Kythera cousins Jeanette Joynson, Essex UK and Deanna McCarthy meet under the Eiffel Tower in Paris on 12th December 2013 making a family connection after 102 years.
This has been made possible from a photograph taken in 1927 and posted on the Kythera net in 2003. A few months ago Jeanette, identified her grandfather Alexander Phacheas (Fatseas) making this reunion possible.
In the picture, left to right, Jeanette Joynson (nee Auger/Fatseas), Paul Joynson (Jeanette's husband), Deanna McCarthy (nee Psaros/Fatseas) and her husband Peter McCarthy.
Thank you James Prineas for making this possible
The Hellenic Musical Society, formed c 1915 by Panagiotis and Theophanis Leousi, "distinguished for the melody of their voices, are the first to have formed a musical group in Sydney." (Life in Australia 1916).
Seated front second from right - 'Beatty' Calliope Phacheas
The name Peter has a long association with the naming style of Greek Oyster Saloons and Cafes in eastern Australia. The name Peter and Peters with and without an apostrophe, continued as part of the Greek Café scene from the inception of Peter Phacheas’, S.Peter & Co at Inverell in 1899 through many businesses including, Peters Café at the Roxy Theatre Bingara 1936.
Mrs Peters Refreshment Rooms at128 Beaumont Street, Hamilton, NSW, an inner suburb of Newcastle appears to be the first Greek shop to have the name Peter within the name. An early photograph of ‘Mrs Peters Refreshment Rooms’ dated 25 Feb 1896, advertised on the front window - ‘Ice Cream, Tobacco & Cigarettes, Lemon Squash.’ The premises were leased by the proprietor Hristo Zograffos Lefkithis. Hristo arrived in Australia in the early 1890’s with his wife Evthokia. It is not clear whether Hristos named the shop or bought the shop from a Mrs Peters and continued to trade under that name style.
Hristos is noted with an oyster saloon in Newcastle1905 without any reference to a Peter name style.
It has always been an interest to ponder where the apostrophe should be placed. Either Peters’(with an apostrophe after the ‘s’), belonging to a Peters family or Peter’s with the apostrophe before the ‘s’, possessive to Peter (….?) with a surname that did not roll off the tongue comfortably in the Anglo Saxon past sense.
Extensive research has ruled out the possibility of a Greek family named ‘Peters.’ The surname, ’Peters’ is associated with Scandinavian or German immigrants. A small number of Greek families adopted ‘Peters’ as their surname after their arrival in Australia.
During the festivities at the opening of Peter’s Café here at the Roxy, many , will have noted the difference in the signage; Peters-without an apostrophe - above the windows and Peter’s with the apostrophe on the neon sign.
Peters above the window is in relation to the business name Peters & Coof the Roxy complex.
Peter’s Café- with the apostrophe - on the neon sign is the result of the makers taking some licence and inserting an apostrophe as they did not understand the Peters & Co terminology.
Peter Prineas wrote, in Kateshamos and the Great Idea, “the partners of Peters Cafe (1925) at Bingara took the name Peters & Co because it had worked for other Kytherian business men…… as it had become an informal franchise among Kytherian shop keepers. If there was someonewho might have once claimed the rights to the name Peters & Co., he was either dead or returned to Kythera and did not care that he had spawned a shoal of imitators.”
The Inverell Times, Friday,7 September 1934 announced,
“The death has occurred(yesterday) at Maitland of a noted Greek
identity, Mr. Peter Emanuel Phacheas, founder of the well known firm of S. Peter & Co. The deceased gentleman, who was 79 years of age, wasthe uncle of Mrs Theo Psaros, of Otho Street Inverell, and Mrs KyriakosCassim, of Bundarra, and was well and favourable known in this district.”
(Mrs Theo Psaros, nee Calliope Phacheas, known as ‘Beatty’ was the mother of my wife Deanna)
Shortly after an obituary in The Greek Hellenic Herald, marked his
passing with respect.
DEATH IN WEST MAITLAND
Last Thursday 6th at West Maitland District Hospital, well known
businessman Petros E Fatseas died of heart failure, aged 79 years.
He came to Australia from Kithira many years ago and was involved in a variety of merchant businesses which enabled him to build a wide circle of friends.
The funeral was attended by many from the city and surrounding
districts, including Australians who admired his character and his
excellent gentlemanly manner.
We convey our sincere condolences to his immediate and extended family.
So, who was Peter Phacheas (Φατσεας)?
