This framed tapestry was hand stitched by Olga Kououpis in 1988 in Melbourne. She used double threads and enlarged the tapestry by looking at an image on paper and counting the squares. She was extremely quick at stitching, but the tapestry did take many weeks to complete as she worked full time at a factory, and at home was busy with three children and boarders in the house. Olga would take her tapestries to work and continue stitching during her break instead of eating lunch.

Olga migrated to Australia in 1967 with her husband and two children, aged two and four. She was twenty-four years old at the time and came from Toumba, a village in the north of Greece. The family came to Melbourne on a ship called Patris and settled in Clayton when they arrived. Olga had taught herself to stitch tapestries and doilies when she was a child. Even as a child, she would receive money for these items and she continued her craft after she arrived in Australia.

The tapestry kit was made by Maketta Jeunot, dimensions are 134cm x 90cm, and scene entitled ‘Le bienvenu’ (the welcome).

The tapestry is able to be seen as part of the History Monash exhibition: Oakleigh – a changing multicultural community, open until 24 November 2026. (See News section of website for details.)