The certificate was presented to Nina Mills by the Immigration Museum in recognition of her parents Dimitrios and Kalypso Sofianos whose migration and settlement story has been recorded in the museum Share a Story files. Their names are also featured in the Immigration Museum's Tribute Garden. The Honourable Sir James Gobbo, who was the Governor of Victoria and a Patron of the Immigration Museum, presented the certificate. An A4 scanned copy of a certificate issued from the Immigration Museum. It is printed in blue and black with a marbled pattern down the LHS of the document. immigration., immigration museum, sofianos, kalypso, sofianos, dimitri, tribute garden, nina, mills

This is a wedding photograph of Dimitri and Kalypso Sofianos who were married in the Greek Orthodox Church Evangelismos on 14th February 1937.A scanned black and white studio photograph of a bride and groom taken on their wedding day.

The lady in the photograph is Kalypso Sofianos nee Raftopoulos. It was taken before she migrated to Australia in 1936. Kalypso was a staunch member of the IPS and in 1995 was made an Honorary Life Member. A faded photograph of a lady sitting on the edge of a bed with a patterned iron bedhead. It has a partial white border around two sides.

The Australian passport was issued to Kalypso Sofianos when she made her first and only return trip back to Greece in 1973. She arrived in Australia from Ithaca in 1936. It took many years for the Ithacans who had settled in Australia between the two world wars to be able to return to the country of their birth for a number of reasons. Many of them arrived in Australia prior to or during the Great Depression and struggled to establish themselves financially. Overseas travel was slow and expensive. World War 2 also prevented travel and Greece was an occupied country during those grim years. It wasn't until the late 1950s that some of them were able to make their journey back to their beloved Ithaca. Many never returned. A scannned copy of the first page of and Australian Passport which contains important personal details of the passport holder including a photograph.

Kalypso Sofianos nee Raftopoulos is pictured in the middle. The other women are not identified. The group were photographed in Ithaca, in the village of Kioni, possibly taken shortly before Kalypso emigrated to Australia in 1936.Young people migrating from their homeland to a foreign county and unknown culture left behind family and close friends.A scanned black and white photograph of three women sitting on a stone wall with a stone cottage visible on the RHS of the picture and mountains in the background. A portion of the original photograph was torn on the LHS.

Kalypso Sofianos is picutred with her granddaughter, Eva Mills at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society club rooms on the occasion of Kalypso being awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society in recognition of her many years of service and involvement with the Society.The IPS award long serving members with the Honorary Life membership in recognition ofd their contribution to the club over their years of membership.A coloured photograph of an elderly lady seated with her arm around a young girl. The lady is wearing a gold medallion on a blue and gold ribbon around her neck.

The two pages are an oral history account of Kalypso Sofianos' story recorded by her daughter Nina Mills on the 27 November 1997. It outlines her early life in Roumania/Romania and Greece, her childhood after her mother's death and her father's remarriage, her migration to Australia and meeting her future husband Dimitri Sofianos.The story gives an insight into the experiences of Ithacan women, the importance of family ties, arranged marriages and their arrival in a strange country. Two pages on A4 sheets of a transcript of an oral history.family histories

The bridal couple are Dimitri and Kalypso Sofianos on their wedding day. Dimitri arrived in Australia in his teens in 1914 and Kalypso much later in 1936. She and Dimitri were both from the same village of Kioni and they met after her arrival and married in 1937. The ceremony took place at the Greek Orthodox Church in Victoria Parade, East Melbourne. They operated a fish shop at 391 Camberwell Road Hartwell where they worked together for almost thirty years. A sepia photograph of a bridal couple standing in front of a brick wall in a garden.

The photograph was taken when Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos), seated in the front, was presented with her Honorary Life Membership of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society on the 4 June 1995. She is surrounded by her family: Front, her son and daughter Spiros (Pip) Sofianos and Nina Mills. At the back from L-R: Theone Sofianos, Kevin Mills, Eva Mills and Nick and Lynne Sofarnos. Kalypso arrived in Australia in 1936 from Ithaca and in 1937 she married Dimitrios Sofianos, also from Ithaca.The Honorary Membership is awarded to long time active members of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society in recognition of their years of service they have given to the Society and the wider community. A coloured photograph of five women and three men standing and seated in a room. A table with refreshments can be seen behind the group and there are some decorations on the wall behind them. One of the men and two of the women are seated in front and the rest of the group are standing behind them.

