Coming to Australia as a wave of economic migrants in the 1960's, most Greek families settled in Melbourne, transforming the suburbs into the largest Hellenic city outside of Greece. These migrants were poorly treated but didn't back down and have since become a much loved part of the multicultural Australian society. It was fascinating talking to some of them and capturing their stories with the Leica.
This particular couple were sitting quietly outside their brick & tile house in the inner-city suburb of Williamstown. I opened the gate, approached them with as big a smile as my face allows and said "G'day!"
"G'day mate," the elderly man stated matter-of-fact, "wadda ya want?" "Nothing actually!" I said, "I'd just love to hear your story about life if you've got one!" "Ah it's not much of a story," he said quietly while flicking his cigarette, "Me wife 'er an' I come from Greece...the 60's we came out 'er. There wasn't no hope back in Greece so we took our chance on Australia. Greece was broken an' they still 'aven't fixed it ya know...so we 'come' 'er an' 'er is home."
They were so relaxed about my intrusion and so comfortable there in their Bunnings plastic chairs that I got down on my haunches and let them tell me about their time in Australia.
"Ya know it wasn't easy mate. We didn't speak no English but we got by. I love this country, mate...best country in the world."
His eyes were moist as he flicked again at the cigarette - I didn't know whether from age or sentimentality - but there was a genuine love for the tough country he'd fought hard to belong to and that had rewarded him with a sense of home.
"Do you ever go back to Greece?" I asked. "Never mate...as I said, 'er's home for me." His wife smiled while kicking at the ants around her feet, "er's home for me too."
Leica M4 | Elmar 50mm 2.8 | Ilford HP5 @ 800 | Kodak D76 1:1 @20° 16:30
