Maria Vamvakinou
Maria Vamvakinou, the Federal Member for Calwell, is the first Greek-born woman to be elected to Australia’s national parliament.
Born on the small Greek island of Lefkada in 1959 like the many post war European families, looking for a better life and opportunities, migrating by boat with her parents in 1963.
Maria grew up and was educated in Melbourne’s northern suburbs and the child of working class migrant parents Maria shares a common background and aspirations with many local residents and families.
Maria was born in Lefkada, Greece 4 January 1959 and she migrated to Australia 1963. Maria is married to LaTrobe University Lecturer Dr. Michalis Michael and has two children Stavros 11 and Stella 9.
Education
Maria was educated at Brunswick South Primary School and Princes Hill High School, she attended the University of Melbourne where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (major in Modern /Greek and Political Science). Maria also holds a Diploma of Education.
Brief Employment History
For much of Maria’s working life she worked as a Teacher at Thornbury High School (Darebin Parklands), teaching students Greek. She also worked as a co-ordinator of the Antipodes Greek Festival. Prior to entering Parliament Maria worked in various political roles, including as an Electorate Officer to Andrew Theophanous and Senator Kim Carr and she also worked as and Executive Assistant to Joan Kirner, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and as a Personal Secretary to Andrew McCutcheon, Victorian Minister for Planning and Housing.
Community Involvement
Maria has had extensive involvement in her local community and prior to entering Parliament Maria was a Councillor on the Northcote City Council. Maria was the Vice-President of the Australian Greek Welfare Society, volunteer Radio Journalist for 3ZZZ radio, a member of the Northcote Ethnic Communities Council and she led the community campaign against the Broadmeadows option for the Airport Rail Link
Maria as acted as deputy chair on the City of Hume Multicultural Issues Forum, she has worked with Keilor Traders group against local bank branch closures and assisted a Meadow Heights parent group for children with learning difficulties.