Ms D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park—Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Solar Homes) (Tuesday, 26 November 2019 13:44): I rise to congratulate one of my constituents, master craftsman Dionysius Paraskevatos, for his recent exhibition of model ship replicas, entitled A Mariner’s Passion, at Macleod College, the opening of which I was very pleased to attend. I have known Dionysius for many years, and his passion for model ship making and history is inspiring.

Dionysius Paraskevatos was born in Greece in 1939 and migrated to Australia in the late 1960s. He studied marine engineering at the Athens Polytechnic College and worked as a marine engineer in the Greek defence and merchant navy. His passion for model ship making started 60 years ago and remains unwavering to this day. One of a handful of master craftsmen in the world, his skill in the construction of model ships as exact replicas of the original ships reflects his passion and the emotional connection to his art, history and the sea.

Whilst Dionysius’s work has been exhibited at the Melbourne town hall and the Parliament of Victoria, his latest exhibition at Macleod College holds great significance, as more than 800 Victorian students visited his exhibition and had the opportunity to interact with Dionysius and his art. His 19 masterpieces at the exhibition, which are replicas of ships used in different historical periods, inspired many of the visitors to delve deeper into the world’s maritime history. History is who we are, and why we are the way we are, and Dionysius’s masterpieces offer an artful and thought-provoking path for our students to embark on this valuable journey of discovery. Congratulations, Dionysius, amazing work.

Hansard link: Dionisius Paraskevatos