Denis A. Conomos, a member of the Kytherian Association of Australia (KAA) and of Kytherian descent, is the author of the book ‘The Greeks in Queensland, A History from 1859-1945’.
The KAA, through the generosity of the Aroney Trustees, provided funding to help with the research and publication of the book. The book was first published in 2002.
The book is based on interviews conducted by Denis with approximately 200 Greek migrants who migrated to Australia prior to the Second World War.
The people interviewed came from all parts of Greece but the largest group was Kytherian. Descendants of those interviewed now live in all parts of Australia and overseas.
Denis Conomos. Photo: ABC Southern Qld / Peter Gunders.
The book is the culmination of over twenty years of research and it is a detailed history of the Greeks in Queensland from the beginning of Statehood in 1859 to the end of the Second World War. Denis also covers some migration to NSW.
‘The Greeks in Queensland’ deals with the life in Greece, departure, voyage, arrival and experiences in Australia of the Greek migrants, the initial settlers being Kytherians – Harry Menegas and Arthur and John Comino, who settled in Sydney.
The Comino brothers established a successful café business. When news of their success reached Kythera, many young Kytherian men decided to migrate to Sydney. Among them were the Freeleagus brothers, who were to repeat the Comino success story in Brisbane.
Denis’ book.
Denis feels that these stories of the early Greek pioneers should be told.
Although the KAA has sold out of this book, it is available for purchase through its publishing house CopyRight Publishing and it retails for $49.50, plus postage.
If you would like to purchase this wonderful book, please contact CopyRight Publishing in Brisbane, through the following means:
• https://www.copyright.net.au/1/ home/the-greeks-in-queensland-ahistory-from-1895-1945 • info@copyright.net.au • John McRobert on 0402 858 818
*This article was initially published in the November-December 2021 newsletter of the Kytherian Association of Australia.
As a Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), Bill Papastergiadis recently addressed a new entrant into the state’s cosmopolitan fabric – the Australian Assyrian Advocacy Network (AACSAN).
The aim of the AACSAN is to become a leading forum for sharing information, enhancing partnerships and working with Government to deliver services to Assyrian, Chaldean and Syrian communities.
Mr Papastergiadis was greeted warmly by AACSAN’s President, Mr Youhana, on arrival at the event in Coolaroo.
A number of significant political and community leaders had also made their attendance at the event including Ms Vamvanikou MP, Mr Giles MP, Mr McGuire MP along with Councillor Haweil.
Ms Vamvakinou MP also spoke at the event. Photo: Facebook.
In his speech, Mr Youhana emphasised how AACSAN was developed to make sure that these communities engaged meaningfully with the society they lived in.
Most of the overseas born community had come to Australia as refugees but within a short period of time from its inception, AACSAN had received Victorian Government grants to support its vulnerable members during the Covid crisis.
Mr Papastergiadis had been asked to speak as the VMC representative but from the angle of how the Greek Community in Melbourne operated from a cultural and advocacy perspective.
Bill Papastergiadis. Photo: Facebook.
Mr Papastergiadis commenced his speech by noting the importance of the VMC as an advocate to Government but which relied on grassroots organisations like AACSAN which truly understand the needs of their community members and which voices need to be communicated to Government.
It is this wealth of knowledge that comes from AACSAN and other similar organisations which allows the VMC to play its advocacy role, Mr Papastergiadis stressed.
In regards to the broader Greek Community in Melbourne, Mr Papastergiadis also noted that it was a mature community with settlement that extended over 150 years in our city. He emphasised that unity was an important part of any conversation with Government as it allowed policies and ideas to be quickly identified and implemented through identifiable representative structures.
Equally, Mr Papastergiadis made mention of the need for any organisation to be relevant and to be constantly reinventing itself. This could take the form of programs or building initiatives. He also noted the construction of the 15 storey Cultural Centre by the Greek Community of Melbourne which had created a vertical Greek precinct and which had rejuvenated in many ways the organisation. Hence, a history of steady partnerships with Government and members along with a long term vision was fundamental to the success of an organisation.
Everyone in attendance. Photo: Facebook.
