Anna Gemetzis interviewed by Demetra Enizlis for the Greek-Australian oral history and folklife project [sound recording]

Anna Gemetzis, born in Alupka, Crimea recalls the small town where she spent her first 11 years; her family becoming refugees to Athens, Greece; Greek musical instruments, lyra and daoul; her marriage in 1944 during the German occupation, her husband being a refugee from Russia; family migration to Australia (her husband in 1959, she in 1962); the family’s early years in Melbourne, Vic., the economic and social circumstances new migrants faced; Greek religious customs and celebrations they still observe; Greek lullabies, stories and tales told to children; stories about the evil eye ritual; folk medicines; the role and contributions of Greek women to Greek and Australian societies; traditional crafts; Greek music and television programs; Pontian dialect theatrical plays; future of Greek traditions and language; importance of Greek schools.

1998

Gemetzis, Anna

67:05

Crimea

Athens

Demetra Enizlis

A heartwarming interview Anna Gemetzis by Demetra Enizlis in 1998. Anna Gemetzis was born to Russia where she lived until she was 11 years old – when her mother passed away from a flu. Her father was of Greek Pontic background and worked as a teacher. Her grandparents on her father’s side were born in the Asia Minor.

When they moved to Greece, the were based in one of the “refugee houses” (προσφυγικά) in Gazi, later they built in Egaleo, Athens. An interesting fact here is that they built their family house during night hours – an initiative which was common for Greeks, particularly after the German occupation, who lacked a building permit. When called to the court to talk about this house, the family said they urgently needed to stay somewhere and that’s all they could make back then, so the judge let them keep it.

While living in Egaleo, the Germans started making fires and killing Greek men, including a few potters who died with their clay on their hands.

Anna met her husband in Athens and they got married at a local church which she went to on foot by her house. Her wedding dress was given to her by another girl as it was believed that if someone could have paid and owned a wedding dress, it is of good luck to lend it to another three brides.

Due to lack of professional opportunities, they decided to move to Australia. Anna together with her four children immigrated to Australia in March 1961 via the Patris boat, while her husband immigrated in 1959. 17 months delay because the boats could not go through the Suez bridge due the the Cypriot Problem.

When they arrived in Australia, it took her 8 months to get a job due to lack of English language skills. When she finally managed to get a job she worked at a threads factory in Oakley for three years. She was very satisfied with the working conditions and she liked the Australians seniors were very polite saying “please” and “thank you” very often. After 1 year in in Australia, they purchased a house, a few months later they purchased a car. The house needed repairs, and Anna’s husband enjoyed working on it. After the factory job, Anna started working as a tailor and she has happy she could finally work seated, as she needed to keep energy for her children, and her vegetable garden at their house. She would sing Russian night time songs to her kids, as she speaks fluently greek and Russian. Anna remembers her first impression of Melbourne was the big houses with blossoming flowers, images she had only encountered in photos or movies from Germany.

Eva Boleti