Antonios Psarologos
| First name | Antonios |
|---|---|
| Last name | Psarologos |
| Country of Origin | Greece |
| Date of Birth | 11/12/2024 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1955 |
| Submitted by | Georgina Psarologos |
Story
On his way home to his fathers cottage at the end of a hardworking day in the fields, exhausted and frustrated with his unending plight at keeping poverty at bay, he stumbled across a public notice on the village general store notice board. It read to the effect of “Australia accepting Immigrants”. He tore the notice off the wall & raced home. Within minutes he had announced to his parents that he was going to Australia!!
His father was distraught! Who would work to provide the dowry for his unmarried daughters if his youngest son were to leave?? Although he forbade his son from leaving – Antonios was adamant. He worked night and day and saved only just enough money to pay for his passage to Australia.
Upon arriving, he worked several factory jobs in the city as assigned by the government. Typically, the language barrier and lack of money was an ongoing challenge, but his strong will to create a better life than the one he left behind meant that he would somehow find a way to overcome each and every obstacle that presented itself. There were many. Each time he stumbled, he picked himself up & soldiered on.
Antonios was 30 years old when he arrived in Australia. After the first few years working in city factories he finally settled in a small soldier settlement town called Robinvale in Northern Victoria. He had heard people talk of this young town with its rich virgin soil and farming prospects. It is here that he eventually purchased a parcel of mallee scrub, cleared it with a horse and chain and slowly began to plant up his fruit block & build his home. He married Vasiliki Tranos shortly after buying the land. When his new wife arrived from Melbourne to this rugged, remote and harsh environment – she cried for days! But as time passed, she grew to love their new life on the land. Both of them worked hard and raised their three daughters, Julie, Georgia & Christine here. They made many new friends and just about every-one in town knew Tony!
After working solidly on the fruit block for thrity odd years Antonios, aged 65 & his wife retired in Mildura. He enjoyed his retirement, daughters and his grandchildren for just 5 short years before he passed away in 1995 aged 70.
He will always be remembered and admired as the inspirational strength that is and will always be the foundation of his family.
[Impressions on Arrival]