Toni and Gina

Gina and Toni Stratico c1960

Antonio (Toni) Luigi Stratico was born in 1903 at Intra in northern Italy. Luigia (Gina) Galloni was born in 1905 in Milano and then moved to Intra where she met and married Toni around 1925. Three years later, in February 1928 they had a daughter, Teresina (Terry).

Together they ran a cafe and laundry service in nearby Baveno. In 1932 when Toni was working at a hat-band weaving factory owned by Mr. Moderna, he and a number of other Italians from the area were offered a three year contract to go to Australia and work in a new factory being set up by Mr. Moderna's son.

In November 1932 he travelled to Australia on the Viminale, arriving in Melbourne on December 1932. He then started working in the Hatbands & Trimmings Manufacturing Co. Pty Ltd. Factory located in McEvoy Street, Alexandria.

In those three years, Toni worked from 7 AM to 5 PM, went home for dinner, and then returned and worked through till 9 PM. When the three years were up, Toni wrote Gina to ask if he should come home or if she would like to come to Australia to join him. She agreed and arrived in Melbourne on the Orion in 1936 with their daughter Teresina and travelled to Sydney to meet him. Initially the family stayed at a house owned by Mr. Moderna on the corner of Redfern Street and Pitt Street Redfern. Everyone called it Intra House because of the origins of its residents.

Gina Stratico c1980

The English language was very hard for Gina, but eventually she got by. This period had its ups and downs, but with her outgoing personality, she made friends easily, and many of those people became lifelong friends. A lady who had a boarding house in Commonwealth Street in the city wanted to sell, so Gina and Toni bought it, taking it over with the 5 borders who already lived there.

When war broke out in 1939, many Italians were interned, including Gina's 5 boarders. Toni was not interned, but was taken to Central Australia initially and then Tasmania, but they basically just stayed in camps or helped with some infrastructure building.

As a young girl, Teresina was an invaluable assistant to her mother assisting in the preparation of large meals for up to 17 men who would come there for a home-cooked Italian dinner, including making fresh pasta or gnocchi on the weekends. At a young age Terry went to board at Saint Scolastica's College in Glebe.   As one of the youngest she enjoyed the care and attention of the older boarders who delighted in doing everything for Teresina and dedicated themselves to her wellbeing. It was not the enlightened educational institution it is today, and life under the nuns could be quite harsh at times. Also, times were tough during the war, and she was not a happy border as she missed her mum and dad, but as she grew older she made lifelong friends through the college.

Gina managed to not only find other boarders, but also provided Italian meals for up to 17 men a night, including weekends helped by her daughter Terry. They did reasonably well by trading and saving food coupons so that a range of food could be obtained, although shortages still made it difficult. Eventually the war ended and Toni came home. He got a job working at Farmers department store in the city which is now the location of the Myer store.

In 1948, Terry met and married Constantine Bolzan (Con, Tino), an Italian whose family lived in Lismore, and they moved to a fruit shop and residence in Oxford Street Paddington. Around 1952, Toni and Gina sold the business in Commonwealth Street and bought a large 2-storey terrace house at 70 Stanley Street Darlinghurst in which she rented rooms to single Italian men who worked in the area - some staying there for many years.

Annette, a blind lady, taught Gina English and they developed a friendship that lasted many years. In return Gina also raised money for the Royal Blind Society by holding bingo days on some Sundays with the group nicknamed “The Happy Club”, and other fund-raisers.

Rhonda, Terry and Richard c1965

Gina kept the boarding-house going and around 1964 her daughter Terry, with her two children Richard and Rhonda, went to live there after Terry and her husband Constantine divorced.

This was not a 'free ride' and Terry, Richard and Rhonda became part of her support team. After school and on weekends, the children would help around the house, decorating for special occasions, delivering dishes, refilling drinks, clearing the table on the regular social occasions when Gina invited some of her many friends for meals or celebrations. Also, with up to 6 borders it meant a considerable amount of washing had to be done, using a wood-burning copper boiler and water-driven spin-dryer, which required the children to provide assistance with chopping wood and hanging and folding sheets.

