At Morris Group we’re lucky to have a diverse workforce with talented people from all over the world working together to deliver exceptional experiences every day.
This month we caught up with some of our colleagues from across the businesses who take us on a tour of their home towns, and share a bit about their history and cultures.
Kostantinos Marko
Venue Manager – Ardo Rooftop
Ardo, QLD
My name is Konstantinos Marko, and I am from Athens, Greece. Athens is in the southeastern Greece, within the province of Attica. I grew up in the western suburbs of Athens in a community called Peristeri which is located under the mountain of Aigaleo.
In my eyes, Athens is the city of comfort, and we all take pride in being Athenians. In the centre of the city, we have the Acropolis which was build 2,500 years ago and has been standing as the gem of the city. What makes Athens so special is the ancient ruins of temples and museums that can be found everywhere, but also the fact that city has really grown around those landmarks. Athens is known for vibrant nightlife and for the lifestyle it presents. We are known for our food, coffee, loud plate-breaking, conversations, and parties. From fine dining to simple taverns, the city never sleeps. There is always something to do anywhere in Athens.
I left Athens for the first time when I was 19. I have spent most of my summers on various Greek islands, but I would always go back in winter. When I was 23, I met my partner Melia, who is from Magnetic Island. She’s the reason I decided to leave Greece and move to Australia. I have now been in Australia for almost three years, and I can easily say I am having the best time of my life. I try to visit Greece once a year for about a month. I am the only one in my family that has moved this far away, so it’s very important to me to see my parents and brother and try and keep up with their lives.
When I think about Greece and Athens, the first thing that comes to mind is that, even though the city has 4 million people, every neighbourhood and community feels like a little village. When I was a child, I remember my parents used to take me to play around the church with my mates. There they would meet with other parents, and they would sit and have a drink while we played for hours. I always knew that if anything ever happened to me, the community would be there to help. It almost feels like you are raised by the community and not just your family. It’s the collectiveness that really stuck with me and it has really shaped who I am today.
I think the most beautiful thing about Greek culture is the mix of ancient Greek philosophy, mythology but also Christian orthodoxy that you see in all people. From a really young age, we get taught everything about the big philosophers of the past and how the language was developed. We learn all about the ancient stories and the 12 gods that the Greeks used to believe. But we also attend church every Sunday and have special celebrations for saints, Christmas, and Easter. The most iconic celebration that comes to my mind is the Holy Mary Day on 15 August. You see whole cities, islands, and villages coming together, attending church early in the morning, and then carrying a three-day celebration full of dancing and good food. What stands out a lot during those celebrations is the traditional music and dancing. Every island and every village has their own styles of songs, but we all know them to an extent, and we are very proud to display our traditional dancing with every chance we get.
For many years, Greece was a very poor country and for that reason food became such a cultural thing. When families used to work all day, the only time that everyone would sit together was at dinner. Eating together became a sacred tradition. As I mentioned earlier, Athens is the city of comfort, and I would say it’s the same for Greek food. We focused on the freshness of the ingredients and the simplicity of the meal. There are two Greek words that always come to mind when I am talking about our cuisine: meraki and philoxenia. Meraki stands for taking your time and doing things with care and love, because that’s what makes everything special. Philoxenia translates to ‘hospitality’. However, the word has a much deeper meaning. It’s about opening your home to strangers, having a simple, homemade meal that warms your heart, because at the end of the day, it’s all about being kind to strangers. My favourite dish would the kleftiko. It’s a slow-roast lamb shoulder cooked with parchment with potatoes, vegetables and lots of feta.
Something very interesting about Athens is that the first ever Olympics were held there, and the arena is still standing and open for everyone to visit. Also, the museum of Plato is free of entry for everyone to see where the philosopher used to live. If there is an island that people don’t really know about but it’s a great location, that would be Ikaria. The island is known for its longevity and its red wine. People still use ancient techniques to make wines – techniques that are over 2,000 years old! Visit the island in August and don’t miss the Ikarian carnival where you will see 500 people dancing in a circle. Just be mindful, the water is freezing!
Naomi Baird
Marketing Manager
Morris Hospitality, VIC
I grew up in a few countries, but the place I spent the longest is Killyleagh, a small harbour village on the Strangford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland. My mum still lives there, so it is very much home.My country is known for the beautiful scenery, beaches, food and of course, great pubs. My hometown is small, home to only a few thousand people, but all the above are prominent in my village.
I lived in Killyleagh since I was 14, then moved away to Liverpool when I was 18 for university buttravelled back home every month or so. After university I spent nearly a year at home during Covidand then moved to London at the end of 2020 for work. I love most things about my country: the people, culture and scenery. What I loved most about living in Killyleagh is the tranquillity of it. You wake up to views of the lough, walk down small roads, stopping having a chat to everyone you pass. It is a very different way of life to the city.
Killyleagh is the birthplace of Sir Hans Sloan – the inventor of Chocolate, who later sold the recipe to Cadbury’s. It has the oldest and only castle in Ireland that people still reside in, and a 10-minute drive to Downpatrick will take you to the burial place of St Patrick.
Religion plays a major role in Irish and Northern Irish culture although, unfortunately not always in positive ways. Ireland has a complicated, deeply rooted history of cultural divide, which has helped build very strong communities but also left a divided country. The history is extremely interesting. I would really recommend that people read a little about it if they have time.
