"I decided to leave Greece because I was working as a barman getting paid 20 euros for 12hrs! I realised that with the way things had become in Greece, it was no place to raise a family or have dreams for the future, so I decided to come to Australia. I have lived and worked in Melbourne for 2 years.
Why Australia? Aside from it being the land of opportunity, it was also an easy option for me because my mum was already living here, having left Greece 3 years before me.
I had never been to Australia before. It is an amazing country, where wilderness and beauty, mountains and ocean, snow and desert all co-exist. It is this individuality that separates it from the rest and makes it such an interesting place to explore.
Australia is a country in every sense of the word. There’s no racism to a greater degree because it isn’t populated by just Australians, but people from all around the world. Also, the standard of living is very high. It’s very strict in some ways, but very structured in the health and unemployment sectors. It also has great wages – you can make a decent living here and still be able to afford to go on an overseas holiday.
I think one of the most positive aspects about Australia is the financial sector and the way everything is structured. One of the downsides for me is the insanely monotonous routine of home-work, work-home, it’s like we’re a tram line!
I think Australians are good people. They can keep to themselves at times, and they don’t have that ‘filotimo’ that Greeks have but I don’t have a problem with this, every population around the world has its own beliefs, values and mentalities. Since I find myself living in their country it is probably appropriate for me to take on board the ways of its people.
What I miss most about Greece is the lifestyle, the different mindset of the Greek people, and the beautiful beaches. I’d want to return to Greece, but with the way things are, I don’t see it likely.
My wish for Greece would be for it to stop being under the control of one power where agendas are driven by self-interest, and for an independent, Greek government to form which will maximise use of primary industry. And finally for the racism among Greeks to stop – between supporters of the left or the right, or whichever, because the worst form of racism is against your own nationality, your own kind."
Spyros Mouhanis, Melbourne
