The photograph was taken when Stathi Raftopoulos was seserved with 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.A black and white photograph of fifteen men wearing army style clothing and light coloured berets sitting around and relaxing.wwii, army

On the right is Stathi Raftopoulos and his business partner Pangiotis (Peter) Giannoudis. The photograph, taken in Sydney in 1972, at a meeting of men involved in the Greek theatre/film industry. One of the men is a Mr. Heliopolis, a member of the Greek Heliopolis Theatre visiting Australia. Stathi Raftopoulos was active in promoting Greek film and live performances in Australia from the 1950s through to the 1970s. As a result of the efforts of Stathi Raftopoulos to bring Greek theatre and films to Australia many of the post WW2 Greek immigrants who settled in Australia were able to enjoy entertainment from Greece. Stathi was a partner in the Cosmopolitan Film company which had a number cinemas in the inner suburbs of Melbourne in the 19600s - early 1980s. Although they screened almost exclusively Greek films, they were the first to bring Indian films to Australia.A black and white photograph of seven men sitting around a table in a cafe.

Nakis (Nick) Raftopoulos is the man photographed standing beside his car in a street in Abbotsford. He is the brother of Stathi Raftopoulos.A black and white photograph of a man standing next to a car in a suburban street.raftopoulos, nakis.

Stathi Raftopoulos (centre row, second from the right) is pictured together with young people (unknown) at a Greek picnic in Adelaide. A black and white photograph of group of young people at a picnic. There are six women and seven men and two young children in the group. There are trees growing in the background.

The photograph is of members of a local soccer team on the Greek island of Ithaca in 1951. Stathi Raftopoulos is pictured on the left to the right of the young children. Soccer is a very popular game both in Greece and amongst the Greek community in Australia.A scanned black and white photograph of men and boys posing for a soccer team photograph. Thirteen people are standing and five are kneeling in the front with the soccer ball.

The Committee of Ithacan Expatriates held an inaugural conference on Ithaca on 17 July 1976. Stathi Raftopoulos, pictured the microphone, was a delegate to the conference along with other expatriates.Organisations such as the Committee for Ithacan Expatriates are a means by which the diaspora Greeks of Ithacan background are be able to maintain the links with the island.A black and white photograph featuring a man standing in front of a microphone at a conference. Six other male participants, including a priest, are seated at a table either side of him. In the background is a curtained stage with a banner featuring the bust of Odysseus.ULYSSES KING OF ITHACA.australia

Pictured in a traditional costume is Kassiani Raftopoulos (nee Stamelatos) when she was a young student in Ithaca. Kassiani migrated to Australia in 1953 following her marriage to Stathi Raftopoulos. A sepia photograph of a young girl dressed in traditional Greek costume standing in front of a fenced building. Written on the back in Greek: Ενθμιο σχοληκος ετως εν Ιθακη, Βαθυ. Εμπρος το σχολαρχειο. Translated: Memento from school year 1939 in Ithaca, Vathi. In front of the school.

The photograph was taken at a conference of expatriate Ithacan Greeks which took place in Vathi, Ithaca on 17 July 1976. Stathi Raftopoulos attended the conference and is seated at the table, second from the right.A conference of expatriate Ithacan Greeks indicates the close ties which remained between the Ithacans who remained in Greece and those who had settled in other countries. Many Greeks who settled in Melbourne in the early years of last century were from Ithaca. A black and white photograph of seven men and a lady sitting around a table at a meeting in a hall. There is an audience of fourteen people sitting on chairs. The speaker is barely visible in the extreme LHS of the photographThe details of the photographer and the event have been stamped on the back of the photograph in Greek.

The photograph was taken at an Ithacan picnic during the running races. IPS committee members, L-R Stathi Raftopoulos, Michael Black and Nick Varigos are presenting prizes of tennis rackets to race winners.The annual Ithacan picnic which is held towards the end of summer is a popular event allowing friends and families to mingle and relax. The running races are a popular feature for the young.A black and white photograph of a crowd of people outdoors. Two men are holding wrapped tennis rackets while another man is talking to a child in the group.