Anthi Chilianis and Kalypso Sofianos photographed when awarded Honorary Life membership of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society in 1995. They received the medals in recognition of their years of involvement and service to the Society. Anthi Chilianis migrated from Exoghi and arrived in 1921; and Kalypso migrated from Kioni and arrived in 1936. The photograph was published in the the 'Odysseus', the newsletter of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society.The Ithacan Philanthropic Society (IPS) was formed in 1916 to support the Ithacan Greeks who had settled in Melbourne. The Club was a focal point for those early migrants and over the years. It continues to support and connect Ithacans and their families who have grown up in Australia. Honorary Life Membership is awarded to members who have made significant contribution to the IPS.A scanned black and white photograph of two ladies one is seated and the other lady is standing beside her. They are both wearing medals around their necks. Caption: Honorary Life Members, Mrs Anthi Chilianis and Mrs Kalypso Sofianos (seated), loyal IPS supporters and an inspiration to us all, after the presentation of their medals. Mrs Chilianis migrated from Exoghi in 1921 and Mrs Sofianos arrived from Kioni in 1936.

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.

Brother and sister, Panogiannis (Peter) Raftopoulos ( Bourlotos) and Kalypso Sofianos are photographed with Kalypso's children, Konstandina (Nina) and Spiros (Pip). Panogiannis was actively involved with the IPS. He was elected Secretary only about a year after he came to Melbourne. He proposed the introduction of the IPS Tertiary Bursaries which were introduced in 1988 and are now known as the Year 12 Awards. Kalypso was also a very active IPS member and in 1995 was made an Honorary Life Member of the society.A black and white photograph of a man and lady with a little boy and girl sitting behind a sedan car parked near a tree.

Dimitrios Sofianos and Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos) ran a small shop at 391 Camberwell Road Hartwell and worked there together for almost thirty years. They sold fish and chips and potato cakes as well as fresh fish and shell fish. Dimitrios Sofianos, sometimes called Jimmy James, is pictured serving a customer. On the counter there are two piles of paper for wrapping the fish and chips. The white greaseproof paper on the LHS was the first wrapper used to wrap the fish and the single sheets of newspaper on the RHS were used for the outer wrappers. The takings went into the embossed metal cash register on the counter and the metal scales on the far RHS weighed the goods to be purchased. The fish and chips were cooked in the metal vats where Dimitri is standing. Potted plants and framed pictures of sailing boats were used to decorate his shop. Many Greeks ran fish and chips shops. Coming from an island Ithacans were often keen fishermen and knew how to cook fish expertly. The Ithacan families who set up their businesses were very conscious of the presentation and attractiveness of their venues and some of the added decorative touches often reflected their interests. A black and white photograph of a man serving a customer in his fish and chip shop.

Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos) is standing 3rd from the left in the back row. The others in the group have not been identified. The ladies are all smartly dressed, wearing overcoats and some also wearing hats, indicating that are attending a special function in Ithaca.A black and white photograph off seven ladies dressed in overcoats while some are also wearing hats and standing on a paved area. A priest is standing with the group. They have been photographed in front of a house.

The photograph taken on one of the many mountainous hillsides on Ithaca. Second from the right is Antigone Raftopoulos dressed in dark clothes, together with her son Yianni, and her two nieces Hariklia Raftopoulos and Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos). All are from the village of Kioni. A black and white photograph of a man and three ladies standing on a rocky hillside.

