Back in 1944 in the bleak of World War II Pasquale and Fiumarda fell in love. They married in Tufara, Provincia Avellino, Italy on 16 March 1950.

As soon as they were married they left Italy for Australia aboard the 'Toscana' arriving in Melbourne on 14 April 1950 leaving immediately for Adelaide by train.

'Times were very hard in Italy. You couldn't find work because everything was destroyed during the war,' reflects Pasquale. 'We came to Australia for a better life for us and our future family. We came with only five pounds and work was very hard to find once we came to Australia'.

Pasquale and Fiumarda originally settled on Lower North East Road, Paradise and eventually found work, Pasquale as a market gardener and Fiumarda as a seamstress. By 1954 they raised enough money to build a house at Felixstow, an area Pasquale describes as 'little Italy'. Here Pasquale & Fiumarda raised three children, Carman (born February 1951), Elizabeth (June 1953) and Julie-Ann (September 1966).

The couple now have six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Son Carmin and daughter-in-law Jannette La Martina are the parents of Michael and Sophie; daughter Elizabeth and son-law-in Egidio Gagliardi are the parents of John and Peter; and daughter Julie-Ann and son-in-law Tony Francesca are the parents of Thomas and Sarah. Grandson John Gagliardi married Nadia Scarici and are parents of Simon and Alana.

For about six months already we have had the pleasure of hosting our nephew, Gianmauro Fantasia who came to Australia from Italy in early 2003 to study English. He will return to Italy later this year.

Pasquale and Fiumarda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on 15 March 2000 and share their life with their three children, six grand children and two great grand children who all reside in the Adelaide area.

Compiled by Pasquale Rossi, Adelaide July 2003.

Back Row (L-R): Peter Gagliardi, Tony & Julie-Ann Francesca, Gianmauro Fantasia
(nephew visiting from Italy), Elizabeth & Egidio Gagliardi, Nadia & John Gagliardi &
baby Alana, Sophie Rossi, Jannette Rossi, Carman Rossi, Michael Rossi
Front Row (L-R): Fiumarda Gilda Rossi, Pasquale Rossi, Simon Gagliardi, Sarah Francesca