The increasing number of Greek nationals trying to make a new start in Australia, and who are facing difficulties in settling, prompted the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV) and the Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) to come together last week to find new ways to assist.
The meeting, which was chaired by the GOCMV’s president Mr Bill Papastergiadis, secretary Mr Kostas Markos and AGWS’s President Voula Mesimeris, was also attended by representatives of 25 other organisations
The first agenda item discussed, was how GOCMV was continuing to encourage movement towards the bilateral agreement between the Australian and Greek governments on Working Holiday Visas, which will give Greeks aged 18 to 30 the right to work in Australia for up to 12 months.
GOCMV’s president said that after five meetings with Immigration Minister Chris Bowen, he was not optimistic that the bilateral agreement would be signed and implemented any time soon.
“We tried to explain to the Minister that Greek nationals – especially young people – are in despair, with youth unemployment reaching 48 per cent in Greece, and that the issue has reached a stage where a wait of two or three years for this agreement to be finalised is not possible,” said Mr Papastergiadis.
“It is a parody for Australia not to sign the agreement as similar agreements already exist with other countries neighbouring Greece.”
Mr Papastergiadis suggested that the next step should be to encourage the government further by exposing their insensitivity in the media, though he added that he had received a letter from the Minister informing him that the issue is being examined.
The united spirit of the Melbourne community in helping new migrants was also expressed by Mr Nick Mylonas, president of the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) .
Mr Papastergiadis and Mr Markos informed those present of the many emails and calls for help the GOCMV receives on a daily basis, saying that there are new migrants out there who are going through tough times, with some even facing hunger.
This grim reality was confirmed by president of AGWS Mrs Voula Mesimeri,.
“I could never have imagined that I would relive what my father-in-law lived 40 years ago” Mrs Mesimeri said.
“People are hungry, they have nowhere to live. They come to AGWS and they can’t even afford decent clothes to attend job interviews” she said, adding there is an immediate need and that the community needed to act in a coordinated effort.
In terms of action points, the meeting declared that a salaried coordinator be employed in Victoria to oversee arrangements to assist migrants from Greece to Australia. GOCMV pledged $7,000 towards the post.
Mr Ross Alatsas, deputy chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission deputy chair, urged everyone at the meeting to pass the message on to their boards and respective communities. “We need actions, not words” said Mr Alatsas.
