Greek-Australian Archive – Aris Nikolakakis

Item

Title
Greek-Australian Archive – Aris Nikolakakis
Subject
Australia--Emigration and immigration—History
Immigrants
Greek language, Modern
Greek music
Voyages and travels
New South Wales
Category
5. Cold War (including Decolonisation)
Author
Nikolakakis, Aris
Keywords
Greeks in Australia
Oral history
Musician
Creator
Kallos, Kathy
Current holder
State Library of New South Wales
Date
February 26, 2024
Link
https://greekaustralianarchive.sl.nsw.gov.au/oral-histories/aris-nikolakakis
Access rights
Digitised
Country of origin
Australia
Place
Sydney
Language 
Greek (Modern)
Description from source
Interviewer: Kathy Kallos

Occupation: Factory worker, taxi driver, musician
Year of arrival: 1964
Method of transport: Aeroplane

Aris Nikolakakis was born in Drama in the region of Macedonia on the 31st of January 1947. He was six and a half years old when his family moved to Athens. His father was from Crete, and his mother was a refugee from eastern Thrace. Due to the family’s economic situation, both Aris’ sister and, later, brother migrated to Australia. In 1964, Aris joined them. After settling in Sydney, he learnt to play the accordion, and started playing music professionally with his band ‘The Blue Stars.’ He combined work at different factories during the day, while sustaining his love for music at night. He is a husband, father, and grandfather, and still plays music recreationally.
Physical format
Sound recording