ELISABETTA AMBROSI

Elisabetta Risi, who was from Lazio in Italy, arrived in Australia Feb 27, 1964, aboard the ship Guglielmo Marconi.  She came to Port Kembla and stayed with her brother Orlando.  Orlando had arrived in Australia in 1956.

Elisabetta came to Australia to marry fiancé Domenico Ambrosi.  She and Domenico had been writing letters to each other for a year.  Domenico had arrived in Australia in 1960, July 11, aboard the ship Neptunia and he was from Calabria.   Domenico was living with his brother and was working at the Port Kembla Steel Works.

Prior to their wedding, Domenico and Elisabetta were actually living across the street from each other in Port Kembla.  Domenico had been busy building their new house in Fairy Meadow was keen to get married. Six weeks after Elisabetta arrived in Australia, she married Domenico.

The wedding ceremony was held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Unanderra and the wedding reception was held at Luccarda`s reception centre at Tarrawanna.  There were 28 people at the wedding reception centre.  After their wedding, they went back to their new home in Fairy Meadow cutting the ribbon, ready to being their life together.

Living in Fairy Meadow they were surrounded by Italian neighbours.  Domenico had no car and he didn’t have a drivers licence.  Bus was the preferred mode of transport.  Elisabetta soon had her first child Silvana and soon two more followed, Antonio and Sergio.  They now were a family of five.  Elisabetta had all her children within six years.

Silvana, Antonio and Sergio all went to the local catholic school.  They made many friends with their Italian neighbours and had lots fun growing up.  All the local Italian neighbours became close friends and shared much time together.

In 1974, Domenico was hit by a car and broke his pelvis.  He was in hospital for 10 days.  The accident really put doubt in Domenico`s mind about ever getting a car or his licence. But in 1976 he changed his mind and he purchased a car.  He would practice driving up and down the drive way of his house. When he crashed the car into his beloved bottles of wine that were stored in the garage it made him even more doubtful and vowed he no longer wanted to learn how to drive a car.

Elisabetta stepped up and said that she wanted to learn how to drive and get her licence and she did.  All the children were settled in school with their friends and Elisabetta was thinking about the possibility of getting a job.  Her cousin Angelina was working as a cleaner for Italo Corradetti, who owned a cafe in Wentworth Street, Port Kembla.  Italo had sold the cafe and purchased the Capri restaurant that was across the road.  He was in need of some more staff to work in the restaurant.  Angelina asked her cousin Elisabetta if she would like to work along side her in the restaurant.  At first, Domenico didn’t want her to work, but Elisabetta was determined.  Elisabetta got her licence in 1978.  With the family car she was able to take herself to work on a daily basis.

The Capri restaurant had a history in Port Kembla.  It had been owned by others prior to Italo purchasing it.   It was well known for it’s good food and it was popular.  With the steel works in full swing, it was frequented a lot.

Elisabetta began working at the Capri restaurant in the kitchen with owner Italo living upstairs.  Cousin Angelina also worked in the kitchen and in the bar.  Usually, only two people worked in the kitchen with no dishwasher.    The restaurant could seat approximately 100 people.

The meals were Casa Linga, trattoria style.  There was a menu of the day, with staples such as minestrone, pasta bolognese, roast meats, with coffee and ice cream to round out the menu.  Elisabetta worked day shifts only, with her work hours being 10am - 3pm.  The children would stay with neighbours after they got home from school until Elisabetta arrived after her work shift.

The Capri restaurant was open 7 days per week.  The night time trade was from around 6pm - 10pm.  The menu was similar to the daytime menu, but the clientele was different.  You would get more couples or different groups at night, and they also offered a dinner dance on the weekends.  During the day it was a lot of the steel workers, mostly men, who came in for lunch.  Elisabetta worked 3 - 4 days per week.  On the odd occasion, Elisabetta worked the night shift and weekend lunch service.

After a long illness due to having a stroke Italo Corradetti passed away in 1985 on 1st of June.  He was 59 years old.  A new owner took over and Elisabetta stayed for a few more months before leaving the Capri.  Things were starting to change in the industry.  Wentworth Street was also different than it was in the late 70`s.

Through a friend, Elisabetta got a part time job as a cleaner working at the Wollongong Technical College.  She also began working part-time on the weekend at the Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow.  She worked upstairs in the restaurant/function centre where they could cater for hundreds of people at a time.  After approximately 12 months, she was offered full time work at the Wollongong Technical College and after a total of four years Elisabetta retried at 51 years of age.  At the same time her husband Domenico retired from the steel works.

Elisabetta commented on how today’s young children seemed to be more interested in technology than their grandparents way of life.  This sentiment is something that so many of Elisabetta`s generation seem to agree on.  After interviewing so many people, they echoed the same feelings.

Elisabetta spoke fondly of how their family life was simple yet abundant. Many family celebrations were held in the home with the kitchen table forever being extended for the constant stream of family and friends who shared in the festivities. Domenico loved his garden and he loved to make wine.  He had his cellar underneath the house and it was his haven. I looked at the once flourishing cellar and how it was no more.  It reminded me somewhat of when my own father passed away and how suddenly the garden came to a halt.  The life in it was gone!  

