Konstantinos Tsalikis

Story

Konstantinos at the age of 46, together with his wife Anna immigrated to Australia with their children Christos aged 14, Theodosia aged 10 and Dimitrios (Jim) aged 2 years. Konstantinos made the decision to leave his homeland of Kaloneri, Kozani in Northern Greece due to many factors. The main reasons for immigration were due to the instabiltity of the country politically and for economic reasons. Konstantinos wanted to give his children opportunities and he believed that education was the key to their future. Konstantinos had served in the Second World War and the fought for Greece in the guerilla war. He did not want his children witnessing the atrocities of war. His brother had migrated to Melbourne and the difficult decision to uproot a family with no English was made and accepted by all.

The family travelled on the M/V Casta Felice and the journey took over a month. It docked in Station Pier, Port Melbourne on the 25/01/1958. This journey took on a new meaning as Anna became pregnant during the voyage which produced a fourth child, Theodoros who was born 9 months after the family had set sail. The journey was long and difficult with an active 2 year old to watch out for at all times.

As they stepped off the boat and they witnessed the sea of faces, greetingsand cheers this gave way to a little of the apprehension they were experiencing but in reality there were many questions in their mind about this new homeland they would call their own.

After a year the family were able to purchase their first home on North Carlton which was often filled with neighbours and friends for get togethers. They raised and educated their children in Carlton and then settled in Chadstone where many immigrants from Kaloneri took residence. It is in Oakleigh where the Kaloneri Club was formed and stands today.

Konstantinos Tsalikis passed away in 1990 surrounded by his family. His wife Anna aged 86 resides with her eldest son Christos.

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