Siro & Matilde Zuccato

Story

Siro Zuccato, born 12 February 1925, Monfumo, Provincia Treviso Italy.

Matilde Cadorin, born 3 March 1927. Cavaso del Tomba Provincia Treviso Italy.

Siro Zuccato & Matilde Cadorin

The 20th January, 1951 saw the start of a life-long union between Siro Zuccato (12/02/25) and Matilde Cadorin (07/03/27). Along the way there was to be many hard times and sacrifices but also many rewarding and memorable moments.

In search for ‘a better life’, they embarked the Immigrant Ship ‘Ugolino Vivaldi\’ and departed Genoa on the 2nd February, 1951. They were two among many of the Italian immigrants headed for a far away promised land, ‘Australia’. Siro earned the respect of the captain and become friends with the crew. He helped with odd jobs like rope weaving and knotting and in exchange for his willingness to help, the crew helped look after Matilde with extra blankets and food as she suffered terribly from sea sickness. Throughout the journey, Siro also helped look after many children who were afraid of what was happening or were sea sick.

Finally, after a long and uncomfortable journey, on the 12th of March 1951 they disembarked at the port of Sydney. They were hungry and all they had between them was a small bunch of grapes and an orange which was to last them the full 16 hour, wooden seated train trip to a small town named Griffith.

To meet them at the train station of Griffith was Matilde\’s uncle, Santo Salvestro, who had been in Australia since the early 1920\’s together with her uncle Peter Cadorin. Matilde\’s uncles had written many letters to her family, explaining the great work opportunities that existed in this new country. These findings were later confirmed by Matilde\’s brother Angelo Cadorin, who was sponsored to Australia in 1949 by their uncle Santo. He was also at the station to greet his sister and new brother-in-law. With them there were Siro\’s sister and brother-in-law, Valeria and Luigi DalNevo who had arrived only a few months prior to Siro and Matilde\’s departure. Their new life was about to beginÉ Valeria bought her sister-in-law her first ice-cream, whilst the men went to buy Siro and Matilde a bed.

They slept on the veranda at their uncle Santo\’s for the first two weeks, time enough for Siro to find a job and build their first home on one of his employers\’ farms. It was a two room, dirt floor shack made from corrugated iron, tin and hessian cloths and was their home for two years. Siro was employed by the Jones Brothers from 1951 until 1970 retiring as the factory manager and foreman.

Matilde was also employed by the Jones brothers from 1952 until 1966. She worked as their housemaid and was also nanny to the 14 Jones children.

By 1953, after only two years, they had saved enough money to pay for the voyage of Siro\’s parents, Guiseppe Zuccato and Rosa Dall\’Est along with seven of his ten brothers and sisters. They settled the family in Griffith, finding work for them as well.

Matilde and Siro would write to her family, describing their new life and all the wonderful work opportunities that there were, with the hope that they too would immigrate to Australia. After much convincing, Matilde\’s parents, Fabiano Cadorin and Maria Menegon together with her two sisters and youngest brother arrived in Griffith in 1955. Matilde and Siro settled them into Griffith and found them work as well. They have two daughters, Denise, born on the 1st March 1955 and Annette, born on the 10th December 1962.

In 1951 they arrived in Australia with nothing but a few clothes, a small bunch of grapes and an orange. Over the years they have worked hard and have helped many family and friends along the way. Nonetheless, of all their working achievements, if you were to ask them what they are most proud of achieving together in life, their answer is simple, ‘We are proud to have formed such a beautiful, loving and united family.’

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