A social media video of Bidjigal Gundungarra Dharawal man, Eric Brown, has captured the hearts of thousands of Greek Australians this past weekend as he recounted the memory of diving after the Holy Cross at Sydney’s Yarra Bay in the 1990s.
Amassing close to 100,000 views, Brown told The Greek Herald the response from the Greek Australian community has been meaningful.
“It has really empowered me to continue telling stories like these, about people coming together and people connecting and sharing,” he said.
From the age of 10 to 17, Brown said he would attend the Blessing of the Waters Service at Yarra Bay in the summertime as a young local.
“I remember the way the old women used to just say, ‘come here, come here’ and gave us a plate of food – it made us welcome… and that people down there respected our culture,” he said.
Growing up on the site of the old Aboriginal mission and reserve in La Perouse, Sydney, Brown created the viral video to personalise his work leading Aboriginal-owned organisations that empower young people through culture, offer NDIS Support Services and run cultural tours across Sydney’s national parks.
The response to this new initiative has been deep, personal and heartwarming. Hundreds of comments flooded his Instagram and TikTok posts full of support and pride for his positive memory of the Epiphany. Many commented on the beautiful blending and connections of two ancient cultures, and the Greek philosophy of philotimo where Greeks share food and adopt those around them.
Other’s commented on the strength between Greek Australians and Indigenous people, and the joy of seeing the power of the Orthodox faith creating safe and welcoming memories.
As we celebrate NAIDOC week, The Greek Herald wants to amplify Brown’s story as part of the 2025 theme which honours the strength, vision and legacy of the next generation of First Nation leaders.
Through a simple post, Brown has further forged positive and enduring connections between First Nation’s and Greek Australian communities.
“That story around Yarra, that literally shows it doesn’t matter where you come from. You know, there are people out there that do care,” he said. “Doesn’t matter what race, what colour, or even what you believe in.”
Brown says growing up in La Perouse he remembers the local mini mart, Paul’s Shop, which was owned by Greeks, Paul and Vicky, from before he was born in 1985. He says Paul and Vicky would look after his family, and all the families from the Aboriginal mission and reserve.
“Anytime mum was struggling or didn’t have much to feed us, Paul and Vicky would always let us tick up until we got paid and give us either bread and milk or anything to have a feed and we would end up paying them back later,” he said.
A story of Greek Australian and Indigenous people coming together on the traditional lands of the Kameygal people in Sydney’s east, favouring the spirit of kindness and community.
