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

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

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

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)

The photograph features Anastasios Vlassopoulos (Kioukiouris) with his three daughters-in-law, Ekaterini, Korina and Elena, and three little grandsons. They are from L-R: Ekaterina (nee Paxinos), Korina (nee Raftopoulos), John, Anastasios, baby Aleko held by his grandfather Anastasios, Elena (nee Raftopoulos) and Peter. The photograph was taken in the village of Lahos shortly before Ekaterina and son Peter emigrated to Australia to be reunited with her husband, John. Elena remained in Ithaca, as did Korina whose son Aleko Vlassopoulos migrated to Australia following World War 2. Ithacan migration to Australia before World War 2 was unassisted. Generally it followed a pattern of chain migration with family members following one another. The men arrived first with the intention of either returning or saving enough money to bring their wives and families out when they had become financially established. Most men did not return. Some families were reunited while some wives and children never saw their husbands and fathers again.A black and white photograph of a family group of seven people - an elderly man, three young women, two little boys and and a baby.chain. migration

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

A cross (x) has been marked above the head of A. Vlassopoulos who was one of the early Ithacan immigrants to Australia. The picture was taken in Calcutta (known as Kolkata since 2001) en route to Australia in 1891. As a British Protectorate, those who left Ithaca in the 19th century generally travelled on British ships, stopping at ports under the control of the British Empire.A black and white posed photograph of a group of men sitting and standing in front of a flag draped across the wall behind the group. The men are dressed in workmen's clothes.On the front of the photograph in Greek: Written across the bottom of the photograph in Greek is the following: Calcutta ( India ) 15 February 1891. A. Vlassopoulos. There is a cross (x) marked above the head of one of the men.india.

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

The bride and groom are Vicki Vlassopoulos (Kioukiouris) and Orpheus Kandiliotis (Liarokapis). Family members are back L-R: Nick and Jim Kandiliotis and Peter Vlassopoulos. Front L-R: Ekaterina Vlassopoulos, Eutichia Vlassopoulos, Orpheus and Vicki Kandiliotis, John Vlassopoulos, Rosa Vlassopoulos and Jim Vlassopoulos.A sepia studio photograph of a family wedding group. With the bride and groom are four men, a lady, two bridesmaids and as young boy. The group are standing ion front of drapes.

Spiros E. Raftopoulos (Levendis)is seated third from the right at this family gathering. His brother-in-law Demetrios Vlassopoulos (Kopela) is seated first on the left. The photograph may have been taken in Mildura where the Raftopoulos and Vlassopoulos families had businesses.A black and white photograph mounted on cardboard of six men and three ladies at a social gathering seated around a table with food set out in front of them and drinks on the table as well as what looks like a photograph of a woman.

The hat belonged to Edna Vlassopoulos of Bulla and Sunbury. It was purchased to wear at a family wedding.A steel blue mohair and felt lady's hat with an upturned brim which is trimmed with blue fake fur. There is a band of blue petersham ribbon inside the crown with black hat elastic fastened to the ribbon.STYLED BY / MICHELEclothing and dress, headwear, felt, costume, george evans collection

Costa and Helen Vlassopoulos (Kopela) on board a ferry in 1962 when they were holidaying in Greece with their daughters Eugenia and Anna. It was Costa's first trip back to Ithaca since he migrated to Melbourne in 1937. Costa was reunited with his parents, Dimitri and Eugenia Vlassopoulos, who had returned to Ithaca in 1958 for their retirement. Up until the 1960s very few Ithacans travelled back to Greece. However, as air travel became more common and affordable travel became more common. Today descendants of early Ithacan immigrants return to the island on a regular basis. Some have restored family homes. A black and white photograph of a lady and a man sitting on the deck of a ferry.

The family group photograph was taken at the wedding of Jim Vlassopoulos (Kioukiouris) and Melita Zavitsanos. Pictured are - back row from L-R: Helen Stratos, Ioannis (Jack) Vlassopoulos (Kioukiouris), Jim and Toula Kandiliotis, Jim and Melita Vlassopoulos, Nick Defteros (Melita's uncle from Brisbane), Vicky and Orpheus Kandiliotis and Fotoula Moraitis, Jim's cousin. Flower girls/page boy: Christine, Clem Jr and Joanne Kandiliotis. Jim was born in Melbourne and Melita arrived in Australia from Ithaca in 1954. Jim and Melita met in Melbourne and were married in 1955. A black and white studio photograph of a wedding group which includes 5 men, 5 ladies, two little girls and a young boy. There are white trellis screens behind the group.

The young men were photographed as a social function. Two are dressed in dinner suits, with a small flower in their lapels which suggests they were possibly part of a wedding party. Standing far right is John Vlassopoulos, the son of Aleko and Alexandra Vlassopoulos (Kioukiouris). Third from the right is Bill Benias, son of Achileas and Artemisia Benias. A glossy finished black and white photograph with a white border of seven young men in suits. They are standing in front of a large mirrored wall. Two of the men are wearing formal attire.

Picture taken at a social function at the first floor clubrooms of the IPS. The musician is David Davidopoulos who regularly entertained members at club functions. Seated at table on the left is Nina Vlassopoulos, Mr & Mrs Panos Lekatsas (Lizis) and Spiro Vlassopoulos; opposite on the right - Bill Benias, Freda Lucas, Lula and Peter Black. Hector Petalas is pictured on the next table. A coloured photograph of nine people sitting around as table with a musician behind them who is singing. ithaca house

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

The two young women pictured at a Grecian Ball are Dimitra (Toula) Kandilotis (nee Makris) and Eutichia Drakopoulos (nee Vlassopoulos, Kioukiouris).During the 1940s through to the 1960s Grecian balls were organised by the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne. The Ithacan Philanthropic Society also conducted annual balls, the first being held in April 1918. The balls were were a much anticipated social event. Debutantes were also presented at the both the Grecian and Ithacan balls, very much a tradition adopted from Melbourne's Anglo-Australian society. A black and white photograph of a head and shoulders view of two young women in evening dress. They both have flowers in their hair.

