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- She travelled to Australia with half of her immediate family, which was: her brother, Sebastiano; her mother, Gaetana and her father, Sebastiano.
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Seraphina (Zia seraphina came first. She got sponsored by a cousin -male- to come over)

Antonina - Nuccia (Nuccia was sponsored by the boyfriends who came the year before, he wanted to marry her so he sponsored her. She arrived on a Sunday and 5-6 days later they got married. He and Nuccia sponsored the rest of Nuccia’s family to come.)

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- She was born on the 8th of the 12th 1944
- She arrived here at the age of 16
- She arrived here January 11th 1961
- She left December 19, 1960

Got a job towards the end of jan because everything was closed (Xmas). Factories opened end of January. First week of February went to work in a factory. Factory of sewing. Straight on sewing machine just because I knew how to work it.

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- They travelled here by boat, on the Suez Canal
- The boat was called the Conte Grande
- They were assisted immigrants who were sponsored by Nuccia and her husband in Australia.

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Concetta Zappulla and Italian Immigration 

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Concetta Zappulla and Italian Immigration 

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Interview:
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Research and Infrences:
- I doubt there was much Contraband,  so a lot of Italian families were able to take Italian food over with them. The boat trip was really long and fresh food wouldn't have been able to last in such conditions, so a lot of cold meats were PROBABLY taken with them because they last a while, especially cold meats like Capocollo and prosciutto.  Olives are also  practically drowned in salt, water, vinegar and oil, so they also would've lasted a while. As a staple food on many immigration boats, meats packed in barrels with salt were also eaten. Also biscuits and possibly bread, most likely both stale. Because they were on the boat with them, they would've made their way into Australia.
- Food is a MASSIVE part of Italian culture and everyone cooks all over Italy. Because of this, they obviously would have brought their traditions and culture with them to Australia. All the food they ate and other cultural activities they practiced were the norm for them, so they obviously continued to practice them in Australia. Once they were able to get their hands on the perfect ingredients to make their traditional foods, they obviously did. Probably for comfort, more than anything else. Flour, water, salt

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1. Why did you come?

Better life - post war- no work, food, education (During war and those days lucky if finished primary school)

Father couldn't find work in Italy post war and found work straight away In Australia

Because two sisters were already here, and my father was really attached to the older sisters. So he longed to see them. Every time older sisters sent a letter to us in Italy he cried.

They all wanted a new, better life. One that had education, access to good food and a good, stable job. Because this was post war and Italy was still recovering, all this was not easily accessible to many families, especially poor -ish families in small towns. But, the decision was made by the parents with input from the children.

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First Name: Concetta

Middle Name: N/A

Last Name: Zappulla  (m.Musone)

D.O.B: 8/12/1944

D.O.D: *not dead*

Immigration Details:

Arrived 11th January, 1961

Boat left 15 December, 1960

She jumped on the boat on the 19th of December

around mid December- 4 days after the 15th because the boat had to leave Genoa, then stop at Naples then Messina where Nonna was because she took a 1-2 hour train ride from Siracusa to get there. It only docked at those places so everyone was going there.

Came here with Father, Mother and Brother because two older sister had arrived earlier

Age:

At arrival: 16

Age now: 73

Occupation:

In Italy: No work for girls, had to keep busy learning different things.

In Australia: Sewing factory, restaurant, other factories, hospital

In Australia:

Now: retired

Language:

First language: Italian

Second language: English

Country of Origin (exact place):

Foridia (town), Province of Siracusa (state basically), Sicily (region), Italy (country)

About 8/9 k from city

Father used to ride bike to city

Travel:

Before immigration: none

After immigration: Italy, Switzerland, all around Australia, Singapore

Clothes:

Dresses sewn by herself

Dresses, jumpers, scarves, gloves, hats knitted by herself

Under garments either made or bought

Hobbies:

Sewing

Knitting

Crochet

Embroidery

Parents:

Sebastiano Zappulla

Gaetana Zappulla

Siblings:

Sebastiano

Seraphina (Zia seraphina came first. She got sponsored by a cousin -male- to come over)

Antonina - Nuccia (Nuccia was sponsored by the boyfriends who came the heat before, he wanted to marry her so he sponsored her. She arrived on a Sunday and 5-6 days later they got married. He and Nuccia sponsored the rest of Nuccia’s family to come.)

Kids:

Evelina Musone

Marisa Musone

Lorenzo Musone

Grandkids:

James

Jules

Christopher

Sienna

Dante

Charlie

Bella

Husband:

Michael Musone (Nono Michael came with brother for work)

Married Nono 1964

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Sewing

Knitting

Crochet

Embroidery

Taught herself sewing, embroidery, crochet. Her older sister was a dressmaker. Grew up in a house always sewing, clever enough to pick it up without anyone teaching me, then went to learn for about two years before coming to Australia. Left alone when sisters left, kept busy my learning dressmaking. Never went to secondary school, only primary, parents couldn't really afford,

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Older Sister: Older sister a dressmaker. Grew up in a house always sewing, clever enough to pick it up without anyone teaching me, then went to learn for about two years before coming to Australia. Left alone when sisters left, kept busy my learning dressmaking. Never went to secondary school, only primary, parents couldn't really afford,

