Domenico & Rosa Fabbo
| First name | Domenico & Rosa |
|---|---|
| Last name | Fabbo |
| Country of Origin | Italy |
| Date of Birth | 23-09-1914 & 3-06-1924 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1972 |
| Submitted by | Paul Fabbo |
Story
Domenico Fabbo Fasanaro 23/09/1914 Ð 26/08/1998
Rosa Fabbo Scandurra 03/06/1924 Ð 17/09/2006
Domenico Fabbo was born in Catania, Sicily on 23 September 1914. Rosa Fabbo, was born in Sicily on 3 June 1924. They met at the university in Catania, from where Domenico had already graduated and was teaching literature, whilst Rosa was a student studying architecture.
The circumstances that led to Domenico starting to court Rosa were that he asked her to teach him how to read music. Rosa told him that although he was very well read about history, literature and the arts, he was tone deaf and couldn’t draw a straight line (they both laughed about this together).
They migrated to Venezuela where there was the prospect of a bright future. In Venezuela, Domenico was offered a position as a civil engineer in the building industry. He encouraged Rosa to apply her drawing skills and she worked as a draftsperson in the construction industry.
They worked very hard in this new country, learning a new language and having a very large family, five boys and five girls, which included a set of twins (a boy and a girl).
As time passed and with so many mouths to feed they worked even harder. They began to explore other opportunities that would hopefully provide a better lifestyle for them and their ten children. They decided to move from Venezuela towards new opportunities in another country. They decided to travel across the Caribbean to Trinidad and Tobago to learn another language and culture. There, they befriended an Australian businessman, Ray Shea.
Domenico and Rosa sought advice from Ray as to which other English speaking country he would recommend for the family to settle. Domenico had been researching possible opportunities in Canada. Ray suggested that the family may prefer Australia. The Fabbo\’s continued to research and decided on Australia.
Their application to migrate to Australia was sponsored by Ray Shea, Mario Damo in Canberra and Reginald Nock in Sydney. Ray Shea knew both Mario and Reg. Their application was successful and so began a journey of adventure as Rosa, Domenico and nine children left Trinidad for Australia.
They had many interesting experiences in learning the Australian version of English, most of which are quite humorous, although there wouldn’t be enough space to include even some of the shortest of stories.
The Italian community welcomed the Fabbo’s and many strong bonds were created and maintained.
Domenico and Rosa chose Canberra, the Capital, as a small city, as it has a quieter pace with great potential to bring up a young, large family. The family adapted to Canberra\’s cold winter very quickly and looked forward to the summer. Domenico and Rosa became involved in many community activities and became part of the Canberra culture. Domenico worked at the National Library and Rosa continued her drafting and drawing skills working at the Bureau of Mineral Resources.
The sense of community they instilled in their family was to meet people, create friendships and relationships, but also to endeavour to build a lifelong bond with those that reciprocated this bond.
Australia provided Domenico and Rosa what they were looking for in terms of a place where there were opportunities for themselves and their children. They continued to have connections with the Shea, Nock and Damo families and they quickly made new friends and enjoyed the blessings of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family became Australian citizens in 1973.
The family has grown; Domenico and Rosa have twenty-six grandchildren and to date six great grandchildren.
Rosa and Domenico Fabbo are grateful to Australia in that their time here enhanced their support for each other and their ten children for over 50 years. This is evident in the current extension of the original Fabbo family.