On the 11th of April, 2020, Domenico Ambrosi passed away.  He was 92 Years old.  Elisabetta still lives in the same house that Domenico built. With her family being most important she enjoys spending time with them and her grandchildren.

Image above and below. Family celebration at the Capri Restaurant, Port Kembla

All images from the collection belonging to Elisabetta Ambrosi

BARBARINA GIACON - TARRAWANNA SHOPS

Barbarina Giacon arrived in Sydney, Australia, March 6, 1954, on the ship Surriento.  Her husband Vittorio had arrived four years earlier and was living with his Aunty in Corrimal, NSW.   Vittorio arrived in Australia on the 26th of August, 1950, aboard the ship Napoli.

Back in Italy, Vittorio was a farmer and for many years he worked in Maccarese, Rome.  It including working in the rice fields from 1936 till he was conscripted. After the ending of WWII he returned to Italy and resumed working in the rice fields until he departed for Australia. He had been a prisoner of war in England. He was also in the Army Tank Corps and when he came to Australia he was initially employed as a truck driver. Years later he began working at Metal Manufacturers where he finished out his employment till retirement.

Vittorio and Barbarina purchased a property in 1954 that was situated in Tarrawanna.  A block of land on the corner of Paynes Lane and Tarrawanna Road.  The block of land had a small garage on it.  The garage dwelling consisted of one large main room and three tiny rooms.  Even though there was an outdoor toilet, there was no running water or electricity in the small dwelling.  There was an outdoor tap where Barbarina would have to fill tubs of water on the daily for everyday living.  They used a small kerosene burner for cooking and lanterns for lighting.

Vittorio wanted to build a house on his property and set about putting in plans to the local council.  The front of his block of land sat on Tarrawanna Road.  Vittorio wanted to build his house as close as possible to the road, so he could have a large garden in his back yard. He wasn’t able to do it, as that section at the front was zoned commercial.  So he built his home back from the road front, which later  would fare him well. Vittorio`s neighbour, who was the local Barber, Ivan Hay, had a good sized yard and Vittorio asked him if he could grow some vegetables in his back yard and Ivan agreed.  For many years Vittorio grew a large of array of fruits and vegetables for his family.  

Vittorio`s new house was complete In 1957 and now he and Barbarina, along with their two sons, had a lovely new home to live in complete with running water and electricity.  Son John was born in 1950 and son Frank came along five years later.  In 1961 daughter Maria was born.  

 

In 1963, Vittorio built his first commercial shop in front of his house on Tarrawanna Road.  Directly opposite Vittorio`s house on Tarrawanna Rd, was the General Store/Post Office.  The gentleman, Mr Williamson, who was running the General store, no longer wanted to keep it going.  He approached Vittorio and Barbarina to see if they would be interested in just keeping the newspaper contract going.  They agreed and sold newspapers from their shopfront as well as cigarettes and sweets.

 

By now the old general store had been demolished as plans had been put into council for a new store with car parking.  A new fruit and vegetable shop had already been established.

Within six months, the Giacon family were approached to lease out the shop front to create a new General Store/Post Office.  The Post Office was situated inside the general store.  The General Store was well received.

The people who were running the General Store wanted it to be it’s own entity and approached the Giacon family about the possibility of building a second shop to house the Post Office.  So plans went back into council and a second shop was built.  The Post Office was now separate to the General Store.

Some time later, the General Store business was sold.  The new owner had grand plans for the general store and wanted to lease out the Post Office store as well, but for a new Delicatessen along with Takeaway food, as an addition to the General Store.  At the time, other Post Offices were located at Corrimal and Balgownie townships, and most of the locals wanted the Tarrawanna post office to remain.

A new plan went into council and a third shop was built that took up the remaining space on Tarrawanna Road, that was in front of Vittorio and Barbarina`s home.  It was a small, corner shop, but was perfect for the Post Office.  The Post Office was relocated and now three commercial shops were situated in front of the Giacon family home.

 

Tarrawanna was becoming quite the little village, with a Fruit Shop across the road, a General store and Post office.  A few doors up there was another shop, which for a time was a Pharmacy and further up from the Pharmacy was a Dry-Cleaner. The locals of Tarrawanna, had everything they needed to live life on the daily.  The Tarrawanna Post Office relocated back to the original location in 1995.

On Feb 7, 2007, Vittorio Giacon passed away leaving behind his wife and three children.  Barbarina, born in 1923, still lives in her home that Vittorio built at Tarrawanna and this year she celebrates her 100th birthday - quite the milestone!  Barbarina is such a character.

All the shops are still leased out and have changed usage over time.  Now you will find a coffee shop and a hair salon.  These businesses add to the ever changing and charming village of Tarrawanna.

With two shops complete work had commenced on a third shop front on the corner which would eventually become the new location for the Post Office.

Notice the tables under the awning of the fruit shop:  This section was built in
and the new permanent home for the Post Office was created.  It didn`t happen
until the mid 1990`s.

All images from the collection belonging to Barbarina Giacon

GAETANO COSTANZO - WOLLONGONG`S SINGING CHEF

Gaetano Costanzo was 19 years old when he arrived in Australia in 1969 from Lipari, with his 18 year old wife Bartolina aboard the ship Achille Lauro.  They headed to Wollongong where Gaetano got his first job at the Fraternity Bowling Club in Fairy Meadow as a cook, in the upstairs restaurant.

