The son of Gregory and Matilda (nee Lyons) Matoorekos, Panaye was born in 1898 in Albert Park.  Gregory was the proprietor of a licensed (wine only) restaurant and oyster saloon in Swanston Street known as the Athenaeum.  In 1904 he added to his 'already extensive and palatial premises a very large dining room which will be fitted up in elaborate style for the sole use of LADIES ONLY.'  In 1913 the family was living in Lansdowne Street when Edwin J. Ruck, architect, advertised for tenders for alterations and additions to the residence of G. Matoorekos. The family had various address in East Melbourne: In 1903 they were at 412 Albert Street; and in 1914-15 they were at 147 Grey Street.  Panaye was a student at Scotch College.

Panaye (Pano) Matoorekos enlisted on 25 April 1917, giving 106 Hotham Street as his permanent address.  However the family notified Base Records on 27 November 1917 that they had moved to Carlton.  He gave his occupation as student.  He was 19 years 1 month old and was 5ft 6ins., with medium complexion, black hair and blue eyes.  He was posted initially to Maribyrnong before embarking at Melbourne on 9 November 1917 and arrived in England via Suez in January 1918 and from there proceeded to France.  He was demobilised 8 March 1819 in England at his own request and did not require the Australian Government to provide his passage back to Australia.  It seems Pano did not return to Australia.  The death notice of his mother in 1920 records him as living in Greece.