Giuseppe DeMarco
| First name | Giuseppe |
|---|---|
| Last name | DeMarco |
| Country of Origin | Voltago,Italy |
| Date of Birth | 9/6/2027 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1952 |
| Submitted by | Linda DeMarco |
Story
Papa` was a partisan in World War II & was traumatised by the atrocities he witnessed.
He came to Australia via boat, to start a new life. He arrived in Sydney and intially settled in Katoomba.
Later, he settled in Dubbo, N.S.W. & married his beautiful, warm, brown eyed penfriend of 8yrs. Mamma grew up running through the soft white sands of Sardinia.
Papa was a gifted self-taught musician and we were privileged to hear him play the piano accordian, banjo, mandolin & harmonica. I have wonderful photos of him lighting up the Australian outback with his musical presence, before I was born. His musical tastes took us from Vivaldi & Mario Lanza, to the likes of Slim Dusty.
A gifted carpenter, he once took a log of wood for my son and in front of our eyes, created a base-ball bat. In retirement he made children’s toys. Miniature dolls houses, high chairs, cradles, etc.
Papa` loved being an Australian and shared a healthy balance of his traditional Italian values and his love of the developing Australian culture.
He taught us to be honest, generous, hardworking and to love our country-the land of plenty.
He taught us to laugh till it hurts.
As I write and see his accordian lovingly placed in my home; its smell reminding me of happy childhood days, I feel my love for him, my country and strive to be an honest, hardworking Australian.