For over four decades, photographer Effy Alexakis has been quietly reshaping how we see Greek-Australian history. What began as a personal journey through grief after losing her father in 1983 grew into Australia’s most significant visual record of Greek migrant experiences.
In a revealing interview with m-artlens.com, Alexakis shared how her work with historian Leonard Janiszewski uncovered stories that had been overlooked for generations. Together they traveled across Australia and to Greek islands, documenting everything from early gold rush settlers to modern-day community heroes. “We weren’t just taking photos,” Alexakis explained. “We were correcting history, showing how Greeks helped build Australia since the 1850s.”
Some of her most powerful images capture everyday moments that reveal deeper truths. A 1986 photo of Effie Haldezos feeding her grandchild in a country café took on new meaning during COVID lockdowns. “I saw our collective vulnerability in that image – this woman responsible for both her business and her family, just trying to keep going,” Alexakis reflected.
Now, after 40 years of work, Alexakis is preparing her massive archive – including 30,000 photographs and 1,500 audio recordings – for preservation at the State Library of NSW. “These aren’t just my memories,” she said. “They belong to the whole community, to future generations who should know this history.”
Her latest project documents a Greek Orthodox soup kitchen in Sydney, continuing her mission to show the full diversity of Greek-Australian life. From the early migrant cafés to modern community service, Alexakis’ work proves that the most powerful history is often found in ordinary people’s extraordinary stories.
Read the full interview at m-artlens.com
