Yiannikos Raftopoulos and his daughter, Olga were at the 1972 Ithacan annual held at the Southern Cross Hotel in Exhibition Street. The Ithacan Club's annual ball has been a popular with the members and their families and friends. A black and white photograph of a man and a young girl at a social function.

Pictured from L-R: Xenia and Stamati Sharikis and Yiannikos Raftopoulos. They were attending a social function at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. A coloured photograph of a lady and two men sitting in a room at a social event. There is a white border at the top and bottom of the photograph.

In the 1930s Stathi Raftopoulos' family settled in Merbein where he is pictured on his horse together with his young sister Loula. A scanned black and white photograph of a young boy on a horse holding a little child.stathi raftopoulos, loula raftopoulos

This is a family photograph of Spiros Raftopoulos (Levendi), his wife Hariklia and sons Stathi and Naki, and daughter, Apostolo (Loula). The photograph was taken about circa 1937, four years after the family arrived in Australia (1934) and settled in Merbein . Spiro had been to Australia earlier in 1922; his brothers John and Efthimio Raftopoulos (Fiakas) were were well established with businesses in Mildura and surrounding towns.A laminated copy of a family group studio photograph. Three men are standing behind a lady who is seated in front with a little girl.family photograph, mildura, greek businesses

The man in the photograph is Panayotis Raftopoulos (Politsimanos). He opened, the Leura Café and fish shop in the Victorian town of Camperdown in 1933 with Niko Karadis. Some Ithacans who settled in Australia were fishmongers as they had grown up with a knowledge of fish and fishing in their country of birth. While the majority of early Ithacans had businesses in the inner Melbourne area, a number ventured into regional Victoria. The Greek café is a well know cultural icon in country towns and was often the local gathering place.A black and white photograph of a man wearing a white apron standing in a yard and holding a fish in each hand.

Photographed is Naki Raftopoulos who along with other Ithacan born men were recruited into the Civilian Military Forces during World War 2.Young Greek and Australian-Greek men joined the Australian Defence Forces during World War 2 and served in various capacities. Ithacans who were unnaturalised were recruited into the Civilian Military Forces as 'Allied Aliens' and served the war effort on the home front. Naturalised Ithacans saw active service.An enlarged photograph of a head and shoulders view of a soldier.

Stathi and Kassiana Raftopoulos pictured disembarking from the M/V Romantica on their arrival in Israel. They travelled annually to Greece and extensively to other parts of the world.A coloured photograph of a couple disembarking from the ship M/V Romantica at Israel.

Among his collection of film and historical memorabilia housed in the 'katoi' (basement) of his North Balwyn home, Stathi Raftopoulos had a reproduction copy of the painting of 'Chloe'. A black and white photograph of man holding a beer bottle in one hand and a beer mug in the other while toasting the portrait of 'Chloe' of Young and Jacksons fame. The following dedication in French is on the base of the frame: IL VISITE SOUVENT VOS PLAISIBLE RIVAGES SOUVENT J'ECOUTE ET L'AIR QUI GEMIT DANS VOS BOIS A MON OREILLE OU LOIN VEINT APPORTER SA VOIX.

Stathi Raftopoulos was a promoter and enthusiast of Greek and English cinema and entertained many guests screening films at his home cinema. He was also an avid collector of film memorabilia. A coloured photograph of a man standing behind a film projector in his home cinema. Posters are on the wall in the background.Written on the back: 520/28Afilm projectors

The lady in the photograph is Kalypso Sofianos nee Raftopoulos. It was taken before she migrated to Australia in 1936. Kalypso was a staunch member of the IPS and in 1995 was made an Honorary Life Member. A faded photograph of a lady sitting on the edge of a bed with a patterned iron bedhead. It has a partial white border around two sides.

This is a photograph of the Raftopoulos-Rodopoulos family members who attended the function in honour of the late Loula Rodopoulos (nee Raftopoulos). Loula Rodopoulos was one of the first fully qualified social workers from an 'ethnic' background and was instrumental in the establishment of the Womens’ Trust, which established a sub fund in her name to sponsor young women writers and to help women recovering from mental health problems. Both areas were of very great interest to Loula during her lifetime. Loula's and Spearos' parents were Peter (Panoyiannis) and Evgenia Raftopoulos. Peter migrated from Ithaca in the 1930s and was secretary of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society 1938-1949 and 1953. Evgenia was born in Melbourne in 1923, the daughter of Katina Dracoulis and Spearos Raftopulos (Balatsikos) who were married in Melbourne 1921. The event was held at Macrobertson Girls High School where Loula was a student. Pictured from L-R: Steve Reynolds, Sophia Reynolds and Katie Rodopoulos ( Loula's daughter), Alicia Vakalopoulos, George Rodopoulos (Loula's husband), Kosta Vakalopoulos, Maria Rodopoulos (Loula's daughter), Penny Rodopoulos, (Loula's youngest daughter), Lucas Vakalopoulos and Spearos Raftopoulos ( Loula's brother). A coloured photograph of ten four ladies and four men with a little girl and boy standing in front of a green wall in a hall.