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before train ride to messina: A truck comes a week or two before and takes it (trunk) to a deposit where it is sent to the ship (Comte grande) so they have time to organise

THEY TRAVELLED HERE ON the suez CANAL THING IN BETWEEN ITALY AND ANOTHER COUNTRY BEFORE/AFTER IT WAS BLOCKED OR CLOSED)

1. What was the boat trip like?

Most of the time I was seasick, especially in the morning, but at lunchtime and in evening I was okay. It was a very big boat, and there were only around 1,718 passengers. Because we were a family of four, we got a cabin to ourselves with bathroom. Always go to morning tea because I was sick at breakfast and missed it. Always went for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Spend time in music room. There was a stage for dancing and music. Family went there, father and I were the only ones that liked music. Watched piano bar. My father and I danced a little bit, but not much.

1. What did you bring?

Whole family brought all belongings in green metal trunk (which is at my house)

Whatever we had in the house

1. What were your most precious items that you brought?

2. No diary, no toys. Older sister brought sewing machine. Brought clothes. Brought magazines (girl/romance magazines), Italian records 45 singles records that she still has, Italian books, linen, towels, sheets - all from special person to embroid the linen. (Still got blue and white linen)

Were you an assisted immigrant?

Yes. Sponsored by sister and brother in law.

In the afternoon, she and her family would sit on the chairs in the living room type areas near the window (see video) and eat biscuits.

Massive dining room looked like ballroom. That's where we ate.

sick because of change of weather from freezing in italy to summer in australia

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What did you feel?

Boat trip: seasick, happy (music, with father, ballroom), homesick

In Australia:  homesick, sad (not many jobs, food etc), disorientated (not like home, different food/clothes/climate also can’t speak/understand English) , exhausted (working and learning English)

What did you miss?

Missed home. Missed friends who were a lot. Missed relatives. Took me 2 years to be happy and get used to Australia because I could not communicate or speak the language. Taught myself English because I was sad that I could not speak.

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Back then I only had the essentials. If I needed a dress, I would have to knit or sew it myself, because my mother was not going to buy that!

Only went to Primary School in Italy because often parents couldn't afford it.

Taught herself sewing, embroidery, crochet.

Older sister a dressmaker. Grew up in a house always sewing, clever enough to pick it up without anyone teaching me, then went to learn for about two years before coming to Australia. Left alone when sisters left, kept busy my learning dressmaking. Never went to secondary school, only primary, parents couldn't really afford,

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1. Were you bullied at all/made fun of? If so, what for?

Yes, For eating foreign foods and speaking different. Especially Nono Michael when he worked at the railway station.

Education:
Went to night school to learn English in Australia so she could get work, met Nonno there at age 17. Went there with my brother. But, we only stayed 4-5 months because it wasn't helpful, only teaching words like table, chair, etc. I taught myself English after that.

Jobs:

1. What are all the jobs you’ve had in Australia?

2. Sewing factory, restaurant (after marriage and child) couldn't work because youngest was always sick. When child was age 4-5 went back to work. Evening went to work 5 hours until about midnight while Nono and daughters were home. Last years few years  worked in hospital for sewing.

3. Did they pay you well?

When I was only sixteen I was paid reduced wages. The bank did loan for boat so the only reason I worked was to pass time and repay the bank. First year and a half just to live and pay loan. After 3couple years, parents put a deposit for a house. Smallish. Lived with parents until got married, because couldn't live alone. If had to go to dance club, must take brother, and that's just how Italians were.

1. Were they treating you well? Average, yes.

2. What job did you get when you arrived?

Got a job towards the end of jan because everything was closed (Xmas). Factories opened end of January. First week of February went to work in a factory. Factory of sewing. Straight on sewing machine just because I knew how to work it.

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1. Where did you meet Nonno?

Night school

How old were you when you met him?
17
When did you get married?
1964
How old were you?

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She was born and raised in Foridia, Province of Siracusa, Sicily, Italy. About 8/9 k from city.
She arrived in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Dock in Messina - Mediterranean - Black Sea. meaning in december would be cold/biting/windy rather than normal mildness of sicily because near ocea. train station is 10 or so minute ewalk from the dock

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Conte Grande Boat:

The Big Count ( Count is the male of Contessa)

They were on the boat for 23 days. But the Conte Grande travelled for 28 days

23 days (4-5 days earlier sailed to

In 1960, the boat was transferred from the Italian Line to Lloyd Triestino, where it served for another year until being scrapped in 1961.

Built in 1928 by Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino in Trieste, Italy, to service the transatlantic* passenger line between Genoa, Italy, and New York City. At the end of 1960, the ship was chartered (hired) by Lloyd Triestino for one voyage.

It departed Genoa with 1,600 passengers on board, all in one class, containing mostly immigrants but also fare-paying passengers. When it arrived in Australia, it docked first in Fremantle, WA, on January 7 1961, then Melbourne on the 11th of January and lastly Sydney on the 13th of January, remaining in that port for 2 days.

Other stops:

*Transatlantic - Transatlantic crossings are passages of passengers and cargo across the Atlantic Ocean between the Americas and Europe or Africa.