Barbarina Giacon arrived in Sydney, Australia, March 6, 1954, on the ship Surriento. Her husband Vittorio had arrived four years earlier and was living with his Aunty in Corrimal, NSW. Vittorio arrived in Australia on the 26th of August, 1950, aboard the ship Napoli.
Back in Italy, Vittorio was a farmer and for many years he worked in Maccarese, Rome. It including working in the rice fields from 1936 till he was conscripted. After the ending of WWII he returned to Italy and resumed working in the rice fields until he departed for Australia. He had been a prisoner of war in England. He was also in the Army Tank Corps and when he came to Australia he was initially employed as a truck driver. Years later he began working at Metal Manufacturers where he finished out his employment till retirement.
Vittorio and Barbarina purchased a property in 1954 that was situated in Tarrawanna. A block of land on the corner of Paynes Lane and Tarrawanna Road. The block of land had a small garage on it. The garage dwelling consisted of one large main room and three tiny rooms. Even though there was an outdoor toilet, there was no running water or electricity in the small dwelling. There was an outdoor tap where Barbarina would have to fill tubs of water on the daily for everyday living. They used a small kerosene burner for cooking and lanterns for lighting.
Vittorio wanted to build a house on his property and set about putting in plans to the local council. The front of his block of land sat on Tarrawanna Road. Vittorio wanted to build his house as close as possible to the road, so he could have a large garden in his back yard. He wasn’t able to do it, as that section at the front was zoned commercial. So he built his home back from the road front, which later would fare him well. Vittorio`s neighbour, who was the local Barber, Ivan Hay, had a good sized yard and Vittorio asked him if he could grow some vegetables in his back yard and Ivan agreed. For many years Vittorio grew a large of array of fruits and vegetables for his family.
Vittorio`s new house was complete In 1957 and now he and Barbarina, along with their two sons, had a lovely new home to live in complete with running water and electricity. Son John was born in 1950 and son Frank came along five years later. In 1961 daughter Maria was born.
In 1963, Vittorio built his first commercial shop in front of his house on Tarrawanna Road. Directly opposite Vittorio`s house on Tarrawanna Rd, was the General Store/Post Office. The gentleman, Mr Williamson, who was running the General store, no longer wanted to keep it going. He approached Vittorio and Barbarina to see if they would be interested in just keeping the newspaper contract going. They agreed and sold newspapers from their shopfront as well as cigarettes and sweets.
By now the old general store had been demolished as plans had been put into council for a new store with car parking. A new fruit and vegetable shop had already been established.
Within six months, the Giacon family were approached to lease out the shop front to create a new General Store/Post Office. The Post Office was situated inside the general store. The General Store was well received.
The people who were running the General Store wanted it to be it’s own entity and approached the Giacon family about the possibility of building a second shop to house the Post Office. So plans went back into council and a second shop was built. The Post Office was now separate to the General Store.
Some time later, the General Store business was sold. The new owner had grand plans for the general store and wanted to lease out the Post Office store as well, but for a new Delicatessen along with Takeaway food, as an addition to the General Store. At the time, other Post Offices were located at Corrimal and Balgownie townships, and most of the locals wanted the Tarrawanna post office to remain.
A new plan went into council and a third shop was built that took up the remaining space on Tarrawanna Road, that was in front of Vittorio and Barbarina`s home. It was a small, corner shop, but was perfect for the Post Office. The Post Office was relocated and now three commercial shops were situated in front of the Giacon family home.
Tarrawanna was becoming quite the little village, with a Fruit Shop across the road, a General store and Post office. A few doors up there was another shop, which for a time was a Pharmacy and further up from the Pharmacy was a Dry-Cleaner. The locals of Tarrawanna, had everything they needed to live life on the daily. The Tarrawanna Post Office relocated back to the original location in 1995.
On Feb 7, 2007, Vittorio Giacon passed away leaving behind his wife and three children. Barbarina, born in 1923, still lives in her home that Vittorio built at Tarrawanna and this year she celebrates her 100th birthday - quite the milestone! Barbarina is such a character.
All the shops are still leased out and have changed usage over time. Now you will find a coffee shop and a hair salon. These businesses add to the ever changing and charming village of Tarrawanna.
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With two shops complete work had commenced on a third shop front on the corner which would eventually become the new location for the Post Office. |
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Notice the tables under the awning of the fruit shop: This section was built in and the new permanent home for the Post Office was created. It didn`t happen until the mid 1990`s. |
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