Excursions
Most Greek Australian immigrants grew up in rural or regional areas in Greece. Many spent years in agricultural work before arriving in Australia.
Country areas and the outdoors strongly appeal to elderly Greeks and the opportunity to enjoy a day in in the countryside is rarely ignored. Many Greek senior citizens’ clubs, regional associations and brotherhoods arrange day trips to locations in outer Melbourne or regional Victoria. Here are some of the most popular destinations and suggestions for related activities.
Geelong
Geelong interests the elderly because it has a sizeable Greek community and a Greek Monastery. To visit the Holy Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos you need to contact the monastery in advance. Directory of Greek Services has a list of Greek Orthodox parishes.
Red Hill
Red Hill has become a favourite outdoor spot for many Greek Australians because the Greek Holy Monastery of Panagia Kamariani is located there in a truly stunning spot. The parish priest will arrange for your visit to coincide with an activity involving the local Greek-Australian community. This could be the local Greek seniors’ meeting held in the church’s community hall or a religious celebration and feast day among the pines and olive trees surrounding the Monastery’s church.
Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula in general is worth considering if you are planning a day trip for Greek elders. Frankston, Rosebud and Rye have large Greek populations. Frankston and Red Hill both have Greek Orthodox churches. The area’s many beaches and various inland destinations mean there are endless possibilities for interesting excursions.
Maroondah Dam
Easy to get to, Maroondah Dam is a favourite picnic spot for Melbourne’s Greek community.
Regional Victoria
For longer trips involving overnight stays, consider Morwell, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Mildura and their agricultural hinterlands. Numbers of Greek Australians live in and around these rural cities. Many Greek senior citizens clubs have taken groups of elders on two and three day stays in these areas. Guided tours of key regional features are a highlight of such trips and suitable dining venues are easy to find.
Metropolitan Melbourne
There are many options for excursions in the Melbourne metropolitan. These include:
- Enjoy a stroll with other Greek Australians, a Greek coffee and sweets, or a Greek meal in one of Melbourne’s several Greek shopping precincts. Some Greek precincts include: Station St, Fairfield, Lonsdale St, Melbourne Chester & Portman Rds, Oakleigh. While you’re there you can purchase ingredients for your client’s favourite Greek recipes!
- Outdoor markets are an enjoyable way to spend time with your clients. If your client or your residential facility has a herb or vegetable garden, or if you are considering getting one started, why not purchase some seedlings?
- The Immigration Museum is relevant to your client’s migration experience and could be an ideal location for an outing.
- Various events are organised every year for the Antipodes Festival (Melbourne’s Greek cultural festival) by the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria. The festival usually runs from March to October. Contact the festival organisers to ask about the most suitable events. enquiries@greekcommunity.com.au
- Melbourne hosts the Antipodes Greek Film Festival annually. It features recently released movies from Greece as well as films from the heyday of Greek cinema. Your clients would almost certainly enjoy seeing films from the 1960s and ’70s. View the program at www.greekfilmfestival.com.au
- For current events and activities visit: www.greekcity.com.au
Greek Restaurants and Shops
For Greek elders, visiting shops and cafes is a culturally and linguistically appropriate activity. These excursions will provide a high level of exposure to Greek language and Culture. Melbourne and its suburbs offer many choices should you decide to organise lunch or dinner. A number of Greek restaurants have wheelchair access.
With such a large Greek population, shopping for specifically Greek items is not difficult. Clients will enjoy visiting Melbourne’s Greek shopping precincts. As well as keeping clients active it also allows them to remain in touch with the broader Greek community.
