Celebrity chef George Calombaris is back in Melbourne with Auto Greek, a one-month pop-up at Ovolo South Yarra. Showcasing neoclassic Greek cuisine with dishes under $30, the former MasterChef Australia judge reconnects with the city’s vibrant inner-city dining scene.
Melbourne
An 80-year-old Wollert man has been charged with the murder of his 77-year-old wife after she was found unresponsive at their home on Saltlake Boulevard. Police arrested him at the scene on January 25, 2026, and he appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court the following day, but proceedings were adjourned due to the lack of a Greek interpreter.
Greek Australians excel in 2026 Australia Day Honours: Chief Justice Christopher Kourakis AC leads, joined by Viola Kalokerinos OAM, Peter Copulos OAM, and others for judiciary, volunteering, medicine, and philanthropy.
Greek junior Odysseas Geladaris showed resilience in his first Australian Open Juniors match, pushing world No. 47 Kai Thompson to a tight second-set tiebreak before a 6-2, 7-6(3) defeat. Community support, including from Stefanos Tsitsipas, helped make his debut possible.
Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals a “stupid” psoas tear from juggling football days before AO 2026, nearly forcing withdrawal. He beat Mochizuki but fell to Tomas Machac 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-7(5) in R2. Full quotes inside.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, the fan-favorite “Special Ks” and 2022 Australian Open doubles champions,…
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, the Special Ks, reunite in doubles at Australian Open 2026 Day 5, proudly repping their Greek heritage from Ioannina, Kalamata, and Tripoli roots. All-Aussie clash on Kia Arena – read more on greekcitytimes.com
Russian rising star Mirra Andreeva dominated Greece’s Maria Sakkari in straight sets (6-0, 6-4) during the Australian Open 2026 second round on January 21, advancing with composure against a vocal Melbourne crowd cheering for the Greek player.
Maria Sakkari’s Australian Open 2026 campaign ended in the second round with a straight-sets loss (6-0, 6-4) to rising star Mirra Andreeva, who dominated with clinical play and maturity beyond her years.
17-year-old Greek tennis player Odysseas Geladaris (ITF No.77) wins 6-0, 7-6(2) over Evan Vassiliadis in Australian Open Junior qualifying debut. One more victory needed for main draw at Melbourne Park.
Philip Vakos, the Greek-Australian chef known for his innovative takes on Hellenic cuisine at Bahari in Melbourne, recently returned to the MasterChef stage—this time competing in Season 10 of MasterChef Greece, representing the diaspora with a fusion lamb dish that earned him an apron.
Stefanos Tsitsipas rallied after losing the first set to beat Shintaro Mochizuki in four sets on Day 3 of the Australian Open 2026, advancing to face Tomas Machac in round two.
Stefanos Tsitsipas delights fans with a hilarious mock Aussie accent in his new Adidas promo, asking “Have you ever seen a cheetah meditate?” while channeling Steve Irwin vibes with “crikey” — a fun prelude to Australian Open season!
Maria Sakkari advances to the second round of the 2026 Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Léolia Jeanjean, highlighted by a spectacular forehand return around the net post that she compared to shots from Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz
Melbourne is set to host the world’s first official UNESCO-recognized celebration of World Greek Language Day (International Greek Language Day) on February 9, 2026, at the historic Capitol Theatre. This landmark event honors the Greek language’s enduring legacy, dedicated to pioneering educators like Panagiotis Liveriadis and generations of Greek teachers in Australia. Featuring music, lectures, and awards for philhellenes, the free community-funded gathering highlights Melbourne’s central role in global Hellenism following UNESCO’s historic proclamation.
Thanasi Kokkinakis withdraws from Australian Open 2026 singles due to shoulder injury but plans to compete in doubles. The popular Aussie-Greek player cites ongoing recovery after a tough year.
Costeen Hatzi, the 25-year-old influencer and ex of Nick Kyrgios, has confirmed her attendance at the 2026 Australian Open, excited to experience the Grand Slam “in a new light” after their amicable split. She’s partnering with Australian fashion and beauty brands while enjoying some tennis and catching up with fellow WAG Hannah Dal Sasso.
Greek star Despina Papamichail (world No. 157) powers into the second round of Australian Open 2026 qualifying with a commanding 6-3, 7-5 win over Sachia Vickery.
After nearly a year sidelined by a chronic pectoral injury, Thanasi Kokkinakis made an emotional return to the court at the Brisbane International, teaming with Nick Kyrgios for a dramatic doubles win. The 29-year-old underwent unprecedented surgery in February 2025, using an Achilles tendon allograft from a deceased donor to reattach his pectoral muscle — a high-risk procedure no other tennis player had attempted.
Nick Kyrgios has confirmed he will not play singles at the 2026 Australian Open, opting to skip a wildcard entry to focus on doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis. After a straight-sets loss in Brisbane and years of injury struggles, the 30-year-old admitted he’s not ready for five-setters yet but plans a full return next year.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will visit Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne on March 25, 2026, for Greek Independence Day. Annual celebrations will feature 50 Greek flags flying and 20 buildings illuminated in blue and white, with a special request for Parliament House in Canberra to light up in Greek colors.
Nick Kyrgios is back – and this time, he’s eyeing one final shot at glory in Melbourne. The enigmatic Australian is gearing up for a return at the Brisbane International in January 2026, partnering with Thanasi Kokkinakis in doubles, before potentially chasing his home Grand Slam dream.
Armed tactical police in Sydney detained seven men on December 18, 2025, after intelligence suggested they were planning a violent act, reportedly en route to Bondi Beach—days after a deadly Islamic State-inspired terror attack killed 15 at a Hanukkah event. No link to the prior shooting has been found, amid national heightened alerts and new hate speech laws.
How Evan Karavitis turned Greece’s wild olive trees into one of the world’s most potent medicinal olive oils, backed by science and deep heritage.
The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia Christmas celebration on December 5 in Melbourne highlighted mutual medical degree recognition between Australia and Greece, honoring members and partners.
Melbourne, 9 December 2025 – Bentleigh Greens have been crowned 2025 Greek Community Cup champions…
South Melbourne FC have made history, becoming the inaugural Australian Championship winners with a commanding 2–0 victory over Marconi Stallions in the Grand Final at Olympic Village on 6 December 2025.
A 32-year-old Greek Australian, Stefan Eracleous, faces charges for allegedly harassing Senator Lidia Thorpe with abusive emails and a menacing phone call, as well as defacing an Aboriginal flag at her office. The AFP’s National Security Investigations team, following a raid in Mernda, seized electronic devices and offensive material. Eracleous is due in court on November 27.
A new book, “Oakleigh is Our Life: Greek Settlement in Oakleigh” by Ann Nield, celebrates the courage and contribution of Greek migrants who made Oakleigh their home and built one of Melbourne’s most vibrant Greek-Australian communities.
Zeus Street Greek is launching a major national expansion, aiming to reach 150 stores by 2030 and exceed $120 million in annualised revenue. A flexible store model, new partnerships, and a growing retail range are driving the chain’s next phase of growth.
