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

Helen Vlass and Kassiana Raftopoulos are at an Ithacan function at a Greek tavern. In the background are Leo and Jeanette Kostos.A coloured photograph featuring two women seated at a restaurant table. A waiter is standing on the LHS of the photograph. In the background there is a couple.social events, taverns

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

Photographed is Stathi (Efstathios) Vlassopoulos (Vlass) (Kopela) arrived in Melbourne in 1932 and headed to Mildura where his father Dimitrios Vlassopoulos, was established. From there he moved to Hopetoun and operated his own cafe business. He later returned to Melbourne where operated the Metro Cafe in Swanston Street, Melbourne. He sent the photograph to his Aunt Anastasia (Tasia Raftopoulos-Florence) who was living in the village of Platrithia on the island of Ithaca in Greece.Stathi Vlass was very active in Greek community affairs and was secretary of Melbourne's Greek Community and president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society from 1957 to 1959, during which time he lead the building of Ithaca House in Elizabeth Street. He also published the first daily Greek newspaper 'Ta Nea' in Melbourne. A studio sepia photograph with a cream border in post card format of a smartly dressed man,who is wearing a double breasted suit and standing beside a chair. A message is written in Greek on the back of the photograph.Translated from the Greek: To my dearest Thea Anastasia/ A memento of love/rom your nephew/ E.D./ Vlassopoulos.vlass

The aerial photograph shows the market garden situated on the river bend and flat of the Deep Creek at Bulla. In the 19th Century a hotel occupied the site. After World War II the property was owned by the Hughes family, who grew flowers. In 1971 Andrew Vlass purchased the property and it became a market garden until the Vlass family sold it in 1990.A black and white aerial photograph of the river bend and river flat of the Deep Creek at Bulla.scale - 170 feet = 1 inchdeep creek, market gardens, sunbury road, bulla, horticulture, hughes family, vlass, andrew, hotels, george evans collection

Members of the Vlassopoulos (Vlass) (Kopela) family together with Freda Benias are enjoying a day out in the countryside. Pictured L-R: back: Annie Vlass, Freda Lucas (nee Benia), Costa Vlass and Helen Vlass; front: Con Vlass, Demetri Vlass, Anna Vlass and Eugenia VlassA black and white photograph of three women, one man , two boys and two girls standing next to a sedan car in an open area. The photograph has a white border around it. A partial view of a utility truck with a lady standing next to it is on the RHS of the image.

Taken at the wedding of Marinos Drakopoulos and Eutichia Vlassopoulos. Pictured: Back row from L-R: Orpheus Kandiliotis, George Raftopoulos, Jim and John (Jack) Vlassopoulos (Kioukiouris). Middle Row from L-R: Danae Kandiliotis, Vicki Kandiliotis, Helen Lucas (Callis), Marinos and Eutichia Kandiliotis, Denise Stratos, and Irini Defteros. Front L-R: Joanne Kandiliotis, Agathi Drakopoulos (mother of groom), Anthony Drakopoulos, Christine Kandiliotis and Chrisostomi Kandiliotis. A photograph of a studio photograph of a family wedding group. There are five men, seven ladies, a young flowergirl, two little girls and a boy. vlass, drake

Pictured at a family gathering celebrating the baptism of Colin Lucas, son of Freda Lucas (nee Benias) and Spiro Lucas. from L-R: Stathi Vlass, Nick Lucas (Lekatsas), Con and Helen Vlass and Annie Vlass. A black and white photograph with a white border, of five people, three men and two ladies, sitting on a long form at a social function.

