Vic govt gives $300,000 to celebrate Greek migration

The 60-year celebration of Greek migration to Australia has been given a boost as the Victorian government announced $300,000 to mark the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Assisted Migration Agreement between Australia and Greece. The announcement was made at the Hellenic Museum on Wednesday, by the Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras, who spoke in both English and Greek on the day.
Mr Kotsiras spoke from the heart on the day emphasising the importance of telling the migrant story, talking about and sharing their experiences.
Thousands of Greeks migrated to Australian following the Assisted Migration Agreement between the two countries in 1952.
"Our migration story is special and needs to be told," Mr Kotsiras said.
The money will be used to fund a series of events to celebrate the anniversary of migration starting in November this year at the Hellenic Museum.
In November, a celebration will occur at the rear of the museum, with singers Maria Farantouris and Yiannis Kotsiras invited from Greece to perform at the event. A sixth month photographic exhibtion entitled Through a Child's Eyes will be launched and will showcase the story of immigration through the eyes of children up to the age of 15. It will highlight their plight, their experiences, expectations, dreams and feelings as they landed in Australia. A concert will be held based on works by Greek Australian composer Tassos Ioannides using selected songs of his that look at the plight of a Greek migrant in Australia.
The director of the Hellenic Museum, John Tatoulis, who also spoke on the day, said these series of events will also launch the new phase of a three-year plan he is working on for the museum.
"The events that we have planned will celebrate and honour the achievements of those pioneering Greek migrants, they are also part of a story, the creation of a narrative for Hellenic culture in Australia," Mr Tatoulis said.
Mr Kotsiras pointed out that the Victorian Coalition Government using these funds to celebrate the 60th anniversary of assisted Greek migration emphasises the importance the government places on multiculturalism.
"Greeks in the 1950s worked long hours as factory and farm labourers and as budding shop keepers but their hard work ensured that they and their children succeeded," said Mr Kotsiras.
The 60th anniversary celebration is a chance to showcase the dreams, aspirations and visions of thousands of migrants leaving a war-torn Europe for a fresh start in Australia.
For more information on the 60 year migration celebration and the series of events, visit the Hellenic Museums website at www.hellenic.org.au/