The portrait photo is of John (Yiannis) Raftopoulos, father of Michael, Theodora and Dennis. John arrived in Australia in 1912 at the age of 13 together with his father Mihalis Raftopoulos. Mihalis had first come to Australia in 1895 and again in 1906; he finally returned to Ithaca in 1918. John however remained and eventually established his own business, Central Fruit Agency, in Melbourne's Victoria Market. He was also in partnership with his brothers-in-law John and Peter Karantgis in the London Cafe in Elizabeth Street Melbourne.John Raftopoulos was typical of many early young Ithacan males who settled in Melbourne and who with a strong entrepreneurial spirit gradually established themselves in various businesses.A black and white studio portrait photograph of a smartly dressed young man. Original photograph was in a black oval frame .

This photograph was taken when Yianni and Diamando (Manto) Raftopoulos were engaged while they were still living in Ithaca. They later emigrated to join other family member in Melbourne where they settled.A black and white photograph of a man and lady standing in front of a stone wall.

Kalypso Sofianos nee Raftopoulos is pictured in the middle. The other women are not identified. The group were photographed in Ithaca, in the village of Kioni, possibly taken shortly before Kalypso emigrated to Australia in 1936.Young people migrating from their homeland to a foreign county and unknown culture left behind family and close friends.A scanned black and white photograph of three women sitting on a stone wall with a stone cottage visible on the RHS of the picture and mountains in the background. A portion of the original photograph was torn on the LHS.

The bride and groom in the photograph are Costas Raftopoulos and Joyia Carange (Karantgis) who were married at the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church in East Melbourne on the 12th October 1924. They had both migrated from Ithaca.A black and white studio photograph of a wedding party. There are four men standing at the back with the bride. Seated in the front are two ladies, the bridegroom, a flower girl and a young child. There is a decorative screen used as a backdrop.

Stathi Raftopoulos is pictured working at his computer. Stathi initiated the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's 'Odysseus' newspaper in the 1970s and was editor for more than 20 years. Developing computer skills in the 1980s greatly assisted him in the production of the newspaper. A coloured photograph of a man working at his computer.

In 1966 Stathi and Kassiani Raftopoulos together with their children, Leah, Rena, Angela and Spiros travelled to Greece and Ithaca. The family photograph was taken on board the Patris as they approached Aden. They final destination was the Greek port of Piraeus before heading to Ithaca.A scanned photograph with white surrounds mounted on a cardboard. It is a photograph of a family on the deck of a ship. One of the children is holding a doll in front of her.Written in Greek underneath the photograph and translated: THE FIRST TRIP WITH FAMILY NEAR ADEN ON PATRIS TO GREECE. ITHACA/1966.travelling, marine transport

Brothers Stathi and Naki Raftopoulos arrived in Australia as young boys in 1934. They first settled in Merbein but eventually moved permanently to Melbourne. Both were involved in various businesses with Stathi eventually involved in Greek cinemas and Naki in the food and hospitality industry.A coloured photograph of a man sitting at his desk talking to another man. Bookshelves are stacked with books behind the two men.brothers, cinemas

A copy of the marriage certificate of Constas (Costas) and Joyia Raftopoulos nee Karanze, who were married at the Greek Orthodox Church 'Evangelismos' in East Melbourne on 12 October 1924. The priest who conducted the service was Father Irineos Cassimatis. Costas was a fruiterer and Joyia was a 'tailoress'.Constas Raftopoulos and Joyia Grarange both migrated to Australia from Ithaca in the 1920s and like many other Ithacans settled in Melbourne where they eventually married. During the years between the two world wars chain migration saw many Ithacans sponsored by family members to come to Melbourne.A photograph of a marriage certificate.

Stathi Raftopoulos was passionate about film and often showed movies to family and friends in his home cinema. He was a keen promoter of Greek film which he screened to the wider public as a travelling picture show man and later through the chain of Greek cinemas he was a partner in.A coloured photograph of a man standing next to a film projector in his home cinema. Two Greek film posters are on the wall behind him.

Stathis Raftopoulos and family. From left to right: Leah (Koutsounis), Spiro, Stathi, Zaharenia Stamelatos (Kassiani's mother), Kassiani, Rena (Varigos) and Angela (Tsolakis). Kassiani's mother Zaharenia lived most of her life on Ithaca and came to Australia in her twilight years to be with her daughter. A black and white family group photograph featuring parents and their four children and the elderly grandmother. The photograph has a double lined dark blue border around it. The photographer's details are in the bottom RH corner. Printed in blue in the corner: HIONI PHOTO STUDIOS/988 LYGON ST., NORTH CARLTON/PHONE: 38-9824family photographs

