By Michael Mystakidis.
Well-known and beloved Greek journalist and publisher, George Iakovidis, has passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind a profound legacy in expatriate circles and beyond.
The heart-breaking news comes only a few days after the death of another former journalist of The Greek Herald, George Galanis.
Iakovidis was born in 1932, in Drama, north-eastern Greece. After graduating from high school, Iakovidis joined the Security Corps and served in the gendarmerie.
At the end of the 1960’s and the mass immigration, Iakovidis chose Australia as his second home, where he stayed permanently in Melbourne.
He was drawn to the news industry, becoming involved with the Greek-language printed press. It was here he found his life partner and beloved wife, Anna, who gave him two sons, Nikos and Stavros. Anna passed away 14 years ago, however, devastating Iakovidis.
Iakovidis went on to publish a small bi-weekly conservative socio-political newspaper, “Chronos” with Karas. The newspaper had 24 pages of small format 26.5×39 and had an ephemeral duration. The structure of the newspaper was stable and consistent, carrying news from Greece and Australia. There were reports from Sydney and Adelaide, permanent columns, and a high-quality sports page.
For a period of time, Iakovidis worked at Neos Kosmos and later switched to the large publishing complex of the late Theodore Skalkos, where he worked for decades.
Occasionally, Iakovidis was involved in journalistic parochial work during 1974-1983, and later again from 1985-1990, while his main job was page-making alongside artistic consultation.
With his hard work and honesty, he won the esteem of Skalkos’ editor, becoming his man of the people, who rightly promoted him to the position of production manager of the dozens of Greek and English-language newspapers printed in Melbourne post offices.
Iakovidis was a wonderful colleague with a tasteful sense of humour, a good family man, a decent human being and a great Greek patriot with a great contribution to the Pontian Association of Panagia Soumela and the Pontian Centre of Melbourne and to the Pontian element of Australia in general.
In addition, Iakovidis took part in the community organisation of Hellenism and served as President and Secretary to the Drama Association and the Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne and Victoria.
The management of The Greek Herald extends its sincere condolences to Iakovidis’ family.
