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.
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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.
All the family at Yenda.
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