History of New Italy, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New Italy Settlement
Memorial to the Italian pioneers in the district, erected 1961
Location	2 New Italy Road, New Italy, Richmond Valley Council, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1884–2002
Architect	Museum Hall; Restaurant/caretakers Building - Ross McDonald Lismore
Owner	Department of Land and Water Conservation; New Italy Museum
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: New Italy Settlement; La Cella Venezia; Archaeological Site
Type	state heritage (complex / group)
Designated	9 August 2002
Reference no.	1648
Type	Historic Landscape
Category	Landscape - Cultural
Builders	Museum buildings - Bob Sweeney, members of New Italy Museum Incorporated and settlers' descendants
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New Italy is a special place in New South Wales, Australia, with a history that began in 1882. This historic settlement in the Richmond Valley Council is so important that much of it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on August 9, 2002. It tells an amazing story of courage and new beginnings.

The Journey to a New Home

Map of the Richmond River District, showing the location of New Italy, published 1889

The New Italy settlement covers about 1,200 acres (490 ha). It shows a very unusual part of how New South Wales was settled. In fact, it's the only known settlement of its kind in the state.

A Dream of a New Colony

On April 7, 1881, 217 Italian people arrived in Sydney. They had sailed all the way from Venice, Italy. Their plan was to start a new colony in New Ireland, which is north-east of New Guinea.

This big trip was organized by a young French nobleman named Marquis de Ray Charles Marie du Breil. He was unhappy with changes in France and wanted to create his own colony. In 1879, he announced a new place called "La Nouvelle France" or "Port Breton." It would be in East New Guinea, New Britain, and New Ireland.

News of this adventure reached Northern Italy. The Marquis had an agent in Milan who sold the idea to many people. For families facing hunger and a tough future, this seemed like a chance for a new life. Even though the French government tried to stop people from joining, and Italian officials refused passports, about fifty families decided to try. They started arriving in Barcelona, Spain, in April 1880. Their journey is now known as the De Rays Expedition.

A Difficult Voyage

By July 8, 1880, everyone boarded a ship called the India. It was full of supplies for the new colony. The passengers were mostly immigrants who had paid for their trip. Some had agreed to work for the colony's leaders for five years before owning land.

The journey was very hard. When they finally reached Port Breton, they found no settlement. It was just a harsh, undeveloped land. They tried to start a colony, but it was very difficult. Another ship, the "Genil," had gone ahead with supplies but many soldiers on board had left. By February 1881, the Italians who were still alive were heading to Noumea in New Caledonia. They had asked to go to Sydney, but their request was not met.

Help Arrives in Sydney

The "India" barely made it to Noumea. The local government and people there were very kind. They offered shelter, food, and gifts. But the Italians refused to leave the ship. They were determined to reach Sydney.

A group of them spoke to the British Consul. He sent their request to Sir Henry Parkes, who was a very important leader in New South Wales, and to the Governor of New South Wales, Lord Loftus. Sir Henry Parkes quickly agreed to bring the immigrants to Australia, treating them like shipwrecked sailors. He worried they might not have money or ways to live once they arrived.

After they reached Sydney, an investigation found that most immigrants were skilled farmers, especially with grapes and olives. But they had no money or other trade skills. The French government helped pay for the Australasian Steam Navigation Company ship "James Patterson" to take them to Sydney. In return, the "India" and its cargo were sold. The remaining 217 Italian immigrants left Noumea on April 2 and arrived in Sydney on April 7.

A New Life in Australia

The government, newspapers, public, and Italian community in Sydney were very interested in the new arrivals. They offered all the help they could. On April 20, Sir Henry Parkes announced that the Italians could stay.

However, he wanted them to spread out across the colony. This way, they could learn English and find work. But the Italians had been through so much together and wanted to stay united. The Italian Consul General had to persuade them to separate. In the following months, they made the most of their new lives. King Umberto I of Italy even honored the men who had helped the Italians. Sir Henry Parkes was made a Commander of the Crown of Italy. Still, the desire to be together remained strong.

Building New Italy

Finding a Place Together

In early 1882, Rocco Caminotti, an Italian man, met some of the settlers from the de Ray expedition. He knew they wanted to stay together. While in Northern NSW, he saw land that was still available. He thought it would be a good place for the new settlers to live close to each other.

