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was bom two years later on 26 October 1875, in the same year that Vincenzo retired
from the Mt Franklin council. Focussing more on the interests of his own ethnic
community he became an active member of the Swiss and Italian Association in
Daylesford.^*
Within the Perini home there was evidence of both Anglo-CeUic and Swiss
cultures. The children were encouraged to speak English from an early age, going to
the local primary school and later the Holy Cross Convent in Daylesford.^* The eldest
children Mary Ann and John received at least part of their education from the school
teacher Mrs Loughnan at Hill Street, Daylesford. The family mixed socially with many
in the large Italian-speaking population, regularly visiting the RoUeris in their nearby
hotel, the Borsas (after whom Borsa Crescent (ref figure 10) was later named) and the
Righettis of Yandoit. It was not unusual for Vincenzo to walk ten or so kilometres to
Yandoit to see his friend Battista. During these gatherings the children absorbed many
aspects of the Swiss-Italian language and culture, the influence of which was also
discernible in the family's self-sufficiency. Surrounding their comfortable home at
Spring Creek was a large vineyard, which extended from the rear of the business, and a
vegetable garden. The family kept a few cows, the milk from which they made butter
and cheese, and stored aU their produce in a large cellar beneath the house. Reflecting
Ticinese tradition, Vincenzo insisted on keeping the cows under cover at night despite
Australia's warmer climate. Like other families, cheese and vegetables formed the
basis of the Perini diet, pasta served with fried onions and grated cheese being among
their most popular dishes. Anastasia apparently included some traditional Ticinese
recipes among the foods she cooked.
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