Peter Emanuel Phacheas from the village of Fatsadika on the island of Kythera, arrived in Sydney 1889 and commenced work with AthanasiosComino at 36 Oxford Street.
At this time several oyster saloons in CBD of Sydney and nearby
suburbs, operated by fellow Kytherians under the name of A. Comino. With experience gained in Sydney, Peter Phacheas opened the first Greek operated oyster saloon in country NSW in Summer Street Orange 1894 under the name style Comino & Co. The Comino & Co name became an iconic flag for Greek oyster saloons and cafés across eastern Australia for the next three decades.
Peter Phacheas opened an Oyster Saloon at Inverell 29 August, 1899 with the name style S. Peter & Co – Sydney Oyster Saloon, Otho Street,opposite the Post Office. He conducted the business in partnership with Spiro Panaretto at Moree - hence the ‘S’- until selling his share to Spiro Panaretto, 1901, with Panaretto maintaining the same name style.
The Sydney Oyster Saloon flag was short lived in Inverell, however it
appeared later, briefly on Comino & Co enterprises in NSW and
Queensland.
Peter Cosma Sourry, who was in the employ, of Peter Phacheas and
Spiro Panaretto, bought S. Peter and Co Inverell 1906 and under the same banner opened premises in Tingha. Later that year S. Peter & Co established another shop in Bundarra, managed by Peter Phacheas (recent of Goulburn).
During the ensuing years, a number of Kytherians, conducted S. Peter & Co at Inverell. The Gengos Brothers, Vassilios and Evangelos, together with Nicholas (Liapis) Aroney, including their cafes at Moree and East Moree,1910. Theo Psaros (1919) and Peter Psaros (1921) maintained an enduring partnership of S.Peter & Co until retiring 1969.
The success of the S. Peter & Co enterprise at Inverell “spawned a
shoal of imitators” using variations of the naming style developed by
Peter Phacheas in 1899.
The oyster saloon trade began to decline from c 1910, largely because the natural supply of oysters was being rapidly exhausted , the Greeks began to concentrate their energies from oyster shuckers and fishmongers to the broader refreshment trade as fruiterers, confectioners and cafe proprietors. A growing confidence in their own ability to conduct their business outside the patronage of the Comino banner led Greeks to seek
another name style.
The first Peters & Co style is registered April 1911 to Leonidas Gengos, Nicholas P. Aroney, Spiro Coroneos, Theo Crithary, Theo Georgopoulos and Michael Georgopoulos, at Grey Street Glen Innes.
Numerous Greeks included “Peter” in their naming styles during the
ensuing years, whether or not their first name was ‘Peter.’
Peter Phacheas (the founder of S. Peter & Co) with John Samios openedan Oyster Saloon , at Goulburn 1903 as John Peter & Co. Others adopted a similar format - John Peters & Company – Glen Innes 1903, M. Peter & Company – Goulburn 1906; A. Peter & Company Uralla 1909;Con Peter & Co – Tingha 1909; S.Peters & Co - Moree and East Moree, 1910, Peters & Co- Bellingen 1916; Peters & Co –Coffs Harbour (Mellitas)* 1924; M.Peter & Co–Trangie,1924; Peters & Co Bingara 1924.
These are not the only Greek business trading with the Peter name. ThePeters & Co name style was used Greek Cafes in the Central West of NSW as late as 1960’s.
The local populace mostly referred to these businesses orally as ‘Peters’ with scant regard of either the apostrophe or the owners names.
Another Peter factor became enmeshed with Greek Cafes as Peters Ice Cream – ‘The health food of a nation’- was emblazoned on their shop fronts.
The connection with Peters Ice Cream is not of Greek origin, rather, by association with Greek refreshment rooms, milk bars and cafes.
Frederick Augustus Peters (1866-1937), the founder of the famed firm, an American (USA) commenced business in Australia mid 1890’s
representing US agencies. With wife Elizabeth in the early 1900s he
manufactured 'Peters' Pile Cure'. Frederick and Elizabeth as F.A. Peters are registered at ‘Merton’ Ocean Street Bondi, Manufacturing & Sale of a Pile Cure , 31 March 1904.
Later, they leased two rooms in an ice factory to produce ice cream atPaddington and set up Peters' American Delicacy Co. Ltd on 27 August1907. New works to manufacture 'The Health Food of a Nation' were opened at Redfern in 1923 and business flourished. In 1927 he set up Peters' Arctic Delicacy Co. Ltd in Brisbane and opened a branch at Newcastle. In 1929 associated companies were established in Victoria, Western Australia , Townsville, Queensland, with a manufacturing branch at Rockhampton.
