GREEK ISLANDER MIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA SINCE THE 1950S : (re)discovering limnian identity,... belonging and home

"A unique snapshot into the lived experiences of separation, interconnection, belonging, and one's identity of the Limnian diaspora who settled in Australia, and views of those who remained on the island. A valuable insight into my own Australian Greek Limnian heritage." -- Despina Whitefield, Lecturer and Student Supervisor, Victoria University, Australia Illuminating the experiences of immigrants to Australia in the late twentieth century, this book uses oral history to explore how identity and belonging are shaped through migration. Between the 1950s and the 1970s, many inhabitants from the small Greek island of Limnos travelled to Australia to flee post-war devastation and economic disaster. With an emphasis on the lived experiences and memories of Limnians, the book sheds light on the emotional pain and trauma they felt as they were separated from their families and homeland. Moving away from more traditional outlooks on migration studies, this book emphasises the significance of ethno-regional identity, and analyses how it can bring strength and longevity to a constructed community. Both the roles of men and women within the Greek diaspora are examined, in the way that they made the difficult decision to leave their homeland, and subsequently how they came to nurture and build families within a new, evolving community. Looking beyond first-generation migration, the author analyses the pattern of return visits to Limnos by the descendants of migrants. Acting as a form of identity consolidation for second-generation migrants, this journey to the ancestral homeland highlights the fluidity of what it means to belong somewhere, and redefines the notion of 'home'. The author provides an alternative perspective to traditional migration studies and reaffirms the importance of transnational identity. A unique and important addition to research, this book combines memory studies and oral narrative to analyse how identity and belonging can be shaped across borders, rather than within them Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Praise for Greek Islander Migration to Australia since the 1950s Contents 1 Unravelling Islanders’ Migration Stories Conceptualising Migration and Identity The Significance of Ethno-Regional Identity for Islanders Transnationalism – A Lens in Migration Studies Women and Migration Oral History and the Art of Storytelling Outline of the Book References 2 ‘From Whence We Came’- Migration from Limnos to Australia Island History and Migration The Shaping of Limnian Identity Choosing Migration – ‘The Best of Two Evils?’ A Diaspora Community Evolving References 3 ‘For a Better Life’: In a New Country Memories and Remembering Hard Work, Tenacity and a Drive to Succeed Rural Destinations Creating New Paths Women’s Lives and Work in Migration Looking Back, Looking Forward: Home and Belonging References 4 ‘Who Are We?’: Identity, Belonging and Place The Early Years in Australia: Themes and Storylines Belonging and Place: Why Is It Important? A Second Generation Growing Up: Insiders/Outsiders Identity Ambiguities: ‘Who Are We?’ References 5 Diasporic Meanings of Home and ‘Dual Lives’ The Significance of Returning—The First Generation The Significance of Returning—The Second Generation Island Heritage, Identity and ‘Dual Lives’ Communication and Social Media—Facilitating Relationships References 6 From Pilgrimage to ‘A Way of Life’ Transnational Relationships—A Continuing Process The Voices of Those-Who-Stayed-Behind From Pilgrimage to ‘A Way of Life’ References 7 Consolidation and Reflections About the Future Identity Changes, Evolves and Transforms Return Visits Become a Way of Life in a Transnational World The Ancestral Home Becomes Home Too Seeking a ‘A Better Life’ Multiple Identities—Defining Women in Migration References Appendices Appendix 1: Bio-data of Narrators Interviewed Between 2013 and 2014 Group 1: First Generation Post-war Immigrants Anthoula* Con (Kostas) Alekos* Dimitrios (Jim) Apostolos* Katerina Maria Niki Leonidas* Paleologos (Paul) Panagiotis (Peter) Evanthia* Stelios (Lakis) Group 2: Second Generation Descendants of Migrants Andrew (Andreas) Despina S Despina W Myrsina* Vasilis* Fotoula John Nektarios (Nick) Nikolaos (Nikos) Pantelis (Peter) Margarita* Athanasios* Sonia Pelagia* Nasos* Group 3: Limnians Who-stayed-behind on the Island Athanasia* Stavros* Ioanna* Triantafilia* Angelos* Stefanos* Marigo* Mbambis* Christina* Chrysoula* Appendix 2: Glossary of Greek Words and Expressions Appendix 3: The Interview Topics Guide Used Further Readings Index