At an altitude of 340m, the picturesque village of Exogh in northern Ithaca, lies on the Homeric mountain of Neion. The village overlooks Aphales Bay and across the water the neighbouring island of Lefkada. During the Middle Ages and at the beginning of the Venetian rule, it was one of the most populated villages of the island, offering safety from the pirates, and an excellent view of the channel, the sea and the bays around the northern Ithaca.Some of the earliest Ithacan settlers in Melbourne were from the mountain village of Exoghi, including the founding president AJ.J. Lekatsas (Lucas). The village now has very few permanent residents with most having migrated or moved to the cities of Greece. A coloured photograph of a view overlooking the village of Exoghi and Aphales Bay on the island of Ithaca. The photograph was taken from the bell tower of the church of Panagias (the Virgin/Our Lady) sta Pernarakia located at the top of the mountain. The mountains which are visible across the skyline are the neighbouring island of Lefkada. mountain villages, ithaca

The Committee of Ithacan Expatriates held an inaugural conference on Ithaca on 17 July 1976. Stathi Raftopoulos, pictured the microphone, was a delegate to the conference along with other expatriates.Organisations such as the Committee for Ithacan Expatriates are a means by which the diaspora Greeks of Ithacan background are be able to maintain the links with the island.A black and white photograph featuring a man standing in front of a microphone at a conference. Six other male participants, including a priest, are seated at a table either side of him. In the background is a curtained stage with a banner featuring the bust of Odysseus.ULYSSES KING OF ITHACA.australia

An old image of the Frikes, a small port village in the north of Ithaca where ferries berth to offload passengers and goods from other nearby islands and passengers and goods are also loaded from Ithaca. It has only a small permanent population but in the summertime it comes alive with tourists who enjoy the restaurants and cafes that line waterfront. A print taken from a post card of the port of Frikes on Ithaca, Greece. The details are written in Greek across the bottom of the card.

A group of school pupils from the school at Platrithia, Ithaca, Greece with teacher Mrs Tetta Andrianatos. Pictured to the left of Mrs Andrianatos is Freda Lucas (Benias) who migrated to Melbourne in 1953. Black & White photograph of a school group in Platrithia Ithaca Greece of 39 students and an adult (teacher) in an outdoor setting.

The Taxiarches church, located on top of Monastery Hill overlooking the village of Platrithia in the north of the Ithaca. The church was being rebuilt following its destruction during the earthquake of 1953 across the Ionian islands. The earthquake which reached 7.2 on the Richter Scale totally destroyed many towns and villages. A committee was formed to rebuild the church which is now considered to be one of the most beautiful churches on Ithaca.A black and white photograph of workmen rebuilding a damaged structure. Upright steel rods have been placed along the foundations for the outer walls and seven men are pouring concrete into the reenforced trenches.A stamp which has been written in Greek is on the back of the photograph. Translated it reads as follows:REBUILDING COMMITTEE/HOLY CHURCH OF TAXIARCHES/PLATRITHIA - ITHACA

The photograph is of Stathi Raftopoulos and unknown young man. Stathi erected a number of statues and sculptures, creating an open space 'museum' adjoining the family home in Kollieri, Ithaca. Included was an obelisk made from the stones that pressed the olives. The urns featured in the photo are known as 'plitharia' and are used to store the olive oil. Stathi also arranged for other statues to be displayed at various significant sites on Ithaca. A coloured photograph of man and a younger man standing on a terrace outside a house in a village in Ithaca. The man is unveiling a statue of a mermaid. In the background there is a statue of a horse, three large pottery urns and a two wheeled cart.symbols, gardens

