The Story of Italian Migration to Australia 2017 Version

[@alexrenn2479]

I just stumbled on this and found it very moving. I'm Greek-Australian and can really relate to your story. I also grew up with many Italian-Australians from primary school and was fortunate enough to be invited into their homes and embraced by their families. Beautiful and warm people. I have been learning Italian over the past four years and am fairly fluent. The interactions I had with Italian people made me love the culture.

[@MimBell]

Brings a tear to the eye. What many people don't know is that the vast majority of Italians that immigrated here were from peasant backgrounds from Southern Italy with little to no education. Despised by Northern Italians, and Australians alike. Yet, as shown here, they were able to run their own businesses. I also know of these stories all too well, as I was one of them, arriving in Australia at 19 months of age with my parents in 1964.

[@peterb121]

Well said , it seems to me that the Northerners where greatly worried that the southerners might get more educated , they did . The opportunity Australia gave the Southerners was what they needed. My Grandfather came over in 1949 , no handouts just hard work not like what's going on today spending OUR HARD TAX MONEY like it's grown on trees . Anyway I'm a first generation Italian Australian and I wouldn't have it any other way , I'm glad my Grandfather chose Australia. 😊

[@jmromeo1]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm an Italian teacher and shared this video with my Year 8 students. They enjoyed it and it helped me to explain the migration story in a profound way. On a personal level, the ending where you speak of your family is beautiful and brought tears to my eyes, I can relate to your story because my nonni's reasons for migrating here from Sicily were the same and like you, I am forever grateful to them.

[@jamienat.1943]

Man this made me cry. Thinking both sides of nonni whome did this in the 50s and 70s from Italy to Sydney, Australia. With those occupations shown in the video. We as a country have benefited from all the Italian immigration over the years.

[@deeangelo9805]

Thankyou for this beautiful dedication to the Italian migrants. This is a story for many of us I was born in Melbourne and my parents, family made this journey. I remember 64 years now of this story and I am truly grateful for their sacrifices. We are grateful and have brought Melbourne to its rise from their hard work and efforts. always thanking that work was there in that time.Lets keep sharing the story and this is what Australia day stands for united.

[@gwapsejnr]

dee angelo Thanks so much for your comment. Glad you appreciated the video :)

[@giuseppebonica6148]

A good account. I arrived in 1953 at the age of 7 years and remember dealing with the locals. It wasn't easy.

[@gwapsejnr]

Giuseppe BONICA thanks for your comment. No doubt it wasn’t easy but glad you and they persevered.

[@massimodanzelmo4607]

I knew a Joe bonica and his Brother in Melbourne, hair dressing Academy in the sixties , is that you Joe

[@anncoral]

I have tears watching this. So well done. My family also came to Australia (Melbourne) from Italy in 1952. Giuseppe (Joe) Rechichi I honour you. RIP. Thank you for this video it is a great reminder of their struggles and contributions to Australia.

[@gwapsejnr]

anncoral Thank you for your comment. Glad I could help in telling a small part of their story.

[@torontocountry970]

Oh how beautiful...so heart wrenching. The same story in Toronto, Canada. My dad's best friend went to Australia from Calabria and my dad went to Toronto...I always wonder where he went in Australia and if he has family there now. I have a photo of my dad and him.

[@ginapouliotis6555]

So proud of my Parents also, like your Grandparents made the ultimate sacrifice in 1952 my father came alone and in 1954 Mother and 4 children arrived in Melbourne and then settled in Adelaide this year we celebrated 70 years in Australia. It's with great gratitude to the Pioneering Spirit of our ancestors that we can enjoy our lives to the fullest. Thank you for sharing your beautiful family's history it brought tears to my eyes knowing the hardship that migrants faced at that time and so very proud of the wonderful culture they introduced to this land.

