At the age of three, Helen’s parents emigrated to Australia from Greece on a government assisted passage. Her first days at school were disorienting as she did not speak English. Growing up in Australia in the 50s and 60s was not easy for someone who’s upbringing was at odds with to the dominant culture. Multiculturalism was not espoused as a cultural alternative to assimilation, until 1975. Helen graduated from Melbourne University with a major in Fine Arts and Classical studies. She was an English as a Second Language teacher for a short time and then ditched teaching to pursue a short-lived career in acting. She lives in Melbourne Australia.