A group family photo of the Vlassopoulos family (Kopela) from Lahos taken in 1925 in Ithaca. Eugenia Vlassopoulou (nee Raftopoulou) is pictured with her in-laws and five young children. Her husband, Dimitrios Vlassopoulos, was in Australia at the time. They did not reunite till 1950. Back row L-R: Panos and Eustathios (Stathi) Vlassopoulos. Middle row L-R: Eustathios and Erigoni Vlassopoulou, Eugenia Vlassopoulou, unknown. Front row L-R: Costa, Nikos and Erigoni ( Nitsa ) Vlassopoulos. Prior to migrating to Australia Dimitrios had been to America where he had worked in cafes. He brought with him many ideas which he introduced in his business in Red Cliffs. Stathi, Pano and Costa all migrated to Australia in the 1930; their mother, Eugenia and siblings Erigoni and Nikos in the 1950s. In the early years the family had cafe businesses in Red Cliffs and Hopeton. Like other Ithacans members of the Vlassopoulos family migrated to Australia during the first half on the twentieth century and went on to open businesses in country Victoria and Melbourne. Also like many Ithacan women of that era, the wife/mother remained on the island to raise the children, whilst her husband's travelled abroad for work and to support their families.A black and white photograph of a family group of a man, three ladies, four boys and a little girls. The group were photographed outdoors. Another lady is standing and looking on in the background.kopella

The photograph features members of the Vlassopoulos (Vlass) family (Kopela) many of whom settled in the Mildura area. It was following the wedding day of Peter (Pano) Vlass and Joyce Mason. Pictured from L-R: Costa Vlass, Ida Mason (Joyce's sister), Peter (Pano) Vlass, Joyce Mason, Stathy Vlass, Bill (Vasilis) Florence (Floria) and Angelos (Agathangelos) Vrettos. Front from L-R: George Mason, Joyce's father; and Demetrios Vlassopoulos, father of Costa, Pano and Stathy. The photo was taken in Red Cliffs in the backyard of the Golden Key Cafe which was opened by Demetrios Vlassopoulos together with his brother-in-law Spiros Raftopoulos (Levendis). Demetrios Vlassopoulos (Kopela) arrived in Australia circa 1922-23 and settled in Red Cliffs where his brothers-in-law, John and Efthimios Raftopoulos, (Fiakas) had established themselves in a range of business enterprises in Mildura district. Demetrios' three sons, Stathy, Pano and Costa migrated to Australia during the 1930s. His wife, Eugenia (nee Raftopoulos) did not arrive in Australia till 1950 accompanied by her son Nikos. Like many women, Eugenia was left to raise her children whilst her husband migrated for work and to support the family back home. They had been separated for almost 30 years.A print of a photograph of a family group of six men and two ladies. The group are standing and seated in front of a house which has a water tank in the background.kopella

Following World War 2, Greece descended into civil war which lasted from 1946 - 1949. Young men from Ithaca fought in this war, including Nikos Vlassopoulos (Kopela) pictured centre back row. Following the war Niko together with his mother, Eugenia, migrated to Australia in 1950 where he joined his father Demetri who had been in Australia since 1922 and brothers, Stathi, Pano and Costa who had left Ithaca for Australia in the 1930s. In the early years of Ithacan migration, many husbands left their families and migrated to various countries that offered opportunities. Demetri and Eugenia had been separated for almost 30 years before they reunited in 1950. Prior to leaving for Australia Demetri had also spent time in America. Women were left to bring up children on their own during times of hardship and periods of war. A black and white photograph with crimped edges of eight young men sitting amongst low growing shrubbery having a meal break. Two men are standing each end of the group holding guns.kopella

Donkeys were a standard form of transport and a beast of burden for Ithacans as the island is very mountainous. Stepped tracks designed for donkeys to ascend the mountains can be still be located. The donkey in the photo, 'Rousso' was owned by Achileas Benias and was used to transport the olives and produce form their farming plot. Photographed from L-R back are: Freda Lucas (nee Benia) holding Jenny Kyriakakis, Con and Demetri Vlass on the donkey, Georgos Sombola, Angeliki Lekatsa (Spiliatsos), and Annie Vlass. In the front are Georgia Benia, Michali Kavadeas, unknown.Annie Vlass together with her husband Stathi Vlass and children Demetri and Con spent 6-9 months in Greece in 1952 at the Vlassopoulos (Kopela) family home in Lahos whilst in Ithaca. Although not common prior to the 1960s, some Ithacans, who had settled in Australia prior to the post war era, did travel back to their homeland to visit family and to introduce spouses and children to their place of birth. Today many of Ithacan heritage travel to the island, particularly during the northern summer, to reconnect with their family roots.A sepia photograph of eleven people, eight children and three adults standing in a cleared wooded area around a donkey. Two of the children are on the back of the donkey.kopella

Niko and Zaharati Vlassopoulos (Kopela) returned to live permanently in Ithaca in the 1980s. They lived in Niko's paternal home in Lahos and during the summers welcomed many visitors from Australia. In the photograph are: Helen Vlass (sister-in-law to Niko) and Kassiani Raftopoulos, both of whom were visiting from Australia, and locals Artemisia Benias, Adamandina Raftopoulos and Niko and Zaharati Vlassopoulos. Ithaca in the summer time comes alive with families returning from Athens and abroad. Many Australians of Ithacan descent return regularly to enjoy the natural beauty of Ithaca and the magic of a Greek summer and to reconnect with their heritage.A coloured photograph of five women and a man seated at a round coffee table enjoying coffee/tea. kopella, entertaining

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

Pictured left are Pano and Joyce Vlass (Vlassopoulos, Kopela) who are entertaining Nick Lucas (Lekatsas Spiliatsos) from Melbourne and another guest on the terrace of their Ithacan home at Akrovoulia/Krouvoulia. Pano and Joyce returned to live in Greece in the 1970s and built their family home on the island in a stunning location overlooking Frikes Bay. Many Australian Ithacans visiting the island in the summer months enjoyed Pano and Joyce's generous hospitality.A number of Ithacans, although relatively not many, made the decision to return to Greece in their retirement years. For the Vlassopoulos (Kopela) family it was common. Parents Dimitri and Eugenia returned in the late 1950s and all their children, Stathi, Pano, Niko and Erigoni all eventually retired in Athens and Ithaca. Costa was the only sibling who did not return permanently.A square coloured photograph with rounded edges of four people sitting at a table on a terrace enjoying a meal under a pergola with grape vines. kopella, peter