John Vasilakakos's PhD thesis Narrative Techniques in the Works of Nikos Kahtitsis was accepted by the University of Melbourne in 1994; prior to this he gained a Master of Arts (Hons) degree in 1984 for his thesis entitled The Handling of the Greek Civil War in Contemporary Greek Prose Literature of the Period (1946-1958). He was also awarded a Bachelor of Letters (thesis entitled the Resistance Literature of the Junta Period) from the University of New England in 1982 as well as an Associate Diploma in Interpreting and Translating from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Vasilakakos has worked as a translator for the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, translating works such as The Complete Guide to Multi-cultural Melbourne (1978) and Aid to Communication with the Deaf (1976) for the Victorian School for Deaf Children.
His work as a freelance columnist for Melbourne and Athenian Greek newspapers and literary magazines, and as a interpreting and translating lecturer (Modern Greek) at the Faculty of Arts, Language and Culture Studies, Victoria College, Toorak Campus (now Deakin University) contributed to his being on the editorial board of Antipodes in 1976. Vasilakakos has been a member of the World League of Authors, International PEN and the Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW) (Victorian Branch).
Vasilakakos' writings encompass many forms and genres, as evidenced by his winning first prize for the best lyrics in the Greek Song Festival at Melbourne in 1979; his prize winning short stories appearing in many Greek and Australian literature magazines; and his work being read on Greek National Radio and the Greek Television Broadcasting Service (ERT 1 radio and ERT 2 TV) in 1987 and on ABC TV and SBS TV in 1987 and 1988. His work has been reviewed in several Greek publications, notably in Anti (1981), Tachudromos (1981), E Auge tes Kuriakes (1986), Eleutherotupia (1987), Neoellenika Grammata (1987) and in the Bulletin Signaletique de Bibliographie Hellenique (1974). In April, 1985, he was awarded a distinction for the short story 'O Tsakatsoukas' [The Peanut Seller], in an Australia-wide short story competition organised by Sydney's Themelio Publishing Company.
In January 1987, the Association des Gens Lettres Hellenes, in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Culture, organised an evening of tribute to his work. In 1988 Vasilakakos was awarded the Hellenic Distinction for Literature for To Kolpo [The Set-Up], and for his contribution to Greek-Australian letters. His works have been translated into English, Italian and Chinese and many are on Modern Greek reading lists for secondary and tertiary courses in Australia and the United States. (Adapted from BAMW).
