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.

This is a photograph of Erigoni (Nitsa) Kyriakakis nee Vlassopoulos. It was sent to her father, Dimitrios Vlassopoulos (Kopela) who had migrated to Australia in the early 1920s when she was `only a young child. Dimitrios settled in the Mildura area and owned the Golden Key cafe in Red Cliffs, Victoria. Erigoni did not see her father again until she migrated to Australia in 1952 together with her husband Kyriakos and two children George and Eugenia. Their son Demetri (Jim) was born in Red Cliffs. Kyriako and Erigoni took over the running of the Golden Key Cafe. They eventually retired back in Greece, living in Athens. It was not uncommon for the fathers of many children born in Ithaca in the early 20th century to never see their children again or to be reunited with them after decades. A sepia photograph of a young lady who is leaning on an easy chair. The photograph is mounted on cream board.A short message has been written in Greek on the back of the photograph.

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.

View across the picturesque Ithacan village of Kioni taken by Thalia Paizis (Papadopoulos) when she returned to Greece in 1921. Thalia later returned to Australia where she married Anastasios Papadopoulos.Many Ithacans from the village of Kioni migrated to Australia and settled in Melbourne. These days Kioni is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Ithaca and for yachts cruising the Ionian islands in the some months.A black and white photograph of a view of a village on a hillside by the sea.

The man pictured in the small photograph is Stavros Black along with his visa. The surname Black is the English version of Mavrokefalos, which literally means 'black hair'. Stavros had emigrated to Australia earlier than 1922 and later returned to Ithaca. The visa in the photograph indicates that he returned to Australia again in 1922. Many Greeks from the island of Ithaca left their island homeland and settled in Australia during the early years of the twentieth century. A photograph Stavros Black and his visa. stavros black, visas, ithaca, immigration

The photograph of the passport has been stamped and indicates that Stavros Mavrokefalos initially intended to return to Australia on 25th February 1922 and his trip was delayed until 5th March 1922.A scanned black and white photograph of a Passport photo for Stavros Mavrokefalos.stavros mavrokefalos, passports, greece, australia

The photograph of father Stavros ( Steve) and Ioannis (John) Mavrokefalos was taken in 1927 prior to Stavros returning to Greece.Many Ithacans who migrated to Australia in the early years of the 20th century made return trips to their island home for family reunions.A non-digital black and white scanned studio photograph of an older man, who is seated and a younger man standing beside him.JOHN STAVROSstavros mavrokefalos, ioannis mavrokefalos, greece, ithaca, migration

The gentleman in the photograph is John Black, who with his brother Andrew arrived in Australia from the Greek island of Ithaca some time between 1927 - 28. On arriving in Australia, John was a fruit stall holder at the Camberwell Market.Many Ithacan who arrived in Australia during the first half of the twentieth century established their own food retail businesses in Melbourne's markets, Melbourn's CBD or surrounding suburbs. A black and white non-digital photograph of a head and shoulders photograph of a smartly dressed man preparing to toast someone at a function.john black, fruit vendor, fruit stalls, camberwell market, ithacan businesses

The man in the photograph is Andrew Black, who with his brother John, arrived in Australia from the Greek island of Ithaca during the late 1920s and establishing shoe repair business in a shop in Swanston Street, Carlton.As well as establishing food retail businesses in and around Melbourne, there were also some Ithacan who were very good shoe makers, who also ran their businesses in and around the city. A non-digital black and white scanned photograph of a head and shoulders image of a smartly dressed man who is wearing Stetson Hat.alexandra black, shoe repairs, swanston street, carlton, ithacan businesses

John Eric Wiles VX16067, refer Cat No 5410P for his service details.Set of 7 miniature medals court mounted, label on rear with details. 1. 1939 - 45 Star. 2. Africa Star. 3. Pacific Star. 4. Defence Medal. 5. British War Medal 1939 - 45. 6. Australian Service Medal 1939 - 45. 7 Greece, Crete Commemorative Medal.On label on rear, "J. E. Wiles 2/7th Inf Bn VX16067”awards, medals, wiles

