THE TAILORS OF WOLLONGONG - PART ONE

FILIPPE D`AURIA,  PAOLO SCOTELLARO & RAIMONDO BRUGNERA

The history of the `Sarto`, the Italian tailor, in Wollongong, was hard to research, as there was little to no information.  The tailor, was one of the trades available to men in Italy and I know that in Calabria, it was one of the three artisan trades available along with shoe maker and barber.  

As a teenager, I remember speaking with my father about where he got his suits from.  Not that he had a lot of them, but the ones that he did have, he wore for many years.  Papa` wasn’t very tall and he got his suits tailor made, and the suits were made by someone called, Filippe.  That’s all I knew.  Filippe, with no last name.  Papa` had this black suit that he always wore to a funeral, wedding or some important event.  It was a black, simple dinner jacket style, and it was lined inside, made in a thick, wool type of material.  I still have the jacket.  It was made sometime in the early 50`s after he first arrived in Australia.  Years later Papa` had a few more suits tailor made by Filippe.  Suits that were beautifully cut, in classic fabrics that looked brand new year after year.

I had also heard of a man called Michael Molino, who was a tailor in Wollongong, and many Italians went to him.  Michael Molino started his business in the 60`s, but that was about the only information that I had. However, I would eventually get to meet Michael Molino in the mid 80`s.

So on my quest to find the Italian tailors of Wollongong, and as I was looking for Filippe and Mr Molino, I found at least 8 more!  In fact, finding out about Filippe, was almost trying to find a needle in a haystack.  As I was researching about another story unrelated, I found the smallest advertisement in a newspaper, and there he was,  Filippe D`auria.  I now had a last name and was able to track down his son.  

Now that I had all these names, I went about searching and researching, looking for relatives.  I was fortunate to have found some family members and relatives who were generous with their knowledge and photos.

FILIPPE D`AURIA

Filippe D`auria arrived in Australia November 13, 1951, aboard the ship Skaubryn. Filippe D`Auria was incredibly lucky to have escaped the concentration camps during the war.  A creative man who was also a skilled musician, having studied at the conservatorium in Italy.  Filippe could also speak several languages with English being one of them, so when he came to Australia his knowledge of the language was advantageous.

As a tailor, he began his business sometime around 1955, at 88 Kembla Street, Wollongong.   He traded under the name P.H.D`auria, and he was known as Phillip.  In 1956 he was operating from a different location in Wollongong.  It was Regent House, in Keira Street. Filippe D`Auria operated out of different locations in the Wollongong area during the course of his career as a tailor.   Towards the end of the 50`s he traded from Wentworth Street, Port Kemba for a short time, before returning to Wollongong in the early 60`s.  He operated from two more locations, one in Crown Street, and the other in Smith Street, before retiring. 

I described to Filippe`s son Paul, my father`s black suit jacket that I believe his father made.  Paul still has two original D`Auria suit jackets, that were lined and had his father’s label on the inside.  Filippe D`Auria was sort out for his quality made suits locally, and also in Sydney, and he used specific fabrics that would hardly crease.  On many occasions he was offered work with other fashion houses.  If he wasn’t making suits, he was playing music with one of the bands that he was part of. He could play various instruments, but he has proficient on the the violin

P.H.D`auria was listed as a tailor right up to the 80`s where he finished out his career.  Filippe traded for nearly 30 years in the Wollongong area.  He passed away on December 24, 1990 at 78 years of age. 

This was the small newspaper advertisement that I found that showed Fillipe`s last name.

  

   Images from the collection belonging to Paul D`auria

PAOLO SCOTELLARO

On the 28th of April, 1952, aboard the ship Napoli, Paolo Scotellaro arrived in Australia.  Paolo was granted assistance to come to Australia provided he did two years of employment as part of the contractable agreement.  Once he had finished the two year contract, he was free to move on. He headed down to Port Kembla to work at the Steel Works and resided at the Migrant Hostel, Unanderra, near Wollongong.

During the time he was at the hostel, he started making suits, and doing alterations almost straight away.  He had a small set up in his room at the hostel.  Paolo also made thermal undergarments.  After he finished at the Steel Works, he began working on the Snowy Mountain scheme.  A huge undertaking that saw many migrant men employed for years to finish the project.  He would do several days work at a time on the scheme.  He would take measurements of individuals and when he had days off, would come back to Wollongong where he lived, make the clothing and when he went back to work on the scheme, he had everything at the ready.  After a short time, Paolo left the scheme ready to be a tailor full time.

Paolo had his tailoring business in several locations over the years.  He was first situated in the Fazzolare Building upstairs circa, 1954.