Stathi Raftopoulos presents Koula Megalogenis with an award from the running races held at annual picnic. The awards were presented at a function which took place in the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's club rooms.A coloured photograph of a man shaking the hands of a young girl s, who is holding a trophy. Another lady is standing in the background.

The tall monument, constructed by Stathi Raftopoulos, and known as the 'Pyramides' or the 'Obelisk' is located in Kolieri, Ithaca, overlooking Afales Bay. Constructed from the stones that were used to press the olives, the monument is a tribute to the making of the olive oil, a staple of the island. A coloured photograph of a tall monument and other items located next to the Raftopoulos (Levendi) home in the village of Kolieri, Ithaca. Kolieri located below the village of Exoghi overlooking Afales Bay. The property is located on the road which ends at Kalamos where a natural water spring flows. kalamos

The soldiers are pictured at Camp Pell, Royal Park Melbourne where a large military camp was located during World War 2. On the left is Stathi Raftopoulos, one of a number Ithacans who served in the Civilian Military Forces during World War 2.A number of Ithacan Greek men and Australian born men of Ithacan descent served in the Australian defence forces during World War 2. Those who had not become naturalised were recruited into the Civilian Military Forces as 'Allied Aliens' and served the war effort on the home front.A black and white photograph of two soldiers standing in from of a tent at an army camp.

Pictured left to right are: Stathi Raftopoulos, Sotiris Sikiotis, Anthi Chilianis and Stratos Paizis all of whom are Honorary Life Member of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. The photo is taken at the clubrooms at a New Year's Eve function and they are cutting the traditional New Year 'Vasilopita' cake. A coloured photograph of a lady and three men standing behind a table. One of the men is preparing to cut a traditional New Year's cake. Hanging on the wall behind is a large photograph of Vathi.

The photo is taken at the home of Jim and Leah Kandiliotis in 1996 during the preparations for an Ithacan New Years Eve barbeque function. The tables are set up for the guests and Jim Kandiliotis is carving the meat with help from Nick Lourantos and Stathi Raftopoulos looks to be sampling the fare.Cooking meat on a spit is popular fare in Greek celebrations. A coloured photograph of three men cooking a side of lamb on a spit which is on a patio.

Nikolaos Paizis and Stathi Raftopoulos photographed by the Yarra River in Kew. Both men were much loved poets in Melbourne's Ithacan community and would be called upon to recite at various social functions. Nikolaos was known as 'the Poet' (Ο Ποιητής) amongst Melbourne's Ithacan community.A scanned black and white photograph of two men standing in a garden.

Many young men, both Ithacan born and Australian born of Ithacan descent joined the Australian Defence Forces in various capacities during World War 2. Pictured is a group of army recruits to the Civilian Military Forces with a young Stathi Raftopoulos seated in the centre - he is the only one not wearing a cap.Ithacans who were not naturalised were recruited to the Civilian Military Forces as 'Allied Aliens'.A black and white photograph of thirteen men inn army uniform sitting and relaxing in a shed.

The photograph was taken at a gathering at the premises of the Greek Returned Soldiers at 142 Russell Street in Melbourne some time in the early 1950s. Spiro Raftopoulos (Levendi), president of the organisation, is seated on the left at the head of the table; his son Stathi Raftopoulos is seated on the right, sixth down. The solicitor, Mr. Zilores, is sitting next to Spiros.A black and white photograph of a group of men sitting around a long table in a meeting room which has been set out for refreshments. A photograph of a man is hanging on the back wall and an honour board is on the RHS.Stamped in black on the back: 192

Stathi Raftopoulos had an interest in magic and developed an act which he performed as 'Rafto the Magician'. He worked with the Glad Eye Review Company and National Follies which performed in various Melbourne venues including the Tivoli and Kings Theatres. He also regularly entertained children at the annual Ithacan children's Christmas Tree party.A coloured photograph of a man dressed as a magician in a black suit with tails and wearing a top hat. He is on the stage at the Melbourne Town Hall performing magic tricks. He is holding a wine bottle in one hand and a glass in the other.melbourne town hall, entertainment

