WINTER—SPRING - Canberra 100

The Canberra Diaspora
throughout 2013
Full Circle
September 2012 to December 2013
The Canberra Diaspora was launched in 2011 to capture the personal stories of
a vast range of people connected to Canberra but no longer living there.
The ACT has a population of around 373,000 people, many of whom have
lived in the city all their lives, but Canberra is a bigger idea than its permanent
residents alone. The city has had a transitory population since its inception, as
architects, engineers, planners and builders arrived to realise the Griffin design.
For over 100 years now, the national capital has seen the comings and goings
of politicians, diplomats, defence force personnel, academics, students and
public servants, as well as scores of national and international visitors, adults
and children alike, who come to experience the capital.
The Canberra Diaspora is collecting the stories of those who have passed
through, worked in or studied in Canberra. The site has already captured
stories ranging from family to music, education to multiculturalism and politics
to nature. People are especially encouraged to share their memories of the
contribution their parents or grandparents have made to the making and
growing of Canberra.
Go to www.canberradiaspora.com.au to see the stories of those who’ve already
become part of the picture. Then share your Canberra story—turn the camera
on yourself, record your story and upload it to the website.
These are things that ex-Canberrans have already contributed to the Canberra
Diaspora site:
“Canberra is the sexy librarian of Australia. Everyone thinks she is really prim
and proper and has a kind of grey facade, but underneath that she has her kinky
knickers on. She doesn’t just show them to everybody, you’ve got to woo her a
little bit first” ... Chanel Cole, originally from New Zealand.
“We became great defenders of Canberra... it exemplified the best of the
Australian character.” Thomas Schieffer- former US Ambassador to Australia
and Susanne Schieffer, Texas, in response to the Canberra bushfires.
“I looked down and over the tomb of the unknown soldier, down Anzac Parade
past all the memorials, across Lake Burley Griffin, across to Old Parliament
House which was representing where we’d come from, and then the gaze went
up to New Parliament House which represented our future. I actually burst into
tears.... I knew what it meant to be Australian.” Jacqui Martin, Melbourne
“This is the best city in the world. We went into someone’s backyard, went in
their home-made hot tub and we barbecued!” .. Amanda Palmer – musician,
toured in Canberra with her band The Dresden Dolls.
“The ANU Bar was fantastic…the first bar in Australia to have The Dead
Kennedy’s Holiday in Cambodia on the jukebox, it was always on.” Greg
Pritchard - Cultural Development Officer for the Horsham Rural City Council.
www.canberradiaspora.com.au
Credits: Canberra Diaspora creative content has been produced by Tamsin Sharp and John Sones from Singing
Bowl Media. Website and Interactive by Oxide Interactive.
Full Circle 2013 is the ABC Canberra project designed to capture the local stories that portray the city.
We’re all too aware that there are Canberrans who may be the only ones in their family to retain the rich
stories of building Canberra and seeing its development. We encourage you to become part of Full Circle
as soon as possible. Your stories will feature on radio and television throughout 2013, and the material will
also be collected in a dedicated online space to be enjoyed all year.
This is a good example of the kind of stories we’d like to gather:
Theophilos Efkarpidis
Few individuals have left a greater mark on Canberra’s
history than Theophilos (Tom) Efkarpidis, a prominent
figure in our local history. From humble beginnings to
financial success, Tom was undoubtedly motivated,
hard-working and passionate about Canberra, his
businesses and more importantly, his family.
Moving to Australia in 1962, and later settling in
Canberra in 1964 with his brother Anastasios (Tim),
the brothers worked hard to establish themselves in
this new city. Working sundry jobs such as painter
and cook, Tom saved his hard earned dollars until he
was able to build and open a fish and chip shop in the
newly established suburb of Curtin with his brother
Tim. Two years later, the brothers had amassed enough
wealth to purchase their first property. Partnering
with immigrant and friend Philippos Christodoulou,
they acquired the Macquarie Mini Market and so
their journey among the world of supermarkets
began, including shops in Higgins, Chapman,
Mawson and Yarralumla.
By far, one of the most important accomplishments
of the two brothers was their idea to join and become
founding members of the Shoprite Corporation in
1975, an enterprise consisting primarily of Greek
Australian merchants in the supermarket industry.
By 1985 Tom and his brother Tim decided to exit
the group in search of their own venture. It was
the purchase of Cannons Food Barn in 1986 that
cemented their success. By 1992 they had built and
administered one of the largest resource warehouses
in Australia, storing retail products owned and
operated by the Australian Independent Wholesalers
(AIW). Providing employment to approximately 1,200
local staff, their activities supported the growth and
social role of Canberra, allowing the business to
financially contribute to cultural and sporting activities
in the capital, as well as supporting growing charities.
Tom never ignored his interest in the development
and real estate markets, and building upon the
substantial wealth accumulated over the years,
Tom and his brother purchased and renovated the
Melbourne Building in Civic and acquired the previously
government owned Belconnen Fresh Food Markets,
a natural progression having worked in supermarkets.
The markets were given much needed rejuvenation
and injected with life and culture.
As the company grew, a second generation came
through the ranks as the children of both Tom and
Tim followed their father’s footsteps into the world
of property and real estate. As they progressed into
the real estate industry the family was operating
as The Efkarpidis Group (TEG). As new ideas and
new directions became apparent among the family
company, an eventual split in 2005 saw the formation
of two leading groups, Rock Development Group and
Molonglo Group, to pursue exciting new ventures in
the property realm.
One of Tom’s longstanding achievements was his
position as the President of the Greek Community
in Canberra. Holding this position for 13 years,
Tom provided the longest period of leadership in the
community to date. During this time, Tom supported
the establishment of the Hellenic Club and was
integral in instituting the life members of the club.
On 11 June 1984, Tom was awarded the Medal of the
Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of service to
the Greek Community in Australia.
He was among those who campaigned energetically
for the erection of an Australian Hellenic war memorial
near the Australian War Memorial, and served on the
board of the Hellenic memorial.
In 2006, he sadly passed away, but the life of Tom
Efkarpidis forms an important part of Canberra’s local
history and that of the Greek Community.
In late 2006, after the passing of their father, the
Tom Efkarpidis Foundation was established to assist
children with illness and not-for-profit organisations
that assist youth in the Canberra community.
As a lifelong commemoration, in July of 2009 the
former Gribble Street in the suburb of Gungahlin was
renamed Efkarpidis Street, a standing legacy to the
impact he left on Canberra.
You can read more about Tom, Tim and their families on the ABC website and in the book A Trilogy of Voices
in Australia by Anastasios Myrodis Tamis, Elikon Publishing.
You’re invited to be a part of the big picture ABC Canberra are creating—using text, audio, video, pictures,
or a combination of these.
Let your creativity run riot when you visit the website below.
ABC Canberra is also collaborating with the Canberra Museum and Gallery to select stories and personal
objects for a special exhibition in March.
Full Circle 2013 is a project proudly presented by the ABC.
2 canberra100.com.au
http://pool.abc.net.au/projects/canberra-full-circle-2013