The family group photograph was taken at the wedding of Jim Vlassopoulos (Kioukiouris) and Melita Zavitsanos. Pictured are - back row from L-R: Helen Stratos, Ioannis (Jack) Vlassopoulos (Kioukiouris), Jim and Toula Kandiliotis, Jim and Melita Vlassopoulos, Nick Defteros (Melita's uncle from Brisbane), Vicky and Orpheus Kandiliotis and Fotoula Moraitis, Jim's cousin. Flower girls/page boy: Christine, Clem Jr and Joanne Kandiliotis. Jim was born in Melbourne and Melita arrived in Australia from Ithaca in 1954. Jim and Melita met in Melbourne and were married in 1955. A black and white studio photograph of a wedding group which includes 5 men, 5 ladies, two little girls and a young boy. There are white trellis screens behind the group.

Back row L-R: John Raftopoulos (Patakia), Anastasia Raftopoulos (nee Karantgis) and Theodora Raftopoulos, Peter Karantgis, Michael Raftopoulos. Front row L-R: Dennis Raftopoulos, John Karantgis and Ekaterini Karantgis.A black ands white studio photograph of a family group of three men, two ladies, an older and little boy and a girl. The older couple and little boy are seated in front of the rest of the family members. A draped curtain is behind the group.family photograph

A group family photo of the Vlassopoulos family (Kopela) from Lahos taken in 1925 in Ithaca. Eugenia Vlassopoulou (nee Raftopoulou) is pictured with her in-laws and five young children. Her husband, Dimitrios Vlassopoulos, was in Australia at the time. They did not reunite till 1950. Back row L-R: Panos and Eustathios (Stathi) Vlassopoulos. Middle row L-R: Eustathios and Erigoni Vlassopoulou, Eugenia Vlassopoulou, unknown. Front row L-R: Costa, Nikos and Erigoni ( Nitsa ) Vlassopoulos. Prior to migrating to Australia Dimitrios had been to America where he had worked in cafes. He brought with him many ideas which he introduced in his business in Red Cliffs. Stathi, Pano and Costa all migrated to Australia in the 1930; their mother, Eugenia and siblings Erigoni and Nikos in the 1950s. In the early years the family had cafe businesses in Red Cliffs and Hopeton. Like other Ithacans members of the Vlassopoulos family migrated to Australia during the first half on the twentieth century and went on to open businesses in country Victoria and Melbourne. Also like many Ithacan women of that era, the wife/mother remained on the island to raise the children, whilst her husband's travelled abroad for work and to support their families.A black and white photograph of a family group of a man, three ladies, four boys and a little girls. The group were photographed outdoors. Another lady is standing and looking on in the background.kopella

Jim and Toula Kandiliotis are standing with family and friends outside Evangelismos Greek Othodox Church, East Melbourne following the baptism of their younger daughter, Alexandra (Alex). At the back are Takis and Koula Makris, and Agathi Drakopoulos. Middle row: Chrisostomi Kandiliotis, Jim holding baby Alex and Toula Kandiliotis, Georgia Andrianatos, Ilias Andrianatos. At the front is Alex's sister, Chrissa. A black and white photograph of three men, five ladies, a little girl and a baby standing in a large doorway. One of the men is holding the baby.christening

Taken at the wedding of Marinos Drakopoulos and Eutichia Vlassopoulos. Pictured: Back row from L-R: Orpheus Kandiliotis, George Raftopoulos, Jim and John (Jack) Vlassopoulos (Kioukiouris). Middle Row from L-R: Danae Kandiliotis, Vicki Kandiliotis, Helen Lucas (Callis), Marinos and Eutichia Kandiliotis, Denise Stratos, and Irini Defteros. Front L-R: Joanne Kandiliotis, Agathi Drakopoulos (mother of groom), Anthony Drakopoulos, Christine Kandiliotis and Chrisostomi Kandiliotis. A photograph of a studio photograph of a family wedding group. There are five men, seven ladies, a young flowergirl, two little girls and a boy. vlass, drake

The children were photographed at a picnic organised by the Greek Community for the children and families attending the Greek language school.A sepia photograph of a group of girls and boys lined up in three rows in a sports ground. there are some adults in the background playing cricket.

