Arnaldo and Lia Catanzaro-and Roja
| Town/City | Fairy Meadow |
|---|---|
| First name | Arnaldo and Lia |
| Last name | Catanzaro-and Roja |
| Country of Origin | Italy |
| Date of Birth | 27-05-1930+09-10-1934 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1950 |
| Submitted by | Mandy Hoffman |
Story
Arnaldo had lost a sister to the war via Dachau concentration camp as a prisoner of war, the war had ended and work was scarce. Australia had opened their immigration boarders and work was promised.
They left on both Castel Bianco -(Lia )and The Stuart General -(Arnaldo )ships, one a passenger ship the other a converted naval ship, to Victoria (Lia) and Chullora (Arnaldo) to begin anew.
Australians appeared primitive and food ingredients and customs familiar to the Europeans were absent. Language was not the only barrier; fear from both sides – of the unknown played a major role. Overall impressions were good – friendly, culinary naive people.
Later they married producing 2 children Ronald and Manuela(Mandy)…Along with the rest of the family, we grew and came to love Australia and call it home, in our hearts.