WHO WE ARE: Greeks bearing gifts

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

To discuss the best lines ever written for Australian television, go to The Tribal Mind.

A column about Australia by David Dale, published in The Sun-Herald 7/9/2008
Picture the author of this column hitting his forehead and saying "D'Oh". Or, to put it another way: "How could we have forgotten the way the Greeks changed Australia?"

Last week I described Australia as Italy's most successful colony since the Roman Empire (national dish: spag bol, national drink: cappuccino, national attitude: Mediterranean), and pointed out that travel by Australians to Italy had trebled in the past ten years -- presumably because our Anglos keep setting off in search of the secret of human happiness, which Italians seem to possess.

Jim Barlas responded: "Greeks also have the same attitude (Mediterranean mellow) and have made a few contributions to supplying our national foods -- like Greek Salad, Greek style yoghurt, yeeros, pita bread and tzatziki dip. There's a few Federal and State politicians too (John Hatzistergos, Michael Costa, Petro Georgiou, Sophie Mirabella nee Panopoulos). Okay, maybe the Greeks haven't been as successful with influencing our national drinks, because ouzo hasn't taken over from beer yet, and the best influences on fashion and cosmetics I can think of are Alex Perry and Napoleon Perdis -- not nearly as big, on the world scale as the Italians. And Yiassou hasn't replaced G'Day yet. Nevertheless, there must be more people travelling to the Greek islands in recent times."

In fact, the Bureau of Statistics tells us 47,900 Australians visited Greece in the past 12 months, compared with 172,500 who went to Italy. So it's not yet a boom destination (although the movie Mamma Mia! is bound to boost tourism to the islands).

But then again, when they're planning a long stay, more Australians choose Greece than Italy. Among the Australians living abroad for more than a year, 33 per cent are in Britain, 22 per cent in the USA, 14 per cent in New Zealand, 7 per cent in Greece and 6 per cent in Italy.

Back home, 365,000 people in the 2006 census described themselves as of Greek background, and 252,000 said they speak Greek at home. They've been crucial in our transformation from one of the dullest places on the planet to one of the most interesting. I'm indebted to the scholar and cook Tessa Mallos for explaining the Greek role in these cultural tipping points ...

Australia's first chain of fish and chip shops. In 1879, Athanasios Comino, familiar with seafood from his childhood in the Greek islands, set up a shop in Oxford Street, Sydney, to sell fried fish and chips. It was so successful he urged his relatives in Kythera to join him, and by the early 1900s there was a chain of Comino's fish outlets across Sydney. By the 1950s, the Greek chippos were perfectly positioned to spread another culinary icon, the Chiko roll, across the land after it was invented by the honorary Greek Frank McEnroe.

The first milk bar. In 1932, inspired by American soda fountains and drugstores, Mick Adams started making milk shakes at his Black and White cafe in Martin Place, Sydney. Mick's real name was Joachim Tavlaidis. Within ten years there were 4,000 milk bars in Australia, whizzing up milk, icecream, flavouring and malt in tall tin mugs.

The Sydney Fish Market The Greeks have long been pretty good at catching fish and very good at selling them. Greek family companies got together to start most of the seafood markets in Australia's city centres. Last Sunday saw the death of Denis Poulos, founding director (in 1994) of the Sydney Fish Market.

The first country cafe selling baklava. From the 1920s Greek families spread through the country towns of this nation, opening eateries with names like Olympic, Paragon, and Acropolis. They deliberately didn't serve Greek food - unless you count "Mixed Grill" - because we weren't ready for it. But in the 1930s, Zacharia Simos took a chance and brought a pastrycook from Athens to his Paragon tea rooms in Katoomba. In addition to scones and meat pies, they started offering the nut and honey pastries baklava and kataifi.

The Paragon flourishes today as a monument to Australia's Greek heritage.

Go to Comments to tell us what else the Greeks have contributed to Australia

David Dale is the author of Who We Are -- A snapshot of Australia today (Allen and Unwin). To discuss Australian attitudes, go to http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

Drinks and nibblies in the office after work on Fridays are not complete without Fetta Cheese, Kalamata Olives and Taramasalata (the pink caviar dip).

by alex g on September 06, 2008 at 02:35 PM

Forget the fetta, we Greeks have transformed Australian literature too. Some names: George Papaellinas, Tony Maniaty, Fotini Epanomitis, Me, Chris Tsiolkas, Jim Sakkas, Antigone Kefala, Tom Petsinis, Dimitris Tsaloumas, Zeny Giles, Spiro Zavos, Peter Lyssiotis
George Alexander etc etc. And of course our biggest name, honorary Greek Patrick White (who learned everything he knew from Manolis Lascaris)...