[@ellea3940]

This brought me to tears. As a second generation Australian, I have overwhelming gratitude for my grandparents who came from Greece and Lebanon in the 1960's for a better life. I am forever grateful for the sacrifices they made for future generations (like myself) to prosper and have a multitude of opportunities at my doorstep to take as I please. It is because of them I have what I have. My family is everything and It's beautiful for you to have shared your family's story. God Bless, Elle.

[@marcocipollini611]

Lovely...makes me think of the sacrifices my mum and dad made 😢

[@rainscratch]

Wonderfully edited and very emotional tribute to your family heritage. My family's migration chain started in 1875 from the Ionian Island of Ithaca, Greece. Your video reflects all early migration, well done, your family living and those departed to another realm will be proud.

[@francbutera5109]

so so beautiful - thank you for capturing not only the image media but the sensitivity of the story - god bless you.

[@MsEtess]

What a beautiful dedication to your family and all Italians. I cried right through the video with joy and thanks for my own family. Your family must be so proud of you!!

[@gwapsejnr]

Thank you so much Teresa. Appreciate your comment and hopefully they are proud of me! I am proud of my family and my nonni especially.

[@yianniathanasopoulos]

What a beautiful dedication to the Italian migrants. Coming from a Greek background, I too sympathise with the actions taken by Italians, Greeks and others. To leave your mother country for a destination that is far away and unknown would be over whelming for myself if I was put in the same predicament. I take my hat off to all other migrants who sought for a better world in preset to give us, the second generation the freedoms and liberties to become whomever we want!

[@channey3264]

so true

[@gwapsejnr]

Yianni Athanasopoulos Thank you so much for your comment. As you said the story in this video applies to many others such as the Greeks. They forged a difficult path to give us the opportunity of a better life. Thanks again for the nice words.

[@lotuscabrio2937]

Yianni Athanasopoulos thankyou from someone is italian,greek and iraqi I have lived my whole life in Africa. Not many people are aware of some immigrants born and bred in this beautiful continent Africa.

[@giuseppecossari4783]

I too Travelled the same road , My father arrived in 1952 ,my mother and with the 3 of us arrived in 1956 and lived the migrant experience. Giuseppe (Joe) Cossari

[@gwapsejnr]

Giuseppe Cossari Thanks for the comment Joe. The video seems to resonate with lots of people which is great. Our parents will always be our heroes.

[@noproblem2big337]

Well done, nice photo complication, i arrived back in 1971 with mum dad and my brothers (Galileo galilei ship) straight to a tobacco farm in the king valley...the good old days

[@emmag879]

The italians brought life to Australia. We can't thank them enough. The worked terribly hard and respected the land and its people to make it what it is today. We love and thank you.

[@Ermonacodimontagna]

Long live from Italy 🇮🇹❤🇦🇺 Your country is just amazing

[@vincentmarino446]

Well said, from a Italian Australian, thankyou

[@patriciamackinlay6495]

what a brilliant video complimenti loved all the photos x

[@zordsps9400]

That was beautiful. I am so lucky to have my Italian heritage, Grazie Armando, my father. Rest in Peace Andy.

[@gwapsejnr]

Zords PS Thanks so much for your comment.

[@josemingo7344]

I've just wept! Its the migrant story to its fullest. Thank you for sharing and giving us the privilege of your story.

[@zaraleinster7879]

wow this is almost identical to my family's story as well. so glad i came across this video

[@vincentmarino446]

All Italian families that have migrated tell similar stories. Well done, you have made your family proud. I too am also proud of my Italian heritage and how it has shaped this country.

[@gwapsejnr]

Thank you Vincent appreciate your kind comment.

[@capraro1]

WOW, what a special video. I can see my parents, uncles and aunties in these photo's. What a beautiful tribute, you should be commended and we should all make a similar video to show our kids. Bravo

[@theaussieautismmum8387]

As a grandchild of those who migrated here in the 1950s I appreciate and respect this! My husband's family also migrated the same time as mine. All hard workers, all coped racism and all struggled to survive!! But they made it!! My husband and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them migrating and making a better life for themselves!! God bless all those who have to leave their homes to make a new home in a different country. ❤

[@gwapsejnr]

the Aussie Autism Mum Thanks for the comment and glad the video resonated with you. We have a lot to be grateful for.

