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successful gold mines then operating in the Daylesford area. Still considered an
excellent handyman by the local people of Hepbum, who brought him lavm mowers to
fix, saws to sharpen, scissors to grind, clocks to mend and dozens of other items, this
may have provided an additional source of income. Charlie was generous to his
extended family, giving assistance to his sister Luigia after her husband died in 1903.
The circumstances of Andrea's death were somewhat tragic, resuhing from a failed
appendectomy performed on the kitchen table of his home by two (reportedly dmnk)
doctors.'* Even if inaccurate, the claim of dmnkedness suggests an ongoing suspician
within the family that reliance on outsiders and strangers risks disaster. According to
family tradition, and testimony to the strength of patriarchal family identity, Stephen
(the eldest son living at home) promised at his father's bedside to assume leadership of
the Vanina household." It was, of course, Luigia who bore the chief responsibility,
like her mother, left a widow with several young children in her care.
Six Ferrari children remained at home at the time of their father's death:
Stephen who was then sixteen years old, Julia fifteen, Luigi eleven, Armie ten, Hilda
eight and David six. The only child on a wage, Stephen was employed as a groom and
driver for a local doctor. Julia, who had also left school, was active in the care of the
home and younger family members. With no govemment welfare payments, Luigia
eamed extra income by taking in laundry and sewing, receiving one shiUing for every
dozen men's collars she sewed. A reportedly beautiful seamstress,"*" she had passed
her skills onto her daughters, especially Hilda, who later won prizes at various parish
fetes. Unfortunately for Luigia, her mother was of little practical or emotional help
during these years, having developed, in the last years of her life (what later came to be
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