EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The principal findings of this study are:

· While Italian migrants have lived and worked in the suburbs making up Leichhardt, since early settlement, there were initially only small numbers of mostly single itinerant men in the building trades, fishermen, with some artists and artisans. Chain (family groups) migration became evident in the inter-war period with their appearance in the retail trades, particularly fruiterers. This is likely because of their rural origins, requiring limited skills. The twenties migration was spurred by the cessation of immigration to North America. But the major surge in migration following the chain pattern occurred in the '50's & '60's.
· Unlike the earlier migration the post-war surge lead to a concentration of Italians living or working or visiting the suburb of Leichhardt. While they often moved out particularly to the more spacious adjoining suburbs of Haberfield, Five Dock and beyond, the concentration of business, and cultural activities remained. Leichhardt remained the principal meeting place for a range of purposes.
· The evident explanation and initial impetus for this aggregation was the role of the Capuchins at St Fiacres. The Church anticipated a post-War migration boom and the need to serve the expected flood in unassisted migration of Italians by handing over St Fiacres to the Capuchins in 1946. In addition to spiritual, social and language support the Brothers met the migrant ships and provided advice on housing, employment, and government services, as well as the direct provision of welfare. Particularly after the arrival of fiancees, spouses and family members they rented and then bought houses within range of the Church. Much of Catherine St. was bought up by Italians, and many current property owners still have Italian names.
· While a minority of Italians settled in Leichhardt, it became the focus for their community, spiritual and commercial life. Initially the concentration of retail and leisure activities was along Parramatta Rd. With the decline of strip shopping, the commercial focus gradually relocated into Norton St. The commercial centre was made up largely of small family run businesses. While many remain, many particularly along Parramatta Road have struggled in recent years. The current resurgence due to large scaled new commercial and residential complexes in Norton St. is transforming Leichhardt from being a largely local centre to serving a broader region, if not the whole City.
· This is changing the character of the centre towards a more conventional commercial place, and tending to replace the authentic with the ersatz. Retention of family run enterprises and the icons such as the Café Sport, the Bar Italia, Mezzapica, The Santoro Delicatessen, La Rustica, etc is essential both to the heritage values and its role as a place with Italian connections, particularly from the post - War migration period. The development and management of the public domain is very important to conserving these attributes, particularly in Parramatta Road where the adverse traffic environment threatens its viability.
· Tapping into the memories of the now ageing Italian born in the area, is now urgent in conserving the record and bolstering Leichhardt as the centre of Italian - Sydney.
· Dissemination of this history in a variety of ways is also essential. In parallel with dissemination of the history for public comment, it would be desirable to mount a pictorial exhibition covering the themes, building on the base of the photographs used for the 'Back to Leichhardt'. The most accessible venue for this purpose is Co As It. The response to this should guide future action.
· A larger opportunity for exposure will arise with the proposed Museum of Sydney exhibition on Italians in NSW, currently programmed for 2002.

RECOMMENDATIONS :

As a first step it is recommended that Council promote and disseminate the findings of this research into the history and heritage of Italian Australians and their involvement in Leichhardt LGA, by the following means :

1. In - house publication of this research in parallel with mounting a pictorial exhibition responding to its themes, at Co As It. The video to be screened throughout the exhibition.
2. Council to host an event for the opening of the exhibition, to premier the film of the 'Back to Leichhardt', to also be a celebration of the contribution of Italian family business to the character of Leichhardt.
3. Prepare a media package and promote the film to SBS & Community TV, placing copies including for sale, in Council outlets.
4. Establish an Italian - Australian archive in the Local History Collection of Leichhardt Library.
5. Following the exhibition, public and community responses should reported to Council, in conjunction with its consideration of the specific recommendations of the study.

Specific recommendations for heritage protection, interpretation, dissemination, and further research:

Heritage Protection :

1. The following places should become Heritage Items in Council's Local Environmental Plan (LEP) :

· St Fiacres Church, Presbytery, and the monuments at 98 Catherine St. Leichhardt, as a place of State significance.
· The former APIA Club, now known as Le Montage, in Frazer St. Leichhardt, as a place of State significance.
· The Melocco Brothers office, showroom, and factory at 1 Booth St. Annandale, as a place of State significance.
· Peter Melocco's house at 84 Johnstone St. Annandale, as a place of local significance.
· The Melocco family property at 86 Johnstone St. Annandale as a place of local significance.

2. Amend the Leichhardt Conservation Area or include as Distinctive Neighbourhoods (DN) in the Development Control Plan (DCP) :

· That the Conservation Area controls in the LEP, and DCP for the suburb of Leichhardt, include particular intents and controls to protect the Italian heritage.
· That the whole of Norton St. and Parramatta Road between Rofe and Catherine Streets should be treated as an entity.
· That St Fiacres Church, School, and associated properties should be treated as an entity.
· That the Leichhardt Wharf area including the site of the Apia Club, jetty and moorings area and the portion of Leichhardt Park between the club site and the waters edge should be treated as an entity.