by Angelo Loukakis on September 07, 2008 at 01:08 PM

A major touring exhibition titled "Selling an American Dream: Australia's Greek Cafe" is currently on at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra. In its first week it attracted 10, visitors. The display reveals that Greek cafes and milk bars were a "Trojan Horse" for the Americanisation of Australia's popular culture - affecting eating habits, food, commercial ideas, cinema, music and architecture. For more information please see the show?s NMA web sites:

http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/selling_an_american_dream_australias_greek_cafe/the_exhibition/slideshow_1_2.html

http://www.nma.gov.au/media/media_releases_index/snapshot_of_aussie_greek_caf_culture/

DD remarks: Thanks for that info. I think you need to look again at your comment. I don't think you meant to type that the exhibition received 10 visitors. If you message me again, I will correct that figure.

by Leonard Janiszewski on September 07, 2008 at 01:13 PM

One of the most prominent film and television director, producer and screenwriter is George Miller, who was born George Miliotis and like many Greeks of his generation anglocised his surname. He has had a huge influence in Australian culture by working on everything from Mad Max to The Dismissal, The Cowra Breakout, Bangkok Hilton and Dead Calm.

by ari on September 07, 2008 at 03:09 PM

Greeks have made a huge impact on all facets of Australian society and like the Italians, have retained the pride for the motherland while becoming some of the most proud Australians too. Some famous Greek-Aussies: Alex Dimitriades, Mark Bouris (Wizard), Andrew Dimitriou (AFL), Nick Papas (Souths NRL), Zoe & Gia Caredes (actors), Ada Nicodimou (actor), Helen Kapalos & Mary Kostakides (News anchors), Braith Anasta, Anthony Koutoufides, Stan Lazarides (sport).
All migrants add so much to Australia's culture, because Australia is a country of migrants, whether you came with the first fleet, on a boat or plane from europe, asia or the middle east! The greeks have been here longer than most, so we have had plenty of time to contribute to this amazing country, just as the Italians, Chinese and Lebanese have.
We are one, but we are many, and from all the lands on earth we come... too true!

by John on September 07, 2008 at 04:22 PM

The Good old Aussie Hamburger.
When discussing how Greeks influenced Australia, how can we forget the Good old Aussie Hamburger. It was the Greek Milk Bar owners who took the simple but pathetic beef patty the Yanks called a Burger and added the onions, lettuce tomatoes and best of all - Beetroot. This became the iconic Aussie Burger

by lazaros spiropoulos on September 07, 2008 at 05:45 PM

The post war migrants that arrived in Australia from Europe I think are the most successful at settling and building up Australia, especially during a period of White Australia Policy which many Greeks and Italians were victims of much antagonism from white Australians. But this fact made the Greeks and Italians put their heads down and better themselves and their families through a lot of hard yacka. They earnt a lot of respect working on such projects as the Snowy Mountains scheme which built resolve within themselves and earnt a lot of respect from other local communities with their hard work ethic.
The Greeks have also settled around Australia, not just the capital cities. Apparently Darwin has a large community and look at Coober Pedy, full of Greeks.
And their cuisine. Fantastic. Try and find a Modern Australian restaurant without a hint of Greek dips, halloummi (Cypriot I know), greek salad or feta.
Oh and how I miss the old Greek corner shop where you could buy a decent burger and a milkshake.
Other famous Aussie Greek:
Paspaley family from Paspaley pearls;

by Adam on September 07, 2008 at 05:54 PM

Apparently just about every country is a 'country of migrants'. Its all getting rather dull hearing about it. However, I do suppose that a bit of self congratulation is now the Australian way.

by Matt on September 07, 2008 at 07:30 PM

the greeks are pretty smart too.
i came 3rd in leichhardt primary school in 1971. ahead of me? 2 greeks , peter alexiadis and vicki papadopolu

by riccardo just on September 07, 2008 at 08:11 PM

Not sure why Matt is being cynical and sarcastic, but its got nothing to do with self congratulations, its about recognising the achievements of migrants and understanding how our country has been shaped by so many different cultures. Perhaps Matt was a Pauline supporter. She is obviously a lot less "dull" i suppose? Multiculturalism suffered so much under Howard and this has given rise to those who cause riots in Cronulla, protest Muslim schools in Camden and write posts with subtle racism. Its a shame. No one is saying Australia owes everything to migrants. Migrants owe so so much to Australia and the opportunities she has given us also. It works both ways, that's all we are saying. Should be something to celebrate.