Belonged to Rosa McCall (nee Vlass)Skirt in batik-printed cotton. Unbleached ground and two shades of brown (tan and rust) form floral and "butterfly" design. Skirt is bias cut in segment of large circle, with no seams or gathering. It crosses in front and fastens with two long ties.Printed inside waist: "Genuine wax batik 100% cotton". Tag sewn to waistband: "Genuine batik made in Indonesia 100% cotton".costume, george evans collection

The photograph was taken when Stathi Vlass (Kopela) returned to Ithaca together with his family in 1952 for the first time since migrating to Australia in 1932. Stathi's wife Annie Vlass, is seated in the foreground with the young Freda Benia behind her. The two children are Annie's and Stathi's sons, l-r Con and Demetri (standing). It was quite rare for families to travel to Greece and Ithaca in the 1950s. However, over the years it has become a tradition for many Ithacan Greeks to return to their island home for the summer or for a longer stay. It is one way that the generations have been able to maintain family ties and their Ithacan heritage.A square black and white photograph with a white border of two women, two men and two young boys in an olive grove where goats are grazing. The two women and boys are in the foreground while the two men are in the background under the shade of the trees. A small message is written in Greek on the back of the photograph.The following translation is written in Greek on the back of the photograph.

Helen Vlass is pictured with Jim Kandiliotis, and Arthur Lourantos who were cooking for a get together at the clubrooms. A coloured photograph of a lady and two men standing in front of a barbecue.

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

A photograph of Costa (Con) Vlass Vlassopoulos (Kopela) taken in Melbourne in the early 1940s. Costa arrived in Melbourne from Ithaca in 1937 and initially worked in Hopetoun and Red Cliffs before settling in Melbourne. Black and white photo on the right depicts a man dressed in a pin-stripe suit standing in front of a cyclone wire fence. The photograph is a scanned photo which has been printed side by side with another photograph on copying paper. A scanned black and white photograph is printed on the same page as 0040.ithacan immigration, vlassopoulos(kopela)

Pictued on the right is Eugenia Vlass-Tsalikis at a function held at the MacRobertson Girls' High school in honour of former student, the late Loula Rodopoulos (nee Raftopoulos) who was a member of the Victorian Women's Trust Board. A coloured photograph of three women at a function.

The photograph was taken at a function at the clubrooms held to recognize the contributions to the club over many years of several members. Pictured are members of the then Ithacan Philanthropic Society Committee and individuals being honoured. Aaron Vlass, pictured centre back row, received the award on behalf of his grandfather the late Nicholas Lucas (Lekatsas). Front L-R: Dennis Varigos, Peter (Panogiannis) Raftopoulos, Stratos Paizis, Nick Varigos, Stathi Raftopoulos. Back L-R: Dennis Katsamas, Jim Kandiliotis, Nick Sofarnos, Aaron Vlass, Nick Lourantos, Anthony Drakopoulos, Antoni RazosThe men photographed had been very active in the club in various capacities. A number are past committee members and presidents of the IPS. A coloured photograph in a brown folder of 12 men photograph in front of two honour boards. Five men are seated in the front and the remaining twelve are standing behind them. One man seated in the centre is holding a certificate.

Pictured at an Ithacn Historical Society (IHS) meeting are members of the IHS Committee and members of the the of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. They are from L-R: Chrissa Raftopoulos, Lula Black, Dennis Cominos, Peter Paxinos, unknown, unknown, Kay and Andrew Raftopoulos and Anna Vlass.A coloured photograph of five ladies and three men sitting at a meeting around a table in a room.

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.

The photograph was taken at the wedding of Spiroa and Yiannoula Fatouros which took place on 8 August 1924 at the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church in East Melbourne. They had four children: Peter Fatouros, Rita (Aphrodite) Paxinos, Helen Vlass (past treasurer of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society and Honorary Life Member) and Sia (Anastasia) Beasley. A sepia studio wedding photograph of a bride and groom. The groom is dressed in a dark suit and is seated on a Vienna chair. His bride is standing next to him. The photograph is backed on cream board.The Hope Studiothe hope studio, fatouros wedding

The photograph of the six men, who are drinking a toast, was taken at the 45th Annual Ithacan Ball which took place at the Royal Exhibition Building in 1959. Pictured from L- R standing: Peter Paxinos, Othon Kostopoulos, Stathi Vlass who served as President of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society from 1957 to 1959, Nick Kandiliotis, ...?..; seated ...?...A black and white photograph of six men at a social function.

