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

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 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.

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 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 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.

"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 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

Ithacan Greeks have a musical tradition influenced by the Italian cantanda style that is very melodic. The bands featured in the photographs were well-known entertainers on Ithaca. The mandolin, violin and piano accordion were popular instruments. As part of the Ionian Islands, Ithaca was under Venetian control for many years and as such a Venetian influence in evident in the islands musical tradition.A collage of four photographs, mounted and white board and laminated. Each photograph features a musical group made up of a variety of musical instruments which include accordions, violins, guitars, mandolins, wind instruments and drums. There is a caption under each photograph which gives information about the groups.

The photograph was taken after the massive earthquakes of 1953 which caused widespread destruction across Ithaca and other Ionian Islands. Many of the buildings destroyed in the earthquake could not be rebuilt and some parts of the villages became uninhabitable. This event brought about the largest mass migration from the island and a further wave of Ithacan migration to countries, such as Australia and South Africa, where relatives had already settled. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society established an Earthquake Appeal to assist their compatriots.A black and white photograph showing widespread damage done in the aftermath of an earthquake. Many houses are in ruins and there are two heaps of rubble comprising timber and metal and concrete in the foreground. Two men are walking along a track looking at the destruction in the village.

This is a photo of a sewing class for young girls in Ithaca. The women are proud to show off their sewing machines as the acquisition of these items would allow them to make many personal and household items more quickly and efficiently than they could be made by hand. Sewing was considered an important skill for young women and dressmaking was also a means to earn money to help support their families. A black and white scanned photograph taken outdoors of fourteen women sitting behind their treadle machines and posing with their needlework. Three women and a man are standing behind the group and two boys and a girl are sitting in the front on stools. A building with four large security windows/entrances in the background. 29 pas 7 is written on the back

Prior to the advent of the ferry service Ithacans who wished to travel to the mainland sailed by ship. The 'Angelika', photographed in Ithaca's port harbour of Vathi, transported most of the post WWII Ithacan migrants to the main Greek port of Piraeus to embark for their journey to Australia. Migration from Ithaca to Australia ceased during the second world war years. A second wave commenced in the post war years, particular following the 1953 earthquakes which caused catastrophic damage to the island. Today travel between Ithaca and the mainland is by ferry boats. Ships and ferry boats no longer enter the harbour at Vathi, but rather dock at Piso Aetos. A black and white photograph with a thin white border of a ship steaming out of a harbour with smaller craft in the water. People are standing on the wharf watching the boat depart; behind them are buildings and mountains across the skyline.

In 1953 an major earthquake caused catastrophic damage across the islands of Ithaca and Cephalonia, which are part of Greece's Heptanesian group of islands located in the Ionian Sea. Many towns and villages were left uninhabitable and resulted in another wave of Ithacan migration to Australia. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society initiated an Earthquake Appeal which was generously supported by Melbourne's Ithacan community, all of whom were affected by the earthquakes in one way or another.A black and white photograph of damage caused by an earthquake. The buildings which were built along the edge of a harbour have been ruined. There are mountains in the background.

Ithaca along with other Ionian Islands experienced catastrophic earthquakes in 1953 resulting in widespread devastation across the island. After the damage was assessed many of the island's residents emigrated to join family in Australia, which brought about another wave of Ithacan migration.The damage on Ithaca as a result of the earthquake caused the largest ever wave of immigration from the island which resulted in the most significant decline in the island's population.A black and white photograph showing the damage caused by the earthquake which occurred across the Ionian Islands in 1953. The interior of an entire building along with an exterior wall has collapsed. There is a tent partly visible on the LHS of the photograph and three chairs are scattered around in front of the wrecked building.

Ithaca House, the home of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society, is located at 329 - 335 Elizabeth Street. The site was purchased in the mid 1950s to build the club rooms. The money for the venture was raised by the issue of non-redeemable 10 and 50 pound debentures to members. Nicholas Sofarnos, a young Ithacan architecture graduate, designed the building. Construction was completed in 1958. Up until 2020 Yamaha were long standing ground floor tenants. Prior to the building of Ithaca House, from 1917 up until 1958, the club rooms were located on the top floor of Michael's Building on the corner of Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society has been a focal point initially for expatriate Ithacans and as the years have passed it holds many happy memories for Australian born Ithacans through the generations.A coloured photograph of a three storey grey building in a city street with two cars being driven along the road. The Yamaha Motor Bicycle company occupies the ground floor, and in the adjacent building Honda motorbikes are sold. There are curtained windows across the width of the second floor and signage on the top floor windows indicates this level is used for social events such as receptions and dances.

