The first Greek settlements in Darwin (1914-1920): Why Salonika crossing?

This study examines the first Greek settlements in the city of Darwin before 1920. These two settlements, “Greek Town” or “Port Said” and “Salonica Crossing”, were created by Greek families arriving in Darwin after 1914, some via Singapore, others from Western Australia and especially Fremantle. The abundance of work in Darwin before and during World War One, due to Vestey’s meatworks and the seasonal projects of the government in the Northern Territory, led many Greeks, mainly Kastellorizians from Western Australia, to search for work in this corner of Australia. We argue that the name of the second Greek settlement, “Salonica Crossing”, is connected with Greece and the “Revolutionary Government” of Elefhterios Venizelos established in Thessaloniki during 1916 and was an act supportive of the Allies. Our study, through letters “of the Greek residents of Darwin” in local newspapers, argues that by naming this settlement “Salonica Crossing”, Greeks living in the racist and hostile climate of Darwin at that time, chose to convince Australians that they were on the side of the Allies in the War and not the Germans.