Wednesday, June 25, 2025

FRANCESCA SANTANGELO - BUSINESSES AND BOMBONIERE

Francesca Santangelo (nee Raschilla) arrived in Australia on the 10th of February 1958, aboard the ship Australia. Travelling with her was two year old daughter Felicia. Francesca`s husband Vittorio was already in Australia having arrived November 10, 1955. He travelled on the ship Surriento. Both Vittorio and Francesca were from Nocera Terinese, province of Catanzaro.

Vittorio was living in Fairy Meadow and was working at the Port Kembla Steel Works. Vittorio was also a Tailor and this was his profession in Italy. Once he purchased his house on the Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow, he operated a small tailor business from the front room. Francesca would help him with his business. She would cut, sew and do what ever was needed all the while Vittorio was still working at the Steel Works full time. By the early 1960`s  Francesca gave birth to her son Fred and another daughter Carla. She was busy with three young children as well as helping husband Vittorio.

Across the road from their house was a small fruit and vegetable shop.  Francesca was quite friendly with the owners and around 1966 an opportunity came up and Francesca purchased the business. She obtained her drivers licence and would drive into Wollongong to purchase fruit and vegetables at the FVM fruit market in Kenny Street, Wollongong, and to Davis and Penny for other supplies. The shop was a small corner store. Francesca also sold basics such as milk, bread, canned and dry goods along with newspapers.

Now with the shop, Francesca was extremely busy balancing motherhood and helping her husband Vittorio with his tailoring. They would often drive to Sydney for his supplies of fabrics and sewing essentials. Francesca never stopped, but she thrived on working and loved to engage with people each and every day. 

In 1970, whilst running her corner store, Francesca and husband Vittorio purchased a block of land in Sherwood Drive, Balgownie. It was a new estate that had opened up in the heights. They built a brand new home and theirs was the first in the estate. After a short while Francesca sold her business and purchased an existing shop in Balgownie Road. The premises also had a house at the back and an apartment above  This business was very similar to her Fruit shop at Fairy Meadow only bigger. She sold fresh produce plus more Italian grocery lines.

In 1980 the family had moved into the house at the back of the shop, having sold their house at Sherwood Drive. After a short while Francesca made the decision to sell some Bomboniere in her shop and had several on display. Francesca would drive to Sydney by herself to get them. She became a wiz at driving and knew all the back streets for the trip.  Before she knew it the demand was strong and she and Vittorio built a brand new garage at the back of the property using it as the showroom.

The bomboniere business was expanding at a fast rate. Supplying bomboniere for weddings started to overtake her corner shop business. Francesca made the decision to lease out the Balgownie Road shop and move her Bomboniere business to Warrawong. Many of her customers came from there. She still used her garage for storage but the business now had it`s own shopfront that she rented. The Warrawong store was situated in Cowper street. The migrant community were quite prominent in Warrawong. There were other Italian businesses there as well.

Francesca soon outgrew the Warrawong store and relocated to Railway Street, Corrimal in the Ronald and Glass building, early 1980`s. The shop was much bigger and brand new too! She had such a vast array of bomboniere, gifts and party favours and the range was impressive. Further down the road in Railway Street, Francesca also had another storage shed to house even more stock as well as her garage at home in Balgownie.

The Corrimal shop ran for approximately ten years. The styles of bomboniere had started to change and Francesca could feel the demand slowing down. By the late 1990`s Francesca closed her Corrimal shop and continued running her Bomboniere from her Balgownie home, with the garage/showroom out the back.  There was a sign out the front of the house that read Bomboniere Santangelo.  It was by appointment only.

After she closed the Bomboniere shop at Corrimal, next door in another building was an existing sandwich shop takeway/cafe. Not one to wait, Francesca purchased the business and away she went. She continued with the existing shop format but she added Italian takeaway food such as lasagna and was an agent for Italian continental cakes.   

