Children of Auburn – George Voulgaroupoulos

Children of Auburn

“Children of Auburn” is my photographic portrayal of a side of Sydney that most people will never see. This series provides a glimpse into the life of the next generation of Australians living in Auburn, peering behind the curtain of this little-known side of society. Auburn is a small suburb in Sydney’s west, a landing point for many migrants and refugees when they first arrive in Australia.

Recent events have spurred an increase in displaced Afghan, Iraqi and Sudanese refugees seeking a new place to call home, a haven from a troubled past, which is an important and overlooked aspect of Australian culture. Will this next generation of Australians hold onto their cultural heritage, or will they be overwhelmed by the pressure to assimilate? The body of work parallels my journey as a photographer, as an observer of a culture, mirroring my own experiences as a 2nd generation Australian.

George Voulgaropoulos

George is a Photojournalist. He works as Staff Photographer for suburban newspapers like Canterbury/Bankstown Torch, Auburn Review, and Cooks River Valley Times. He is in the process of receiving his Diploma of Photography at Sydney Institute of Technology TAFE and also spends his weekends working as a Wedding Photographer.

His images have been published in BBC World News, Australian Traveller, Advocate Insider and Real Time Arts Magazine and have also been awarded several local art prizes such as the 1st prize in the 2008 Auburn Mayoral Photographic Awards.