Paperback book with glossy front covernon-fictionThe Victorian Historical Journal, first published as the Victorian Historical Magazine in 1911, is the official journal of record and scholarly publication of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. It is the second oldest history journal in Australia. It has become a vast collaborative history of Victoria with hundreds of individual contributors and topics and has itself become a primary source for researchers. The Victorian Historical Journal, first published as the Victorian Historical Magazine in 1911, is the official journal of record and scholarly publication of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. It is the second oldest history journal in Australia. It has become a vast collaborative history of Victoria with hundreds of individual contributors and topics and has itself become a primary source for researchers. alexandra dellios, greek, migrants, immigration

Mounted black and white family portrait of Fotiadis family, taken in Greece, c1972. The family members are identified (left to right) as Les, John, Poppy and Anna Fotiadis. Part of 1985 BCHG exhibition held from 7-19 July 1985 at Brunswick Mechanics Institute - 'Brunswick - Pictures Past and Present'. Catalogue number CN 43. It also features in 1985 BCHG calendar with the caption: 'This photograph was taken while we were going through the process of migration - it was the last photograph of us in Greece.' (Poppy Fotiadis). Goes with 2023.039. fotiadis family, greek migrants

Mounted black and white family portrait of Fotiadis family, taken in Brunswick, October 1984. The family members are identified (left to right) as Les, John, Poppy and Anna Fotiadis. Part of 1985 BCHG exhibition held from 7-19 July 1985 at Brunswick Mechanics Institute - 'Brunswick - Pictures Past and Present'. Catalogue number CN 44.2. Also features in 1985 BCHG calendar with the caption: 'I have grown a little. Gee, my brother is the tallest now. My father, he has aged so much, look at his eyes. I have ths same expression on my face, do you notice?.' (Poppy Fotiadis). The Fotiadis family lived at 35 Hickford St., East Brunswick. Goes with 2023.019. fotiadis family, greek migrants

The certificate of appreciation was issued to Dennis Varigos in recognition of his work with the ethnic communities, in particular the Greek migrant community of Richmond where one of his pharmacies was located. The Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs at the time was Peter Spyker.The descriptive section of the certificate in entry 0430

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 .

During the mid-to-late 19th century, migrants from Greece and Arabia, as well as from many other countries, landed in Australia, contributing to the rich and diverse culture of Australia. This coffee pot is an example of that culture. In Greece and Arabia, and later in Lebanon, traditional coffee is prepared in a long-handled coffee pot called a "rakwe". The coffee is poured directly from the rakwe into a small cup usually adorned with a decorative pattern called a Finjan. A coffee maker like this multi-purpose pot is used for brewing tea, melting butter, boiling water, and cooking sauces and soups.This coffee pot is an example of kitchen equipment used for both food and beverage preparation. Coffee pots of similar design are still available from stores today.Lebanese coffee pot; a long-handled copper pot, cylindrical with a concave middle, slightly flared base and a flared lip. It was made in Lebanon and includes a stamped inscription.Stamped: "5"warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, coffee rakwe, rakwe, coffee pot, coffee maker, arabic, turkish, laeanese, beverage, multi-purpose pot, coffee brewing, cooking, drinking, kitchen equipment

Perfect Cheese Company was founded in 1930 by newly-arrived Italian migrant Natale Paquale Italiano. The company specialised in traditional Italian-style cheese but also produced Greek, Cypriot and Maltese origin cheeses. The cheeses were sold in Australia and Italy with all products being matured and non-processed. The company remained in operation until the early 2000s.This cheese press is significant as it represents the machinery used by an early cheese production company.Stainless cheese press machine with three steel supports and two threaded rods will spring tension wheels to screw down to pressurise the hoops containing cheese.J & T YOUNG AYR UKallansford, perfect cheese company, avery, cheese manufacturing, dairy industry

Perfect Cheese Company was founded in 1930 by newly-arrived Italian migrant Natale Paquale Italiano. The company specialised in traditional Italian-style cheese but also produced Greek, Cypriot and Maltese origin cheeses. The cheeses were sold in Australia and Italy with all products being matured and non-processed. The company remained in operation until the early 2000s.This weighing machine is significant as it represents the machinery used by an early cheese production company.Large metal machine with cast iron with a cast iron frame and a stainless steel rectangular bowl in a cradle. The round weighing scale at the top shows a weight scale up to 1100 pounds. A mesh stainless steel baffle strains the milk.Made in England Birmingham - AVERY SOLE AGENTSallansford, perfect cheese company, avery, cheese manufacturing, dairy industry

