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.

The photograph features many prominent members of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society during the early 1920s a number of whom were founding members of the Society, including A. J. Lucas (Lekatsas) the founding president and Angelos Lekatsas (Lucas) who was the second president. Archimandrite Irineos Kassimatis is pictured with the group. Most of the group are wearing a buttonhole pin on their jacket lapels which indicates the photo was taken at gathering to celebrate a baptism. It was traditional that following the baptismal service a small icon or cross was pinned on each of the guests to symbolise they were witnesses to the baptism. This pin is called a 'martiriki' derived from the Greek word 'martiras', which translated means a witness. A black and white photograph of eighteen men gathered together in a garden and posing in front of a weatherboard building. Three of the men are sitting on the ground in front of the group. Hand written signature - ? Varvarigos - written in Greek in the bottom left hand corner. Written on the back: STRONG MEN OF THE ITHACAN COMMUNITY

The photograph was taken at an Ithacan Philanthropic Society annual picnic sometime in the late 1920s or early 1930s. Races were always a feature at the annual picnic. In those early most families travelled to the picnic ground in hired furniture vans. The annual picnic is still held today in February of each year. Pictured standing L-R: ? Kasamias; unknown; Nick Kandiliotis; Andreas Razos; unknown; unknown; unknown; Spiros Digaletos; Paizis?; Dimitri Megalogenis; unknown; Paris Gabriel; Kallinikos ?; unknown; unknown; Gerasimos Papadopoulos (Tsinis); Stratos Paizis; Cominos (Bourazanis)?; Kneeling: Nikos Stratos; Platon Varvarigos. The annual picnic gave Ithacans the chance to relax and mingle away from their work on Sunday. It was and still is an important social event in the society's calendar.A scanned black and white photograph seventeen men standing in a line and two others crouched down in the front. They are either preparing to have a race or they have completed one as four of them are wearing shorts and singlets while some of the others have rolled up their trouser legs and a lot of them are wearing running shoes. The group are standing in a picnic ground in a valley which is surrounded by trees.

The wedding in 1930 of George Chilianis and Anthi Mavrokefalou. To the left of the couple is the groom's sister Ekaterini Chilianis-Koutsouveli; on the far left is her husband Nikolaos Koutsouvelis (Black) holding their young son Billy. To the left of the bride is Vasiliki Koutsouveli-Adamopoulou. Both George and Anthi were born in Ithaca and migrated to Australia in the 1920s. Like many early Ithacan immigrants George eventually went into his own business in the 1930s in partnership with Panayioti (Peter) and Theofilos Kouvalias, a fruit shop, the 'South Melbourne Fruit Palace' at 288 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne. Anthi was an active member of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society was awarded Honorary Life membership in 1995 - the first time that women were bestowed this award by the IPS.A copy of a studio photograph of a family wedding group. There are six people in the group namely the bridal couple, two ladies and a man whom is holding a young child.

Spearos Raftopoulos pictured with two friends, Anne and Avis Kupeis, at a function held to honour his late sister, Loula Rodopoulos. Loula was one of the first fully qualified social workers from an 'ethnic' background and was instrumental in the establishment of the Womens’ Trust, which has 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. A coloured photograph of a lady and two men standing in a gallery at a function.

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.

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.

The Ithacan dance group, taught by Olga Black, were performing at the annual Greek Community Antipodes Festival in Lonsdale Street Melbourne some time in thein the late 1990s. The dancers are wearing the traditional Ithacan costume. Pictured from L-R: Andrianna Bisas, Nicoletta ?, Emilia Calinikos, Eleni Tsalikis, Yianni Callinikos, unknown, Kristina Tsalikis. Olga who is of Ithacan descent, danced for a number of years in Athens for the Dora Stratou Dance Group which is renown for its traditional dance performances and costumes representing the various regions of Greece. Olga also taught Greek dance in Melbourne across the Greek and Australian community. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society has supported the teaching of traditional Greek dancing over the years and the Ithacan dance ensembles have performed at a variety of functions. A coloured photograph of seven young people dressed in traditional Ithacan costume dancing on an open air stage in a street.

