Merry Christmas – From Our Family to Yours

Australia is a melting pot of all cultures and people from diverse backgrounds. Our First Australians saw the events of the Gold Rush, WW1, WW2 and the Vietnam War, resulting in the migration of refugees and immigrants to Australia.

In the mid-19th Century, the Gold Rush brought Chinese, Scottish and Greek immigrants. Post WW2 brought European refugees who were fleeing from persecution and destruction across Europe as well as “Ten Pound Poms” under the assisted passage migration scheme. After the devastation of the Vietnam war, Australia saw an influx of refugees from South-East Asia and in recent years new-comers have arrived from Africa and the Middle East.

These new Australians brought their customs and traditions from their old country to Australia, mixing with indigenous and established culture, where they were able to practice their faith, cultural customs and traditions. The significance of celebrating religious events and upholding traditions is to preserve language, identity and history to all cultures.

As a child of Greek refugees, I was taught strong family values, ethics, freedom of thought, and to welcome new ideas and conversation. In recruitment, it is important to connect with and welcome people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Being inquisitive and interested in getting to know people is one of the reasons why I enjoy recruitment. Some of the ways our office wishes each other a 'Merry Christmas':

Merry Christmas
Kαλά Χριστούγεννα
Buon Natale
圣诞节快乐
Fröhliche Weihnachten
Joyeux Noël

As a self-proclaimed foodie, I always look forward to Christmas as it’s a time to bring out the Cypriot Souvla, Tsoureki and Tahinopites. During this busy time, my Italian neighbours are also gearing up and buying Panettone (in bulk) and baking Pandoro to hand out to family and friends. Sydney is diverse in nature and so are its people. As a Sydney-sider, I am lucky to be working with people from different cultures who enjoy celebrating (and eating) each other’s foodie traditions.

Whether you believe the fat man in the red suit exists or not, the Christmas period is a time to celebrate the unity of family and friends; to embrace the holiday spirit of coming together and breaking bread with one another. Enjoy!

‘We have apples and oranges. We are all different, but in the end, we are all fruit’ - Gus Portokalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding)