In a lecture titled “Greek-Australian Women and Welfare Advocacy in the 1970s,” esteemed historian and Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies at the Australian National University, Dr Alexandra Dellios, will delve into the significant contributions made by Greek-Australian women in the field of social welfare during the dynamic 1970s.
The seminar, scheduled for Thursday 10 August at the Greek Centre, will provide valuable insights into the pioneering efforts of these women who championed welfare rights, health interpretation, and advocacy for migrant and non-English-speaking communities.
Throughout the era when migrant and ethnic-minority communities were actively demanding changes in the welfare system, these remarkable women emerged as key figures on the frontline of multicultural service delivery.
Working within organizations such as Greek Orthodox Communities, the Australian Greek Welfare Society, the Ecumenical Migrant Centre in Richmond, and state-funded multicultural information and health centers, they addressed the previously unmet needs of their communities.
Drawing from archival work, personal testimonies, and oral histories, Dr. Dellios will shed light on the challenges they faced and the complexities of the social and health issues they tackled.
The seminar will explore their navigation of Anglo-Australian stereotypes within health, legal, and social service systems and how they operated within the evolving context of multiculturalism, first proposed in the early 1970s.
The legacy of these Greek-Australian women in welfare advocacy continues to be relevant today, nearly fifty years since the introduction of national multicultural policies and state multicultural bureaucracies. Their experiences offer new perspectives on the history of migrant social service delivery and the welfare state in Australia.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to delve into a captivating period of history and gain valuable insights into the pioneering efforts of Greek-Australian women in shaping the welfare landscape of Australia.
When: Thursday, 10 August at 7pm
Where: The Greek Centre, 168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
