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The Greek Benefactor of Grafton

Angelo Notaras with his cousin Spiros.
Angelo Notaras with his cousin Spiros.

Angelo Notaras, businessman, inventor, banana farmer, cinema owner and fundraiser is one of the most renowned people of the Greek community of Grafton.

His achievements have been recognized with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), with emphasis given on “service to the Greek community, particularly through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

Commenting on his award, Notaras said that he is very pleased with this award and that it is a double honor as he is the son of a recent immigrant to Australia.

Born in 1933 in Grafton, Notaras initially was running a small cinema in Woolgoolga and then entered the banana industry. That led him and his younger brother John into the import and manufacturing of machinery, such as the tiny computer ignition for small engines that was named New Invention of the Year on ABC-TV’s The Inventors program in 1975, and the top-selling Atom Lawn Edger.

Apart from being a successful businessman, Angelo Notaras is also a generous fundraiser and benefactor.  He had helped in the restoration of the Saraton Theatre, that his father Tony and uncle Jack had built in the 1920s. “It was an extraordinary challenge that I believe has given Grafton something to be really proud of” said Notaras about the project.

In 2003 the Greek Orthodox Church honored him with its highest award, the Cross of St Andrew, for the organization of a fundraiser that collected $700,000 to help an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program.

His family originated  on the island of Kythera, Greece, where many people decided to migrate to Australia.

Notaras is proud of his Greek origin. He contributed funds for the creation of the website, kythera-family.net, and the publication of 13 books about the history of Kythera and its people.

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