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Ticino, many of those working in Lombardy and Veneto had retumed to their
homeland, placing under further strain the village's ability to feed its people. The
series of crop failures in 1851 increased food prices and many among the poor faced
famine. When news began to filter back to the village about the 'golden opportunities'
in Australia, pressure was placed on the Giumaglio council to make loans available for
those wishing to emigrate.' The Pozzi family was swept up in the enthusiasm and
Alessandro, at 22 years of age, and in the company of another eighteen Valmaggesi,
made plans for the joumey. Unlike many of his companions, however, Alessandro was
from an educated family (this was the point made ostensibly by the portrait of Mrs
Pozzi reading a book): Carlo, before he died, had been a painter in France; Celestino
was a notary (and later served sixteen years as a Member of Parliament); Leonardo
was a gunsmith; Stefano was a watchmaker and goldsmith; Giuseppe was a baker and
Alessandro an interpreter. Despite these skills, the political and economic uncertainties
of Ticino had reduced the opportunities for work and Alessandro tumed his hopes to
the Colony.
Alessandro arrived at Port Phillip on 2 August 1853, thanking God for a
tolerable joumey and a safe arrival.* He passed a few days in Melboume, during which
time he looked unsuccessfiilly for work, then headed off to the towns scattered around
the Jim Crow goldfields. Drawing upon the remainder of 1150 francs savings ~ the
council loans not having been made available until after his departure ~ he spent seven
days walking the 110 kilometres to the goldfields (ref figure 7) where he and his
companions resumed the hunt for employment.^ Again encountering difficulty, the
British colony providing few opportunities for its non-English speakers, they tumed
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