Gaetano began cooking in Italy when he was 14 years old at an Albergo restaurant, where he worked for four years.  From ages 7 - 14, on a part time basis, Gaetano helped his father and grandfather who were both fisherman,

The restaurant at The Fraternity Club was run by Lolla Comelli.  Lolla Comelli had extensive experience in the restaurant industry  from running the Capri restaurant, at Port Kembla.  The kitchen at The Fraternity Club was run by head chef Donato, along with French chef Bernard,  Gaetano and other kitchen hands.  

After a few years The Fraternity Club opened a bistro downstairs to cater for club members.  Gaetano ran the bistro and it became very successful.  He stayed at The Fraternity Club for approximately three years before moving on.

In 1972 he did a one week’s trial at The Charcoal Tavern, in Regent Street, Wollongong.  The Charcoal Tavern was situated in a old stately home converted into an upmarket restaurant that was very well visited.  It was in the heart of Wollongong and the CBD making it popular for business lunches as well.

Gaetano had never cooked liked this before, as it was a lot of steaks on an open charcoal grill,  hence the restaurant name, Charcoal Tavern.  Nevertheless Gaetano got the job and would excel at it.

The grill could cook about 30 steaks at once, as steaks were a predominant item on the menu.  They also offered seafood and European cuisine dishes.  The Charcoal Tavern was known for its quality food and it was the premier restaurant in Wollongong at the time.  It was frequented by Doctors, Lawyers, TV Station personalities on the daily, as well as others who wanted to have a wonderful lunch time experience.

The Charcoal Tavern, was open Tues - Sun for lunch and dinner.  12pm - 2pm for lunch and 6pm - 9.30 pm for dinner.  There were five staff in the kitchen including one apprentice.  The women in the kitchen were responsible for entrees and desserts.  They could seat approximately 40 people with the lunch time crowd being up to 25 at once, and they were busy everyday.

The Charcoal Tavern had the same owner for 25 years, who always made a point of tasting the food himself.  The entrance to the restaurant was up a few stairs to the front door, with a car park situated at the back.  On many occasions those who parked at the back and walked up the side to the front of the restaurant, walked passed the kitchen window and often heard Gaetano singing in the kitchen, whilst he was working.  He was becoming well known for it.

Often at night, people would ask for Gaetano to come to the table to sing for a special occasion as he served the dishes.  He was becoming quite the celebrity and earned the moniker of The Singing Chef.  The Charcoal Tavern also had a piano bar that was quite popular.

Around 1987, The Charcoal Tavern had new owners and Gaetano left.  By this stage his wife Bartolina and their son were running a bistro in the Balgownie Hotel.  They had been operating since the mid 80`s.  They moved on from the Balgownie Hotel and opened a bistro called Mumma`s, in the Cabbage Tree Hotel, Fairy Meadow and the three of them ran the bistro for six years.

Gaetano`s ex- boss from the Charcoal Tavern approached him to help run a new kitchen venture at the Downtown Motel in Wollongong.  At the time they only had a small kitchen that catered to the in-house patrons.  The plan was to build a restaurant open to the public as part of the Motel with a band new kitchen being built as well.  The restaurant was called The Downtown Restaurant.  They also had a bar that was extremely popular where people could come in just for a drink.  The restaurant could seat 80 people and Gaetano worked six days per week, with 5 staff in the kitchen.

After a few years the restaurant changed names to Antics Restaurant and it was predominately Italian cuisine in which Gaetano was instrumental in the menu design.  Antics was very successful.  Situated on Crown Street, again it was frequented by the working lunch crowd and popular at night for the bar, the restaurant and the many functions it had.

After six years, Gaetano left Antics and officially retired from cooking, with his wife Bartolina still running the bistro at the Cabbage Tree Hotel.  Soon they retired from Mumma’s bistro as well, after a total of four years.

Thinking he was all finished in the restaurant business, Gaetano found a place at Woonona.  Previously, it had been a fish and chip shop/cafe, that had been gutted.  With a brand new fit out Gaetano`s new restaurant Mumma’s Kitchen was born.  With a totally Italian menu they opened only for dinner.  Specialities of the house included seafood, with the marinara being the most popular.  After four years Gaetano closed Mumma`s Kitchen and this time officially, retired from his chef career.  Gaetano was well known in Wollongong for his contribution to the hospitality industry and was regarded as one of Wollongong’s best chefs whilst working at The Charcoal Tavern.  Gaetano worked for 35 years creating wonderful dishes and leaving lasting memories for the diners of Wollongong.  

Gaetano may have retired but by no means has he slowed down.  Cooking is still so much a part of his life and everywhere he has lived he has always had an outdoor kitchen with a small garden, space permitting.   He enjoys his life, his family, cooking and sharing around the dinner table and singing of course!

 

Gaetano as a young chef in Italy

 Gaetano worked here at the Hotel Carasco in Lipari

  The Hotel is still attracting tourists from all over the work.

