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Aust-Macedonians allowed to return to Greece

Australian-Macedonian political refugees have begun returning to Greece for the first time in more than 50 years after the Government decided to allow them to visit their birthplaces.

For thousands of Australian-Macedonians forced into exile by Greece's brutal civil war, the return to their birthplaces has been hugely sentimental.

Overwhelmed by emotion, many broke down in tears as they crossed the border from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Those who were unexpectedly barred entry because their Australian passports bore the old Macedonian names of their villages, wept harder still.

Most of the refugees were forced to flee Greece as children during the 1940s conflict, before ending up in various parts of eastern Europe, Australia and Canada.

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