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other Italian speakers against the success of their compatriots (cf above pp. 264) and
thus as an expression of class-consciousness, it can also be understood in terms of the
comment made by Lurati and Bolla that 'il vestito tradizionale ha spesso riflesso per
secoli i divieti e le norme, scritte e non scritte, che obligavano i ceti subalterni a non
vestire con le fogge e i panni che erano riservati a quelli dominati' ^ and thus as a
poshive affirmation of peasant identity. In contrast to the bright outfits which Loretta
made for her children, she dressed herself sombrely: a black bonnet tied under her chin
making her appear older than she was. Like many of the Italian-speaking women, her
Ufe was dedicated to serving her family and she was happy in so far as their needs were
met.
According to a family descendant,'** the children's entertainments remained
simple, Loretta always having to pay the butcher or baker before arranging outings or
tickets to picture shows. (Technological advancements, such as cinematography, had,
however, broadened the range of entertainments available to most people.) A visit to
Wuth's Circus was a grand event, as was their first ride in a car. The Gaggionis
maintained contact with their many friends in the Italian-speaking community: the
Vaninas, wdth whom they often played bocce; the Tinettis at Shepherds Flat; the
Tomasinis at Basalt, whom they often hiked through the forest to visit; the Pozzis and
the Ferraris at Daylesford; the Prettis and the Bollas, who lived near the Old
Racecourse Hotel in Hepbum; the Scheggias and the Righettis, These friendships were
both a support in time of need and means by which the family (and other ItaUan
speakers) could indulge their cultural traditions. While Mrs Tinetti of Hepbum taught
Leila to crochet, Robert Righetti (son of Giuseppe) at one time employed John
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