After a couple of years, she sold the cafe and in the early 2000`s she took over the lease at Corrado`s Deli in Fairy Meadow for several years before returning to take over the Balgownie shop again.  The shop was no longer a mixed business and the current owner ended their lease. This time Francesca turned in back into a corner store but with the addition of hot takeaway Italian food and takeaway pizza at night.

I had a wonderful conversation with Francesca`s daughter Felicia. Felicia commented on how Francesca was fiercely independent and defended her work ethic. Felicia also said that with her sister Carla they were always helping their mother in the shops, before and after school, but never felt neglected. Their mother always provided for them. She spoke about her mother`s zest for life and how with all the businesses she ran, all the work she did, the family always sat down to a hot meal cooked by their mother. She remembered days when her mother first ran the Balgownie shop. The Southline Drive-In picture theatre was down the street and the line up of cars to purchase sweets, drink and treats before and after the movies was amazing.  Francesca would also take Felicia’s children on occasion with her on the trips to Sydney for the gathering of supplies of bomboniere. Francesca made every moment of her life a memory.

Around 2013, Francesca slowed down her work somewhat to focus on her husband Vittorio.  Vittorio was diagnosed with Dementia and she became his carer. Life had changed for Francesca, yet she was still running the shop whilst Vittorio would sit out the back. He was happy to be there and Francesca was able to keep an eye on him. She missed her many friends but devoted herself to care for her husband. In 2015 Vittorio was moved into a nursing home where he needed specialised care. Francesca had now retired from her business and closed it down. She leased out her Balgownie premises once again. Vittorio passed away November 2nd, 2020.

In 2021 Francesca was diagnosed with cancer and yet she still pushed on. She managed to do some things for herself and was able to stay in her home, which  enabled her independence. 

Affectionately known as `Ciccina`, she served so many people over the years in business. You would often find her at the Fraternity Club socialising with her friends. She always made time to visit or call them whenever she could. I remember her well and she was always happy to see me, she was the same with everyone. Francesca loved people and they loved her! December 19, 2024, Francesca passed away.  She was 91 years old.

Francesca and Vittorio are survived by their three children, six grandchildren and five great grand children. Francesca Santangelo was still working at 80 years of age and for almost 50 years she served the community. An incredible contribution indeed!



Francesca, Vittorio and daughter Felicia. Vittorio wearing
one of his tailor made suits,



All images from the collection belonging to 
the Santangelo Family


All images from the collection belonging to 
the Santangelo Family

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

SAN GIOVANNI BATTISTA FESTIVAL - THE ENTERTAINERS

The San Giovanni Battista festival became its own entity. So many performers and so much entertainment for the festival that I felt that a story dedicated just to the performers was warranted. With the first festival it was a lot smaller so the amount of entertainers were limited.

Enzo Giribaldi

Enzo Giribaldi performed several times at the festival with his first performance being at the December 1966 festival. At just six years of age Enzo won his first competition. Then at the age of nine, in 1957, his family emigrated to Australia. He continued his studies with a German teacher Otto Weiss located in Sydney.

Aged twenty Enzo began to teach accordion under the supervision of Maestro Simonelli. During this time Enzo had been playing in Australia’s largest Italian club, Club Marconi with his quartet. Enzo also completed a Theory of Music course at the Conservatorium of Music - Sydney.

When Enzo was 24 he opened his first music school and in a short time he had a total of four music schools with twenty two teachers working for him teaching about 600 students of which about half were learning the accordion. During this time Enzo produced local, state and Australian champions. He was an incredibly accomplished accordionist.





Both videos from the collection belonging to Enzo Giribaldi

via youtube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@Enzooscar

 

From 1981 under President Luigi Villella, the San Giovanni Battista festival started up again and became an extravaganza. Mario Mastroianni was the secretary and the coordinator for organising the yearly entertainment. The variety of entertainers were amazing.  Local artists, variety show performers, dancers and singers. Australian well known entertainers graced the stage of the San Giovanni Battista festival. Then there was an ever growing group of Italian/Australian artists who would perform on a regular basis. The icing on the cake were the International Italian artists. Mario was brilliant at organising them. There was something for everyone. Mario was secretary from 1981 - 2006.

