Having represented the diverse Melbourne electorate of Calwell for 24 years, Maria Vamvakinou MP will leave behind a lasting legacy of championing multiculturalism in Parliament.
After so many firsts—including being the first Greek-born woman to serve in Australia’s Parliament—now come the lasts. On this final visit to Canberra, she stays in the same room at the East Hotel—her second home.
Next Monday, she will take the floor for the last time to deliver her valedictory speech. This past Sunday, she introduced former senator Kim Carr at her final Arthur Calwell lecture at Patris, a multi-purpose venue set up by her daughter Stella Michael and Johnny Hasan, Vamvakinou’s Bangladeshi son-in-law.
Called Patris in honour of the ship that brought Vamvakinou to Australia, the venue embodies a rich tapestry of cultural heritage. It promises to be a hub of multicultural activities, offering unique events like Fish and Flaouna Fridays while fostering community connections through food and culture. Inside, retro armchairs from Vamvakinou’s own home set the tone. Walls are filled with artworks by Dr. Michalis Michael, Vamvakinou’s Cypriot husband, who has stood beside her as she battled in the political arena.
Mary Elizabeth Calwell, the daughter of the legendary Labor leader Arthur Calwell, also gave a speech on Sunday. She then offered Vamvakinou a framed invitation from the Patris, the venue is named after. A photo collection on the wall featured moments from Arthur Calwell’s life, including a faded black-and-white picture of young Mary Elizabeth curtsying to Queen Elizabeth with former Prime Minister Ben Chifley and her father in the frame. There are photos of Bonegilla, from Calwell’s time as Minister for Immigration, who oversaw the creation of Australia’s expanded post-war immigration scheme.
“My father was very involved in the Greek community, he was always going to brotherhood meetings,” Mary Elizabeth remembers. “Greeks retained their identity but still became very active Australians. We attended lots of events, and we had Greek friends and went to a number of Greek Orthodox weddings.”
Speaking of Greek friends, she looks to Vamvakinou.
Navigating multicultural Australia
Born in Lefkada, Greece, Vamvakinou migrated to Australia with her family in 1963 at the age of four. Her political journey began in high school, inspired by solidarity with classmates who were refugees. She initially pursued a career in teaching before making history as the first Greek-born woman elected to Federal Parliament.
“My background in teaching has helped me in this role,” she says, especially when it comes to achieving democratic consensus to drive change.
“I’ve learned that advocacy works. I think my teaching background constantly kicks in, and I hope to find a way to do that post-parliament. I know how to agitate, and I know how the system works, and I will continue to put that to use.”
Despite her reasonable demeanor, she has not shied away from challenges. “I’m not a Jacqui Lambie politician in terms of style. I believe you need to build consensus, especially around social cohesion and multiculturalism; and you need dialogue, especially bearing in mind the nature of the community I have represented in Parliament, especially following the stress of September 11.”
The community she represents is the largest Turkish constituency in Australia. “I am fascinated by the Australian community and the impact of migration, and that is my story as well. I am a product of what I have grown up with. And though I have strong views, I moderately pursue them because I believe in democratic consensus. People may disagree, but there is always common ground to be found,” she says, attributing this as the secret of her longevity. “Oh, and I also separate politics from humanity, looking at our similarities.”
Vamvakinou officially endorsed Basem Abdo, a Palestinian Australian, as her successor for the Calwell seat. With a deep understanding of international conflicts and strong ties to local communities, Abdo is poised to carry forward Vamvakinou’s legacy.
From Howard to Albanese
Reflecting on her years in politics, Vamvakinou noted the evolution of Australia through significant events, from the Howard era when she joined Parliament to contemporary challenges brought by Anthony Albanese. Her departure from Parliament marks the end of an era, but her influence on Australia’s multicultural landscape will be enduring.
She has enjoyed her role shaping Australia.
“I’m an Australian first,” she says. “If you had asked me this at 15, I may have said it the other way round, but I am a modern Australian.”
A quarter of a century in the political arena has changed her.
“As much as I didn’t want this job to define me, I think it has,” she says, remembering her 12-hour days in Melbourne and the community, attending after-hour requirements and working on the weekends.
“Imagine my children were six and eight, and now they are 30 and 32. It is a demanding role, and your family has to work around this. I really do want my time back.”
That doesn’t mean she’ll sit idly by. Her daughter Stella says her mum is already eager to learn how to use the coffee machine at Patris.
“I suspect she’ll be here a lot,” Stella says.
Vamvakinou laughs when she hears this.
“I envision retirement where I set my diary and my own agenda. Apart from joining my daughter and being involved at Patris to bring conversation and dialogue to the venue, I also have family who live overseas, and my husband and I will go to Greece and Cyprus. We are already looking forward to this.”
She is also interested in doing a photography course and spending time with her first grandchild.
“I will still be involved in the community, however, because that’s just who I am. I’m not retiring from that. You haven’t seen the last of me.”
*All photos by The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.