The two young women pictured at a Grecian Ball are Dimitra (Toula) Kandilotis (nee Makris) and Eutichia Drakopoulos (nee Vlassopoulos, Kioukiouris).During the 1940s through to the 1960s Grecian balls were organised by the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society also conducted annual balls, the first being held in April 1918. The balls were were a much anticipated social event. Debutantes were also presented at the both the Grecian and Ithacan balls, very much a tradition adopted from Melbourne's Anglo-Australian society. A black and white photograph of a head and shoulders view of two young women in evening dress. They both have flowers in their hair.

Photographed is Stathi (Efstathios) Vlassopoulos (Vlass) (Kopela) arrived in Melbourne in 1932 and headed to Mildura where his father Dimitrios Vlassopoulos, was established. From there he moved to Hopetoun and operated his own cafe business. He later returned to Melbourne where operated the Metro Cafe in Swanston Street, Melbourne. He sent the photograph to his Aunt Anastasia (Tasia Raftopoulos-Florence) who was living in the village of Platrithia on the island of Ithaca in Greece.Stathi Vlass was very active in Greek community affairs and was secretary of Melbourne's Greek Community and president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society from 1957 to 1959, during which time he lead the building of Ithaca House in Elizabeth Street. He also published the first daily Greek newspaper 'Ta Nea' in Melbourne. A studio sepia photograph with a cream border in post card format of a smartly dressed man,who is wearing a double breasted suit and standing beside a chair. A message is written in Greek on the back of the photograph.Translated from the Greek: To my dearest Thea Anastasia/ A memento of love/rom your nephew/ E.D./ Vlassopoulos.vlass

From the outset the Ithacan Philanthropic held at least one family picnic a year. They either took place at a popular seaside locations or at popular picnic sites in the nearby hills around Melbourne. The first annual picnic was held in 1918. The Ithacan Greeks worked long hours in family food and restaurant businesses in Melbourne. On Sundays the shops were closed so it was seen as an opportunity to relax outdoors away from the city. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society continues this tradition holding an annual picnic in late summer.A black and white panoramic photograph of a large picnic group of men, women and children standing in an open area with trees around the perimeter. Eight children are sitting on the ground in front of the adults and a group of ladies are sitting on a bench to the left of the group. Some of the party are holding long walking sticks which must have been used when they went on a hike or walk.families, picnics, leisure time.

The Greek Community from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne established a scout group in Box Hill. The group functioned until the late 1980s. The photograph was taken when the Governor came to inspect the group. Sotiri Sikiotis, former Treasurer and Honorary Life Member of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society was actively involved in Melbourne's Greek scout movement and was on the committee of the first Melbourne 1st Greek Scout Group.A coloured photograph of a guard-of-honour comprising of a scout group being inspected by a visiting dignitary .

The six men in the photograph are as follows: Back row L-R: Brothers John, Angelos and Andreas Lekatsas. Front row L-R: unknown, Anthony J. Lekatsas and seated, Marinos Lucas. Members of the Lekatsas (Lucas) families were some of earliest Ithacan to settle in Melbourne and were very active in the Ithacan community. A. J. Lucas was the founding president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. They were also highly successful businessmen and very entrepreneurial. A black and white newspaper photograph of six men. Three are standing at the back, two are standing in the middle row and one is seated in the front.

The photo is taken of a group of Ithacans, most of whom are related and from the village of Kioni, at an annual Ithacan picnic. Standing l-r: Spiros Papadopoulos (Skiomenos), Calypso Sofianos, Katerini ? (Palaitou), sisters-in-law Thalia, Florence and Dimitra Paapdopoulos, Marika Paizis, Nelly, Ruby Paizis, Spiros Danias (Korokis). Seated l-r: Gerasimos Papadopoulos (Tsinis), Jim Sofianos, John (Yiannis) Papadopoulos (Soufi), Yiannis Raftopoulos (Tsagaris), Alkinoos Paizis (Kaleris), Gerasimos Koutsouvelis, unknown. Children l-r: Nick Papas, Irini Pappas, Tasia Paizis (Alpitsis), Kaleris Paizis.The annual picnic was an important event on the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's calendar as it provided an opportunity for families and friends to get together in a relaxed environment away from work and businesses. A mounted black & white photo of a picnic group. There are 8 ladies, 9 men and 4 children.They are sitting and standing in front of some trees.Written on the back in Greek: Present from Alkinoos Paizis 1936

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.

