet Leader” Mr George Bush (Jr) open- Career Focus: ly declared its repetitious decision to embark on a war against Iraq - even without Four Greek Australian Online info on 2004 Security Council approval - there have been unceasing pronouncements for peace, and teachers talk to the VEMA protest rallies against this decision, which is Games ticket sales unprecedented for its foolishness and ruth- lessness. PAGE 12/32- 13/33 PAGE 21/41 PAGE 5/25 MARCH 2003 2/22 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

DID YOU KNOW? The chance of being born on Leap Day is about 684 out of a million, or 1 in 1461. What’s new Only 4,1 million have their birthday on Leap Day. Today in history HERE’S Hatzistergos expresses sympathy THE CHANCE for the Soravia family Labor MLC John Hatzistergos has expressed sympathy and support FOR MUSIC for the Soravia family after the acquittal of murder suspect Mr LOVERS! Steve Anas in Greece recently. A court in the Northern Greek town The Millennium Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Ioannina cleared Mr Anas of of Australia, which participated in the Opening and Closing “complicity to robbery” and “sim- Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2000, ple complicity to murder” of Mrs has already started its rehearsals for this year. Toula Soravia after she was robbed and murdered on her way to the All are welcome to ‘join the club’! Whether you like singing bank in 1994. in the bathroom or elsewhere (!), or play a musical instru- ment, from harp to bouzouki, here’s the chance to become a “I feel for Loui and Alex Soravia. On March 30, 1981, President Ronald star. If you enjoy singing solo you will more than likely see They have gone through a great Reagan is shot in the chest outside a yourself doing so, especially this year. Rehearsals take place deal of stress and anxiety through- Washington, D.C., hotel by a dera- every Monday, at ‘St Spyridon’ Church Hall (72-76 out the last nine years. This is no nged drifter named John Hinckley Jr. Gardeners Rd, Kingsford), at 7.00 pm. Auditions are held by doubt a very difficult time for the The president was shot in the left George Ellis, the Conductor of the Choir, after each rehearsal. family and I extend my condo- lung, and the .22 caliber bullet just lences on the outcome.” Mr missed his heart. On April 10, the Choir will participate in the ‘Voices in Hatzistergos said. Harmony’ performance in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Toula Soravia was robbed and Opera House. This Concert will launch the wider anti-racism “I commend the NSW and Federal 24 MARCH programme called ‘Fair Go Australia’ in partnership with the Governments for their strong sup- murdered on her way to the bank Governments of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. port and assistance to the Soravias. in 1994, in front of her then 17 1999- NATO bombs The Concert will feature Julie Anthony, Barry Crocker, Throughout this difficult process, year old son Alex On March 24, 1999, the North Atlantic Slava Gregorian, Simon Tedeschi, and the voices of twelve the NSW Government has provid- Soravia for further assistance Treaty Organization (NATO) commences air major ethnic choirs, including ours. Musical Director of the ed financial assistance to facilitate should the family decide to strikes against Yugoslavia with the bombing Concert is Maestro Tommy Tycho. the travel of witnesses to Greece appeal.” of Serbian military positions in the Yugoslav and contributed towards the fami- province of Kosovo. The NATO offensive This year the Choir will also be having its own Concert by ly’s legal fees in Greece.” “Not withstanding any further came in response to a new wave of ethnic presenting ‘Canto General’, a masterpiece which is based on appeals, this case highlights the cleansing launched by Serbian forces against the poetry of Chilian Pablo Neruda and the music of Greek “Though I understand that the need for an urgent review of the Kosovar Albanians on March 20. composer Mikis Theodorakis. Federal Government has appeared Australia’s extradition arrange- to have ruled out any further assis- ments in situations where the 27 MARCH If you want to be part of all these glamorous events and oth- tance or intervention in the case, I offence is committed in this coun- ers, contact Amanda on (02) 9698 5066 or send an email to: am informed that the NSW try and the suspect takes flight 1958- Khrushchev becomes Soviet Premier [email protected] Government will seriously consid- overseas,” Mr Hatzistergos con- On March 27, 1958, Soviet First Secretary A.M. er any approaches from Mr cluded. Nikita Khrushchev replaces Nicolay Bulganin as Soviet premier, becoming the first leader since Joseph Stalin to simultane- ously hold the USSR's two top offices. Your say... 30 MARCH Intercession of the saints 1981 - President Reagan shot On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reading the article entitled "The Saints of him (Paul) so that he will be effective in encourage them but also to correct them. Reagan is shot in the chest outside the Orthodox Church" in your November preaching the gospel. The christians of the early church were not a Washington, D.C., hotel by edition, I would just like to share my perfect, even Paul and Peter had a disagree- a deranged drifter named John Hinckley Jr. thoughts of what I understand and believe I am aware that Jesus intercedes for us in ment at one stage. Sadly building a tradition intercession of the saints to be. heaven as stated in Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore around the saints takes away the attention 2 APRIL He is able to save completely those who from the one who saves (Christ). When I think of the “intercession of the come to God through Him, because He I welcome any comments that you may have 1982- Argentina invades Falklands saints”, I remember the prophets such as always lives to intercede for them”. I am not on what I have said. On April 2, 1982, Argentina invades Ezekiel of the Old Testament whom God aware of the scriptures that directly or indi- Sincerely, the Falklands Islands, a British colony called to intercede for the nation of Israel. As rectly speak of the saints in heaven interced- Helen Kasimiotis, NSW since 1892 and British possession the prophet Daniel fasted and prayed, at the ing on our behalf. I would greatly appreciate since 1833. Argentine amphibious forces time in which he recieved a vision, the angel you pointing me to where these are in the ED - Your letter raises several important rapidly overcame the small garrison of that came to strengthen him spoke of having Bible. points about Orthodox Christian life and British marines been resisted for 21 days until Micheal (the practices that are often misunderstood. For at the town of Stanley on East Falkland and chief prince ) came to help bring God’s mes- I appreciated how in your article in VEMA, this reason, our Question and Answer sec- the next day seized the dependent territories sage to Daniel. I think this passage in you stated that through the work of the Holy tion (p. 8/28) deals specifically with the role of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Daniel:10 gives insight into the battle that Trinity all could be called saints. I believe of the Saints. group. takes place in the spiritual realm between the that this term can also be given to believers angels of God and satan’s cohorts when the who remain in relationship with Christ. 10 APRIL saints on earth pray, and hence the impor- I think th