 

All images from the collection belonging to Gaetano Costanzo

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTO ROMA - BRUNO BALLESI AND FERRUCCIO MARTINA

If there is one business that stands out as being remembered by the many Italians in the area, it is Photo Roma.  Photo Roma were so influential for photographing many Italian celebrations and ceremonies.  Italian migrant workers were often snap shot.  Photo Roma with their association to the local Catholic associations and other Italian businesses, who hired Photo Roma to captured them in images, were embraced by the community and honoured for the many memories that were created.  With both founding members no longer with us I was fortunate to speak with Liliane (Bruno`s wife) and son Mark Ballesi and Cesira (Ferruccio`s wife) and son Robert Martina.

Bruno Ballesi was 25 years old and working as photographer in Rome, Italy.  He had been working for 10 years, after finishing school and doing his photography training.

His best friend Ferruccio Martina was living in Australia and had left Italy three years before, arriving in Australia on March 31st, 1952, aboard the Hellenic Prince.  Ferruccio was living at the Unanderra Hostel and was working at the Port Kembla Steel Works.

Ferruccio and Bruno kept in touch regularly and Ferruccio convinced Bruno to come to Australia.  He arrived on November 10, 1955 aboard the ship Surriento.  Bruno was able to get a job at the Port Kembla Steel Works and was living at Cringlia.

Bruno would often come around to the hostel to visit Ferruccio and he knew some of the men who stayed there.  One of them was Luciano Palmini.   The three of them became friends.

In 1957, Bruno and Ferruccio changed addresses and boarded in a half house apartment in Crown Street, Wollongong, where they set up a dark room in the garage.  The three friends commenced a small business doing photography.  After a short while Luciano left and it was just Bruno and Ferruccio running the business.  Both of them were still working day jobs whilst doing the photography on the side.  In the same year Bruno was invited to a picnic at Seven Mile Beach, where  he met Liliane.  Two years later they were married.  They then relocated to a bigger place in Cliff Road, and Ferruccio came with them.  They set up a dark room in the house, actually it was in Ferruccio`s bedroom.  They ran the photography business from the house as well.  By this stage they had commenced doing Italian weddings on the weekends.  Bruno and Ferruccio quit their day jobs to do photography full time.

In 1960 they rented their first studio.  It was an Art Deco apartment above a shop at 135 Crown Street, Wollongong.   The entrance was via a stairwell off Pig Alley.  The space had a dark room, office and photo studio.  Their work expanded and they also did passport photos and portraits.  The main studio area, where the portraits and other formal photos were taken, faced Crown Street.  The prints were washed in the bathtub which had a marvellous ceramic lion’s head for the water spout.  All their work was done in black and white.  Colour was not yet available.

It was now 1961 and Ferruccio had married.  Together with his wife Cesira along with Bruno and Liliane they purchased a home at 87 Mt Keira Road.  Even though they were working now in their own studio they would often help out in the community, at picnic days and family festivals.

They were becoming increasingly busy, so in 1966, they opened a second studio at Warrawong, above the Lake Market Chambers, facing King Street.  Bruno was now running Warrawong and Ferruccio was running the Wollongong studio. They also expanded their business and were doing videos using super 8 camera.   Mostly you would find them together at the weddings with Ferruccio shooting the video and Bruno taking the photos.  Though there were times when each of them would be doing a separate wedding each, because of the demand, they had to hire other staff.

In relation to the Italian weddings, Photo Roma were often helping out the bride and groom in the way of invitations ect, so they introduced this also into his business.  Ordering the printing of wedding invitations ect, was done by a printer called Mr Parkes. They were also doing industrial photography for Ept and Transfield, two Italian construction companies, school photos and photo restoration. When Bruno was working in Italy he learnt how to restore photos and introduced this into his business and both he and Ferruccio would restore the photos.

By the late sixties colour photos had become available.  This changed the operation of the photo studio itself.  For wedding or large gathering photos such as christenings and confirmations ect, the addition of colour photos took away the processing from the dark room.   Although, they still used the dark room for copying and restoring old photos as well as making new prints from old negatives in the archive, if customers lost or damaged photos that Photo Roma had taken in the past.  Passport photos were still being printed in black and white also, even when colour was introduced. As a result the dark room was still in use up until the time they retired.

Because of Photo Roma’s association with the local Catholic organisations, you would often find Ferruccio singing with the Sacred Heart Church choir, in Wollongong.  The Italian Centre, that was run by the Scalabrini Brothers, ran a dance on a Sunday night where Ferruccio would often sing as well.  Ferruccio had a lovely voice and his brother Gino was a singer back in Italy, often singing for the local radio station.  Ferruccio also sang with the bands from Gavino`s and Don Camillo`s restaurants.

As I spoke with Robert Martina, he told me how he would sometimes help his father with his equipment when Ferruccio was doing a wedding on his own.  The wedding reception venue always offered the camera man and/or photographer a meal.  Often people would request for Ferruccio to sing at the end of the night, so Robert would often cover the plate of Ferruccio`s dinner, otherwise the wait staff would take the plate away.  Ferruccio had many a cold dinner, but always enjoyed singing for the crowd.  Robert said that as a child he would often hear his father singing along with the record player at home and never realised until later just how good of a singer he was.  Robert also mentioned that if Ferruccio was doing a wedding on his own, he would often hire a local photographer named Ken to help taking the photos whilst Ferruccio would take the video footage.  Robert took photography as an elective in High School and it became his hobby.  He still dabbles in it sometimes.  Robert also explained how his mother Cesira would do a lot of the administration work at home, once Ferruccio was running the Wollongong studio.