Mr Papastergiadis then noted that not all decisions are universally accepted and hence community leaders are often required to make difficult decisions. As an example, he referred to the vaccination hubs set up by the GCM in its church halls, which arose from its direct relationships with the state and federal Health Ministers. Although not entirely popular, these initiatives were successful in building relations with Government and offering important services to those in need during this pandemic.
Although the event came to an end later that night, Mr Papastergiadis agreed with AACSAN’s President and his Board to meet in the near future to identify ways to continue the relationship.
Every year, Mary Politis celebrates Christmas at a different house surrounded by her family and friends. The only thing that remains the same is the massive food feast of souvlakia, turkey and seafood, which is guaranteed to leave everyone with plenty of delicious leftovers.
Of course, this plentiful supply of food comes as no surprise as Mary is actually the face behind much-loved food blog,Mary’s Kouzina.
Mary Politis is the face behind Mary’s Kouzina.
Launched in December 2016, Mary’s Kouzina sees Mary share classic Greek dishes from her handwritten family recipes as a way to help people reconnect with their childhood and journey back to yiayia’s kitchen.
The blog has been so well received, the high school teacher and artist has now also combined her passion for food and painting in order to hand-design a number of festive-themed tea towels.
Mary has designed festive-themed tea towels this year.
“I’ve created a synergy between art and food by painting my recipes, illustrating them and printing them onto cotton and linen tea towels,” Mary tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
“I also know that every Greek across the country will be baking during Christmas time and it’s really nice receiving something else along with your baked goods.”
Mary’s designs range from a Christmas wreath featuring pomegranates and a horseshoe, to a vasilopita. She says the vasilopita recipe, which is printed onto the tea towels, is one of her favourites as there’s a special story behind it.
“That recipe was explained to me by my aunties but the way that they explained it was through the Greek metric system… meaning they’re not really specific in terms of their measurements. So I had to sit there and try and work it out myself,” Mary says with a laugh.
Despite this, she couldn’t be prouder of her ability to spread some Christmas cheer this festive season with her new products.
Some of Mary’s designs.
“It’s been really well received. It’s really, really nice because I get messages from mothers and mothers-in-laws who collect tea towels for their daughters, their sons, daughters-in-laws and gift them,” Mary says.
“It’s just a really nice way of preserving family recipes or passing them or collecting them for future generations.”
“The last thing I wanted was to stay back and work on the land,” recalls Greek-Australian Paul Georgiadis, founder and owner of South Australian boutique winery Paulmara Estates.
Born in Waikerie June 1964, Paul the youngest of five children grew up amid loving and hard-working Greek immigrant parents, Charalambos (also known as Harry) and Athina, a family whose values and work ethics are evident to this day.
Through Paul’s own continuous determination to establish the success he has achieved today, his dear late father’s knowledgeable words, “Never to be afraid of hard work” have stuck close by and in return have played a mammoth role in Paul’s life.
As a father of two himself, Paul has passed down his late father’s wise words and valuable work ethic to his children, Mikaela and Harrison, who today can be seen assisting their parents in the vineyards, whilst juggling their studies.
“Growing up I had no intentions of staying in the Riverland,” admits Paul Georgiadis.
“The last thing on my mind was to be stuck on a farm and working in vineyards,” Paul reflects as he remembers wanting to focus on life in the city.
“My father sent us five kids to Adelaide to receive a worthwhile education, while he and mum stayed back in the Riverland to work,” he says.
However, the intentions of city life were not to be for Paul, as circumstances steered him back into the direction of country life.
Charalambos (Harry) and Athina on their farm in South Australia
The family’s migration story
Thanks to the willpower of one driven young man who back in 1954 made an unhesitating decision to leave behind his childhood home and family in Goumenissa, a small traditional town in the Kilkis regional unit of Central Macedonia Greece and set out for a country unknown.
Just as many other eager and courageous Ellinopoula(young Greeks)did back then, 24-year-old Charalambos Georgiadis perceived Australia as the land of hope and promise to a much favourable future.
After the long voyage across the seas and upon arriving in Australia it wasn’t long before Charalambos found employment, working in the stone fruit industry in Shepparton, a city in northern Victoria.
