A colossal task is finally complete: the Dardalis Archives have been sorted, listed, digitised and are now available online for everyone to ‘leaf through’.
What matters now is that the massive archives, which for years were stored in boxes, be put to use, displayed and exhibited for the benefit of the public. The archival process was a commitment made by LaTrobe University, which took over the task, housing the archives within a now defunct school in its campus. The archives are spread in 18 rooms, and are still, in their better part, stored in boxes, due to lack of space. Some of the material is already displayed in the corridor; it comprises traditional costumes and small samples of the collections donated by members of the community, such as the late Alfred Kouris and Stathi Raftopoulos. In a room calling out for renovations, there is another display of photographs, part of which appears in our pages.
A priceless collection of books is still stored, meticulously listed and sorted out, away from the public’s reach; one could reasonably ask why the books are not on the shelves, to which the answer is that there are no shelves, nor proper room for them; however, they are available at moments notice for researchers who wish to gain access to them.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVATION
LaTrobe University had committed to fund a program, spanning three years, to create an inventory, evaluate and post the material online, so that it can be accessible not only to researchers, but to anyone interested. This commitment was the result of a judicial process, led by Tasos Revis, chairman of the Society of Hellenic Studies, who undertook the cost.
“It has always been, and remains my belief, that it would be a tragic, if not unpardonable, mistake to remain still and leave things to their fate after the Univesity shut down its National Centre for Hellenic Studies and Research, in December 2008. I would personally consider it a major defeat if we didn’t take action. I was willing to rescue them at whatever cost. Now that all this material is online, I feel satisfied and, in a way, vindicated. The fight that we put, along with Nikos Katris, Spiros Robotis, George Pagalis, George Papadopoulos, all the members of the committee, was not in vain,” he says.
As to how he evaluates the challenge ahead, which is to put the material to use, he believes that “great caution” should be implemented.
“We need to estimate our potential, what we can do as a community, what to demand and what we’re willing to contribute ourselves. One thing is for certain; we should not stand still. We need to show that the community is interested in the future of the Dardalis Archives. That we are willing to effectively contribute to put the material to use. From its part, the University went on to preserve, organise and post the archives; they are also committed to preserving it indefinitely, under certain conditions. It is understandable that they now request the community’s contributions in order to go forward. For the time being it is being used by researchers, but in my opinion, we need to establish a closer and broader collaboration with the Hellenic Studies Program. I reckon that the Dardalis Archives can be valuable as a tool to study language, but also culture and mainly the history of the Greek Australians”, states Mr Revis.
AFTER THE MARATHON
A few days ago, we had a brief meeting with the Dardalis Archives team: professor Christopher Mackie, librarian Eva Finch, Leonidas Veikos and Michael Protopapas, who took us on a guided tour of the archives’ new home, and realise what it means to win such a ‘marathon race’.
“The archives are here and are alive,” Professor Mackie responds, when we ask ‘what now’. They are at the disposal of researchers, who already use this material in their relevant fields of study.
“But, in order to do more, we need input from the Greek community and its organisations, and we’ve yet to see any expression of interest on their part. Only this way could we proceed in really ambitious projects, such as an exhibition in the premises of one of the many Greek organisations. We’re already planning a thematic exhibition, focusing on Greek football.”
For her part, Eva Finch, the librarian in charge of the process of sorting out and posting material online, insists on the material’s vitality.
“It is relatively easy for the material to travel, and we’re open to suggestions,” she says. “We have a lot to learn from other centres possessing similar material, such as the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; during a recent trip there, I met with some of its members and we exchanged ideas on future collaborations.”
ADDITIONS TO THE ARCHIVES
One of the key issues for the future of the archives is that of possible additions to the material, something that is of interest for the Society of Hellenic Studies.
“I know that there is a treasure hidden in the homes of our fellow community members, and some of this material could be added to what is already established,” says Mr. Revis.
“I would say that the archives could play a major role as the ark of the Hellenic diaspora. We’re already discussing potential collaborations with other centres of the diaspora.” This may prove to be difficult, as Mr Mackie all but dismisses the idea of additions made to the specific collection, due to lack of space.
“What can be done,” he says, “is working with organisations such as the Greek Community of Melbourne, which is in possession of relevant material. We have the know-how and we’re more than happy to provide it.”
George Pagalis, after all, represents the GCM in the Committee of Hellenic Studies and the Community’s president, Bill Papastergiadis, has often expressed his support to this project, deeming it “an integral part of the community’s core, showcasing not only its traditions, but also its achievements in Australia”.
The GCM and its current board recently got to organising their own archives, commissioning Juliana Harpantidou to research and write the organisation’s history.
“The Dardalis Archives are a real treasure,” she says. “I never anticipated coming across all this wealth of material, a real treat for anyone doing research on the presence of Greek migrants in Australia.”
ACCESSIBILITY IS THE KEY
We asked Dr Maria Herodotou, head of the Greek Studies Department at LaTrobe University, to offer her insight on ways that the program could use the archives.
“Historically, the Greek Studies Department preceded the National Centre for Hellenic Studies and Research,” she says. “The latter’s creation led to different entities; on one hand the Greek Studies Program had a strictly academic and research role, as well as offering post-graduate studies, while the centre was doing the research and collection of archival material and collaborating with universities and community organisations. It is wrong to assume that the two entities did not collaborate; in fact they did collaborate as members of the faculty they took part in the centre’s committees, while the centre’s director was also teaching and supervising MA and PhD papers for the program.
“What we are mostly concerned about at the moment is how to further develop the Greek Studies Program and then, how to use the Dardalis Archives. This could create the potential for further research and further development of post-graduate programs, which should be one of the basic objectives. This should exceed the Greek boundaries. The material should be made known and accessible to all universities, in Australia and abroad, studying the issue of migration, diaspora, multiculturalism etc.
“This is why accessibility is important, and why digitisation is important, as it allows for everyone to have direct access. So far, the archives have often been used by students and members of the faculty of the Greek Studies Program, as a basis for diatribes and scientific announcements. This could be enhanced.
“Furthermore, the archives can be instrumental in the promotion of Greek Studies. This can be achieved through establishing relationships with community and state schools, organised visits to campuses, exhibitions and conferences. But first, the university needs to decide whether it will permanently house the archives, and whether they’re going to hire the experienced staff needed. That’s why it all starts with accessibility.”
Professor Mackie has some further insight: “At the moment, we’re considering merging the Greek Studies Program with the archives and hire the academic and other staff needed,” he says, stating this as the ideal solution.
“I am not in a position to go into specifics as yet, given that we’re still in discussions. For the time being, the archives are part of the library, but that will stop at the end of the year.”
One more reason to act fast and reach the right decisions, bearing in mind the future of the archives, as well as the further development of the Greek Studies Program.
