2024-04-13 18:18:15
Thousands of Greeks, of all ages and social backgrounds, have expressed interest in immigrating to Australia in recent months. Already many Greek-Australians, who had returned to our country since the 80s, are returning to Australia again. The rest, that is, those who do not have “roots” in Australia, despite their interest find it difficult to immigrate. And this despite the fact that in Australia the unemployment rate is low, the country needs skilled immigrants and in the coming twelve months it will receive 185,000 young people.
The Greek Community of Melbourne, in fact, finding out the new facts, has started the procedures to negotiate with the Ministry of Immigration more favorable conditions for the immigration of Greek citizens.
In particular, a meeting on the subject of immigration from Greece with the federal Minister of Immigration Chris Bowen is to be held by a delegation of the board of directors of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria on June 15, at the minister’s office, in parliament, in Canberra. The delegation of the board of directors of the Community, led by the president Vasilios Papastergiadis, is going to inform Mr. Bowen about the increased number of Greeks who, due to the economic crisis, want to immigrate to Australia, as well as about the problems they are facing with the bureaucratic delays in processing their applications.
Among other things, the Greek Community of Melbourne is going to propose to the Australian government:
-The organization of Skills Expos in Athens in the coming months, similar to those organized in England in recent years. In the framework of these reports, prospective Greek immigrants will be able to discuss personally with employers and representatives of the Ministry of Immigration on issues related to visa issuance and employment in Australia.
-The signing of an international agreement between Australia and Greece that will allow Greek citizens traveling to Australia to work during their holidays.
To examine the applications of Greek prospective immigrants in Athens and Thessaloniki and not in Berlin and London, as is done now, with the hiring of additional staff, for their quick processing.
It is noted that the Community’s delegation will also include experts of Greek origin in immigration matters, as well as a representative of the Greek-Australian National Council.
Athens nightlife (due to crisis) is moving to Melbourne
The musical acts in Greece this year were counted on the fingers and a large percentage of them went down earlier than planned, even before Easter. The night life of the capital is “affected” by the crisis and businessmen are constantly dropping night shifts. Result; More and more artists are packing their bags for places far away, where the diaspora Hellenism is “thirsty” for Greek melodies.
The attendance of Greek singers in the continent of kangaroos (and especially in Melbourne) this year has exceeded all previous ones.
Performers of rebetik, art, folk and pop songs dropped their prices and demands in order to appear in an expatriate center in Australia or in a concert venue.
But even on the other side of the earth the situation is not the same anymore. Gone are the days when the “first” names gathered tens of thousands of expats at their performances.
Now, when more than 2,000-3,000 gather at a concert, it is considered a “super-success” while not a few appear in centers even in front of only a few dozen patrons.
Some, like Pericles Stergianoudis of “Fame Story”, dropped a “permanent” anchor in Australia.
Others, such as Thanos Petreli and Angelos Dionysiou, visit Australia frequently and recently completed their appearances on the distant continent, as did Alekos Zazopoulos, who made his maiden appearance.
Nikos Kourkoulis and his wife Kelly Kelekidou canceled their tour at the last minute, although many tickets had been presold. As a result, the money is returned to the expatriates and the Mouzika Entertainment company that would bring them (end of May to beginning of June) is now threatening legal measures.
Among those who are going to visit Australia in the near future are Michalis Hatzigiannis, Kostas Makedonas, Giorgos Theofanous, Yannis Plutarchos, Haris Alexiou and rebbe Agathonas.
Sotiris Hatzimanolis
{{-PCOUNT-}}20{{-PCOUNT-}}