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Viola Kalokerinos' experience of immigrating to Australia from Greece was "only positive".
She moved hto Australia in 1975, with limited English language skills, and ran a business with her late husband.
Ms Kalokerinos was a state finalist for the Australia’s Local Hero 2015 award, following years of community work.
She is actively involved with 16 organisations in Canberra, including the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing, a multicultural seniors group, the Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre Society, the Greek community and church, a local aged-care home, a palliative care group and others.
"I don’t like wasting my time," Ms Kalokerinos said.
"I believe we must all get involved with each other.
"I don't feel I’m a hero but I try to help as much as I can."
Ms Kalokerinos said she helped the community that had helped her when she needed it.
“When I lost my husband 11 years ago, the community helped me go on with my life,” she said.
“I couldn’t survive without the help of the people.”
When her community of Curtin lost its banks, Ms Kalokerinos was an important figure in establishing a community bank.
Curtin Community Bank manager Damian McNamara said Ms Kalokerinos was the driving force.
"It took about 18 months to two years to set up this branch," he said.
That required getting shareholders and convincing Bendigo and Adelaide Bank to open in Curtin.
"A lot of it involved weekend work," Mr McNamara said.
"She formed a big part that got the bank here."
- SBS is running a series of articles highlighting Australians named as finalists in this year’s Australian of the Year Awards.
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