Archbishop Ezekeil of Australia is featured in the photo and on his right Stathi (Efstathios) Vlassopoulos. At the time of this photo Stathi was secretary of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria. Stathis Vlassopoulos was very active in Greek community affairs. In 1962 he established the first daily Greek newspaper 'Ta Nea', in Melbourne. Stathi was president of the IPS 1957-1959 and was a key driver behind the building of the 'Ithaca House', the clubrooms of the IPS. Archbishop Ezekeil was the first Archbishop of Australia in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, appointed in 1959, a period which saw the schism between the Greek Orthodox Community and the Greek Archdiocese of Australia.A black and white photograph of Greek Archbishop with other members of the Greek community standing in the background. The edges of the photograph are crimped.

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

Family group photograph at the wedding of Jim Kandiliotis and Dimitra (Toula) Makri which took place in 1949. Standing from L-R: Kleomenis (Clem) and Jean Kandiliotis, Peter Zapatos, Nick Kandiliotis, Loula Kostos (nee Sikiotis), Jim and Toula Kandiliotis, Poppy and Parry Gabriel, Eutichia Vlassopoulos, Marinos Drakopoulos, Vicky and Orpheus Kandiliotis. Front L-R: Chrisostomi Kandiliotis (groom's mother), Danae Kandiliotis, Jim Vlassopoulos and Eustathios Kandiliotis (groom's father)Black and white studio photograph of a family wedding group. There are eight men, seven ladies, a flower girl and a young boy in the group. Two white trellis screens are behind the group.

The hat belonged to Edna Vlassopoulos who with her husband Andrew, had a poultry farm and market garden in the old Westmeadows township and later at Bulla. The hat was purchased to wear at a family wedding.A pink straw hat with a pink silk folded band wrapped above a narrow brim. There is a full-blown pink silk rose which is a trim on the RHS of the crown. There is a band of petersham ribbon inside the crown with black hat elastic fastened on either side.clothing and dress, headwear, female, george evans collection

The photograph is taken at an Ithacan Club barbeque at the home of Jim and Leah Kandiliotis. Jim is pictured wearing the hat together with friends Des Kostopoulos (left), and to the right Taki Anagnostou and Niko Vlassopoulos. A coloured photograph of four men at a backyard barbecue. They are standing in front of a brick barbecue which is near a fence.

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 photograph was taken at the wedding of Jim Kandiliotis and Dimitra (Toula) Makris. Photographed is the bride Toula Makris with bridesmaids from l-r Eutichia Vlassopoulos and Loula Sikiotis (Kostos), and flower girl Danae Kandiliotis.A sepia photograph of a studio photograph of a wedding party showing the bride with her two bridesmaids and a flower girl. The group are standing in front of two white trellis screens.

This is a photograph of Erigoni (Nitsa) Kyriakakis nee Vlassopoulos. It was sent to her father, Dimitrios Vlassopoulos (Kopela) who had migrated to Australia in the early 1920s when she was `only a young child. Dimitrios settled in the Mildura area and owned the Golden Key cafe in Red Cliffs, Victoria. Erigoni did not see her father again until she migrated to Australia in 1952 together with her husband Kyriakos and two children George and Eugenia. Their son Demetri (Jim) was born in Red Cliffs. Kyriako and Erigoni took over the running of the Golden Key Cafe. They eventually retired back in Greece, living in Athens. It was not uncommon for the fathers of many children born in Ithaca in the early 20th century to never see their children again or to be reunited with them after decades. A sepia photograph of a young lady who is leaning on an easy chair. The photograph is mounted on cream board.A short message has been written in Greek on the back of the photograph.

A wedding group photographed outside a cottage in the village of the ‘Kokkoseika’ area of Ag Saranta in 1928. Although unconfirmed, the bride and groom have been identified as possibly Vasiliki Vlassopoulou (Kokkosi) and Panourgo Varvarigos. Kokkosi is the 'paratsoukli' (nickname) of Vlassopoulos families from the village of Ag Saranta. This is a typical early village wedding group photograph in Ithaca where the entire village A black and white photograph of a large group of people photographed outside a house at a village wedding.

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.

The photograph was taken at the wedding of Spiro and Effie Cominos (nee Raftopoulos) in 1951. In the front from L-R: Nina Kallinikos, Diamantina Cominos (nee Vlassopoulos) and baby Xenofon, the bride's sister, Aspasia (Sia) Raftopoulos. Standing back L-R: Gerry and Elly Galatis, Diogenis Cominos, Spiro and Effie Cominos and the bride's parents, George and Ioulia Raftopoulos. A sepia studio photograph of a wedding party. There are eleven people in the group and they have been photographed in from of drapes. Information about the people in the photograph has been written on the back.

The photograph of family and friends was taken at the baptism of Maria Lourantos which took place at St. Eustathios Greek Orthodox Church in South Melbourne in January 1971. Photographed from L-R: Chris Lourantos, Jim Kandiliotis, Chris Kandiliotis, Anastasios Lourantos, Nick Kouvaras (back of photo), Jim James (Dimitrios Yiannoutsos), Louis Razos, John Alexandratos (Alexander), Costas Vlassopoulos.A black and white photograph of seven men in suits standing outside a church. efstathios, christening, giannoutsos