Many second and third generation Greek Australians have strong ties to their grandparents. Greek migrant culture often places great importance on family, but in a way that is more centred around the age old saying “it takes a village to raise a child”.

In this way, having grandparents so heavily involved with childrearing and being around so often basically meant having a second set of parents.

NUGAS committee members Anna Macris and Yianna Vasiliadis share the greatest lessons they were taught by their own grandparents and how they honour their legacy carrying them forward.

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Anna Macris

My grandparents have played a vital role in my life. They have been my second parents, role models, strongest supporters and my toughest critics. Over the years I have shared many memories with them that I will cherish for the rest of my life, particularly since some have passed away.

The greatest lesson that my grandparents have taught me is the importance of appreciating what you have and the importance of a strong work ethic. In their early adult years, my grandparents left Greece and their families behind in order to pursue a better future. Most of my grandparents did not finish school and had limited English speaking abilities, which my generation may take for granted.

When they migrated to Australia they started from scratch and took a risk, leaving behind a familiar environment and their parents. Although this was difficult, the possibility of more opportunities made the long journey worthwhile.

Years later with spouses, young families and regular work, the big decision to migrate was well justified. Without the presence and support of their own parents in Australia, they managed to raise their children and in turn help raise their grandkids without question.

The initial decision to move, paved the way for me to be able to pursue my dream career. The sacrifices they made and the values they taught both my parents and myself have provided me with more opportunity than they could have ever imagined.

The initial doubts they may have had when they first arrived were always overcome by their desire for a brighter future for themselves and for their families. When they first arrived they took whatever jobs were available, in order to get by and to set up a future for their family.

Hearing these stories and listening to the emotion they had when explaining these memories depicted to me were touching.  These were tough moments in their lives, yet still, a worthwhile one. Although life may seem tough sometimes, my grandparents have taught me to be patient, resilient and to make the most of every situation.

I am extremely lucky to have such amazing grandparents and I will always treasure their wise words and the risks they took in order to give me a better life. I hope that I will be able to pass on these lessons to my own family in the future.

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Yianna Vasiliadis

I think the greatest lesson my pappou ever taught me when he was alive, was the value of family. This value is something that I hold close to my heart because, like any other first-generation Greek-Australian, your grandparents became your second parents when your parents had work.

You get raised as if you were theirs and I’m proud to say that this man unconditionally loved his family taught us to how to value it in the same way.

Family is something you don’t think twice about, everyone has them and you either get along with them or you don’t. To my pappou however, family was everything. Family is the people you go to for comfort and the people you turn to when you are lost and in need of guidance. I still remember the sad looks he would give my sisters and me when we fought in front of him. It would pain him to see us fight the way we did. He never yelled when he told us off. Instead, his voice was low and calm as he proceeded to say something along the lines of… “Please don’t fight, it hurts me to see you guys fight. You shouldn’t be fighting with each other because you never know what might happen. You must love each other and be there for one another”.

I never understood why he would say this and like a typical 11-year-old in that moment, I brushed it off as another lecture. It wasn’t until I grew up, matured a lot more, and stopped taking my family for granted that I understood the full magnitude of his words.

He was talking about the potential for regret that if something were to happen, the last moments would be of anger towards one another, instead of love. Although my sisters and I still get into fights to this day, this lesson has taught me to always make up with family before leaving the house because nothing is worse than regret. No argument is worth the pain that might occur if something were to happen to a family member you were in an argument with.

I’m glad I got to learn this lesson from him, I’m glad that I get to tell people where I learned my family values from. It allows me to still hold a piece of him so close to my heart, even though he is not physically here anymore.