He and Antonio Pezzutti explored the area in April. They applied for land near a creek, on the coach route between South Woodburn and Chatsworth Island. This spot was at the meeting point of the main road between the Clarence River and Richmond River, and the road to Swan Bay. This became the heart of the New Italy settlement.

The First Settlers Arrive

The first seven families came to New Italy in 1882. Another 19 families followed in 1883. Men, women, and children worked hard to create a new community. The first arrivals lived at Swan Bay and walked to their land every day to build homes. The first child born in the settlement was on July 29, 1882, to Angela Pezzutti.

Their houses were built from materials found nearby, like clay, bark, or wattle and daub. Later, homes were made with timber from trees they cut down. They dug wells 2.43 to 3.65 meters (8 to 12 feet) deep because there was no natural water source. They built ovens near their homes and later, cellars to store the wine they made. Men cut down trees and cleared land, while women dug trenches for drainage. The people made their own baskets and chairs, using whatever they could find. They called their settlement "La Cella Venezia," which means "the Venetian Cell," to show how close they felt.

A Thriving Community

A reporter from the Sydney newspaper Tribune visited the settlement. He found friendly and interesting people growing fruits and vegetables like grapes, melons, lemons, and pumpkins. Families like the Caminottis, Pezzuttis, and Nardis lived there, along with the Pallis brothers from France.

The new arrivals kept working their land. They planted peach, apple, and loquat trees, corn, and more grapevines. They also got pigs, cows, chickens, and sheep. In 1889, Frank Clifford wrote about how successful the settlement was. He even suggested that similar colonies should be started in New South Wales. Frank Treatt visited in 1899. He had met the families as an immigration agent in 1881. He found the people happy and starting to become wealthy. They were highly respected in the area.

Working Hard to Succeed

The settlers paid for their achievements by working in the district. They often worked in sugar cane fields and mills. They were known as reliable and hard workers. They also made and sold wine, fruits, and vegetables. They sold timber from the trees they cut down. Timber was an important industry in New Italy for about thirty years.

As the settlement grew, the men wanted to stay home more. But the poor soil and lack of water meant they couldn't grow enough food to sell on a large scale. So, they would work for a while, save money, and then return to the settlement until the money ran out. They were often away for about six months of the year. The settlers really wanted the men to stay permanently. So, they were excited when someone suggested they try producing silk (sericulture).

Silk Production and Challenges

A New Industry Idea

People had tried to grow mulberry trees for silkworms to make silk since the 1820s. In the 1880s, Reginald Champ was a big supporter of this idea. He spoke to Sir Henry Parkes in 1888 and 1889, suggesting the government help start a silk industry. Parkes sent him to New Italy to see if the settlers were interested.

Parkes likely knew that silk production was a traditional industry in Venice, where many settlers came from. It was also a smart political move to show interest in a region that wasn't always happy with the Sydney government. There were already mulberry trees in New Italy's orchards. The settlers had also shown they were good at using available resources. In 1890, J. E. Brown, the Inspector General of Forests, went with Champ to New Italy. He wanted to see if the site was good for raising silkworms. Both Champ and Brown thought New Italy was suitable for silk production, both for the environment and for the workers. The settlers sent a petition to Parkes through the Italian Consul-General, promising their willingness and skill.

Success and Setbacks

In March 1891, Champ returned to the settlement. They began clearing land, planting mulberry trees, and breeding silkworms with great effort. A year later, they had made impressive progress, and the industry looked very promising.

However, in mid-1891, the Parkes government was replaced. Government interest and support for the silk project decreased. A request for the government to buy a silk reeling machine for the settlement received no answer. Once again, the settlers showed how clever and determined they were. Pezzutti and Martinuzzi designed and built their own machine instead. J. S. Campbell, the Director of Agriculture, praised it when he visited in November 1892. He was impressed by the skill and enthusiasm in the settlement. He recommended government help to build a "filature," a place where silk could be processed more professionally.

