Neos Kosmos and Etihad Airways conducted the Greek Australian Moment photo competition, and the winner was announced: Stelios Zoumakis. His entry of his photogenic 50 percent Greek-born/50 percent Australian-born family got him two economy class return airfares to Athens with Etihad Airways.
“I am overjoyed to have won this prize. I have never won anything in my life, and this couldn’t have come at a better time,” says Stelios to neoskosmos.com.
The story of Stelios, his wife Olga, and daughters Athena, 4, and 5 month-old Elly, is a heart-warming one. Greek-born Stelios and Australian-born Olga met in Peristeri, Athens, in the neighborhood where their mothers were childhood friends. The couple’s long distance relationship eventually ended in marriage, and Olga committed to moving to Greece and starting a family.
But after Athena was born, the economic crisis hit Greece and led to difficulties for the family. The best way forward was to move to Australia. Having personally faced the “migrant’s” obstacles, Stelios is sensitive to the plight of migrants and is currently working at the Australian Greek Welfare Society, driven to help migrants and the elderly of the Greek community.
Nearly two years later, Stelios and Olga have now added Elly to their brood, making their family an even 50-50 Greek Australian split.
Olga, who has a graphic design background, decided to brainstorm the idea for the winning photo. With t-shirts made and camera in hand, they took the endearing photo that would win them the prize.
The win could not come at a better time for the family, who admit that it’s difficult being away from family and friends in Greece, and not being able to visit them. They plan to put their trip to good use, with hopes of baptizing Elly in Greece later this year.
The winning photograph was selected by committees at Neos Kosmos and Etihad Airways, based on its photographic merit and because it best suited the theme of a Greek Australian moment.
(Source: www.neoskosmos.com)
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