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forgetfiil at times, he was still able to enjoy the company of friends as well as meals<br />

which included an occasional customary glass of wine. There were great celebrations<br />

on the day of his 100th birthday, articles in the local press even recording the important<br />

event. The Daylesford Mercury and Express, recounted interesting details from his<br />

Ufe with:<br />

He (Ferdinando) was one of the hospital's most active committee of<br />

management members. He served on the committee for more than 50<br />

years and did not retire until his 93 rd birthday. He has collected many<br />

hundreds of pounds for the hospital each year, holds its highest life<br />

membership certificate and was recognised by the Queen for services in<br />

1952.*^<br />

Ferdinando received letters and telegrams from Queen Elizabeth II, the Govemor<br />

General, the Govemor of <strong>Victoria</strong>, the Prime Minister, the Premier and the Federal and<br />

State Members of Parliament for the district: together they reflected British and<br />

Australian pride in this Italian-speaking chizen. Recognising his dual chizenship,<br />

however, were similar letters from the Swiss Consul and the Swiss Embassy, With<br />

these official congratulations for the great age he had achieved, Ferdinando also<br />

received many letters from his fiiends and relatives in Switzeriand and Italy.*' His<br />

family in Biasca sent a large commemorative plaque which listed the names of all the<br />

family members. The wording 'dedicano nella festosa ricorrenza del suo 100<br />

compleanno questo omaggio a ricordo dei parenti rimasti in Patria', *'* was a<br />

reminder of his still close ties with Ticino. Nor had he been forgotten by the many<br />

compatriots living in America and other Australian states who sent congratulatory<br />

messages. Along wdth several small parties held in various Vanzetta homes in the days<br />

surrounding his birthday, a commemorative cypress** tree was planted at his bakery.<br />

Ferdinando remained a deeply religious man throughout his life, saying the prayers he<br />

had been taught in ItaUan right up until his death four weeks before his 101st birthday.<br />

407

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