Melbourne’s coronavirus lockdown is now in its second week, but the economic impact of the pandemic has been felt by many Greek Australian families for longer, with some affected more severely than others.
Highlights
- The Archdiocese has taken over the coordination of a community relief initiative which was spearheaded in April by the Merimna of Pontian Ladies.
- More than 120 families are benefitting from food and basic goods’ donations, in their majority recently-arrived Greeks who were left unemployed due to the COVID-19 crisis.
- The charity group has seen broad participation across Melbourne’s Greek community organisations, with the Archdiocese’s District of Northcote committed to continue running it for as long as there is demand for support.
In continuation of the initiative kickstarted in April by Merimna of Pontian Ladies, with numerous community associations and the Archdiocese coming on board, a charity committee was formed early this month.
In the first meeting held at the Axion Monastery, community representatives met with the Archiepiscopal Viscar of Northcote Father Evmenios Vasilopoulos.
Father Evmenios of Axion Esti in Northcote has been working with volunteers to coordinate the distribution of donations to families in need. Source: Facebook/Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia District of Northcote Victoria
“We hope it [the initiative] will grow bigger.
“Any association is welcome to get in touch with us to join in,” Yianni Pilalidis, a spokesperson from the Archdiocese’s Greek Welfare Centre tells SBS Greek.
Recounting the beginnings of the initiative, further promoted by community media and supported by a number of community organisations, Mr Pilalidis says “the Archdiocese could not have stayed inactive”.
“In my eyes, having lived in the community for the past 23 years, this was a first of its kind endeavor”.
Who are the beneficiaries?
Greek families receiving material support in food donations and basic goods are estimated to surpass 120.
“Most of them have arrived in recent years, following the economic crisis back in our homeland and are student visa holders,” says Mr Pilalidis, explaining that the vast majority of these individuals were employed in hospitality, one of the hardest hit sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It thus comes as no surprise that many of them have lost their jobs and are under financial strain[…] Many cannot afford anymore to pay for tuition fees, cover their rent, or even buy everyday necessities,” he goes on to say, noting that there is also a number of families established in Australia for years who are finding it hard to get by.
Contributions can also be made directly to the Archdiocese bank account set up for the purpose, “given that under lockdown people are unable to go to church or cannot bring donations to Axion Esti.”
Meanwhile the response from community members has been overwhelming.
“There are many people from the business community also offering a helping hand, in particular farm owners who drop by to donate fruit and veggies. On Fridays we have a truck delivery, with goods dispatched to homes every second Saturday,” Mr Pilalidis says.
Participating organisations are also continuing to do their bit gathering and distributing items, while the efforts coordinated by the Archdiocese, “will keep going […] for the rest of the year, for as long as these families are still in need of help.”
Press play on the main photo to listen to the interview in Greek.