By 1956, after spending a short time working in the salt fields in Ardrossan, a small sea-side town located on the east coast of the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, a wonderful opportunity arose.
Charalambos met Mr. Martin, a man from the Riverland, who owned vineyards, citrus, and stone fruit. Mr Martin offered the young, enthusiastic migrant a chance to work with him and Charalambos happily took up his offer, with the hopes and dreams of one day operating his own vineyards.
With the tranquil Murray River flowing through the region of the Riverland, the Mediterranean climate with warm dry summers and mild winters, Charalambos’ adoration for the land was evident, maybe even a slight reminder to what he had left behind.
In 1958 Charalambos met Athina, a lovely young woman who had recently immigrated from the small village Skotina, in the Pieria regional unit, Central Macedonia. Their love blossomed and a few months later the young couple were married.
At this time, the region of the Riverland saw a thriving fruit industry and for the newlyweds waking before the sun rose and calling it a day long after the sun had set became a part of their daily routine, working tirelessly seven days a week.
An abundance of apricots, oranges, nectarines, and peaches grown on the farm brought in a comfortable income for the family and in 1973 Charalambos bought his own vineyard in the township of Barmera, proudly giving it the name of Georgiadis Lakeside Vineyards.
As the years went by, the hard yards did not stop for Charalambos and Athina, actively working the land whilst raising and providing for their five children.
In their later years, as the children moved on to Adelaide to live and study, the orchards and vineyards in Riverland had become a pleasing lifestyle for Charalambos and Athina.
Paul and Mara with George Kassimatis
Paul went on to study marketing at the University of South Australia, consequently obtaining the position of Penfolds’ premium regions Grower Relations Manager, an impressive career of 18 years. During this time Paul found himself being pulled towards the vineyards and working with his father became a frequent practice.
In 1997 Paul met American born Mara Thomas, who at the time was visiting and working at a Barossa winery. Born in Sonoma County California, Mara grew up in an agricultural family and graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in Agribusiness.
Subsequently, with like-minded background’s the two hit it off immediately and in September 1998 Paul and Mara travelled to America and were married in Mara’s hometown.
They have never looked back …
How Paulmara Estates was born
Located in the illustrious wine-producing region of Barossa Valley, was established by Paul and Mara in 1999, with the first vines planted in 1995 at Georgiadis Estates vineyard. It was the land Charalambos and Athina worked and nurtured, where family came together. It was the foundation of where dreams were born, and visions were created by the young migrant couple.
Their first estate grown shiraz wine was made in 1999 and bottled under the limited release ‘Syna’, the Greek word for together – when two hearts and mind combine and become one – an illustration of Mara and Paul’s exceptional teamwork.
“Family is the centre of everything we do and the stories behind each of our wines are inspired by our life and those we love” emphasizes Paul.
Paul’s motto in life is “Live for your Name and Family”
Through Paul and Mara’s passion, love, and continuous hard work, this young family have proudly accomplished what was once hopes and dreams to a young Greek boy from Goumenissa, Greece and so, the legacy of Charalambos and Georgiadis name becomes etched in the heart of Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley.
*Doris Falidis Nickolas in the author of the book ‘Life has two doors’
In 2006, the Tsakos Group launched the building of an Orthodox Christian Church in Tema New Town, Ghana. This was completed in 2008 and consecrated with the name of St Nicholas, after the Patron Saint of the seafarers.
Following the construction of the church, it became apparent that a school, close by in order to cater for those in the local community and support children living in deprived conditions in the area, was needed.
St Nicholas Preparatory School was therefore developed with the motto: “Every child has a right to education.”
Education within the school goes beyond the traditional norm of Ghanaian education as well as the standard compulsory syllabus. The children are also taught Greek and French, and the school runs a children’s navy cadet corp.
To find out more about the school, The Greek Herald spoke with Founder of St Nicholas School and Former Director and CEO of Tsakos Shipping, Deborah Eleazar.
1.How did the idea for the Greek school in Ghana start?
Tsakos Foundation had business with Ghana for many years. St Nicholas being the patron’s saint of the sea, was a church that would offer inspiration to the sailors, as they can see the lights of the church at Anchorage στη ράδα. So the foundation decided to give the community a small kindergarten for 20 children between 3-5 years.
