SCALA Angelo

Story

Angelo SCALA was born in Caselle Landi provence of Italy in the northern area near Milan. He married Ermelinda CISARI on 17 Nov 1856. Angelo was a carpenter. The taxes in Italy were so excessive that Angelo, Ermelinda and five children received Certificates of Poverty being exempt from paying stamp tax (1876) and then Certificates issued to allow them to go from Caselle Landi to Genoa by train to look for jobs. (9/3/1877) also Certificates of Vaccination.

They travelled on to Barcolona to be paying travellers on the ship the “India”. It was an ill-fated third ship engaged by the Marquis de Rays travelling to New Ireland arriving 14th October 1880. Some died on the journey but many more died whilst at Port Brenton in New Ireland, as much of the meat supplies were rotten and had to be dumped, the food supplies were poor and the water was contaminated. Many worked on the land, returning to the ship at night for safety. Eventually the French Captain Cpt Bulot transported the remaining Italian persons to French Noumea which was mainly occupied by criminals.

From there, the Italians were interviewed and they requested to travel to New South Wales. They were charged three pounds per adult paid by the Government at Noumea. They travelled on the “James Patterson”, arrived in Sydney and werehoused at the Agricultural Hall. On Friday 8th Apirl 1881 the Italians were interviewed by a board of enquiry that determined that they be granted the status of “shipwrecked mariners” and permitted to live in Australia. Several men including Angelo Scala were interviewed in front of their fellow Italians to gain a true understanding of their plight. The records are held in the Sydney archives. The Italians requested to be allowed to settle together on one spot and form as it were a colony of themselves, but the Board directed that the persons and their skills be advertised and on Wednesday 20th April 1881 the hiring of persons began.

Many Italians were hired as labourers being knowledgeable in the culture and growing of vines and the produce of wine. The people were scattered over New South Wales, not able to speak English nor understand it. They communicated with each other via post. Many migrated to the Lismore area hence the “Little Italy” monument at Woodbury. Angelo moved to Raymond Terrace and being a true Italian bought up land parcels. He and his family flourished in this area.

At the age of 74, he gained his Certificate of Naturalisation 12th Nov 1908 (recorded on sheep hide) being issued from Melbourne. He died 12th Sept 1918 and was buried at Raymond Terrace. There is a monument erected at the cemetary, noting Angelo and Ermalinda lived there in Raymond Terrace.

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