Greek-Australian Archive – Kyriakitsa Kevgas

Item

Title
Greek-Australian Archive – Kyriakitsa Kevgas
Subject
Australia--Emigration and immigration—History
Immigrants
Greek language, Modern
Voyages and travels
Business enterprises
Families--History
Sydney (N.S.W.)
Category
5. Cold War (including Decolonisation)
Author
Kevgas, Kyriakitsa
Keywords
Greeks in Australia
Oral history
Creator
Kallos, Kathy
Current holder
State Library of New South Wales
Date
September 21, 2023
Access rights
Digitised
Rights 
Copyright holder : State Library of New South Wales Please acknowledge : Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Country of origin
Australia
Place
Sydney
Language 
Greek (Modern)
Description from source
Interviewer: Kathy Kallos Occupation: Shop owner, Businesswoman Year of arrival: 1956 Method of transport: Ship (Tasmania) Kyriakitsa Kevgas was born in Xylokastro, a seaside town in the Peloponnese in 1932. In 1956, she left Greece to come to Australia, after an aunty had recommended the move to her parents. Kyriakitsa joined her first cousin in Sydney, who was the owner of the Redfern Hotel. After her sister arrived from Greece, they rented an apartment together in Bondi. The two sisters opened a shop in Darlinghurst, called The Bride’s Corner, specialising in bridal gowns, christening wear, candles and bonbonnieres. Kyriakitsa didn’t want to get married for several years, despite the many suitors in Sydney. She developed a long-distance relationship with a man from Greece and they married soon after his arrival in 1965. Interview summary Kyriakitsa describes her comfortable life in Xylokastro. She laments that she never really understood the reasons why she was sent to Australia, believing it was only for a short time. Kyriakitsa recalls the emotional day she farewelled her classmates, who told her to not forget Greece. She provides a rich account of her working life in Sydney, her social circles and the reputation she developed as a leading bridal and christening stylist.
Physical format
Sound recording
Related resources 
https://omaa-arts.sydney.edu.au/texts/4892/
https://omaa-arts.sydney.edu.au/texts/4893/
https://omaa-arts.sydney.edu.au/texts/4894/
https://omaa-arts.sydney.edu.au/texts/4895/
https://omaa-arts.sydney.edu.au/texts/4896/
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https://omaa-arts.sydney.edu.au/texts/4901/
https://omaa-arts.sydney.edu.au/texts/4902/
https://omaa-arts.sydney.edu.au/texts/4903/
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