Photo taken at the 1988 Annual Ithacan Picnic at Ferny Creek, Victoria. Picture from left to right are: Marinos Raftopoulos, Andreas Moraitis, Nakis Raftopoulos, Kassiani Raftopoulos, Sotiris Sikiotis. The Annual Ithacan Picnic is one the most enduring of all social events for the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. A black & white photograph, enlarged of four men and a lady sitting in a park with people walking in the distance. The photo has a white border.Stamped on the back: PROPERTY OF/STATHIS RAFTOPOULOS/POET and ITHACAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC.

Vasiliki Raftopoulosi is pictured crocheting a very fine border in a traditional design. Vasiliki was the mother of Efstathia (Toula) Mavrokefalos (Black) and the grandmother of Nina and Olga Black, both well known in Melbourne's Greek community for their contribution to Greek language and culture. Vasiliki and her family left Ithaca for Romania when Toula was only six months old. As a child while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila, Toula also learned sewing and developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother. On a visit to Ithaca Toula happened to be on the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Like many Ithacans Constantine had returned to Greece from Australia for the Balkan wars. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Many Greek women were skilled in the making of fine lace and crochet articles which they used and displayed in their homes. Finely stitched and woven linen items were an essential part of a young woman's dowry when she married.A black and white photograph in an oval frame of a lady crocheting a lace band.

Group of seven men at an Ithacan picnic wearing that badges which were given to all as they arrived at the picnic. From L-R: seated - Spiros Kallinikos (Mirtsonis), Andreas Zavitsanos, Andreas Papadopoulos, Kostas Ventouras; standing - Kostas Trilivas, Gerasimos Raftopoulos (Mourlotos), Sprios Paizis-Danias.Black & White photograph mounted on cardboard of Men's Picnic Group Stamped in bottom right hand corner with the insignia and details of the IHS.Stamped beneath photo: PROPERTY OF/ STATHIS RAFTOPOULOS/ POET

Stathi Raftopoulos and his son Spiros are pictured outside shops in Merbein which were once owned by Stathi's family. The Merbein shops were owned by Efstathios Raftopoulos (Levendi) and his son Spiros Raftopoulos, grandfather and father of Stathi Raftopoulos. The family were from the village of Kolieri on the Island of Ithaca, Greece and migrated for Australia at different stages. Efstathios arrivied in 1895, son Spiros in 1922, and the younger Stathi (accompanied by his father Spiro who had returned to Ithaca to see his family) in 1933. Stathis' mother Hariklia and siblings Nakis and Loula arrived soon after. The family settled in Merbein, west of Mildura, where they ran a business until the late 1930s prior to settling in Melbourne.A coloured photograph of the exterior of a corner shop. Written on the back of the photograph: MY FATHER'S SHOPS/ IN MERBEIN VIC/ 15.4.93/ STATHI & SPIRO RAFTOPOULOSraftopoulos stathi levendi, merbein

The wedding photograph of Nicholas Kakogianis to Helen Raftopoulos (Trianti) in Sydney was taken in 1937 and was later published in a Greek/Australian publication some time after 1946.A black and white photograph taken from a magazine of a large group made up of family and friends, posing on the church steps.Printed in Greek and English under the photograph:THE WEDDING OF NICHOLAS/KAKOGIANIS TO HELEN RAFTOPOULOS IN SYDNEY IN 1937 weddings, families

The Russell Collins Restaurant was located in the basement of the T&G Building on the south west corner of the Collins and Russell Streets intersection. It was a popular 'up-market' restaurant from the 1940s until the early 1970s when the T&G building underwent alterations. The restaurant, like its counterpart Elizabeth Collins, was renowned for its large platters of delicious salads. Nick (Naki) Raftopoulos operated the Russell Collins during the early 70s up until its closure.A black and white photograph of the interior of an Art Deco style restaurant fitted out around the walls with wooden 'shoulder high' cubicles which seated four people. Tables and chairs with various settings are arranged in the open areas of the restaurant. The floor is a wooden herringbone parquetry with a carpet on the floor in the reception area. Handwritten across the bottom of the photo: RUSSELL COLLINS RESTAURANT NICK RAFTOPOULOS.art deco, russell collins restaurant, restuarants

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

Georgos Petalas, Stathis Raftopoulos and Andreas Lekatsas, posing on the tray of a truck at Mornington,1939.Mornington was a popular destination for beach day trips for many Ithacans.Black & white photograph with white frame on the back of a truck. Appears to be enlarged from smaller photo. Handwritten on photo GEORGE, STAN, PETER/1939 Stamped on back PROPERTY OF/STATHIS RAFTOPOULOS/POET Ithacan Historical Society Inc. is stamped on the back.

A film projector, Greek film posters and film reels - all items from Stathi Raftopoulos' collection of cinema memorabilia from the Greek picture theatres he operated as a partner in the Cosmopolitan Motion Picture company. A coloured photograph of a large film projector with a reel of film loaded and a number of other film reels stacked on a shelf under the projector. A sign is propped up against the projector with the following written on it, ' Property of Stathi Raftopoulos, poet . . . , 2/1/2001'. Two posters advertising Greek films are on the wall behind the projector.Written on the back of the photograph: PHOTOS: KOSTAS DEVES/ 11 - 02/0411084320

This is a photograph of early members of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. Back from L-R: Andreas Zavitsanos, Nikiforos Lekatsas Front from L-R: Dimitri Paxinos, Panagiotis Lekatsas. A.J. Lucas, Panayiotis Lokaris The Society was formed in October 1916 to support and assist Ithacan Greeks, at the time mainly men, who settled in Melbourne in the early years of the twentieth century. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society was a home away from home for the early Ithacan migrants who in the early years were predominantly men. As many worked in the city area in cafes, the market or as fruit vendors they would regularly go to the club rooms at lunch times and after work where they would catch up with fellow Ithacans and learn news from back home. A black and white photograph of six men photographed in front of a brick wall. Two of the men are standing behind the other four who are seated on a wooden bench.Stamped on the back: PROPERTY OF / STATHI RAFTOPOULOS / POET

The seafood and oyster business was owned by a C. Raftopulos, possibly located in NSW. Many Greeks who migrated to Australia from Ithaca during the first half of the twentieth century either established or worked in family owned businesses mostly involved with the food industry, including oyster bars and fish shops. A faded sepia photograph mounted on cardboard. Four men are standing outside the shop, a seafood and oyster business. The signage suggests the oysters were supplied by the New South Wales Oyster Company. The number 195 is above the door. raftopoulos, nsw oyster company

The photograph was taken during the Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations at Rousano, Exoghi on the island of Ithaca in 1947. The religious observance of Easter is very important events in the Greek Orthodox calendar and takes precedence over the Christmas observances. Easter Sunday is a day of celebration when the fast is broken and traditionally families come together to enjoy roast lamb usually on the spit.A black and white photograph of people gathered around a picnic in a rural setting. There are trees in the background and mountains in the distance. The photograph is one of a pair and has been backed onto cream board and laminated. A narrow typed label has been stuck across the bottom of the picture. Translated from the Greek: Easter at Rousano, Exoghi 1947. Photograph archives: Stathi Raftopoulos.

The group of family and friends at an Ithacan Picnic are from the village of Kioni, Ithaca. Mounted Black & White photograph of 11 men, 1 lady and 2 children, titled 'Kioni group' standing in a garden. Picnic badges on men denote picnic.On the back: PROPERTY OF/STATHIS RAFTOPOULOS/POET Handwritten GROUP FROM KIONI Stamped ITHACAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC.

