Copyright (0000) Xenophon Stathis

Sam Nomarhis (second from left) was the proprietor.

Providing a regular, reasonable income, potential material improvement, independence, maintenance of the family unit and requiring only limited education and knowledge of English, many Greeks undertook work in fish shops, restaurants, fruit shops, fish-and-chip shops, milk bars and cafes. Such a field of self-employment was well supported by their traditional sea- oriented and farming backgrounds, and was independent of heavy industry and its union restrictions upon foriegn labour prior to the 1940s. although racist attitudes prevailed, as food caterers, the Greeks won commercial popularity. The most conspicuous enterprises were the Greek cafe and milk bar and their predecessors, the oyster saloon and soda bar.

Photo courtesy X. Stathis

From the In their Own Image exhibition:

http://www.austhistmuseum.mq.edu.au/greek/intro.htm

Compilers:Effy Alexakis & Leonard Janiszewski


For other entries about Effy and Leonard, search internally, under Alexakis or Janiszewski.


Also published as a book, Images of Home.

*There are about 33 Kytherian images and entries in the book, Images of Home.

Author's:Effy Alexakis & Leonard Janiszewski

When Published:1995
Publisher:Hale & Iremonger Publishers
Available:Hale & Iremonger Publishers, 02 9565 1955
Description:285x210mm, 160 pages.

Available from:

Hale & Iremonger
PO Box 205,
Alexandria, NSW. 2015.

Ph: 02 9656 2955
Fax: 02 9550 2012

Eml: frontdesk@haleiremonger.com

Website: www.haleiremonger.com

Documentary photographer Effy Alexakis and social historian Leonard Janiszewski have been researching their history and contemporary presence since 1982, and have made many field trips throughout both Australia and Greece, painstakingly piecing together what has become a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Effy Alexakis:

"The idea for this project began in Greece in 1985 whilst I was staying with the parents of family friends in the village of Mitata, on the island of Kythera. Although I had already noticed many deserted homes throughout Greece, it wasn't until I saw a whole street of deserted homes and ventured inside them that I realised that many of the people had left their homes with the intention of returning. Letters, photographs and other personal documents had been left behind. Like pieces of a huge jigsaw puzzle, these items provided small clues about the life within these homes. Australia's migration history is to be found in these homes. Unfortunately, through time, much is being lost."