Frederick Peters was largely responsible for introducing to Australia the refrigerated cabinet, which he hired out to retailers. His marketing experience enabled him to grasp the opportunity presented by the spread of Greek cafes across Australia during 1920’s. Hiring of the refrigerated cabinet carried contractual obligations by the proprietors of cafes to stockPeters’ products only, and Peters mounting extensive advertising in the media.
The iconic Peters neon sign (as seen on Regent Cafe, in Bingara)
was erected on the front of cafes establishing a synonymous connection with Greek proprietors and Peters Ice Cream across the country. Peters recruited Greek salesmen to promote their product. Well remembered is the notable sales manager Nick Feros at Newcastle.
Nick Feros became the face of Peters Ice Cream in the New England
Region, resplendent with red carnation in the lapel of his jacket on alloccasions. Ice cream wedding cakes would appear at weddings of clients families,respecting their loyalty to Peters.
Deanna and I were such recipients at our traditional Greek wedding at Inverell , 1962 in respect of her father, Theo Psaros’ long term
patrontage of Peters Ice Cream through S.Peter & Co, Monterey Cafe.
Peter Phacheas, the corner stone of the Peters Enigma, is buried in
Maitland Cemetery. The wooden marker on his grave has long since decayed, with the grave now unmarked, as are the many Peter’s enterprises that bore his mark.
He may be well remembered in these lines from The Land of the
Budgeriga by Hugh Stone (E. McDonnell) in 1936.
"A noble life, but written not
In any book of fame;
Among the list of noted ones
None ever heard his name.
For only his own household knew
The victories he had won;
And none but they could testify
How well his work was done."
Author and Presenter- Peter ‘Skoulandris’ McCarthy
Roxy Theatre, Bingara, NSW Australia April, 10, 2011
The name Peter has a long association with the naming style of Greek Oyster Saloons and Cafes in eastern Australia. The name Peter and Peters with and without an apostrophe, continued as part of the Greek Café scene from the inception of Peter Phacheas’, S.Peter & Co at Inverell in 1899 through many businesses including, Peters Café at the Roxy Theatre Bingara 1936.
Mrs Peters Refreshment Rooms at 128 Beaumont Street, Hamilton,
NSW, an inner suburb of Newcastle appears to be the first Greek shop tohave the name Peter within the name. An early photograph of ‘Mrs Peters Refreshment Rooms’ dated 25 Feb 1896, advertised on the front window - ‘Ice Cream, Tobacco & Cigarettes, Lemon Squash.’ The premises were leased by the proprietor Hristo Zograffos Lefkithis. Hristo arrived in Australia in the early 1890’s with his wife Evthokia. It is not clear whether Hristos named the shop or bought the shop from a Mrs Peters and continued to trade under that name style.
Hristos is noted with an oyster saloon in Newcastle1905 without any reference to a Peter name style.
It has always been an interest to ponder where the apostrophe should be placed. Either Peters’(with an apostrophe after the ‘s’), belonging to a Peters family or Peter’s with the apostrophe before the ‘s’, possessiveto Peter (….?) with a surname that did not roll off the tongue comfortably in the Anglo Saxon past sense.
Extensive research has ruled out the possibility of a Greek family named ‘Peters.’ The surname, ’Peters’ is associated with Scandinavian or German immigrants. A small number of Greek families adopted ‘Peters’ as their surname after their arrival in Australia.
During the festivities at the opening of Peter’s Café at the Roxy, many , will have noted the difference in the signage; Peters-without an apostrophe - above the windows and Peter’s with the apostrophe on the neon sign.
Peters above the window is in relation to the business name Peters & Co of the Roxy complex.
Peter’s Café- with the apostrophe - on the neon sign is the result of the makers taking some licence and inserting an apostrophe as they did not understand the Peters & Co terminology.
Peter Prineas wrote, in Kateshamos and the Great Idea, “the partners of Peters Cafe (1925) at Bingara took the name Peters & Co because it had worked for other Kytherian business men…… as it had become an informal franchise among Kytherian shop keepers. If there was someonewho might have once claimed the rights to the name Peters & Co., he was either dead or returned to Kythera and did not care that he had spawned a shoal of imitators.”
The Inverell Times, Friday,7 September 1934 announced,
“The death has occurred(yesterday) at Maitland of a noted Greek
identity, Mr. Peter Emanuel Phacheas, founder of the well known firm of S. Peter & Co. The deceased gentleman, who was 79 years of age, wasthe uncle of Mrs Theo Psaros, of Otho Street Inverell, and Mrs KyriakosCassim, of Bundarra, and was well and favourable known in this district.”
