Almost 70 years ago, in 1952, a bilateral agreement signed between Greece and Australia changed the future of many families and helped shape multicultural Australia as we know it today.
Hundreds of thousands of Greeks made the decision to embark on an ‘immigrant’ ship like Patris, Ellinis and Australis to sail Down Under.
The journey was long, and in some cases lasted up to two months – depending on weather conditions. It remained in the hearts and minds of travellers as an epic voyage, and in some cases resulted in life events taking place on the vessel, such as marriages.
Once in Australia, the point of entry was Melbourne with Princes Pier marking the first impression of their new homes.
Thus, it thus comes as no surprise that the site was chosen to host the inaugural ‘Greek Migrant Reunion Picnic’ an event seeking to bring together Greek migrants who arrived at any seaport in Australia, with the invitation extended to their descendants, families and friends.
READ MORE: A celebration of migration at the piers
The initiative is spearheaded by Christos Iliopoulos, a passenger of Patris who arrived in Melbourne on 9 March 1960.
An online event invitation can be found on Facebook under the name ‘Greek Migrant Reunion Picnic’.
Displaying a name tag with your full name, date of arrival, point of entry and name of the ship you travelled with, will make it easier to meet up with your fellow passengers.
Attendees may wish to bring a picnic basket, folding chairs, sunhats and anything else they might need to make their stay comfortable for the duration of the event.
Prepare yourselves for a trip down memory lane filled with chats and emotions.
Greek Migrant Reunion Picnic
Monday 9 March (Labour Day) 11am – 3pm.
Melbourne, Princess Pier
READ MORE: Ellinis; Australis; Patris; Australian designs the ships that brought Greek migrants to Australia