The children in the picture were students at the Greek language school which was run by the Greek Community of Melbourne and were attending the '28th October' Greek national day celebration at the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church in East Melbourne. The two women, Alexandra Vrachna and Nina Black were teachers at the school. The Evangelismos Church was the first Greek orthodox Church to be established in Melbourne. The foundation stone was laid in December 1900 and church services commenced in August 1902. The 28th October is known as 'OHI' DAY', translated meaning NO DAY. It is an important national day celebrated in Greece and the Greek diaspora and commemorates the anniversary when in 1940 the then Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas said “NO” to an ultimatum made by Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini to allow Italian forces to occupy Greece. It marked the beginning of Greece's entry into WW2. The day symbolises values important to the Greek people - freedom, courage and 'filotimo'. The establishment of the Orthodox church in Melbourne in the early years of the twentieth century was was indicative of the number of Greek migrants who came to Australia in those early years of settlement in this country and the desire maintain their religious and cultural traditions. The early Greek migrants were anxious that their Australian born children maintain their language and religion in their adopted country. A black and white photograph of children with three adults standing outside Evangelismos Church in East Melbourne. Three children in the back row are displaying the Greek and Australian flags.Written in red underneath the photograph: 28th OCTOBER 1948. OUTSUDE THE GREEK CHURCH IN EAST MELBOURNE/PHOTO PROPERTY OF STATHI RAFTOPOULOS.wwii

Taken in Kioni, Ithaca, the photograph features members of the Raftopoulos ( Bourlotos) family. The two men at the back are Panoyianni Raftopoulos and his brother Vasilios. The older man seated in front of them is Dionysus Raftopoulos. The younger lady is Andriana who was engaged to Gerasimos (Gerry) Raftopoulos.A black and white photograph of four men and two ladies seated in a lounge room. There are two framed pictures on the wall behind them.

The photograph was taken at an Ithacan Philanthropic Society Ball in the 1940s. The people are from L-R: Chrisoula Jackson (nee Raftopoulos), Effie Cominos (nee Raftopoulos), Stan Paxinos, Vicki Black (nee Raftopoulos), Anastasios Flocas, Nina James and Aspasia Flocas (nee Raftopoulos).A black and white photograph of five ladies in evening gowns and two men standing in front of a curtained area.

The family group were at an Ithacan annual picnic held at Bacchusv Marsh some time before 1939. Standing from l-r: Thomas Raftopoulos, Chrisaro Raftopoulos, Orestis Raftopoulos. Middle row l-r: Unknown, Maria Raftopoulos (Kavadias) and Nina Black. Front row: Children unidentified.A black and white photograph of three ladies and three men with three girls and two boys standing and sitting on the grass in a sports ground with people in the background as well as a wooden shed.

A family group photo outside Evangelismos Church in East Melbourne following the wedding ceremony of Spiro and Effie Cominos nee Raftopoulos in 1951. They are front from L-R: Aspasia Raftopoulos, Spiro and Effie Cominos, Nina Collins, Ioulia and George Raftopoulos (the bride's parents) and Gerasimos and Elly Galatis. Back L-R: Nick Sikiotis holding daughter Athena, Chrisoula Sikiotis, Oreanthi Raftopoulos and on the far right Chrisoula Raftopoulos.A black and white photograph of a wedding group with the bride and groom with family and friends taken outside a church. Information about the photograph has been written on the back.

The five women photographed are from L-R: Vicky Black nee Raftopoulos, . . .?. . . . , Effie Cominos nee Raftopoulos, Ioulia Raftopoulos nee Sikiotis and Aspasia Paxinos. Ioulia was the mother of Effie and the aunt of Vicki Black.A black and white photograph of five women standing in front of a house in a garden. The names of the woman in the photograph have been written on the back. sicotis

The photograph was taken at one of the annual Ithacan club picnics possibly in 1965. The children in the photograph are from L-R: Leo Raftopoulos, Denise Raftopoulos, Stacey (Anastasia) Dellaportis, Olga Raftopoulos and Denise (Dionisia) Dellaportis. A black and white photograph of four girls and a boy sitting on the grass in a sports ground. There are people and a wooden shed in the background.

The photograph was taken at an Ithacan Ball some time in the early 1950s, possibly 1952. The group are family members and friends of George and Ioulia Raftopoulos. Clockwise from left are: Vicky Black nee Raftopoulos, Effie and Spiro Cominos, . . ?. . ,. . ? . . , . . ? . . , Nick Black, Michael Black, . . ?. . , . .? . . , Ioulia and George Raftopoulos, Anastasios Flocas, Aspasia Flocas and Aspasia Raftopoulos. A black and white photograph of sixteen people in evening dress seated around a table at a social function. Other people can be seen in the background. Information about the function has been written on the back of the photograph.