Paolo studied his trade in Italy.  His older brother Rocco was also a tailor and worked in the north of Italy.  Paolo did his apprenticeship with him. Paolo and Rocco were not the only artisans in the family.  Their father Michele, was a shoe maker with their brother Nino, a barber.  

He operated the small shop upstairs at 50 Crown Street, Wollongong.  It was an elegant store that not only sold and made suits, one could be fitted out with a new shirt, tie, belt and even shoes.  The whole package was available.  Paolo Scotellaro made many a wedding suit for young men from the mid 1950`s.

After a few years, he moved to a bigger location further up at 157 Crown Street.  He expanded his range selling a wider variety of mens clothing that included elegant, casual day wear.  He was also an agent for Ryan’s Dry Cleaners.  His brother Nino had arrived in Australia and was operating his barber business at the back of Paolo’s mens wear shop.  Paolo`s wife Ruth would also be instrumental in the running of the stores, along with Paolo.  In 1959 their son Paul was born.

By 1961 he had moved to 133 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla.  He stayed at this address until 1966.  After that, things had started to change and Paolo made the decision to close his tailoring and mens wear business. The department stores were becoming more and more popular to purchase from, as they were cheaper with a wider and on- trend variety. 

Around 1968 he got a job for a short time in Sydney, at Anthony Horden`s department store in the city, selling shoes.  He had the experience of selling and fitting them in his shop and also because of his father’s trade, he knew about shoes.  He would travel to Sydney everyday from Wollongong.

Anthony Horden`s, at one time, was the largest department store in the world.  It was through working at Anthony Horden`s that Paolo met and connected with John Hemmes, the founder of the Merrivale group of fashion houses.  Paolo would soon take up a new position with Merrivale as head designer, running their factory.  By the way, he was now making Women’s fashion. 

In 1969, the family moved to Bondi in Sydney and rented a small apartment.  Working for the Merrivale group gave Paolo access to A listers, high society, celebrity and influential people.  His skill was invaluable,  but not so much appreciated.  In the beginning he was sort after, but as time went by the expectation to exceed work loads made Paolo reassess his priorities. Paolo made the decision to leave Merrivale.  He and Ruth opened their own factory in Darlinghurst.

They began making women`s wear for both David Jones and Grace Bros in Melbourne and Sydney.   They were sold under the label PAUL & R SCOTT.  Fearing that an Italian name wouldn’t sell, they anglicised the name to sell their products.  The factory was a great success, and it was doing well, and due to that, the family went on an overseas holiday.  When they came back, they expanded the business and opened a women’s fashion store in Merrylands, shopping centre, Sydney, NSW.  Ruth was running the store.  In 1971 the Australian government dropped the import tariffs and almost overnight the manufacturing industry in this country died.  After three years Paolo closed the factory and left Australia with his family, returning to Italy to help run a family business.  His son Paul was 14 years old.  Fifteen years later he would come back to Australia with his wife Ruth.

Paolo did very little sewing in Italy and focussed on helping out with the family business.  As time went on the business was growing and he was quite driven, with Ruth being a large part of it.  

Whilst in Italy, son Paul met his wife Grazia, and they moved to Australia in 1980 and married in 1981. In 1986, after a few years apart and after the birth of two grandchildren Chiara and Paul Steven, Paolo and Ruth returned to Australia and were living with family members for a short time before moving into their home not far away from their son Paul and his young family.  By now Paolo Scotellaro had retired and no longer did any sewing.  His work was quality, bespoke clothing for men, and women.  His tailor shops were classic, and the focus was on elegant suits for his customers.  On the 29th of April, 2010, Paolo Scotellaro passed away.  He was 82 years old.

Paolo was tailoring, making suits almost from the moment he arrived.  Here he is at the hostel.

All above images from the collection belonging to Paul Scotellaro (son of Paolo)

RAIMONDO BRUGNERA

Raimondo Brugnera arrived in Australia on the 17th of April, 1956, aboard the ship Toscana.  He was a tailor by trade. He was sports minded too and in his spare time he loved to play tennis.

Around 1959 Raimondo opened his first Tailor shop in Wollongong.  His address just happened to be same address where Paolo Scotellaro had his first shop, upstairs in the Fazzolare Building.  Suite 1, 50 Crown Street, Wollongong.  Raimondo operated from this space for approximately 15 years before moving further up to 385 Crown Street, which was closer to the hospital. The shop in upper Crown Street operated out of an old house, where he also lived and he stayed there for approximately two years.  His brother Osiride, and sister in-law Anna, lived in Fairy Meadow with their family.  Osiride had a granny flat built on the back of his house so Raimondo could live with them and operate his business.  After a few years, he closed the business and began a regular job.

