Harry (Charalambos) Vatiliotis hails from the village Vatili in Cyprus. In 1952, at the age of 16, his family moved to Australia and he never returned to the Mediterenean island. His village is now on the side of Cyprus which is under Turkish occupation.
''I find the idea a bit depressing really. I've seen pictures of the village and I can't recognise anything. They tore the houses down and rebuilt them'' he said.
Having arrived in Australia, the young Harry followed his father's advice and became part of the Australian society. Initially he was working in the railway lines in Eveleigh.
According to the National Museum of Australia, ''Smith (1880–1978) is widely regarded as the most important violin maker in Australia''. Young Harry did so and in 1953, at the age of 17, started his apprenticeship under Smith.
Decades later, Mr Vatiliotis is a luthier in his own right, and recently was honored as a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday.
''It was something unexpected. My brother, who is a journalist, and the one who nominated me, pestered me for two years to give him information for my nomination''.
During his career, Mr Vatiliotis has made 793 violins, with 3 more to be completed soon.
''My goal is to make 800. After that I can retire and make three or four a year, just to keep in touch with the musical fraternity'' he said.
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