ITALIANS OF WOLLONGONG: DOMENICO (MENI) DAL SANTO

Domenico Dal Santo, who was always known as Meni, was born in 1921, in Caltrano, Vicenza. He was one of six children who all grew up on the land. Farming was the way of life. As a young boy Domenico learnt to the play the piano accordion at the insistence of his mother. Domenico`s teacher was Giovanni Bortoli.

Giovanni Bortoli was quite the accomplished musician. He was also a composer and had returned from America in 1919 after spending more than a decade performing, touring and directing his band. Giovanni returned to Italy to focus on his music and teaching in his home town. Giovanni Bortoli was the second generation of what would become a four generation family of musicians. Through Giovanni, Domenico received incredible tuition.

Domenico grew fond of the accordion and began to play for friends and family. He also started playing for small gatherings and the money he made went to help the family. He even played at local dances, often riding his bike over the mountain to perform. It was at one of these gatherings that he met Luigia Tagliapetra, who was from Calvene. He began courting Luigia and many times would walk for an hour and a half, over goat tracks that were so rocky he would put tacks under his shoes to protect the soles, just to see her.

During WW2, Domenico served in the Italian Army's specialist mountain infantry, The Alpini, He often took his accordion with him when he was doing his training and played it for the troops. On returning home from the war he married Luigia. He returned to working on the farm and playing his accordion. In 1946 their first child Ines was born.

In 1948 Domenico and his family went to Belgium, as there was work available. Others in the village went to Belgium too. Domenico worked in the Zinc mines for approximately four years. However, the dust affected his health so the family came back to Caltrano, Italy. With very little work available, Domenico traveling alone, went to Australia in 1952. He arrived April 19, aboard the ship Australia. The name of the ship was fitting because Domenico grew to love it.

There was a lot of work available in Australia and Domenico quickly got a job at the Port Kembla Steel Works as a labourer/crane greaser and he was living in Balgownie. Domenico`s brother Cirillo had arrived in Australia in 1950 and soon they would buy a house together in Ryan Street. After two applications Luigia and Ines arrived in Australia after a long two and a half years. It was now 1954. Around this time Domenico was also playing his accordion and began playing at small weddings/functions and gatherings. Domenico would also play at the Cringilla Hall, when they were fundraising for the upcoming new Italian club, at Fairy Meadow.

The family all lived together in the Ryan Street house for approximately two years. Domencio sold his half of the Ryan Street home to his brother Cirillo and with his money purchased his first family home at 105 Balgownie Road. In 1956 Domencio and Luigia welcomed another daughter into the family, Antonietta. Domenico was working at the steel works labouring during the week and on the weekend one would find him playing in the band at Luccarda`s wedding reception hall, Tarrawanna, usually as part of a three piece band. The band lineup changed occasionally to include a guitarist and or another accordion or saxophone player as well as the drummer.

Domenico`s house at 105 sat on quite a large block, though the house was only a small miners cottage. In 1958, using half of his block and half of the newly purchased block next door at 107, he and Luigia built their new home. He ended up renting out his house at 105, for many other migrants.

Domenico also loved to garden tending his own with love and care. It wasn’t unusual to find him in his neighbours garden caring and pruning their trees as well. He was also an avid bee keeper making and selling honey for years.

In 1959 the family expanded once more and another daughter, Diana, was born. Domenico was working and playing his accordion. When he began playing his accordion at Luccarda`s in those early days, he would occasionally play solo and eventually a band was formed.

When Luccarda`s was sold around 1970/71, Domenico stopped playing at wedding receptions. He did however play at picnics, fundraisers and many family gatherings. He helped to raise funds for the St John Vianney`s Catholic Church at Fairy Meadow and as part of the Alpini Society, raised funds for the Marco Polo Nursing Home at Unanderra.

As life was changing the gatherings were not as frequent so around the early 80`s Domenico stopped playing the accordion all together. Domenico continued working at the steel works until his retirement.

I was fortunate to speak with daughter`s Ines and Diana who had great memories of their father with his accordion. It was precious to Domenico as it was given to him by his teacher Giovanni. It was an old, but well crafted instrument that had a beautiful sound. As we dusted it off to take some photos, we discovered Domenico`s beret inside along with his glasses. Domenico wore his beret many times, especially when he played.

Luigia Dal Santo passed away February 15, 1991. Luigia was 67 years old. Two years later in 1993, Domenico Dal Santo passed away February 24 and he was 71. Domenico and Luigia are survived by their three daughters, their 8 grandchildren and their 10 great grandchildren. The Dal Santo family all have a deep appreciation for their heritage and the legacy that Domenico and Luigia left behind. Their family photos are amazing and rich in history. They too are documenting the family story for future generations.