(Mrs Theo Psaros, nee Calliope Phacheas, known as ‘Beatty’ was the mother of my wife Deanna)
Shortly after an obituary in The Greek Hellenic Herald, marked his
passing with respect.
DEATH IN WEST MAITLAND
Last Thursday 6th at West Maitland District Hospital, well known
businessman Petros E Fatseas died of heart failure, aged 79 years.
He came to Australia from Kithira many years ago and was involved in a variety of merchant businesses which enabled him to build a wide circleof friends.
The funeral was attended by many from the city and surrounding
districts, including Australians who admired his character and his
excellent gentlemanly manner.
We convey our sincere condolences to his immediate and extended family.
So, who was Peter Phacheas (Φατσεας)
Peter Emanuel Phacheas from the village of Fatsadika on the island of Kythera, arrived in Sydney 1889 and commenced work with AthanasiosComino at 36 Oxford Street.
At this time several oyster saloons in CBD of Sydney and nearby
suburbs, operated by fellow Kytherians under the name of A. Comino.
With experience gained in Sydney, Peter Phacheas opened the first Greekoperated oyster saloon in country NSW in Summer Street Orange 1894 under the name style Comino & Co. The Comino & Co name became an iconic flag for Greek oyster saloons and cafés across eastern Australia for the next three decades.
Peter Phacheas opened an Oyster Saloon at Inverell 29 August, 1899 with the name style S. Peter & Co – Sydney Oyster Saloon, Otho Street,opposite the Post Office. He conducted the business in partnership with Spiro Panaretto at Moree - hence the ‘S’- until selling his share to Spiro Panaretto, 1901, with Panaretto maintaining the same name style.
The Sydney Oyster Saloon flag was short lived in Inverell, however it
appeared later, briefly on Comino & Co enterprises in NSW and
Queensland.
Peter Cosma Sourry, who was in the employ, of Peter Phacheas and
Spiro Panaretto, bought S. Peter and Co Inverell 1906 and under the same banner opened premises in Tingha. Later that year S. Peter & Coestablished another shop in Bundarra, managed by Peter Phacheas (recent of Goulburn).
During the ensuing years, a number of Kytherians , conducted S. Peter & Co at Inverell .The Gengos Brothers, Vassilios and Evangelos, together with Nicholas (Liapis) Aroney, including their cafes at Moree and East Moree,1910. Theo Psaros (1919) and Peter Psaros (1921) maintained an enduring partnership of S.Peter & Co until retiring 1969.
The success of the S. Peter & Co enterprise at Inverell “spawned a
shoal of imitators” using variations of the naming style developed by
Peter Phacheas in 1899.
The oyster saloon trade began to decline from c 1910, largely because thenatural supply of oysters was being rapidly exhausted , the Greeks began to concentrate their energies from oyster shuckers and fishmongers to the broader refreshment trade as fruiterers, confectioners and cafe proprietors. A growing confidence in their own ability to conduct their business outside the patronage of the Comino banner led Greeks to seek
another name style.
The first Peters & Co style is registered April 1911 to Leonidas Gengos, Nicholas P. Aroney, Spiro Coroneos, Theo Crithary, Theo Georgopoulos and Michael Georgopoulos, at Grey Street Glen Innes.
Numerous Greeks included “Peter” in their naming styles during the
ensuing years, whether or not their first name was ‘Peter.’
Peter Phacheas (the founder of S. Peter & Co) with John Samios openedan Oyster Saloon , at Goulburn 1903 as John Peter & Co. Others adopted a similar format - John Peters & Company – Glen Innes 1903, M. Peter & Company – Goulburn 1906; A. Peter & Company Uralla 1909;Con Peter & Co – Tingha 1909; S.Peters & Co - Moree and East Moree, 1910, Peters & Co- Bellingen 1916; Peters & Co –Coffs Harbour (Mellitas)* 1924; M.Peter & Co–Trangie,1924; Peters & CoBingara 1925.
These are not the only Greek business trading with the Peter name. ThePeters & Co name style was used Greek Cafes in the Central West of NSW as late as 1960’s.
The local populace mostly referred to these businesses orally as ‘Peters’ with scant regard of either the apostrophe or the owners names.
Another Peter factor became enmeshed with Greek Cafes as Peters Ice Cream – ‘The health food of a nation’- was emblazoned on their shop fronts.
