An emotion-filled Dardalis Archives event for radio legend Rena Frangioudaki in Melbourne

·

Friends, acquaintances, and fans of legendary radio producer Rena Frangioudaki attended the event on Wednesday, September 13 at the Greek Centre of the Greek Community of Melbourne.

The event was part of a series of lectures and presentations on the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora, and Ms Frangioudaki held a conversation with her colleague, producer of the Greek Language Program of SBS Radio, Panos Apostolou.

Rena Frangioudaki OAM and Panos Apostolou.

Ms Frangioudaki, spoke of her decision to immigrate to Australia and her first years in the country.

She elaborated on her first working experiences in Melbourne as well her voluntary efforts within the Greek community and how she managed to find herself in a radio booth in 1966.

She reflected on her radio days, her interviews, and her tense but balanced professional relations with politicians.

This year marks forty years since 1983, when the then-federal prime minister of Australia, Bob Hawke, selected her as the representative on the government’s Immigration Advisory Committee in Canberra.

While, twenty years ago, in 2003, the Government of Victoria and Victorian Governor John Landy honored her with the Multiculturalism Award​ and the Order of Australia Medal​ (OAM).​

L-R: Anthea Sidiropoulos, Dr Nick Dallas, Rena Frangioudaki OAM, Panos Apostolou, Dr Stephie Nikoloudi.

She referred to her efforts to keep the Cyprus tragedy at the forefront of current affairs​ and to her love for her special homeland, Chania, Crete.

Ms Frangioudaki offered a heartfelt plea to the younger Australian Greeks present to preserve and pass down the Greek language to future generations, even as they reside in the diaspora.

In fact, that evening, students from La Trobe University’s Modern Greek Studies program were in the audience, because they were asked to prepare an assignment based on that night’s conversation between the two journalists.

The conversation on the radio career of Rena Frangioudaki was co-organized by the Greek Studies Program of the Department of Languages and Cultures at La Trobe University, the Dardalis Archives, and the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria.

Ms Frangioudaki recently visited the building where part of the Dardalis Archives is exhibited and was informed about the work being carried out there.

The presentation will be posted on the YouTube Channel of the Greek Community of Melbourne.

The series of thematic lectures of the Dardalis Archives entitled: ‘The History of the Greeks in Australia based on the contents of the collection’:

The next presentation will be held on Wednesday, October 4 featuring Panagiotis (Peter) Giannoudis OAM, one of the pioneers of Greek Cinema in Australia and New Zealand, who will talk on the topic: ‘The lobbying power of the united Greek Cypriot community and Greek communities in Australia’.

On Wednesday, November 8, Dr. Alexandra Delliou, a historian working mainly with the post-war immigrant and refugee communities in Australia, will give a lecture in English entitled: ‘Migrant Activism and Debates in Welfare’.

The entire initiative belongs to the Coordinator of the Greek Studies Program, Dr Stephie Nikoloudis.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Earlwood’s Greek spirit centre stage as ‘Plateia’ Festival secures state funding

The City of Canterbury Bankstown will host the “Love Earlwood” festival thanks to the NSW Government’s Open Streets 2025-28 Program.

Greek Consul General honoured at Hellenic Club farewell event in Sydney

Sydney’s Greek community came together on Thursday for a dignified farewell dinner in honour of Greece’s Consul General, Ioannis Mallikourtis

Field of candidates announced for 2025 Greek Community of Melbourne Board election

Greek Community of Melbourne has officially called elections for a new Board of Directors, with members set to head to the polls on June 29.

Australia Cup 2025: Strong Greek heritage club presence as Final 32 locked in

The cast for the Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Round of 32 has been decided following the completion of the Preliminary Rounds.

Apostolakis and Trimis named on Young Matildas squad for upcoming training camp

CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis has settled on a 32-player squad for a domestic training camp to be held in Sydney.

You May Also Like

Monastery paintings take shape at small Greek Orthodox church in rural New Zealand

The Sacred Monastery of the Holy Archangels in Levin, New Zealand is in the process of having its walls covered in religious icons.

Darwin GleNTi serves up culture, community and kilos of Greek cuisine

The aroma of grilled meats and the sound of Greek music filled the air as thousands packed Darwin’s Esplanade for the beloved GleNTi Festival

Evzones conclude their inaugural visit to Western Australia with wreath laying ceremony

Greece's Presidential Guard concluded their inaugural visit to Perth in Western Australia with the official commemoration of OXI Day on Sunday, November 6. The commemorative...