ELISABETTA AMBROSI

Elisabetta Risi, who was from Lazio in Italy, arrived in Australia Feb 27, 1964, aboard the ship Guglielmo Marconi.  She came to Port Kembla and stayed with her brother Orlando.  Orlando had arrived in Australia in 1956.

Elisabetta came to Australia to marry fiancé Domenico Ambrosi.  She and Domenico had been writing letters to each other for a year.  Domenico had arrived in Australia in 1960, July 11, aboard the ship Neptunia and he was from Calabria.   Domenico was living with his brother and was working at the Port Kembla Steel Works.

Prior to their wedding, Domenico and Elisabetta were actually living across the street from each other in Port Kembla.  Domenico had been busy building their new house in Fairy Meadow was keen to get married. Six weeks after Elisabetta arrived in Australia, she married Domenico.

The wedding ceremony was held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Unanderra and the wedding reception was held at Luccarda`s reception centre at Tarrawanna.  There were 28 people at the wedding reception centre.  After their wedding, they went back to their new home in Fairy Meadow cutting the ribbon, ready to being their life together.

Living in Fairy Meadow they were surrounded by Italian neighbours.  Domenico had no car and he didn’t have a drivers licence.  Bus was the preferred mode of transport.  Elisabetta soon had her first child Silvana and soon two more followed, Antonio and Sergio.  They now were a family of five.  Elisabetta had all her children within six years.

Silvana, Antonio and Sergio all went to the local catholic school.  They made many friends with their Italian neighbours and had lots fun growing up.  All the local Italian neighbours became close friends and shared much time together.

In 1974, Domenico was hit by a car and broke his pelvis.  He was in hospital for 10 days.  The accident really put doubt in Domenico`s mind about ever getting a car or his licence. But in 1976 he changed his mind and he purchased a car.  He would practice driving up and down the drive way of his house. When he crashed the car into his beloved bottles of wine that were stored in the garage it made him even more doubtful and vowed he no longer wanted to learn how to drive a car.

Elisabetta stepped up and said that she wanted to learn how to drive and get her licence and she did.  All the children were settled in school with their friends and Elisabetta was thinking about the possibility of getting a job.  Her cousin Angelina was working as a cleaner for Italo Corradetti, who owned a cafe in Wentworth Street, Port Kembla.  Italo had sold the cafe and purchased the Capri restaurant that was across the road.  He was in need of some more staff to work in the restaurant.  Angelina asked her cousin Elisabetta if she would like to work along side her in the restaurant.  At first, Domenico didn’t want her to work, but Elisabetta was determined.  Elisabetta got her licence in 1978.  With the family car she was able to take herself to work on a daily basis.

The Capri restaurant had a history in Port Kembla.  It had been owned by others prior to Italo purchasing it.   It was well known for it’s good food and it was popular.  With the steel works in full swing, it was frequented a lot.

Elisabetta began working at the Capri restaurant in the kitchen with owner Italo living upstairs.  Cousin Angelina also worked in the kitchen and in the bar.  Usually, only two people worked in the kitchen with no dishwasher.    The restaurant could seat approximately 100 people.

The meals were Casa Linga, trattoria style.  There was a menu of the day, with staples such as minestrone, pasta bolognese, roast meats, with coffee and ice cream to round out the menu.  Elisabetta worked day shifts only, with her work hours being 10am - 3pm.  The children would stay with neighbours after they got home from school until Elisabetta arrived after her work shift.

The Capri restaurant was open 7 days per week.  The night time trade was from around 6pm - 10pm.  The menu was similar to the daytime menu, but the clientele was different.  You would get more couples or different groups at night, and they also offered a dinner dance on the weekends.  During the day it was a lot of the steel workers, mostly men, who came in for lunch.  Elisabetta worked 3 - 4 days per week.  On the odd occasion, Elisabetta worked the night shift and weekend lunch service.

After a long illness due to having a stroke Italo Corradetti passed away in 1985 on 1st of June.  He was 59 years old.  A new owner took over and Elisabetta stayed for a few more months before leaving the Capri.  Things were starting to change in the industry.  Wentworth Street was also different than it was in the late 70`s.

Through a friend, Elisabetta got a part time job as a cleaner working at the Wollongong Technical College.  She also began working part-time on the weekend at the Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow.  She worked upstairs in the restaurant/function centre where they could cater for hundreds of people at a time.  After approximately 12 months, she was offered full time work at the Wollongong Technical College and after a total of four years Elisabetta retried at 51 years of age.  At the same time her husband Domenico retired from the steel works.

Elisabetta commented on how today’s young children seemed to be more interested in technology than their grandparents way of life.  This sentiment is something that so many of Elisabetta`s generation seem to agree on.  After interviewing so many people, they echoed the same feelings.

Elisabetta spoke fondly of how their family life was simple yet abundant. Many family celebrations were held in the home with the kitchen table forever being extended for the constant stream of family and friends who shared in the festivities. Domenico loved his garden and he loved to make wine.  He had his cellar underneath the house and it was his haven. I looked at the once flourishing cellar and how it was no more.  It reminded me somewhat of when my own father passed away and how suddenly the garden came to a halt.  The life in it was gone!  

On the 11th of April, 2020, Domenico Ambrosi passed away.  He was 92 Years old.  Elisabetta still lives in the same house that Domenico built. With her family being most important she enjoys spending time with them and her grandchildren.

Image above and below. Family celebration at the Capri Restaurant, Port Kembla

All images from the collection belonging to Elisabetta Ambrosi