Summary

Adeline del Vecchio and Gilbert Denny met while living with their families in Egypt before separating migrating to Australia where they married in 1960.

Adeline Del Vecchio and Gilbert Denny were born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1927 and 1931 respectively, of Italian and English parentage. Their families knew each other well and they lived a relatively privileged life in culturally diverse Alexandria. Adeline's father was born in Milan, Italy. In those early days of colonial settlement, Alexandria was a melting pot of European nations. Adeline was fluent in Italian, French, Greek and English. Her knowledge of these languages reflected the multicultural society in which she was raised.

During the 1930s and 1940s, political activists were calling for an end to colonialism in Egypt and it became apparent to them that they were no longer welcome in Egypt. This political climate under Abdul Nasser encouraged Gilbert and his family to leave Egypt with his family in 1949. They chose to settle in Australia due to employment opportunities. Gilbert and Adeline kept in regular contact, corresponding for ten years. During this time Gilbert proposed to Adeline and she subsequently arrived in Australia in 1959.

Adeline and Gilbert married in Thornbury in 1960, with Adeline wearing a dress she brought with her from Alexandria. It was made for her by her mother Mary Xerri who, according to the family, was an accomplished dressmaker, and renowned in Egypt for her needlework skills.

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