An advertising poster for the 1955 All Nations Festival which was presented by the Australia Red Cross Society, Victorian Branch. Nina and Olga Black participated in the festival and were featured on the poster (seated at front first and second from left) wearing Greek traditional costumes. Other recognisable national costumes are Scottish Piper and Dutch.The event held in 1955 by the Australian Red Cross promoted multicultural Australia and members of the Ithacan Philanthropic Club participated. It was the period of post WW2 mass migration which saw many nationalities making Australia their home.Photocopy of a poster for the 1955 All Nations Festival. Consisting of a group 3 men and 6 women dressed in different national traditional dress. There is a Red Cross symbol either side of the group.THE AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY / VICTORIAN DIVISION/PRESENTS THE / 1955 ALL NATIONS FESTIVAL / ST. KILDA CRICKET GROUND - SUNDAY, 27TH FEBRUARY 1955folk dancing, national costimes

Dennis and Rita Viragos on the dance floor at a club dance.The Ithacan Philanthropic Society held regular dances in their clubrooms. They were held on Tuesday nights because the it was not a busy day on the following Wednesday morning as fruiterers and stall holders had a chance to relax on that night. A black and white photograph of a couple on a dance floor.

In 1953 an major earthquake caused catastrophic damage across the islands of Ithaca and Cephalonia, which are part of Greece's Heptanesian group of islands located in the Ionian Sea. Many towns and villages were left uninhabitable and resulted in another wave of Ithacan migration to Australia. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society initiated an Earthquake Appeal which was generously supported by Melbourne's Ithacan community, all of whom were affected by the earthquakes in one way or another.A black and white photograph of damage caused by an earthquake. The buildings which were built along the edge of a harbour have been ruined. There are mountains in the background.

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.

The photograph was taken after the massive earthquakes of 1953 which caused widespread destruction across Ithaca and other Ionian Islands. Many of the buildings destroyed in the earthquake could not be rebuilt and some parts of the villages became uninhabitable. This event brought about the largest mass migration from the island and a further wave of Ithacan migration to countries, such as Australia and South Africa, where relatives had already settled. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society established an Earthquake Appeal to assist their compatriots.A black and white photograph showing widespread damage done in the aftermath of an earthquake. Many houses are in ruins and there are two heaps of rubble comprising timber and metal and concrete in the foreground. Two men are walking along a track looking at the destruction in the village.

The photograph was taken at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's16th annual picnic. All who attended the picnic on that day were included in the photograph. The first picnic took place in 1918 at South Morang where 200 people attended. The picnics continue to be a popular social event on the club's social calendar attracting large numbers of the generations of Ithacan Australians in Melbourne.A mounted sepia photograph of a large group of men women and children gathered together in a large sports ground. There are two buildings behind them with trees growing in the background.

The photograph was taken at an Ithacan picnic held at Mentone Racecourse in 1935. Members of the IPS Committee are pictured with their families together with two official guests, Father Theophylaktos Papathanasopoulos from the Melbourne Orthodox Parish, and Father Timotheos Evangelimides, the Archbishop of the Greek Church in Australia, both pictured standing in the centre of the group. Vicki Raftopoulos(Black) is seated 3rd from the left and Arthur Raftopoulos is standing 3rd from right and Stathi Trohoulas is standing far right. Melbourne's first Greek Orthodox Church 'Evangelismos' in Victoria Parade East Melbourne was consecrated in 1901. Ithacans, as members of the Greek Orthodox Community, were directly involved in its establishment. A.J.Lucas the founding president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society was one of a number of prominent Greeks who advanced funds to help with the purchase of the East Melbourne site upon which the church was built. The building of the church was financed through the contributions of funds from the local Greek community.A black and white photograph mounted on grey board of a picnic group sitting and standing around a table set out with food and drinks under trees. A bus is parked and just visible behind the group. Detail of the people in the photograph and other information is written in Greek on the back of the pghotograph.

