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

During World War II many Australian born and naturalised Ithacan men joined the Australian defence forces.A black and white photograph of a man in military uniform standing in a garden.Stamped on the back in black: 1 544armed forces, world war 2

This a photo is taken in the early 1980s at the baptism of Anastasi (Stasi) Trikaliotis, the son of Lea and Con Trikaliotis. Stasi, pictured held by his godfather, is the grandson of the Naki and Golfa Raftopoulos. The baptism of a child into the Greek Orthodox Church is a very important important family, cultural and religious event within the Greek community. A coloured photograph with rounded corners of a priest blessing a baby during baptism ceremony. A man is holding the baby.baptisms, religious ceremonies

Niko and Zaharati Vlassopoulos (Kopela) returned to live permanently in Ithaca in the 1980s. They lived in Niko's paternal home in Lahos and during the summers welcomed many visitors from Australia. In the photograph are: Helen Vlass (sister-in-law to Niko) and Kassiani Raftopoulos, both of whom were visiting from Australia, and locals Artemisia Benias, Adamandina Raftopoulos and Niko and Zaharati Vlassopoulos. Ithaca in the summer time comes alive with families returning from Athens and abroad. Many Australians of Ithacan descent return regularly to enjoy the natural beauty of Ithaca and the magic of a Greek summer and to reconnect with their heritage.A coloured photograph of five women and a man seated at a round coffee table enjoying coffee/tea. kopella, entertaining

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

A black and white photograph with crimped edges of three priests standing in front of a group of men. L- R: One priest is holding an icon, another a sceptre, and the third the Bible."MICHE"/ 390 CHAPEL ST.

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

Stathi Raftopoulos together with unknown person viewing a photographic display from Stathi's personal collection. Stathi was an avid collector of memorabilia and photographs. He donated a large part of his collection to LaTrobe University's Greek Archives collection.A coloured photograph of to men standing in front of a display of photgraphs mounted on a board.

Stathi Raftopoulos, pictured third from the left , served in the Civilian Military Forces during WW2.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 four men in army uniform standing against a large piece of machinery.wwii

In the photograph a young Nakis Raftopoulos is arranging the fruit display in his father's (Spiro Raftopoulos) shop which was at 250 Johnson Street in Abbotsford. Many Ithacan Greeks who settled in Melbourne opened businesses as it was difficult for non-British immigrants to secure employment in the early years when Ithacans first started arrive. The business were mostly associated with food vending, either cafes, restaurants, oyster bars and sea food shops, or fruit shops, stalls or barrows. They ventured into the food vending business because it was an area the had skills in. Also some of these business didn't require enormous initial capital outlay and provided a springboard for entrepreneurial Ithacans to progress to larger scale businesses. The ownership of businesses by Ithacans assisted the development of chain migration with Ithacan business owners providing employment to relatives who wished to emigrate to Melbourne. A black and white photograph of a young man in a fruit shop. he is arranging apples in a display behind a counter. The photograph has been reproduced and is mounted on board.

Photo possibly taken at a picnic where the young ones are dressed in white outfits, possibly for a celebration of an event or national day. Adults at rear are wearing the traditional shield badges which were given to attendees on arrival at the annual picnic.The celebration of Greek national days was important in the maintenance of Greek identity and traditions.Mounted black & white photo of people in a pavilion. E.Galatis on top right corner on the back.

Stathi Raftopoulos is pictured with a group of friends his home cinema which was located in the basement of his home in North Balwyn. The basement area also contained film and cinema memorabilia collected by Stathi over the decades. The seating is from an old cinema. Pictured is Stathi Raftopoulos (standing) and seated to the right is Michael Black and Paul Connell. Others are unidentified.Stathis Raftopoulos was a pioneer in promoting and screening Greek movies in Melbourne.Black & White photograph ( enlarged) with white border, slightly faded of group of 10 men in two rows at Stathis Raftopoulos's house in his basement theater in Nortth Balwyn.

The annual IPS picnic was an important event where family and friends would get together. From left Nicholas Kavadeas, Marigo Kavadeas (nee Raftopoulos), Yianni Raftopoulos (Patakia).Buses were hired to transport members to the picnic as very few owned their own cars during the in the early years. Bus travel to the picnic continued through to the 70s although by then the majority travelled by private cars. The bus trips were very convivial with singing of popular Greek folk music. Black and white photograph of two men and a lady standing in front of a bus. There is a white border around the photo.Ithacan picnic Circa Early 30s

A photograph of the original members of the Daughters of Penelope, a chapter of AHEPA formed in the 1950s. Pictured bBack L- R: Dorothy Lucas, Royal Stratou, Maria Mangos, Sia Athanis, Poppy Sikiotis. Front L-R: Anna Stratou, Margaret Marmaras, Nina Black, Katina Canis, Olive Coligas AHEPA is Greek organisation that encourages the retention of Greek language and culture. It is the largest Hellenic Association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice and discrimination. AHEPA was founded in Australia in 1934.A black and white photograph of ten ladies dressed in formal evening attire standing in a room.