Raimondo Brugnera made quality suits, as did all the tailors. After he closed his Tailor shop, he then when to work at The Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow, where he finished out his working life and retired.  However, he still made some suits from his home in Fairy Meadow, for some of his loyal customers.  Raimondo Brugnera was a tailor in Wollongong for over 20 years.  He passed away on 30th March, 2000.  Raimondo was 75 years old.  

Raimondo used this wardrobe in his shop
to hang suits and hold stock.  It was
made for him by his brother Osiride.

Raimondo Brugnera wearing one
of his suits with his phone listing below

Above images from the collection belonging to Adrian Brugnera

FLAMINIO FINA - PASTA FINA

Flaminio Fina arrived in Australia in 1960, June 14, aboard the ship Orcades and he was 21 years old.  Flaminio went to live with his brother Frederico, in Cringlia, who arrived 7 years earlier.  

Flaminio`s first job was with Transfield as a labourer.  After three months he began working at the Port Kembla Steel Works at the coke ovens.  He worked there for 4 years and due to an accident he changed roles, yet still working at the steel works. He began work as an Oxy Cutter and then learned to weld and went to TAFE for approximately twelve months for his training.

Around 1965, he left the Steel Works and went to help his brother Frederico at his shop in Cringlia.  Frederico had a mixed business that sold fruits, vegetables and grocery items.  Flaminio was full time helping his brother in the shop, and worked with him as a partner for 4 years.

Flaminio then travelled to the Northern Territory for a 3 month break.  Whilst on his break, he got a job working at a wholesale fruit market.  He was also thinking about opening his own business on his return home.

In 1969 he opened a mediterranean style delicatessan/supermarket, in Cowper Street, Warrawong.  It was called Fina Brothers.  There were four other delicatessens in the area at the time.   Flaminio`s brothers Frederico and Salvatore worked with him along with their sister Filomena.  The shop sold Italian groceries lines, as well as small goods, kitchen ware and bomboniere and even gifts imported from Italy.  Flaminio had new ideas when he operated his supermarket.  The Store was big and had the capacity to serve lots of customers with two checkouts and a huge display cabinet/fridge for the small goods, that Flaminio designed himself. 

The shop was doing well.  Fina brothers sold specialty items that appealed to a large migrant population in Warrawong and the Illawarra.  With a small delivery truck Fina brothers provided home delivery, with Thursday and Friday being the most popular days.

Some of the product brands they sold were Nanda Pasta and Dante Olive Oil, with their small goods being the biggest seller in the store.  The walls were lined with hanging prosciutto, salami and other cured meats.  Olives, cheeses and other condiments adorned the display fridge.  Their large provolone cheese weighed 80 kilos.

Fina brothers was sold in 1974 and Flaminio went on a holiday. When he came back the following year, the new owner of the shop, wanted to sell the business as he was busy with another business, and asked Flaminio if he would like to purchase the shop again, and so he did, along with his sister Filomena.  In 1975 Flaminio was at the helm running the supermarket and the locals were happy.  Fina Brothers was finally sold in 1981.

Flaminio went to Italy to help out his family after the 1980 earthquake killed nearly three thousand people. He stayed for six months.  Whilst in Italy he had a business idea in mind for when he came back to Australia.  He began looking at different types of equipment and began researching.

When he arrived back in Australia he moved to Canberra to live with his sister Filomena.  He ran his own small goods business from the back of a truck, delivering and selling wholesale.  Still, Flaminio had his sights set on his business idea he thought up in Italy, and soon Flaminio and sister Filomena would move back to Wollongong.

Flaminio put his business idea to work.  He wanted to make and sell Pasta.  Pasta Fina opened its doors in 1986.  Flaminio rented a shop in the Oxford Hotel building, situated in downtown Wollongong. When they opened their doors, they were busy straight away.   Pasta Fina sold dry pasta, fresh frozen pasta, and pasta sauces, all made fresh on the premises.

Flaminio made so many pasta shapes, over twenty plus.  All the usual ones like tagliatelle, penne, spaghetti and various other styles of short pasta. His freezers were adorned with ravioli, tortellini and lasagna.  When it came to lasagna, Flaminio offered it in 5 sizes.  500gram, 750gram, 1.4kilo, 2.5kilo and even a 3 kilo.  Straight from the freezer into the ovens of many local households who just loved his food.  They sold cannelloni and ravioli made with beef as well as spinach and ricotta.  Beef tortellini and 1/2 baguette size garlic bread were also available.