The connection with Peters Ice Cream is not of Greek origin, rather, by association with Greek refreshment rooms, milk bars and cafes.
Frederick Augustus Peters (1866-1937), the founder of the famed firm,
an American (USA) commenced business in Australia mid 1890’s
representing US agencies. With wife Elizabeth in the early 1900s he
manufactured 'Peters' Pile Cure'. Frederick and Elizabeth as F.A. Peters are registered at ‘Merton’ Ocean Street Bondi, Manufacturing & Sale of a Pile Cure , 31 March 1904.
Later, they leased two rooms in an ice factory to produce ice cream atPaddington and set up Peters' American Delicacy Co. Ltd on 27 August1907. New works to manufacture 'The Health Food of a Nation' were opened at Redfern in 1923 and business flourished. In 1927 he set up Peters' Arctic Delicacy Co. Ltd in Brisbane and opened a branch at Newcastle. In 1929 associated companies were established in Victoria, Western Australia , Townsville, Queensland, with a manufacturing branch at Rockhampton.
Frederick Peters was largely responsible for introducing to Australia the refrigerated cabinet, which he hired out to retailers. His marketing experience enabled him to grasp the opportunity presented by the spread of Greek cafes across Australia during 1920’s. Hiring of the refrigerated cabinet carried contractual obligations by the proprietors of cafes to stock
Peters’ products only, and Peters mounting extensive advertising in the media.
The iconic Peters neon sign (as seen on Regent Cafe, in Bingara)
was erected on the front of cafes establishing a synonymous connection with Greek proprietors and Peters Ice Cream across the country. Peters recruited Greek salesmen to promote their product. Well remembered is the notable sales manager Nick Feros at Newcastle.
Nick Feros became the face of Peters Ice Cream in the New England
Region, resplendent with red carnation in the lapel of his jacket on all occasions. Ice cream wedding cakes would appear at weddings of clients families,respecting their loyalty to Peters.
Deanna and I were such recipients at our traditional Greek wedding at Inverell , 1962 in respect of her father, Theo Psaros’ long term
patrontage of Peters Ice Cream through S.Peter & Co, Montery Cafe.
Peter Phacheas, the corner stone of the Peters Enigma, is buried in
Maitland Cemetery. The wooden marker on his grave has long since decayed, with the grave now unmarked, as are the many Peter’s enterprises that bore his mark.
Peter Phacheas enterprises left a trail from Sydney to Orange, Newtown , Inverell, Goulburn, Kurri Kurri, Bundarra, Gatton (QLD), Brewarrina and Dubbo.
He may be well remembered in these lines from The Land of the
Budgeriga by Hugh Stone (E. McDonnell) in 1936.
‘A noble life, but written not
In any book of fame;
Among the list of noted ones
None ever heard his name.
For only his own household knew
The victories he had won;
And none but they could testify
How well his work was done.’
The Peters Enigma
Authour & Presenter
Peter C. McCarthy
‘Skoulandris’
Presentation at the Opening of Peter’s Café
Roxy Theatre Bingara NSW
Sunday 10 April 2011
Smithopoulos (Σμιδοπουλος)
Aka Smith O’Poulos - Initials J.C (apologies to William McInnes the Australian actor)
Date of birth c1890
Place – small gold mining site now beyond a fading memory at the back of Bingara (?) NSW.
Smithopoulos is the offspring of an illegitimate liaison between a young wholesome lass by the name of Smith and a handsome transient Greek miner – perhaps both minors.
Like the paternal transient miner, the record of ‘Smithopoulos’ birth has faded and probably rests in the depths of the NSW State Archives unless time has conveniently condemned the yellowed pages into dust.
Kalliope de Muse related the oral tale of Smithopoulos as follows:
The clerk (himself a European immigrant) made a note of the birth in the proper register. The father was not present, the some what less than literate mother, with crying infant on hip was confused by the clerk as to how the name of the infant should be recorded. He thought the name sounded Irish- O’Poulos however with her insistence he recorded ‘Smithopoulos’ as she wanted to ensure the child would be aware of his father’s origin in the future whilst preserving her own interest.
The young Smithopoulos later adopted either Smith or Poulos as his name and has been absorbed into the greater Australian populace.
The descendants of this cacophony are now happily unaware of their origins.
You may be tempted to think that this is some sort of joke. Let me assure that this is not the case. I am constantly confronted with ‘Smithopoulos’ and the clerk in my research of Kytherians arriving in Australia before WW1. The clerk has been joined by Brirish,French and German ships officers, Immigration/Customs clerks and of late archivists and digitizers. To add to this mix ‘Smithopoulos’(Σμιδοπουλι?) has also tinkered with his own name and details.
