The first Greek migrants in Darwin came mainly from Kastelorizo. Today descentants of these original Kastelorizian Greeks live in Queensland but in their majority they live in Perth, Western Australia, where a few years ago the City Mayor was Mick Michaels, a Greek of Kastelorizian origin.

This is a brief look at the small island of Kastelorizo, an island that has been greek since the dawn of History.

Kastelorizo is Greece's eastern extremity, 72 miles from Rhodes. It is only one mile from the southern coast of Turkey, and 150 miles from Cyprus. This is a small and rocky island, and yet .Today, of all this nothing remains except its houses, in ruins as the result of fire and bombing. Those close to the harbour have been repaired and are gleaming white with their doors and window-frames painted in bright colours.

Today, the permanent residents, who number just over 200, are mostly fisherman. Most of the people have emigrated to Australia.

Kastelorizo can be reached from Rhodes by boat or air.

The islet Rho, near Kastelorizo, had until a few years ago a single inhabitant, who quarded it and up the Greek flag every morning. This was Despina Achadioti, the Lady of Rho, as she was known.

Kastelorizo lies on the southeastern extremity of Greece. It extends its border to 72 nautical miles, which is its exact distance from Rhodes. It is only 1.5 miles from the Turkish coasts and 150 miles from Cyprus. Its total area is just 9 square miles and its coastline 19 km. This tiny island has only one settlement, at the back of which there is a small pinewood which gives life to the rocky landscape. There is an abundance of partridge for hunting, which attracts both locals and visitors. Megisti, as it is also called, is bigger than the neighbouring islets of Ros and Strogili. It seems like an abandoned mansion, though most of its inhabitants have immigrated to the USA and Australia, particularly in Western Australia, while others live in Athens and Rhodes. At the beginning of the present century it had 15000 inhabitants but Its present population is no more than 250 inhabitants who are mostly fishermen. Although they lead secluded lives, they are warm-hearted and willing to offer hospitality to visitors who come to their island.

The tiny island of Megisti has only one settlement which consists of two or three-storeyed mansions and brightly coloured houses. Their internal decoration is impressive and brings to mind ancient Asian styles. From the earliest times, the decoration has reflected the social class of the family especially that of the hostess. The more luxurious it was, the more worthy of admiration the lady of the house. The women of Kastelorizo were always queens in their homes. This is even indicated in their traditional attires which suggest Byzantine magnificence as they are more ornate than other Dodecanese costumes. In spite of this air of genuine noblesse, the Kastelorizian women were also excellent housewives. They saw to that everything was impeccable in the eyes of their husbands, who were important members of the society. The present inhabitants lead very simple lives. Their only pleasure is the various festivals in which they sing and dance to the lyre and the dulcimer.
 

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