Ioannis (Jack) Notaras and Antonios (Tony) Notaras have been listed amongst the NSW government’s 14 new Blue Plaque recipients.
The Greek immigrant businessmen from Grafton in the Northern Rivers region of NSW were acknowledged for establishing Grafton’s Saraton Theatre in 1951. The theatre is one of only 13 original condition ‘picture theatres’ in NSW country towns that is still running.
Philhellene, Charmian Clift, was also recognised with a Blue Plaque. Charmian was an Australian journalist and writer who wrote prolifically about living on the Greek island of Kalymnos and Hydra.
The Notaras brothers and Charmain were recognised in round 2 of the Blue Plaques NSW program.
Other recipients include the establishment of Australia’s first surf lifesaving club at Bondi Beach, the world’s first biological program to control pests, world-renowned artist Sir William Dobell, and co-founder of the Country Women’s Association Grace Emily Munro.
The new plaques were chosen from 117 nominations made by the public and assessed by independent historians. They join more than 30 plaques already in place, sparking the imaginations of visitors from Broken Hill to Bathurst, and in suburbs across Sydney.
The NSW Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe MLC said: “These Blue Plaques recognise the diverse individuals, events and perspectives that make the history of NSW so intriguing, and it’s wonderful this round has been nominated directly by members of the public.”
“Whether you’re exploring your local neighbourhood or taking a drive off the beaten track to regional towns like Grafton and Pambula, there’s a Blue Plaque for you to discover,” she added.
 Notaras and Antonios (Tony) Notaras have been listed amongst the NSW government’s 14 new Blue Plaque recipients. ){kind=link}