The reproduction print is of artwork depicting 'old' Vathi. Vathi is the main town and the largest settlement on the island of Ithaca in Greece, possibly established during the period of Venetian rule. The town resembles an amphitheatre, built around the coastline of one of the most natural ports of Greece. Many of the old buildings were destroyed in the catastrophic earthquakes of 1953. The length of the port is 926 m. with an entrance of 300 m. in width. It was once the main port for ferries transporting goods and people to and from the mainland. Ferries now dock at Piso Aetos. In the summer the harbour of Vathi is filled with sailing boats and yachts. During the periods of Venetian (c1500 - 1797) and English (1809 - 1864) rule, the population of Vathi grew significantly, reaching a total of 5,000 residents. During this period Vathi became an important centre for trade and commerce, political activities and legal proceedings.A black and white drawing of the harbour of Vathi . The drawing has a white surround. Printed in Italian across the top of the drawing: LUDRO LITTORICO Printed in Italian underneath the drawing: VISTA DE VATHI IN ITACAlittoricio, luadro

The photo was taken on 'Oxi' Day 28 October 1951 which is commemorated throughout Greece and Cyprus and world-wide Greek communities. The day commemorates the rejection by the Greek prime minister, Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum presented to him by the Italian ambassador on the 28 October 1940 to allow the Axis forces, namely Italy, Germany and Bulgaria to occupy strategic locations of Greece or face war. A black and white photograph of a crowd of people - men, women and children - gathered around a Greek flag in an open area. A church is visible in the background. High mountains are also visible across the skyline.The original is handwritten across the bottom of the photo in Greek which translated reads: PLATRITHIA. ITHACA 28 OCTOBER 1951.world war 2

This skirt belonged to Olga Black, a long-time Brighton resident. The linen used for the skirt were woven by Olga's great-grandmother Efstathia in the late-nineteenth century with flax grown on the island of Ithaca. In the 1950s, Olga made the fabric into a skirt, embellishing it with hand embroidery. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Ankle-length full cream linen skirt with multi-coloured cross stitch embroidery featuring mountains, birds and trees. Fullness is pleated into wide waist band. Left side opening. The fabric widths have been whipped together by hand probably at the time the cloth was woven in the late-nineteenth century. The skirt is machine stitched.skirt, linen, hand woven, embroidery, ithaca, migration, greek diaspora, olga black

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 local 'philharmonic orchestra/band' playing at a civic/national day function in the 1950s in Vathi, Ithaca. Music plays an important role in many aspects of life, both civic and social, on the island. During the summer months locals and tourists enjoy a variety of musical and cultural events.Founded in 1904, the Ithaki Philharmonic Orchestra is the oldest musical group on the island. The band is a private, non-profit entity and its goal is to offer free musical training to the young of the region and provide them with a broader musical education. The philharmonic orchestra performs concerts and participates in a range of educational, municipal, religious and national day events. A black & white photograph of a brass band of men dressed in dark uniforms and flat hats and women wearing dark skirts and white blouses. In the second row are males in civilian suits. The conductor is standing in the front on the extreme right hand side holding a baton.

The print, a reproduction of an etching of the port of Vathi in Ithaca as it would have appeared in the nineteenth century, when the island was a British protectorate. A variety of sea vessels are depicted in the print, including the large sailing ship. The smaller boat could be a caique used for fishing or transporting people and goods between the islands. The soldiers appear to be in the British uniform worn during the 1800s.A reproduction print of a black and white etching of a harbour scene. Four larger sailing ships are in a bay with a smaller craft in the foreground near the shore. At the water's edge there are soldiers and other people looking out to the ships in the harbour. Mountains loom up in the background.

This waistcoat belonged to Olga Black, a long-time Brighton resident. Part of a Greek national costume, it was designed by Olga in the 1950s, with the silver cornelli work completed by a Collins Street workshop. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Black velvet waistcoat, decorated with silver cornelli work. Pale blue cotton lining. Fastens with hooks and eyes.greece, ithaca, migration, olga black

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.

Approx A5 size hard cover book. Under Cover orange cloth, outer cover is torn on the front at the top so can't read the full title. Cover is cream, brown & white with pictures of wine barrels on the front. On the back is an old mead recipe by Sir Kenelme Digbie - 1669 Inside the front cover is a blurb about the author & finished inside the back cover 125 pages

Silk blouse made by Toula Mavrokefalos, the mother of long-time Brighton resident Olga Black. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Cream silk short-sleeved blouse. Hand embroidered around inside of stand collar, centre front panel and sleeve edge in red, blue, black and green floral and geometric design.migration, ithaca, romania, olga black, toula mavrokefalos, toula black

This bolero is part of a Greek national costume from the Peloponnese. Long-time Brighton resident Olga Black wore it to the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games to represent her Greek heritage. She remembers the stands at the MCG being full of migrants wearing their traditional national costumes. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Red velvet bolero decrated with gold stitching and braid. Lined with red satin. Stand collar which fastens with two metal hooks and eyes. bolero, jacket, greece, ithaca, migration, olympic games, 1956 olympic games, olga black

The photograph is of Phillipos Varvarigos (Regos), taken in the 1920s. He arrived in Australia from Ithaca during the early decades of the twentieth century. He was married to Olympia and they had two sons, Nick and Nonda Regos. Many of the early Greek immigrants anglicized their surnames after settling Australia. 'Varvarigos' was often changed to 'Regos', 'Rigos' or 'Varigos'. A sepia studio photograph of a head and shoulders view of well-dressed man wearing a tweed suit and bows tie. The photograph is in post card format.rigos, varvarigos