Speaker background
Nick Avakoumides was born in the village of Archontiko, Crete in 1934. Nick migrated to Australia on the Neptunia in 1952. He worked alongside his brother at George’s milk bar in Leichhardt before moving on to work as a welder. Eventually, he bought his own mixed business in Bronte. In 1959, he married Dorothy at Saint Sophia in Paddington and had three children. Nick and Dorothy still live in Bronte today.
Interview summary
Nick discusses his life in Crete and his family’s origins in Asia Minor. He talks about moving to Australia in 1952, his life as a factory worker, marrying his wife, and running two businesses in Bronte.
Interview highlights
highlight
Nick discusses his experience working as a welder and getting paid overtime.
Nick: He said, ‘You can start work.’ I said, ‘How much I’ll get?’ He said, ‘If you work like a boy, 10 pound a week; if you work like a man, 13 pounds 10 shillings.’ It was fair enough. So, Monday I started work […] About 2 o’clock, he came and said something to Tsitsou. I said, ‘Tsitsou, what did the boss say to you?’ He says, ‘If I want to work overtime.’ I said, ‘He never told me.’ He said, ‘First week, nobody works overtime.’ So, that was fair. But before I was finished, he come. He says, ‘Nick you want to work overtime?’ ‘Yes.’ Four hours on Monday. Four hours on Tuesday. Four hours on Wednesday. Four hours on Thursday. But Friday was payday. No… So, he paid me. If … he said, ‘Do you want to work Saturday and Sunday?’ I said, ‘Beauty.’ Anyhow he paid me 21 pound … I thought the sky is up. Then the second week, 36 pounds 10 shillings. I’ll never forget about it.
Timecode 11:34 - 13:09