Dimitri Sofianos is seated in foreground of the photograph with his two children, Nina and Spiro (Pip). They are at an annual Ithacan picnic which they always attended as a family. The annual Ithacan Philanthropic Society's picnic is a very popular event on the club's social calendar as has been the case for many years. A partly faded black and white photograph of a group of people at a picnic. In the foreground a man has his arms around a little boy and girl. A table set out with food is in the background on the RHS of the phoptograph

The young people were attending an Ithacan Dinner Dance at 9 Darling Street, South Yarra in 1985. Standing L-R: Christina Doubaras, Kaylene Lucas, Nicholas Anagnostou, Aphrodite Metaxas, Dean Lucas, Anastasia Raftopoulos, John Raftopoulos. Seated L-R: Nick Spartels, Evelyn Spartels, Geremy Lucas, Julieanne Black, Robert Kellner.Dating back to its earliest years, the Ithacan Philanthropic Society has included a dinner dance or ball on its annual calendar attended, by members and friends from across the generations.A coloured photograph of six couples at a dinner dance. Five people are seated at the table while the remaining seven are standing behind them.

The family group were attending the 60th anniversary Ithacan Ball in 1976 at the Old Melbourne Inn, which was located in Flemington Rd North Melbourne (opposite the Royal Melbourne Hospital). Standing from L-R: Steve Richards, Peter Lucas, Marlana Collins, Eula Collins and Jack Collins. Seated from L-R: Christine Collins, Iris Lucas, Aspasia Flocas, Sonia Heevian, Harold Heevian.The Annual Ithacan Ball has been held at a number of well known venues in Melbourne and been a popular social event on the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's calendar for many years. In the 1970s the Old Melbourne was a go-to place for dining and for entertainers to stay, including Liberace, Peter Allen and ABBA during their legendary 1977 tour.A black and white photograph of ten people at a social function. Five people are seated around a table and the others are standing behind the group.

The photos taken at one of the earlier Ithacan Society's picnics. The young boys in the photograph were lining up for the start of a race. The race program was a feature of the day and all the picnic attendees would gather to watch the events.The annual picnic was and still is a popular event amongst members of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society.A sepia photograph in a brown folder of eleven boys lined up to begin a race. There are six men assisting at the starting area. There is a wooded hill in the background.

The group were photographed at a dance held at Ithaca House some time in the late 1960s. Photographd from L-R: .?. Razos and Maria Lourantos, Athena Zafiratos (nee Mavrokefalos) and Nick Zafiratos and one of their daughters, unknown, unknow, Nina Raftopoulos, John Raftopoulos and John Razos.The building of Ithaca House, clubrooms of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society, was completed in 1958 and continues to be the meeting place and for members of the Society. Over the years the club has held many successful social functions for members at Ithaca House. During 1960s the Ithacan Philanthropic Society held regular dances on Tuesday nights at their club rooms which were very popular. The dances were held on Tuesday nights because many of the members were either stall holders in local markets or had fruit shops in the suburbs and they did not have to start early the following morning because the retail market was closed on Wednesdays.A black and white photograph of four ladies and four men with three girls seated around a table at a social function.

The Karametos family at the Year 12 Awards function at Ithaca House. Standing at the back from L-R: Anna Maria Megalogenis, Barbara and Jason Karametos and Ioakeim Megalogenis. Seated in the front from L-R: Stavros and Froso Karametos, and Eleni and George Karametos.Since its inception the Ithacan Philanthropic Society has held many functions throughout each year, some with a philanthropic purpose while others have been social functions. These events have given the members a sense of belonging and keep family and friendship groups together.A coloured photograph of a family group of three generations. There are four men and four women in the group. Two men and two ladies are seated in the front and the others are standing behind them.

The family group were attending the 1954 annual Ithacan Ball. Pictured are sisters Aspasia and Vicky (nee Raftopoulos) together with their father and husbands. L-R: Mr Raftopoulos (Klapatsouras), Vicky and Michael Black, Aspasia and Anastasios Flocas. The Ithacan Ball has been a popular event on the annual calendar of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society for many years.A black and white photograph of two ladies and three men in formal dress at a function.