Stathi Raftopoulos is pictured at his home cinema at his residence in Sylvander Street North Balwyn. In 1949 Stathi Raftopoulos imported the first Greek film into Australia, entitled 'Voice of the Heart'. It was screened at Nicholas Hall in Lonsdale Street. Stathis went on to become a travelling picture show man showing Greek films to the Greeks in regional centres around Australia. He later established a film distribution and exhibition company, The Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures, in partnership with Mr Panayioti (Peter) Giannoudis. With the advent of television in the 1950, former suburban picture theatres were being closed down. Stathi and Peter took over many of these cinemas to show imported Greek films to the post WWII burgeoning Greek community.A coloured photograph of a man seated on a red theatre seat in a home cinema. Posters, photographs and film memorabilia are displayed on the three surrounding wallsWritten on the back : 520/BAhome theatres, greek movies

Stathi Raftopoulos was an avid collector of different objects, including artwork and film memorabilia which he stored and displayed in a basement room below his home in North Balwyn . The room became known as 'Stathi's katoi'. 'Katoi' is an Ithacan term for the storage area or room under the main house.A coloured photograph of a long narrow room with many framed pictures, posters and paintings hanging on the walls. Items of furniture are used to display a variety of objects. A pull-down screen is hanging from the end wall and a man is seated on a chair in front of it. The floor is covered with an off-white carpet length.Written on the back in black biro: 520/24/7

Stathi Raftopoulos as a young man developed an interest in performing magic tricks. He performed, under the name of Rafto the Magician, with the Glad Eye Review Company and the National Follies. The companies performed in venues around Melbourne including the Tivoli and Kings Theatres. He also regularly entertained children at the annual Ithacan Christmas tree party.A coloured photograph featuring a magician on the stage at the Melbourne Town Hall performing tricks for an audience. He is holding a top hat in his hand and is standing in front of a small table which is covered with a patterned cloth.melbourne town hall, entertainment

The couple in the photograph are Ioulia and George Raftopoulos (Klapatsouras) who were the parents of Effie Cominos and Aspasia (Sia) Koutsouvelis. Ioulia was from the village of Stavros and George from Frikes. They arrived in Australia from Ithaca in the 1920s and settled in Park Street Brunswick. Following George's death moved to Cromwell Road South Yarra close to her daughter Effie. A scanned studio photograph mounted on a brown board of a smartly dressed man and lady. They are photographed in front of a floral backdrop with the man seated on a seat and the lady standing beside him.

Stathi Raftopoulos (middle) and Angelo Petalas (left) and a Mr Palaris are pictured filming at Madden Grove Kew. Both Stathi and Angelo were passionate about cinema. Stathi brought Greek cinema to Melbourne and Angelo ran the Melbourne University Cinema. Angelo's son Kim Petalas has carried on his father's passion and is the National Programming Director for Palace Cinemas.Black & white photograph with white crinkled border of 3 men with a movie camera.

The photograph is of Stathi Raftopoulos and unknown young man. Stathi erected a number of statues and sculptures, creating an open space 'museum' adjoining the family home in Kollieri, Ithaca. Included was an obelisk made from the stones that pressed the olives. The urns featured in the photo are known as 'plitharia' and are used to store the olive oil. Stathi also arranged for other statues to be displayed at various significant sites on Ithaca. A coloured photograph of man and a younger man standing on a terrace outside a house in a village in Ithaca. The man is unveiling a statue of a mermaid. In the background there is a statue of a horse, three large pottery urns and a two wheeled cart.symbols, gardens

Brothers John (left) and Tom Raftopoulos. John and Tom were both involved in the fruit and vegetable business; John owned a business for 18 years at the Victoria market (Central Fruit Agency); whilst Tom ran a fruit shop in Nicholson Street Carlton for more than 30 years. Over a period of time Tom gave a regular morning market report on the John Eden show on radio 3DB. A black and white photograph of two men standing by a front gate in a front garden in a suburban home. raft, patakias

The photo is of Stathi and Kassiani Raftopoulos arriving at the at 33rd Festival International du Film Cannes in 1980. Stathi was passionate about the motion picture industry and was instrumental in bringing Greek cinema to Australia. At one stage the Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures company, in which he was a partner, operated 12 picture theatres across inner suburban Melbourne screening Greek films. Because of his active interest in the film industry it is no surprise that he attended film festivals.The screening of Greek films at the Cosmopolitan cinemas provided a key source of entertainment to the large post WWII Greek immigrant population living in inner suburban Melbourne. Stathi's promotion of Greek films in Melbourne helped to establish greater interest in foreign films across the city. Cosmopolitan cinemas were the first to screen Indian films in Melbourne.A coloured photograph of a couple in formal attire arriving at an event.33rd. FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL/ DU FILM CANNES 1980.cannes film festival

The obituary is remembering the life of Panoyiannis (Peter John) Raftopoulos who migrated from the Ithacan village of Kioni to come to Australia in 1937 where he joined his sister Kalypso and her husband Dimitiri Sofianos. He was a respected member of the Ithacan community and an Honorary Life Member. He also worked for a range of causes in broader community. He is remembered every year at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's annual bursary awards which were initiated by him. The award for the highest achieving Year 12 graduate is named after him.A scanned copy of an obituary that was published in the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's Newspaper about one of the members. A photograph of the person is included with then article.obituaries, bursary awards