Speaking with Mark Ballesi he explained about the process of ordering wedding photos.  In the early years, once a wedding was photographed, Photo Roma made small images/negatives on a paper/story board.   Each image would be individually numbered.  People would order photos from the proofs and usually within a week the photos would be ready.  He also spoke about how his mother was a huge help in the business too.  Many times she would help with the processing of the photos at home.  Later she would work along side Bruno in the studio.  

In 1977, with both of the studios doing well, the Ballesi family purchased a chicken shop at Warilla Grove, which was about 15 minutes drive from the Warrawong photo studio.  The shop was started from scratch as a joint business venture between the Pallone and Ballesi families.  The families became well acquainted with each other as they both had businesses in the Warrawong shopping centre.  Eddie Pallone had a Barbershop in the centre for many years and the two families became quite close.  Liliane Ballesi and Linda Pallone ran the chicken shop with Liliane`s daughter Christine with son Mark working Thursday, Saturday and Monday’s.  There were 7 staff in total.

After almost 2 years they sold the chicken shop.  They were out celebrating the sale of the shop at a staff dinner at Don Camillo`s restaurant, when Bruno had received a call that Ferruccio had passed away.  It was such a shock.   Bruno had lost his best friend who was like a brother and it affected everybody.  On 27th October, 1979, Ferruccio Martina passed away.  He was only 54 years old.

With now only Bruno at the helm, and with the Warrawong studio getting busier, Bruno along with son Mark, floated between the two studios for work.  Within 12 months Bruno closed the Wollongong studio and just focused on Warrawong.

There were a lot of migrants in Warrawong and not only was he busy with Italian weddings, he was doing a lot of Spanish and Portuguese weddings as well.  

In 1985, the shopping complex at Warrawong had been taken over and Photo Roma made the decision to leave and moved upstairs at 256 Cowper Street, that was basically across the road.  The Cowper Street studio was a bigger space than King Street.  

As the years moved on, a lot of changes were taking place in the industry, due to technology.  After woking for approximately 15 years without Ferruccio, around the mid 1990`s, Bruno made the decision to retire from the photography business.  He tried to sell his business, but couldn’t find anyone keen.  He managed to sell some of his equipment locally.

All through his photography years, Bruno was doing community work, for Italian organisations and clubs, ect.  He participated in many events and was very well known in the Italian community.  One only had to think of the many Italian weddings in the Wollongong area and Photo Roma was a part of them.  I remember so many weddings, especially at Bruno`s Reception Centre, at Tarrawanna, and Photo Roma was always there.  

I don’t think one can put a price on all the incredible photography that Photo Roma did over time, in the Wollongong/Illawarra area for the Italian community.  Mark Ballesi told me that Bruno had kept every single negative from the very first one, beginning from the late 1950`s until retirement.  This is unheard of, when the law required that negatives only be kept for five years.  It would come to be of great value as people who wanted old photos, repeat customers or people wanting photos from a past gathering, were able to access them through Bruno`s archive of negatives.

Bruno did a lot of community work free of charge after he retired.  He was a founding committee member of the Marco Polo Nursing Home. On August 17th, 2018, Bruno Ballesi passed away.  He was 87 years old and remembered as the man behind Photo Roma Studio.  Most Italians in Wollongong remember who he was and the invaluable contribution that Photo Roma made to the community.

 

 Ferruccio sent this photo to Bruno with a note on the back, telling him that they will see him at the port with Luciano and to show him the car so he could recognise them.

Classic photo of them both ready to work.  Ferruccio on the left and Bruno on the right with the camera.

All above images from the collection belonging to Mark Ballesi

 

 

Ferruccio ready for work.

 

 

 

 

Ferruccio loved singing.  He had a great voice.

 

 

 Al above images from the collection belonging to Robert Martina

CAMILLO SACCO - DON CAMILLO`S RESTAURANT

Camillo Sacco was born in Cassino, Italy, in 1924, July 22nd.  He decided to emigrate to Australia just after WW2 due to his home town being totally destroyed in the battle for Monte Cassino.  Camillo arrived in Australia on the 19th of August, 1952, aboard the ship Surriento.

Camillo went to Griffith and learned to become a brick layer and stayed for a few years building many homes and the Griffith olympic pool.  In 1955 he called for his fiance` Leonilde Bartolini to join him.  Leonilde was from Selvapiana, Emilia Romagna.  Leonilde arrived on the 22 August 1955, also on the ship Surriento, and was married in Sydney the next day to Camillo in a small ceremony by father Sylvio.  They immediately went to Griffith and Leonilde soon began working as a cleaner, at The Griffith Hospital.

A few months later Camillo and Leonilde moved to Wollongong.  Camillo  went to work at BHP Steelworks, as there were better opportunities for him.  He worked at BHP from 1955 to 1957 and was living in Cringila.  Son Joseph was born in Jan 1957 followed by brother Denis who was born in 1961.  Camillo also built many homes in the Wollongong region from 1957 to 1962.

