Subject	Australia–Emigration and immigration—History
	Immigrants
	Greek language, Modern
	Voyages and travels
	Business enterprises
	Families–History
	Sydney (N.S.W.)
Category	5. Cold War (including Decolonisation)
Author	Kevgas, Kyriakitsa
Keywords	Greeks in Australia
	Oral history
Creator	Kallos, Kathy
Current Holder	State Library of New South Wales
Date	2023-09-21
Access Rights	Digitised
Rights	Copyright holder : State Library of New South Wales Please acknowledge : Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Country Of Origin	Australia
Place	Sydney
Language	Greek (Modern)
Description From Source	Interviewer: Kathy Kallos Occupation: Shop owner, Businesswoman Year of arrival: 1956 Method of transport: Ship (Tasmania) Kyriakitsa Kevgas was born in Xylokastro, a seaside town in the Peloponnese in 1932. In 1956, she left Greece to come to Australia, after an aunty had recommended the move to her parents. Kyriakitsa joined her first cousin in Sydney, who was the owner of the Redfern Hotel. After her sister arrived from Greece, they rented an apartment together in Bondi. The two sisters opened a shop in Darlinghurst, called The Bride’s Corner, specialising in bridal gowns, christening wear, candles and bonbonnieres. Kyriakitsa didn’t want to get married for several years, despite the many suitors in Sydney. She developed a long-distance relationship with a man from Greece and they married soon after his arrival in 1965. Interview summary Kyriakitsa describes her comfortable life in Xylokastro. She laments that she never really understood the reasons why she was sent to Australia, believing it was only for a short time. Kyriakitsa recalls the emotional day she farewelled her classmates, who told her to not forget Greece. She provides a rich account of her working life in Sydney, her social circles and the reputation she developed as a leading bridal and christening stylist.
Physical Format	Sound recording
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