In part two of the Alpini of Wollongong we feature some of the members of the group. The Alpini of Wollongong had many. Not all members were from the Alpini Corps or Alpini Reserves, but they were members of the group and contributed greatly.
Massimo De Nardo
Massimo De Nardo was a Granatieri (Grenadier) soldier in Italy. He had a nephew who was an Alpino. In Australia he joined the Alpini of Wollongong. Only Alpini who served in the military could have official committee positions but there were members that were part of the core group who served the community and there were many in that role.
Massimo`s son Daniele, was born with Muscular Atrophy and by the time he was 15 years old he was struggling to write and had very weak motor skills. This affected his school work immensely.
With the help of the Alpini of Wollongong they raised funds to purchase a specific computer for Daniele to be able to finish his schooling. It was such a help for him as he was able to complete his school certificate and consequently had easier access to communication and information which led to Daniele leading a much more fulfilling life. This was the type of charity work that the Alpini were involved with. Massimo was also part of the Alpini Choir.
Massimo De Nardo was a Granatieri (Grenadier) soldier in Italy. He had a nephew who was an Alpino. In Australia he joined the Alpini of Wollongong. Only Alpini who served in the military could have official committee positions but there were members that were part of the core group who served the community and there were many in that role.
Massimo`s son Daniele, was born with Muscular Atrophy and by the time he was 15 years old he was struggling to write and had very weak motor skills. This affected his school work immensely.
With the help of the Alpini of Wollongong they raised funds to purchase a specific computer for Daniele to be able to finish his schooling. It was such a help for him as he was able to complete his school certificate and consequently had easier access to communication and information which led to Daniele leading a much more fulfilling life. This was the type of charity work that the Alpini were involved with. Massimo was also part of the Alpini Choir.
The above newspaper article was from the `La Fiamma Thursday August 10, 1995.` The Wollongong Alpini Association together with ItSoWel (Italian Social Welfare) and The Trevisani nel Mondo were the three groups who combined their efforts to purchase a PC for Daniel De Nardo. During the course of the luncheon the Alpini Choir performed along with local entertainers on piano and piano accordion.
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Massimo (wearing the sunglasses) with Mario Castagna and Domenico La Fata
on the day of the inauguration of the monument to the Alpini soldier.
Image from the collection belonging to Maddalena De Nardo
Giuseppe Cunial
During World War ll, Possagno was seized by German forces,
Giuseppe aged 18 and others escaped to the mountains to seek
refuge.
Giuseppe’s sister Giovanna risked her life by smuggling food and water
to them.
She was stopped many times by the German patrols wanting to know where
she was going but managed to convince them that she was attending to the
herd of animals.
Giuseppe was eventually captured and imprisoned in Bassano Del Grappa and not knowing what was to become of his life. Giovanna`s friend was employed at the restaurant in his home town that
was occupied by the German’s. She somehow convinced them to having Giuseppe released.. how it
happened he never said.
Following the war, Giuseppe migrated to Australia. Approximately twelve months later his wife Anna and their two children arrived. They headed to Mt Ossa, Queensland where Giuseppe was working as a cane cutter. He worked there for 2 years. The family then moved to Hay in NSW for another two years before moving to Wollongong where Giuseppe worked for EPT. Settling in Fairy Meadow he became an active member of the Alpini Group Wollongong until his tragic death September 26, 1979. He was only 54.
Giuseppe Cunial
Image from the collection belonging to Tony Cunial
Domenico Dal Santo
Domenico Dal Santo was part of the Wollongong Alpini group since the early 70`s. He served in the Alpini Military in Italy and fought on the Russian front. Domenico was also an accomplished accordion player and took his accordion with him, playing for the troops.
At the 1991 Adunata in Wollongong, at the Fraternity Club, Domenico and six other men from various Sezione around Australia, marched together with a banner showing the name of the Russian town that they found themselves in. These seven Alpini men came from different squadrons in Italy yet they would end up fighting in the same town. They fought in the Battle of Nikolayevka, a battle of heavy losses for the Alpini.
