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.

Stathy Raftopoulos was instrumental in bring Greek films to Melbourne and screened them in various picture theatres in the inner Melbourne suburbs where most post WW2 migrants were living. Prior to the opening of Greek cinemas various venues were used for screenings including Nicholas Hall in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.With the advent of television many suburban cinemas were no longer drawing the crowds. It was at this time that Stathi Raftopoulos with his partners in the Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures company purchased cinemas in the in suburbs of Melbourne where Greek immigrants were living - in 1960 the National Theatre in Richmond; 1961 the Sun Theatre Yarraville; 1965, the Paramount Theatre Oakleigh, Kinema Theatre Albert Park, and the Empire Theatre Brunswick and Westgarth Theatre Northcote. Here they screened Greek movies which entertained the Greek community supporting them to maintain their link with Greece and their culture and traditions. A black and white photograph of a man standing between two film projectors in a room.

Many young men, both Ithacan born and Australian born of Ithacan descent joined the Australian Defence Forces in various capacities during World War 2. Pictured is a group of army recruits to the Civilian Military Forces with a young Stathi Raftopoulos seated in the centre - he is the only one not wearing a cap.Ithacans who were not naturalised were recruited to the Civilian Military Forces as 'Allied Aliens'.A black and white photograph of thirteen men inn army uniform sitting and relaxing in a shed.

The four girls were bridesmaids at the wedding of Chrisoula Kallinikos and Niko Sikiotis. They are from L-R: Nina Black (nee Kallinikos ), Effie Cominos (nee Raftopoulos), Poppy Gabriel (nee Sikiotis) and Loula Morris (nee Sikiotis). The wedding ceremony took place at Evangelismos Church in East Melbourne in the late 1930s.A black and white photograph of four flower girls about to enter the church for the wedding ceremony.

Stathi Raftopoulos had an interest in magic and developed an act which he performed as 'Rafto the Magician'. He worked with the Glad Eye Review Company and National Follies which performed in various Melbourne venues including the Tivoli and Kings Theatres. He also regularly entertained children at the annual Ithacan children's Christmas Tree party.A coloured photograph of a man dressed as a magician in a black suit with tails and wearing a top hat. He is on the stage at the Melbourne Town Hall performing magic tricks. He is holding a wine bottle in one hand and a glass in the other.melbourne town hall, entertainment

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

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.

This is a photograph of the steps leading up to the main entrance of the MacRobertson Girls' High School taken on the occasion of an event to honour the late Loula Rodopoulos (nee Raftopoulos) who attended in the late 1950s. Since the opening of the school on its present site in Albert Road in 1934 a number of young women Ithacan of descent have attended the school.A coloured photograph of a 1930s cream brick school building.

Pictured are Stathi Raftopoulos right, Angelo Petalas centre, other man unknown. Stathi and Angelo were lifelong friends and shared a passion for film. Stathi brought Greek cinema to Melbourne and Angelo ran the Melbourne University Cinema. Angelo's son Kim Petalas has carried on his father's passion for film and is the National Programming Director for Palace Cinemas.A coloured photograph of three men standing in a retail photography shop. Photographic accessories are displayed on racks and shelves behind the group.

The photo is taken at Marmaka beach, located in northern Ithaca near the seaside village of Frikes. Marmaka is known for its crystal clear waters and white pebbles. It was a favourite spot for locals to picnic and was usually reached by boat. A marsh located behind the beach was in the past used for mud bathing. Pictured in the third and fourth in top right are Stathi and Kassiani Raftopoulos.A black and white photograph of a group of villagers gathered around a man playing a guitar. They are singing and are having a picnic.unknown

The Classic Restaurant, located in Swanson Street next to Young and Jacksons Hotel, was one of the many businesses owned by Ithacans in Melbourne's CBD. Nakis Raftopoulos ran the business during the 70 & 80s up until the property was sold and became a fast food chain outlet. The building has since been demolished as part of Melbourne's Metro Tunnel project. Many Ithacans who settled in Melbourne in the early years of the twentieth century opened restaurants In the CBD. From the 1950s onwards the number of these Ithacan owned businesses gradually declined and by the 1970s very few remained. The Classic Restaurant was one of the last remaining establishments in the CBD owned and operated by an Ithacan. A black and white photograph of the Classic Restaurant. It is a two storey building large printed letters spelling out the name of the business on the first floor of the building. Three sedans are in front of the building and two people are standing at the tram stop opposite the building.Painted on the second storey of the building: CLASSIC RESTAURANT/ GROUND FLOOR/ COFFEE LOUNGE.

Anastasia Coutsouvelis is pictured wearing the white apron and standing behind the counter in her shop with her godson, Ilias Raftopoulos. Anastasia ran the successful mixed business in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, opposite the former Fitzroy Football ground from 1951 to c1976. Anastasia is the mother of George Coutsouvelis who was the founding president of the Ithacan Historical Society established in 1993.This business is another example of businesses which some Ithacan Greeks still operated in suburban Melbourne up until the 1970s, around which time this type of business was in gradual decline and fewer and fewer owned by Ithacans. By this time the second and third generation of Australian born Ithacans were working in a variety of industries and professions.A coloured photograph with a surrounding white border of as lady and boy standing behind the counter in a well-stocked mixed business.

