The Greek exhibition From Petronis and Ekaterina to Peter and Catherine: Greek Journeys Through Bonegilla was opened in Wodonga last Friday by the Minister of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras.
The exhibition features rare photos, artefacts and documents when addressing an audience of over 100 Greek Australians their families and officials, who went through Bonegilla.
“Over 300,000 migrants have come through Bonegilla in that period of mass migration to Australia from war torn Europe” Mr Kotsiras said
“It is in Bonegilla where multiculturalism was born, regardless of the original intention of assimilation. It was here that Greeks, Italians, Poles, Russians, Dutch, Germans and others met, communicated, shared and exchanged stories, ideas and cultures,” Mr Kotsiras said.
“These post war immigrants had a profound impact on Australia’s society, culture, and economy.”
The Mayor of Mayor of Wodonga Cr Mark Byatt also heralded the importance of the Greek community to Australia and to the local community. “We think of the Greek community as our community here in Wodonga and as the Minister passionately expressed it, Bonegilla was the beginning of multiculturalism.” Cr Byatt said.
The exhibition includes objects Greek immigrants brought with them including tools, costumes, musical instruments and passports. IT also features documentation of the first families to arrive through the 500 Greek Farmers project as part of Australia’s post war immigration program.
Paul Loustas from the Albury-Wodonga Greek Orthodox Church went on to bless the exhibition which has received $13,000 from the Victorian Government through the Victorian Multicultural Commission.