Greek migrant spent 13 years in Indigenous communities in the '60s and '70s

Greek migrant Meletis Apostolou arrived in Australia in the 60s. He tried unsuccessfully to begin his new life in Melbourne and in Sydney. He had the 'Bonegilla' experience, and soon after he decided to try his luck in country New South Wales and Queensland; Toowoomba, Darra, Chinchilla, Temora. Indigenous Australians praised Meletis him for helping them out with their hardships. Meletis spent thirteen years close to Indigenous communities. His kids spent their first years amongst the First Peoples of Australia.

Young aboriginal children play in the indigenous community in Northern Territory. Source: AAP

According to Mr Meletis, Indigenous were treated badly those years. 'Their entrance in hotels and locals shops were prohibited, also in restaurants, and sometimes even at the local markets.'

When Meletis opened his fish n 'chips shop, many Indigenous became his customers. 'They were coming to my shop, helping me out, I let them sit by the wood heaters, helping me cut wood for the heater.'

Children play basketball in Arnhem Land, NT Source: AAP

'My children grew up among the Indigenous'

Meletes and his wife have three children. Their first was born in Chinchilla in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. The city is known for the birth of the most famous Greek-Australian director of Hollywood, George Miliotis, widely known as George Miller.

When the third child was born, he went to Temora in New South Wales, where there was a significant number of Indigenous people.

Today Meletis Apostolou and his family reside in Sydney.

1 min read

Published 10 August 2017 3:28pm

Updated 9 July 2019 11:07am

By Panos Apostolou

Source: SBS Greek

Share this with family and friends