Born in Sicily, Teresa Todaro migrated to Australia following the disastrous Belice earthquake, which in 1968 killed over 230 people and destroyed several villages on the island, including Poggioreale, where she was born on March 24, 1952.
When she arrived in Sydney, Teresa immediately got involved with the Italian community, in particular with Sicilian associations and committees for the assistance to the elderly. She later married businessman Sam Restifa. She was a member of ComItEs NSW and other representative bodies of the Italian community in Australia, and was a contributor to the newspaper La Fiamma. She also ran on two occasions for election to the Italian Parliament.
Following the serious illness that affected her, she limited her public appearances, preferring to spend time with her family in her Sydney Harbour home.
More information here:
http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/belongings/restifa/index.html