I wanted to include as many as of the artists as I could. This isn’t all of the them, but it is most of them.


AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE ARTISTS 

Reńee Geyer, John St Peeters, John Paul Young, Doug Parkinson, Moving Pictures, Judy Stone, The Deltones, Barry Crocker, Mick on Wheels, The Zips, Jackie Love, Delilah.

AUSTRALIAN VARIETY PERFORMERS

Jane Scali, Joe Perrone, Michael Montgomery, Euro Latino, Audio Vixen, George (Playschool),

TRIBUTE ACTS

Spice Power,  Fabba, MJ Show, Dean & Jerry Show, Jacques Renay (Tom Jones Show), Ricky Martin Jnr & Friends,

COMEDIANS

Joe Avati, Vince Sorrenti, Tony Lewis, Marty Coffy

LOCAL PERFORMERS

Rhonda Fassone, The Con Artists, David Di Santis, The Wongawilli Band, Con & The Latin Beats, Local DJ`s,

MAGICIANS

Phil Cass, Brenden Montana, Ken Littlewood & Toshi,

DANCERS LOCAL AND STATE WIDE

Marilla Newman Dancers, Italian folkloric dancers, South American dancers, Portuguese Artistic group, Flamenco dancers & Burn the Floor/Strictly Dancing Dancers

ITALIAN AUSTRALIAN PERFORMERS

Nick Bavarelli, Peter Ciani, Sylvana, Romano Dragoni (passed), George Vumbaca, Tony Mazell, Domenic Vasta, Jay & Gisele, Francesca Brescia, Tony Pantano (passed), Tonino Speciale, Fiorentino Mannino, Joey Fimmano, Amedeo Bazzarelli, Maria Venuti, Grace Rizzo, Carmelo Ridolfo, Roseanna Gallo, Gaetano Bonfante, Deanna Vitagliani, Angelina Ciccotti, Ross & Robyn

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS (Italian)

Tiziana Rivale, Gino Di Procida, Aldo Vignola, Paola Semprini, Edoardo Vianello, Micu U Pulici, Enzo Laface, Jim Fontana, Rosanna Fratello & Band,
Salvatore Panetta
Nico Dei Gabbiani, Wilma Goich,

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN TALENT SHOW CONTESTANTS

Chris Ninni (The Voice), Jacinta (X factor), The Pack (A.G.T), Anthony & Tamara (The Voice Kids) 

Such a diverse group of entertainers who graced the stage of the festival. Two performers who were regular at the festival, John St Peeters and Nick Bavarelli, left lasting impressions.


John St Peeters 

John St Peeters performed at the San Giovanni Battista festival over the years from when the second festival started in 1981. He performed a total of six times. His last performance for the festival was in 1996 and by then he was already a star.

When the festival kicked off John had already racked up a string of achievements. He had released at least 11 singles and in 1977 he was crowned Australia`s King of Pop. People may remember his hit singles `So Many Ways` and of course `Wonderworld` which was also the theme song to the Australian children’s television show Simon Townsend`s Wonder World.

Yet John was a talented musician as a young boy playing the piano accordion. A child prodigy who by the age of 11 was appearing in various television talent and variety shows. John was also performing at clubs and other venues. He released singles from 1970 - 1972 (playing the piano accordion) and spent approximately three years in Canada performing and recording. John also toured North American and Asia with two female vocalists before resuming his solo career in 1976.

John`s solo career was moving forward releasing several singles in Australia. He appeared on Countdown and also hosted one the episodes. He even hosted his own television show where he performed and also had guest artists.

John has appeared in many clubs and venues around Australia and the Italian community know him only too well. There really isn’t anything he can’t do. John has sung pop, rock, traditional Italian folk songs, ballads and more. He has worked with some of the great Australian rock artists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Ray Burgess, John Swan and Marty Rhone when the single Legends of Southern Land was released in 2015. A song which he co-wrote. A song that embraces and embodies the tapestry of Australia and the Australians who made it so!

