As the year comes to a close Neos Kosmos would like to acknowledge and thank our readers and the many Greek Australian community organisations, sporting clubs, and businesses that support us. You are, after all, the story.
Our work is to create the stories that matter to us, as a community, as a global Diaspora and an Omogenia.
This year has been trying; conflicts in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa rage. Climate extremes battered Greece and now Australia. The cost of living has risen, and people here, in Australia and our compatriots in Greece, are doing it tough.
However, the journalists at Neos Kosmos want to continue creating stories that matter to our readers and the community. As journalists, we believe in the public interest. In 2023
we continued to produce authentic and original content and called on the best Greek Australian and Hellenophile contributors for opinions and features. Our mission is to be the agora for ideas, debate, and discussion.
However, that great work over the last 66 years is only possible because you, our readers, buy the paper and now subscribe online. It is only possible because of the community organisations and businesses that advertise with us.
As we become increasingly dependent on digital storytelling, we will rely more on your digital subscriptions from 2024.
Since our establishment in 1957, Neos Kosmos has reflected the ongoing changes in our community. In the post-war migration phase, we were a voice for the large working-class Greek immigrants populating Australia’s factories, farms, and sweatshops. Greek immigrants who worked, hard met adversity and struggled to create a new life in Australia for their children after leaving Greece torn by war and poverty.
Throughout the years, we grew with you and began to tell the stories of immigrants’ great endeavours and successes as they firmly planted themselves in the Australian story.
Greece has changed, and Australia has changed. Increasingly, we told stories of these immigrants’ children – the second generation – and their achievements in science, education, business, politics, and the arts.
The second and third generations now lead community organisations, run innovative businesses, teach young minds, write great books, dance and play music, act, advocate in law courts, run as representatives in our parliaments, do necessary medical and scientific research or achieve athletic excellence – and importantly they are all connected to Neos Kosmos as proud Hellenes.
We tell the story of many generations. We remind all Greek Australians, regardless of status, and where we came from that we narrate our journey in the pages and on the screens of Neos Kosmos.
We were one of the first multicultural mastheads to create stories in Greek and English – we knew that both languages are essential to communication, culture, and learning.
Many now travel back to Greece more often, and realise that Greece is now a modern, innovative democracy. Sadly, many of our elders could only afford to return once or twice in a lifetime.
Through the immediacy of our website in Greek and English and our compelling digital storytelling, Neos Kosmos has become a vocal advocate for the rights of the Diaspora. We are here to ensure that Greeks in the Diaspora are not ignored or patronised by Greek governments.
We recognise the social, cultural, and political diversity that constitutes the Greek Australian Diaspora, and what holds us together is an intangible Hellenic perspective.
No matter who we all are, poor or wealthy, professionals, tradespeople, business leaders, doctors, scientists, artists, or carers – we are all Hellenes.
We believe Hellenism is a universal value to be shared. Yet, we are committed patriots to Australia and Greece and support traditions as much as we progress. We support Greece and Australia on issues of importance on a global level, be it the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, cultural and business exchanges, or the territorial integrity of Greece and Australia.
Neos Kosmos fought hard for multiculturalism, and we continue to promote cross-cultural understanding. We promote and fight for the maintenance of Greek studies in our schools and universities and support women’s rights, Indigenous rights, and marriage equality.
We support and laud entrepreneurship, scientific innovation, the arts and culture. Why? Because, as our tagline says, we have a Hellenic Perspective, an ancient and universal value for all.
Neos Kosmos‘ journalists, publishers, the editor, our designers, advertising team and administrators all thank you. You, are our valuable readers, contributors, community organisations, sporting clubs, schools, and businesses.
We wish you a happy new year and hope that 2024 brings health, happiness, and augments love, and we all hope for peace.
Neos Kosmos will continue to tell your stories, your ideas and your views.