by John on September 07, 2008 at 08:57 PM

And what about my favourite Greek, Effie? How excitement!

by Paula Stevens on September 07, 2008 at 09:16 PM

Yes Matt, but most countries are no where near as young as Australia. Aboriginals aside, it's hard to compare countries who have cultures going back thousands of years to our 'anglo' culture of a mere handful of generations.
We are still realising our identity as a nation (something I think will never fully happen until all our indigenous issues are resolved). Why do you think writers and journalists are continually writing and asking 'what is Australian', or 'what is our culture'?
Join in praising the Greeks for what they have given us, and how they have changed our culture

by Jon on September 07, 2008 at 09:28 PM

May I add Nick Politis (Roosters) and John Constantine (Newcastle Jets) from the sporting arena.
The most important contribution of the Greeks however was made before they even set foot in Australia. Thousands of Greek words are used in the English language every day, especially in science.
Astronomy, mathematics, physics, chemistry and every day words like school, gym, knee, theatre come from Greek. I look forward to the word "Filotimo" making its debut in the English dictionary.

by Chris on September 07, 2008 at 10:05 PM

And I love Greek men. Especially you G.T. Thank God for multiculturalism!

by Sir K on September 07, 2008 at 10:06 PM

But- BAKLAVA IS TURKISH

by Michael on September 07, 2008 at 10:37 PM

Thanks Paula for reminding us of Effie. I remember watching 'Acropolis Now' and going to 'Wogs out of Work' as a kid and laughed as much as my Greek and Italian mates, even though I am a 'skip'. I still love Effie. How embarrassment. :)
I think Greeks can probably be credited for introducing Calamari and Octopus to our diets too. Even my parents love Calamari now along with their fish and chips, although barbecued Octopus is still a foreign delicacy for them but I love it.

by Vanessa on September 08, 2008 at 12:57 PM

Greece and Turkey were all part of the Byzantine Empire. Baklava had its origins in the Middle East but it travelled to Greece where it's a popular sweet and it's the Greeks that brought it to Australia.
However, the photograph used with this story is actually pistachio baklava which is popular in the Middle East and not Greece. Greek baklava is usually made with walnuts and layers of filo pastry whereas the pistachio baklava shown is fetures a design that is not typical of Greece either.

by Mazza on September 08, 2008 at 05:43 PM

The Greeks along with other Southern Europeans have been responsible for the healthy alternative of olive oil being used in a lot of cooking and salad dressings. I don't think anybody misses lard and dripping. The Southern Europeans also probably had a lot to do with the move away from beer swilling to Chardonnay & Shiraz sipping.
At a few weddings recently, I noticed that the wedding favours have become standard these days and almost always include the sugared almonds that traditionally were only found in bomboniere at Italian or Greek weddings.

by Carly Scott on September 09, 2008 at 08:32 AM

I think it's interesting how multiculturalism mixes up all the different cultures in Australia. The Greek 'spinach and cheese triangles' wrapped in filo pastry have been recreated as Spinach Rolls at Michel's Patisseries, sitting alongside the Sausage Rolls, Meat Pies and Quiches. And you can also buy 'spinach and fetta scones' at Baker's Delight. We've mixed elements of Australian, Greek, British and French cultures with these inventions.

by Levendis on September 10, 2008 at 10:24 AM

Dear Dale, Yes you are correct, the exhibition at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra - "Selling an American Dream: Australia's Greek Cafe" received 10,000 visitors in its first week. The full attendance has now reached over 30,000!

by Leonard Janiszewski on September 11, 2008 at 12:51 PM

I was aware of the history of Greeks running cafes and take-always across Australia but had no idea that they were actually responsible for the first chain of fish and chip shops, the first milk bar in Australia and some of the other influences mentioned. I'm really interested in attending that exhibition in Canberra on Australia's Greek cafes now. I'll have to check out some of those influences on Australian literature listed by Angelo Loukakis, whose novel was one of the studied texts when I was at high school.

by J Bar on September 12, 2008 at 09:58 AM

Sincere thanks to the creeks for the knowledge that God gave them to use, they have contribute in alot of ways to help out to everybody that they can.

by thankful on September 22, 2008 at 01:54 PM

The Sun-Herald

Who We Are

WHO WE ARE: Greeks bearing gifts

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