FERNANDO AND DOMENICA RISORTO - FOODIES

Fernando Risorto arrived in Australia May 9, 1963 on the ship Galileo Galliei.  He arrived with his Mother Rosina along with his sister Luigina and brother Giuseppe. In fact, it was the maiden voyage for the ship. It was also the first time Fernando (who was 8 years old) met his father. His mother was pregnant when his father (Tomaso) left to come to Australia in 1955, arriving June 26 on the ship Australia.

Tomaso got a job at the Port Kembla Steel Works as a labourer when he came to Australia and was living in Second Avenue, Port Kembla. By the time his family arrived he had purchased a house at St Andrews Place, Tarrawanna.

Fernando and his siblings attended Tarrawanna Public school. He would finish his primary school education there. In 1965 a young Domenica Barbaro arrived in Australia with her mother and her two sisters. They were also to meet up with their father Francesco who came to Australia the year before (in 1964) on the very same ship that Fernando`s father, Tomaso, arrived on called the Australia. The Barbaro family lived at East Corrimal, five minutes away from the Risorto family.

Fernando attended Keira Boys High School in Wollongong for his secondary education. Furthering that he completed a course at TAFE as a Sewing Machine Mechanic. Fernando`s first job was at the King Gee Clothing factory in Bellambi, that predominately made work wear for men. He then moved to Crystals clothing factory in Ellen Street, Wollongong that made shirts and pyjamas.

In 1975 Fernando moved on as a sewing machine mechanic and worked at Bonds and Kirbys, as a furniture salesman. He would soon get a second job working part time in a Pizzeria. By this stage he also met Domenica and they were dating.

At 24 years of age Fernando along with Domenica, who were now married, took the plunge and opened a Pizzeria in Thirroul in the northern suburbs of the Illawarra.  It was a small vacant shop they named Mamma Mia Pizza.  It sat approximately 25 people inside and also did takeaway, opening six days per week, for dinner only.  Monday was their day off.

They ran Mamma Mia Pizza for six years before tackling a new venture. There was an old bakery for sale at Tarrawanna, (located in Meadow street) a street away from Fernando`s family home at St Andrews Place. The bakery was operational but very run down and needed some work. They purchased the business as well as the premises.

It took a lot in the beginning to get it fully functional. Fernando was the main baker and liked to experiment and did so with different types of breads including Italian well known types such as sourdough and focaccia.  When it came to focaccia they were the only local bakers making it at the time. Fernando presented himself to many eateries to inform them and to perhaps try his breads that he felt would be good for their businesses. 

Once the bakery was a full capacity it was running 22 hours each day, 7 days per week and was becoming incredibly busy to say the least. Along with Domenica, more staff were added to the roster.  Aside from their cakes and pies, their breads were becoming very popular indeed, especially with the Italian community.

Fernando developed his expertise in bread making and by now he was supplying the Fraternity Club, along with various restaurants and cafes. After approximately six years. Fernando and Domenica sold the bakery business at Tarrawanna and opened BJ`s Bakery in Crown Central, Wollongong. It was located upstairs in the newly renovated complex on Crown Street that also had an entrance from Market Street, Wollongong. 

Once BJ`s was running they opened a cafe called BJ`s On The Beach, on Cliff Road, North Wollongong. The cafe was a partnership with Domenica`s sister Sara.  It was slow moving at first, but soon it picked up, as it`s location was a stone`s throw from the ocean. The Cafe was open every day 6am - 6pm. BJ`s Bakehouse provided the cafe with their cakes & breads. Sara ran the cafe daily.  

Back at the bakehouse, things started off really slowly. When it came to the sourdough and the focaccia, which sold quite well at Tarrawanna, they were not popular with the public at all in Wollongong. In fact Fernando practically gave them away. This caused a bit of friction between him and Domenica. Most of their customers just wanted regular sandwich bread. It took some time and convincing but eventually they began to sell the artisan style loaves also adding rye, soy & linseed to the product list. 

