Ithacan Historical Society
Photograph, Greek wrestler Jim Londros comes to Melbourne, 26 November 1946
The photograph was taken at arrival of the champion Greek wrestler, Jim Londros at Moorabin Airport on 26 November 1946. He was welcomed by members of the Greek community in Melbourne which included Stathi Raftopoulos, B. Dervenis, Spiro Raftopoulo -President of Greek Returned Soldierss, Mr Hatzis, Dr. Haralambos Paroulakis and Ioannis Panagiotopoulos.
Jim Londros visited Australia after his retirement from wrestling in 1946. In retirement he worked for various charitable organizations especially for the Greek orphans of World War II. The photograph was published in the Greek newspaper 'Fos'.Greeks have enjoyed the sport of wrestling since ancient times. So the visit to Australia of a former Greek wrestling champion, and one who also devoted his time to helping others, would have been an important event for members of Melbourne's Greek community in 1946.
Mr Ioannis Panagiotopoulos was publisher of the 'Fos' newspaper, the only Greek newspaper at the time.
Dr Paroulakis arrived in Australia late 1930s and practised 55 Collins Street till 1987. He was Head of Outpatients and Physician at St, Vincent's Hospital for 22 years. Born in Crete he also served as President of Melbourne's Cretan Brotherhood, A black and white photograph of six men standing outdoors. All the men are dressed in suits. One is also wearing a tweed coat and four are wearing hats. Written under the photograph in Greek: MEMBERS OF THE GREEK COMMUNITY AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF JIM LONDROS/ WORLD WRESTLING CHAMPION/ AT MOORABIN AIRPORT IN 1946. (PH. BY THE AUTHOR)wrestling, jim londros