2.When did your vision start to come true?
In 2009, a plot of land next to St Nicholas church was donated by the Maria Tsakos Foundation for this purpose.
Greece’s Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, visited the school this year.
3. Who supports you so that you can provide all this to the children?
We are a UK registered charity which operates the school together with an NGO. The Maria Tsakos Foundation gives the support, Mytilineos S.A., sailors onboard ships and their families, individual donors who sponsor children from the UK, Greece and USA, and the trustees themselves.
4. How many children are there in school?
Currently, we have 162 children, and every year we take 15 additional children and open up a higher class and promote the children already in the school.
5. What courses are taught?
The school follows the Ghana education system and additional classes are held in Greek and French language, cultural traditions and Greek dancing, music including singing and an orchestra. We also have a navy cadet corp. With the support of former Ghanaian Olympic athletes, we have also developed a solid athletics and sports program.
6. Is there a plan for your students to come to Greece to get to know the country?
We are primarily interested in introducing the Greek culture, language and history to the children believing that the Greek culture has much to teach, expanding their views of the world.
7. Greece’s Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, visited the school this year. What was the result of his visit?
We were overwhelmed when, during his lightening visit to Ghana, he visited our school and was able to see our progress. He expressed extreme interest in what we have achieved and promised to help broaden the knowledge of our school in Greece.
Mr Dendias presented us with reading material and two wonderful Greek paintings which now have a proud place in our canteen. He was very warm towards the children.
8. How is Christmas there? Are there special events?
We celebrate Christmas in the various churches in the facility. However, poverty does not allow for any particular event. Our children will have a Christmas party at the School. They have already celebrated St Nicholas day and they will receive presents from our sponsors.
9. How does this school change the lives of children and teachers?
The aim of our school is that, as the school’s motto is, “every child deserves an education” and we attempt to stop the repeating poverty circle that the children have been born into and repeat itself generation after generation. These children, given a chance, have enormous potential in many diverse ways.
Therefore, apart from the education, we are trying to give them an all-around experience with many diverse interests, which will help them in their future employment and personal life. The teachers experience many new interests with the visits and collaboration with the international community through volunteers and sponsors.
For the last 18 months, we had to build more classes, accommodating children up to 16 years old. That, and the COVID-19 global situation, brought us in great need of sponsors and help. We offer two meals a day and clothing to all our students. Maintenance costs, teaching staff and material is vital to be financed seamlessly. We could not stress enough how important it is for the children to finish school and start their lives without fear.
Research conducted by Rigissa Megalokonomou from the University of Queensland and Professor Victor Lavy from the University of Warwick, has shown how gender bias has long-term impacts on students’ performance and their post-school study choices.
In a piece for The Conversation, Megalokonomou explained how their research was looking at the question: “if you have a pro-boy maths teacher, how does it affect students’ performance in the subject a year later and their likelihood of enrolling in a maths degree two years later?”
To answer this question, the researchers used administrative data from Greece that matched students, teachers and classrooms. The study sample included more than 400 teachers from 21 high schools over eight years. The data recorded the progress of students from grade 10 through to grade 12, and was linked with university admission.
In the end, it became clear that male students who had a pro-boy maths teacher in grade 11 did better in maths in grade 12. The opposite happened to female students in their maths class – they did significantly worse the next year.
For female students, teacher biases also had a significant effect on the chosen field of study at university.
Female students who had pro-boy teachers in maths or physics in grade 11 were less likely to enrol in university maths or physics courses two years later. Teacher gender biases seem to have little effect on male students’ degree choices.
According to Ms Megalokonomou, this research shows that from a policy perspective, training that improves teacher quality will also likely reduce gender discrimination in schools.
The Sacred Monastery of the Holy Archangels in Levin, New Zealand is in the process of having its walls covered in religious icons, stuff.co.nzreports.
For the past two years iconographer Maria Pagu, a Romanian woman who is Greek Orthodox, has been painting images inside the church.
The first thing you notice when you look up is a depiction of Jesus Christ, the Christ Pantocrator, on the small dome at the top of the church.