The 'Alexandra Bros' London Café at 25 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne (close to Flinders Street Station) was owned by brothers John and George Alexandratos (Alexander) who migrated to Australia from the village of Frikes in Ithaca, Greece in the early years of the twentieth century. As well as selling fruit and confectionery, afternoon teas were served and wedding parties were catered for. The London Café became one of Melbourne's fashionable cafes at the time. George and John Alexandratos were founding members of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society which was formed in October 1916.Many Greeks who migrated from Ithaca during the first half of the twentieth century and settled in Melbourne opened cafes in the city. Many of these cafes employed fellow Ithacans upon their arrival in Melbourne.A non-digital black and white photograph of the interior of the London Cafe at 25 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Written on the photograph: Interior of/ Alexandra Bros/ London Cafe/ 25 Elizabeth St. Melbourne Fruit, confectionery, afternoon tea /Wedding parties a speciality/Attention and civility assured.london cafe, alexandros bros, cafes, businesses

The seafood and oyster business was owned by a C. Raftopulos, possibly located in NSW. Many Greeks who migrated to Australia from Ithaca during the first half of the twentieth century either established or worked in family owned businesses mostly involved with the food industry, including oyster bars and fish shops. A faded sepia photograph mounted on cardboard. Four men are standing outside the shop, a seafood and oyster business. The signage suggests the oysters were supplied by the New South Wales Oyster Company. The number 195 is above the door. raftopoulos, nsw oyster company

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 Merbein shops were originally owned by Spiros Raftopoulos (Levendi) who migrated from Kolieri, Ithaca, Greece. The family conducted a business in Merbein during the 1930s before relocating to Melbourne.Some Greeks who migrated to Australia during the first half of the twentieth century settled in larger country towns throughout regional Victoria.A coloured photograph of the exterior view of a group of single storey shops with a verandah across the front of the buildings. The words 'Beauty Salon' and 'The Family Shoe Store' are written across the top of the verandah awnings. A white sedan is angle-parked outside one of the shops.

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

Stathi Raftopoulos as a young man developed an interest in performing magic tricks. He performed, under the name of Rafto the Magician, with the Glad Eye Review Company and the National Follies. The companies performed in venues around Melbourne including the Tivoli and Kings Theatres. He also regularly entertained children at the annual Ithacan Christmas tree party.A coloured photograph featuring a magician on the stage at the Melbourne Town Hall performing tricks for an audience. He is holding a top hat in his hand and is standing in front of a small table which is covered with a patterned cloth.melbourne town hall, entertainment

Stathi Raftopoulos was passionate about film and often showed movies to family and friends in his home cinema. He was a keen promoter of Greek film which he screened to the wider public as a travelling picture show man and later through the chain of Greek cinemas he was a partner in.A coloured photograph of a man standing next to a film projector in his home cinema. Two Greek film posters are on the wall behind him.

Demonsthenes (Bavias) and the young Dimitris Florias were examples of the numerous families from Ithaca Greece that migrated to South Africa in the latter years of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Many settled in Johannesburg. Like their compatriots who migrated to Australia many became successful business people in their adopted country. UnknownA sepia photograph on a cream board of an elderly well-dressed man wearing a suit and seated on a wooden seat with a young boy wearing a knickerbocker suit standing next to him. They are both wearing floral buttonholes in their lapels. The elderly man has a groomed moustache and goatee beard and is holding a pen in his right hand.Embossed on the cream board: J.A.SIMPSON/THE ARCADE. J'BURG. The Ithacan Historical Society stamp is on the back of the board. The names of the two people are on a typed label which has been pasted under the photograph. Written on the back: ER 7.ithacan diaspora

The 1953 catastrophic earthquakes on Ithaca and nearby Cephalonia caused extensive damage destroying many houses and buildings. The tremors reached 7.2 on the Richter Scale and the devastation was exacerbated by the quake occurring at midday when many people were cooking so fires spread rapidly across the island. The Holy Church of Taxiarchion, located in northern Ithaca on the hill overlooking the village of Platrithia and Afales Bay, was extensively damaged. A committee was formed to rebuild the church and its reconstruction following the earthquake is testament to the determination and resilience of the island's people to overcome hardship and disasters. A black and white photograph of scaffolding supporting a building destroyed in earthquake. A trench along the side of the structure is being prepared for further reinforcement with steel rods before the concrete is poured.The photo a has stamp on the back from the local committee overseeing the rebuilding of the church. It is written in Greek and states the following: REBUILDING COMMITTEE/ HOLY CHURCH OF TAXIARCHES/PLATRITHIA ITHACA.

