This biography is part of a collection from "Life in Australia" :


Among the notable Greeks of Australia, particularly distinguished for their patriotism and generosity, we must number the highly respected Mr. Dionysios Kouvaras, currently President of the Greek Community of New South Wales.

Arriving in Melbourne in Australia about 28 years ago, he has been in Sydney for 19 years.

He is to be numbered among the wealthiest Greeks of Australia and is very well-known and very well-liked by both the Greek and foreign community there.

He was President for the first year after the formation of the Greek Community and was also president of various committees for the collection of contributions on behalf of the Greek race during various events. He was President of committees formed for so many other, numberless, good causes, with the result that large amounts of money were collected, he was also President during the formation of the first Greek limited company and he is, last but not least, a valuable partner in a great number of good deeds that have performed in New South Wales up to the present.

During the building of the Greek Cathedral there, he was an outstanding example of generosity and activity, contributing greatly, by the employ of all his resources, to the success of the project, which at that time was considered extremely difficult.

Mr. Kouvaras has always made a name for himself as a trader, as a manager and as a good friend. It is certainly true that during meetings of the Community, he has occupied his rightful position.

The Greeks of New South Wales, though lively literary expressions, have always shown their gratitude and dedication to him.

A few years ago, he married the eldest sister of the wealthy Mavrokefali brothers, Miss Angeliki Mavrokefalou, a valued companion and virtuous spouse.

Life in Australia is flattered to have the opportunity to write, albeit only very briefly, about the distinguished President, Mr. Dionysios Kouvaras and is proud to present to the Greek public such eager patriots. His address, known to all, is 122 King St., Sydney.


This biography is part of a collection from "Life in Australia" published in 1916 by John Comino. It is an important book as it was one of the first Greek books published in Australia for the Greeks back in the homeland. If they needed any more convincing of the golden opportunities awaiting them in Australia, it probably helped create interest amongst young Kytherians and other Greeks. Each of the men portrayed in the book paid for the honour, which, considering their reputation for thriftiness, must have made the decision a hard one for many a Kytherian.

The Kythera-Family.net team, with the support of the Nicolaus Aroney Trust and other generous sponsors, has undertaken to transcribe the entire book for the website and to translate it into English for the non-greek-speaking diaspora community. We hope to also produce a printed version of the translation of Life in Australia sometime in 2005.

For valuable information about the historical background of the publication of Life in Australia, please read the entry by Hugh Gilchrist I ZOI EN AFSTRALLIA in the History, General History section.