In 1963, Camillo purchased an existing mixed business that sold fruits, vegetables and grocery items, in Lake Avenue, Cringila, next to the post office. The family lived at the back of the shop, and it was quite small.  In 1970, after approximately seven years, Camillo sold the business and purchased another existing business in Addison Avenue, Warilla.  It was also a mixed business similar to the type of business he had in Cringila. The family were now living in Warrawong.  Camillo ran the business in Warilla for approximately two years and then sold it.

Camillo went back to doing some bricklaying whilst deciding what he wanted to do next. He was asked to build a garage for Gavino Aru, to house a trattoria style eatery in the back of a boarding house in Auburn Street, Wollongong.

Some time later Gavino had moved on from the little garage trattoria that he was running, and had opened a fully licensed restaurant in Kenny Street, that was a double property, one with a residence and the other the restaurant with car parking at the back. Though it really wasn’t suited to Gavino, so  in 1974 he asked Camillo if he was interested in buying the business and the property.  Camillo took the plunge and was now a restauranteur.  He changed the name to Don Camillo`s and worked with Gavino’s existing chef Benito Fazio, to create a new menu.  The new menu featured traditional Italian dishes including more pasta, steaks ,scallopine, local seafood dishes plus a variety of Italian desserts. They were open seven days per week, lunch and dinner.

They were busy from the outset and held small functions as well as the restaurant sittings. On Friday and Saturday nights they held dinner dances with a Latin band. Don Camillo`s restaurant was becoming a very popular venue.  The location of the restaurant made it an ideal location for business lunches and the Wollongong business community frequented the restaurant on the daily.  Close enough to the city to make it back to work on time, but just down the street enough to make lunch time special.

 

Camillo, Leonilde, Joe and Denis (who also was studying at University) were running the restaurant along with other staff.  Camillo was front of house, Leonilde was working in the kitchen with head chef Benito, who was in charge. There were many favourite dishes including home made lasagne, cannelloni, spaghetti and zuppa marinara, veal saltimbocca, steak dianne, fillet mignon and lobster mornay.  Cotoletta Don Camillo was a favourite dish that was named after Don Camillo himself.  It was veal layered with ham, cheese and mushroom.

The initial restaurant could hold between 50 - 60 people and they also had small wedding receptions. After a few years, Camillo was getting a lot of requests for larger weddings from the Italian community and so he put plans into council. The plans would be for an extension of the main dining area with living quarters on top as a second story. The house where the family were living was actually sold and the land used for an extended car park.

With the bigger restaurant Camillo was now able to have larger weddings that catered for 220 people. The functions were never ending with engagements, birthdays, christenings and confirmations. The end of year functions and Christmas gatherings were always booked out, year after year.  Don Camillo`s had a real party atmosphere.  Typically, weddings were held on a Saturday night and they were getting bookings, even up to two years in advance. A standard wedding menu usually consisted of antipasto, soup, pasta, main, dessert and coffee.  Depending on the individual, wedding menu`s were tailored and altered if needed.  Many Italians, other Europeans and Australian`s had their wedding receptions at Don Camillo`s Restaurant.  When they ran their wedding or large functions, Don Camillo`s had up to 15 staff working all together, under pressure to give a memorable evening, and they always did.

The restaurant offered a classic, old world charm that always provided great service. They used quality pasta for their meals and used local, freshly made, Italian style bread from Falcone`s bakery.  Camillo was insistent on sourcing the best and freshest ingredients and every morning he would go to the local fruit markets, fish mongers and other providores to gather supplies for the daily restaurant patrons.

In 1989, after working tirelessly for 15 years, Camillo Sacco sold his restaurant and property.  The Sacco family had given Wollongong memories that would live on for years.  Diners who visited Don Camillo`s felt at home and were treated well.  It was an era that is not seen anymore and Camillo Sacco made sure that all his customers felt happy from the moment they entered till the time they left.  Camillo finished with one last dinner.  It was for his clientele who regularly frequented the restaurant.  It was in appreciation and honour and as a thank you to them.

Camillo and Leonilde, both retired and were living in Unanderra.  They spent their time at their family home, plus a return trip to Italy for a vacation.  Camillo was another one of those immigrants who came to Australia with a pocket full of nothing but a willingness to work hard.  He was a great bricklayer, shop keeper and restauranteur.  He was always working and he certainly left a legacy.  In 2004 Camillo Sacco passed away on Jan 30.  He was 79 years old.  Leonilde now resides in Queensland with her son Joe.

Work in progress, as the new restaurant takes shape

    

Camillo working on renovations for the restaurant



All images from the collection belonging to Joe Sacco

THE TAILORS OF WOLLONGONG - PART THREE

When I was researching for this story, one particular name kept coming up.  As I was looking for tailors, particularly Italian tailors, the name GRANATO kept appearing.  I searched everything and was at a loss to find a connection for this name.  GRANATO.L, who was this person?  I had no idea.

I reached out to several people with the same last name and to my surprise Granato. L. was Lucia Granato.  I was curious to see a women in the directory with the tailors.  I was then extremely fortunate to track down her daughters.

LUCIA (LISETTA) GRANATO

Lisetta, as she was known to everyone, arrived in Australia in 1954, June 4th.  Traveling on the ship Toscana along with her husband Cosimo and their eight year old daughter Ombretta.  Lisetta was also pregnant with her second child, Liana.