The earthquake in 1953 which reached 7.2 on the Richter Scale caused extensive damage and devastation across the island of Ithaca. Entire villages were totally destroyed and a committee was formed to rebuild the beautiful Church of Taxiarchon which is located on top of Monastery Hill and overlooks the village of Platrithia. It was totally destroyed in the earthquake but is now considered to be one of the most beautiful churches in the Ephtanese group of islands.A black and white photograph of seven men standing around a work site and discussing aspects of a project. A trench with upright steel bars are in the middle of the construction work with soil and rubble heaped on either side. A stamp in Greek is on the back of the photograph. Translation is as follows: Committee rebuilding the Sacred Holy Church of Taxiarchon. Platrithia, Ithaca. earthquakes, church of taxiarchon

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 tall monument, constructed by Stathi Raftopoulos, and known as the 'Pyramides' or the 'Obelisk' is located in Kolieri, Ithaca, overlooking Afales Bay. Constructed from the stones that were used to press the olives, the monument is a tribute to the making of the olive oil, a staple of the island. A coloured photograph of a tall monument and other items located next to the Raftopoulos (Levendi) home in the village of Kolieri, Ithaca. Kolieri located below the village of Exoghi overlooking Afales Bay. The property is located on the road which ends at Kalamos where a natural water spring flows. kalamos

Vathi is the main town of Ithaca where the municipal offices, local high school, medical centre and other services are located. It is one of the most natural ports in Greece. Ferries from the mainland used to dock at Vathi however, now arrive at the port of Piso Aetos. In middle of the harbour is the tiny islet of Lazaretos where the church of Ag Sotiros (the Saviour) stands. During the period of English rule, Lazaretos functioned as a quarantine station. The buildings erected by the British later served as a prison. However these were destroyed during the earthquakes of 1953 and later demolished. Lazaratos is now popular with young couples who chose to marry in the church. A coloured photograph overlooking the harbour of Vathi, the main town and port on Ithaca. Houses are built around the water's edge and along the lower slopes of the mountains. A small islet, known as Lazaretos, is visible in the middle of the harbour. harbours, vathi

Ithaca House located at 329 Elizabeth Street Melbourne has been the site of the clubrooms of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society since 1958. Over the decades the club rooms have served as a meeting place and a venue for many social, cultural and fundraising activities. Prior to the building of Ithaca House, the clubrooms been located at Michael's Building, corner Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets since 1917.In 1956, the Ithacans of Melbourne purchased a site, formerly two shops, at 329-335 Elizabeth Street for £35,000, with a view to building their own club rooms. A three storey building, a stone's throw from the old Michael's clubrooms, was finally erected in 1958 at a cost of £25,000. This was achieved by capital raising from the membership in the form of non-redeemable £10 and £50 debentures (1957-58). Plans were drawn up by the Australian born and newly qualified Ithacan architect, Nicholas Sofarnos (Sofianos). The then President Eustathios (Stathis) Vlassopoulos was key driver of the project. A colour photograph of the front upper stories of Ithaca House

The young couple standing outside the stone cottage in Kioni, Ithaca are Yianni Rafopoulos (Bourlotos) and Diamando (Manto) Raftopoulos nee Paizis. The house is typical of the traditional stone cottages built on Ithaca in times past. Although similar cottage are still standing, some of them lovingly restored, there are also many deserted and in disrepair or ruin as a result of migration over generations and inheritance issues. A black and white photograph of a lady and man photographed on a mound of rocks outside a stone cottage which has a tiled roof.

The photograph is a view of the harbour of the village of KIoni in northern Ithaca. Many Ithacans who migrated to Melbourne were from the village of Kioni. Kioni is considered one of the most picturesque villages in Ithaca.A coloured photograph of a view of a harbour village . Houses are built along the water's edge and mountains form a backdrop.villages, kioni

In 1953 massive earthquakes occurred on Ithaca causing widespread damage across the island. The disaster left some parts of the island uninhabitable and caused a lot of people to relocate to other villages. It also brought about another diaspora from Ithaca and many of the survivors of the disaster were reunited with family members in Melbourne. This image shows the damage done to Saint John's Church in the village of Kioni on Ithaca.A black and white photograph showing the extent of damage done as a result of a massive earthquake.