Domenico Dal Santo was part of the Wollongong Alpini group since the early 70`s. He served in the Alpini Military in Italy and fought on the Russian front. Domenico was also an accomplished accordion player and took his accordion with him, playing for the troops.
At the 1991 Adunata in Wollongong, at the Fraternity Club, Domenico and six other men from various Sezione around Australia, marched together with a banner showing the name of the Russian town that they found themselves in. These seven Alpini men came from different squadrons in Italy yet they would end up fighting in the same town. They fought in the Battle of Nikolayevka, a battle of heavy losses for the Alpini.
Above: Domenico Dal Santo, Alpino.
Below: Domenico would often bring his accordion
and play for the troupes.
At the 1991 Adunata (reunion). The top photo of the seven men
who fought in the battle of Nikolayevka.
This artwork was made out of copper. It was a gift to Domenico
made by his daughter Diana.
All above images from the collection belonging to Diana Cecchele (Dal Santo)
Giovanni Piagentini
Giovanni did his military service training in Italy when he was 22 years old. He grew up on the mountain so it made sense that he would do his military service with the Alpini. Giovanni was proud to be an Alpino and regarded his military comrades as brothers. Coming from the mountain they were all proud to defend it.
Giovanni`s military service training lasted for 15 months where his training involved simulated war conditions. They spent months away from their base for induction, learning rifle assembly and disassembly and how to shoot accurately. They also completed both a summer and winter camp consisting of specific exercises and scenarios. With military service being six days per week, Sunday was rest day. The training also consisted of physical exercise, training drills and mountain marches for kilometres at a time. Fitness was paramount for the Alpini. Giovanni contributed greatly to the Wollongong group helping where ever he could.
Giovanni Piagentini was born in 1932 and was one of the original members of the Alpini of Wollongong group when it officially began in 1976. Even when they started as a social group years earlier, Giovanni was there. He was one of only two original members left. I spoke with Giovanni in the first week of November and sadly Giovanni passed away December 11 of this year. He was 93 years old. I felt so blessed to have spoken with him and his family and to share his story.
Images from the collection belonging to Giovanni Piagentini
Pietro Damin
Part two of the Alpini story had to end with Pietro Damin. Pietro Damin was the very first president of the Alpini of Wollongong and remained president for many years and continued being part of the committee in the role of treasurer. I spoke with Dina who is Pietro`s daughter. Dina said that the whole family was committed to the Alpini in one way or another. Dina`s mother would always help out to support her husband (as did many of the wives) and to support the Alpini group. Dina and her brother always attended events, picnics and outings. It was the just the thing they did, she said. There were many children of the Alpini who were also in attendance and they loved getting together too!
At the home of Pietro in those early days, the group meetings were held in the room under the house. This went on for several years. A lot of time was put in to establish the group. Through attending meetings in Sydney and becoming a part of the Sydney Sezione in 1976, Wollongong became their own Sezione in 1991 that also culminated with the Adunata that was held in Wollongong.
On Sunday July 25th, 1976 the Wollongong Alpini group held their first dinner dance/celebration with approximately 500 people in attendance. Not only the Alpini from Wollongong, but also from the Sydney group who arrived in three buses, led by the then president Angelo Moras. It was an afternoon filled with nostalgic songs, dancing and great camaradeire.
Dante Simonelli and his ensemble provided the music for the event. Dante was a master accordian player, teacher and mentor for many students. Also in attendance for the celebration was Monsignor Antonio Cunial, who was a former military chaplain and an Alpino and Bishop of Vittorio Veneto; the military chaplain Father Romano Cavalieri; (who came to Australia in 1954) and Father Nazareno Frattin of the Scalabrinian Missionaries of the Italian Center in Wollongong.
It was a proud moment for Pietro Damin as president. He thanked all who attended, he honoured the committee and all who helped in making the celebration a success. Pietro also thanked the local businesses who donated prizes for the raffles and who helped with the catering on the day.
