Massimino Cardillo
| Town/City | Romsey |
|---|---|
| First name | Massimino |
| Last name | Cardillo |
| Country of Origin | Italy |
| Date of Birth | 12/23/2009 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1927 |
| Submitted by | Roselind McCarthy |
Story
CARDILLO, Massimino
Massimino Cardillo was born at St. Angelo a Cupola, Italy on the 23rd December 1909, the sixth child of Faustino Cardillo and Filomena Cardillo (nee Tornusciolo).
Massimino arrived at Port Melbourne after travelling from Naples on the 23rd September 1927, travelling aboard the “Regina Regali”. The ship fare cost forty Australian pounds, taking forty five days for the trip from Naples to Port
Melbourne.
On arriving in Australia, Massimino stayed with the Parish Priest of St. Ignatius Church, Richmond before going to look for work at Bairnsdale in country Victoria. The Parish Priest of Bairnsdale was an Irishman, Father C. Cremin, who spoke fluent Italian and was known for placing many hundreds of italians in jobs around the countryside.
Massimino was naturalised on the 8th December 1939, having married an Australian lady, Eileen Reggardo.
On the 21st May 1942 Massimino joined the Australian Military Forces and served on Continuous Full Time War Service in the Australian Imperial Force from the 21st May 1942 to the 19th December 1945. Massimino was a Gunner in the 213 Australian Composite AIA Regiment.
In 1948, Massimino and his wife and four children were awarded a Soldier Settlement Farm at Clarkefield Estate, via Sunbury where they milked cows for twenty-six years, then beef cattle farming until Massimino died on the 4th May 1994. His wife Eiteen died on the 15th June 2007 and as at this time (January 2009) the family still run and operate the farm.