La storia di Ermina Crapis è un classico esempio didedizione alla famiglia. Ecco il sui ritratto scritto dalla figlia Rosina in Recalling the Journey II.
Selfless
Written by Rosina Byrne
Fear of the unknown and excitement were some of the emotions my mother, Erminia Crapis, faced as she prepared to leave her country, Italy, knowing she may never return. A huge amount of sadness was undoubtedly felt regarding leaving Gizzeria her family town and Sambiase her home since the day of her marriage on 9 May 1950 to Francesco Davoli.
These two homes contained her family and all the support that came with a place where many generations had and still do live. However eagerness to be reunited with her husband who had left for Australia two years earlier to pave the way for their young family was a strong driving force. Francesco Davoli (Papà), left for Australia to start a different life and to provide an improved future for their first child Maria, and other children that may follow.
"Erminia, (mamma) left everything she ever knew about the world to follow her husband".
Erminia, (mamma) left everything she ever knew about the world to follow her husband, taking their daughter Maria who was only 3years old with her to a strange, distant country, trusting that her husband was guiding them to a better life. Mother and daughter boarded the ship on 24 December 1954 and set off wearing their striking new coats which were tailored especially for the journey and their life in Australia. The coats marked a fresh beginning. The picture was completewhen three-year-old Maria was gifted a little white handbag for the journey which she treasured and carried at all times on the ship. She was a miniature version of her mamma.
A long month went by, and at the end of January 1955 Erminia and Maria arrived at Port Melbourne.
There was surely lots of merriment to finally reach Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and soon touch the Land of promise. Considerable amount of joy came to the fore. The ship would have vibrated with energy.
My mamma spoke of those exciting moments as the ship tugged into place and was secured. Everyone moved to the ship deck where they stood at the rails to look out and wave to the people or famiglia waiting below on the Pier.
Erminia Crapis with first daughter Maria. Source: courtesy of Rosina Byrne Davoli
My sister Maria became so thrilled by what was happening around her she started waving her arms while holding her precious white bag over the rails.
My mamma spotted Francesco, her husband, Maria's papà and pointed him out to her. Francesco tossed lollies up from the Pier, in an effort to catch them and connect with her papà, Maria threw out her arms releasing her grip on the white handbag that she loved so dearly. Sadly, the handbag tumbled into the water and gradually drifted away.
"Maria started screaming... all joy left her body and was replaced by sadness. Tears flowed freely as mother and daughter disembarked and reunited with Francesco"
Francesco was 28years old, Erminia 27. The emotions that my mother and sister experienced at that moment, we’re an indication of the new life in Australia: excitement, sadness, loss, but in the end joy.
My mamma and papà died 11months apart of each other, both aged in their late 80s. They lived 60 plus years in Australia on their grape-growing property in Euston, New South Wales, where they had cleared their land of all rocks and boulders with their own hands, planted and nurtured grapevines, and raised five children.
They passed away having lost their daughter Maria 5 years earlier but knowing they left 4 children behind plus 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, and knowing many more would eventually follow.
Our parents, Francesco Davoli and Erminia (Crapis) Davoli selflessly gave all of themselves for us to have a better future. They worked tirelessly every day of their lives, working the land side by side. We their descendants will forever be grateful.
Rosina Byrne (Davoli) (Daughter, their baby, last born child).
For information about Recalling the journey II, please contact lella.cariddi@multiculturalarts.com.au.
