The links that the Greek public broadcaster had created with the Australian Greek population for decades are now severed and we are now culturally destitute

2013 has been a significant year for Australia and Greece, especially for the Greek communities all over Australia. Milestones were celebrated for the Greek communities of Darwin and Adelaide, while the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria saw their vision become a reality with the commencement of the construction of the Cultural Centre.
Politically, however, 2013 was a time of momentous change, with the Abbott government winning the election in September. The change of government has had far reaching impact on the Greek community of Australia – some positive and some negative. And, with this came another fall out – the impact it had on Greek Australian MPs in federal government, with Steve Georganas – a long-standing South Australian Labor MP and Sophie Mirabella, Liberal Party, both losing their seats at the 2013 election.
“I was particularly upset about Steve [Georganas] losing his seat, and despite what people might think, I enjoy a good relationship with Sophie Mirabella so from a colleague point of view her absence was unexpected,” says Federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou on the two Greek Australian Federal MPs.
“Steve and I worked on a lot of things together and he had a keen interest in the Greek community as I did, and it was good to have him around, not only on that front but he was a good member of parliament for his own constituency.”
In reflective mode, Ms Vamvakinou laments the loss of the Greek Australian politicians, and says she would have expected by now a stronger presence of federal politicians from non-English speaking backgrounds, not a decrease. When she first entered politics she says there were six Greek Australian parliamentarians. In 2013, there are only four. Herself, Federal Liberal MP Nick Varvaris and the two senators, Nick Xenophon and Arthur Sinodinos.
“It’s a setback not only because [Georganas and Mirabella] are of Greek background but because I’d like to see a greater diversity of people in the federal parliament and it’s not changing in a quick manner,” Ms Vamvakinou tells Neos Kosmos.
Along with Mr Georganas, Ms Vamvakinou was instrumental in organising a working holiday visa reciprocal agreement between Australia and Greece, and says as far as she was aware, both countries were ready to sign when the ALP were in power. She says she was told personally by then Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kostas Tsiaras that Greece was ready to sign. She was told by two Labor migration ministers that they had “pen in hand to sign the agreement”.
“I was reassured that there were no issues with the [working holiday visa] agreement and I was told it would go to Greek parliament by September this year and it would be signed,” she says.
“If there is a hitch, where is it?” she asks, “if there is no problem, the question is why hasn’t it been signed?”
Neos Kosmos was told last week by an Australian Immigration Department spokesperson that elements of the Work and Holiday visa agreement – allowing young Greeks and Australians to work in each other’s countries – are still being worked out.
“They’re still working on the details,” said Immigration Chief of Staff Ms Ann Brandon-Baker, who accompanied Minister Scott Morrison to a meeting with Greece’s ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Haris Dafaranos.
For state politics, we were saddened this year by news of the resignation of Victorian Labor MP John Pandazopoulos, who after more than 25 years in public office, stated last month he will not be seeking renomination for the seat of Dandenong at the 2014 state election.
“It’s time to take a punt, have a rest, and change my life,” Mr Pandazopoulos told Neos Kosmos last month. A true advocate for the Greek community in not only Melbourne, but the whole of Australia, Mr Pandazopoulos is widely respected for his work in promoting Australia’s relationship with Greece. Even though he is taking a back seat from politics, he says he will still pursue issues close to his heart.
The far-right party Golden Dawn made headlines again this year, both in Australia and Greece. Speaking at this year’s Lonsdale Street Greek Festival, then Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, told Neos Kosmos that political parties such as Golden Dawn will not be “muzzled in Australia”, even though she was quick to point out that there is “no place for that kind of politics in our nation”.
In April this year, mainstream media – and international media – reported on Greek political party Golden Dawn’s presence in Melbourne. The reports – armed with Nazi rhetoric and subsequent fear – informed mainstream Australians that a Greek Nazi party has formed in Australia. But who are Golden Dawn in Melbourne? A 200 strong political party as mainstream media claim, or is it one person blurting rhetoric and propaganda from a Hotmail account? Do they really exist? Should we be concerned?
“This is nothing more than misinterpreted information,” Nicholas Kotsiras, Victorian Minister for Multiculturalism and Citizenship, told Neos Kosmos in April. “It is wrong and simply propaganda in an attempt to win some sympathy.”
