Greek Young Matrons' Association (c. 1977 - )

The formation of the Greek Young Matrons' Association was an overt attempt by second generation parents of Greek heritage to ensure that their children married Australian born Greeks like themselves.By providing them with an organisation which would offer social activities and cultural events in which young Greek people could participate, the organisers hoped that young Greeks would marry within the community. The Greek Young Matrons' Association organised

The Greek Young Matrons' Association organised children's concerts (performed in language) and debates for tennagers to particpate in. The association also had an annual Ball at which young Greek girls of the second and third generation could make their debut and become known, and possibly seen and selected by an appropriate Greek Australian young man. The organisation was mainly made up of upper middle and middle class second generation Greek women. Parent hoped that participation in this organisation meant that their children would not only marry an Australian born Greek but probably a person from a similar social class.

Featured Organisation

• Being Seen And Heard: Migrant Women Organising In Australia, A Documentary History (2006 - )

Related Concepts

• Greece Born Community of Australia

Online Resources

• Costadopoulos-Hill, Maria, Greeks In Australia: 100 years of History, Based upon an oral history thesis written by Maria Costadopoulos-Hill at the University of NSW in 1979., 1979, http://www.cybernaut.com.au/greeksinoz/. [ Details... ]