The images on the walls inside the monastery are starting to take shape. Photo: Warwick Smith / Stuff.
The lower walls of the church are yet to be painted, but Ms Pagu has been making her way down.
“This is a conservation job, it’s something we create new. This is like my baby,” Ms Pagu told stuff.co.nz.
The iconographer was asked by members of the church in Levin to help with the painting and now the abbot of the monastery, Father Meletios Pantic, says he’s grateful to finally see the icons on the walls.
Hilton and Ionian Hotel Enterprises announced recently the signing of an agreement for a new hotel and private residences to be created in central Athens.
Under the agreement, the luxury brands Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Residences and Waldorf Astoria Residences will launch operations in Greece as they oversee the transformation of the emblematic Hilton Athens hotel into an innovative and multipurpose destination offering high-quality hospitality, residences and multiple culinary and entertainment experiences and more to Greek and foreign visitors.
Based on the agreement, as of 2024, Hilton Athens will be renamed Conrad Athens.
The new destination is a strategic investment worth more than 130 million euros by Ionian Hotel Enterprises, in additional to the initial investment of around 145 million euros spent on the purchase of the building.
Hilton Athens opened its doors in 1963 as the first unit of an international hotel chain in Greece, contributing toward establishing Athens as a top tourism destination.
A Labor majority in the Inner West Council is up in the air after requests for a recount in two wards, The Sydney Morning Heraldreports.
Zoi Tsardoulias and Timothy Stephens became the party’s seventh and eighth representatives on the 15-person council following the declaration of results on Monday, with their elections to the second Labor spot in Marrickville-Midjuburi and Leichhardt-Gulgadya wards respectively.
However, independent Victor Macri is calling for a recount to scrutinise Ms Tsardoulias’ narrow win in Marrickville-Midjuburi.
“It’s nothing personal against Zoi, she’s a fantastic person and I have a lot of respect for her,” Mr Macri told the newspaper.
Victor Macri is calling for a recount to scrutinise Ms Tsardoulias’ narrow win in Marrickville-Midjuburi.
Mr Macri explained how a high percentage of informal votes went to Labor and he wanted them “looked at” to “make sure they’re okay.”
Labor’s majority in Leichhardt-Gulgadya may also be reviewed following a request for a recount after former Liberal councillor Vittoria Raciti, who ran as an independent in the December 4 polls, failed to win a spot.
A recalculation of results could influence the council’s treatment of the successful vote to de-merge the amalgamated council into its three predecessors, Marrickville, Ashfield and Leichhardt.
Developed as a hobby project in 2008 by Athens-based visual effects artist Dimitris Tsalkanis, the Ancient Athens 3D website presents a series of digital reconstructions of the city through time, from the Mycenaean Bronze Age (1600 BC) to the Early Modern period (AD 1833).
The project’s latest video, launched in November, showcases Classical Athens at the height its power in the late 5th century BC, in the years before its defeat by Sparta and their allies in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC).
The 12-minute video, rendered in spectacular detail, takes the viewer on a fly-through of the city’s neighborhoods, circling its famous monuments, temples, civic buildings and marketplaces. Each monument is accompanied by a short description.
The 5th century BC was a time of unparalleled change in the history of Athens. Partly destroyed by the invading Persian army in the years 480-479 BC, the extensive rebuilding program that ensued, accelerated by the great statesman and general Pericles in the second half of the century, made it the center of the Greek world.
During this period, dubbed the “Golden Age of Pericles,” the arts, sciences and philosophy flourished in Athens, laying the cultural and political foundations of Western civilization.
Ancient Athens 3D was developed to present photorealistic digital reconstructions of the city and all of its monuments from 1600 BC to AD 1830. The project began with the first experimental 3D models of the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, based on published archaeological and architectural data from scientific journals.
As the digital technology evolved, further reconstructions were added, and the site’s popularity grew. Great attention has been given to historical and archaeological accuracy in each of the videos, successfully communicating the development of urban planning through the ages.
In his work, Dimitris Tsalkanis has collaborated on projects with the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports, as well as museums and local municipalities. His 3D reconstructions offer a superb educational platform, bringing ancient Athens to life for a wide range of audiences, from school children to academic researchers.