Approximately twelve months later Domenica opened her own business (downstairs in Crown Central) called `Our House`. Our House sold homewares and was doing well. Domenica and Fernando also had young children by now, two girls under the age of ten. Fernando, who was 39 years old was working incredibly hard and suffered a heart attack.  Domenica now had a lot on her plate with Fernando being unwell and trying to keep both businesses going. Fernando was scheduled to have triple bypass surgery and whilst waiting for that to occur (about a month before) Domenica was in a car accident and had to wear a neck brace, with everything going on around her. With the cafe, her homewares store and having to get other bakers in to help at the bakehouse she was under enormous pressure. Domenica went back to work but not in a physical capacity. She was able to delegate and keep things going.

It took Fernando 18 months before he could return to work. By then Domenica had sold her homewares store. After approximately four years in Crown Central, BJ`s Bakehouse moved out onto Crown Street.

Approximately two years later they left BJ`s on the beach. They then opened BJ`s Cafe on the mall, again run by Sara. The cafe sold sandwiches, panini, Italian food and coffee on the daily.  BJ`s Cafe on the mall ran for two years before on selling it along with BJ`s bakehouse.

During the 1990`s Domenica and Fernando were offered a franchise of `Michel`s Patisserie` which was situated in Crown Central opposite where  the original BJ`s Bakehouse traded from. Unfortunately, Fernando was still having health issues which limited the amount of work he was able to do.  Domenica was running the cafe on her own, a lot of the time. Michel`s Pattisserie sold coffee and sweets on the daily as well as pies and quiches. They sold specialty cakes and birthday cakes made to order.  It was an extremely busy cafe opening seven days a week 8 am - 6pm.  Two years into the Wollongong store, Domenica was offered the franchise at Corrimal Court. She offered the Corrimal franchise to her sisters Sara and Maria. Maria ran the cafe day to day. Sara`s daughter bought Sara`s share in the cafe as she was already working there.  Domenica ran Michel`s Patisserie in Wollongong for six years.

Once Wollongong was sold. Maria and Sara left the Corrimal shop and Domenica was once again running a cafe on her own. The Corrimal franchise was extremely busy as well.  In total Corrimal ran for approximately 5 years. It was then on sold.  Michel`s then offered Domenica the Dapto franchise and again she was running a cafe.  At the same time that Domenica was running the Dapto cafe, Fernando had opened a cafe on Keira Street, Wollongong called `Cafe Risorto.`  It was a Cafe/Restaurant with Fernando and one other chef running it. They served Italian meals such as pastas, meat dishes and panini during the day. They opened over four days in the week, split shifts lunch and dinner.  Health issues again limited Fernando in his work, and so after two years he sold the cafe and after five years Domenica sold Dapto.

Domenica, (who was the main bread winner now) had a change of employment and began working from home. She had set up a family day care and eventually was doing it five days per week 7.30 - 5.30. Fernando  had now retried. Whilst working at family day care Fernando suddenly became unwell. He was put him into an induced coma and was flown from Wollongong to St George Hospital in Sydney. Days later sadly Fernando passed away. He was only 57.

Domenica was now on her own and continued to work her Family Day Care business. It wouldn`t be long before she finished with her day care and had a short break. Domenica then went back into business, this time away from food. She purchased the Thirroul Newsagency and ran it for 3 years.

After moving on from the Newsagency she stopped work for two years due to Covid. Domenica then began working as a teachers aide and also at preschools, jobs that she continues to do occasionally.

Domenica and Fernando, whilst they had been working for many years in business were very involved with social groups in the Italian community.  Domenica was involved with the CCC group and Fernando was involved with the Madonna Del Rosario group. Fernando was on the committee of both groups. Later Domenica was also on the committee of Madonna Del Rosario. Both these groups worked tirelessly through their fundraising efforts and social events ect. Domenica is still part of the CCC group, who wound down somewhat during covid. The group now is slowly relaunching with some picnic days. 

When it came to their breads and cakes ect, nothing would be thrown out. At the end of each day any left over items were always donated to charity organisations, homeless groups, St Vincent De Paul and those in need. When it came to their work with Michel`s Patisserie between them Domenica, Fernando, Sara and Maria worked for a combined total of approximately 16 years. Michel`s Patisserie at it`s peak had over 300 stores Australia wide.