This is a copy of a page taken from Kalypso Sofiano's' Greek passport when she migrated from Ithaca in 1936. She was 23 years of age and was living in Ithaca. Her colouring is described as being regular and her eyes chestnut. Information was written in Greek and French.At the time of issue French was the lingua franca of the international and diplomatic world.A scanned copy of a page from a passport issued in Greece to a female. As well as a photograph of passport holder, it gives details of her age, and colouring as well as her place of residence. The information fields are in both Greek and French and hand writing is in French with official stamps across the photograph and the signature of the person who issued the passport.migration

Dimitrios Sofianos is in his his fish and chip shop at 391 Camberwell Road, Hartwell which he ran with his wife, Kalypso Sofianos. The wire basket which he is holding was used to strain the fat from the chips before they were wrapped in the white greaseproof paper for the customer. Many of the Ithacans who settled in Melbourne between the two World Wars ran retail food businesses such as fish and chip shops, fruit shops and milk bars. Some were located within the CBD area while others were to be found dotted around the suburbs. A black and white photograph of a shop keeper holding a large strainer while standing in front of a curtained window in his shop beside a large stainless steel vat used to strain the fat out of the chip basket. He is wearing a white jacket and a potted plant is behind him.

Panoyiannis (Peter) Raftopoulos arrived in Australia in 1937 on the RMS STRAITHAIRD. Travel to Australia between the He married Evgenia Raftopulos and they had two children, Loula and Spearos. Peter was the brother of Kalypso Sofianos nee Raftopoulos. Peter was secretary of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society 1938-1949 and 1953 and an Honorary Life Member.Between the world wars migrants made the long journey to Australia on steamships such as the STRAITHAIRD. Then came the ocean liners which remained the main form of transportation for immigrants to Australia until well into the 1960s. By the 1970s, the wave of post-war migration by ocean liner to Australia was largely over. With fewer migrants coming to Australia, travel was mainly by air.A scanned photograph of the P&O liner, RMS STRAITHAIRD on a voyage. P&O. RMS "STRAITHAIRD' 22 500 TONS/INDIA AND AUSTRALIA MAIL AND PASSENGER SERTVICE.

The article was written by Nina Sofianos-Mills as a reflection on her uncle, Peter John (Panoyiannis) Raftopoulos, following the untimely death of his daughter and her cousin, Loula Rodopoulos in 2013. The photograph included with the article includes Nina as a baby, her uncle, Peter John (Panoyiannis) Raftopoulos, Nina's parents Dimitri and Kalypso Sofianos, and her brother Pip (Spiro). A scanned copy of a newspaper article written for the Ithacan Historical Society's page which appears in the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's newspaper, 'Odysseus'. The article also includes a photograph of a family.

The photograph was taken in Ithaca, possibly in the village of Kioni where those in the photo are all from, hence the term Kiniotes (ie people from Kioni). Pictured from L-R: Diamando (Mando) Raftopoulos , Yianni Raftopoulos (Tsagaris) and Kalypso Sofianos (nee Raftopoulos). The identity of the little girl is uncertain. She could be Tasia Diamond (nee Paizis) the daughter of Nick and Dora Paizis. All in the photo eventually emigrated to Australia and settled in Melbourne. The population of Kioni, and the rest of the villages on Ithaca, began to decline from the beginning of the 20th century. By the 1950s, following the mass migration of the post war and post 1953 earthquakes, the population declined dramatically, leaving only a few hundred permanent residents.A black and white photograph of two ladies, a man and a little girl; standing in front of a hedge with some rocks behind them.

The certificate and medal were presented to Kalypso Sofianos when she was made an honorary life member of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society (IPS) in recognition of her contribution to the society. The certificate is written in Greek. Kalypso was presented with the award at the 1995 Members' Christmas Luncheon held at Ithaca House. Nominations for Honorary Life Membership of the IPS must be approved at an Annual General Meeting and endorsed by the Executive Committee. A scanned copy of a framed certificate printed on blue paper with black printing which has been framed in a brown marbled pattern with gold trim. A gold medal on a blue and gold ribbon has been framed with the certificate.Written in upper case lletters in Greek: HONORARY LIFE MEMBER

The photograph was taken at the 1976 Annual Ithacan Philanthropic Society Ball which celebrated 60 years since the formation of the society. This group of loyal supporters of the IPS are about to blow out the 60 candles to mark the occasion. Most of the ladies in the photograph arrived in Australia from Ithaca during the first half of the twentieth century. They are photographed with Peter Lucas, who served on the IPS Committee for many years. The ladies are from L-R: Dora Callis, Kalypso Sofianos, Anthoula (Anthi) Chilianis, Matina Dracoulis, Ioulia Raftopoulos, Kassiana Raftopoulos, Aspasia Flocas. A coloured photograph of eight ladies and a man in evening attire standing around a large decorated cake. Two musicians are standing on a dais behind the group.

