Nicholas (aka Len) Destro (Dr.)

Story

My father was born on 19/10/1928 in Bronte a town of about 20,000 inhabitants situated on the North-West slope of Mount Etna, Sicily.

He migrated with his father Nunzio, mother Giovanna (born Schiliro) and two siblings: Hector (aged 6 years) and Elvira (aged 2 years) – arriving in Sydney on 25/11/1937.

The reason for migration was, I believe, my grandfather Nunzio\’s incompatibility with the Fascist Regime.

My father was educated by the Marist Brothers and readily adopted to the new environment. Because of his desire and willingness to help people – especially migrants – he decided to study Medicine, graduating from Sydney University (MB BS) in 1955. This period was at the peak of arrival of thousands of Italian (and other) migrants fleeing post World War II Europe.

Following an internship at Lismore Base Hospital, he returned to Sydney and in February 1957 opened a General Practice in Paddington serving the local community and a host of non- English speaking migrants, from all parts of Sydney, requiring his Service.

Amongst his patients, he encountered a percentage suffering from nervous disorders, requiring specialist treatment, but at the time there were no

Italian-speaking Psychiatrists in Sydney. So in early 1963 he made the difficult decision to close up his practice and start a course of specialisation in Psychiatry.

Following a two year training at Callan Park (Psychiatric) Hospital in Rozelle, he travelled to London (with his wife and 3 daughters) for further studies and obtained the Diploma in Psychological Medicine (DPM RC&S – England). This was followed by a further eight months study in the Clinica Malattie Nervose – Mentale affiliated to the University of Rome, Italy.

Returning to Sydney he worked for a further two years as Clinical Psychiatrist at Callan Park Hospital and obtained a post-graduate degree of ‘Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’.

In 1970 he opened a private practice as Consultant Psychiatrist and for about 20 years was the only Italian-born psychiatrist in NSW.

At last he was able to attend to the non- English speaking Italian migrants, suffering from nervous disorders and requiring specialist care. Despite a heavy work load, my father enjoyed his work and considered it a privilege ‘to help his people’.

My father (and mother) were also involved in social activities, serving as members of various committees, in both the Italian and Australian Communities.

In recognition of ‘Services rendered to members of the Italian Community in Sydney’ my father was awarded:

– The title ‘Cavaliere (al Merito) della Republica Italiana’ by the Italian Government in 1974.

– A medal of Honour by CO-AS-IT – Italian Committee of Assistance Sydney in 2004.

My father married Josephine (born Taranto) on 3/1/1959 in St Mary\’s Cathedral and, over time produced 5 daughters of whom I am the youngest. The family has now extended to include 13 (nearly 14!) grandchildren.

My mother dedicated her life to the upbringing and welfare of her daughters and grandchildren, and the creation of a happy healthy family environment. But she was also of great support to my father enabling him to carry on with his busy practice. He often said of her ‘were it not for her help I would have never achieved what I did’.

He is now retired, enjoying the fruit of his labour.

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