My father was Greek Cypriot, my Mum is Welsh, and they met at an Irish dance in London! Dad hardly spoke English – I don’t know how they communicated. There were a lot of mix-ups. For example, she thought he was very wealthy because he had a gold tooth! But they married after three months. I was born in Wales, but we eventually moved to London, where Dad had a beautiful hairdressing business. He used to do Princess Margaret’s hair.
When we came to Australia in 1951, to be a ladies hairdresser was considered a bit ‘poofy’ and Dad went through a hard time. There was also still a very much anti-Greek and anti-Pom feeling. Dad’s real name was Alkiviadis Nicolas Vasiliou, but being a hairdresser, they nicknamed him Vaseline Hair Tonic and he got very upset, so he changed his name, which I didn’t like.
School was hard for me. I can remember going to school and having kids sit on the fence and yell out to me, ‘You greasy Greek,’ and when that didn’t work it was, ‘Go home, you bloody Pom!’ In the end, I got to the stage where I didn’t want people to know Dad was Greek. As a child, I really hid him because of the stigma, and I think that’s very sad.
Now, I’m passionate about discrimination of any kind because of what I went through as a child. I look at what’s going on in the world now, and I say to people, ‘Even with what’s happening with radical Muslims, please don’t judge all Muslims that way because that’s not who they are’. I’m now very proud of who I am, and I think my children have grown up being proud of who they are too. They’re a mixture of Asian, Greek, Welsh and Aussie, and so are my grandchildren.
Dad died too young. He was only 62. He loved Australia, even though he went through a lot of hurt. His favourite saying when he liked something was, ‘Boy, oh boy, oh boy’. And I often think if he came back to Brisbane now, he’d say, ‘Boy, oh boy, oh boy’!
He was a great man. He always had a soft spot for anybody that was new to the country and so he’d often come home with students from overseas. Anybody that didn’t have anywhere to go, especially Christmas time, they’d come over for a meal.
Now my husband and I have such a wonderful group of friends – Thai, Filipino, Russian, Greek, Italian…I feel we are carrying on his legacy in some way.
Tina
Wales
Arrived 1951
#migrants #migration #Australia #Greece #Wales
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Ohh the pain of descrimination never quite goes away does it…
Your father sounds like a beautiful man…I imagine he left behind a lot of love… xxx
This is my mum! I am so proud of her & of my dad too!!!
Wow Tina – I have known you for years but still didn’t know some things in this story. You have always been so welcoming and inclusive, I can understand why now. Lovely photo too ????
My dad was English and German background and was picked on because he was Catholic and not Lutheran! Inside we are all human beings who feel love – not sure why we cant just accept that and live in peace
A wonderful story! Australia really is the lucky country, but for reasons that some seem to have trouble comprehending.
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I come from North Queensland and we had lots of Greeks and Maltese in our community and we loved them. They had barber shops, cafes, delicatessens and fish and chip shops and were very popular and respected members of our town. There were only two Russian families (mine being one) and my father invited everyone home. I grew up with so many different nationalities in my life – my best friend was Dutch and I was jealous of my aboriginal and islander friends who could run so much faster than me. ????. Today we have Greek, Korean and Egyptian neighbours and we help each other out all the time. I’m nearly 60 and still fascinated by different cultures and ways if life. I’m so blessed.
Gosh Tina what an amazing bachround you are from Your dad sounded so modern and grounded he would be so proud of yourself and family how multicultural you all are .such a warm story
Thank you for telling your story. I can imagine how it was for you and your family back then but glad we have moved on and embracing wonderful people like you.
Tina, thank you for sharing this ‘sad’ yet beautiful story. I personally believe love and respect to each other is the only solution to all problems.
Used to do Princess Margaret’s hair in London. Had a high class hair salon. Come to Australia and get treated like crap. I honestly find this country the pits, and ethnocentric attitude sickening.
Thank you for sharing your sad yet so beautiful story Aunty Tina. Your dad and mine have so much similarities, he also had a big heart with so much compassion and passed away very young. I will say it again and again..I’m so blessed to have met you and your family when I did, to have been welcomed and treated like your own daughter when I was living and working in Brisbane while my family was in Cairns, is a part of my life I will always treasure. God bless always xx
One classy lovely lady, and her children are a chip off the block. Gorgeous and intelligent. Thanks for the insight into your immigration experience.
Justine Casey. What a beautiful story from a strong and wonderful mummy.
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m English but my partner’s Greek. We’ve been together 3 years and moved to Australia one month ago. We are in a regional area so there are not many English people and no Greeks so far. Even though we look European I still feel somewhat out of place!
I get told stories like this nearly everyday spending time with seniors they are all immigrants their forebearers coming from all corners their stories fascinate me i love helping them i love my job
And now we are treating Muslims the same cruel, ignorant way.
My husband is Greek. He is a wonderful partner and father. I love the Greek culture. Our children are very proud to be half Greek half Australian (Irish Danish decent)
I love this story. Thank you for sharing. My family are Polish Jews (who were communists and atheists) and I was the first born in Australia. The racism we endured and the endeavour to assimilate was a huge burden. We were raised to be accepting of everyone, and not presume anything because of people’s backgrounds. Overiding the racism is the multicultural diversity and love in Australia. We are so lucky.
I am 7th generation Australian & it makes me so sad that we as people of the world live here & can not except other nationalities who are trying to make a difference to our way of life even though our government who doesn’t even bother to ask us how we feel about invading another country after all that they have been put through come here & get abused for trying to fit in also contribute to the economy it just is a Pauling how we as Australians treat or fellow human beings also or fist inhabitants those being Aborigines or Torrest Straight Islander we are far more better than that Race ism should not be allowed to be part of our society even though you might not like the way they look dress speak However there is nothing stopping you from having a take away dinner if & when you are hungry so How about it Australia show some compassion to our fellow neighbors because after all you may need their help one day when you least expect it! OZZIE OZZIE OZZIE OI OI OI ! I love this country so please stop giving this Island a bad name because if you do not like who is coming here maybe you should leave & experience another country I do not think you would last to long due to all the hostility going on So I say enough is enough already give them a break that is all they are asking for & if they break the law they go to prison simple as that just the same as you or they get deported So you just have to ask your self do I realy want to spend a life time in prison! If you do good luck to you I wish well no hard feelings beacause I seen it for myself & it doesn’t appeal to me all that much Beacause you cant do out here what you do in there????????
Rosie Westwood this is so much fun because I’m both Welsh and Greek Cypriot x
Lovely memories of your dad. He was very generous, funny and caring. A great cook too and was always wanting to feed you up and remember the Marsala he kept filling ones glass, couldn’t bear to see it empty!! Always left the house at Baroona Road with a full stomach. He loved visitors and always made you feel so welcome. A really lovely man …..happy times ????
Wonderful words Tina. I have often thought if you would write a book of your life it would be a best seller and if you made a movie of your life it would be a classic. You have influenced me in so many different ways. Cousin I am so proud of you x
Going to study abroad in Australia is my dream. I am preparing for applying Master of Psychology scholarship of University of Melbourne or New South Wales. However, it’s hard for me. My major at university in Vietnam is English. 🙁 Is there anyone giving me advice? I just want to help other people who need listening to, sharing with and healing their souls. I want to be Humans of Australia.
So sad that we never seem to learn from the past. I can remember the vilification shown towards the Greek and Italian immigrants in the 50’s and 60’s – don’t assimilate, don’t speak English, ghettos etc. Then in the late 70’s it was the Vietnamese people – same story. More recently the Sudanese and Muslim community – WHEN WILL WE LEARN?