Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 20: Cypriot wine expert, aka ‘Dr Xynisteri’ from Australia. Meet Dr Alex Willem Copper (2/10/2024)

In the 20th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Dr Alex Willem Copper Willheim. Also known as ‘Dr Xynisteri’, he is an expert on Cypriot wine, with a strong focus on the indigenous Xynisteri and Maratheftiko varieties. He introduced these drought resistant grapevines to Australia, in particular in South Australia, and the rest is history! From the foothills of Troodos in Limassol to the plains of Down Under, he is leading the way for the future of Australian wine, and taking the famous Cypriot variety to the global stage. Great to discuss the richness of the Cypriot cultural heritage in its cusine and produce.

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 20: Cypriot wine expert, aka ‘Dr Xynisteri’ from Australia. Meet Dr Alex Willem Copper (2/10/2024)

Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 19: Childhood cancer researcher and innovator. Meet Dr Maria Kavallaris (31/8/2024)

In the 19th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Dr Maria Kavallaris. Dr Kavallaris is a cancer researcher at NSW Uni Children's Cancer Institute. Born in Sydney, she went to primary school in Morphou, Cyprus, until war broke in 1974. Her family returned to Australia. At only 21 years old she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This inspired her to compete a PhD in cancer research. During her studies her 30 year old brother passed away from pancreatic cancer. Today her research focuses on childhood cancer, using nanotechnology to develop cancer therapies, and to determine mechanisms which lead to anti-cancer drug resistance. In 2011 she established the Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and today heads the Translational Cancer Nanomedicine Theme at NSW Uni Children's Cancer Institute. In 2019 she was appointed a member of the Order of Australia, in 2020 she received the NSW Premier's Woman of the Year Award and in 2022 she received a Cyprus Presidential Medal for her life’s work.

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 19: Childhood cancer researcher and innovator. Meet Dr Maria Kavallaris (31/8/2024)

Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 18: Award-winning author who delves into the world of our mothers’ torment. Meet Helena Kidd (15/8/2024)

In the 18th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Helena Kidd. With family hailing from Skarinou in Larnaca and born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, she set out to share with the world the sufferings of her mother, and that of many mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of Cyprus and the world. Her brave book ‘When The Past Awakens’ received a Commendation at the Victorian Community History Awards in 2020 and she won the CYDIA Award for Literature at the 2024 Cyprus Diaspora Awards in Limassol. Helena has also written ‘When The Past is Left’ where she continues to inspire by further sharing the story of her family in the diaspora and their challenges and pathways. Her story, and that of her loved ones, is a story shared by so many.

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 18: Award-winning author who delves into the world of our mothers’ torment. Meet Helena Kidd (15/8/2024)

Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 17: Award-winning director on History & Discovery Channels. Meet Kay Pavlou (28/7/2024)

In the 17th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Kay Pavlou. Born in Adelaide and now living in Sydney, she was the daughter of one of the earlier Cypriots from Rizokarpaso to migrate across the globe to Australia. This experience is part of her inspiration to film ‘Two Homelands - Documentary’ - an interview of six Cypriots of the diaspora in Australia and to delve into their experience of living double lives, one as Cypriots and another as Australians. Her successful productions have aired on the Discovery and History Channels globally, premiered at prestigious global film festivals and soon her latest film will be screened at K-cineplex Cyprus in September 2024. She’s an inspirational and emotional storyteller.

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 17: Award-winning director on History & Discovery Channels. Meet Kay Pavlou (28/7/2024)

Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 16: Former Cyprus FM, Ambassador to Washington, member of the reunification negotiating teams & gender activist. Meet Dr Erato Kozakou Marcoullis (17/7/2024)

In the 16th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Dr Erato Kozakou Marcoullis. Born in Limassol to Cypriot and migrant parents, she has come a long way from a rough - yet very proud - family history. From proudly representing Cyprus as Ambassador in key posts such as Washington, USA, to twice serving as Cyprus’ Foreign Minister and also as Minister of Communications and Works. She has sat on the negotiating tables as part of the Cyprus reunification attempts during key pivotal moments and is a staunch activist for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Many NGOs and civil society movements are blessed with her support and contributions.

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 16: Former Cyprus FM, Ambassador to Washington, member of the reunification negotiating teams & gender activist. Meet Dr Erato Kozakou Marcoullis (17/7/2024)

Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 15: Filmmaker, director, producer and fabulous cultural ambassador for Cyprus. Meet Stelana Kliris (6/7/2024)

Cyprus is filled with big hearts and big emotions – a hot, sleepy island, with hot tempers! On the surface it looks ‘normal’, but below the surface are many layers, filled with history – both beautiful and painful. An island full of amazing people, with incredible stories, doing amazing things. Join social and political analyst Costa Constanti to meet Cyprus and those who live there. In the 15th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Stelana Kliris. Born and raised in South Africa, this Cypriot of the diaspora who has ‘come home’ is taking Cyprus to audiences across the entire…

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 15: Filmmaker, director, producer and fabulous cultural ambassador for Cyprus. Meet Stelana Kliris (6/7/2024)

Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 14: Budding politician, cultural heritage activist & peace builder. Meet Hulusi Kilim (4/7/2024)

In the 14th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Hulusi Kilim. Hulusi is a young and refreshing activist who grew and matured through his activism in Famagusta’s medieval old town where he worked with the Bicommunal Famagusta Initiative fighting to save the historic city, and continued to drive for the reunification of Cyprus with various peace building activities. Recently he was one of very few Turkish Cypriots to stand in the European Parliament elections as a candidate for Cyprus representing a new party, Volt Cyprus, a bold move in these stagnant times for the island.

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 14: Budding politician, cultural heritage activist & peace builder. Meet Hulusi Kilim (4/7/2024)

Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 13: Talented musician, Windcraft Music Fest organizer & music teacher. Meet Elli Michael (24/6/2024)

Cyprus is filled with big hearts and big emotions - a hot, sleepy island, with hot tempers! On the surface it looks 'normal', but below the surface are many layers, filled with history - both beautiful and painful. An island full of amazing people, with incredible stories, doing amazing things. Join social and political analyst Costa Constanti to meet Cyprus and those who live there. In the 13th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Elli Michael. Elli is a bright and talented musician, an inspirational teacher and quite a humble being. She created the exciting Windcraft movement in Cyprus,…

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 13: Talented musician, Windcraft Music Fest organizer & music teacher. Meet Elli Michael (24/6/2024)

Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 12: Innovative architectural heritage expert, academic, researcher and women’s needs advocate. Meet Heather Mitcheltree (21/6/2024)

In the 12th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Heather Mitcheltree. Heather is based in Melbourne and Cambridge, and has helped conduct some very innovative architectural heritage scanning projects in the buffer zone of Cyprus. Currently she working on a PHD looking at the architectural needs of women’s refuge shelters, helping to compare and identify the key needs for women and children that most of us would never have thought of!

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 12: Innovative architectural heritage expert, academic, researcher and women’s needs advocate. Meet Heather Mitcheltree (21/6/2024)

Terra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 11: Tech guru & advocate for women ‘breaking the 20%’, meet Elena Strouthos (12/5/2024)

In the 11th episode of Terra Nullius Cyprus, meet Elena Strouthos. Elena is the co-owner of the very successful Cocoon Creations, an innovative Cyprus-based tech company. Elena also hosts the Breaking the 20% podcast where she tackles the low number of women in the tech industry in the ‘western world’.

Continue ReadingTerra Nullius Cyprus – Episode 11: Tech guru & advocate for women ‘breaking the 20%’, meet Elena Strouthos (12/5/2024)