Architect of Fortuna Villa Carl William Vahland was born in 1828 in Nienburg an der Weser, Germany. He trained at the prestigious Polytechnic Baugewerkschule in Holzminden, excelling in building and architecture. Emigrated to Melbourne in 1854, motivated by political unrest in Germany and the lure of the goldfields. Quickly he moved to Bendigo, joining other German migrants who contributed significantly to the region. Early Initially worked as a carpenter, then established himself as an architect in Bendigo by 1856. He Formed partnerships with other German architects, notably Robert Getzschmann and later his son Henry.Major. He Designed many of Bendigo’s most prominent buildings, including the Town Hall, Shamrock Hotel, Bendigo Hospital, Benevolent Asylum, School of Mines, Mechanics Institute, Princess Theatre, Masonic Temple, Alexandra Fountain, and several banks and churches. His firm also worked in other Victorian towns and opened an office in Echuca. Favored French Renaissance and Hellenistic Greek styles, influenced by German architectural trends. He Married Jane Barrow in 1859; they had ten children, though three died young. Became a naturalized Australian and anglicized his name to William Vahland. He Owned and developed the Charterhouse estate and vineyard at Runnymede, exporting award-winning wine to Europe. Justice of the Peace for over 40 years, city councillor, and mayor of Bendigo. Held leadership roles in the fire brigade, German Association, Bendigo Mutual Permanent Land and Building Society, and other local organizations. Active Freemason and published a book on freemasonry in Bendigo. Retired in 1900, briefly returned to the firm after his son’s death, and finally retired in 1912. Died in 1915 at age 87; his funeral was attended by many prominent citizens, and flags were flown at half-mast in his honor. William Vahland’s legacy is seen in Bendigo’s architectural heritage and his broad contributions to the city’s civic, cultural, and economic life.Fortuna Article - Plans of the Villa 1871 This item contains the following documents: 11217.81a Plan Garden Front for G. Lansell Esq. - 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81b Plan Facade 2 - 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81c Plan Facade 6 - 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81d Plan Garden Elevation and plan of Ground Floor and Second Floor with Section on line xx - 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81e Plan Basement and ground floor- 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81f Plan Basement and ground floor - 1 A3 Sheet - stamped with William C Vahland Architect Sandhurstnon-fictionbendigo, fortuna, george lansell, william vahland

Stathi Raftopoulos is pictured performing as a magician under the name of 'Rafto the Magician'. Stathi Raftopoulos pursued a range of creative interests throughout his lifetime in the Greek and the broader Australian communities. Interests included performing as a magician, acting in Greek theatre productions, poetry writing and reciting, Ithacan family history, film and cinema, and painting. He was also an avid collector of memorabilia. At Ithacan funerals Stathi would be called upon to recite a poem in memory of the deceased which was always so nostalgic and evocative of the Ithacan migrant experience that there would be hardly a dry eye in the church.A black and white photograph of a man dressed in a dinner suit and wearing a top hat. He is holding playing cards in one hand and a walking cane in the other. The photograph has a cream border.

The seven people on the deck of a ship at Station Pier some time in 1955 are: Front L-R: Arthur and Sia (Aspasia) Koutsouvelis, George and Ioulia Raftopoulos and Effie Cominos. George and Ioulia Raftopoulos are the parents of Sia and Effie. Back L-R: Chrisoula Raftopoulos and Nick Sikiotis. Family would go to Station Pier to either welcome or farewell relatives who departing to or arriving from Greece. Very few of the early Ithacan migrants returned to their homeland. It wasn't until the 1950s and 60s that travel back home to visit family became more common. Today generations born in Australia to return to Ithaca on a regular basis.A black and white photograph of seven people standing on the deck of a ship. A partial view of a tugboat can be seen in the background.

