Greek-Australian milk bars and cafes documented in photo series
A photo series documents Greek-Australian milk bars and cafes from 1917 to 2002, highlighting their role as community hubs. Mick Adams opened Australia's first American-style milk bar, Black & White 4d Milk Bar, in Sydney in 1932. The Legend Cafe in Melbourne, designed by Clement Meadmore with murals by Leonard French, promoted Modern Melbourne during the 1956 Olympics. The Yang family, originally from China, took over the Elysian Cafe in Bourke in 1998. Many cafes closed as fast food chains expanded in the 1980s. Anthony Flaskas recalled the strict White Australia policy, saying Greek migrants were treated as 'third-class citizens'. The Astoria Cafe in Newcastle featured Art Deco architecture. The series includes images from the 'In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians' National Project Archive.
Key facts
- Mick Adams opened Australia's first modern American-style milk bar, Black & White 4d Milk Bar, in Sydney in 1932.
- The Legend Cafe in Melbourne featured a mural series by Leonard French titled 'The Legend of Sinbad the Sailor'.
- Clement Meadmore designed the Legend Cafe's interior in 1955.
- The Yang family, originally from China, purchased the Elysian Cafe in Bourke in 1998.
- Anthony Flaskas stated that Greek migrants were treated as 'third-class citizens' under the White Australia policy.
- The Astoria Cafe in Newcastle was an example of Art Deco architecture.
- By the mid-1930s, staff uniforms became a key element of cafe branding.
- The photo series is from the 'In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians' National Project Archive.
Entities
Artists
- Mick Adams
- Joachim Tavlarides
- Clement Meadmore
- Leonard French
- Anthony Flaskas
- Antonios Flaskas
- Jerry Kolivas
- Vasiliki Kitziris
- Maria Kosseris
- Konstantine Kosseris
- Effie Haldezos
- Peter Veneris
- Jack Veneris
- Paul Calokerinos
- Mary Calokerinos
- John Calokerinos
- Helen Calokerinos
- Gary Yang
- Keith Yang
- Bing Yang
- James Sigalas
- Ion Nicolades
- Charlie Kontos
- John Kitziris
- Sam Agiakatsikas
- Petroula Agiakatsikas
- Jack Smiles
- Yannis Kalokerinos
- Antony John Jereos Lucas
- Walter Burley Griffin
Institutions
- Black & White 4d Milk Bar
- Black & White Fruit Milk Bar
- Elysian Cafe
- Paragon Cafe Take-Away
- Blue Bird Cafe
- Legend Cafe
- Charlie's Cafe
- Astoria Cafe
- White Rose Cafe
- Canberra Cafe
- Yenda Cafe
- Cafe Australia
- Vienna Cafe
- Popular Cafe
- Monterey Cafe
- Anglo-American Cafe
- National Library of Australia
- Eric Milton Nicholls Collection
- In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians' National Project Archive
Locations
- Martin Place
- Sydney
- Australia
- Wollongong
- NSW
- Mendooran
- Bourke
- Hay
- Lockhart
- Bourke Street
- Melbourne
- VIC
- Mittagong
- Newcastle
- Binalong
- Yass
- Manilla
- Walgett
- Keepit Dam
- Temora
- Yenda
- Riverina district
- Tripoli
- Peloponnese
- Greece
- Mytilini
- Lesbos
- Ithaca
- Kythera
- Canberra