Generations after Kalymnians first arrived in the Top End, Darwin is once again seeing an influx of families from Kalymnos arriving to make a new life in Australia away from the economic strife in Greece.
Honorary Consul for Greece in the Northern Territory, John Anictomatis OAM, told Neos Kosmos that there has been a massive upturn in the numbers of Greeks coming to Darwin in recent months, mostly returning Greek Australians.
“They’re coming back in large numbers. Around ten new arrivals a week on average, mostly expats who have decided it’s too hard back in Kalymnos,” said the former NT Administrator.
“These days there are new faces in church every weekend and I’ve received many enquiries from all over Greece asking how people can come here.”
With over 8000 people of Kalymnian descent living in Darwin, the figure is set to rise dramatically as families re-establish themselves in the Top End.
Drossos Tavlarios, 27, arrived recently with his family after his father’s business on Kalymnos foundered.
“We have our own business there, but it just wasn’t working,” Drossos told Neos Kosmos.
Through family connections he was able to find a job quickly, working as a hospitality and catering supervisor with the Ducks Nuts cafe on Darwin’s waterfront.
“Here you work and you get something,” says Drossos.
“The only thing that was difficult at first was getting used to the tropical heat, especially in the wet season, but now ‘the dry’ has arrived it’s ok.
“It’s very hard for people in Kalymnos now. But Greece has survived worse things so we can survive this too. Perhaps after many years we can go back.”
In light of the continuing surge in interest shown by Greeks wishing to migrate to Australia, NT Government Minister Kon Vatskalis expressed his support this week for a nationwide effort on behalf of state and federal parliamentarians to persuade Canberra to complete the bilateral agreement between Australia and Greece on Working Holiday visas.
“I receive so many unsolicited emails asking for help. But I’m not asking for a special case for Greece, what I am asking for are the same provisions Australia has with other countries,” said Mr Vatskalis.
“I’ve asked my parliamentarian colleagues down south if we can join forces to ask the government to accelerate the process.
“The federal government has never asked state or federal parliamentarians to assist in this. We’re willing to help.”
Neos Kosmos understands negotiations between Australia’s Immigration department and the Greek Government are continuing on the agreement, following a proposal from Greece on the long sought-after arrangement late last year.
The Greek proposal is reported to be similar to the agreement which exists between Australia and Canada that allows people between 18 and 30 years of age to work in each others’ countries for up to two years and has no annual quotas.
Neos Kosmos contacted the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) this week for an update on the visa issue.
Despite neither confirming nor denying discussions were taking place between the two governments, DIAC spokesperson said “The department is considering options that may see the expansion of the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program and … the department is certainly aware of the keen support of the Greek community in Australia for consideration of Greece as a potential partner country under the program.”