The men photographed are from L-R: Gerry Dellaportas (Dellas), Bill Antypas and Stathi Raftopoulos who served in the Civilian Military Forces as 'Allied Aliens'. The photograph was taken at an army base in Albury in 1944. Albury was one of the regional towns where troops were stationed before being sent to other areas of battle or defence. 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.A black and whit photograph of three men in army uniform standing next to a tent erected in an open paddock.army, wwii

Pictured are Stathi Raftopoulos right, Angelo Petalas centre, other man unknown. Stathi and Angelo were lifelong friends and shared a passion for film. 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 for film and is the National Programming Director for Palace Cinemas.A coloured photograph of three men standing in a retail photography shop. Photographic accessories are displayed on racks and shelves behind the group.

This is a photograph of the members of the 1993-94 Ithacan Philanthropic Committee. Back row from L-R: Spyridoula Digaletou-Coutsouvelis, George Coutsouvelis, Dennis Katsamas, Dennis Koutsouvelis, Chrissa Raftopoulos. Front row from L-R: Stathi Raftopoulos, Helen Vlass Treasurer, Peter Paxinos Vice-President, Anthony Drakopoulos President, Antoni Razos Secretary, Nick Lourantos. When this photograph was taken the Ithacan Philanthropic Society had been in existence for 78 years. A number of the committee members were second or third generation Australians of Ithacan descent.A coloured photograph of eleven people - three ladies and eight men - formally standing and seated in a room.

Pictured is Irini Pappas ( Papadopoulos) in the role of 'Ismini' in the production of 'Antigone' which was performed at the University of Melbourne. The play was directed by Nikos Dimitrakopoulos, a director from Greece. Also appearing in the production were fellow Ithacans Spiro Paizis, Stathis Raftopoulos and Sophia Paizis. Irini was a well known actor in the Greek community who appeared in various television productions and local theatre productions, both Greek and English. Irini was a trailblazer. She challenged traditional views of the role and career pathways of young Australian born Greek Ithacan women of her era. Although her passion was the theatre, she undertook a varied range of occupations including teaching, counselling and vocational guidance. In her work with women of migrant background she encouraged them not be constrained by the social or cultural expectations of others.A black and white portrait photograph of a young lady.

Pictured l-r are Bill Florence (Vasilis Florias) playing violin, Peter (Pano) Vlass, Joyce Mason and Stathis Raftopoulos playing banjo. They are continuing the celebrations the day after Pano's and Joyce's wedding. The photo is taken in the back garden of the Golden Key Cafe in Red Cliffs which was operated by Pano's father Demetrios Vlassopoulos (Kopela). Stathi, Bill and Pano were all first cousins.The photograph reflects maintenance of family traditions and celebrations in their adopted country and the love of music. A black and white photograph of a lady and men relaxing outside a weatherboard house. The lady is seated in front of the men. A man on the LHS is playing a violin and the other on the RHS is playing the banjo. A corrugated iron water tank is behind the group. The photograph has been scanned from an original photograph. kopella, mildura

A group of family and friends at an Ithacan dinner dance function held on 12 October 1960 at the Rex function centre which was on the top floor of Ithaca House in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Seated around the table from left to right: ...?... Evangelos Drakopoulos, Loula Anagnostatou, Kassiani Raftopoulos, Mihali Kostopoulos, ....?... , Antoni Servos, Poppy Kostopoulos, Andreas Anagnostatos, Stathis Raftopoulos, ....?... Katina Kostopulos, Omiros Dellaportas. Black & white photograph of a group of 9 men and 5 women seated around a table at a function, dressed in formal wear. Photo has white border.Written in Greek on the back; AFTER 46 YEARS.

