At Aegis Park to learn more about the ground-breaking multicultural and community programs, Minister Kotsiras was only too happy to share some life experiences with the Grade 5 and 6 students from St Michael’s Primary School.
Arriving in Australia with his family from Greece in 1964, Minister Kotsiras explained just how different life used to be.
“Now, we have multiculturalism,” he said.
“Back then, we were told we had to be the same to fit in. Books were about one single identity. We didn’t learn language, we tried to look and sound the same as everyone else.”
For the class of 25 children, most from migrant backgrounds, the Minister’s words clearly resonated. Most significant was the Minister’s story about trying to fit in to a culture he didn’t always understand. Minister Kotsiras also shared how he tried to hide those parts of his culture that he thought would bring ridicule from his classmates.
“Multiculturalism means that we are all individual and all united, because we are Australians.”
But it wasn’t just about Minister Kotsiras’ visit, with the class also encouraged to share their stories.
Khaled took up the opportunity to tell a traditional story from Eritrea, while Triet spoke of encountering jellyfish in the sea in Vietnam and Karina recounted learning stories in Spanish from Chile.
For the Minister, the pride and confidence with which the children told their stories demonstrated just how far we have come as a community.
“I’m proud of my Greek heritage,” he said.
“But I’m Australian. Be proud of who you are, showcase your difference because that is your identity.”
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