Peter Emmanuel Fatseas (ΦΑΤΣΕΑΣ) born c1860 Fatsadika Kythera moved to Smirni in search of employment and decided to venture to Australia. His passport was prepared in Smirni with some French connotation as ‘Phacheas.’ Since his arrival in NSW in 1889 his name was recorded on some occasions as ‘Facheas.’ However his Naturalization Papers of 1898 record him as ‘Phacheas.’ This form appears to have followed him to the remainder of his life until he died at Maitland in 1932.
The Clerk who entered the ‘Smithopoulos’ records in 1890 appears to have made the move to Maitland in 1932. In a bizarre twist the clerk records Peter Phacheas’ place of birth as Kythera IRELAND on his Death Certificate!
George Emanuel Fatseas the elder brother Peter Phacheas arrived in Australia 1900 also via Symni with his name as Phacheas. George returned to marry in Symirni 1903 and returned with his wife Sophia later that year on the German ship Grosser Kurfurst. The ships Register of Passengers records their name as “Falzeas.” The Aliens Census of 1916 later records George and Sophia at Kurri Kurri as “Phcheas.”
George and Sophia Phacheas are buried in Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park Sydney. The records in the office show them as “Phacheas”.
The headstone preserves the original - ‘ΦΑΤΣΕΑΣ.’(see Gravestones)
John Emmanuel Phacheas also of Fatsadika arrived from Symrni 1900 with his brothers Peter and George. John’s descendents at some time later dropped the second ‘h’ from their name and have assumed “Phaceas” as their surname.
Perhaps we should adopt the two Ottoman Greek rules of business to our searches:
1. Trust no one! & 2 There are no rules!
‘Skoulandris’
Panayoitis Makarthis
aka Peter McCarthy (seem to be doing this myself)
Ινβερελλ Αυστραλια
Spiro 'Korsolas' Fatseas (born 1906 and passed away 1991) and Koula Fatseas nee Cominou (born 1920 and passed away 2006) has three daughter Vicky, Nina and Anna. Vicky married Nick Calokerinos from Alexadrathes. Nina married Stan Sclavos from Gouthianika and Anna maried George Karydis from Milopotamos.
Stan and Nina had four boys Kosmas married to Effie nee Kritakis, Sprio married Theresa nee Sourys, Greg married Kay nee Livanos and Kyriakos (Eric) married Angela. Anna and George had two boys John married to Sam ad Spiro is single.
Great-grandchildren in age order is Stammie, Stanley G, Stanley N, Nina, Kayla, Rosette and Alexander. Stanley passed away in 2003 in New York.
This photo from 1948 shows three sisters Nina Sclavos (née Fatseas), Anna Karydis(née Fatseas) and Vicky Calokerinos (née Fatseas). Daughters of Spiro (Korsolas) and Koula Fatseas (migrated to Brisbane Australia in 60s)
‘Welcome, friend!’ he said. ‘You can tell us what has brought you here when you have had some food.’
These lines from Homer’s The Odyssey Book are included in the forward of a book I am writing of the pioneering Greeks of Inverell and District, and continues –
“ …with this, Telemachus (son of Odysseus) welcomed the goddess Athena to his father’s home.”
Since time immemorial, Greeks have been travellers, adventurers and entrepreneurs and have valued the notion of being good hosts. Is it any wonder then, that Greeks have migrated to all corners of the globe and, particularly in the case of the early Greek settlers to Australia, made their start in their new country in the café business?
It has always been fascinating to ponder the words of Telemachus, ‘.what has brought you here.’ Inevitably there are always the simplistic answers regarding tough times in the “Mother Country” and the perception of opportunity in the “Lucky Country”.
But, I have always believed that the reasoning goes deeper than this. The perception of opportunity does not automatically manifest itself in the psyche of the potential immigrant – not unless there is positive reinforcement from friends, family and acquaintances already established in the New Country”.
Four years ago I embarked on a small project to write what my wife (Deanna) and I knew of her Greek parents and grandparents to preserve these memories for our Children and Grandchildren. The project soon gained momentum and has expanded to acknowledge the contribution these immigrants have made to the Inverell District.
Extensive research in local libraries, State and National Archives, interviews with local identities and descendants – supplemented by two journeys to Greece have given me an insight into the lives of these extra-ordinary Greeks and the odyssey they have undertaken.
