Greek Australian Sophie Cotsis has retained her seat in the NSW Legislative Assembly by a very comfortable margin.

Tipped as highly likely to take on a ministerial portfolio in the state’s new Minns Labor Government, her brother Bill Cotsis, a regular Neos Kosmos contributor, wrote our offices detailing the significance of his sister’s achievement.

“Sophie retains the seat of Canterbury, where we were born, with 75 per cent of the vote and an 8.9 per cent swing in Labor’s favour,” he says.

“She was ably supported by a range of community supporters and especially the Greek community as her electorate takes in Earlwood, parts of Kingsgrove, Canterbury and Belmore where many Greek speakers live.”

“Canterbury is a place of real diversity and a reflection of multicultural Sydney.”

Sophie Cotsis’ victory event was hosted at Mytilenean House in the suburb of Canterbury, a venue Bill says “is very important to our family.”

“We’re from Lesbos, my parents came here with almost nothing, they had a primary school education and poverty was their friend when they were children…”

“There was no chance that one of their children would end up being a minister elect in government, let alone representing our area,” Bill tells Neos Kosmos.

Low and behold that is just what happened.

“Labor and especially Gough Whitlam opened their hearts to migrants in the 1970’s,” he explains.

“My sister hosted Gough once at a Kingsgrove Branch meeting when she was young and I was a teenager. It changed my world as I saw what an inspiring man he was.”

“I met former NSW Premier Morris Iemma at a similar meeting. Another wonderful man who showed what migrants’ kids can achieve,” Bill notes.

Sophie Cotsis. Photo: Supplied

“This is what Labor is, it has diversity and opportunities for those who can work hard and believe in making a difference to society.”

Bill says that the significance of his parents seeing their daughter take on a role in government cannot be understated.

“Being from Lesbos and seeing your daughter get into government at Mytilenean House is a big deal for my parents. It was the Mytilenean Brotherhood who really embraced people like them when I was growing up so of course it’s a special moment for our family,” he admits.

“We were never called a wog or a greasy Greek at Mytilenean House, we were simply people from Lesbos sharing our culture.”

“We’re all very proud of Chris, Sophie and Steve Kamper, whose father used to do my dad’s taxes when we lived in Canterbury.”

Bill also highlighted the “civility and class” shown by outgoing Premier Dominic Perrottet and the new Premier Chris Minns.

“Both men deserve big praise for their wonderful and respectful campaigns.”

Sophie Cotsis’ parents hand out ballots for newly elected NSW Premier Chris Minns on election day. Photo: Supplied