By Marcus Zouroudis
Peter Tsigounis has devoted the last decade to being President of the Greek Returned Ex-Serviceman League of NSW and is proud to have 50 dedicated members of Australians and New Zealanders who he plans to lead as long as he lives.
Peter was born in Laconia, Monemvasia and at 12 years of age he moved with his family to a village called Neapoli, Laconia.
He went to high school in Neapoli, in times when attending high school was rare because after the first World War few people could afford it.
At the age of 21, Peter began his compulsory national service in Greece – completing his basic training in Araxos for 40 days before being assigned to the Air Force as a technician of aeroplane radars.
“I was taught what we need to know in case the country goes to war – how to protect the country, and fortunately there was no war but at times we were close to a war against the Turks,” Peter said.
“It was a very good experience, and it is a good thing for young boys in order to become really responsible.”
As soon as Peter finished national service in 1966, his sister, who lived in Australia, asked him to move here, telling him it was a beautiful country. Being excited by the idea, he agreed to migrate.
He voyaged alone to Sydney, Australia in 1966 travelling for 25 days in a ship called Sydney, an Italian ship of a large company Flotalaro, with over 1,000 on board across the Indian Ocean.
“I found the trip pleasant and with Greeks, Italians and Yugoslavs aboard I could learn the languages of neighbouring countries,” he said.
In Australia, he started a family-owned business and worked as a taxi driver where he developed his English conversing daily with passengers.
After the birth of his first two children, he experienced xenitia (the sense of being a foreigner in a foreign land), and in 1974 sold everything and went back to Greece, because he loved and longed for his homeland.
“I arrived in Athens and when I arrived in 1974, 20th July, there were sirens. Greece was in a war with Cyprus against Turkey,” he said.
“I told my family that I am in Greece and would have to present myself ready to go to war.”
He recalls that everyone within Greek borders and Cyprus were sent to fight while he was in Greece by himself. Under national law, he was not permitted to fight because he had lived in Australia.
His stay in Greece was short-lived as he found that he couldn’t restart his life in his homeland and support his family living there so he and his wife made the difficult decision to return to Australia forever.
After a successful long working career, Peter joined the Greek Returned Serviceman League (Greek RSL) in 2010 wanting to make a contribution to a significant organisation with many friends who were long term members.
He views the Greek RSL as an important committee as it honours the service of many Greek serviceman who provided auxiliary services and fought alongside Australians in numerous wars, including in Gallipolli and in defence of Greece, especially in Crete during World War II.
He has described his leadership of the Greek RSL as helping to form a bridge between the Australians and Greeks who served together in theatres of war and now live harmoniously in Australia.
On ANZAC Day every year, Peter leads the Greek RSL members as they march through Sydney and is very proud that the Australian public see the Greek flag and recognise the role of Greeks alongside Australians in many wars.
“The Greek flag in the march is recognised by thousands of people of the Australian general public as they enjoy the march with the RSL members,” Peter said.
Before becoming President, Peter served as Treasurer and Vice President for 15 years and has commented that when he first joined, many of the members were veterans and now many of the members are family of serviceman who have passed away.
Peter is an impressive example of service to his community as he is motivated by both his appreciation of Australia and his love for Greece to fulfil his role as President of the Greek RSL.
