In this blog, Elena Rebuli pays tribute to her father, Albino, also known as Vito or Vic Rebuli, who would have turned 100 years last month.
The Rebuli family were part of the community of Veneto market gardeners who lived and worked in the area they called Lockleys in Adelaide’s western suburbs.
In the image above, Elena’s mother Antonietta is standing with her niece, Bruna Rebuli in front of the Rebuli’s shop, Grange Road, Seaton, early 1963.
Dad was born on June 20, 1924, in the town of Bigolino (Provinca Treviso), Veneto, to parents Brunone (Bruno) and Giovanna (nee Rossetto), on his mother’s 26th birthday. He was given the name Albino but was called “Vito” by his family and also as ‘Vic’, in later years, by his Australian friends. He arrived in Adelaide, South Australia as a small child, aged 7, with his mother, older sister, Dorina, 8, and younger brother, Elvio, 6, in December, 1931. His father had been in Adelaide since 1927 preparing for the arrival of his family. A younger brother, Guido, was born in Australia in 1938.
The Early Days
My Nonno (grandfather) decided to leave Italy due to their unease of the rising of fascism in Italy at the time. Bigolino was also hit hard during World War I. Situated close to the Piave River – a major front during the war – my grandmother’s family were forced to flee as refugees to the other side of the front only to return after the war to find the family home badly damaged by mortar shells.
The early years were definitely difficult but Dad always recounted them with a bit of a laugh. The trip over by ship, Remo, was scary for my Nonna (grandmother) with three young children in tow. She mentioned that the sailors would try to get my Dad – a seven year old – drunk. Dad thought that was funny. The early years in Australia, finally reunited with my Nonno, were spent living in Lockleys along the River Torrens along with several other families from the Veneto region. Their first home was a rickety shack and my Nonna would slide a wardrobe across the front door at night to feel more secure.
Growing up in Australia
The family worked as market gardeners in the Lockleys area for many years. Living through the depression, Dad and his siblings walked to Flinders Park Primary until he was 12. Things were tough. Getting up early in the morning, while still dark, to take their produce to the market only to return with a full cart. But Dad still would see the lighter side and recall the times he would be working in the glasshouses with free roaming chickens and he, and his brother, would throw rotten eggs at each other in the soaring summer heat. He said the conditions were terrible but would be laughing while he said it. The family became naturalised Australian citizens on April 1, 1938.
In his youth my father would enjoy taking the tram to the beach, going to see the latest matinee movie and going dancing – particularly enjoying a walz or foxtrot. He has always loved music – from classical, opera, to the latest popular hit. “At the Balalaika” by Nelson Eddy being one of his longtime favourites right through to enjoying music of all types throughout the years. He was a fan of Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks movies. He was a good swimmer and was often diving off Henley Beach jetty along with a group of cousins and friends. On one occasion, my grandmother pointed at a young man jumping off the jetty saying “look at that crazy person” only to be told it was her son Vito.
As a Young Man
My grandfather passed away in 1947 and Dad took on a fatherly role, especially for his youngest brother who was 14 years younger. He encouraged his love of sport and shared his passion for cricket and football.
After working in the market gardens with his brother Elvio for several years, Dad worked for a short time at General Motors Holden before establishing a deli/continental grocery store on Grange Road, Seaton, in the late ’50s. The shop became a hub for the local Italian community with many going there for assistance with translation of documents and even for help with their tax.
Marriage and Family
In 1962, dad returned to Italy where he met and married my mother, Antonietta nee Danieli on the 3rd of November in the church of Caerano San Marco (Provinca Treviso). The reception was held in the famous Hotel Sole in Asolo. Dad brought his new wife back to Adelaide with him in December. They arrived on a day of extreme heat – the type that Adelaide is famous for but something completely new for my mother. My mother saying to dad that she thought the plane was on fire as they disembarked. My brother was born in 1963 and I was born in 1965.
Visiting Italy
We returned to Italy as a family on two occasions. The first time was by ship in 1968. Originally, the plan was to remain in Italy. A block of land was purchased in Caerano San Marco and house plans were drawn up. But after a year, Dad’s ties and sense of commitment to his family in Australia was too strong and Mum convinced him that we should return. We went back to Italy in 1975 and this time my Nonna also came with us. Dad arranged for the purchase of a car, with the help of my Mum’s brother – my uncle Sandro – and we spent the Italian summer travelling and seeing the magnificent sights around the Veneto while based in Caerano.
The Later Years
Dad enjoyed reading and would often read each edition of the encyclopaedia like it was a novel. He was fascinated about what made things work. He enjoyed watching documentaries – especially on wildlife and travel. He spoke fondly of travelling up the Suez Canal and visiting the pyramids. He was a talented drawer and had a good singing voice. He was good at DIY projects around the house and loved cars – both maintaining them and regularly changing them.
In his senior years he enjoyed going for long walks and bike rides. He loved animals and fondly remembered their horse “Prince” from his time in the market gardens. He brought home a stray kitten he found in the car park at work and cared deeply for the dogs that became part of our family calling them his “fancy faces”.
In his mid 70s Dad started to develop symptoms of Alzheimers but that didn’t slow him down until he dramatically declined – almost overnight – after he turned 80. Dad became bedridden for the last two years of his life but never complained during that time and always greeted me with the biggest smile when I got home from work.
Although he could sometimes get grumpy, he was always quick to back down. Dad had a big heart and his family was everything to him.
Even debilitated with Alzheimers he still managed to say “l love you” on what was going to be his last day with us – even though we didn’t know it at the time.
Dad spent up to his final day at home being lovingly cared for by Mum. Dad passed away November 12, 2007, at the age of 83. Mum passed away September 12, 2022. She would have been 90 on the 3rd of March, 2024.
Funny and clever, Dad was without a doubt one of my biggest inspirations. I am so grateful to have had such good, caring and loving parents.
Elena Rebuli
14 July 2024
All photos supplied by Elena.