People Australia

Agnes Xenodohos, n.d.

Agnes Rachel Rosetta (Nicky) Xenodohos, née Simpson, late Falconer, also known as Agnes Nicholas (1893-1972) circus performer, waitress, actor and political activist

Birth: October 1893 at Stockton, Newcastle, New South Wales, daughter of William Lloyd Hall Simpson (1854-1928), a chef, born in Jamaica, West Indies, and native-born Mary Ann (Annie), née McKenna, late Swan (1852-1926). Marriages: (1) 3 May 1911 at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Woolloomooloo, Sydney, to Richard Henry Falconer (1888-1946), bookmaker. (2) From about 1914 Agnes was the de facto wife of Nicholas John Xenodohos also known as John Nicholas (1890-1964) a cook, born at Arachova, Boeotia. Greece. They had three daughters and one son. Death: 5 December 1972 at Linburn Convalescent Hospital, Burwood, Sydney; usual residence Rowley Street Camperdown, Sydney. Religion: She was cremated without religious rites. 

• Had little formal schooling. Travelled with Ditchman's Circus. Was a contortionist, tap dancer and singer, waitress and maid.
• Met Nicholas John Xenodohos while working as a waitress. The couple went to Victoria about 1914. Influenced by Lazarus Myer, she and John joined the Victorian Socialist Party about 1916.
• With her husband, she ran fish and chip shops in Melbourne. Then they ran cafes in Sydney, and two restaurants near New York Picture Show, George Street, near Circular Quay, the Metropolitan Cafe in George Street which catered for working class clientele (closed 1925), and The Forum, opposite the Metropolitan. Subsequently they moved to the Byron Caf Kings Cross in 1927-1931.
• After the businesses failed in early 1930s her husband found work as fish cleaner at the Hotel Australia. Agnes turned to acting. She was active in political theatre and was involved, with her daughters Sylvia and Della, in the Friends of the Soviet Union Theatre Group from about 1932.
• Subsequently she was involved with the New Theatre. Using the stage name, Agnes Nicholas, she appeared in numerous plays, including Clifford Odets’ Till The Day I Die. She was on stage when the New Theatre was raided by police.
• Her home of many years at 32 Riley Street, Camperdown, was an informal meeting place for left activists.
• During World War II she was a warden with the National Emergency Service. Canvassed for the Communist Party Australia newspaper Tribune. Subsequently was active in the Pensioners Association.
• Had vast repertoire of songs that gave her family great joy.
• Cause of death: bilateral pneumonia (2 days), and gangrene left leg (5 months).
• She was the mother of Sylvia Harding, Della Elliott and Merle Highet.

Sources
NSW ALP Conference Book; interview with Della Elliott, 1997; Della Elliott, correspondence with S. Tracey, 1997.