[@albertrossmariner]

There is something so sad as well as joyful about any immigrants journey from their birth place and travelling to the other side of the world. My experience was very different to the Italian one but also very similar it’s the leaving of all that’s familiar and the ever present feeling of being alone going to the unknown.

[@carlosacta8726]

A very beautiful and moving documentary! Tanti auguri e belle cose per te e tutta la famiglia!

[@qormi1000]

Such a beautifully told story of early migration. I can relate to that. The music was very appropriate. The whole video brought tears to my eyes remembering those early days in Australia. Thank you so much for telling the story.

[@frankmaiorana351]

Brought a tear to my eyes, well done... beautiful!

[@nickpaola2757]

What a nice story dedicate di to the Italian Pioneers , those that Made the long journey before and after WW2 . My father first cousin migrated in 1922 and after he got his own family here, in Myrtleford Victoria he started getting his brothers to migrate . After ww2 My father migrated in 1950 and settled in Wangaratta working at a textile factory. My mother ,my older brother and I came in 1962 and my oldest brother came in 1967 . All three of us brothers worked at both textile factories. Whilst my second oldest brother was called up in the army and then settled in Sydney's north shore afterwords , my oldest brother and I stayed and worked a the textile factory . During that time I spent most of time as a textile Union representative progressing to the presidency of the Victorian branch of the Union . Wangaratta situated in the North east of Victoria has a very proud history of Italian migration along with the sourrending areas in the Ovens, King and Kiewa valleys once known as tobacco growing areas, now turned into wine growing has had several thousands Italian migrants that has highly contributed to the prosperity of the entire region . Now the second third and in some cases fourth generations are continuing to contribute to the growth and prosperity of this great region.

[@mariafantasia1191]

It's always interesting watching a collection of photos showing smiling faces. While it's true, the migrant Italians brought their culture, traditions, rituals with them and stuck together and had family catchups/lunches etc., that's only part of the story. What's not talked about here is the violence and abuse that went on behind the scenes in some quarters - the men who were taunted at work by the English and who turned violent and abusive, the women who were controlled and not allowed to work in factories, the children who were bullied at school. Though I'm proud of my Italian heritage, it wasn't all roses and romance as this youtube video tries to portray.

[@francbutera5109]

True; however, I do not think the purpose of the film was to represent an exhaustive biopic. The film played homage to Italians and Italian parents.

[@TimeTraveller010]

I never recall a positive moment when dealing with Anglo-Australians, to this very day! Roses and Romance? Never. Anglo-Australians are far too impersonal to show soul. Mostly they are a soulless and racist. Maybe not as racist as the 50's up to the 80s, nonetheless 'closet racists'.

[@rhondaravida4998]

I just saw my dad as a young boy in these photos😘

[@giuseppe1716]

What a great video

[@carmelot324]

WE CAME ,WE SAW,WE CONCRETED.CIAO

[@lindakerr2084]

I enjoyed this very much and the music was wonderful! Thank ou for sharing.

[@gwapsejnr]

Thanks Linda, glad you appreciated it :)

[@AntoninaRivituso]

makes me feel pretty sad, i know the reasons my parents left their parents to come here, the reason was for a better life... of what they thought, i know the pain and depression my grandparents had their children leaving them.

[@gwapsejnr]

Thank you for the comment. Yes very difficult decisions that’s why we appreciate their sacrifices.