Inverell – with its own links to mark Modern Greece in Australia – was established in 1853, with the main streets of Otho and Byron. King Otho the first king of modern Greece and Lord Byron the poet and Philhellene, forged the foundations of Modern Greece.
The first Greeks to arrive in the Inverell district were miners.
They came from the goldfields of central New South Wales, however the local goldfields at Bingara, Glen Innes and Tenterfield were short lived and they soon moved on to Queensland and Western Australia.
Nicolas Gengo was noted mining at Upper Bingara 1895, ‘George the Greek’ at Glen Innes 1880’s and ‘Alick the Greek ‘– at Bingara 1890’s. Myth and mystery surround these figures in the past who led a transitory life in search of elusive riches.
The Greeks showed little interest in tin mining in this area and confined themselves later as fruiterers and oyster saloon proprietors in the tin mining towns of Tingha and Emmaville.
The next wave of Greeks came as the railhead extended and they established their oyster saloons and fruit shops across the region.
Peter Phacheas from the island of Kythera, is the first Greek to establish a business in Inverell. He arrived at Sydney in 1889, worked with John Comino in the noted oyster saloon at 36 Oxford Street Sydney and is believed to have established the first country oyster saloon at Orange NSW in 1894.
Peter Phacheas arrived at Inverell establishing an oyster saloon in September 1899. The premises in Otho Street opposite the Post Office were in a prime location close to three banks, hotel, court house and council chambers. Four other Greeks were known to have been employed in the business.
The business known as S. Peter and Co is believed to have been the catalyst for the Peters & Co Cafes in the northwest region of NSW.
Another shop was established in Byron Street in 1901 and branches were established at Tingha, Bundarra, Bingara, Glen Innes and East Moree.
Greeks also established cafes at Warialda (1916), Delungra (1924), Ashford (c 1928) Inverell, by 1929 had four Greek cafes – S.Peter & Co and IXL cafés in Otho Street owned by the Psaros brothers (Theo and Peter), Alhambra Café Byron Street conducted by Harry Fardouly and the Niagara café also in Byron Street operated by Steve Mitchell.
Steve Mitchell re-established himself as the Black and Green Bar in Otho Street 1933.
Harry Fardouly re-established himself in new premises in Byron Street trading as Regent Café 1935. The Fardouly family continued operate the Regent Cafe until closing in 2001.
Jim Boutieris (later to become a WW2 hero) with partners opened the Australia Café in 1936.
The IXL Café in Otho Street was extensively damaged by fire in April 1936 was refurbished and renamed the Monterey Café. Theo and Peter Psaros continued to operate the café until retiring in 1969 – a partnership lasting fifty years.
When businesses were established the owners sponsored relatives to work in these enterprises, many were further assisted financially into their own businesses. During the inter war period 1920 to 1939 a significant number of women relatives were also sponsored, many in a matched role to establish a traditional family.
Employment was not contained to the Greeks and opportunities for local employees were created. The café scene was not the sole domain of the Greeks and as many businesses were conducted by other than Greeks.
During the inter war period the Greeks consolidated their establishment in the district expanding, developing their businesses and assimilating into the broader community.
The Greek immigrants applied for naturalization and were supported by local businessmen and civic leaders. The importance of a good education was impressed upon their children and they were enrolled in local schools many progressing to tertiary education.
Cultural identity was maintained and the Greeks continued to preserve their customs. Regular gatherings of Greeks continued to adhere to the customs of their Greek Orthodoxy celebrating the broad spectrum of family life. Visits by Greek priests to conduct baptisms, weddings and funerals were not uncommon and were respected by the local clergy allowing them to conduct religious ceremonies in their churches – usually Church of England.
The descendents of the pioneering Greeks in the café scene were encouraged to achieve a high level of education and seek careers in professions. To this end the Café scene is no longer the domain of the Greeks and their once popular cafes are all but a fading memory
Over 150 Greeks are known to have been associated with the Inverell District.
Their interests were not only contained to the café scene but extended to movie theatres, hotels, tobacco growing and sapphire mining.
The movie theatre scene in the inter war period in northern NSW was dominated by the Kouvelis Bros, under the banner of J. K. Capitol Theatres, established the Capitol Theatre at Inverell 1932. State of the art “talkies” technology of the time was introduced and the theatre was managed by Harry Kouvelis. The Kouvelis brothers continued to run the theatre as part of an extensive empire of theatres in NSW until selling the chain to Hoyts in 1945. Greeks also conducted theatres at Bundarra, Warialda and Bingara.