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

IPS treasurer Eugenia Vlass-Tsalikis and president Anthony Drakopoulos together with Maria Johnson were guests at a function at MacRobertson Girls' High School, which was held in honour of Loula Rodopoulos (nee Raftopoulos). Loula was very active the community and was a board member of the Victorian Women's Trust. The mural behind the guests depicts some of the Greek myths of the sea, the woodlands, the mountains and the rivers. A coloured photograph of two ladies and a man standing in front of a large mural in a gallery.

This is a photograph of the members of the 1993-94 Ithacan Philanthropic Committee. Back row from L-R: Spyridoula Digaletou-Coutsouvelis, George Coutsouvelis, Dennis Katsamas, Dennis Koutsouvelis, Chrissa Raftopoulos. Front row from L-R: Stathi Raftopoulos, Helen Vlass Treasurer, Peter Paxinos Vice-President, Anthony Drakopoulos President, Antoni Razos Secretary, Nick Lourantos. When this photograph was taken the Ithacan Philanthropic Society had been in existence for 78 years. A number of the committee members were second or third generation Australians of Ithacan descent.A coloured photograph of eleven people - three ladies and eight men - formally standing and seated in a room.

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

The photograph was taken at a gathering held at the Victoria Theatre in Victoria Street Richmond in 1961. The function was held to celebrate 25th March Greek National Day. Seated in the front row second from the left with other dignitaries is Stathi Vlass who was Secretary of Melbourne's Greek Community during the 60s. He was also president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society 1957 - 1959. Fifth from the left is Stathi's uncle, Spiros Raftopoulos who was the President of the Greek Returned Soldiers. Important national days for the Greek community are the 25 March and 28 October. 25 March commemorates the start of the Greek Revolution of 1821; it honors the Greeks' fight for freedom after being occupied by the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years. The 28th of October, known as OXI day (NO day) commemorates the rejection by Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on 28 October 1940 with a resounding NO. Subsequently Italy invaded Greece but were successfully repelled by the Greeks, delivering one of the first allied victories. However, this was met with a forceful and immediate response when In April 1941 Germany invaded Greece. Greek resistance fighters — a combination of right and left wing partisan groups — mounted a sustained guerrilla war throughout the 4 year occupation. Greece suffered 400,000 casualties during the occupation.A copied black and white photograph of a group of people seated in a large auditorium. CELEBRATION OF THE GREEK NATIONAL DAY HELD IN THE VICTORIA THEATRE/ VICTORIA ST. RICHMOND IN 1661(incorrect date) vlassopoulos

A photograph on the wedding day of Erigoni (Nitsa) Vlassopoulos (Kopela) and Kyriakos Kyriakakis in Ithaca. Freda Lucas (nee Benias) pictured on the left is the flower girl. The couple migrated to Australia in the 1950s and settled in Red Cliffs near Mildura where they ran the Vlass family business, The Golden Key café. Erigoni is the daughter of Dimitri and Eugenia Vlassopoulos and sister of Stathis, Panos, Costas and Nikos. Nitsa and Kyriako had three children, George and Eugenia born in Ithaca and Dimitri (Jim) born in Red Cliffs. Nitsa and Kyriako eventually retired in Greece.A black and white photograph edged with a crinkle cut white border of bride and her flower girls with a man and a lady standing on each side of her. They are standing in an open area with shrubs growing behind them

The photo is taken at a Grecian Ball held in 1947 at the St Kilda town Hall. Grecian balls were organised by the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne. Pictured is a large party of Ithacans in attendance: Anastasia Kostopulos and her daughter Katina pictured in the foreground; and behind left to right - lady in white unknown, Nathalia Vlassopoulos (Laoretis), Thalia Lekatsas, Angelos Lekatsas (Kalfas), Nina Ventouras (Sikiotis), Nick Ventouras, Sophia Kostopoulos (her son Leo Kostos behind her), Helen Fatouros (Vlass ) Panagioti Paxinos, Rita Paxinos (nee Fatouros), A black and white photograph of a group of people at a social function