[@Thetuber83]

@@gwapsejnr I would say your are part of wave 3 generation of Italians who came here after WW2. A lot is forgotten about wave 1 and 2 Italians who were locked up here in Australia for apparently being disloyal to the crown before the wars and during the war. If you ever go up to North Queensland, one of our food bowls of the country (specifically Mareeba) there is a large albeit homogenous community of Italians who live in the Far North who's families went through harsh times too.

[@vincentmarino446]

@@Thetuber83 Very much so , I have met several families from there, their presence and contribution to Nth Queensland is enormous, a history on its own.

[@markhooper4532]

Winnie Wallace..Family is everything.These Italians prove this . A beautiful story told. Now I need to go and dry my eyes.

[@flamingstag2381]

i started school 1953 at brunswick ,vic, there was 48 kids in our class , me & another boy called clifford were the only 2 who spoke english & understood what our teacher was saying ! the post ww2 migrant program was difficult for everyone but my mind says that those school teachers of the time were the absolute hero,s !

[@mixx1244]

Amazing! Thank you so much

[@gwapsejnr]

Thank you for your comment, much appreciated :)

[@matteadc]

I think I've got something in my eye. No, but really, we all have a similar family story. Thank you so much for sharing yours.

[@giuseppejoebonica841]

Well done with this account.

[@donzampogna344]

Excellent video well presented and touching. I can relate to this!

[@gwapsejnr]

Don Zampogna thank you! Appreciate your comment.

[@dinkohrvat344]

Croatians have a very similar story . Many escaped communism and their ethnic identity was denied by the Australian government .They were called ' Yugoslavs ' Any one who called themselves a Croatian was labelled a Nazi and a fascist . So many tragic and sad stories and graves in far away Australian cities and town. RIP 🌹

[@Taninasd]

This definitely resonates with so many Italian migrants at the time. My mum came here is 1954 a 13 yr old girl on her own to live with her aunty for a better life... or so my nonni thought! Anyway her struggles and sacrifices are why we are all here and have had opportunities that more of her family in Italy have not had. Thanks for the video.... the photo in the sewing workplace where was that taken? One of the women look like my mother.

[@gwapsejnr]

Hi Tania sorry just saw your message. I am not too sure but many of the photos were from the book Per L’Australia so if you were able to find it you may find more information on where that photo was taken.

[@OpenMind2]

Had your grandparents stayed in Italy they would have succeeded in getting a better quality of life without being subjected to the unspeakable humiliation and soul destroying treatment that they had received from the Australian people. 😢 my original family remained in Italy and they’re enjoying an excellent lifestyle without the enormous sacrifices your grandparents and I had to endure to survive in this country.

[@Mgjuvfoss]

Esattamente. Anche i miei parenti in Abruzzo stanno abbastanza bene. L'Australia è diventata un disastro in assoluto. Vivo a Melbourne da anni e sto riflettendo su tutto perché il futuro qui lo vedo duro.

[@ottaviosusanna]

@@Mgjuvfoss Perche' disastro? Mi piacerebbe saperlo, perche' in Australia non ci sono mai stato.

[@gabrielecialdini3313]

Video Bellissimo...grazie di aver fatto questo per gli italiani!

[@gwapsejnr]

Grazie per le tue parole gentili, è stato un piacere!

[@JOSEPHINECOLOMBO]

beautiful thank you xx

[@vincegiardina2252]

Wow Very powerful

[@patandrews4760]

Loved this, thankyou so much.

[@gwapsejnr]

Thanks Pat, glad you enjoyed it. Hope you had a merry christmas and happy new year! Adam

[@vcab6875]

Hard working entrepreneurial people.

[@massimodanzelmo4607]

The war, the desperation of a nation after a war that should not have happened, forcing a. Bleeding nation to emigrate against their Will, i have written a book of those years, the forced immigration that divided the country and its inhabitants. Swindling them , and to be swindled. To the best offerers. That money could buy all over the World , a sad proportion of human sacrifice that history once again tells the Story of human sacrifice in a new redemptive rapresentation, this is another of those stories that Will leave its Mark😢on the generation that lived it, it is all written in my book ( sons of another. Generation ) only in italian. Wish the best to all

[@paolosfriso3652]

Touching !

