Ioannis Kourloufas

Story

In search of a better future was the motivation behind leaving Greece.

My father, Christos born 1933, originated from a mountainous village called ‘Roumanou\’ on the outskirts of the port city of Patras in Southern Greece. One of 7 children, life was typically hard, especially under German occupation during WW2. There was no electricity, town water or other basic amenities. With no money available, people traded in goods and services for survival.

My mother Ekaterini born 1940 in Patras, was displaced with her family during WW2. They were forced to leave their home and were placed in a refugee camp in Italy. There, a local Catholic priest arranged for my mother and her sister to attend school and they became fluent in Italian and French. As they could not afford payment, both had to work at the school in lieu of fees. My mother and her family returned to Greece after the war.

Post war Greece was soon confronted with the tragic unfolding of the Greek civil war (1945-50). Throughout the 1950\’s, people experienced food shortages, economic depression and civil unrest.

My parents married in 1960 and I was born in October 1961. Although my father attained a reasonable education level, he found it difficult to obtain employment as prospects were few at that time in Greece. My father had a sister who left for Australia a year earlier and she wrote back telling him about life in Australia. Hoping to improve their circumstances my parents decided, like so many at the time, to immigrate.

My father only had enough money for one ticket to Australia and it was decided he would travel alone to find work and save enough to bring my mother and I out at a later date. He left from the Port of Piraeus on 29 November 1962 on the ship ‘Britannica\’, arriving on December 17 where he disembarked in Sydney (NSW).

Christmas 1962 was a lonely and sombre time for both my father and mother that year.

It was not until 29 August 1963 when my mother and I left Greece on the ship ‘Patris\’ for Australia. My mother recalls my grandmother crying with the angst she would never see us again. The journey was long travelling via the Suez Canal to pick up further migrants. There were 6 people per ship cabin, shared by persons of mixed ethnicity. My mother told me I was a very active toddler on that ship who would not stay in one place for too long. Arriving in Sydney on 17 September we were reunited with my father.

It was a poignant journey for both parents, filled with mixed emotions and trepidation.

Adjusting to a new life in Australia was difficult for my parents. Language and cultural differences were major obstacles. My parents in the early years had to also cope with the added stress of little privacy or personal space due to shared housing. It was not uncommon for a whole family to live in a rented room and to share a house with other families (as was our case).

Both of my parents worked hard, my father initially working two jobs to save for our own home. In 1965, my sister Angela was born and I remember we were being cared for by neighbours as my mother had to leave each day for work.

Although we lived within the Greek community of Marrickville, there was still lament for the homeland.

As a result, in 1968 my parents decided to immigrate back to Greece. There was a change of government in Greece with a military dictatorship bringing seemingly political and economic stability to the country. My father had high expectations of settling back. However this was short lived. He found himself back in similar circumstances when he left the first time. Within a year my parents decided to return to Australia for a second beginning.

We arrived back in 1970 this time in Brisbane Queensland because another of my father\’s sisters had immigrated there by then. We came back with few personal possessions. There was not enough money to even pay for the taxi fare from the airport.

This time however my parents knew Australia would be their new homeland. In 1975 my second sister Vicki was born and we all grew up enjoying the Aussie lifestyle. The family has since prospered from the opportunities Australia has provided.

Identifying with two cultures had its challenges but I believe in the long run, it has contributed to a stronger more tolerant Australian society, respectful of others and their views. The plight of the migrant is not too far removed from anyone.

As an Australian with Greek heritage, I am grateful my parents returned and I am proud to call Australia home.

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