Greek women "Brides" was the theme of Panagiotis Fotakis at the event organized for the Greek women who arrived in Australia 65 years ago with Begona.
The event took place on October 28 in the presence of a large number of Greeks of the Community, who came to the community hall of the Hellenic Community Dandenong, to listen to Panagiotis Fotakis in his moving speech.
Panagiotis Fotakis found himself at the age of 8 on the ship Begona, starting from Rhodes to reach Australia together with 900 Greek "Brides". In fact, five of her "brides" participated in the event. Their story moved the audience of the event.
In the central photo: The five "brides" who arrived 65 years ago on the ship "Begona" in Australia together with the educator Panagiotis Fotakis and the head of Public Relations of the Dandenong Community Costas Alavera. Priest Antonios Krinas and the president of the Community, Mr. Karamoschos, can be seen behind. Photo: Supplied
The "brides" who participated in the event were Eleni Karanitsou, Triantafyllio Kottaki, Maria Katsiou, Theodora Papazoi and Panoraia Patmou.
On 16 June 1957, Begona arrived at Port Melbourne. Women then came to Australia with the hope of meeting their future husbands, to create the foundations for a more comfortable life, and to start their lives over. The ship had started from Greece on May 21, 1957.
