Paesani – The Bayside Italians
Author: Giuseppe Privitera, Italian community , George Hanna Memorial Museum
It was 1959. I was 29. I left Sicily with a large trunk, my bicycle and a small hammer that I used in the metal trade. I was willing to work in Australia for a better future. I moved to the Botany area because there was plenty of work and it was close to the beaches and the city. My first job was as a panel beater with General Motors Holden.
Born: Catania, Sicily
Migrated: 6th September 1959, 29 years of age
Transport: Ship ‘Australia’ from Messina
Luggage: 1 large trunk, my bicycle and a small hammer that I used in the metal trade
Journey: 21 days
First Job: Panel beater
Hometown
The city of Catania in Sicily is where I, my parents and grandparents were born. It is the second largest city in Sicily, located at the foot of Mount Etna which is still an active volcano. During springtime people enjoy going to the beach in the Mediterranean Sea whilst others ski at the top of Mount Etna.
Decisions
In Italy I was in the army in a special corps called ‘Bersaglieri’. We were trained to move fast from one place to another. In 1959 I migrated to Australia. I had some relatives in Western Australia and I wanted to improve myself with new opportunities and jobs. I was willing to work in Australia for a better future.
Feelings
All my friends and relatives farewelled me. I was sad and a little worried about what was ahead of me but excited too. My last night in Sicily was spent at Messina in a hotel waiting for departure.
Journeying
The first week on the boat was great because I was meeting new friends. After passing the Red Sea, we had three days of bad weather but finally we arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia. My relatives were waiting for me.
My uncle had emigrated to Australia in about 1925. He settled in Fremantle and worked hard clearing land and worked picking potatoes and fruit. There was no machine harvesting, so to pick potatoes he’d have a bag around his waist, bend down to harvest and collect potatoes for 12 hours a day!
I arrived in Fremantle on the 28th of September, 1959. My uncle was my sponsor but I paid my own fare. There were no jobs in my trade so I decided to move to Sydney where there was more work. I had no relatives in Sydney so I found accommodation in a boarding house in Redfern. I made many friends and also learnt to cook while I stayed here.
Impressions After I was settled in Australia I was very keen to learn English and I joined an evening English class with good results. My first job was panel beating at General Motors Holden (GMH). In the first year I had a couple of jobs with GMH, and also as a bus conductor and working for Sunbeam in Mascot.
I moved to the Botany area in 1959 because there was plenty of work and it was close to the beaches and the city. I remember at that time Mascot shopping centre was very popular and I met friends there all the time. It was always busy with people doing their weekly shopping but on Saturdays I had to move fast because the shops used to close at 12 noon.
I remember one morning I was on my way to the bank in Mascot but was momentarily distracted by a pretty girl. Because I was looking at her, and not where I was going, I ended up walking through the glass door of the bank! I had a few cuts and the bank had to replace the door. Apart from looking at pretty girls, I also liked riding my bike around to explore the area. Unfortunately my bike was stolen. I used to keep it on the side verandah and one morning it was gone. As a consequence I decided to buy my first car: a 1962 Mini Minor.
Eventually I settled into a long-term job with Johnson & Johnson as a Machine Operator in the band-aid manufacturing section. I worked there until my retirement in December of 1991. I miss lots of friends from there.
Life
I’ve always liked Botany because of the proximity to jobs and services, the good neighbours and there is always time to get together around the BBQ and have a beer. I like walking in the park and spending time with my grandchildren.
In Australia I met my wife and we have celebrated our 25th anniversary of marriage. We bought our first home here and had our children here. The family and upholding family values is very important to me. I like to sing Italian songs and tell jokes. Laughing is the best medicine. I thank the Australian community for being so kind to migrants and forming a multicultural society that is the envy of the world.
