Photograph, Vlass family celebration, Red Cliffs

Historical information

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).

Significance


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.

Physical description

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.

Subjects

Back to top