October 2011

Our October meeting attracted 40 members with five apologies. Our guest speaker was Robert Gavagna, son of "Gino" a partner in the original GAVAGNA BROS retail Italian grocery store.

Committee member Anthony Ravesi acted as presenter for the evening, and made the preliminary announcements regarding recent events occurring of interest to the Italian community.

The Annual Norton Street Festival was scheduled for 30th October, with part of the main street north of the Town Hall to be closed to traffic for the event.

During the previous week C.A.S., the Sicilian Association, donated 320 books to the Leichhardt municipal library located at the Forum. The Mayoress accepted the donation on behalf of Leichardt Council. It was emphasised that the books will be accessible to anybody in the State through the inter library lending arrangements now in place. All the books have been indexed and are listed on the library's website page.

Anthony Ravesi spoke in detail of his recent trip to Italy where he, with his sister Maria, attended a family reunion on the island of Salina, in the Aeolian archipelago. Some relatives came from the USA for the event.

Robert Gavagna , our guest speaker, spoke of the origins of his family as shoemakers in the province of Ferrara in the North of Italy. After his father Gino's arrival in Australia, Gino's brother Peter came two years later.

The Gavagna Brothers Italian grocery business was founded in 1934 and was located in the city markets area at Haymarket, where Italian fruit shop buyers found it most convenient to purchase supplies to take home. They provided a much needed variety of Italian grocery items such as Olive oil, spaghetti, dried vegies, and salami. The business grew rapidly. It did not take long before a liquor licence was obtained to enable them to supply both local and imported wines.

When World War II broke out they had five delivery vehicles, which were all confiscated by the Federal Australian authorities, and both brothers were interned.

Notwithstanding, other employees carried on with the business until both were released separately after successful appeals were lodged. The growth of the Company continued as they opened a separate wine cellar in the City in Castlereagh Street.

Both Gino and Peter's families became involved and continued over a period of 60 years with the family business, which then opened a warehouse in Silverwater. They were able to obtain agency for many specialized quality food items such as Barilla Pasta.

The brothers became involved in a number of other business activities, including an engineering business in which their children were involved.

Robert's personal involvement gave us all an extensive view of what followed before the business was eventually sold by a take over.

There were quite a few questions taken by Robert from those in attendance who recalled incidents of the past. His address was well received and much appreciated.

Meeting closed at 8.30pm.

Dominic Arrivolo

Chairman