Alec Bousgas arrived in Inverell from Queensland in 1957, was the licensee of the Inverell Hotel until he managed the Inverell Motel 1961-63. Alec bought the Twin Swans Caravan Park and immediately established Twin Swans Motel. The Twin Swans Motel became the focal point for industry buyers of sapphires during the 1960’s.
Alec was active in the local community and keen to promote tourism in Inverell. Alec and his family returned to the hotel industry in Sydney 1972 and his sapphire interests were continued by Don Yakamoulos in conjunction with the Black and Green Bar.
Tobacco growing along the Severn and Dumaresq Rivers at Ashford and Texas was largely the domain of Italian growers however some Greeks were involved - Charlie Minos at Ashford and Tony Papoutsis Texas
Integration extended to the support of the community. Greek businessmen generously donated to local charities, schools, sporting clubs including trophies (women’s hockey, rugby league, tennis, rifle shooting) Greeks served in local government and service organizations - Apex, Rotary, Lions, CWA, Inverell Hospital Auxiliary.
Sixteen Greeks from the Inverell district, including seven Australian born served in the Australian Army and RAAF during WW2.
Three Greek families - two descended from the pioneering Greeks remain in Inverell – two conducting café style businesses.
What has brought you here?
The perception of opportunity.
Perhaps little has changed and the perception of opportunity with positive reinforcement from friends, family and acquaintances already established in your community is that which you seek.
In closing I thank Mayor Barry Johnston and the Inverell Shire Council for the privilege of making this presentation on behalf of the Greek community.
Another Fatseas boy, Brother to Gus, baptized by my parents in Detroit in the 50's. High school picture taken in 1961
First name possibly was either John or Steve?
George Calligeros, now deceased, but formerly of Dubbo, in NSW; and his brothers and sisters; were born near Fatsathika, in a village known as Kourmoulianika.
Their father was a well known priest; Pappa Manoli Calligeros (Kourmoulis) and their brother was also a priest, Pappa Hristos in that area.
The grave site of George and Sophia Fatseas (Phacheas in Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, formerly known as Botany Cemetery. This cemetery is the resting site of many pioneering Greeks and the headstones are mostly inscribed with their original names in Greek. However if searching on the website www.esmp.net.au
you will need to use the English version of the name. Where possible find detail on death certificates before searching. Headstones inscriptions can be a vaulable research source when tracing family trees.
This is a photo of Eugene Fatseas (my Papou) taken circa 1910. Eugene was born on Kythera and emigrated to the US in 1906 and sent for his wife Maria and two sons, Dimitrios (James), born 1905 and Nicolaos, born 1904. They arrived at Ellis Island July 9, 1914. He had two daugthers, Helen, born 1915, and Anastasia (Daisy), born 1916. He owned a few restaurants possibly in the Detroit, Youngstown and Pittsburgh areas before the family moved to New York City.
Any additional info about my Papou will be greatly appreciated. You may contact me at steve.fatseas@intermec.com.
Well known nickname in Fatsadika Kythera is the 'Corsolas' Used by the family of George Fatseas (my grand father) son of Nicholaos Fatseas (my grand grand father). [[picture:"FATSEAS head only.jpg" ID:3755]]
The keystone in the centre of the masonry arch over the entrance to the Lancastrian School at Milapidea is in the form of an anchor, possibly an allusion to the anchor as the Christian symbol of hope.
This is a close-up of one of the Gothic style windows in the Lancastrian school built by the British at Milapidea near Fatsadika. A similar (but smaller) school stands in the main square of Mylopotamos. Both schools were completed in the 1820s and stand as testimony to Kythera's unique blend of Venetian, British and Aegean architecture.
The Sydney Oyster Saloon trading as S.Peter& Co opened for business at 120 Otho Street Inverell NSW in September of 1899. The proprietor, Peter Phacheas(Fatseas) the first Greek business man to open a business in Inverell. This is the original advertisement as seen in the Boggy Camp,Tingha & Bora Creek Miner of 2 September 1899
Sydney NSW Australia c 1925 includes 'Beatty'Calliope Phacheas/Fatseas - back row left side of photograph.
The brothers Panagiotis and Theophanis Leousi formed this musical group c 1920.
The Leousi brothers, Theodore and Peter, conducted the Athens Steam Laundry at 39 Oxford Street Paddington, Sydney NSW from 1917.
Researched
Peter McCarthy
May 2011
Apart from bridges the British also built a number of Lancastrian schools on the island. This one, known as Milapidea, was built near Fatsathika and is over 180 years old. Note the Gothic style windows.
