I first met Gaetano when I was eighteen years old, working part time as an administrative officer for the Darebin Ethnic Communities Council while I studied at University. As a young migrant it was an amazing experience to meet all the local ethnic leaders of whom I have many fond memories. Gaetano was the President at the time, working hard for his vision of a multicultural, inclusive Melbourne, where everyone was celebrated and accepted. I was very fortunate to meet him at such an important age, and he inspired me to take an interest in politics and local community issues.
I moved to Darebin in 2009, and have lived there ever since – mainly in Preston and Reservoir. In 2020, when the Preston Market was under threat of demolition, Gaetano got in touch and together with other community members we began the Save The Preston Market Action Group. Gaetano’s knowledge of the workings of local council were crucial to helping us make good decisions when fighting for the market. He always emphasised the importance of the culture and history of the market to the local migrants – from the Italians and the Greeks at first through to the Vietnamese, Chinese and Arabs, to name but a few. He reminded me how important the market was to the migrant communities we had worked together to serve all those years ago, how we couldn’t give up something so precious to local people for developer’s greed. Some things are more important than money, and a community space that holds so many stories and memories, and grows news ones all the time, certainly is.
Gaetano and I worked together over our shared love for the Preston Market – but he always taught me that it wasn’t the only issue that mattered. He cared about the issues that mattered to local communities, and always worked to learn about and advance the interests of the people he represented. He always thought that ordinary people should get to have a say about their lives – the public transport they get access to, how their community spaces are designed and funded, the upkeep of local parks and environment, aged care and childcare. The fight for Preston Market was just one aspect of a fight for community control of Darebin.
As your local Councillor, Gaetano put so much effort into connecting with you all, and I know that it will take a lot of work for me to catch up on the relationships and understanding he had that let him be the most popular Councillor in Darebin! Having lived on Allenby Avenue, my kids go to Reservoir Primary, and playing for the local soccer team, I have a strong connection to the area. But I have more to learn, and I need to update the knowledge Gaetano gave me about how the local issues are progressing. I hope to continue the tradition of independent, community-driven candidates who listen to the people of Darebin.
While you’re here, please consider signing the petition by the Democritus League to rename the Darebin Intercultural Centre after our beloved Gaetano Greco!
George Kanjere Independent For North West Ward 