Melbourne woman, Penny Mackieson, shares how she discovered her Greek background

·

In an interview with The Guardian, Melbourne woman, Penny Mackieson, said she always knew she was adopted.

In 1989, she applied for her adoption records and obtained what she thought was the name of her biological mother.

Penny spent the next two decades getting to know and love the woman until gnawing doubts saw her take a DNA test which revealed they weren’t actually related.

Adoption Information Services then connected Penny with her real biological mother – an elderly Greek woman.

READ MORE: Lies, deception and secrecy: The untold story of a Greek Australian adoptee.

Penny always knew she was adopted.

On Tuesday, after a 15-minute hearing in the Victorian county court, Penny was able to correct her birth records and include her Greek mother’s name.

“It feels like this is the first day of the rest of my life. I feel much more optimistic and I feel freer – this is who I am,” Penny said after the verdict, according to The Guardian.

Penny is now set to visit Greece for the first time in July but she will not meet her biological mother as “she said she doesn’t want contact.”

READ MORE: Greek Australian searches for missing twin sisters with help from The Eftychia Project.

Source: The Guardian.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Latest News

Cyprus recognised at Lakemba ANZAC Service

The 2026 ANZAC Day service at Lakemba brought together veterans, families, students, and civic leaders in a formal commemoration.

Nominees announced for the CYDIA Awards 2026

The Cyprus Diaspora Forum has announced the nominees for the CYDIA Awards® 2026, the annual celebration recognising outstanding achievements.

Why Greeks in Australia are rethinking how they manage property in Athens

Your Athens home may sit empty for months, but problems don’t wait — for many in the diaspora, Home Watch Athens offers peace of mind.

Seminar to examine rise of Metaxas regime and fascist influence in interwar Greece

A public seminar examining the political turmoil and ideological forces that shaped modern Greek history will take place in Melbourne.

Brisbane honours ANZAC spirit with Greek Orthodox memorial services

His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane led ANZAC Day commemorations on Saturday, April 25, conducting a Memorial Service.

You May Also Like

Europe scrambles to address fate of homeless refugees after Greek camp fire

13,000 migrants headed to the Mytilene port as the Moria camp, Greece's largest migrant camp, burned to ash behind them.

Eleni Petinos receives cabinet promotion as NSW Premier announces frontbench reshuffle

Mark Coure takes over as Minister for Multiculturalism with Eleni Petinos being named the new Minister for Small Business and Minister for Fair Trading.

Mixed reactions emerge in Greek Australian community over Prime Minister’s cultural remarks

Members of Australia's Greek community have expressed mixed responses to cultural remarks made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.