Hungarians who found fame and success in the new world

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Australia is one of the most cosmopolitan nations in the world. That might seem surprising for a country that is so far from anywhere. However, Aussies would joke that it is simply a case that once people arrive there, they never want to leave.

That’s not so far from the truth. Right now, Australia’s visa rules are quite restrictive, so it is not a case that just anyone can turn up and move in. But over the years, there have been waves of immigration from different parts of the world. In the 1950s, Australia had genuine fears that unless the population increased, it would not be able to withstand a military invasion. Thousands from Hungary answered the call, especially in the years of unrest either side of the 1956 revolution.

Today, about 100,000 Australians claim Hungarian descent, many through their parents and grandparents. Most have gone on to quietly prosper, and about 50 percent of Hungarian Australians live in the Sydney and Melbourne areas. Some, however, have risen above the masses and made a name for themselves in their areas of expertise in the new world.

Joe Bugner defined an era

Aussie Joe, as he is affectionately known, was born in Hungary and fled to Britain in 1956. During the 1970s, he was right up there with the likes of Mohamad Ali, Joe Frazier, Henry Cooper and the rest as one of the world’s leading heavyweight boxers. But that was only the beginning.

In 1986, ostensibly retired, he emigrated to Australia. There, he adopted the nickname Aussie Joe and launched one of the most extraordinary comebacks in boxing history. In 1996, at 46 years old, he won the Pacific and Australasian Heavyweight title, which he successfully defended in 1997. Still, he was not done. In 1998, he defeated former champion James “Bonecrusher” Smith to take the WBF Heavyweight crown. At 48 years and 110 days, he also entered the record books as the oldest-ever boxer to hold a championship belt.

Judy Cassab was one of Australia’s most celebrated artists

After years working in a forced labour camp during the war, Judy Cassab returned briefly to her native Hungary before leaving for Australia with her husband and two sons. There, she concentrated on developing her skills in portrait painting, and by the end of the 1960s, she was the most talked about artist in Australia.

She was the first female artist to win the celebrated Archibald Prize twice (in 1960 and 1966), and held well over 50 private exhibitions, both in Australia and elsewhere. Her final exhibition took place in Canberra, shortly after she celebrated her 93^rd birthday.

Michael Addamo is the new face of world poker

The youngest star on our list, Michael is a third generation Hungarian Australian, whose grandparents arrived in the mid 1950s. Michael, therefore is a true Aussie born and bred, a fact that is evidenced by his love of a wager. Having grown up in the internet age, Michael has been able to get a game of poker online any time he wants it since he turned 21 in 2015.

He certainly took advantage of the opportunity. If you check https://www.casinoaus.net/online-poker/ you will see there are games and tournaments to be found online for Australian players of all abilities. Addamo propelled himself up the rankings with incredible haste and he has already won more than $20 million in the WSOP plus four bracelets. Still only 29, he has the potential to become the most successful poker player of our times.

Rob Stary was the man you wanted in your corner

A founding partner at Melbourne law firm Stary, Norton Halphen, Rob Stary is the son of Hungarian immigrants and is one of the most famous defence lawyers in Melbourne’s legal history.

He is probably most famous for standing in Julian Assange’s corner when most lawyers found him too hot to handle. In 2021, he retired from practice and took up a new role in the Magistrate’s Court of Victoria.