Share this @internewscast.com
Key Points
  • The Patris embarked on 91 journeys to Australia from 1959 to 1975, frequently navigating through Egypt’s Suez Canal.
  • Many Greek migrants fondly remember the ship for transporting tens of thousands to Australia.
  • Numerous passengers viewed migration as an opportunity to escape poverty and unemployment in Greece.
The Patris commenced its first voyage to Australia in late 1959, reaching Sydney Harbour in 1960.
In the following 15 years, it would transport tens of thousands of Greek migrants looking to begin new lives in a distant land.
Magdalini Kyroglou was among the passengers in 1967.

“The journey was like a celebration. It was fantastic. The crew took excellent care of us. Even when I was a bit seasick, I received special attention,” Kyroglou shared with SBS Greek.

MagdaliniKyroglou.png

Magdalini Kyroglou was on board the Patris in 1967. Credit: Jennifer Scherer

Escaping poverty and seeking security

Patris, which translates to homeland, holds a special place in the hearts of many generations of Greek Australians.

Stavros Economidis was on board in 1960.
Born in Egypt to Greek parents, he migrated to Australia with his mother and siblings
Now, he is the Director of the Hellenic Arts Theatre in Sydney.

“Every evening there was something to attend—a dance or an event. Back then, the food was amazing, and you started forming new friendships there,” said Economidis.

patris dancing 2.JPG

Former passengers aboard the Patris recall nights of dancing. Credit: Jennifer Scherer

Post World War Two and amid economic instability, many saw migration as a way to escape poverty and unemployment in Greece.

For Economidis, his family left Egypt due to political uncertainty.

“I was arriving in a nation that was secure and affluent. We didn’t have such stability in Egypt or Greece. We were compelled to leave Egypt due to issues with (President) Gamal Abdel Nasser. Basically, we had no choice but to leave Egypt,” he explained.

The Patris

The Patris made regular voyages to Australia between 1959 and 1975. Credit: The Tony Agapitos Collection/ACMI Collection

Greeks in Australia

According to the latest Census, more than 420,000 people in Australia have Greek ancestry.
Victoria is home to the largest Greek community, followed by here in New South Wales.
The Patris holds an important place in the history of Greek migration to Australia, according to Leonard Janiszewski, a historian at Macquarie University.
“There was also the Ellinis and Australis, but it was the Patris, which was close to the hearts of many because it had the greater number of voyages to Australia,” Janiszewski said.

“And as such, between the early 1950s, right through to the early 1980s, there were just over 200,000 Greeks who came here. And half of those came out through the Intergovernmental Committee of European migration.”

Economidis.png

Stavros Economidis came to Australia aboard the ship. Credit: Jennifer Scherer

Final voyage

The Patris left Australia for the final time in November 1975, after providing emergency accommodation to those left homeless by Cyclone Tracy in Darwin.

It went on to work in the Mediterranean as a car ferry and a Mediterranean cruise ship – before being taken to the shipwreckers in 1987.

LeonardJaniszewski.png

Leonard Janiszewski is a historian at Macquarie University. Credit: Jennifer Scherer

“It was a vessel that carried all their hopes and dreams. Some of those hopes and dreams were fulfilled, others weren’t. But you cannot erode the fact that it was a massive change in people’s lives,” Janiszewski said.

“And when the physicality of the boat disappeared, I’m sure that there were quite a lot of people who would’ve had that sense of loss, a sense that in this physical world, that ship no longer existed. It only existed in mind and experience.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
A bold bid has been launched to bring US President Donald Trump to Queensland for next year's Quad leaders summit.

Premier’s Ambitious Proposal to Invite Donald Trump to Australian State

A bold bid has been launched to bring US President Donald Trump…
What we know about the rare bat virus that has claimed a fourth life

Insights into the rare bat virus linked to a fourth fatality

Australia has recorded its fourth death of the bat lyssavirus — a…

Elderly Targeted by ‘Fly-in, Fly-out’ Criminals in $3 Million ‘Blessing Scams’

NSW police have charged two people over their alleged involvement in a…

Donald Trump Celebrates Victory as Tax and Spending Bill is Passed by US Congress

Key Points Donald Trump’s major tax and spending legislation has successfully passed…
The vertical stabilisers of Qantas planes at Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport, from the left: a Boeing B737-838 plane, registration VH-XZD; a Boeing B787-9 plane, registration VH-ZNE; and an Airbus A380-842 plane, registration VH-OQB. In the background on the left is a fourth Qantas plane, a Boeing B737-838, registration VH-XZH. In the far background is the international terminal.  In the foreground are navigational light structures at the northern end of the runway.  This image was taken from Nig

Qantas Is Sending an Important Email to Six Million Australians: Here’s What to Expect

Qantas customers can expect to receive details on what data was stolen…
Joshua Brown, 26, was arrested on May 12.

“Father’s Heartbreak: Discovers Son’s Interaction with Accused Childcare Predator”

Exclusive: A Melbourne father has shared his concerns after discovering his toddler…

Rapid Spot Inspections and Fund-Withdrawal Powers: Addressing Childcare Challenges Without a Quick Fix

Childcare centres failing to meet standards could face random “spot checks” under…
A gas station explosion early Friday in southeastern Rome injured at least 40 people, including 11 police officers and one firefighter, but immediate rescue intervention avoided a much more tragic outcome, local authorities and rescuers said.A gas station explosion early Friday in southeastern Rome injured at least 40 people, including 11 police officers and one firefighter, but immediate rescue intervention avoided a much more tragic outcome, local authorities and rescuers said.

Rome Gas Station Explosion Injures 40 – Mayor Suggests It Could Have Been More Severe

A petrol station explosion in southeastern Rome has injured at least 40…
The brawl allegedly broke out between a group of men at 5pm yesterday inside the Kmart in Mount Druitt Westfields.

Third Person Arrested in Connection with Alleged Stabbing Outside Sydney Kmart

On June 24, outside a Westfield shopping center on Carlisle Avenue in…
SA toxic algal bloom

Urgent Plea for National Disaster Declaration as Seafood Industry Faces Devastation

South Australian fishers are grappling with a severe economic downturn as the…
Sam Neill has revealed his son repeatedly farted on Princess Diana at Jurassic Park's premiere in London back in 1993

Sam Neill Shares Amusing Story of His Son Farting on Princess Diana at the Jurassic Park Premiere

Sam Neill has revealed his son repeatedly farted on Princess Diana at…

Hamas Agrees Favorably to Proposed Gaza Ceasefire

Hamas has expressed a willingness to engage with a U.S.-mediated proposal aimed…