Senator Don Farrell, Australia’s minister for trade and tourism and special minister of state, found himself in a small village Egrigoros, on the island of Chios, well off the beaten tourism track. The quaint village is now known for its unique walking trails among other things.
He told Neos Kosmos, that the original purpose of his visit to Greece, “was a wedding of a young Greek girlfriend of my daughter in Corfu.”
“I was to join them at the wedding but could not make it, so I joined them later in Corfu, I also went to Athens, Crete and from there, Milos a tiny Greek island north of Crete, such a beautiful place,” Farrell told Neos Kosmos.
In Egrigoros, Chios, the minister became part of locals. Where once the village thrived, only around 80 people live there now.
The South Australian senator’s friend, from Adelaide, Steve Liapis was his host on Chios.
“I was there with Steve, and it was a beautiful village, it had around 300 people before the world war now there’s hardly anyone left, I met a lady 88 years of age, who was full of memories.”
“It’s sad to see the depletion of the island at the same time it’s been of a magnificent benefit to Australia to have had post-war Greek migration.”
Farrell was not on a working mission this time. He told Neos Kosmos his “high-pressure portfolio” necessitates at least some time “to relax and just sit on the beach.”
While on Chios the minister met locals and the mayor of the island, Ioannis Malafis, and discussed future possible links between the island and its diaspora in Australia.
Farrel reflected on the hard yards he put in last year to end a long-running stalemate on setting up a free trade deal with the EU. Farrell is a keen advocate for Australian producers, himself having retreated to his vineyard in the Clare Valley before being re-elected in 2016. His determination to find new markets for Australian producers was hampered by the EU’s at times nonsensical geographic indicators requirements on products such as alcohol and cheese.
The most stunning example is the white briny sheep cheese Feta – produced across the Balkans, and since migration from Greece, to Australia. Feta, literally means ‘slice’, having some form of unique geolocational status attributed to it.
However, the minister does not miss an opportunity to spruik for Australian trade even when on a much-deserved holiday. He met with Greece’s government minister for development, Panagiotis (Takis) Theodorikakos – one of the brains’ trust in the Mitsotakis New Democracy government. The bonhomie between the ministers, led to Farrell announcing that Theodorikakos aims to lead of a delegation of Greek business leaders to Australia in 2025.
“Takis, [Theodorikakos] indicated a willingness and desire to bring a delegation of Greek businesspeople to Australia in 2025, to develop and new trade contracts,” said the Australian minister for trade.
Farrell’s initiative is part of his broader effort to augment economic ties between Australia and Greece using the Greek Diaspora as a bridge.
“Things have turned around in Greece economically” said Farrell reflecting on the economic crisis a decade ago.
The minister pointed to the economic and cultural success of the Greek Australian Diaspora saying that “while their parents might have left the ashes of a post-war Greece, many second generation have become successful, in politics, other arenas, and as businesspeople in Australia.”
Farrell believes that Greece and Australia can bolster greater cooperation through the second-generation Greek Australian Diaspora.
“The second generation has a keen interest to reignite links, economic, cultural and social with Greece, even if the first generation was had to leave.”
This off-the-beaten-path experience highlighted Farrell’s interest in forging deeper connections between Australia and Greece, not just in terms of trade, but also through cultural and historical understanding.
Farrell’s connection to Greece is not only political and professional but also personal. He received a prize in Classics at matriculation and has since developed a lifelong affinity for Greek history and culture.
The minister recounts a highlight of the trip his visit to “the Acropolis with two young archaeologists.”
Farrell’s uncle – his father’s brother – served during World War I on the island of Lemnos—a site of profound historical significance as the staging ground for the Anzac Gallipoli campaign.
“I aim to attend the 110th anniversary of the Anzac posting on Lemnos next year,” said the minister.
“It is a milestone that honours the past and reinforces the enduring bonds between Australia and Greece, bonds that are strengthened by shared history, personal connections, and a commitment to ongoing collaboration.”
Minister Farrell expressed again his belief that the Greek Australian Diaspora is a conduit, a link in “expanding trade between Australia and Greece.”
