The tragedy experienced by thousands of workers who lose their jobs overnight has driven many queuing outside Australia's national welfare service Centrelink.
A Greek-Australian Peter Darmos, shocked by these images, began to tremble. He wondered how these people would go home, what will they eat now, in their time of need. He thought they wouldn't get any support on the spot. Instead all these people would have to wait for days, even weeks.
He decided to do something himself. Mr Darmos went to the bank, raised as much money as he could, and went outside Centrelink's Box Hill offices. There he began offering $ 100 notes to each of those waiting in line and those inside the offices. In total he offered about 10,000$. They were received with gratitude and sometimes tears in the eyes.
Mr Darmos is a lawyer and came to Australia as a child immigrant from Laconia. The country says has treated him well and he wants to give something in return. He also urged those who have the financial opportunity to offer as well until the deadly pandemic crisis is overcome.
Food, home, warmth
The generous Greek expatriate believes that the country should be completely closed for 3 months. And the government should provide all the essential goods people need. Food, home, warmth. Charity is good, but the state has to offer enough for everyone to be able to put food on the table, ban evictions so that everyone keeps their home, and make all utilities bills free so that they can have warmth. This is the solution Mr Darmos emphasizes.
We should stay at home for 3 months. To be totally isolated. In that way we can help the real heroes that are the doctors in the hospitals he insists.
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