This Thursday the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) are hosting a seminar on the life and impact of Joice Nankivell Loch, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in Australian history.
Sociologist Dr Harry Ballis will deliver the lecture titled “Rediscovering Joice Nankivell Loch” at the Greek Centre.
Dr Ballis’s exploration of Loch’s life began nearly a decade ago, driven by his research into his Greek ancestry and the broader history of the diaspora.
His initial curiosity was sparked after he read ‘Blue Ribbons Bitter Bread’, a book about Loch, and while it was an extended autobiography of Loch, Ballis still had several questions.
“I first heard about Joice Nankivell Loch from a colleague at Monash University who knew I was researching my Greek ancestry and the expulsion of thousands of diaspora Hellenes, including my Yiayia Soultana, from Asia Minor in 1922,” Ballis said in a media release.
“While Blue Ribbons Bitter Bread initially captured my interest, it also prompted many questions about both Joice Loch and the book itself.”
He found the book’s research lacking saying it “read like an extended version of Joice’s own ‘autobiography’ and seemed under-researched; it referenced only a few of Joice’s letters and a small number of newspaper articles.”
In the upcoming lecture, Baillis will share insights from his extensive search for primary sources and provide a detailed account of his rediscovery of Joice Nankivell Loch.
He has found discrepancies in the widely accepted narrative, and hopes to offer a more accurate portrayal of Loch’s contributions and significance.
When: Thursday September 5, 7pm
Where: The Greek Centre, Mezzanine Level, 168 Lοnsdale Street Melbourne
Info: Call the GCM on +61 3 9662 2722 or email: info@greekcommunity.com.au
