He drew crowds with the strings of his bouzouki

Sotiria Bellou, Marinella, Voula Palla – the bouzouki of Thomas Papadopoulos accompanied the voices of dozens of legendary Greek artists throughout his musical career. But before dazzling packed venues in Australia, before opening his own Greek taverna, and before crossing uncharted seas with a bouzouki under his arm, Thomas was a poor refugee child from Aloro, Aridaia. To become the successful musician who left his permanent mark on the staff of Greek music in Australia, he had to work hard, struggle, and simply survive.