Thursday, 23 February 2023

George Rekakis

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (11:14): I rise to remember the life of George Rekakis, son of Nikolaos and Aikaterina, devoted husband of Katina for 63 years, loving father to Mary, Nick, John and Anna, respected and loved father-in-law to Habib, Helena, Susie and Kim and proud grandfather to George, Parissah, Kathryn, Yianni, Peter, Yiorgi, Nikita, Sotiri, Elise and Angelina. George was born in Episkopi, Mylopotamou in Rethymnon, Crete, a small, remote village in the foothills of Psiloritis adorned with grand Venetian 1000-year-old houses and humble homes like his, built stone-by-stone by his grandfather, Ioannis.

George was brought up in poverty in wartime. Hardly a teenager when World War II broke out, George supported Australian solders in hiding in Crete and would sneak papers to the resistance under his donkey’s saddle. When asked in recent years about such a dangerous mission being assigned to a 12-year old, George replied, ‘I didn’t hesitate; I wanted to do all I could for my country.’

George had an adventurous spirit and arrived in Australia in 1954. He started learning English, and with his innate remarkable memory he succeeded. George relished his new life in Australia, never complaining of hard work or difficult conditions. He enjoyed his days in Bonegilla migrant camp, winning fruit-picking competitions and even meeting fellow Cretans who had musical instruments, which meant he could continue his passion for song and company.

George met his beloved Katina in Melbourne. It was instant love that led to their marriage in 1959 and four children. They created a loving and welcoming home that cherished Cretan culture. George passed away peacefully aged 94. He was loved and lived a long and good life, and he will be missed.