Mamma Mia Pizza, Thirroul with Fernando and Domenica.

 

  

 

Fernando at BJ`s Bakehouse in Wollongong.
 

All images from the collection belonging to Domenica Risorto

SONIA RUBBO

Antonietta Galella arrived in Australia December 14,1958 aboard the ship Roma along with her mother Maria and her sister Vicenza.  Antonietta was 13 years old.  Her father Rocco was already here in Australia, having arrived the year earlier with daughter Angela and son Giuseppe. They arrived August 31, 1957 on the ship Sydney. Rocco was working at the Port Kembla Steel Works. He purchased a house in Cringila. 

Sonia, (as most people knew Antonietta) attended Berkeley High School for approximately two years before leaving and getting a job in Wentworth Street, Port Kembla working  as an assistant in a Chemist. She was 16 years old. 

  

1961 and Wentworth Street was a buzz with activity. Across the road from the Chemist that Sonia worked at (which was one of several in the street) was the Capri Restaurant, there were also several Tailors, Italo Cafe was next door and Lidia Lebrocchi had an agency for travel. Contarin Italian deli was always busy and the street was full of people.  Thousands of people were working at the steel works and Wentworth Street was thriving.

 

Sonia was enjoying her life and her job. Sonia met Vittorio De Dominicis. He came into the chemist because he had the flu and needed some medicine. They soon began courting. Vittorio was working at the Port Kembla Steel Works as a Fitter & Turner/Mechanic. Vittorio arrived in Australia in 1959, a year after Sonia and actually travelled on the same ship the Roma, arriving December 1st and lived at the Unanderra Hostel upon arrival. He later moved to Flagstaff Road, Warrawong. 

In 1963 they married. Vittorio and Sonia had their wedding reception at Luccarda`s in Tarrawanna. Not only were they married, but they had a double wedding with Sonia`s sister Angela. It was one of the very few double weddings at the function centre. Sonia`s wedding dress was made by Liliane Ballesi, who was the wife of Bruno Ballesi the photographer from Photo Roma, who also did their wedding photos.

Vittorio and Sonia lived with Sonia`s parents whilst they built their house in Weringa Avenue, Lake Heights. It was a brick house with an apartment underneath. Their home was built by well known local builder Armando Fabrianesi.  Sonia was still working at the Chemist but left before the birth of their son Roberto in 1965.  In 1966 they moved in to their new home.

After a short while Sonia got a part time job at the Frascati Restaurant in Wollongong. She was front of house, and a waitress. The Frascati was run by the Comelli family and was very successful. They also held many functions there and could seat up to 120 people. Sonia recalls how busy Saturday nights were especially as the Latin Beats were playing and people were loving the music and the dancing. The Frascati was open seven days per week, for lunch and dinner.  Sonia worked up until 1968.

The family decided to move to Italy with the intention of staying. Vittorio had no family in Australia. They rented a small apartment near Pescara, close to Vittorio`s family. They tried to make it work for a few years before returning to Australia in 1972. Vittorio was able to get his job back at the Steel Works and again they lived with Sonia`s parents in Cringila until they found themselves a home to live in.

They found a place in Corrimal and moved in as soon as they could. Tragedy struck in December of that same year. Vittorio died in a work place accident. They had only been living in their new house for approximately 6 months. Roberto was seven years old and Sonia was now on her own. Vittorio passed away December 4th and he was only 36 years old.

After a while Sonia decided to return to work and she also got her drivers licence. It certainly gave her a lot more independence. She got a job at The Fraternity Club behind the bar, and with the help of family looking after young Roberto she was able to get ahead. After about 12 months met she Ernie Rubbo.

Ernie was working with his father Armando at the Corrimal Fruit Market, situated on the Princes Highway, who along with two others (Frank and Vince) were partners in the business. Prior to this he and his father were working at the FVM fruit market in Kenny Street, Wollongong.

