1945 Work began on the terrazzo inlay floor of St Mary’s crypt in Sydney. Peter Melocco’s design, in the shape of a Celtic cross, was created in consultation with the late Rev Dr W Leonard, a theologian at St Patrick’s College, then in Manly. This was the last and greatest work of Peter Melocco and is considered one of the finest mosaic floors in the world.

Meanwhile, as soon as the war ended, the Melocco brothers began to organise an humanitarian relief effort. Through the Red Cross and other agencies, they channelled aid to a devastated Italy and they tried also to assist the increasing numbers of refugees from Italy arriving in Australia.

“I remember both Uncle Peter and my father going down to the docks to meet some of the ships that came in from Italy, to talk to the men, particularly, and see if there were any they could help with offers of work or in other ways.”

— Ann Melocco Trenoweth