THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF
ITALIAN - AUSTRALIANS
IN THE
LEICHHARDT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Leichhardt Council
2001

La Fiorentina's in Parramatta Road Petersham - 1970'sCover - APIA dance in 1970

PREFACE

This Study was instigated when the Minister for Planning, Craig Knowles in 1998, recognised that the State's formal heritage system barely acknowledged community histories and heritage, in particular the contribution of various migrant and ethnic groups to the State. The gap identified in Leichhardt was the contribution of Italian migrants to the municipality, particularly given the identification of the suburb of Leichhardt as 'The Little Italy', of Sydney. The reasons for this identity, and the significance of particular places, has not been understood.

With funding assistance from the NSW Heritage Fund, the Study was instigated by Council in 1999 with preparation of the Thematic History. This gathers the evidence to identify places, people and events of importance in giving recognition, towards the conservation and dissemination of this history, as well as the material heritage.

This research was presented as a 'Back to Leichhardt", 'Retorniamo a Leichhardt', community workshop convened on June 24th, 2000 at Co As It. The aim was to seek the interested community's views on the heritage as well as further information in order to conclude the research, and move on to conservation on communication tasks.

Acknowledgements

The research team for this History comprised Dr Anne Reynolds, responsible for Part 1 The Thematic History, Meredith Walker for Parts 2 & 3 which evaluated the history in making recommendations, Terry Natt who did the business survey, and Bruce Lay who researched the Melocco Bros did some of the interviews, and co-ordinated the project. Council is also indebted to Co. As. It. in particular to Linda Nellor for their assistance throughout the project.

The Team: Bruce Lay, Terry Natt, Anne Reynolds, Linda Nellor & Meredith Walker