The photograph is of members of the Governing Council of Greek Women in Melbourne in 1917. A number of the women were from Ithaca. The organisation was created to offer social interaction for Greek women who had settled in Australia in the early years of the twentieth century and was part of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria. Back row L-R: Mrs. A Raftopoulou, Miss Sigala, Mrs. E. Peppa. Middle row L-R: Miss E. Nomikou, Mrs. K. Kyriazopoulou, (President), Mrs. K Mavrokefalou (Vice-president), Mrs. N. Mari. Front: Mrs. B. Zografou. A black and white portrait style photograph of eight young women. The translated caption is printed below the photograph in Greek: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF GREEK WOMEN, MELBOURNE 1917 gocv, committee, auxilliary

A black and white photograph of twenty one school girls who attended the Platrithia school in Ithaca in 1931. The girls have been placed in three rows for a school photograph. One little boy is standing against the wall looking on and another boy is looking out the window. The girls are looking very serious.THE GIRLS OF THE PLATRITHIA SCHOOL 1931 is written in Greek.schools, ithaca, greece

The school photograph was taken in 1932 in Vathi which is the main town and port on the island of Ithaca.A black and white photocopy of a school photograph of thirty two boys and girls who are arranged into four tiered rows. The boys are standing on the two back raised tiers withy a row of girls standing in front of them while another row of girls are seated on the ground in the front. The group are standing outside a building.schools, school photographs, education

A group of Ithacans, all of whom had migrated to Melbourne before WW2, on board a ship farewelling Spiro Raftopoulos who was returning to Ithaca, Greece. Front row L-R: Spiro Raftopoulos, Peter Kallinikos (Peter Collins), Con Kallinikos, Gerasimos Dellaportas. Standing L-R: Unknown, Nicos (Nikoli) Moriatis, Spiros Kallinikos, unknown, Andreas Moraitis, Stathis Kavadeas, Peter Zapatos, unknown. A black and white photograph of eleven men and a boy standing on the deck of a ship. The men are dressed in suits and some are wearing overcoats and hats. Stamped on the back: ITHACAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCORPORATED/ 329 ELIZABETH STREET MELBOURNE/VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA/ PO BOX 611D MELBOURNE 3001/ TELEPHONE (03) 670 0230greek diaspora

Following World War 2, Greece descended into civil war which lasted from 1946 - 1949. Young men from Ithaca fought in this war, including Nikos Vlassopoulos (Kopela) pictured centre back row. Following the war Niko together with his mother, Eugenia, migrated to Australia in 1950 where he joined his father Demetri who had been in Australia since 1922 and brothers, Stathi, Pano and Costa who had left Ithaca for Australia in the 1930s. In the early years of Ithacan migration, many husbands left their families and migrated to various countries that offered opportunities. Demetri and Eugenia had been separated for almost 30 years before they reunited in 1950. Prior to leaving for Australia Demetri had also spent time in America. Women were left to bring up children on their own during times of hardship and periods of war. A black and white photograph with crimped edges of eight young men sitting amongst low growing shrubbery having a meal break. Two men are standing each end of the group holding guns.kopella

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 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 photograph was taken at a gathering held at the Victoria Theatre in Victoria Street Richmond in 1961. The function was held to celebrate 25th March Greek National Day. Seated in the front row second from the left with other dignitaries is Stathi Vlass who was Secretary of Melbourne's Greek Community during the 60s. He was also president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society 1957 - 1959. Fifth from the left is Stathi's uncle, Spiros Raftopoulos who was the President of the Greek Returned Soldiers. Important national days for the Greek community are the 25 March and 28 October. 25 March commemorates the start of the Greek Revolution of 1821; it honors the Greeks' fight for freedom after being occupied by the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years. The 28th of October, known as OXI day (NO day) commemorates the rejection by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on 28 October 1940 with a resounding NO. Subsequently Italy invaded Greece but were successfully repelled by the Greeks, delivering one of the first allied victories. However, this was met with a forceful and immediate response when In April 1941 Germany invaded Greece. Greek resistance fighters — a combination of right and left wing partisan groups — mounted a sustained guerrilla war throughout the 4 year occupation. Greece suffered 400,000 casualties during the occupation.A copied black and white photograph of a group of people seated in a large auditorium. CELEBRATION OF THE GREEK NATIONAL DAY HELD IN THE VICTORIA THEATRE/ VICTORIA ST. RICHMOND IN 1661(incorrect date) vlassopoulos

