The Lefcadian Brotherhood “Lefcada” was established in 1942 by the Lefkadian and Meganisian diaspora of Melbourne, Australia with its head office located at 124 Bell Street, Coburg, Victoria.
The Brotherhood is proud of its legacy and is truly committed to the support and welfare of diaspora Lefkadians, Greeks and the wider community.
We are proud to also support the preservation of the Lefkadian heritage and the continuation of Greek culture as a part of our vibrant multicultural society. This encourages our youth and future generations to continue the traditions of the Brotherhood in supporting those less fortunate.
Picture: Lefcadian picnic 1911. Courtesy Anthony Skliros Family.
Founding Committee 1942
Nikolaos Verginis
Andreas Katapodis
Spiros Fatouros
Theodoros Politis
Petros Fatouros
Nikolaos Fatouros
George Dellaportas
Nikolaos Politis
George Vlahos
Thomas Gabriel
Lefkada
Lefkada is one of the most breathtaking Greek islands and it is located in the heart of the Ionian sea, connected with the mainland by a small bridge. Being easily accessed by car and boasting one of the most wonderful natural landscapes and some of the most scenic beaches, Lefkada Greece (or the “Caribbean of Greece”, as it is also known as) is the absolute dream destination for those who are into exotic islands.
Picture: Egremni Beach. Often voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world
Lefkada, one of the 7 Ionian Islands, took its name from the cape of Lefkata. There are two versions about the origin of this name. One version says that the name comes from the white color (λευκός, -ή, -ό [lefkos] = white) of the cape’s rocks. The other version says that the name comes from Lefko, a friend of Odysseus.
Lefkada has a rich history dating back to ancient times. The myth about Sappho‘s suicide at Cape Lefkada is related to other myths linking the island to the ancient Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and to Odysseus, the hero of Homer‘s Odyssey.
The main town of the island is Lefkada. It is situated at the northern part of the island, approximately 1 hour drive by car from Aktion National Airport. The island is part of the regional unit of Lefkada.
The Myth Of Lefkada
In Antiquity, the cape of Lefkata was famous. According to a tradition, anyone who jumped from the rocks could escape the torment of love. The region had this status because Zeus (Jupiter) used to have a rest there, between his love adventures. Sappho (Ancient Greek poet) jumped from the cape, because she wanted to relieve herself of her love to Phaon. Also the Goddess Aphrodite chose to end her life this way after she discovered that Adonis, her love, had died. And later on, even the Romans followed this “tradition”.
Another tradition is associated with the temple of Apollo, which is situated in the region. According to the myth, once a year, the people living in Lefkada had a ceremony to purify the city. They threw a convict from the rock in order to prevent the evil for the city.
Lefkada And Homer
Apart from this tragic myth, Lefkada is also related to the poetry of Homer, namely the Odyssey.
The German archaeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld, having performed excavations at various locations of Lefkada, was able to obtain funding to do work on the island by suggesting that Lefkada was Homer’s Ithaca, and the palace of Odysseus was located west of Nydri on the south coast of Lefkada.
The most widely recognized argument for this theory is that Homer described that Ithaca could be reached on foot. Lefkada is indeed the only island that was connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, and nowadays by a floating bridge.
For further information regarding the excavations by Wilhelm Dörpfeld, click here.
Ancient Lefkada
According to the historian Strabo, the coast of Acarnania was called Leucas in earlier times. The ancient sources call Leucas a Corinthian colony, perhaps with a Corcyraen participation. During the Peloponnesian War Leucas joined the Spartan Confederation. Click here for further information.
Picturet: Ancient Lefkadian/Acarnanian coin from approximately 437 BC with the Pegasus and head of Athena
For further information regarding our Lefkadian Story, please click on our 50th Year Anniversary Commemorative Album tab
John Patitsas & George Konidaris- editor and site admin
Lefkadian Brotherhood "Lefcada" Connect Site 