Melbourne Cup Eve dances were a regular event in the 1950s and 1960s The young women are photographed at the 1954 Cup Eve dance at which an 'Ithacan Cup' event was held. The young women, wearing sashes representing the different Ithacan villages, raced up and down the hall to find the winner. Pictured L-R back row: Nina Kallinikos, Angelica Raftopoulos, June Megalos, Kalliope Kallinikos, Kiki Zaverdinos, Leah Sikiotis; middle row: Mary Metaxas, Eula Flocas, Nina Paxinos, Marina Deftereos; front row Olga Black , Nina Black At that time the IPS Constitution prevented women from becoming members of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society, however, there was a Ladies Auxiliary which organised social events such as the Cup Eve events. A sepia photograph of twelve young women wearing sashes and standing in three rows on a platform in front of a banner on which the words 1954 ITHACA CUP are written. Two of the women are kneeling in front of the group.

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 dance group performed at a function which took place at Wilson Hall at the Melbourne University Campus in 1961. The ladies are from L-R: Nina Black, June Megalos, Olga Black, Katherine Black, Stella Stevens and Effie Megalos.The maintenance of Greek culture within Melbourne's Greek community has been assisted by the teaching of traditional music and folk dancing to the Australian born generations at the Greek schools and dance classes. Greek dance is still an integral part of any Greek celebration.A black and white photograph of six women standing in front of a screen. They are dressed in traditional Greek costumes.