Saturday, February 9, 2008

Melbourne and it’s Greek Population


Facts:
Melbourne is a cosmopolitan city of more than three and half million people, best known for its parklands, trams, and restaurants. On June 8,1835, John Batman and his party rowed up the Yarra River and landed near the site of the former Customs House (now the Immigration Museum) and decided, “This will be the place for a village.” The rest is history.
Melbourne is the home of Australian Rules football, the capital of Australian comedy, and the country's sporting center – hosting the Australian Open Tennis Championship and the world-famous Melbourne Cup horse race. The city has consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities, and is characterized by the many ethnic groups that today live in relative multicultural harmony.
The Greek presence in Melbourne dates back over a century. In 1900, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne lauded the decision of the city's small Greek community to build a church as a sign they had resolved to become permanent residents of Melbourne. He is recorded as donating 10 pounds and 10 shillings for the new church. Today, Melbourne is home to one of the largest Greek-speaking populations outside of Greece. More than half of Australia's Greeks live in Melbourne – the capital of the state of Victoria – making them the third-largest ethnic group, and one of the oldest, most established ethnic communities.
While a small Greek community existed in Melbourne from the mid-1800s, Greeks made their real impact on the city after the post-1950 migrant boom, when tens of thousands took the month-long sea journey to the lucky country. Since then, Greeks have become inextricably linked to Melbourne. Their exact number is a point of debate, but official estimates indicate that the total Greek-speaking population is about 350,000.
At a community level, there are more than 100 language schools, including three bilingual colleges, 42 Greek Orthodox churches, and a network of more than 300 youth, welfare and philanthropic, social, cultural, fraternal, and sporting organizations. There is also a 24-hour Greek radio station which broadcasts on the AM band.
There are more than 60 Greek restaurants and taverns in Melbourne, many of which rival the best Athens has to offer. The Greek community's annual two-month Antipodes Festival has become the country's biggest ethnic festival, attracting more than 400,000 people a couple of years ago.

Places to Go:

Melbourne – Lonsdale Street is known as the original Greek town, an area that bustled with Greek activity. Here you can still find the Hellenic Community of Melbourne and a few remaining Greek restaurants and shops along a one-block area.

Oakleigh- Looked at as the New Greek Town of Melbourne, this area has a central area of stores with blocked off streets lined with Greek cafes, restaurants, and specialty shops. A great place to people watch while sitting at an outdoor table, sipping on a frappe, and enjoying Greek desserts or food. Greeks in the area are working towards getting the area’s name to be changed to “Nea Omonia.”

Northcote – A suburb with a large population of Greeks. Here you will find lots of Greek restaurants, cafes, cake shops and specialty shops. You can also find various Greek association offices too.

Fairfield – Three blocks dotted with Greek shops and a great zaharoplastio, Fairfield hosts a Greek street party once a year in October.

The Pier – Where the First Greeks arrived in Australia. Every year Epiphany celebrations also take place here in a panagiri format.

Jimmy’s The Original Greek Taverna – Hands down one of the most authentic Greek restaurants for its food and service. This is also known as the first Greek Taverna in Melbourne. The staff here are nothing but fun, and the Galaktobouriko is melt-in-your-mouth to die for!

Great Greek Restaurants & Bars (Found in Melbourne and its suburbs):

Kri Kri Mezethopoleion – Melbourne;
Stalactites – Melbourne;
Jimmy’s The Original Taverna – Collingwood;
Ellinis Greek Taverna – Oakleigh;
Plaka Greek Tavern – Ivanhoe;
Laikon Greek Restaurant – Richmond;
Night Club Kinisi – Richmond;
Trapezi - Fairfield;
Defacto Bar – Northcote;
Pireaus Blues – Fitroy;
Yiannis Greek Restaurant – Kew;
Kyma Restaurant – St Kilda;
Trademark CafĂ© Bar – Clifton Hill;
Agapi - Richmond.

Zaxaroplastia:

International Cakes – Melbourne;
Medallion – Melbourne;
Pantheon Cakes – Coburg and Fairfield.
Ahilleon Cakes - Coburg
Nikos Cakes – Oakleigh;
Melissa Cakes – Northcote and Collingwood;
Tasos Cakes- Northcote;
Stathmos - Fairfield.


Ultimately there are a tremendous amount of things to do in this city that will have you either running into Greeks or are run by Greeks.
If you have a special restaurant, cake-shop, bar, event, etc that you would like to add please feel free.
If you would like to comment about any of the businesses mentioned please add your comments.


By Nikos Kolendrianos