Unfortunately, 1893 brought hard times to NSW with a depression. A fire also caused a lot of damage at the settlement. This ended large-scale government-sponsored silk production. However, small-scale production continued. Silk was sent to the Dibbs government in 1893. This silk won a gold medal at the Great Exhibition in Chicago. The silk was then sent to Queen Victoria. Giacomo Piccoli won first prize for his silk at the Sydney Exhibition in 1899 and in Milan in 1906. The Governor of NSW, Sir Earl Beauchamp, visited New Italy in 1900 and praised Piccoli's silk and skills.

The settlers' success, hard work, and careful spending helped them recover after the fire. Some rented nearby dairy farms. Others bought land from these people and increased their farm animals. Dairy farming, timber cutting, winemaking, and cane cutting offered many chances for work.

Community Life and Growth

Education for Children

While new industries were developing, the settlers didn't forget about their children's education or the community's spiritual needs. A local priest suggested that a school be opened under the Public Instruction Act. This act aimed to give everyone equal chances at education. The Woodburn School committee helped the settlers write a request for a schoolteacher.

At this time, the official name "New Italy" was chosen instead of the Italian name. This was the first sign of them joining the wider Australian community. On September 9, 1885, the school had its first teacher and fifteen children. Many children only went to school for a few years, but there were always children attending. The first teacher was French but spoke Italian. The second teacher, Thomas Morgan, started in 1890. He felt it was his job to teach the children English so they could be part of English-speaking society. He did not allow Italian in the classroom. He stayed for 13 years, and during that time, the school was made bigger twice. In 1896, a student teacher was hired to help him.

Starting a school had some problems. The Public Instruction Act made school attendance compulsory. This meant fewer children were available to help with work at the settlement. This forced some families to move away because they couldn't survive without that help.

Building a Church and Social Life

In 1887, a church was built on land given by Antonio Nardi. Services were held once a month. Before this, a priest had visited from time to time. The church became a very important place for social activities. After the service, most people would go to the Nardi's home for the afternoon. They would eat, relax, chat, play games, and take a break from the hard work of the week.

Many of those who stayed married others within the settlement. This strengthened the bonds between the families who had arrived in 1881. Many new Italian people also joined them. Families like the Antonioli's, Bazzo's, and Pezzutti's were joined by the Fava's, Pedrini's, and Serone's. Non-Italians also married into the settlement, becoming part of the New Italy family. Louie Antonioli's wine shop was a popular spot on Saturday afternoons. People from all over the district would come for singing and dancing on the lawns.

Changes and Decline

In 1900, Giacomo Rosolen built a sawmill that processed timber for nearly 20 years. A "New Italy Progress Association" was formed in 1903. They discussed setting up a post office, becoming Australian citizens, and the silk industry. A new church was built in 1907, even though the population quickly dropped between 1905 and 1910 as younger families moved away. Those who remained were often widows or unmarried.

In 1918, the timber industry in New Italy stopped. During the 1920s, the population continued to decrease and became less Italian in character. In 1931, the 50th anniversary of the settlement was celebrated. Descendants came to visit those who remained. They had become successful in their lives. The school closed in 1933.

However, a new tradition began around this time. In 1936, Giacomo Picoli created a "Park of Peace" on his property. Every year on April 7, a tree was planted to celebrate the immigrants' arrival in Sydney. Younger family members gathered each year for this event. The tradition continued through World War Two, but without the big parties. Trees were also planted for other important occasions. In 1942, Picoli was the last original resident left in New Italy. He stayed there until he passed away in 1955.

Between 1942 and 1955, the settlement slowly fell apart. A cyclone badly damaged the church, and its contents were spread throughout the area. The school residence was moved away from the settlement. It was later brought back and used as a home by a new resident in the 1970s.

Today, many of the old houses and buildings have disappeared. But you can still find signs of them, like old wells, foundations, and other items scattered around the site. The spirit of the settlement, however, lives on.

Remembering New Italy

Renewed Interest and Memorials

Interest in New Italy came back in the 1950s. A reporter from Ballina, Diana Mercer, wrote about the settlement. The Richmond River Historical Society suggested saving the old mud house there, but this didn't happen. However, a plan for a memorial was accepted.

Money was raised, and on April 8, 1961, the Richmond River Historical Society put up a monument. It was built to remember the pride, courage, and strength of the Italian settlers and their contributions to the community. About 1500 people attended the event, including the Consul General for Italy, members of Parliament, and local important people.