There couple on the dance floor are Aspasia (Sia) Raftopoulos and Arthur Koutsouvelis. They married in 1954 and had two sons Harry and George Koutsouvelis. Both their families were from Ithaca. Aspasia's parents were from the village of Frikes and settled in Melbourne in the early years of the twentieth century. Arthur's family were from Kioni and Arthur arrived in Australia in 1952.A black and white photograph of a coupler on a dance floor.

IPS treasurer Eugenia Vlass-Tsalikis and president Anthony Drakopoulos together with Maria Johnson were guests at a function at MacRobertson Girls' High School, which was held in honour of Loula Rodopoulos (nee Raftopoulos). Loula was very active the community and was a board member of the Victorian Women's Trust. The mural behind the guests depicts some of the Greek myths of the sea, the woodlands, the mountains and the rivers. A coloured photograph of two ladies and a man standing in front of a large mural in a gallery.

Taken at the Ithacan Ball held at Earls Court, St. Kilda in 1948, the photograph is of members of the then Ladies Auxiliary. Pictured are from L-R: Loula Sikiotis-Kostos , Loulou Varvarigos, Ekaterini Sofianos (Pres.) Nancy Paxinos (Vice-president), Nina Varvarigos, Athanasia (Sia) Andrews, Effie Cominos-Raftopoulos. In 1991 Sia Andrews was the first woman to be elected president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. Although women were not permitted to become “Active Members” of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society until 1985, they played an important role in maintaining the social cohesion of the Ithacan community. Through organising social events such as the annual ball they also helped to connect the various generations of Ithacans to the Society.A black and white photograph of seven ladies dressed in evening attire and standing in front of a curtain. Stamped on the back : PHOTO CRAFT LABORATORIES PTY.LTD/ 99 NICHOLSON STREET/FOOTSCRAY, W.11./ Previous numbers have been hand written W254/1 S15

Photo taken at Taronga Park Zoo, Sydney during a trip by Victorian based Ithacans on 16th July 1946. Standing at back from left to right: N. Paizes (The Poet/ 'O Pioitis'), K. Dellaportas, Mihali Black (Mavrokefalos), Sia (Athanasia) Andrews, Anastasi?, Victoria Black (nee Raftopoulos) Kneeling in front from left to right: Hector Andrews, Peter KouvaliasBlack & White scanned photograph of 8 people, 4 men and 2 women, standing in front of a cyclone wire fence at Taronga Park Zoo, Sydney.

Photographed from left, Evgenia Raftopoulos and Nina Black (Mavrokefalos) collecting money for the 1943 - 44 Lord Mayor's Bush Fire Appeal. The bush fires raged across Victoria and in particular in areas very close to Melbourne's rural fringe such as Beaumaris. Members of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society joined other groups to collect funds for this worthy cause. Both ladies were very active in the community. Since it was established in 1917, the Ithacan Philanthropic Society has supported and continues to support many worthy causes both in Greece and Australia . A black and white photograph of two ladies dressed in Greek national costume collecting money for a cause. A little child is putting money in one of the tins while a lady watches on.

The lady pictured is Efstathia (Toula) Black (Mavrokefalos) nee Raftopoulos. Toula married Constantine Mavrokefalos. Toula was president of the first Greek women's committee established in Melbourne in 1917, the Greek Women's Oganisation. Constantine was a founding member of the IPS. Her daughter's Nina and Olga Black were both very active in the Ithacan and Greek communities. She had three other children, Marguerita (Rita), John and Ellie.A black and white photograph of a head and shoulders view of a smartly dressed lady wearing a coat with a fur collar and hat with face net. The lady is wearing glasses.

Pictured is Irini Pappas ( Papadopoulos) in the role of 'Ismini' in the production of 'Antigone' which was performed at the University of Melbourne. The play was directed by Nikos Dimitrakopoulos, a director from Greece. Also appearing in the production were fellow Ithacans Spiro Paizis, Stathis Raftopoulos and Sophia Paizis. Irini was a well known actor in the Greek community who appeared in various television productions and local theatre productions, both Greek and English. Irini was a trailblazer. She challenged traditional views of the role and career pathways of young Australian born Greek Ithacan women of her era. Although her passion was the theatre, she undertook a varied range of occupations including teaching, counselling and vocational guidance. In her work with women of migrant background she encouraged them not be constrained by the social or cultural expectations of others.A black and white portrait photograph of a young lady.

