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encouraged to try the new food and it was they who coined the name. In either case,
food was evidently a bridging mechanism between the two communities.
Another mechanism which united the Italian and English speaking communities
was the acquisition of British citizenship which, as a prerequisite for the old-age
pension, was sought by most immigrants as they approached the end of their lives.'*^
For many, applying to be naturalised represented a final break with the homeland and a
resurfacing of emotions which had been suppressed at the time of departure: guilt and
regret haunted the lives of many settlers in Australia, becoming a part of the immigrant
experience. Alessandro Quanchi appUed for British citizenship in 1897 when he was
58 years old and just one year before his mother Serafina died at 93.'*'* Remaining in
Maggia was possibly only one brother or sister, the last remaining link with his past. If
Alessandro had experienced guilt at leaving his homeland, it would not have been
aUeviated by his failure to make a financial success of his life in Australia: in 1899 he
was involved in a serious mining accident which left him still unable to find work after
eighteen months. When he died, it was in poor financial circumstance.'** On 13
September 1900 Maddalena also applied for British citizenship. Though her life had
been more financially secure, a severe drought in the central highlands of Victoria in
1902 brought about the loss of much topsoil from farming lands (not aided by the
intense deforestation which had taken place over the past 50 years) and a drop in the
productivity of her farm: a descendent of the Righetti family, who died in 1956 at 90
years of age, recalled that 'fully a foot of dirt' was lost from some properties at
Yandoit.'*^ But Maddalena, unlike Alessandro, may not have felt guilt at her financial
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