Giuseppe & Carmela Cosentino

Story

Dad arrived in Port Melbourne on the Marconi in 1962. Most of his brothers and sisters were already here and he wanted to see what it was like before sending over for his family. It was an anxious time for Dad and Mum, being apart and afraid, but excited for the future.

Times were difficult for many after the war and even though they were one of the lucky ones, Dad thought there could be more out there so he came to Australia to explore.

In early 1964, Dad wrote to Mum and said it was time for the family to come. Mum organised everything, passports, selling of the home and preparing things that they would need. Then just when Mum was ready, Dad changed his mind and said I’m coming back to Italy for good. Mum explained nicely to the people who were going to buy the home and they understood so they got to keep the family home. It was a big decision and one that would effect everyone.

Then in the earlier part of 1965, Dad decided it was time to leave again. Mum told me that when they were organising all the papers and doing all the checks that needed to be done, someone noticed that she was

expecting and they would not let them leave. Mum had Nick and then when he was about 6mths and old enough to travel on the voyage, they set off for Australia aboard the ‘Roma’. Ellen was 13, Sam 11 and Frank was 7. The trip was not easy for Mum and she was very seasick so Ellen took on the responsibility of looking after the others as well as Mum, but they made it here safe.

My Jimmy was born here on 24th June, 1968 and then as a two year old, Dad decided to leave again and they sold up and went back to Italy. Things were confusing in those times and very difficult for migrants. They had to fight and work hard for everything so deciding which Country was the better one was hard as both Italy and Australia had positives & negatives, but in November 1970 they all came back to Australia together as a family on the ‘Archillo Laura’ and stayed forever.

Dad was a barber and everyone loved him. He worked very hard for his family, but sadly Dad passed away on 5th January, 1988 aged 60. It was hard for Mum, but we always try to be there for her as she is for us. Mum is 81 now, but still manages to keep us together, she continues to give us courage and still cooks Sunday lunches with a huge photo of Dad and his loved tomatoes above us.

Thank you Dad and Mum for coming to Australia, for all the sacrifices you made so you could give us all a better life. Thank you from me for taking me into your home and your hearts and thank you for all the stories which I will pass on to Sam and Luke. Love always, Nancy. xo

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