 

The fruit market at Corrimal was an old service station that had closed for quite some time. They remodeled it and made it into a fruit market. It had ample parking. They also added a small Italian delicatessen inside. The fruit market was open 7 days per week. Sonia was no longer working at the restaurant as she was busy with the business and also being a wife and mother as in 1976 she and Ernie welcomed their son Marco.

After several years at the Corrimal Fruit Market, it was sold and Ernie and Frank went into business together again. They saw an opportunity in Warrawong and turned an existing empty warehouse into a fruit market on King Street. They ran the fruit market for approximately two years before leaving all together. Ernie and Sonia then purchased a set of small four shops that were for sale on Farmborough Road, Farmborough Heights. There was a butcher, a deli, and takeway/fish and chip shop and a green grocer. Ernie and Sonia took over running the green grocer. The green grocer was open 7 days per week, 8am - 5pm.  It was a lot of work, but the shop was doing well, they all were.

A few years later they purchased an existing block of land next to the original four shops and built another 4 shops. Of the new shops one was rented out as office space, one a small hardware store and Sonia and Ernie had a garden ornament store that took up the other two shops. They sold sculptures, garden furniture, assorted decorative pots in a variety of sizes and other items that were perfect for adorning one`s garden and yard.  They were still running the green grocer. Over time different businesses changed hands at one stage a hairdresser moved in.

After approximately six years they decided to develop the site. They knocked down all but the takeaway shop and built a series of modern town houses and sold them all. Sonia officially retired in 2005

Sonia enjoys her life and loves being around people and you will often see her out with friends or socialising at the Fraternity Club.  Sonia lives with her family close to the ocean. She is in great heath and loves spending time with her three grandchildren. 

She has been very involved with the Catholic Federation of Wollongong for the last 25 years and continues to do so. The Federation has raised funds for charity, the community and the church.

  

A young Sonia riding the vespa belonging to Vittorio.

 

 

Sonia (left) on her wedding day with her sister Angelina. Both sharing a double wedding.

 

 

 

 All images from the collection belonging to Sonia Rubbo

THE PEZZUTTO FAMILY

Domenico and Gina Pezzutto arrived in Australia December 2nd, 1951 aboard the ship Napoli. Travelling with them were their three children Antonio, Armando and Maria. Also travelling with them was Giacomo Pezzutto (Domenico`s father) who had been widowed for almost 40 years.

The Pezzutto family came from the region of Friuli - Venezia Giulia.  Gina and Domenico`s life were met with some worrying and harsh moments particularly during the war  and especially with three young children. Their daughter Enrica died in 1943 after only 17 days. Son Antonio was born two years earlier and Armando was born in 1944. The German soldiers had killed many Italians. Curfews were in place and Gina was unable to go to the hospital to birth her children. Coupled with the fact they had to feed and cloth the family it was distressing to say the least. Daughter Gabriella (Maria) was born in 1949.

Domenico`s brother Enrico, who was three years older, was already in Australia. He was living in Yenda at the time and was married to Aileen Missen whom he married in 1948. Enrico had been in Australia for 25 years arriving in October 1926. He travelled on the ship Citta Di Genova.

Enrico lived an incredibly rich life here in Australia.  He was single for many years and did so much work for the community. When he first arrived in Australia he settled in Lismore, NSW where there was a large Italian population with people that he knew as well. The Italian community appreciated Enrico and his involvement. 

Enrico was a very skilled mechanic and worked for the New England Motor Company for four years. After that he ran his own garage in Lismore. Enrico was also an accomplished musician playing several instruments including guitar and violin.  He often played in a trio or larger band, playing for charity, raising funds for local hospitals and social groups. Enrico was also the representative for the local newspaper ‘Italian Journal’ and represented several groups as secretary. 

He was well known and appreciated by the Italians in Lismore.  Lismore, who were part of the NSW Banana Growers Federation (BGF) also benefited greatly from Enrico.  In March 1934 the federation implemented an invention by Enrico Pezzutto.  It was a tool to uproot banana seedlings without damaging the roots. It was patented throughout Australia and had been tested by the Federation with satisfactory results. 

