2021-05-15

Brisbane

Moudanidis, George

Greeks in Australia

Oral history

Elefterias-Kostakidis, Eleni

Digitised

Copyright holder : State Library of New South Wales
Please acknowledge : Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Interviewer: Eleni Elefterias-Kostakidis

Occupation: Mixed business owner, Musician
Year of arrival: 1969
Method of transport: Aeroplane to Djibouti then Ship (Patris)

George was born in Xanthe, Greece and worked as a shoemaker. In 1969 he sought to escape the political situation in Greece by migrating with his family to Australia. Three years later his family returned to Greece. This return was short-lived and after a few years they returned to Australia. He owned a number of businesses including a mixed business and a café. He was most active as a musician performing at various tavernas in the evenings as well as running a number of Greek choirs. He also wrote one of the songs in the Australian film In Search of Anna (1978).

Interview summary
George discusses his reasons for leaving Greece and the hard work he and his wife undertook to pay off a home and return to Greece. He recalls that life in Greece was not as he expected. When they returned to Australia they began the process of re-establishing themselves and integrating into the community. He tells how, by chance, he ended up writing one of the songs for the Australian film In Search of Anna that was released in 1978.

Sound recording

Siobhan Campbell