Dimitris Gogos, the founding publisher of Neos Kosmos, Australia’s largest Greek media outlet, died on Monday, 20 May. Dimitris (Takis) Gogos followed, like many of our elders, that great wave of post-War migration, now crossing River Acheron.

Born on 13 February, 1931, on the island of Chios, Gogos’ parents were refugees from Asia Minor. He immigrated to Melbourne in 1950 and worked at General Motors Holden and other jobs before turning exclusively to his trade and passion, journalism. Dimitris founded Melbourne’s Neos Kosmos newspaper at the age of 26 in 1957, alongside his partner Nondas Pezaros and Christos Mourikis who joined later. It is important to note that many progressive Greek Australians who fought for the rights of migrants  initially assisted  Neos Kosmos.

Over the last ten years dementia reaped its cruel reward on Dimitris. It harvested the best from an intelligent, entrepreneurial, cosmopolitan, progressive and witty mind. If not for the disease Dimitris, who had ink running through his veins, would be in his office to his final day, scanning newspapers and reading every report in Neos Kosmos.

Regardless of the miasma of dementia clouding Dimitris’ mind, he was always confident that he was loved. His family loved him deeply, as did his long term carer and dear friend, Mark, who developed a special bond during his final years.

Dimitris also felt the love of his editors, journalists, Neos Kosmos staff, friends and the Greek community. Sotiris Hatzimanolis, the paper’s editor-in-chief with forty years at the paper, stood by Dimitris and emerged as one of his close friends and confidants.

READ MORE: Farewell Dimitri Gogos: Obituary for a great publisher that the NK family will miss

Dimitris led a good life. As Aristotle would have it, he did what was ‘good for most’. Dimitris was at the rudder of key struggles and lobbied for the Greek community relentlessly. At the same time, he was a staunch advocate for multiculturalism. Dimitris fought racism, social and economic injustice, yet never lost his human touch and great sense of humour.

Many policies adopted by Labor and Liberal governments found their first outing in the pages of Neos Kosmos.

Dimitris knew that the hundreds of thousands of Greeks that abandoned their cities and villages, leaving behind post war political uncertainty and poverty had a thirst for a good newspaper. Greeks in factories, those pouring concrete and bitumen, labouring on farms, sweating over deep fryers, running restaurants all needed independent journalism and balanced comment. They knew that Neos Kosmos was the conduit for their voices. Now their children many of them professionals, lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, artists and writers still look to Neos Kosmos as do their children in their teens and twenties.

Dimitris’ input in the foundation of festivals such as the Lonsdale Street Greek Festival, ensured progressive Greek culture continues to flourish.
The resilience and growth of Neos Kosmos was at the core of Dimitris Gogos’ vision. Neos Kosmos’ ability to respond to social, political, and technological changes was born of Dimitris’ restless and relentless craving for the new. Over forty years ago he introduced the first English language supplement, which is now a stand-alone paper and Australia’s leading online media publication in Greek and English.

READ MORE: South Melbourne FC to pay special tribute to Neos Kosmos founder, Dimitri Gogos in Sunday’s match

Dimitris’ son, Christopher, who has held the reigns of Neos Kosmos since the turn of the century, has stewarded the growth and modernisation of the paper by augmenting its online presence. Journalistic independence, a search for balance and truth, as well as a love of social, economic progress, and cultural openness, underscore the Neos Kosmos ethos and they were at the core of Dimitris’ legacy.

Dimitris Gogos was a pioneer, journalist, publisher, and always a great bon vivant. All will miss him.