Enjoying an evening in one of Plaka's taverns are Yiannis Raftopoulos (Tsagari), unknown, Chrysaida Paizis and Manto Raftopoulos. A black and white photograph of three ladies and two men seated around a table in a taverna. A mural is on the wall behind them.

The annual Ithacan picnic was an important and popular annual event. Standing left to right: George Raftopoulos, John Raftopoulos; Seated left to right: Andreas Papadopoulos, Pater Karangis, John Karangis. Children left to right: Michael Raftopoulos, George PapadopoulosScanned Black and white photograph of 5 men and 2 boys at a picnic.Ithacan picnic Circa late 1930's

Taken at the 1925 Annual Ithacan Picnic, from left to right: Dimosthenis Petalas, Diamanto (nee Raftopoulos) Paizis and Panayiotis Raftopoulos. The Ithacan picnic continues to be the most enduring event on the annual IPS calendar. A black and white photograph of three people sitting on the ground outdoors. There are two suitcases in front of the group.Ithacan picnic 1925

The photograph taken on one of the many mountainous hillsides on Ithaca. Second from the right is Antigone Raftopoulos dressed in dark clothes, together with her son Yianni, and her two nieces Hariklia Raftopoulos and Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos). All are from the village of Kioni. A black and white photograph of a man and three ladies standing on a rocky hillside.

The seven people on the deck of a ship at Station Pier some time in 1955 are: Front L-R: Arthur and Sia (Aspasia) Koutsouvelis, George and Ioulia Raftopoulos and Effie Cominos. George and Ioulia Raftopoulos are the parents of Sia and Effie. Back L-R: Chrisoula Raftopoulos and Nick Sikiotis. Family would go to Station Pier to either welcome or farewell relatives who departing to or arriving from Greece. Very few of the early Ithacan migrants returned to their homeland. It wasn't until the 1950s and 60s that travel back home to visit family became more common. Today generations born in Australia to return to Ithaca on a regular basis.A black and white photograph of seven people standing on the deck of a ship. A partial view of a tugboat can be seen in the background.

Group at Ithacan picnic circa 1930's. Seated from left to right: ...?...?...Platon Varvarigos, Nikiforas Lekatsas, Andreas Razos, John Raftopoulos, Michael Raftopoulos with his son Michael sitting on his knee. Standing left to right: Andrew Papadopoulos, Angelos Lekatsas, George Chilianis, Panoyiannis Raftopoulos. The annual picnic was an important annual social event for Melbourne's Ithacan community in the early years. It continues to be a popular event where generations of Ithacans reunite. Scanned Black and white photograph with a white border of 10 men a little boy, sitting and standing in an outdoor settingpicnics

The wedding of Diamando and Yianni Raftopoulos (Bourlotos)which took place on the island of Ithaca. Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos) can be seen standing between the priest and the bridegroom.The Greek Orthodox wedding is filled with symbolism. The stefana or wedding crowns, joined by a ribbon, symbolize the unity of the couple. The crowning ceremony establishes the couple as the King and Queen of their home, which they rule with wisdom, justice, and integrity. The stefana also denote the crown of martyrdom, since every true marriage involves self-sacrifice on both sides.A faded black and white photograph of a Greek wedding. The young boy in the foreground is carrying candles and the wedding crowns that will be worn by the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony and the candles. The priest and the bride and possibly the groom or bride's father are standing behind the young boy.

Attendees at the annual Ithacan Picnic wore a badge in the shape of a shield which they were given on entry to the picnic grounds. Pictured are John Raftopoulos, Gerry Raftopoulos, Costas TrelivasA sepia photograph mounted on board of three men at an Ithacan Picnic standing in front of a flowering oleander bush. They are all dressed in smart casual clothes and wearing the picnic shield-shaped badge.

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.