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.

View of the Ithaca's capital town Vathi and its harbour, located in south of the island.A discoloured photograph and aerial view of the port of Vathi and surrounding settlement, with the mountains in the background.ports, harbours

The photograph is of a music ensemble from the Greek island of Ithaca, taken sometime between 1938 - 1941. Mandolin and guitar music and cantades singing was popular with the people of Ithaca and across the Ionian Islands. The preference for this style of music and song was a result of the influence of the Venetian rule of the Ionian islands for almost 300 years. The uniforms of the young men photographed suggest they may have been members of the National Youth Organization established in Greece during the years of the Metaxas dictatorship (1936–1941) with the stated goals of helping the youth in the productive spending of their free time and cultivating their national values and cooperative spirit. Membership was made compulsory, for all young people, despite the views of families. A range of coercive tactics were used for those who were reluctant to join. The youth movement disintegrated after the regime’s ending in April 1941. Many of its members joined the Greek resistance movement. Despite the regime being a right wing dictatorship, Metaxas refusal to submit to imperialist and fascist Italy resulted in Greece entering WWII on the side of allies. Many Ithacans who settled in Australia brought with them their instruments and their love of cantades and the Ionian style of music. At family gatherings and celebrations they would play their mandolins and guitars and sing their beloved cantades.A black and white photograph in postcard format of sixteen young men, members of a mandolin and guitar orchestra. They are all dressed in dark trousers and shirts with light ties. The Ithacan Historical Society has been stamped on the back.

The photograph was taken in 1951 in the village of Platrithia, Ithaca during the grain harvest, possibly in August.A faded black and white photograph of a family group of eleven people taken in a grain field. Two women and three men are standing and one of the women is holding a child. While three women and a man are sitting in front. A bundle of wheat is on the ground next to one of the women in the front. Stamped on the back in black: ITHACAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCORPORATED.farming, agriculture

The photo is of the Vrettos boys, Odysseas, Nondas, Spiros, from the village of Kollieri on the island of Ithaca. .A black and white copy of a studio photograph of the three young boys. The boys have been photographed from the waist up and are dressed in outfits from the early twentieth century. A curtain is hanging behind the group.families, brothers

The photograph was taken during the Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations at Rousano, Exoghi on the island of Ithaca in 1947. The religious observance of Easter is very important events in the Greek Orthodox calendar and takes precedence over the Christmas observances. Easter Sunday is a day of celebration when the fast is broken and traditionally families come together to enjoy roast lamb usually on the spit.A black and white photograph of people gathered around a picnic in a rural setting. There are trees in the background and mountains in the distance. The photograph is one of a pair and has been backed onto cream board and laminated. A narrow typed label has been stuck across the bottom of the picture. Translated from the Greek: Easter at Rousano, Exoghi 1947. Photograph archives: Stathi Raftopoulos.

The photograph is of the wedding of Telemahos and Nitsa Kostopoulos, which took place in the village of Platrithia, Ithaca in 1920s. A black and white wedding photograph of the bride and groom with the priest and altar boys surrounded by all the guests. The photograph was taken outside a cottage and in front of a wall. Cultivated land and grape vines are in the background. One man on the LHS is holding a mandolin. Written on the back in Greek: Wedding Laertes Kostopoulos and Nitsa in Platrithia 1920.kostopulos, kostos

Photographed are Diamando and Yianni Raftopoulos (Bourlotos) and Diamando's sister, Maria Paizis. They are pictured in the village of Kioni in Ithaca.A black and white photograph of two ladies and a man standing under an olive tree.

The children were students at the Platrithia school when the photograph was taken in 1931. Platrithia is a village located in northern Ithaca. A black and white photograph of fourteen school children with their teacher posing outside a building. Eight girls are standing behind the teacher and another three girls and three boys are seated in the front. Two of the older girls are standing on the RHS of the photograph. Written on the back in biro are the location and date of the photograph as well as names of some of the people in the picture.Written on the back and translated from the Greek: STATE SCHOOL PLATRITHIA 1931.

