From an early age Sylvia displayed a talent for the healing arts, sciences and art.
By the age of six she had become the family’s masseur displaying a natural talent for treating physical ailments.
Sylvia came under her grandmother Angelica’s tutelage and further developed her skills and knowledge in massage, healing, herbs and their healing properties.
Her grandmother a natural healer in Greece from a very young age, well versed in the healing properties of plants and herbs of the region and in the physical techniques of massage also blessed with healing hands. Sylvia continued her study with her until her passing in the mid 1980’s whilst attending studies at Photography Studies College in Melbourne towards her diploma in photography.
Sylvia while continuing in her photographic studies became employed in local government (Williamstown Council) as a Community Arts Administrator.
One of her key roles was to raise the community’s involvement with art in all forms.
She obtained grants for public murals and art projects she assisted in them as well.
Sylvia chaired meetings of the regional arts council and co coordinated the then very popular Williamstown Festival held annually and raised its profile and it’s multicultural content. She also liaised with the Antipodes (Greek) Festival a major event held annually in Melbourne.
Sylvia exhibited at the Footscray Community Arts Centre twice during her tenure with International Photojournalists from South Africa and Vietnam.
She was also featured in the Age newspaper during another joint exhibition called The Mad Mothers exhibition in the later 1980’s.
Her various roles within the community saw her create and implement further educational opportunities for less privileged youth and migrant immigrants to Melbourne. She created multicultural groups as a means to integrate people from all ethnic backgrounds in coming together and set up music, art, cooking classes and workshops within the western region of Melbourne through community centres.
Sylvia then left local government and freelanced as a photojournalist for the then, very popular - Western Region Games. Working directly with the coordinator to raise the profile of the games; she photographed various athletes and events, gala evenings, lunches, and promoted media releases. She also assisted some athletes with their physical ailments.
In 1989, she made the move into print media, full time as a photojournalist with the then - Western Independent Newspaper. While also a freelance photographer, Sylvia photographed many boxing, kick boxing, soccer and other sports events for magazines and private clientele.
She continued to study natural healing methods during this time and was attuned to Reiki in 1990. Her fascination with natural medicine led her overseas in 1995 where she studied in Greece attending workshops in vibrational and hands-on healing including massage and ear candling.
On her return, she continued to work as a freelance photographer, photographing international singing celebrities including Greece’s divas of song, Anna Vissi and Glikeria during their tours of Australia.
Sylvia continued with her healing work at this time privately, and with the South Melbourne Soccer Club working as their masseur and sports therapist. Assisting with and implementing player’s training; and injury recovery programs. Mainly for the women’s section and at times the men’s. After 7 years she then joined the Port Melbourne Soccer Club with the same duties.
Sylvia continued her studies during that time and up until now, obtaining:
- Certificate in Massage
- Certificate in Crystal Light Balancing
- Certificate in Interpersonal Counselling
- Diploma of Vibrational Healing
- Diplomas in Clinical Hypnotherapy and Ego State Therapy
- Masters in Qi Gong
- Masters in Reiki and Seichen
It has been a journey of growth and evolvement, a journey that continues. Her wishes are to serve the greater good.