The photograph was taken outside the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church East Melbourne following a celebratory eulogy marking the unification of the Heptanese (seven islands) with Greece in 1864. The Heptanese are located in Western Greece in the Ionian Sea. They include Kerkira, Zakinthos, Lefkada, Ithaca, Paxos, Kefallonia, and Kythera. The celebration is organised each year by Melbourne's Heptanesean Federation and commences with a celebratory church eulogy followed by afternoon tea and cultural activities at the host clubrooms. The women are dressed in traditional dress of each island .Ithaca (and the other islands of the Heptanese) were unified with Greece in 1864. From approx 1500 Ithaca was under centuries-long Venetian rule, which largely preserved it from becoming part of the Ottoman Empire, thus creating a distinct cultural identity with Venetian influences. Following a brief period in 1797 of French rule, Ithaca became a British protectorate from 1809 until 1864 followng which the island was reunified with the modern Greek state. Although Ithacans made up the largest number of Greek migrants who settled in Melbourne in the first half of the twentieth century, other Greeks from the neighbouring Ionian Islands also migrated to Australia during those years. In particular from Lefkada, and also from Kythera most of whom settled in regional towns in New South Wales and Queensland.A newspaper cutting mounted on white cardboard which includes a photograph taken in front of a brick building with a caption below in Greek. The photograph is of a celebration and features eight ladies dressed in Greek traditional dress in front of a group of people. The celebrations by the Heptanesian Federation of Melbourne for the 135th anniversary of the unification of the the seven Ionian islands with mother Greece, commence tomorrow with a celebratory eulogy at the The Holy Temple of the Evangelismos Church East Melbourne. The afternoon of the same day at the Lefkadian Brotherhood Hall, 12A Bell St; Coburg, the Federation has organised a cultural and musical afternoon dedicated to 'The Seven Diamonds of the Ionian'. The program will feature a talk, 'Angelos Sikelianos, an environmentalist, before his time', by Mr. N.Sofokleos; recitations from Stathis Raftopoulos and Thanasis Makrigeorgos; and Heptanesian melodies and songs from the choir and orchestra of the Educational Group of Florina, Melbourne. At the conclusion , savoury snacks, coffee and sweets will be served. Entry is free. In the photo, a snapshot of last year's event.eptanesian

Loula Morris nee Sikiotis (Scotis) and her young son Jim attending a wedding at Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church in East Melbourne.Early migrants to Australia, including Ithacans, often abbreviated or changed their surnames for ease of pronunciation and to better fit in. Many chose to simplify the spelling or otherwise alter their name to relate it more closely to the English language and pronunciation. One such example is the surname Sikiotis which some families changed to Scotis, Skiotis, Skotis, Siciotis, or anglicised to Scott.A black and white photograph of a lady and little boy standing near a doorway.

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.

The girls' destination was Greece, to visit their parents' place of birth - a trip that many Australian-born of Greek parentage have made. They were on board the Ellinis which was part of the Chandris Shipping Line, a Greek shipping company founded in 1960 that plied between Greece and Australia during the 60s transporting migrants to Australia and returning to Europe with holiday makers. Pictured are cousins Penelope Kallinikos (left) and Athena Sikiotis (third from left).A black and white photograph of four happy young women standing in a crowd with three of the crew, one of whom is the captain of the 'Ellinis' of the Chandris Line. A crowd of people are behind them. Poppy Billiter is standing on the LHS of the group.billeter

Stathi Raftopoulos and his son Spiros are pictured outside shops in Merbein which were once owned by Stathi's family. The Merbein shops were owned by Efstathios Raftopoulos (Levendi) and his son Spiros Raftopoulos, grandfather and father of Stathi Raftopoulos. The family were from the village of Kolieri on the island of Ithaca, Greece and migrated for Australia at different stages. Efstathios arrivied in 1895, son Spiros in 1922, and the younger Stathi (accompanied by his father Spiro who had returned to Ithaca to see his family) in 1933. Stathis' mother Hariklia and siblings Nakis and Loula arrived soon after. The family settled in Merbein, west of Mildura, where they ran a business until the late 1930s prior to settling in Melbourne.A coloured photograph of the exterior of a corner shop. Written on the back of the photograph: MY FATHER'S SHOPS/ IN MERBEIN VIC/ 15.4.93/ STATHI & SPIRO RAFTOPOULOSraftopoulos stathi levendi, merbein

Stathi Raftopoulos is pictured at his home cinema at his residence in Sylvander Street North Balwyn. In 1949 Stathi Raftopoulos imported the first Greek film into Australia, entitled 'Voice of the Heart'. It was screened at Nicholas Hall in Lonsdale Street. Stathis went on to become a travelling picture show man showing Greek films to the Greeks in regional centres around Australia. He later established a film distribution and exhibition company, The Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures, in partnership with Mr Panayioti (Peter) Giannoudis. With the advent of television in the 1950, former suburban picture theatres were being closed down. Stathi and Peter took over many of these cinemas to show imported Greek films to the post WWII burgeoning Greek community.A coloured photograph of a man seated on a red theatre seat in a home cinema. Posters, photographs and film memorabilia are displayed on the three surrounding wallsWritten on the back : 520/BAhome theatres, greek movies

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.

