Lando Tagliati
| Town/City | Mount Gambier |
|---|---|
| First name | Lando |
| Last name | Tagliati |
| Country of Origin | Italy |
| Date of Birth | 6th August 1928 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1952 |
| Submitted by | Lando Tagliati |
Story
My name is Lando Tagliati, I was born in Codigoro Province of Ferrara, Italy on the 6th August, 1928, my father was Isidoro Tagliati, and my mother was Augusta Tagliati (nee Gregi) they were both born in 1888.
I decided to come to Australia for a better life – there was no work in Italy, and Australia had an offer of a 2 year contract for work. So I left Italy on 1st January, 1952. I was 24 years old.
I came on the ship SS Australia Lloyd Triestino, and arrived in Port Melbourne on 30th January, 1952. We, (as friends of mine were with me as well,) were then bussed to Bonegilla, where we stayed for only 8 days, and then taken to Renmark, where I then started fruit picking, from apricots to grapes etc.. when the season finished I then went to the Immigration Centre in Adelaide, and was then sent to Naracoorte, where I began cutting timber and planting pines.
When each job was finished we were sent to difference places for work, so that is how I found my way to Mount Gambier, and worked on the railway, then at the State Mill, and later helped to build the Nurses home.
In 1955 I met my wife, Eva Anna Reich, we married, and had a daughter. I then worked at the Yahl Cheese factory for many years, until I had my own painting and decorating business, and our biggest achievement was purchasing our house, and of course the family car, the Charger, which I still have.
We are also naturalised Australians.
My wife and I have two grand-children, and two great grand-children. I have been back to Italy a few times, but after all these years, Australia is my home, and has been for 56 years.