The photograph was taken at an annual Ithacan Philanthropic Society picnic some time in the mid to late 1930s. The men appear to be lined up for a running race, a highlight of the picnic. First on the left is Andreas Papadopoulos president at the time (president from 1934-39); man in suit in the background unknown; Diogenes Cominos, Hector Andrews (Anagnostatos); George Kouvalias (behind him is Nick Fatouros (Fisher)); Spiros Digaletos, a keen wrestler as a a young man; Peter Zavitsanos (Shanos); Peter Drakopoulos; Stratos Paizis; Nick Mavrokefalos (Black).The Ithacan Greeks who settled in Melbourne between the two world wars worked long hours in their family businesses, however, Sunday was a day set aside for socialising within their community. A much anticipated event was the annual picnic where families gathered for the day at a picnic ground on the outskirts of Melbourne, such as Bacchus Marsh, Werribee and Mount Evelyn. The picnic today is still an important event in the club's social calendar. A scanned bl;ack and white photograph of eight men and the starter lined up before the start of a race at an outdoor function with onlookers behind the group. two of the men are dressed in shorts and singlet while some others in the group have rolled up their suit trousers and are wearing running shoes.

The photograph was taken in Sydney when John Black was about six months of age. John was the son of Constantinos and Efstathia Mavrokefalos (Black).The cross wore around John's neck is most likely his baptism cross. It is traditional in the Greek baptism for the godparent to gift the godchild a cross which is worn following the baptism.A scanned studio photograph of a baby sitting on a table wearing a cross and chain around his neck.

Dances were important social events which the Ithacan Philanthropic Society regularly held in the club rooms on Tuesday evenings. Picture dancing in the foreground are Poppy Kostos and Tony Servos.In the 1960s dances were held at the clubrooms on Tuesday evenings as the Victoria Market was closed on Wednesdays. As many of the Ithacan Greeks were either stall holders or had fruit shops the late wholesale trading morning on these days allowed them to have a sleep in.A black and white photograph with a white border of many couples on a dance floor at a social function.

The photograph of Dennis (Menelaos) Varigos and his son John was taken at Maxims on 5 August 1998 at a family gathering celebrating Dennis' eightieth birthday. Dennis was the son of Ioannis and Ioanna-Giannoula (Lekatsas) Varvarigos who arrived in Melbourne from Ithaca in 1914 and owned The Palace Tea Rooms, adjacent to the Palace Theatre in Bourke Street, where Dennis grew up. Dennis was a very active member of the IPS and served as president from 1960 - 1965. Family gatherings and celebrations are a very important part of Greek family life.A photograph of two men at a celebration. One is standing at the table and is making a speech while the older man is seated.

This is a photograph of Dennis Varigos wearing his Air Force uniform. At the start of the WW2 Dennis enlisted in the Australian Army and then transferred to the Royal Australian Airforce where he served from 1940 – 1946. Dennis was one of the many Australian born Greeks to enlist in the Australian armed forces during World War 2. The uniform worn is in the style of uniforms worn by servicemen during WW2.A black and white photograph of a man in air force uniform

Ithacan Naki Raftopoulos (centre) served in the Civilian Military Forces during WW 2 and is pictured with Arthur Pantatzis (left) and Theo Spirakos (Spirason). A number of Ithacan Greek men and Australian born men of Ithacan descent served in the Australian defence forces during World War 2. Some saw active service whilst 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 head and shoulders photograph of three men in Australian army uniform, wearing peaked caps. army

The first official dance was held on April 23 1918, two years after the establishment of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. The celebration depicted may have been a New Years Eve function. New Year's Eve celebrations were a very popular event through to the 1990s. Dances were popular social events for the Ithacan community and an opportunity for Ithacans to socialise and enjoy Greek music and dancing. A mounted sepia photograph of a crowd of people gathered for a celebration in a dance hall which has balloons hanging from the decorative ceiling.

