The late Palasa Salvi honoured with garden named after her in Goulburn

·

The late Palasa Salvi (Miriklis) has been honoured with a garden named after her. The garden in Howard Park, Goulburn, was officially opened on Tuesday.

There was a large turnout of family and friends for the opening, which flourished into a reunion of for the Greek and Italian communities of Goulburn.

Palasa Salvi was a migrant from Greece who ran The Empire Cafe, in Goulburn, from 1949. She was nominated for Gouldburn’s Lilac Queen competition in 1953 to represent the Greek community, and won the award.

Not only was she crowned the Lilac Queen, but she helped build the bridge between post-war migrants and cultural integration into local Australian communities.

Palasa’s family came from the war-ravaged Greek island of Kastellorizo.

In a short memoir she wrote before her death, she said winning the competition altered her life.

“The confined life of a Greek migrant was suddenly changed,” she wrote.

“Non-Greeks had helped our efforts and shown a new warmth. Overnight I was well-liked and a town celebrity. I raised my sights.”

Young Palasa Miriklis married Peter Salvi and together they ran the Empire Fish Cafe.

Mrs Salvi, who died in November 2017, remained a big supporter of the country’s longest-running festival.

At the opening of the garden, Goulburn Mulware Mayor Bob Kirk paid tribute to her and her family.

“She was very much a bridge between the local Greek and Italian and wider communities,” Kirk said.

“She was a model of post-war multicultural integration.”

“She helped out with the Crescent School, St Saviour’s Neighbourhood Centre and the Greek Church,” he said.

“It is fitting that the council has chosen to dedicate this garden to her and even more fitting to do so at the start of Lilac Time.”

Her son Bepi Salvi also spoke at the opening.

“Mum had three identities. She was a proud Greek. She was accepted in the Italian community, but she was always Goulburn,” he said.

“Back in those days, the Greek community was 150 strong and they did quite well. She loved her Greek community here and there are a lot of them still here and they contribute a lot to the city.”

Gary Groves also spoke, saying Palasa was symbolic of the post-war contribution migrants made to Australia.

“When she arrived here, she could have held back, hurt by a slurry of anti-migrant jests, but instead she reached out, befriended all and sundry and volunteered on many fronts in a six-decade-long engagement with the Goulburn community,” he said.

Lilac bushes have been planted along the boundary of the garden. Goulburn’s Lilac City Festival returns this weekend.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

From Metallica to Maritime: The many lives of Greek shipping tycoon Harry Vafias

Though Greek shipping tycoon, Harry Vafias, spends much time working, it certainly isn't a case of 'all work and no play.’

‘I want them to know their word matters’: Peter Georgiou stands against gender violence

Peter Georgiou, a real estate agent from Rushcutters Bay and father of four-year-old twins Leila and Lola, believes change begins at home.

Thessaloniki’s Byzantine walls to shine with new light project

Thessaloniki’s iconic Byzantine Walls are set to be illuminated under a major cultural initiative announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Greek World Heritage Cities face rising climate threats

Iconic Greek cities—Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes, and Patmos—face serious climate threats, according to a new UNESCO-backed report.

Are apps like Duolingo enough to learn Greek, or do we need a tutor?

For many people who want to learn conversational Greek, an app, can be a very useful addition to your program.

You May Also Like

Vassilis Spanoulis makes final cut for EuroLeague All-Decade Team

Spanoulis was voted by fans, media, players and coaches was recognised by EuroLeague as, "one of the best clutch players European basketball has ever seen."

Record price expected for Bill Papas’ waterfront holiday home

Liquidators are pressing ahead with the sale of alleged fraudster Bill Papas' luxury holiday home on the NSW Central Coast.

Archbishop Makarios of Australia marks the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Crete

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has issued a message to mark the 84th anniversary of the Battle of Crete today, May 20.