The group were at an annual Ithacan Club picnic at a country location outside of Melbourne. The adults in the photograph are all from the village of Kioni. Most have been identified and they are: Standing at the back - Nick Vasilopoulos and Loula Ventouras. Back row kneeling L-R: Tatsi and Thalia Pappas, . ? . , Mando Raftopoulos Middle row L-R: Alkino Paizis, Poppy Vasilopoulos, Eleni Raftopoulos, ...?.., Vasili Raftopoulos, Hariklia Paizis (Dellas), ..?.., Kalypso Sofianos, Themistokli Paizis. Children in front row L-R: Tasia Paizis (Tsilimidos), Stella Karanges (Dimopoulos), Lula Vasilopoulos (Psiliakos), Nina Sofianos (MIlls)The Ithacan picnics were a popular annual event on the club's calendar and gave families and friends the chance to socialise and relax away from the arduous work of their shops and cafes. Attendees would gather with the fellow villages and share their picnic lunches. A black and white photograph of twenty people having a picnic in the country . A house and hills are visible in the background as well a some trees.

Pictured are Dimitrios and Kalypso (nee Raftopoulos) Sofianos following their engagement or soon after their wedding in 1937. They were both from the same village of Kioni and became engaged soon after Kalypso's arrival in 1936. Dimitrios was well settled in Melbourne having arrived in 1914. A black and white photograph of a young lady and man standing in a garden.

Pictured are first cousins Yianni Raftopoulos (Bourlotos) and Kalypso (nee Raftopoulos) Sofianos in Kioni, the village in Ithaca from where they were from. The photo was taken before Kalypso migrated to Australia in 1936 where she married Dimitrios Sofianos in Melbourne on 14 February 1937. A sepia photograph of lady and man standing next to a stone house with a partial view of the surrounding countryside behind them.

The photograph of Kalypso Raftopoulos (on the RHS of the group) is taken in Ithaca before she emigrated to Australia in 1936. In 1937 she married Dimitrios Sofianos and they had two children, Spiro and Nina. Kalypso and Dimitrios owned and operated a fish shop in Burwood, Melbourne for close to 30 years. A photograph of three women sitting on a rocky hillside overlooking a village and church in the distance. The girl in the middle of the group is waving to someone. There are mountains in the distance.

The young girl whose name is Helen Raftopoulos, daughter of a Theofani, was bridesmaid at the wedding of Dimitri and Kalypso (nee Raftopoulos) Sofianos.A small scanned black and white photograph of a bridesmaid. She is dressed in a long frock and carrying a large bunch of flowers with a ribbon trim. She has a small band of flowers in her long curly hair.Bridesmaid to Kalypso and Dimitri Sofianos Eleni (Theofani's daughter) HELEN ?

This is the marriage certificate of Dimitri and Kalypso (nee Raftopoulos) Sofianos. The marriage took place in 1937 at the only Greek Orthodox Church in Victoria, the 'Evangelismos' in Victoria Parade, East Melbourne. The couple met following Kalypso's arrival in Australia in 1936.A scanned copy of a marriage certificate which contains details of the bride and groom including place of marriage, age, place of birth, occupations , residence, parents details, the priest/celebrant, the date of the marriage and the signatures of the witnesses.

The obituary is remembering the life of Panoyiannis (Peter John) Raftopoulos who migrated from the Ithacan village of Kioni to come to Australia in 1937 where he joined his sister Kalypso and her husband Dimitiri Sofianos. He was a respected member of the Ithacan community and an Honorary Life Member. He also worked for a range of causes in broader community. He is remembered every year at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's annual bursary awards which were initiated by him. The award for the highest achieving Year 12 graduate is named after him.A scanned copy of an obituary that was published in the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's Newspaper about one of the members. A photograph of the person is included with then article.obituaries, bursary awards