One of the closest, but also most loyal, friend to former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was a Greek wrestler.
George Gouliova arrived in Australia in 1974 and until 1981 was crowned Australian and Asian heavyweight champion however forced to retire due to an injury,.
Mr Gouliovas talks to SBS Greek for his unparalleled successes in the ring, but mainly about his relationship with Gough Whitlam.
"With hard work, serious training and of course with the mental persistance that I had, I was not made to go against people over my weight range but dud and was successful, " says Mr Gouliova revealing the secret of his Australian success while also referring to his friendship with the Australian Prime Minister Gough the Philhellene.
"When I met Whitlam it was like seeing an ancient Greek philosopher, an orator. He was at the Greek Club in Sydney. He expressed his desire after seeing me on television to get to know me. He put me in front of the map of Greece and started talking to me about historic events. I was ashamed to say that I was Greek and I was standing in front of him "said Mr. Gouliovas, referring to the spirit of the Australian leader and his knowledge of Greek history and culture.
"The last time I saw him it was in a hospital specialty apartment they had in Sydney. I was surprised that even though he was in a wheelchair with dementia and he didn't remember much, he wanted to ask me what eventually happened to the sculptures of the Parthenon, if the British government gave it back or not yet, "said Mr Gouliovas.
"What I admired about Gough Whitlam was his spirit, his ingenuity, his vision, but above all his humanity. Whitlam was the exception to the rule for a politician, "he add it.
