Luisa Angelina Virgona was born in Ballarat in 1895. In 1925 she married Antonio Santospirito, a migrant from the Aeolian Islands like her parents.
Her volunteering activities in favour of Italian migrants made her legendary. She was called "la mamma degli italiani" (Italians' mum), and during WW2 and the postwar period people would write to her even from Italy.
Former director of the Italian Historical Society Laura Mecca tells us her story (in Italian).
Leggi l'articolo basato su questa storia:
Lena Santospirito: Italians' mum down under
Previous episodes:
Once upon a time in Australia: Maria Teresa e Mario Viganò
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am.
During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons. Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative.
The full list of restrictions can be found here. All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