Toni was always patient, kind and gentle, and with a sense of humor. He was always accommodating  the never-ending list of jobs Gina devised for him, but he always managed to stay good-humored, or retreat to his ‘shed’ at the rear of the house when he needed a break.

Their  garden always looked neat, trimmed, tidy and beautiful. Toni did all the work and Gina gave all the instructions.

L-R: Richard, Gina, Luigi Gillardi, 
Rhonda, Mrs Velvart, Toni, Terry

Gina was house proud, a fabulous cook and tireless in looking after every aspect of daily life. Cooking, feeding, washing, cleaning and shopping for the family, was tiring work and Gina’s days were very busy from morning till night. She had many friends who lived outside Sydney who would visit from time to time, or for a medical appointment, and they always made time to visit Gina for a meal and join her on staff-discount shopping sprees.

For many years she would walk to Paddy’s market early in the morning (a 1.5 Km walk) to stretch the budget as far as she could and would walk home again with fruit, vegetables, a chicken, and other specials she’d find. A long way home carrying such a load.

Gina loved to shop at Farmers Department Store as she utilised Tony’s staff discount with enthusiasm. She enjoyed finding new and trendy items and delighted in being the first to use these at her weekly friend and family lunches and she revelled in their reactions.

Though Gina liked to shop she took every opportunity to work to make a little bit of 'pocket money'. She would wash and iron the red and white checked tablecloths from the very popular La Veneziana Italian Restaurant, opposite the house.

Toni & Gina
50th Wedding Anniversary 1977

Toni enjoyed bowls (bocci) and both he and Gina enjoyed indoor bowls at the Apia Club. They each did very well in their respective teams and won many trophies in competition.

Toni was always interested in learning how things worked and how to fix them if they didn’t. He was also very patient in showing others (who showed an interest) how to fix things. He also had a large stamp collection that he liked to show and talk about.

Gina & Toni  - Apia Club
50th Wedding Anniversary 1977

He delighted in being a trickster and joker and would have visitors laughing loudly though sometimes he would start a sentence in a ‘matter of fact’ tone and have everyone’s undivided attention, listening intently, until they realised they were being ‘had” or ‘taken for a ride” or the joke ’was on them”. Sadly, Toni died suddenly in December 1979 from complications related to lung cancer.

Gina loved to be surrounded by noise, activity and people. Her home was full of life and people, and the sound of people enjoying themselves. She enjoyed life to the fullest, whether it was socialising, entertaining or travelling. In her mind she never grew old, but was always young, wanting the best out of life.

Her outgoing friendliness led to her long association with the Apia Club and it became a focus for her. At times it seemed almost like a second home, and she was made a life member in recognition of her dedicated support.

Eddie and Terry married
on 10 February 1976

In the early 1970s, Terry met Ettore (Eddie) Mattei and after spending some time together, they moved to Coogee and married in early 1978. Eddie had boarded at Stanley Street and was head waiter at La Veneziana Restaurant and later at Natalino's in Kings Cross. He was well known to many Sydney celebrities who frequented the very popular Restaurant, especially when he would break out into song with a volume that entertained the entire restaurant and sometimes passers-by on the street.

His gregarious and friendly manner and excellent service was recognised by patrons who 'tipped' grandly to show their appreciation. Eddie regularly made more in 'tips' than wages. He and Terry had a very happy and fulfilling relationship until his untimely death in May 1978 from a brain hemorrhage.

Gina sold the large house in Stanley Street around 1990, and moved to an apartment on William Street not far away, staying there until she died peacefully in July 1995.  Giovanni Borga, a longtime friend of the family helped care for her over her last few years. He was the one who made it possible for her to remain at home where she wanted to be. 

Simone and Terry

Terry became a grandmother when her son Richard and his partner, Gwenda Happ, had a daughter, Simone, in 1992. 

Terry spent many weekends with Simone and she became an important part of Simone's life. Terry was actively involved in her growth from a baby to an adult and they formed a lasting relationship. Terry passed away peacefully in April 2023.