Bill Florence (Florias) is standing behind the counter of his Quality Lunch Service located at 3 Manchester Lane off Collins Street which he ran from 1937 - 1970. This is an example of the type of businesses, mainly food related, which Ithacan Greeks owned and ran in Melbourne's CBD from the early 1900s through to the early 1970s. They ranged from restaurants, cafes, milk bars, fruit shops and fruit barrows, flower shops, as well as fruit stalls in the Queen Victoria Market. A black and white photograph of a man dressed in a white dust coat standing behind a counter in a small sandwich bar. Behind him are the cash register and various food items and on the wall are printed cards listing the sandwiches and other snacks available. The prices are in the old imperial currency of pounds shillings and pence.

Dimitrios Sofianos and Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos) ran a small shop at 391 Camberwell Road Hartwell and worked there together for almost thirty years. They sold fish and chips and potato cakes as well as fresh fish and shell fish. Dimitrios Sofianos, sometimes called Jimmy James, is pictured serving a customer. On the counter there are two piles of paper for wrapping the fish and chips. The white greaseproof paper on the LHS was the first wrapper used to wrap the fish and the single sheets of newspaper on the RHS were used for the outer wrappers. The takings went into the embossed metal cash register on the counter and the metal scales on the far RHS weighed the goods to be purchased. The fish and chips were cooked in the metal vats where Dimitri is standing. Potted plants and framed pictures of sailing boats were used to decorate his shop. Many Greeks ran fish and chips shops. Coming from an island Ithacans were often keen fishermen and knew how to cook fish expertly. The Ithacan families who set up their businesses were very conscious of the presentation and attractiveness of their venues and some of the added decorative touches often reflected their interests. A black and white photograph of a man serving a customer in his fish and chip shop.

Anthi Chilianis and Kalypso Sofianos photographed when awarded Honorary Life membership of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society in 1995. They received the medals in recognition of their years of involvement and service to the Society. Anthi Chilianis migrated from Exoghi and arrived in 1921; and Kalypso migrated from Kioni and arrived in 1936. The photograph was published in the the 'Odysseus', the newsletter of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society.The Ithacan Philanthropic Society (IPS) was formed in 1916 to support the Ithacan Greeks who had settled in Melbourne. The Club was a focal point for those early migrants and over the years. It continues to support and connect Ithacans and their families who have grown up in Australia. Honorary Life Membership is awarded to members who have made significant contribution to the IPS.A scanned black and white photograph of two ladies one is seated and the other lady is standing beside her. They are both wearing medals around their necks. Caption: Honorary Life Members, Mrs Anthi Chilianis and Mrs Kalypso Sofianos (seated), loyal IPS supporters and an inspiration to us all, after the presentation of their medals. Mrs Chilianis migrated from Exoghi in 1921 and Mrs Sofianos arrived from Kioni in 1936.

The children pictured are the daughters of Constantine and Efstathia (Toula) Mavrokefalos (Black). The oldest is Reggina (Nina) Thalia Black at three and half years and in the pram is Marguerita (Rita) Vassiliki Black at eighteen months. They were both born in South Melbourne. The photograph was taken in 1919.Nina and Rita would have been some of the first children born in Australia to Greek parents who had settled in Melbourne.A black and white photograph of two children. One is in a pram and the other is standing next to the pram.

Efstathia (Toula) Mavrokefalos (Black) is standing on the balcony of the Paris Residential Cafe with her baby daughter Rita. The cafe was in Swanston Street, near Flinders Lane. The photograph was taken in the 1920s.Constantine and Toula Black were of the early Ithacan Greeks to settle in Melbourne in the early years of the twentieth century and to establish themselves in the restaurant business in Melbourne's CBD.A black and white photograph of a lady standing on a city balcony kissing a baby.

Eula Collins (nee Flocas) and Nina Mills (nee Sofianos) at a function at MacRobertson Girls' High School to honour past student, the late Loula Rodopoulos (nee Raftopoulos). Nina Mills and Loula Rodopoulos were cousins. Loula Rodopoulos was one of the earliest women of Ithacan Greek descent to become active in the academic world within the broader Australian community. A coloured photograph of two ladies chatting and enjoying a drink at a function.

Gerasimos Galatis is the shopkeeper standing outside his confectionary shop at 225 Bay Street, Port Melbourne. The chocolates were home made and were artistically presented, especially at Easter. He and his wife Ellie ran the business in Port Melbourne for over thirty years and it was a very popular venue especially as it was near the former picture theatre in Port Melbourne.This was yet another example of the various businesses which early Ithacan Greek immigrants owned and ran successfully throughout the first half of the twentieth century.A sepia photograph mounted on board of a man standing outside a confectionary shop. A variety of sweets are displayed attractively in the shop window which has a sign declaring the confectionary are 'Home Sweets'