September 2011

Italian Family History Group Report

September 28 2011

It was great to see every seat occupied at our September meeting held in the gallery of the Leichhardt Italian Forum. 75 people were present, with 9 apologies being received.

Chairman Dominic acted as presenter for the evening. He expressed surprise to see so many first timers present. Included in the audience were Mr Joe Lopes from Fremantle WA, and Anthony and Celia Ravesi from Hampton, who travelled from the other side of the Blue Mountains especially for the evening's book launch.

Linda Nellor, Co.As.It's Heritage Project Officer drew attention to the fact that she is continuing to call for additional listings to be placed on her website collection of stories and photos of the history of Sydney's Italian Fruit Shops. She is also continuing to conduct tours in Leichhardt on the history of Sydney's "Little Italy".

Dominic spoke of the continued support of the provision of accommodation by the board of Directors of the Forum over the past two years. He is looking forward to the possibility of a new permanent location in the Forum next year, at the completion of installations and equipment throughout the premises.

Additional DVD copies of the Australian Broadcasting Commission's documentary on the "History of Italian Immigration", by Gianfranco Crescani will be available at the next meeting, following the return of Anthony Ravesi from overseas.

Our guest speaker Diana Santamaria was then called upon to tell her family story, which she has detailed in her book The Secrets of the Pebbles and was supported by an electronic presentation.

Diana Santamaria was born and raised in Sydney but her ancestral roots are Filicudi and Lipari in the Aeolian Islands. Her novel was inspired by the deep connection she feels with this part of the world, and the inspiration she received in visiting Filicudi for the first time as a child and subsequently on many visits as an adult. She came to understand the hardships that encouraged mass emigration, leaving a population of more than two hundred people on Filicudi today. She is dedicated to promoting the continuance of the Filicudi dialect, and her musical training and teaching of English and Music has inspired her to write a CD of music and poetry, which accompanies the book. In the audience at the meeting was Pino Taranto, who reads the poem 'Vieni Cu Mi' (Come with Me) in the true Filicudi dialect.

Diana took a number of questions from the audience, who paid much attention throughout the presentation, as there were many similar untold secrets held by early migrants to our country

It was obvious that many were related to Diana's family, and who had not seen each other for some time. It created such a warm and friendly atmosphere as they shared supper together.

A new reader's comment on The secrets of the Pebbles: 'This is an enthralling read, with intriguing twists as we follow the lives and loves of a handful of Filicudi men and women. We come to care deeply about them, as they are provoked by gossip to take hasty and often unwise action to protect each other and preserve their good names. This book is hard to put down! The accompanying music and poetry capture beautifully the magical and haunting spirit of Filicudi and the Aeolian Islands.'

Dominic Arrivolo