Konstantin Kourteff

Story

The Soviet occupation, the overthrow of the legitimate government of the day ushered in unprecedented arrests of innocent citizens, in most cases on trumped up charges. My father was one of the victims. We lived in a small village and our family was in mixed farming and tobacco cultivation as a cash crop. I was sent to a neaby town to continue my secondary studies. There I became involved in underground activities with another two friends by pasting anti-communist posters on walls in the town where we lived. We were caught by a local policeman who let us go but soon after started blackmailing our parents for money. It soon became clear that he would eventually report us to the authorities. The most lenient outcome would have been a few years in hard labour camps for myself since I was under 18 years of age. My two compagnions being older could have faced death or long terms of imprisonment. At the very first opportunity we decided to flee the country to Turkey on the 23rd of March 1948. I spent 20 months in Istambul working and studying French language in a French College. In November 1949, I was transfered to Italy where I spend the following two years in refugee camps, using the time to learn Italian language. Life was very harsh and hunger became a constant companion. I became ill. Due to poor health I was overlooked by all countries that used to take refugees. Eventualy Norway took me, where I spent the following six and a half years, of which two years as a seaman travelling around the world. It was an enlightening experience – the wide world. For the first time in my life I felt free in spirit. It was great feeling!

In 1956 the ‘cold war’ was very hot indeed. After the let down of the Hungarian people by the West, I decided that I should go as far away as possible from Europe and the Soviet menace. AUSTRALIA; AUSTRALIA, SOCIETY TO BE PROUD OF.

The West\’s letdown of the heroic Hungarian people in 1956 was the deciding factor of leaving Europe for good. In the first week of June 1957 I stood on the bridge of the Migrant ship Skaubryn entering Port Phillip Bay when I caught my first glimpse of Australian soil. With a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, I invoked Gods name; this is it God, so help me make it!

Before looking for work I enrolled in English language classes. By 1960 I felt confident enough in my command of the language to ask my landlord if he had the Australian Constitution in his Library; the surprise look on his face told me no. Mid May 1962 I found myself standing in front of the council\’s Mayor with the bible in one hand swearing allegiance to the Queen. It felt strange, after 14 years as stateless person, and four countries, I did indeed belong to a Nation!

I watched Australia become a multicultural society, gradually enacting laws, institutions and policies giving ethnic minorities and indigenous people a voice in this society, enhancing national cohesion and managing cultural diversity and racial tolerance. A safe, friendly, sophisticated and harmonious society to be proud off.

People from about 200 countries making Australia one of the most culturally diverse, open, friendly people in a world of inter-racial strife. All of those cultures contribute to the overall Australian way of life.

Australian society values respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women and the spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need and pursuit of the public good. The English language as a national language is an important unifying element of Australian society.

On arrival I helped the immigration officer as an interpreter, even though my knowledge of English language was poor. My girlfriend, a Danish young lady, and I booked a room in a large hotel on Little Collins street. When we went out for a walk people looked at us with considerable interest. Our clothes made us stand out. We went to a hotel nearby and was astonished that my girlfriend was not alowed in the front bar! The next shock was when we were told that we must drink and go. It closed at 6 PM. We had to search for another place to eat evening meal.

I went to Adelaide and eventualy married an Australian born girl in 1964. We have two sons and a grandchild. I spend 24 years studying at night school, becoming multi-skilled in Electical, Refrigeration and Electronics.

I was appointed as a supervisor at large electrical service organisation, where I taught apprentices the trades required to be proficient service technicians. I spend 22 years at John Martins.

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