The architecture of Ithaca has been influenced by various cultures in particular by the Venetian and British periods of rule. The house pictured is typical of many of the dwellings found on Ithaca built of stone which is sourced locally. Stone buildings are ideal for the climate of the island, retaining the heat in winter and cooler in summer. Sadly the catastrophic earthquakes of 1953 resulted in the widespread destruction on the many of the island's old buildings. Being one of the smaller and less accessible islands of Greece Ithaca fortunately has been spared inappropriate development and thus able to retain its authenticity and beautiful character. A coloured photograph of a double storey stone house with a tiled roof. A flight of stairs leads from the road to the elevated front door. At the bottom of the stairway there is a single storey stone building. Three trees are growing at the street level across the front of the house. architecture, houses

"Town and Harbour Bathi. Ithaca" (Vathi) engraved by J. Tingle from artwork by C.Bentley, was published in The Shores and Islands of The Mediterranean ..., about 1840. A reproduction of a black and white etching of the Ithacan port of Vathi. A fishing boat is being brought in to the port and the crew are preparing to unload the catch. There are some buildings around the harbour's edge and smaller boats are also in the harbour.In Italian: Citta e porto di Bathi (Itaca)

The photograph is an aerial view of the village of Platrithia in northern Ithaca, overlooking Afales Bay. The Taxiarchi Church is located at the top of the hill, around which the village is located.A discoloured landscape of an aerial view of Aphales Bay and Platrithia with the church of Taxiarches and the road which leads to Marmaka located on the other side of the mountain.aphales, villages

Pictured in Ithaca are Stathi and Spiro Alexandratos who are the brothers of Yianni Alexandratos who lived in Melbourne until returning to live permanently in Greece with his wife Zoi and children Penny and George in the early 1970s. In the early 1900s their father Giorgos Alexandratos was a partner in the 'Alexandra Bros' London Café at 25 Elizabeth Street. Giorgos was a founding member of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. He eventually returned permanently to Ithaca where his three sons were born.A small black and white photograph of two men dressed in suits standing in a rock garden and in front of a tall prickly pear cactus. The small photograph is surrounded with a white frame.Written in Greek on the back: STATHIS ALEXANDROS SPIROS ALEXANDROScafes, alexandratos brothers

The wedding of Diamando and Yianni Raftopoulos (Bourlotos)which took place on the island of Ithaca. Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos) can be seen standing between the priest and the bridegroom.The Greek Orthodox wedding is filled with symbolism. The stefana or wedding crowns, joined by a ribbon, symbolize the unity of the couple. The crowning ceremony establishes the couple as the King and Queen of their home, which they rule with wisdom, justice, and integrity. The stefana also denote the crown of martyrdom, since every true marriage involves self-sacrifice on both sides.A faded black and white photograph of a Greek wedding. The young boy in the foreground is carrying candles and the wedding crowns that will be worn by the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony and the candles. The priest and the bride and possibly the groom or bride's father are standing behind the young boy.

The photograph was taken in 1947 at Rousano, an area located close to the village of Exoghi, Ithaca during the Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday celebrations at which the roasting of lamb on the spit is a tradition. A black and white photograph of a group of people in an outdoor rural setting, gathered around three men who are sitting next to a spit upon which meat is being roasted over an open fire. The photograph is one of a pair which have been mounted on cream board and laminated. celebrations, easter

This is a panoramic view taken from the top of Mt Neion (sometimes referred to as Mt Exoghi) overlooking Afales Bay, Ithaca and looking across to neighbouring island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea. Many Australians of Ithacan descent visit the island of their forefathers and enjoy the stunning landscape and views which one can resist photographing. A coloured panoramic photograph of a hilltop view of a bay with mountains across the skyline.aphales