Maureen Degabriele
| First name | Maureen |
|---|---|
| Last name | Degabriele |
| Country of Origin | Malta |
| Date of Birth | 9/5/1951 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 3/6/1969 |
| Submitted by | Maureen Borg |
Story
I grew up in a typically large family of 9 children in Malta. At the time the eldest was around 21 years old, and the youngest 9 years old. The eldest four girls worked in local factories, the youngest girl and four boys where still at school. At the time everything was going very well.
When Malta became Independent from the British in 1964, the country went through some major changes. My eldest brother was working in Malta\’s Dry-docks, which was a fantastic job at the time, but overall, good jobs were hard to find and there were few opportunities.
My parents then made the decision to come to Australia to give a better future for all their children. Before we departed all the neighbors came to wish us good luck in Australia.
I came first with my eldest brother and two sisters on the 3rd of June 1969. We had to come before to prepare the house and furniture for the rest of the family. We all flew on a Qantas 707 flight bound for Sydney, We moved to an old house in Five Dock in Sydney. One thing I remember in particular was my first taste of pineapple juice as it was very refreshing.
It was very difficult at the start as I was homesick and was missing all my friends. I wrote to my parents telling them not to come, as I was homesick and wanted to go back home. My dad wrote back and said it was too late as they were to arrive the next week.
My whole family got together on August 1969. We lived in Five Dock for 1 year then we bought a house in Wentworthville. When I got married, my Husband and I moved back to the City in Paddington. We had our first child in 1972, a boy and then after, decided that it was best to move to Greystanes as the trend was to buy a house with land. We had another boy and a girl. All of now are successful in IT and Travel.
My brothers and sisters are all settled and have done very well. One sister went back to Malta and is still there with her family.
My parents now live on a big property in Schofields. My Dad loves to grow fruit and vegetables while my mum attends to pots full of Azaleas and Geraniums. My Dad [Paul] is now 89 and Mum [Maria] is 79. They now have nine children, thirty-two grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
I thank them both gratefully for making the sacrifices they made and for choosing the lucky country of Australia.