As the 100-year anniversary of the immigrants' arrival approached in 1981, a committee was formed to plan celebrations.

Centenary and New Museum

In April 1980, the ABC filmed the New Italy story for its A Big Country TV series. Large centenary celebrations were held at the Lismore showground in August. Many important people attended again, including the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, the Mayor of Lismore, the Italian Consul General, and many other politicians and ministers. Plans were made for a Museum and a new Park of Peace next to the monument.

The land for these new projects was bought in 1983. In 1984, the Italian Consul General, Dr. Alvise Memmo, laid the first stone at the entrance of the planned new Peace Park and planted a tree. This continued Picoli's tradition. In the same year, Spencer Spinaze received a special honor (a knighthood) from the Italian republic. This was to recognize his work in remembering the Italian settlers and getting their descendants interested.

The committee's first goal was to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the settlers' arrival and their achievements. But it wasn't until 1989 that the Bicentennial Museum, restaurant, and mud brick house were opened. These are the main buildings in the New Italy complex. Again, many state and local important people attended the opening. In the same year, Italian Government Officials from World Expo visited New Italy.

Expanding the Complex

In 1992, a sculpture called "The Pioneer and his dog" by Carlo Jacuzzi was revealed at the site by the Italian Consul-General. At this opening, Brian Pezzutti, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, announced a $5000 grant for the New Italy Committee. This money would help finish a new complex to tell the story of 200 years of Italian immigration to Australia.

This new building opened in 1993. It was actually the Italian pavilion from World Expo 88 in Brisbane, Queensland. It was opened by the Governor General of Australia, Bill Hayden. In the same year, an Aboriginal Arts and Crafts centre was opened behind the complex. A community hall was opened in 1996, and the complex received its first tourism award. The Museum won a Cultural Tourism Award for NSW in 1997.

Trees have continued to be planted in the Peace Park by various important people. Celebrations are held each year to honor Italians in Australia, including Australia Day and the anniversary of the Italian community's arrival. A special event happened in October 1999. The Italian Ambassador, Dr. Giovanni Castellaneta, presented a medal to Dr. Floriana Volpata. Dr. Volpata had represented the Italian Consul General on the North Coast and was honored for his service to the community. He was a major force behind the activities at the New Italy Complex and the artwork in the Italian Pavilion. This complex now represents not only old and new Italians in Australia and their achievements, but also how Italian and non-Italian communities have come together to recognize and remember these contributions and experiences.

New Italy Museum and Park of Peace

The New Italy Museum and Park of Peace is located where the Pacific Highway meets the Swan Bay - New Italy Road. There's a parking area along the highway. The first monument to the Italian pioneers is in the open area closest to the road junction. It's a tall, pointed monument made of concrete and Italian marble. A covered well is nearby.

The site has a pavilion next to the Swan Bay - New Italy Road. It shows displays about 200 years of Italian immigrants in Australia. Right across from it is a mud brick display hall. This hall has a collection of items from the New Italy families and a cafeteria. Grapevines grow on the outside of the building. A restaurant and bar are located to the north-west of the Pavilion. These three buildings form a courtyard with copies of famous statues and the pioneer and his dog monuments. Another hall is behind the restaurant. There is also an Aboriginal gallery and craft site on the property. In the north-west corner of the site is the new Park of Peace. It contains trees planted by various important people to remember special events and celebrations.

Original Features and Buildings

Traces of the Past

Some items on the site are thought to be from the original Antoniolli's farm. A wooden fence that separates the 1961 Memorial and well from the newer Museum complex buildings is believed to be made of original materials. However, we don't know if it's in its first location. It was probably put there after the Memorial was built. The well next to it is also thought to be an original stone-lined well. It might be similar to the one on Roder's farm. But it has been covered, its sides extended above ground, and a roof built over it. More studies would be needed to confirm how much of the original well is still there.

Key Monuments and Buildings

• 1961 Memorial Monument: This tall, pointed monument was designed by D.G. Board & Sons, Architects. It's made of concrete with white Italian marble plaques on its four sides. The story of New Italy is written on these plaques in both English and Italian, along with the names of the first settlers. It's believed to be on the site of an old mud brick house.