The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society 'The Ulysses' was formed in 1944 to raise funds for the Ithacan War Sufferers patriotic Fund. The women were also active raising money for the war effort and sending clothing parcels to Ithaca. After the war the Ladies' Auxiliary directed its efforts to the organisation of social functions many of which raised funds for various philanthropic purposes. In 1985 the Ladies' Auxiliary ceased operation as women were able to be nominated for election to the Executive Committee. Since then women have been continuously been voted members of the executive committee. A social committee, made up of men and women, coordinates social functions.The Ladies' Auxiliary played an important role in providing a social outlet for women to play an active role in the many club's activities over the years. It helped to pave the way for other similar women's groups within the Greek and other migrant communities. The minute book is a record of meetings conducted from 17th August 1949 to 19th October 1955. A foolscap size bound minute book with a maroon binding on the spine and green and black marbled paper on the front and back cover covers. On the front cover there is a white stick-on label with a navy blue border and writing On the inside front and back covers there is a blue and white patterned marbled paper. On the label on the front cover: 1949 - 1955/MINUTE BOOK/ ULYSSEUS ITHACAN PHIL.SOC/LADIES AUXILIARY.

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 children in the picture were students at the Greek language school which was run by the Greek Community of Melbourne and were attending the '28th October' Greek national day celebration at the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church in East Melbourne. The two women, Alexandra Vrachna and Nina Black were teachers at the school. The Evangelismos Church was the first Greek orthodox Church to be established in Melbourne. The foundation stone was laid in December 1900 and church services commenced in August 1902. The 28th October is known as 'OHI' DAY', translated meaning NO DAY. It is an important national day celebrated in Greece and the Greek diaspora and commemorates the anniversary when in 1940 the then Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas said “NO” to an ultimatum made by Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini to allow Italian forces to occupy Greece. It marked the beginning of Greece's entry into WW2. The day symbolises values important to the Greek people - freedom, courage and 'filotimo'. The establishment of the Orthodox church in Melbourne in the early years of the twentieth century was was indicative of the number of Greek migrants who came to Australia in those early years of settlement in this country and the desire maintain their religious and cultural traditions. The early Greek migrants were anxious that their Australian born children maintain their language and religion in their adopted country. A black and white photograph of children with three adults standing outside Evangelismos Church in East Melbourne. Three children in the back row are displaying the Greek and Australian flags.Written in red underneath the photograph: 28th OCTOBER 1948. OUTSUDE THE GREEK CHURCH IN EAST MELBOURNE/PHOTO PROPERTY OF STATHI RAFTOPOULOS.wwii

This is a photograph of early members of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. Back from L-R: Andreas Zavitsanos, Nikiforos Lekatsas Front from L-R: Dimitri Paxinos, Panagiotis Lekatsas. A.J. Lucas, Panayiotis Lokaris The Society was formed in October 1916 to support and assist Ithacan Greeks, at the time mainly men, who settled in Melbourne in the early years of the twentieth century. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society was a home away from home for the early Ithacan migrants who in the early years were predominantly men. As many worked in the city area in cafes, the market or as fruit vendors they would regularly go to the club rooms at lunch times and after work where they would catch up with fellow Ithacans and learn news from back home. A black and white photograph of six men photographed in front of a brick wall. Two of the men are standing behind the other four who are seated on a wooden bench.Stamped on the back: PROPERTY OF / STATHI RAFTOPOULOS / POET

The passenger liner 'Queen Frederica' was one of the many ships that transported Greek emigrants to Australia in the post World War 2 years up until air travel became a more efficient and faster means of travel. Between 1945 and 1965, two million immigrants arrived in Australia. The decision by the Australian Government to open up the nation in this way was based on the notion of ‘populate or perish’ that emerged in the wake of the Second World War. Among the new immigrants were the first government-sanctioned non-British migrants.A black and white photograph of a ship berthed at Princes Pier, Port Melbourne. Rail trucks and a crane are in the middle distance and a car, utility and trailer are parked beside the ship. The photograph has been mounted on chip board.51A/ 26port melbourne.

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.