Blue Plaque to honour the Notaras brothers of Grafton
A Blue Plaque will be installed in the regional NSW city of Grafton to honour the journey of Greek immigrant brothers who established a thriving cinema and brought the community together.
The plaque for Ioannis ‘Jack’ and Antonios ‘Tony’ Notaras is one of 14 selected in the second round of the NSW Government’s Blue Plaques NSW program.
It will celebrate the brothers’ enduring legacy and ongoing influence on Grafton through their restaurants and theatre which provided entertainment, built community spirit and forged strong cultural links.
Jack Notaras (1892-1962) and Tony Notaras (1895-1991) became highly successful restaurateurs and theatre owners in the Clarence River region. They owned a series of successful cafes and built Grafton’s best-known theatre and cinema, the Saraton.
The Notaras Brothers' nomination came through descendants who continue to own and manage the Saraton Theatre. Their plaque was chosen from 117 nominations made by the public and assessed by independent historians. The new plaques will be installed in the coming months, joining the 35 already in place.
Heritage NSW is working with experts and potential property owners to finalise the plaque’s location and once installed it will be listed on the Blue Plaques NSW website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe:
“This round of Blue Plaques recognises the diverse individuals, events and perspectives that make the history of NSW so intriguing.
“Whether you’re exploring your local town, or taking a drive off the beaten track, there’s a Blue Plaque for you to discover.
“The installation of each new plaque brings added interest to the heritage of an area, encouraging locals to explore their backyards, and inviting those from further afield to learn more about the history of these communities.”
Quotes attributable to Duty MLC for Clarence Emily Suvaal:
“The blue plaque nomination for Ioannis 'Jack' and Antonios 'Tony' Notaras pays tribute to two Greek immigrants who not only became successful restaurateurs but also left an indelible mark on Grafton with the iconic Saraton Theatre.
“We want to acknowledge and commemorate the brothers' significant contributions, from the establishment of a thriving cinema to their ongoing connection with Greece, making them true cultural ambassadors.
"From the Saraton Theatre's grand opening in 1926 to its recent restoration in 2010, Jack and Tony's legacy lives on, enriching the community with a premier venue for movies, live shows, and concerts."
Full list of round two Blue Plaques
| Subject | Recognition | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Butler | A woman without formal engineering qualifications who had a central role in the development of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. | Sydney CBD |
| Emma Jane Callaghan | Aboriginal midwife, activist, nurse, and Indigenous Culture Recorder. | Phillip Bay, Sydney |
| Susan Katherina Schardt | Born blind, Schardt established the Commonwealth Home for Destitute Invalids, now known as Royal Rehab. | Ryde |
| Dorothy Simpson McGregor Drain | One of the first Australian female war correspondents, who reported on the Korean and Vietnam Wars. She was also a poet, columnist, and Editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly. | Glebe |
| Establishment of the first recorded life savers club | Founded in February 1907, the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club was the first recorded Surf Lifesaving Club in Australia. | Bondi |
| Sir William Dobell | A portrait and landscape artist and three-time winner of the Archibald Prize. | Wangi Wangi |
| Syms Covington | A cabin boy on the HMS Beagle who became assistant to Charles Darwin. Syms later worked as a businessman and postmaster in Pambula. | Pambula |
| Charmian Clift | A prolific writer and essayist. | Kiama |
| Pearl Mary Gibbs | A prominent female activist in the Aboriginal rights movement, Gibbs was heavily involved in the development of the Day of Mourning and the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. | Sydney CBD |
| Ioannis (Jack) and Antonios (Tony) Notaras | Greek immigrant businessmen known for establishing Grafton’s still-thriving Saraton Theatre. | Grafton |
| Beryl Mary McLaughlin | One of the first three women graduates of the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture. | Wentworth Falls |
| Ken Thomas | Trucker and entrepreneur known for establishing the TNT transport empire and for his contributions to road safety. | Murrumburrah |
| Grace Emily Munro | Co-founder and first president of the Country Women’s Association. | Bingara |
| First release of myxomatosis | The CSIRO released myxomatosis in Balldale in 1950, to combat a severe rabbit problem. It was the world’s first successful biological program for control of a mammalian pest. | Balldale |