Hestia's Migration

“I landed on a blend of art nouveau and Greek pottery. So, trying to blend the classic Greek pottery depictions with the green and gold colour scheme. Depicted all around, obviously the top ‘freedom or death’ it’s the 200 anniversary and that we’re celebrating this year of Greek independence.”

“Then to the top left is a depiction of Saint Nicholas, who is a patron saint and is the name of the church that the original immigrants built in the 1960s that is … on Illawarra Road.”

“Then to the top right is a depiction of a ship with the word Patris underneath… [which brought] a huge majority of the Australian Greek immigrant population, over about 50 years going from Athens to Melbourne back and forth, so there’s a lot of history and emotions behind that ship.”

“Below that, I’ve got the Australian gum leaves to represent the new land to represent this natural beauty and Marrickville as a new settling ground.”

“Over to the left, I’ve got depictions of a jar of oil, fish, and olive branch to represent Greek food. From what I’ve read and the stories that I’ve told, the real reason why Marrickville has become such a center is because of Greek delis and Greek food.”

“Under that is the word ‘Lamia’, which is the name of a deli that’s been on Marrickville road since the ‘60s.”

“Below that is the olive branch growing words into the soil to represent the next generation of Greek children that were born here in Marrickville that are growing their roots in the Australian soil.”

“Surrounding Hestia is the word ‘Filotimo’, which … [is] such a powerful, all-encompassing word that … represents family and honour and taking someone into your home and showing respect without asking for anything back, which I think is a really beautiful sentiment.”