After eight years in Lismore, Enrico moved to Texas, Queensland, where again he ran his own garage and again, very involved with the local Italian community.  He was also an Australian citizen by Naturalisation and had been since 1932, six years after he stepped onto Australian soil. A business man, a community supporter and a well respected individual in his dealings, didn`t mean much, as in 1940 because of WW2 he was treated as the enemy and was interned along with many other Italians and foreigners. Three and a half years later he was released. His garage business declined and he was poorly compensated by the authorities. The local community didn`t treat his then companion Aileen too kindly either! When Enrico was finally released in December of 1943 so much had changed and he felt almost a stranger in the town. He and Aileen eventually moved to Yenda and purchased another garage. Yenda was the place where they would live out their days.

Domenico had not had any correspondence with Enrico during those years of internment. Nobody heard anything, for all they knew Enrico may have passed away. Years later he was able to reconnect with him. When Domenico and family arrived in Australia they went to Yenda and stayed with Enrico and Aileen for some time until they were able to find a place of their own. They were 8 people living in the house.

Domenico was soon working with Enrico at his garage to repay the debt of passage to Australia. He worked with Enrico from 1951 - 1953. In 1953 Domenico began a new job working for HC Sleigh of Golden Fleece where he travelled all over the state building and renovating bulk petrol depots. In 1954 Enrico`s garage burnt down and he had to start all over again. 

In 1956 the family moved to Katoomba as much of the work for Domenico was situated around the area. Domenico was now 49 and wife Gina was 40. Another two children were added to the family. Daughter Anne was born in 1952 and son John was born in 1956. John was six months old when the family moved to Katoomba.

Giacomo Pezzutto had returned to Italy to live with his daughter Anna. By 1958 Domenico and family, (except oldest son Antonio) had become Australian citizens. As Antonio was now 17, he was classed as non dependent. Domenico had also purchased a block of land in Corrimal with the hope that one day he could build a family home and perhaps acquire work at the Port Kembla Steel Works.

In November 1958 Domenico was working his normal day at the Golden Fleece depot at Young where he was employed as a rigger. The ropes that were used to draw the tank suddenly loosened. Domenico tried to stop the tank rolling. It is believed he slipped on the `pig face` plant that was growing on the retaining levee and fell under the tank, crushing him instantly. It was horrifying and shocking. Gina Pezzutto was now a widow with five children.

Domenico was buried in Katoomba and he passed away November 24. He was only 51 years old.  It was an extremely emotional time for the family. The following year, eleven months later, all the probate was finalised.  With compensation by the company, which included an old cottage relocated onto the block of land that Domenico owned at Corrimal, the family soon moved into the area in 1961. In the late 60`s Enrico travelled down to Corrimal for the first time ever for Armando`s wedding.

Enrico Pezzutto passed away in 1972. He was 68. Wife Alieen passed away nineteen years later in 1991. They had no children and Enrico`s community involvement is well documented. Giacomo Pezzutto, who returned home to Italy in 1957, passed away in 1960. He was 80 years old.

Gina became quite the recluse by now and hardly ever left her family home. She set up garden beds with fruits and vegetables and also raised chickens. Gina became quite sell sufficient only having to shop for some fresh items weekly. Gina stayed in the family home for most of her remaining life. The family home was sold in 2013 before she moved into a nursing home. 

Gina`s family were ever present and the family gathered around to support her. Her sons were constantly helping with maintenance on her home and the grandchildren enjoyed her yard as it was large and they had room to play. Many meals and celebrations were shared at Corrimal and Gina loved to cook and she loved teaching her grandchildren to cook as well. Gina Pezzutto passed away April 6, 2017. She was 101 years old. She was buried with Domenico at Katoomba. Gina and Domenico are survived by their 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Enrico Pezzutto at the banana plantation. He is holding the tool that he patented in 1934. It removed the banana seedlings from the ground without destroying the roots.  

 

  

 

Domenico`s trunk that he brought with him from Italy
 

 

 

 All the family at Yenda.

 

All above images from the collection belonging to the 

Pezzutto Family 

 

 

All images from the collection belonging to the

Pezzutto Family  

 

 

All images from the collection belonging to the

Pezzutto Family.