He said that Golden Dawn has “no place in Greece” and is not and will never be welcomed in Melbourne.
The truth is we have no proof that Golden Dawn actually exists in Melbourne, that they have a party. A few people seen at a march wearing a Golden Dawn jumper should hardly ignite concern and fear that they will create – or have created – a chapter here in Melbourne. After all, their policies on immigration go against the very grain, the very nature of Greek Australian existence in the Antipodes. Hypocrisy at its worst; thy name is Golden Dawn.
Golden Dawn made more than waves in Greece following the stabbing murder of hip hop artist Pavlos Fyssas; the 35-year-old man arrested was said to have ties to Golden Dawn. Following his arrest, Greek police then raided the offices of Golden Dawn in Athens and following an investigation, confirmed the man in question had ties to the party. What followed was a major police crackdown on the Golden Dawn office, and the arrests of several party members, including party leader Nikolaos Michaloliakos
The impact of the crisis in Greece was still being felt in Australia, with Greeks migrating, needing help and many Greek Australian organisations taking it upon themselves to raise funds and do what they can to help their fellow Hellene. The troika and Greece are still in discussions over an agreement in austerity measures.
Another victim of the crisis was the closure of the state broadcaster of Greece ERT. In Australia, major community organisations, educators, ERT viewers and the national journalists’ union, came out strongly condemning the closure of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), established 75 years ago.
“The links that the Greek public broadcaster had created with the Australian Greek population for decades are now severed and we are now culturally destitute,” said a spokesperson for the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV). “ERT was the only free to air TV broadcaster and for many elderly Greek Australians the daily program provided solace during their retirement years.”
From our community’s perspective, 2013 was an incredibly successful year filled with milestones and magic. Darwin Festival celebrated 25 years of existence, while the Adelaide Glendi not only celebrated 35 years of providing South Australia with the biggest multicultural festival in the state, but also returned to the paniyiri style setting of its primary years. Harry Danalis was re-elected as president of the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales. And the Greek Film Festival celebrated its 20th year with a stellar program of Greek film as well as a Best of Program highlighting some of the more popular films that were screened throughout its twenty years. This year, the Greek Film Festival was held in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane.
“From our end, it’s been a year of spectacular achievement and also participation,” says Bill Papastergiadis, president, GOCMV, adding “all in all, it’s been a really positive year for us.”
And not only with the construction of the Cultural Centre; the achievement of the excellent VCE results of their day school Alphington Grammar has placed it in the top 50 schools in Victoria. Membership for the community has increased, and participation in events such as the seminar series shows the engagement the GOCMV has with its members and the wider Australian community.
News that one of Greece’s most iconic and significant cultural institutions, the Benaki Museum, is set to have a permanent collection in Melbourne’s own Hellenic Museum was a cultural coup for 2013. Alongside the permanent collection, the Hellenic Museum is set to be exhibiting exclusive Benaki blockbuster exhibitions over their 10 year agreement.
In sport, we were delighted to see Ange Postecoglou selected as the coach of the national Australian football team, the Socceroos. Postecoglou will spearhead Australia’s campaign in the 2014 World Cup, with Australia coined in The Guardian this week as the country with the toughest World Cup draw. Greece also made it into the 2014 World Cup, and – unlike Australia – they have a good chance of making it to the round of 16.
And sadly, we said good bye to many stalwarts in our community – people who have shaped and paved the way for Hellenes and Philhellenes in Australia including: John Poulios, a well-known member of the Greek community, former state president of AHEPA, a 3XY broadcaster and also involved in the advertising department of Neos Kosmos; Theodoros Patrikareas, Greek Australian community, journalist and author; Con Karavitis, former president of the Pallaconian Brotherhood and pillar of the community; Mary Revis, significant personality in the Greek community, and pioneer of the fashion stakes of Melbourne; and Stephen Comino, lawyer who pioneered the use of the legal system to defend wildlife and human rights.
And now, as we are set to say good bye to another year and welcome 2014, we thank you for your support in 2013 and look forward to reporting on the issues that impact our community and our dearest and closest to our hearts. Kales giortes.