Download (14Mb) - VUIR - Victoria University

wife Maria to join him in the Colony. Maria left Liverpool on the Royal Standard in
November 1864 and arrived in Melboume three months later.*' Like many women
who emigrated to the Colony to join their husbands, Maria found herself Uving in a
smaU, probably cramped and uncomfortable cottage. Despite any misgivings she may
have had, it soon became a happy home and the venue for regular Sunday parties with
compatriots and others in the district. Both Carlo and Maria had very good singing
voices and Maria, who had been an opera singer in Italy, also played an organ which
she had brought with her to Australia. The musical evenings ~ Carlo singing the deep
bass, Maria the alto, and several more Italians forming a circle to each take their part ~
brought a slice of home to compatriots and a reminder to others of Italy's rich cultural
traditions.
A year before Maria's arrival in Australia, Carlo had sold property in
Shepherds Flat which raised money for his future land purchases. Signing contracts on
17 October 1863 with purchaser and Ticinese settler, Vincenzo Terribilini *'* (drawn up
prior to ItaUan unification. Carlo was described as a Lombard), Cario agreed to sell a
mine, one fifth of his land, tent, garden and some farm animals (seven goats and two
hens) at Shepherds Flat (assets which he appears to accumulated remarkably quickly).
Judging by its handwritten contents, the contract was drawn up by business partner
Ambrogio Invemizzi, who apparently had some legal training or experience. Four
hundred vines which had been planted in the garden only a few days eariier were to be
transported to Carlo's new property and the price, payable within six months, was
settied at 50 pounds steriing. It would seem Terribilini had decided to live on a portion
of Carlo's property, operating, Uke hs previous owner, as an independent farmer.
319