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 picture is of a Greek dance group, possible organised by the Olympic Club. Nina Black pictured in the middle row was an Australian born Ithacan who was very active in a variety of Greek community activities, including the performing arts and education. She was passionate about fostering Greek culture and language within the Ithacan, Greek and wider Australian community in Melbourne. She went on to establish her Greek dancing classes which were popular with both the Greek and broader Australian community. Her Greek dance group performed Greek dances at many social functions and dressed in traditional Greek costumes, the performances added colour to the events and were widely appreciated. Pictured, back row L-R: . . ? . ., Olympia Cecil, . . ? . . , ...... Green. Middle row L-R: ...... Green, . . . ? . . . , Michael Black, Nina Black, Marguerita Black. Front row L-R: Spiro Polites, Eleni Vrachna, Effie Cecil, Ellie Black, Harry NicholadesThe teaching of Greek dancing to the children of Greek immigrants ensured the maintenance of Greek cultural traditions in their adopted country. A black and white photograph of ten ladies and three men dressed in Greek national costume and posing on a staircase.

The Ithacan Philanthropic Society Executive Committee 1991. Pictured L-R: Back row - Dennis Katsamas, George Coutsouvelis, Anthony Drakopoulos, John Tscoucalas, Christos Lourantos. Front row - Antoni Razos, Maria Dellas, Sia Andrews (President), Helen Vlass, Nick LourantosAlthough women played a very active role in the organisation of social functions and fund raising activities, they were not eligible to become full members until 1985 after which they could also be elected to the executive committee. Prior to this there was a Ladies' Committee formed in 1944 which organised social events. Sia Andrews, Maria Dellas and Helen Vlass were the first women to be elected to the executive committee in 1985. In 1991, in the Society's 75th year, Sia Andrews became the first female president. A coloured photograph of the executive committee of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society photographed standing in front of an honour board. Five men are standing behind three women and two men who are seated.

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 at an Ithacan Club annual picnic. The picnic were held on recreation grounds located on Melbourne's rural fringe. For many years Maddingley Reserve, Bacchus Marsh was the regular location; and more recently Ferny Creek Reserve. Running races continue to be run for all age groups are a popular activity during the day. In this photograph the children are lining up for the 75 yards race.A sepia photograph taken in the country of a row of children lining up at thew start of a race. Five men are standing behind them.

The photograph is of students at Melbourne's first Greek Community school, established for the Australian-born children of Greek immigrants. They are pictured with four of their teachers, one of whom is Nina Black (Mavrokefalos) seated in the second row, fourth from the left. The other teacher is Rita Black seated 4th from the right in the same row. Sitting on the floor are Vicki Raftopoulos 2nd left and Olga Andrews on the far right of the row. Greek parents were very keen for their children born in Australia to be able to speak their language and to understand Greek culture and heritage. It is documented that there were attempts to establish a school as early as 1901 and later in 1923. However, it was not until 1929 that an after school hours Greek school was properly established. Up until 1957 the Greek community schools were the sole providers of Greek language classes. It was not until the late 1960s and the mid-1970s that modern Greek was introduced to Victorian government schools. A mounted black and white photograph mounted on grey board featuring twenty eight boys and girls and four adults, seated and standing in four rows on a stage with a backdrop behind them.

The photograph is of an early Ithacan Philanthropic Society committee. Some of the members were also in the inaugral committee of the Society, which was formed in Melbourne in 1916. It became affectionately known as 'The Club' and provided the early Ithacan Greeks a place of belonging in a strange and at times a hostile environment. A black and white photograph of men dressed in suits, standing and seated in two rows in a studio. There are seven men standing behind four men who are seated.