The Granato family went to Unanderra and lived at the migrant hostel.  Cosimo was working as a boiler maker at EPT, and soon Lisetta got a job working for Paolo Scottelaro, in Crown Street, Wollongong.  Paolo Scotellaro also lived at the Unanderra hostel and chances are that is where she met him.  Lisetta was a tailoress.  She did her studies in Italy and by the time she was 14, Lucia had made a man’s suit.  Lisetta was an excellent and meticulous sewer.

The Granato`s stayed in Wollongong for a short time before moving to the Princes Highway, Corrimal, in 1955.  They also had boarders at their house, up to four at any given time.  Lisetta had finished working for Paolo Scotellaro by this stage and was doing some dressmaking and alterations from home.  She also was in charge of the boarders, tending to their meals and the housekeeping duties, and even tailoring if they requested it.

The family stayed in Corrimal until 1959.  They then went to live in Berkeley.  Lisetta was still doing everything from tailoring to alterations.  Her last two children, Rob and Kety were born and now they were a family of six.  

In 1962, Lisetta began working for Alga Alfred Corso, at Corso`s Alterations.  Alfred Corso had a tailor/alterations shop at 433 Crown Street, Wollongong and had been there since 1951.  He was also a tailor, but by the time Lisetta began working for him, he barely did any more tailoring, and moved into the alteration side of things.  Lisetta did a trial for Alfred and he noticed straight away how she held her needle and placed the garment on her knees.  For him it was a sign of her knowledge of tailoring, and of her capability.

Corso`s alteration shop was situated across the road from Wollongong Hospital, but further up Crown Street, and many of their clients were hospital staff.  Doctors and nurses would frequent the shop for their alterations and got to know Lisetta and the work she did.  There was no need to go anywhere else, Lisetta could do anything, and she did.  There was also another lady who worked along side Lisetta and Alfred called Nora Rollinson.

In 1967, Alfred Corso passed away and he was only 58 years old.  Alfred’s wife was running the business for a short while and soon Lisetta and Nora went into partnership and purchased the business.  Lisetta`s daughter Ombretta, also worked with them doing alterations and the shop was going well.  They had up to four staff members and they were a also an agent for Ryan`s Dry Cleaning.

In 1980, daughter Liana began working with her mother and her sister in the shop, on a full time basis and now the shop belonged solely to Lisetta.  The shop was open five and a half days per week, Monday to Friday 9 - 5 and half a day Saturday.  As I spoke with Liana she told me how as a young girl, from age 12, she would come into the shop on a Saturday morning and her mother began to teach her sewing techniques and soon she would be doing small jobs such as hems, zippers, buttons and even cutting patterns.

For the next twenty five years the shop was going strong with no shortage of customers.  The building that they were leasing was sold and they had to find a new location, which they did, on the same side of the street, in fact closer to the hospital.  Lisetta took this moment to retire from the business completely and now Liana and Ombretta were running the shop.  Lisetta had been working at 433 Crown Street for almost 35 years.  It was now 1996 and the shop was located at 407 Crown Street, Wollongong.

The shop had two industrial singer sewing machines and two overlockers.  When it came to teaching her daughters how to sew, Lisetta was methodical.  She also used old style techniques that were tried and true, and for Lisetta these methods were the best.  

Liana commented on the iron that her mother used in the shop.  It was made from cast iron and Liana stated how she needed two hands to pick it up, where as Lucia just used one hand and began ironing.  It was a large iron with a timber handle.  The iron sat on a metal plate that was electrically heated.  The metal under-plate heated the iron and when it reach temperature it was ready to use.  It was used to flatten seams, hems and pleats.   What Lisetta would do was heat the iron, then iron, flattening out the seam or pleat.  Once the seam was ironed, Lisetta immediately placed a small block of timber over the seam to keep it flat, and as soon the steam totally evaporated, she would release the timber and the seam pressing was complete.  Another technique that Lisetta used was when putting buttons on jackets. The cotton that was used came from Germany, it was a much stronger grade than standard cotton.  Then with that cotton, it was run through a block of honey wax, that coated the cotton making it even stronger and waterproof before it was used to sew the button on the jacket.  This method of thread waxing was only used for jacket and coat buttons.  

After a few years, the daughters left the Crown Street shop and purchased another established business in Wollongong called, Suiting You Men’s Formal Hire, that was situated in Market Street.  They also took all their alteration work with them, with most of their customers following.  At Suiting You, they were now hiring out and altering mens wedding and formal attire, adding to their ongoing alteration service as well.

Daughter Kety was now working with her sisters, Liana and Ombretta at Suiting You.  The three Granato daughters were continuing from their mother Lisetta`s work.  Kety was handling most of the customer service and when they had weddings or formal events to prepare for, it was all hands on deck.  It could get hectic at times, especially with having the alteration service as well.

Liana explained how alterations for men`s suits were different than standard alterations for everyday clothing.  The methods used were not the same, as the formal wear alterations only had to be temporary.  Liana also told me how she received an interesting request from a Scottish customer.  He wanted a kilt for his wedding and couldn’t find one anywhere.  Liana had some plaid material and made him a kilt and he was delighted.  Word got out and soon they had more requests for kilts, and they were the only ones in Wollongong to have them available.  Ombretta found a local artisan who made them and Suiting You sub-hired them out, for the shop. Suiting You would then make and alter matching jackets and attire for the kilts.  With the yearly Scottish celebration of Brigadoon, Suiting You became inundated, with requests for kilts for specific family clans.  The only other place one could hire them was from Sydney.  Year after year, their kilts would be hired out, and with the matching accessories, they had many a happy customer.