• 1989 Bicentennial Museum & Restaurant: These two mud brick buildings were designed by Ross McDonald and Associates and opened in 1989.
  • The Museum building is one story. It has mud brick walls, a tin roof, and a cement floor. It holds the museum and a cafe. A large veranda covered with grapevines runs along the northern wall. This area is used by the cafe. Both inside and outside, there are paintings by Dr. Floriano Volpato. These paintings show scenes from Italy. Floriano also hand-painted many signs around the complex. The museum has many items from the New Italy Settlement. These include a desk from the school, altar rails from the church, farm tools, and household items like a butter churn and a sewing machine. It also has clothing and a beautiful small tapestry of Venice. Recently, it got a collection of old telephone items from the North Coast of New South Wales. In 2001, the New Italy Museum Incorporated got a grant to buy display cases for photos and items from pioneer families.
  • The Restaurant/Caretakers Residence is a two-story mud brick building. It was designed to look like the original Antoniolli residence. The caretaker lives on the top floor. The bottom floor has a restaurant, kitchen, and toilets. This area is used for special events and is not always open to the public.

• 1991 Father Miazzi's Monument: Father Miazzi was a beloved priest in North Lismore who served many descendants of New Italy. He died in a plane accident in 1968. His original monument was at the Catholic Church in North Lismore. When that church closed, it was moved to New Italy.

• 1992 Sculpture of the Pioneer and his Dog: This sculpture is at the entrance to the plaza between the Museum and the Italian Pavilion. Carlo Jacuzzi designed and built it. The Italian Consul General, Dr. Fabio de Nardis, revealed it.

• 1992 Gurrigai Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Centre: This building is made of white concrete blocks. It's different from most other buildings at the Complex. It's a single-story building with one main display area and a workroom behind it. The managers of the center show and sell local Indigenous artwork, clothing, and jewelry.

• 1993 Italian Pavilion: The Italian Pavilion is a rebuilt version of the Italian Pavilion from the Brisbane Exposition in 1988. The Italian Government gave the materials from the original pavilion. The New Italy Museum committee, led by Floriano Volpato, moved the pavilion from Brisbane and rebuilt it at New Italy. The displays in this building are different from those in the Museum. They aim to show 200 years of Italian immigration to Australia. Information sheets tell about the contributions of famous Italians like Carla Zampatti and Al Grasby. This building has paintings by Floriano Volpato, information on the 20 regions of Italy, and photos of Italian migrants on the North Coast of New South Wales. The Pavilion also has several Italian-style sculptures, including a bust of Floriano Volpato. The opening of this building was a very important national event, attended by the Governor General, Mr. Bill Hayden.

• 1996 Community Hall: This concrete block building is one large room. It has a stage at the southern end and glass windows that look over the Park of Peace. Above the stage are heads representing figures from the Opera House in Milan. These were also acquired from the Brisbane Expo in 1988, along with the Italian Pavilion.

• The Park of Peace: This open area was created in 1984. Since then, trees have been planted to remember important events or people connected to the New Italy settlement or their descendants. The soil in this area is poor, so most of the trees haven't grown very well. The trees include Australian native species and Italian Deredales.

• The (former New Italy) School Site: The old school site is where the New Italy - Swan Bay Roads meet Moonem Road. Tall hoop pines are planted along the roads. The school site is mostly an overgrown field. The southern and southeastern edges are lined with very tall (about 30 meters) hoop pines. Students from the school planted these trees in 1891. Other things left from the school include: foundations for a water tank stand, a crepe myrtle tree (thought to be in front of one of the buildings), two pits identified as school toilets by Mr. Mick Roselen (a 92-year-old descendant who attended the school), parts of a wooden fence, and a modern sign saying this is the Historic New Italy School site.

These sites are part of the larger New Italy landscape. This landscape also contains wells, old fruit plantings, and archaeological evidence of churches, homes, shops, and cellars.

Condition of the Site

In May 2002, the physical condition of the settlement was reported as fair to good. The school site and the surrounding New Italy landscape have high potential for archaeological discoveries.

The physical evidence, like old foundations and items, is still there. It helps us understand the importance of the site. Original plantings remain, along with fences, wells, drainage lines, foundations, and old rubbish dumps.