Music is the heart of Ireland. It’s probably the one thing we can all agree on. Walk into almost any pub and you will find live trad bands playing folk music. These gatherings are called ‘sessions’.
Similarly, food and pub culture are what bring Irish people together. I love the cuisine, though it is extremely simple. Mainly meat and veg (especially potatoes) all with very little seasoning. Most Irish people find a smidge of cracked black pepper to be too spicy. My favourite dish is called colcannon: mashed potato mixed with braised cabbage and fried in plenty of good ole’ Irish butter to make it crispy, almost like a giant hash brown. In the north, we take inspiration from the English bubble and squeak and add thick carvery ham or bacon to the dish. I can’t forget to mention Guinness, the world’s most famous stout. Unfortunately, I am yet to get a Guinness like home here in Melbourne, but the search continues!
The scenery here is just as beautiful as Ireland but you have better beaches, and of course muchmuch better weather. I moved during Ireland’s winter into Australia’s summer which was absolutebliss. I love the coffee culture here and the pub food is bloody good. I’d say the café trend is only starting in Ireland now.
I think everyone should try to travel to Ireland if they get the chance, the weather might not be thebest but it is a really beautiful place. If you are heading north, base yourself around Strangford Lough (close to where I am from) for walks, wildlife and castles, then continue to the Mourne Mountains or along the Causeway Coast. If you are going south or west, Kerry, Dingle and Galway are stunning and full of music, scenery and that lovely Irish welcome.
Billy Zou
Sales Manager – Greater China
Nautilus Aviation, QLD
I’m originally from China, and my hometown is Shenzhen, located in the southern part of Guangdong Province right next to Hong Kong. It’s one of China’s southernmost major cities and a place that shaped my early life and aspirations.I spent over a decade living in Shenzhen, a city that shaped my early career and worldview. After two years working in textile export, I made a bold decision. I borrowed money from my parents and moved to Sydney in 1990 to pursue my long-held dream of studying abroad. That journey led me to the University of Technology Sydney, where I enrolled in an MBA program and began a new chapter of growth and discovery. In the early years, I returned to Shenzhen every five years, but now, thanks to my work in tourism and aviation, I visit more often.
Arriving in Australia as a young man in the early 1990s, I was immediately struck by the differences in communication and social interaction. Australians were more direct and open, while I came from a culture that valued subtlety, respect, and quiet politeness. Even our food habits diverged. Western-style breakfasts and cold meals were common here, whereas I was used to steaming bowls of porridge and freshly steamed buns. The language and humour took time to adjust to, but I embraced the challenge.
Shenzhen is a vibrant, modern metropolis that transformed from a small fishing village into a global hub for technology and innovation in just a few decades. It was China’s first Special Economic Zone and is often called the Hardware Silicon Valley, because it’s home to tech giants like Huawei, Tencent, and DJI. The key industries there include high-tech manufacturing, financial services, creative arts, and e-commerce. Some of the notable landmarks include the Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen Bay Park, Window of the World theme park, Dafen Oil Painting Village, and the Shenzhen Museum.
What makes Shenzhen truly special is its spirit of inclusiveness and innovation. As a city of migrants, it blends cultures from across China, creating a unique urban character. What I love most is its rhythm and sense of opportunity. No matter where you’re from, if you’re willing to work hard, you can carve out your own path there.
Shenzhen’s culture is a fusion of Cantonese, Hakka, and Chaoshan traditions, with influences from all over China. Traditional festivals like Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival remain important, and local heritage such as the Fish Lantern Dance is actively preserved. Art thrives in places like OCT-LOFT Creative Park and Artron Art Museum, which contain both modern and traditional works. Music and dance are central to festive celebrations. While Shenzhen is largely secular, it is home to communities practicing Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity.
Food is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Shenzhen’s cuisine is mainly Cantonese – light, fresh, and focused on the natural flavour of ingredients. Signature dishes include dim sum, roast goose, Shajing oysters, Guangming pigeon, and Chaoshan beef hotpot. Personally, I adore the morning tea tradition: a pot of tea paired with bamboo steamers of dim sum. It’s a refined yet comforting ritual that brings people together.
Shenzhen is a fantastic travel destination. Located just across the border from Hong Kong, Shenzhen offers a rich blend of modern and traditional experiences. I always recommend a stroll through Shenzhen Bay Park, a visit to Dafen Oil Painting Village, or a day at Window of the World, where global cultures come alive in miniature.My second hometown Cairns is also very special to me. I first visited in 2005 and instantly felt a deep connection here. It reminded me of Shenzhen in the 1980s: a small coastal city with a relaxed pace and a close relationship with nature. I could ride my bike in shorts and sandals, and life felt simple again.
While Shenzhen has grown into a global metropolis, my childhood memories have faded into its skyline. Cairns became my Australian hometown, and I’ve now lived here for 20 years, working in the tourism industry. It’s a place that offers peace, purpose, and a sense of belonging. I hope Cairns continues to thrive, and I warmly invite everyone to visit both my Chinese hometown of Shenzhen and my Australian home of Cairns—to experience the contrast, the connection, and the beauty of both worlds.