On Sunday 20 February, awarded journalist and writer Vivienne Morris launched the third volume of her book series Portraits of Hellenes in Antipodes with the assistance of AHEPA Victoria.
The book, documenting the stories and legacy of Greek Australians Down Under was introduced by the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne Bill Papastergiades and presented by Konstantinos Kalymnios in the presence of esteemed members of the community, close friends and fans of the writer’s body of work.
The third volume compliments Ms Morris’ previous books and as a whole is her life’s work, having dedicated the majority of her career as a journalist finding and recording the experiences and achievements of her fellow Greek Australians as well as exposing the issues they have faced as immigrants.
Ms Morris decided years ago to not let the legacy of the many Greeks who migrated to Australia in the 1950s and 1960s go undocumented. As the current generation takes over Ms Morris has selected well known and less well known, nevertheless outstanding Greek Australians, to portray in her book. Seeing the importance of this body of work through the years Ms Morris extended her work to give second generation Greek Australians the opportunity to be represented, understanding their contribution to the fabric of Australian life.
“This is our book, written from the Greek Diaspora for the Greek Diaspora by one of the top chronographers, Ms Vivienne Morris,” said Mr Bill Papastegiadis, highlighting that every story collected and documented in the books features both the struggles and the successes of its protagonists “helping us not only get to know them, but better comprehend them as well. And with this understanding, comes the ability to relate and connect. For me, this is undoubtedly the main characteristic of the book’s existence, its ability to combine two pivotal elements, whet gives life meaning… understanding and connection.”
In his address, Melbourne based solicitor and writer Dean Kalymniou analysed the dynamics developed in the “Portraits” in depth, calling the book “one of its kind”. “The remarkably talented writer Vivienne Morris has managed to combine with impressive skill all the forms of literature styles composing -in her own unique way- the immigration dialect”.
The event ended with the writer herself, introducing her work and explaining what urged her to take on this lifelong project.
“I was primarily interested in having these people’s voices heard clearly and unaltered by me, as truly as could be,” she said.
“The third volume of Portraits of Hellenes in Antipodes completes a triptych, representative of the presence of the the Greek immigrant in the Antipodes but also of the younger generations of Greeks who either arrived in Australia at a young age or were born here. It is simultaneously a modern depiction with the first generation that has been in the frontline departing, that population decreasing with time, the second generation holding the ground and the third generation having a substantial and interesting role,” Ms Morris said.
“The goal has been accomplished, greatly due to the input and contribution of the protagonists themselves who took their part very seriously in terms of narrating their own ‘portrait’, their story and helping complete it with honesty, shedding light to their experiences in Australia and uncovering their struggles and successes, including the reasons that made them migrate and all the challenges that made them stronger.”
“For the entire journey we have had together, I am grateful to them,” Ms Morris said, “for trusting me to bring forward unknown angles of their lives and paint their portraits freely, with ease but also with bright colours and light.”
To find the book visit www.viviennemorris.com.au
