Historical information

The portrait photo is of John (Yiannis) Raftopoulos, father of Michael, Theodora and Dennis. John arrived in Australia in 1912 at the age of 13 together with his father Mihalis Raftopoulos. Mihalis had first come to Australia in 1895 and again in 1906; he finally returned to Ithaca in 1918. John however remained and eventually established his own business, Central Fruit Agency, in Melbourne's Victoria Market. He was also in partnership with his brothers-in-law John and Peter Karantgis in the London Cafe in Elizabeth Street Melbourne.

Significance

John Raftopoulos was typical of many early young Ithacan males who settled in Melbourne and who with a strong entrepreneurial spirit gradually established themselves in various businesses.

Physical description

A black and white studio portrait photograph of a smartly dressed young man. Original photograph was in a black oval frame .