The photo is taken of the Northern Ithaca Platrethia school in 1932. Compulsory school education was introduced to Ithaca and the other Ionian Islands during the second half of the nineteenth century resulting in children gaining a basic education in literacy and numeracy. This is indicative of the value Greeks have placed on education.A black and white school photograph of a group of girls and boys of various ages standing in five rows. The boys are wearing striped shirts which seems to suggest they are wearing a school uniform while thew girls are not dressed in uniform.

The Greek Orthodox Community with the support of the Ithacan Community in Melbourne established a Greek Language School in the early 1930s. The teaching of the Greek language to the Australian born children of Greek parents ensured that the language and culture was maintained within the Greek community. A sepia photograph mounted on grey board of the children and teachers at the Greek language school. The people are standing and seated in five rows in front of a stage.

Ithacan picnic group. Pictured back row: third from left Poppy Gabriel. Middle row l-r: George Paxinos, Effie Cominos (nee Raftopoulos), Niko Paxinos, Koula Paxinos, Chryssoula Sikiotis (nee Kallinikos), the Sikiotis (Scott) brothers James and Spero. Front row: Penelope Kallinikos, Aspasia Paxinos. Black & white photograph of six men and six ladies and a young girl at an outdoor social outing. There are two large automobiles in the background.

The group were at an annual Ithacan Club picnic at a country location outside of Melbourne. The adults in the photograph are all from the village of Kioni. Most have been identified and they are: Standing at the back - Nick Vasilopoulos and Loula Ventouras. Back row kneeling L-R: Tatsi and Thalia Pappas, . ? . , Mando Raftopoulos Middle row L-R: Alkino Paizis, Poppy Vasilopoulos, Eleni Raftopoulos, ...?.., Vasili Raftopoulos, Hariklia Paizis (Dellas), ..?.., Kalypso Sofianos, Themistokli Paizis. Children in front row L-R: Tasia Paizis (Tsilimidos), Stella Karanges (Dimopoulos), Lula Vasilopoulos (Psiliakos), Nina Sofianos (MIlls)The Ithacan picnics were a popular annual event on the club's calendar and gave families and friends the chance to socialise and relax away from the arduous work of their shops and cafes. Attendees would gather with the fellow villages and share their picnic lunches. A black and white photograph of twenty people having a picnic in the country . A house and hills are visible in the background as well a some trees.

Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos) is standing 3rd from the left in the back row. The others in the group have not been identified. The ladies are all smartly dressed, wearing overcoats and some also wearing hats, indicating that are attending a special function in Ithaca.A black and white photograph off seven ladies dressed in overcoats while some are also wearing hats and standing on a paved area. A priest is standing with the group. They have been photographed in front of a house.

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 photo taken in Ithaca Greece was sent to Jim Kandiliotis in Australis from his sibling Sotiris Sikiotis who was a solicitor on the island. Back row from left, Kosta Skiotis, Odysseas Sikiotis, Irini Varvarigos Sikiotis, Gerasimos Sikiotis, Panos Steriopoulos (Martha's son). Seated left Galatia Sikiotis, Nona Kalliopi Sikiotis. Kneeling left Panos Sikiotis (Gerasimo's son), Martha Sikiotis. Missing from the photo is sibling Sotiris Sikiotis.A sepia photograph with a white crinkled border of a family group. There are four men and four ladies and a young boy in the group. They are standing in a garden next to a house.Written on the back in pencil: In the picture from left Back row. Dad, Uncle Oddessey, Mum, Yiatros. Panos 2, son of Martha, M.Row. Aunty Yalateia, Nona Front row. Panos (son of Yia & Pa), Aunty Martha. With love all of us. If I send you photos don't throw away.

The photograph of the large social gathering was at a dance at the St. Kilda Town Hall on 27 September 1915. A sepia photograph mounted on a brown board of a crowd of people in a large dance hall. The people in the front row are holding balloons.

The photograph was taken at one of the annual Ithacan picnics.A large sepia photograph backed onto a brown board of a crowd of people sitting and standing in rows. Some are on the ground in the front, others are seated on benches while those at the back are sitting or standing on a raised platform. in front of a corrugated iron building.