The death of Peter Williams earlier this week has seen an outpouring of grief from the wider Greek Australian community.
Peter Williams
A former teacher of Murrumbeena High School, this was where he first had the opportunity to fall in love with Greek dance.
He eventually travelled to Greece where he further developed his passion, namely of the Pontian tradition, visiting small villagers and mixing with locals.
On social media, lawyer and freelance journalist Konstantinos Kalymnios reflected on when he first met Peter in 2008 at Pontiaki Koinotita in Brunswick.
“Week after week he would be there, a broad smile on his face, executing the most graceful and refined dance moves. Only Peter could transform Pontian dance into ballet. His enthusiasm was as awe-inspiring as his knowledge and it is fitting that the Greek community adopted him as one of their own. Rest in peace Peter. An entire community will miss you,” Mr Kalymnios wrote.
Diagnosed with an incurable illness, Peter was bedridden, however this did not put a dampener on his infectious spirit and enthusiasm for Greek music and culture.
In an article published in Neos Kosmos last Saturday, Maria Stella Papageorgiou wrote of Peter’s strong connection to the music right until the end.
“A few of his friends visited a few days ago, accompanied by their instruments, to play some of his favourites. Without even realising it, he says he started tapping his feet along to the rhythm, his body and soul still willing him to dance.”
The loss of Peter Williams will be deeply felt within the Greek community, who adopted him as their own.
As Peter himself proclaimed, he is sure to be dancing pontiaka with the angels.