The Grenfell community again welcomed former local Greek families to town last weekend as part of the 2017 ‘Meet and Greek’. Authors Effy Alexakis and Leonard Janiszewski gave an informative talk to a full house about their recently released book titled “Greek Cafes & Milk Bars of Australia” at the hub followed by an evening of dining and dancing at the Bowling Club.
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Also former Grenfell resident George Raftopoulos will feature in an upcoming ABC documentary that follows the life of the popular Greek artist and his connection to Grenfell.
A film crew from ABC visited Grenfell last Saturday to interview George for the documentary.
Born in 1972 George spent a number of childhood years growing up in Grenfell and attending the local primary school, he also played football with the Grenfell Junior Rugby League club and has fond memories of Grenfell’s Main Street where his parents owned George’s Cafe.
The family left Grenfell in 1981 and after George completed his schooling he considered a career in Architecture and Industrial Relations before he felt a call to move into the Arts where his talent and creativity ensured his phenomenal success.
His interest in art developed out of a prolonged stay in hospital after a tragic accident. He found solace in reading and drawing and his love of art and creativity has not waned since.
In 1994 George received a BAVA from the University Western Sydney and in 1997 he received his Graduate Diploma, Painting from the Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney University.
He is currently a curator with the University of NSW College of Fine Arts and his work is now part of the HSC Art Curriculum.
George has been exhibiting his works since 1996 at galleries throughout Australia and has been given outstanding reviews on many occasions.
See page 7 of today’s Record for more ‘Meet and Greek’ photos.