They sold 500 gram containers of ready made sauces, which combined with their pasta, were popular for those who finished work for the day and wanted a nutritional, tasty and easy meal to prepare, on the go. Napoletana, Boscaiola, Marinara, Bolognese and Four seasons were the varieties in store.  Their dried pasta was available in 500 gram packets and the flavoured pasta was available in packs of 375 grams.  Wollongong had never seen such variety in pasta before.  Pasta Fina also offered cooked lunches for the local workers who requested it, such as lasagna, cannelloni and even minestrone.  The minestrone was also available for sale  in 1kg takeaway containers.

In 1992, Flaminio moved to a bigger premises, almost double the size of his previous store.  He was still on the same side of the street, just a few doors down.  The original shop was in need of major repair work on the roof, so they moved Pasta Fina to a better location, and purchased more equipment. The new equipment enable them to produce a much larger volume of pasta.  Flaminio would often cook 350 kilos of bolognese sauce for the lasagna at one time, to stock the shop and the ravioli and tortellini would be made in batches of 100`s of kilos on the day, when needed.  Beef lasagna was one of the biggest sellers in the shop.

Pasta Fina continued to excel.  They began to expand their range and created flavoured pasta such as saffron, chilli, spinach, celery and even squid ink.  Their flavoured pasta was well received.  Pasta Fina sold their flavoured pasta to David Jones, Sydney, as part of their gourmet grocery lines.   They also sold their lasagna to David Jones in Wollongong, to sell for their lunches.  They also made a koala shape pasta noodle in three colours and exported these tri coloured koala pasta shapes to Japan.  You could pick them up at the airport.

Pasta Fina also supplied local restaurants and cafes.  You could  purchase Pasta Fina products at local retail shops.  They had a large store room to hold their dry goods.  Flaminio went through 1 x ton of flour each fortnight.  He purchased the flour from Sydney and it was an Australian durham wheat semolina. 

Pasta Fina would also make ravioli and tortellini for Nestle to sell through Findus Frozen Foods.  Findus also approached Pasta Fina to make some tiramisu, for a three day promotion that was being held.  They needed a lot of tiramisu, a whole pallet full!  Not fazed, Flaminio and team went to work and made 1000 x six serve containers of tiramisu and they did it all in one night!

In the year 2000, Past Fina was invited to enter their pasta products at The Royal Easter Show, in Sydney.  Flaminio sent in 9 products to be judged.  Needless to say he won first prize and was presented with a plaque, certificate and a ribbon.  It was judged on the quality of his products. He entered for a number of years and won many gold, silver and bronze medals.

In 2005, Flaminio was inducted into `the Sydney magazine` Food Hall Of Fame.   It was such an honour for him to be included.  The criteria was based on excellence in food, that excluded chefs and restauranteurs.  He was the only pasta maker in the group and the only one from Wollongong.  All the others inductees were Sydney based.

On a well known Australian morning television show Flaminio was asked if he would be interested in a competition that they were going run.  Australia versus Italy, who makes the best pasta?  There would be two Australian pasta makers, Flamino being one of them, and two Italian pasta makers.   There were three judges, and Flaminio was expecting the Italian pasta products to win, but was so happy when his pasta was awarded the best out of the four.  The judges all agreed on how good his pasta was.

Flaminio said that Australian`s were his best customers.  Many families purchased his pasta, ready made sauces and meals.  Customers would tell him that even their children knew the difference between his pasta and that from the supermarkets.

 

When Flaminio began his Pasta business, Wollongong’s Crown Street, was incredibly busy.  Then, in the same year, the Mall was constructed and half the main street was closed to traffic.   With the half of Crown Street closed off, Flaminio relied on the passing trade downtown in Wollongong.  Though once parking meters were introduced around 2010, Flaminio saw a rapid decline in the business. The parking meters only allowed 15 minutes parking.  If anyone went over the time limit, it was a $70 fine.  With no extra parking allocated for customers, trade dwindled quickly.  In 2013 Flaminio sold the business and Pasta Fina closed its doors for the last time.

Pasta Fina produced award winning pasta that was internationally recognised.  A local manufacturer that exported their products, created a gourmet range and supplied the local consumer all from the shop in Crown Street.  Flaminio Fina, along with his family, had worked for over 50 years in the retail industry, bringing fresh food to the people of Wollongong and surrounds.  What a wonderful contribution.  Australians has been blessed with the introduction of Italian cuisine that now graces so many of their family table gatherings and pasta appeals to nearly all of them!

Flaminio drying the pasta.

An old shop sign

All images from the collection belonging to Flaminio Fina