The image above shows the wedding of Lea Griguol and Orlando Tonellato,
21 February 1953.
My father
My Dad, Orlando Luciano Tonellato or “Nano” as he was affectionately known, was born on 13 December 1927 in Caselle di Altivole, Treviso, Italy. His father, Secondo, had already emigrated to Australia and settled in Kidman Park, where he purchased a rail car previously used by King George V during his visit to Australia. This rail car became the family home when the rest of the family, including his mother, Elizabetta, and siblings Luigi, Rosina, Alberto, Lino, and Assunta, joined him in Australia in 1934.
Dad, then just seven years old, met his father for the first time in Australia, and spoke of him with great affection throughout his life. Secondo was a hardworking and kind man, qualities that my dad inherited. He also had a great sense of humour—always laughing, joking, and getting along well with everyone. Despite his roots in Italy, he seamlessly integrated into Australian culture, often using Aussie phrases.
One of his favourites, when he was hungry, was “I could eat a horse and chase the rider!”
Dad attended Flinders Park Primary School and St. Joseph’s in Hindmarsh before joining his father and brother, Lino, in market gardening. They grew tomatoes, beans, and potatoes, selling their produce at the East End markets.
My mother
My Mum, Lea Tonellato née Griguol, was born on October 14, 1932, in Meduna di Livenza, Italy, to Giuseppe and Rosa Griguol. She had five siblings: Tony, Maria, Lina, Mario, and Silvana. In February 1949, the Griguol family emigrated to Australia aboard the ship Toscana. They initially lived in New Residence, between Loxton and Kingston, where they worked in glasshouses and gardens. However, after a short time, Mum and two of her sisters moved to Fulham Gardens in Adelaide to find work.
According to the book, Polenta in Australia: The story of Giuseppe and Rosa Griguol and their Family, written by Rose Noble, Mum’s mother, Rosa, was unhappy in Australia, particularly when separated from her daughters. Giuseppe and Rosa planned to move the entire family to Adelaide to be together but Rosa fell ill and passed away before the move.* Her loss at the age of 18 was profoundly difficult for Mum and her family, but it forged a deep bond between the siblings and help make her the devoted and loving mother that she was.
Mum and Dad met through her brother Tony. There are many versions of how their relationship began, but what’s clear is that Dad who was popular with the ladies, was smitten with Mum from the moment they met. They married on February 21, 1953.
They initially shared a house with Dad’s brother Lino and his wife Rosanna, working together in the market gardens. It was hard work, but they loved it. Mum often told us how she would find Dad sleeping between the rows of tomatoes in the glasshouses. They didn’t have much but when they had a good day at the market, Dad would give Mum money to buy material for a new dress—a story she told many times, and one I only appreciated more as I got older, realising how special it must have been and how hard they worked for everything they had.
Our Tonellato family
They had five children: Pauline (1954), Susan (1955), Christine (1957), Paul (1962), and later on… me, Leanne (1974). They remained in Kidman Park on the land purchased by Nonno Secondo. My siblings have many fond memories of the glasshouses, but I was born after they were gone. I often found it hard to picture what the place looked like, where the wagon used to be, and what it was like working on the land.
I never had the chance to meet my grandparents which made it even more challenging to imagine.
In 1973, Mum and Dad took a holiday back to Italy with my brother, visiting family, but they were happy to return to Australia which they considered home. When they sold the land, they kept a block and built a home on Fergusson Avenue, where they would live for the rest of their lives. Dad worked as a storeman and packer at Associated Grocers on Findon Road until his retirement, and Mum worked at the Adelaide airport cafeteria.
Memories of my parents
My childhood differed from my sisters’, but all our memories are filled with love and joy. I remember Mum helping in my school’s canteen, joining my class excursions, and was always our netball team’s “transport.” I remember walking home from school with friends, knowing that if it rained, Dad would show up to pick us all up – every time. When I took the bus home from university, he was always waiting at the bus stop. I was very spoiled – not with material possessions, but with their time.
Our home was full of love and laughter, with visitors constantly dropping by for coffee, grappa, Mum’s frittole, and crostoli. Mum’s soup was a family favourite, especially among the grandchildren, who still enjoy it, though it’s never quite the same. Her gnocchi, baccala, and polenta were also beloved by her children. The house always smelled of methylated spirits or eucalyptus oil as Mum was a meticulous cleaner. Her house was always spotless, and even when she made me dust the house, the rag would barely get dirty! I still don’t know how she did it.
They didn’t have much and didn’t go on many vacations but they loved going for drives and spending time with family. Mum adored her grandchildren, welcoming her first grandchild in 1978 and her last in 2002. They had 10 grandchildren and now 11 great-grandchildren.
I am so glad my children got to know Mum and Dad. They have cherished memories of them and knew how deeply they were loved. It warms my heart to see so much of my parents in my children. My son has Dad’s humour and kind heart, while my daughter shares his gentle nature. She also inherited Mum’s caring and empathy, making her a wonderful nurse, as I always thought Mum should have been.
Changes in our family
Dad passed away in August 2009 at the age of 81. Life changed significantly for Mum after his passing but she still laughed and enjoyed having her family around. She spent a lot of time making coffee for the visitors who often dropped by. Thursdays were special, as Nillo and Angelina Piovesan, Assunta and Angelo Giovannini, Connie Legovich, and Sergio would come over.
Unfortunately, after Mum fell and broke her hip, she could no longer stay in her home and moved into a nursing home. Selling the house that she loved was devastating for her but her strength and positive attitude helped her through it. She continued to laugh, joke, and even made many friends at the nursing home. The most amazing thing was her ability to make others happy. When she first arrived, she was upset that the staff didn’t smile often. Eventually, they put a sign on her door reminding staff to smile! Many staff members would hide in her room to chat and seek advice which she loved. Although she wasn’t particularly fond of watching the cleaners work, she would still tell them what a good job they were doing before then smirking and rolling her eyes at me. Mum lived in the nursing home for seven years until she became unwell.
Mum passed away in August 2023 surrounded by her family. She was 90 years old.
Christine Basso, our beautiful and deeply loved sister, passed away three months later after a short but devastating illness. She was only 65 years old. We are heartbroken that she didn’t get to enjoy her retirement and missed out on so many things. However, she was fortunate to have been married to her soulmate, Wally Basso, and they had a wonderful daughter, Deanna. Christine was cherished by so many friends and family for her humour, always making us laugh.
To me, she was a protective big sister, generous and always helping me with any computer issues I had while at school and university. I cherish the memories I have of her. I am grateful that Mum and Dad didn’t have to endure the pain of losing Christine. I take comfort in the belief they are together and we will be all be reunited one day.
Leanne Toscano nee Tonellato
22 September 2024
All photos supplied by Leanne.
*Polenta in Australia: The Story of Giuseppe and Rosa Griguol and their Family was written and published by Rose Nobel in Adelaide in 1996