A new oral history initiative is encouraging Greek-Australians to help safeguard their community’s cultural memory by sharing their own personal migration stories or those of their family and ancestors.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has invited volunteers to take part in “Our People, Their Stories Living Museum,” a long-term project that documents the lives and experiences of Greek migrants and their descendants across the country.
Greek Australians help preserve community history by sharing migration stories
The aim of the project is to collect oral testimonies, photographs, documents, and personal archives that reflect themes such as migration journeys, settlement, family life, faith, work, and identity.
The aim is to capture lived experiences in people’s own words so future generations can better understand how Greek Australians have helped shape modern Australia.
Recording migration stories across generations
The initiative welcomes participation from everyone in the community. Volunteers receive training and guidance on conducting interviews and collecting materials in a respectful and ethical way. Organizers emphasize that everyday voices matter just as much as those of public figures, particularly as many first-generation migrants continue aging.
The archive continues to expand over time, reflecting the diversity of Greek Australian life across regions and generations. Community members can submit expressions of interest online, contributing to a resource that benefits researchers, families, and the wider public.
Ultimately, the project is indicative of how storytelling can act as both cultural preservation and community connection, ensuring that the experiences of Greek Australians remain visible, valued, and remembered nationwide.