In the year 2000, Suiting You moved to Crown Street,  Wollongong, upstairs in the IMB Arcade.  Sister Ombretta had now left and Liana and Kety were running the business.  They stayed at the IMB Arcade store for two years.  After the two years Kety left and Liana moved the business to 108 Corrimal Street, Wollongong, opposite the golf course.

The business was called Illawarra Bridal Centre and had dramatically changed.  Liana was still doing alterations and suit/formal hire for men, but now she sold wedding dresses, bridesmaids, mother of the bride and ladies formal gowns too.  With the formal gowns, Liana often designed some to have them made.  There really was nothing Liana couldn’t make.   

Liana had a large floor space area and used it to her advantage.  She hired it out and incorporated other `Wedding Services` that complemented.  There were bridal accessories, a hair dresser and even a jewellery maker.  It became a one stop shop for wedding attire.  Liana even made Hijabs, catering to the Arabic community for weddings.  There was a fancy dress stall in the space, in which Liana also made costumes for.  The business was very successful. Liana`s business won an award for the Best Bridal Shop, South Coast.

After successfully operating for 11 years at 108 Corrimal Street, Liana made the decision to close the doors, officially retiring from the sewing/alterations business.  Liana had been working in the business since a young girl from the age of 12.  Under her mother’s tutelage, Liana excelled at her craft, as did her mother Lisetta.  

After a much needed break, Liana commenced working in retail and found that many of her past customers were wanting her to continue doing their alterations.  Liana began doing some alteration work from home and via word of mouth, more and more customers contacted her.  Liana now works in sales for ladies fashion and does alteration work for the stores as well, a service that very few offer today.  Also, I must mention that Liana still does alterations for a lady who was originally one of her mother Lisetta`s customers.

Lisetta Granato was 91 when she passed away on the 21st December, 2017 and her husband Cosimo passed away prior to her in 2002, at the age of 78.  Lisetta began working in Wollongong since 1954 and while she did a lot of alteration work, she truly was a tailor.  Incredibly skilled, having been trained in Italy, where she took incredible pride in her work and respect for her art.  Over 40 years of service to the community.  Daughter Liana is still sewing and she her self has been part of Lisetta`s service to the community, fifty years and still going!  What a privilege that Lisetta was part of the tailors of Wollongong, with her work continuing on through her wonderfully skilled daughter Liana. 

                               Tools of the trade:  Shoulder pad cushion for working on shoulder pads

 and the timber block used for seam pressing.

 

 

 

 

Ombretta with the heavy wooden handled cast iron.

All images from the collection belonging to Liana Granato
 

VITTORIO GUIDA

The last tailor we feature is Vittorio Guida.  Vittorio came to Australia and settled in Perth, after arriving in Freemantle and worked as a seamen for a few years.  In the early 1970`s he came to Wollongong, NSW

He was working as a sand blaster, but was really wanting to open his own store, and at the time was unable to qualify for a loan.  A friend came to his rescue and became guarantor and soon VG MODA was open.  It was situated in the lower end of Crown Street, Wollongong, opening around 1974.  VG MODA had an extensive range of menswear in the store.  Vittorio also measuring for tailor made suits and would become well known for them in the area.  He also made trousers, jackets and blazers for both men and women.

In the early 1980`s he moved further up Crown Street, near Globe Lane.  The shop really stood out at this address and had a lot of foot traffic.  He had also opened a second shop in Burelli Street, that sold ladies fashion while the Crown Street shop focused on the men’s wear and tailoring.  Later on he sold some women’s wear at the back of the Crown Street store.

With soaring interest rates, things were not going well for the two shops and subsequently they soon closed down with Vittorio filing for bankruptcy.  Vittorio left the area and was running a mens wear store that was situated in the Royale Arcade Sydney, that was on the lower level of the Hilton Hotel, at the Pitt Street entrance.  He did this for a few years, but the daily drive to Sydney became too much, so Vittorio came back to Wollongong and worked for a while at Michael`s Menswear.

Sometime around the early 90`s, Vittorio moved into the IMB Arcade in Crown Street, Wollongong.  Here he focused on his tailor made suits and he also sold shirts and accessories.  He dressed many of Wollongong’s lawyers, solicitors, doctors and business men.

Around the early 2000`s Vittorio moved his business to the street level of the Novotel, North Wollongong, The Novotel being Wollongong’s premier hotel,  is situated on Cliff Rd, following the beach front.  He stayed at The Novotel for approximately five years before retiring in 2006.  Vittorio was the last Italian tailor in Wollongong.  The tailor is rarely seen anymore, and I don’t know of any in the area.  All these tailors that have been mentioned from the 1950`s, all did their training in Italy.  They were master craftsmen and women who created bespoke hand crafted clothing that one wore with tremendous pride.  Truly, the end of an era!

All images from the collection belonging to Skye Guida