[@maheshpathmasiri2575]

wow superb story

[@raib281]

Beautiful video

[@gwapsejnr]

Rai B thank you 😊

[@LordRubino]

Bellissimo! Struggle and sacrifices but at the end make life worth living

[@lot6129]

Well done, us wogs can all relate to similar to this

[@willsmovies8330]

My father came out here to Sydney from Southern Europe in 1952. He was dirt poor and illiterate, left behind a wife and 6 kids. After just 2 years he had a house and 2 jobs. Mum joined him here after 2 years. He said there was so much work available because the Real Aussies were all Alcoholics ,unreliable and lazy.

[@walker4376]

I come from German Immigrants and hate to tell this but real Aussies built this country that your father came too you should have some respect for it. Another thing those real Aussies whipped your Italian asses in WW2 like they did to the Germans and Japanese. This country is a great country and the people that built it sacrificed for it. Your comment is stupid and ridiculous. Calling a people lazy and drunk that allowed your father to have freedom when Italy was in turmoil just proves how disrespectful and low you really are.

[@TimeTraveller010]

And it's true to the day

[@walker4376]

@@TimeTraveller010 No it isn’t. If you don’t like here just leave simple as that.

[@TimeTraveller010]

@@walker4376 Dufus, I am not your slave, nor are you my master. What I choose to do and express outside the parameter of non-racist or extreme bigotry is my business. Limeys are not European, claiming Brits are Europeans is a misnomer. They are Anglo-Saxons, the first people to instutionalize slavery and racism since 1495. Start doing your homework dufus.

[@theocook2979]

I have sent the link to my daughter to show the grand children.

[@gwapsejnr]

L Marrone Thank you, I hope she enjoys it.

[@thestrengthofus6122]

This is a beautiful dedication to your family. Are all of the photos of your family or taken from another source?

[@debmcdiarmid6006]

Hello @gwapsejnr - I'm researching Italian immigrants especially the cane cutters. Are these photos your own families collection? I'm k=looking for images to publish (community editorial)

[@CenzoL]

I have a couple of photos of relatives cane cutters at Innisfail

[@AlidaDiana]

Just beautiful.

[@mieko1421]

the dramatic music made me giggle LMAOOOO

[@mieko1421]

y'all didn't have it that hard. suck it up

[@Cherie...]

not you with ur privileged ass

[@francoscanfe9627]

bellissimo documentario

[@rooboy114]

Italians migrating to Australia did not have the benefit on being a Ten Pound Pom. Italians paid full fare to come to Australia. They got on and did many of the jobs the others wouldn't do and made sure their children got a good education. The Poms came to Australia and just complained about everything in Australia, especially the fish and chips.

[@georgemanka]

Lovely

[@TH3.R3AL.V1]

7:56 So beautiful! 🥲

[@MrBillycan1]

We’ll never see this again, those that come here to Australia today, Bludge On The Taxpayers, with no Intention to work Ever!!))

[@jockmckenzie860]

loved the Italian sausage very nice

[@nuota2622]

sounds like a skill issue to me.

[@nikkoutsivos6871]

Ratio

[@TH3.R3AL.V1]

I feel so sorry you! It must have been hard with all the war and conflict. For every like this comment gets, that’s one person that supports you too! 👍

[@nuota2622]

L bozo no grandfather skill issue + out of my league

[@jacquesryan2264]

Ratio

[@nuota2622]

@@jacquesryan2264 no ratios for u

[@nikkoutsivos6871]

Ratio

[@YellowSabre]

@@nuota2622 get ratio’d

[@ExRhodesian]

I hope a lot of former Fascists made it do Australia there wasn't much future for them back in Italy post 1945. A greeting to all ex Fascists and their descendants!