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Author: Christina Gregoziou
Storyteller: Gregory Gregoziou
Community Language School: Hellenic Orthodox Community of Bexley North and Districts
Main School: Kingsgrove Public School

The journey of my father to Australia.

Life in Cyprus

My parents come from Cyprus. My dad came from a small village that had about 1500 people. His dwelling had 3 bedrooms, a lounge, a dining room and a big kitchen. There also was a sitting room, and a laundry at the back of the house. My dad's parents used to own two tractors. They had some fields with some orange trees growing in them. They used to cultivate the fields and they used to plant watermelons, rockmelons and peanuts. They used to eat beans, fruits and vegetables, pasta, some meats and a bit of fish.

A special family day or celebration was when a member of their family was getting married. They used to close the road in front of their house and fill the road with tables and chairs. They would invite the whole village to the wedding. They would celebrate this event for three continuous days. The celebrations would start on Sunday and every family would bring a platter of food.

Migrating to Australia

My dad was 21 years old when he left his country. As a refugee in his own country without much future he came to Australia for a better life. My dad came by a Qantas flight.

My dad used to rent a 3-bedroom fibre house with his family in Mascot, Sydney, N.S.W. At the beginning he didn't like it very much in Australia because he was a bit homesick. But slowly he got used to it, and he didn't regret that he came to Australia because it was by far a good move. It was hard learning English because he used to go to English classes from 10am till 2pm 5 days a week. After his school he used to go to work from 3pm till 11.20pm.

Australia today

Australia is becoming well known to other countries by exporting many goods all over the world and also by hosting the 2000 Olympic Games. Yes, my dad does feel at home because he has now got used to it and the people around him. He feels safer here than he did in Cyprus. Australia and my dad's country are similar. In both countries people go out in the afternoon or weekends. They sit down at the coffee shops or cafes and drink coffee and eat a cake and talk to each other.

Christina Gregoziou