Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria

Entry: Free

During this lecture Olympia Pearce Rizidis will be launching the Greek translation of her book 'This is our Promised Land'.

The book outlines the plight of Olympia's family, descendants of Asia Minor Greeks expelled from Turkey during the 1922 population exchanges.

Surviving an arduous transition in Greece, from near starvation in refugee camps to the calamities brought upon by the Second World War and the Civil War, Olympia's family then migrated to Australia in 1954-1955.

There a different transition awaited them, where they were required to adjust to different lifestyles, different customs and a new language.

The Australian phase also allowed for the healing of emotional wounds through listening and the sharing of life stories and experiences.

Biography

Olympia Pearce Rizidis was born in Florina during the Greek Civil War in 1947. Her family settled in Australia in 1955 where she attended Oakleigh State Primary and Huntingdale High schools.

She has worked in a variety of roles in diverse sectors: banking, teaching, real estate and property management. Residing in Queensland, she works as a volunteer chaplain at Logan Hospital and has a passion for writing.

Apart from 'My Promised Land' she has published a collection of short mystery stories and some poetry.