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

The photograph was taken at arrival of the champion Greek wrestler, Jim Londros at Moorabin Airport on 26 November 1946. He was welcomed by members of the Greek community in Melbourne which included Stathi Raftopoulos, B. Dervenis, Spiro Raftopoulo -President of Greek Returned Soldierss, Mr Hatzis, Dr. Haralambos Paroulakis and Ioannis Panagiotopoulos. Jim Londros visited Australia after his retirement from wrestling in 1946. In retirement he worked for various charitable organizations especially for the Greek orphans of World War II. The photograph was published in the Greek newspaper 'Fos'.Greeks have enjoyed the sport of wrestling since ancient times. So the visit to Australia of a former Greek wrestling champion, and one who also devoted his time to helping others, would have been an important event for members of Melbourne's Greek community in 1946. Mr Ioannis Panagiotopoulos was publisher of the 'Fos' newspaper, the only Greek newspaper at the time. Dr Paroulakis arrived in Australia late 1930s and practised 55 Collins Street till 1987. He was Head of Outpatients and Physician at St, Vincent's Hospital for 22 years. Born in Crete he also served as President of Melbourne's Cretan Brotherhood, A black and white photograph of six men standing outdoors. All the men are dressed in suits. One is also wearing a tweed coat and four are wearing hats. Written under the photograph in Greek: MEMBERS OF THE GREEK COMMUNITY AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF JIM LONDROS/ WORLD WRESTLING CHAMPION/ AT MOORABIN AIRPORT IN 1946. (PH. BY THE AUTHOR)wrestling, jim londros

The picture is of Angelos Lekatsas (Lucas), his wife and three sons. Angelos was the second president of the Society between 1924.-1926. He was also president of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria for three terms, from 1930-32, 1934-40 and 1949-52. Angelos arrived in Australia around the turn of century shortly after his brothers, Ioannis and Andreas. They owned the Lucas Cafe under the clocks of Flinders Street Station and the business remained in the family till the 1960s. A black and white photograph of a family outdoors. The three boys are sitting on a fallen tree trunk and the parents are standing behind them.

The photograph taken in 1927 of young Greek men celebrating the 21st birthday of Bill Florence. One of the men is playing the mandolin, a very popular instrument on the island of Ithaca. It is assumed that some of the men worked at the Golden Key Cafe, possibly Bill Florence, as the truck belonged to the business. Bill was nephew of the proprietors of the cafe. The Golden Key Cafe was established in the 1923 by Demetrios Vlassopoulos (Kopela) and brother-in-law Spiros Raftopoulos (Levendis) in the town of Red Cliffs in the Mildura district. Spiros eventually left and established a business in Merbein. The Golden Key was run by Demetri until the mid 1950s, following which his daughter and son-in-law, Nitsa and Kyriakos Kyriakakis took over the business. Although Ithacan Greeks tended to settle in the capital cities and worked in either catering or food retail areas, some ventured further afield into regional towns where they opened cafes, or worked on farms in the surrounding districts. A black and white photograph of five men enjoying themselves at a picnic. One man is playing a mandolin while another man is pouring a drink into a mug. They are sitting on boxes in front of a small truck which has the words 'The Golden Key' printed on the side of the cabin. There are five bottles of beer on the ground in front of the men.Stamped on the back: ITHACAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCORPORATED/ A0027411E/329 ELIZABETH STREET MELBOURNE/VICTORIA 3000/AUSTRALIA/PO BOX 611D MELBOURNE 3001/TELEPHONE (03) 670 0230 Stamped in blue O 384

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

The photo is of A.J. Lucas and his wife, Margaret (nee Wilson). Antonios J Lekatsas (Lucas) arrive in Australia in 1886 and was a founding member and of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. He was also the first president, a position he held from 1916 to 1924. He married Margaret Wilson, in 1893. Margaret was also very active in Ithacan Philanthropic Society and was a member of the Women's Auxiliary. Together they established some of the most successful restaurants in Melbourne during early decades of the 20th century.A scanned copy of a studio photograph of a couple which has been backed onto white cardboard. A brief handwritten biography of A.J. Lucas has been written in Greek on the back of the white board. studio photograph, aj lucas, margaret wilson

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

The photo is taken in Pretoria South Africa. One of the subjects is Orthon Moraitis.A sepia studio photograph of a head and shoulders portrait of two men dressed in suits. Written on the back and translated from the Greek: ORTHON MORIATIS/ PRETORIA S.AFRICA/ 20.7.1934.orthon moriatis, south africa

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