An exhibition of a selection of the significant material housed in the The Dardali Archives was organised in collaboration with Delphi Bank and the Society for Hellenic Studies and Research, (EKME) was launched on Tuesday night at the Delphi Bank in Oakleigh.
Finding Home – Looking for a New Homeland includes materials ranging from photographs from community events across many decades and newspapers and magazines, among them Neos Kosmos from 1958.
Paul Orfanos of Delphi Bank, emphasised the need to open “the wealth of the Dardalis Archives to the wider public” while welcoming the guests.
“The archives provide a unique insight of Greek migration and highlight both the difficulties that Greek immigrants encountered upon their arrival here, the establishment of the Greek-Australian community, and great moments of Hellenism, the Greek Diaspora in Victoria and Australia,” Mr Orfanos said.
Victorian minister for creative industries of Victoria, Steve Dimopoulos officially opened the exhibition highlighting that, it was time for “the history of the Diaspora to extend beyond the Greek community and reach the wider society.”
A sample of the Dardalis Archive on display Photo supplied.
Nick Bisley, the Dean of Humanities at La Trobe University. Photos supplied
Steve Dimopoulos Victorian minister for creative industries. Photos supplied.
The Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Emmanuel Kakavelakis congratulated Delphi Bank and La Trobe University “for this wonderful initiative.”
Nick Bisley, the Dean of Humanities at La Trobe University, where the Dardalis Archives are housed said that this was an important initiative.
Finally, Giorgos Pagalis, the secretary of The Society for Hellenic Studies and Research and Tasos Revis – who worked to save the Dardalis Archives shared their perspective on helping bring this project to life.
The event was attended by representatives of the Dardalis family, Victorian senator Lee Tarlamis, the head of the Greek Program at La Trobe University, Stephie Nikoloudis, and the president of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis.
La Trobe University librarian Jay Glaisyer, coordinated of the event. The Exhibition will hang until the end of October.
Visiting hours for the public and anyone interested are from 10 am to 3.30 pm.
Delphi Bank Branch is located at 15 Atherton Road, Oakleigh.