Pictured is Stathi Raftopoulos at Raft's Cafe which was located at 301 Swanston Street, Melbourne and was typical of many such businesses owned and operated by Greek migrants from Ithaca who had arrived in Australia before World War II. Stathi's family owned a business in Merbein in north-west Victoria before moving to Melbourne. Stathi eventually went into partnership and established the Cosmopolitan Picture Company which brought Greek films to Melbourne's Greek community during the 1960s through to the early 1980s. Ithacan Greeks who arrived in Australia during the first half of the twentieth century honed their entrepreneurial skills and found employment opportunities in various areas of the food service industry. Before the end of the Second World War many of the eating places in Melbourne, which included fish and grill rooms, tea rooms and milk bars, were owned by Ithacan Greeks. A black and white photograph with a white surround. A young man is standing behind a counter in a milk bar. There is a poster advertising a Greek film as well as crates of coca cola stacked in the background. The counter is finished in wood veneer. Boxes of assorted lollies are on the shelves behind. On the counter there is a container of straws .

The photograph was taken in Platrithia one of the northern villages on the island of Ithaca. The people identified are: back right G. Digaletos, the coach, and beside him Stathi Raftopoulos who was in Ithaca at the time; third from the right is D. Paizis and I. Kalis. The Platrithia football no longer exists due to the declining population. The Northern Ithaca Football team now represents all the villages of the north. Since 2014 the Ithacan Philanthropic Society has sponsored the junior Northern Ithaca Football club.A black and white photograph of the Platrithia Football team taken in 1951. Seventeen men are photographed in the team with four of them crouched in the front and the other thirteen members standing behind them.Marking in Greek: Footbal team of Platrithia, 1951. Right: Coach G. Digaletos.

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

IPS committee members and special guest Spiros Arion (seated with his partner) at an Ithacan dinner dance held a The Acropol. Spiros was a well known wrestler in Australia. The Acropol was a reception business located on the top of floor of Ithaca House (level 2). The IPS club rooms were located on the first floor. Dinner dances were held at the Acropol. From L-R: Jim Kandiliotis, Stathi Raftopoulos, Alkinos Paizis (IPS president), Anastasia (Sia) Fatouros-Beasley (president of the social committee), Evangelos Metaxas?, Kiki Razos, Dennis Lourantos. Spiros arrived in Australia in July 1964 and was know in the wrestling scene under the name of 'The Golden Greek'. He joined f World Championship Wrestling where he wrestled until its end in 1978. He was a favorite among Greek wrestling fans.A black and white photograph with a crinkled edge of seven men and two ladies at a social gathering. A couple are seated at a table and the others are standing behind.

In the early days of Ithacan Philanthropic Society most of the men, many of whom were single, worked around the CBD. The would gather at the club rooms at lunch times and after work to socialise, learn news from back home and sometimes enjoy a game of cards. The 'Club' was a home away from home for these men. Decades later, in the 1990s retired members often met at the clubrooms to play a social game of cards. The men photographed are from L-R: Bill Benias, Stathi Raftopoulos and Nicholas Raftopoulos; all were long time members of the Ithacan Club.A black and white photograph of three men sitting around a table and playing cards.

The photograph was taken at a function at the clubrooms held to recognize the contributions to the club over many years of several members. Pictured are members of the then Ithacan Philanthropic Society Committee and individuals being honoured. Aaron Vlass, pictured centre back row, received the award on behalf of his grandfather the late Nicholas Lucas (Lekatsas). Front L-R: Dennis Varigos, Peter (Panogiannis) Raftopoulos, Stratos Paizis, Nick Varigos, Stathi Raftopoulos. Back L-R: Dennis Katsamas, Jim Kandiliotis, Nick Sofarnos, Aaron Vlass, Nick Lourantos, Anthony Drakopoulos, Antoni RazosThe men photographed had been very active in the club in various capacities. A number are past committee members and presidents of the IPS. A coloured photograph in a brown folder of 12 men photograph in front of two honour boards. Five men are seated in the front and the remaining twelve are standing behind them. One man seated in the centre is holding a certificate.