The Greek-Australian Nicknamed Zorba

The Greek-Australian Nicknamed ‘Zorba’ was written as a lasting legacy for the children and grandchildren of Peter Kotis. It is also intended to be a professional guide to his colleagues in the hairdressing industry and for all professional people in general, a hymn for all migrants and specifically for his compatriots, and a heartfelt thank you to Australia and to Australians for all the help they have given to him and each migrant who comes to this country.
A reader will find much of interest in this book’s pages: Peter’s life story and his experiences, as well as his thoughts on important issues. For example: ‘There is nothing that a person cannot achieve’, and ‘Education is a help, but it isn’t everything’. He himself is a prime example of this!
Arriving in Australia as a twenty-year-old young man with only primary school education, no knowledge of English, one borrowed change of clothes and shoes, and just fifty drachmas in his pocket, he managed to excel professionally, to become financially secure and to rise to enviable heights socially. And he did all this relying only on himself, and without stepping on others to get ahead, as so often happens in these circumstances!
He managed to amass a not inconsiderable fortune and to hold positions that are usually within the reach only of those who are more educated, positions such as President of AHEPA (Australasian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) and President and Coordinator of the Greek Programs for Brisbane multicultural radio for seventeen years. He has also received many impressive awards, certificates and commendations and became the first and only Greek migrant businessman recognised for service to the city of Brisbane in 2009.