Important Dates

• c. 1889 - Teacher's residence built
• c. 1891 - School playground cleared
• c. 1891 - Pine trees from a nearby creek bank planted at the school site
• c. 1960s/70s - School residence moved
• 1984 - New Peace Park created
• 1989 - Bicentennial Museum/restaurant and Mud Brick house built and opened
• 1992 - Sculpture "The Pioneer and his Dog" revealed
• c. 1991-92 - Italian pavilion built
• 1996 - New Italy Hall opened

Why New Italy is Special

The New Italy school site, as part of the New Italy Settlement Landscape, is very important to the history of New South Wales. It shows how a unique group of Australian settlers built a community through their determination, patience, and skills (especially in gardening and building). It is also important for the Italian migrants who were given help to come to Australia by Sir Henry Parkes after the failed Marquis de Rays expedition in 1881.

The New Italy Museum Complex is connected to these old sites. It is managed by the descendants of these early settlers. This museum complex is a lively and lasting reminder of the important contributions made by these (and other) Italian migrants. They have shaped the culture and society of the North Coast region and all of NSW, both in the past and today.

The Museum complex also celebrates Australia's multicultural nature and the strong connections between the Italian and wider Australian communities. Important Italian and Australian leaders regularly visit the site. This shows how much the heritage of New Italy is valued by the wider community. Different groups and individuals work together to maintain and develop the museum complex, school sites, and the broader New Italy landscape. This partnership between the Italian and non-Italian communities began when the Italian settlers first arrived.

New Italy Settlement was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on August 9, 2002, because it met several important requirements.

Historical Significance

The sites show how Italian settlement began in country New South Wales. The museum continues to show the ongoing Italian presence. They also show how government policies on immigration, fitting in, education, and business support affected the settlers. For example, how they were first separated, then got land, and how their activities had different levels of success.

The sites also show colonization attempts by private individuals in the late 1800s, like the Marquis de Ray expedition. New Italy was even discussed as a model for starting other colonies in New South Wales.

Connections to Important People and Events

The sites are important because of their local connection to pioneer settler Giacomo Piccoli. He showed the strong and determined qualities of the first settlers, especially with his silk farming. He also helped promote Italian heritage by starting the first Park of Peace.

The sites are also connected to Dr. Floriano Volpato. He was an agent for the Italian consul on the North Coast and a successful businessman. He was able to organize people and raise money to make the wider Italian community's dream of a monument to the pioneers come true. His artistic talent helped create an Italian homeland feeling throughout the Museum complex. This has made the complex a celebration of Italian heritage across Australia.

New Italy Settlement has also been linked to major events like the Great Exhibition in Chicago in 1893 (where silk from New Italy won a gold medal), the Paris Exhibition of 1900, and the Brisbane Expo of 1988. This shows 100 years of promoting Italian-Australian heritage to the world.

Unique Appearance and Achievements

The remaining evidence at the sites, along with the wider cultural landscape of New Italy, brings to mind the old settlement. It especially shows its isolation and the feeling of the tough bushland where these pioneers made a living.

Community Value

The museum and school sites, along with other parts of the New Italy settlement, are highly respected by the Italian and historical communities on the North Coast. People from outside the region also show interest. The Italian Consul-General regularly visits for events, continuing a tradition of support since 1881. The Governor General visited to open the Italian Pavilion, and other local and national politicians visit regularly.

The building of the museum and monument shows the ongoing celebration of how an early immigrant community joined the larger regional community. It celebrates their achievements and successes, and the pride with which their descendants keep their cultural identity while taking on bigger roles in the Australian community.

Research Potential

The school site and historical documents can help us research how schools were set up in the early 1900s. The school and museum sites, as part of the larger settlement, show how building and farming skills from Italy were adapted to Australia's climate and environment, especially the lack of permanent surface water. This includes drainage, wells, church buildings, tree plantings (fruit, grape, mulberry, and native), wine shops, and halls.

The archaeological evidence throughout the New Italy site shows building and gardening practices brought from Italy and changed to fit Australian conditions.

Rarity

This is the only known Italian settlement of its kind in New South Wales.

Demonstrating Key Characteristics

The evidence at the school site, along with the New Italy settlement as a whole, physically shows the determination of the Italian pioneers and pioneers in general. They created a community in an unfamiliar and resource-poor environment.