Ceremony for the Unveiling of the Kytherian Panel on the National Monument to Migration at the Australian National Maritime Museum
In recognition and honour of the Kytherian migrants that made their new home in the distant land of Australia, the Australian National Maritime Museum, together with the Kytherian Association of Australia, unveiled the Kytherian- dedicated panel on the National Monument to Migration on Saturday afternoon. This significant event acknowledges the sacrifice of Kytherian migrants who left their homeland, as well as their commitment and unparalleled hard work in building a new future for themselves and their community in Australia.
The Master of Ceremonies for this historic occasion was the current president of the Kytherian Association of Australia, Barbara Zantiotis, who spoke with great pride for her fellow Kytherians. After a warm welcome to country by Uncle Michael West, who emphasised the importance of all migrants to the history of Australia, the ceremony proceeded with a beautiful rendition of the Australian and Greek national anthems by Alexis Panaretos and president of the Australian Hellenic Choir, James Tsolakis
Following the national anthems, Museum Deputy Director Michael Baldwin addressed the attendees with a welcome to the museum, highlighting the importance of recognising one’s lineage and migration story because, ultimately, the Australia we all know and love today was built on the back of the hard work and sacrifice of migrants, who each have a unique migration story. Similar points were made by the following speaker, the Greek Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yiannis Mallikourtis.
The ceremony then proceeded with a handful of guest speakers with testimonials of their family’s journey from Kythera to Australia. These included event sponsor and owner and Managing Director of Frutex Australia, Peter Magiros, event sponsor Peter Poulos from Poulos Bros Seafood, and finally, Secretary of the Kytherian Youth Association Kayla Cassimatis. All the special guest speakers shared unique stories of sacrifice, struggle, the pain of loss and the joy of love. It was a truly emotional display of pride and love in every recount of family history, whether it was a first-generation migrant who recalled his arrival to a strange land with no knowledge of the people or language or the second and third-generation migrants who expressed their gratitude to their families and their home in Australia for providing them with the opportunity to thrive and prosper in this country.
After the special guest speeches, the attendees were treated to a beautiful performance of song and dance by members of the Kytherian Association of Australia. They performed the song “Paragon Café”, by Ted Egan, which follows the story of a Kytherian man who made his new home in Wagga Wagga and opened the famous Paragon Café. The song combines elements of Australian country music with Greek instruments, making it the ultimate testament to the assimilation of the Greek migrant story in Australian history and culture.
Following the formalities, families made their way to the monument and took family photos next to their names. It was a day full of emotion and pride as families reminisced and reflected on the history of their journey to Australia.
*Cover Photo, Emmanuel Samios from Mitata Kythera, migrated to Sydney on the boat called the Princess as a 14-year-old child, on his own without parents. Upon arrival his first meal in Australia was a hot dog at Harry’s Cafe De Wheels by his cousins Val and Peter Prineas in Woolloomooloo. The afternoon was a very proud moment for Emmanuel and his wife Matina to be recognized in this way.
Photo Gallery of the Kytherian unveiling
A song and dance by members of the Kytherian Association of Australia
Photos copyright Nick Bourdaniotis / Bourdo Photography