June 2010

Italian Family History Group Meeting

23 June 2010

Forty three people, braved the continuing wintry conditions to attend our June meeting. Our speakers were three ladies from our northern Sydney beaches. They told of the hardship endured by Italian wives whilst waiting to be reunited with their loved ones, when left behind by their migrating husbands.

There were nine apologies received.

Committee member Lores Borg rendered a report from Co.As.It's Heritage officer Linda Nellor, who was unable to be present. This gave an update on the progress of the Sydney Italian Fruit Shop photo exhibition, currently on display in Sydney's Customs House at Circular Quay. Due to the number of demands and enquiries by people, the exhibition has been extended by another month to September.

Linda has extended a special concession to members of our family history group, to hold a personal conducted tour of the exhibition on June 30and July 7. Those wishing to take advantage of this arrangement must contact her, prior to those dates, as there is a limit to the number.

Chairman reported in regard to us being able to continue to hold our future meetings in the Forum. The Federal Government has allocated $3.6 million to complete of Stage 2 & 3 of the complex. As a consequence, we could expect later to be charged. It is for this reason we need to build up our funds to meet this possible cost factor.

The Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO) and has invited us to participate in their National Congress, to be held in Adelaide next year. A decision will be made later as to our participation.

The three ladies, Silvana Toia, Gina Polito, and Silvane Nero from Sydney's northern beaches each took turns to speak of the many Italian women so suffered when separated from their husbands who had left them behind, in many cases with children, to migrate to the other side of the world - Australia.

Their book published in 2009, covers a period of 5 years work as they gathered data. It is titled "SEMPRE CON TE " with a collection of stories; including nine Calabrian Italian women from the Northern Beaches during the period 1920s to 1970s.

It was heartbreaking to hear the instances of sufferings, hardship and loneliness that all these women experienced until reunited with their spouses. The guest speakers had combined their efforts to put this book together whilst attending many social events held in northern beaches of Sydney.

The book features many beautiful family photos and the stories of these women and their family keepsakes. It lists the names of almost 500 women who found themselves in this situation.

To produce the book 34 people made financial donations; whilst 96 others made material available for publication. The book is written is both Italian and English with split page translation.

There were many questions asked by those in attendance. Autographed copies were made available later in the evening.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm following an opportunity for all to socialise, with coffee with a serving of Italian Sfinchi provided by Anna Zagame.

Dominic Arrivolo

Chairman