Over the course of his musical career he has performed in Las Vegas, created one of the largest Elvis shows in the world (acknowledged by The Australian Book of Records). He has and continues to work with so many Australian artists, writing and releasing songs and sharing his love of music.  He has released songs in both Italian and English. `Mamma Dove Sei Tu`  John`s Italian #1 hit is still the most requested song on Italian radio networks around Australia.

John`s body of work is endless, yet he continues to give so much. He has performed for his holiness The Pope at Melbourne Cricket Ground before a huge crowd of 120 thousand people and in 2020 he received (most deservedly) an OAM.

John St Peeters is Australian as he is Italian. His audience is diverse and appreciates his authenticity and generosity. John was remembered with fondness performing at the San Giovanni Battista festival and was credited by the committee members as a great contributor. The festival began in 1981 and to have had John there as one of the top entertainers was very special indeed.

 


 Video from the collection belonging to John St Peeters

via youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@maorgan 



Video from the collection belonging to 3AW RADIO

via youtube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@3AWRadio



Nick Bavarelli

Nick Bavarelli was the preferred Musical Director for the St Giovanni Battista festival from when the festival relaunched in 1981 at the yearly event until it ended in 2014.

Nick Bavarelli comes from a musical family of uncles emanating from Calabria. His father Michele played accordion and guitar and was one of the first musicians who played at the Marconi Club in Sydney in the 1950`s.  

At the age of 8, Nick was forced by his father (his words) to learn and to formalize his musicianship with the accordion. He soon became quite adept at this instrument entering talent quests and appearing regularly on television talent and children`s shows from the late 60`s through to the 70`s gaining recognition in the Italo/Australian community.

In his HSC exam for music he achieved marks in the top 5% of NSW. It earned him a scholarship to study at the Conservatorium of Music. From there his ability rapidly expanded becoming a concert pianist and educationalist having tutored in College and University. Over the course of his performing life he has created for himself a musical resume that is impressive to say the least. This also led him to become a pianist with the Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company and Music Director for the elite NIDA productions.

His ability to compose and write music allowed him to also enter the world of television and film, writing for T.V and radio commercials. Even at a young age his musical directing, piano playing and co-ordinating of musical events gave him recognition within the Italian community that allowed him to tour with many Italian Artists such as Patrizio Buanne, Europes Three Italian Tenors, Marcella Bella, Claudio Villa, Gianni Nazzaro, Bobby Solo, Nilla Pizza, Pupo Christian, to name a few.
 
To expand his musical horizons he responded to the call for Italian entertainment in the 90s for weddings and special functions allowing him to combine his singing, virtuoso accordion and keytar playing with Two Divas Singers /Dancers to perform not only on TV such as a regular on the John St Peters Show but to then Tour Asia and the Pacific many times over.

Nick has also has played and programmed alongside popular dance/pop artists from the 80`s and 90`s dance groups genre such as Black Box, Culture Beat, Boney M and toured alongside Barry Gibb`s last tour. Locally he has also musically directed artists from X Factor and The Voice and most recently come back from a tour playing piano for shows with Il Divo and their Orchestra .

Recently Nominated in the 2025 ACE AWARDS for best musical Director and Instrumental performer he believes he has been fortunate not only in having music as his vehicle to travel the world and express himself but to cross paths with many cultures and people of social standing that many would need lifetimes to achieve.

Nick credits the St Giovanni Battista Festival as one of the icons for raising his Italian profile in the southern regions. He enjoyed performing at the festivals and the locals accepted him as part of the community and he certainly left lasting memories. Nick Bavarelli was like the cog in the wheel at the festival. One just couldn’t imagine the festival without him .

 

 

Keyboard/pianist for Patrizio Buanne


Keyboard/pianist for Europe`s The Three Tenors
 
Both videos from the collection belonging to 
Nick Bavarelli
 

FRANCESCA SANTANGELO - BUSINESSES AND BOMBONIERE

Francesca Santangelo (nee Raschilla) arrived in Australia on the 10th of February 1958, aboard the ship Australia . Travelling with her was ...