Pietro Damin
The very first president of the Alpini of Wollongong group.
Image from the collection belonging to Dina Chieffe (Damin)
All images from the collection belonging to Dina Chieffe (Damin)
Alpini Choirs are all over the world now that you find Sezione of Alpini worldwide. Going back to the very beginning when the Alpini were formed they would sing songs to help them cope in the harsh conditions, they told stories of loss and of brotherhood and comradship. Many of their songs became traditional folk songs and other `non military` civilian choirs would often sing them too. The Alpini of Wollongong had a choir that ran for two years. They didn`t need a choir performance to break into song, they were known for always having a sing-a-long whenever the time felt right. The Alpini Choirs were also known for their harmonies.
The following song by Marianna Lanteri called `Penne Nera` was first released in 2013. This modified version below was released in 2015. The video clip was shot at the Monte Grappa shrine. The song speaks about the battle at Monte Grappa where many soldiers, on both sides, lost their lives. It also depicts what it means to be an Alpino. Marianna Lanteri also co-wrote the song. It is very moving.
Italian Lyrics
E` pommeriggio ma sembra l`alba
Il sole che si affacia da una roccia
Illumina il mio nido, in volo mi alzero`
E questo cielo azzurro abbraccero`
Tra le mie cime del Monte Grappa
Guardando verso il fiume e la sua valle
Lontano sul pendio un uomo vedo ancor
Per mano ha un bambino, ma che ci fa quassu?
Porti un cappello e una penna nera
Ti rivedo, mio vecchio alpino
Porti a casa un ricordo
Lasciando qui il tuo cuor
Quel tuo nome la brigata chiama ancor
Porti a casa un ricordo
Lasciando qui il tuo cuor
Quando combattevi per il tircolor
Ormai piegate le stanche spalle
Ma forte, tieni in mano il tuo bastone
Che come una bandiera nel vento si alzera`
Ed un cannone ancor risuonera`
Tra queste cime che tanto hai amato
Torni, ragazzo, in mezzo alla vallata
Commosso stringi a te quel tuo nipote che
Saluta con la mano, guardandomi nel blu
Porti un cappello e una penna nera
Ti rivedo, mio vecchio alpino
Port a casa un ricordo
Lasciando qui il tuo cour
Quel tuo nome la brigata chiama ancor
Porti a casa un ricordo
Lasciando qui il tuo cuor
Quando combattevi per il tricolor
Porti a casa un ricordo
Lasciando qui il tuo cuor
Quel tuo nome la brigata chiama ancor
Porti a casa un ricordo
Lasciando qui il tuo cuor
Quando combattevi per il tricolor
English Lyrics
It`s afternoon but feels like dawn
The sun looking out from a rock
Light up my nests, in flight I will rise
And I will embrace this blue sky
Among my peaks of Monte Grappa
Looking towards the river and its valley
Far away on the slope I still see a man
He has a child on his hand, but what is he doing up here?
Bring your hat and a black feather
I see you again, my old Alpine soldier
Bring home a memory
Leaving your heart here
The brigade still calls that name of yours
Take home a memory
Leaving your heart here
When you fought for the tricolour
Now bend your tired shoulders
But strong, hold your stick in your hand
That like a flag in the wind will rise
And a cannon will still sound
Amoung these peaks that you loved so much
Come back, boy, to the middle of the valley
Moved, hold that nephew of yours close to you
He waves, looking at me in the blue
Bring your hat and a black feather
I see you again, my old Alpine soldier
Bring home a memory
Leaving your heart here
The brigade still calls that name of yours
Leaving your heart here
When you fought for the tricolour
Bring home a memory
Leaving your heart here
The brigade still calls that name of yours
Leaving your heart here
When you fought for the tricolour
https://youtu.be/fmoVi43L4tA?si=lbtRrIz5lM-lC50O
from the youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Bagutti
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