George Varughese, the Good Samaritan
George Varughese admits that when he first arrived in Sydney in April 1963, he felt quite lost.
He had no friends, and had trouble relating to the Anglo Australians around him. In fact when someone at the airport asked him when had he arrived into the country, he replied, “Just today”. When the lady replied in her Australian accent, “To-die?” he replied, “No, I didn’t come here to die, I want to live and study!”
George has been very mindful of the difficulties newcomers face when they come to make Australia their home. He has been actively involved in the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW (ECC), the peak body for all culturally and linguistically diverse communities, which was started 35 years ago. Late last year he received an Outstanding Service Award to acknowledge his contribution as its member for over 30 years. This was presented to him by the Premier of NSW, Kristina Keneally, at a reception she held for the winners. It was attended by many distinguished guests including Members of Parliament, Ministers and representatives from many ethnic communities.
The ECC has been representing and supporting the members of many ethnic communities and was instrumental in influencing the government to start SBS television and then SBS radio. It runs the Ethnic Communities Sustainable Living Project which aims to assist organisations to engage culturally and linguistically diverse communities in local environmental activities and education. The home and community care program of ECC tries to address issues of access and equity for older people, younger people with a disability and their carers. The ‘Communities Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW’, now headed by Stepan Kerkyasharian, was established as the government agency to look after the migrant ethnic communities mainly due to the efforts of the ECC.
From the days of white Australia to the rich culturally and ethnically diverse community NSW now is, it has been a long journey for George Varughese. He recalls the days when his son was born in Wagga Wagga where George was a lecturer at the teacher’s college. Being the first Indian to be born in the town, it made headlines in the local press!
Leading an active retired life, George is also involved in the University of Sydney Alumni Council, the Council for the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney and is an ‘Ambassador for Peace’ for the Universal Peace Federation. He lives in the Randwick City Council area and is an advisor on the Council’s Multicultural Advisory Committee, as well as the Chairman of the Multicultural Support Network of the Council which helps disadvantaged migrants.
Having personally experienced the feelings of isolation when he was a new migrant, George tries his best to help others who are in similar situation. He sits on all the Randwick Council citizenship ceremonies. He is also the co-founder of Sydney Malayalee Association and is involved in the World Malayalee Council. The walls of his house display some of the numerous awards George has won for his community service while he says many are “stashed away”. However for all his successes and the important positions held, George still comes across as a simple man, someone always willing to help a fellow human being. The award from the Premier cannot go to a better person. I was reminded of what Winston Churchill once said: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
By JYOTI SHANKAR.