Pictured l-r are Bill Florence (Vasilis Florias) playing violin, Peter (Pano) Vlass, Joyce Mason and Stathis Raftopoulos playing banjo. They are continuing the celebrations the day after Pano's and Joyce's wedding. The photo is taken in the back garden of the Golden Key Cafe in Red Cliffs which was operated by Pano's father Demetrios Vlassopoulos (Kopela). Stathi, Bill and Pano were all first cousins.The photograph reflects maintenance of family traditions and celebrations in their adopted country and the love of music. A black and white photograph of a lady and men relaxing outside a weatherboard house. The lady is seated in front of the men. A man on the LHS is playing a violin and the other on the RHS is playing the banjo. A corrugated iron water tank is behind the group. The photograph has been scanned from an original photograph. kopella, mildura

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.

Vicki Kapourlakos, Kristalenia Collins and Peter Paxinos were some of the members of the Ithacan community that attended a function held at MacRobertson Girls High School (MGHS) to honour the work and contribution to community of the late Loula Rodopoulos. Loula was a former student at MGHS. She worked tirelessly for community and was a founding trustee and member of the Victorian Women's Trust. Her parents, Panoyiannis and Evgenia Raftopoulos, were Ithacan Greeks.A coloured photograph of two women and a man standing in front of a painting at a function.

Photograph is at the wedding of Costas Defteros and Anastasis(Tasista) Raftopoulos. From left: Argiris Deftereos, Nina Chalkiades, Marika Deftereos (groom's mother), Costas and Tasista Defteros, the best man Marinos and Eutichia (nee Vlassopoulos, Kiourkiouris) Drakopoulos, Agathi Drakopoulos (Marino's mother, nee Deftereos Dellis). Flower girls from left: Chrissa Kandiliotis and Christine Kandiliotis. Young boy is Jim Drakopoulos. Kostas and Tasia settled in Brisbane.The photograph was taken at Hioni Photo Studios which was located opposite the Evangelismos Church in Victoria Parade. Many of the post war Greek immigrants of the 50s and 60s had their wedding studio photos taken at Hioni's. A black and white studio photograph of a wedding group of three men, five ladies, two flower girls and a little boy. The group are standing behind a curtained window.Hioni Photo Studios

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

The photograph was taken at an annual picnic organised by the Ithacan Philanthropic Society in the ealry 1930s. The picnic remains an annual event on the club's calendar. Running races continue to be popular and in this photo the young women look to be preparing for their event. Pictured on the far right is Marguerite Panaretos (nee Black/Mavrokefalos) and next to her Fife Krizos. Fourth from the right is May Theordore, sister of Alma Theodore-Paizis, and behind her John Raftopoulos (Patakias). A sepia photograph of six young women lining up at the start of a race with three race officials standing behind the group in an open area.

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 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

Pictured is Stathi Raftopoulos at Raft's Cafe which was located at 301 Swanston Street, Melbourne and was typical of many such businesses owned and operated by Greek migrants from Ithaca who had arrived in Australia before World War II. Stathi's family owned a business in Merbein in north-west Victoria before moving to Melbourne. Stathi eventually went into partnership and established the Cosmopolitan Picture Company which brought Greek films to Melbourne's Greek community during the 1960s through to the early 1980s. Ithacan Greeks who arrived in Australia during the first half of the twentieth century honed their entrepreneurial skills and found employment opportunities in various areas of the food service industry. Before the end of the Second World War many of the eating places in Melbourne, which included fish and grill rooms, tea rooms and milk bars, were owned by Ithacan Greeks. A black and white photograph with a white surround. A young man is standing behind a counter in a milk bar. There is a poster advertising a Greek film as well as crates of coca cola stacked in the background. The counter is finished in wood veneer. Boxes of assorted lollies are on the shelves behind. On the counter there is a container of straws .

The photograph was taken in Platrithia one of the northern villages on the island of Ithaca. The people identified are: back right G. Digaletos, the coach, and beside him Stathi Raftopoulos who was in Ithaca at the time; third from the right is D. Paizis and I. Kalis. The Platrithia football no longer exists due to the declining population. The Northern Ithaca Football team now represents all the villages of the north. Since 2014 the Ithacan Philanthropic Society has sponsored the junior Northern Ithaca Football club.A black and white photograph of the Platrithia Football team taken in 1951. Seventeen men are photographed in the team with four of them crouched in the front and the other thirteen members standing behind them.Marking in Greek: Footbal team of Platrithia, 1951. Right: Coach G. Digaletos.

Brother and sister, Panogiannis (Peter) Raftopoulos ( Bourlotos) and Kalypso Sofianos are photographed with Kalypso's children, Konstandina (Nina) and Spiros (Pip). Panogiannis was actively involved with the IPS. He was elected Secretary only about a year after he came to Melbourne. He proposed the introduction of the IPS Tertiary Bursaries which were introduced in 1988 and are now known as the Year 12 Awards. Kalypso was also a very active IPS member and in 1995 was made an Honorary Life Member of the society.A black and white photograph of a man and lady with a little boy and girl sitting behind a sedan car parked near a tree.