Summary

Black and white digital photograph of the Annetta family on the dock at the Port of Messina in front of the ship Australia just before embarkation and departure, Sicily,1960.

Domenico, Domenica and their three children migrated from the town of Sant'Angelo, Calabria in 1960. They travelled to Australia on board the ship Australia. It is one of a collection of photographs that document the Annetta family migration story, life in Melbourne and Domenico's miniature agricultural model-making activity. He created the models to preserve the memories of his life as a subsistence farmer in Calabria, Italy before migrating to Australia.

Physical Description

digital photograph scanned from original print

Significance

This photograph forms part of a set of images that supplement and accompany a collection of seven agricultural models made by Domenico Annetta. His beautifully hand crafted models represent the conscious efforts of a parent to create in miniature traditional agricultural practices from his homeland to demonstrate his former life in tangible form to his children and grandchildren. Not only do they capture life in rural Italy but also give materiality to migrant memories and experiences in a form that can be visualised. The collection is enhanced by other items made by Domenico and photographs of Domenico making the agricultural models and his life both in Italy and in Australia.

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