3. That the following properties are essential to the Italian character of the area and therefore be listed as contributory buildings in the DCP :
In Leichhardt
· La Rustica @ 435 Parramatta Rd
· Santoro Delicatessen 361 Parramatta Rd
· The Riviera Coffee Lounge 367 Parramatta Rd
· Castorina Butchery Parramatta Rd @ Hay St.
· The Albert Palais @ Parramatta Rd @ Catherine
· The House of Cerrone 15 Catherine
· The Café Sport
· The Mezzapica Cakeshop @ 130 Norton
· The Bar Italia @ 169 Norton
· The Zuliani Studio @ 220A Norton @ 276 Norton
· The Villa Rosa
In Glebe
· The Galluzo Fruit Barn
In Balmain
· Sidoti's Fruiterer @ 499 Darling
· Casamento's Fruiterer @ 57A Darling St

4. Should these uses cease then the former use should be recorded for the Local History Collection, and a plaque displayed to acknowledge the former use on the building ( subject to the approval of the landowner ). That the following former uses be so celebrated:

· Casamento's Fruiterer @ 57A Darling St. East Balmain
· Sidoti's Fruiterer @ 499 Darling St. Rozelle.

5. Interpretation :

(1) The interpretation and dissemination of the Italian contribution needs a corporate response integrated across various operational divisions of Council, including the Library and Environmental Management in terms of recording and archival responsibility, including Works and Services in terms of interpretation in the public domain, including Community Policy and Services in terms of community development.

(2) The following particular interpretation and dissemination initiatives are recommended.

NOTE : The following measures are beyond the responsibility and resources of the Council, and therefore need to be pursued in conjunction with other Councils, State agencies, community organisations such as Co As It, and the Italian media such as La Fiamma

· Broadsheet about Italian - Australian settlement in NSW
Prepare a broad sheet suitable for wide distribution (e.g. via community organisations, cafés, bookshops etc) that provides information (in Italian and English) about the history and heritage of Italian - Australian settlement in NSW, including the well-known centres, Leichhardt, Wollongong, Fairfield, Lismore district, etc. Articles would be based on the studies initiated by the Heritage Office and Ministry for the Arts and Co.As.It and cover some of the obvious areas of contribution by Italians - in building, fishing, fruiterers, restaurants, etc.

· Celebration of long-established businesses
Celebration of the contribution of long - established shops and other businesses to Leichhardt LGA, by a variety of means, including: a party, including a group photo, good quality photos of the people and their shops/business, a brief history, photo and certificate for display in shop at the time of the celebration would be desirable. This could include events in Heritage Week, and inclusion of information on the website directory for all businesses, services and community groups based in Leichhardt'_, - myleichhardt.com.au

· Media coverage - e.g. one or more shopkeepers/businesses/artists should be the subject of a ABC TV program such as the Australian Story, an SBS program; or regular feature in La Fiamma and/or an other local newspaper.


· Publication about shops and shopkeepers in Leichhardt, with photos and a short story about each place (building)/person/family.

A publication about the history of Italian -Australian commerce in Leichhardt and nearby suburbs, including potential for publication on line or CD, as well as hard copy.

· The film / video by Michael Rubbo of the 'Back to Leichhardt' event held in June 2000, to be made available for television or other public viewing, including hire, and for sale copies.

· Recognition of key places in the history of the Italian community in Leichhardt area using a variety of means, for example:

- temporary display in shop windows and other premises, e.g. in NSW Heritage week,
- a small exhibition in Co As It premises; and / or
- post cards
- historical plaques (unobtrusive scale/character)
- further nominations for heritage listing, to the Leichhardt local list and / or the State Heritage Register

· The places recognised would include those recommended for listing and some of the long-established businesses (to be selected by the steering committee for the project). It would use the information collected in the survey of businesses in Norton Street and Parramatta Road.

6. Further Research :

(1) Adopt as policy that the Council supports and encourages the recording, research and interpretation of the Italian history and heritage of the area by the following measures:

· Maintain and collect records as part of the Local History Collection.
· Encourage research, especially about potential Heritage Items.
· Encourage the recording of the stories of the Italian community and its members including the people putting their names forward at the 'Back to Leichhardt'.
· To encourage Italian - Australian heritage in planning &
· To interpret the Italian - Australian heritage of Leichhardt in the public domain.

2) That the Council encourage and support research into the following particular strands :

· The Iron Cove Fishing Fleet, and the former community in North Leichhardt associated with the fleet.
· The work of local builders in the post - war period who contributed to the distinctive character of the suburb of Leichhardt.
· Italians in local commerce, especially in the suburbs of Annandale, Balmain, and Glebe.

(3) That the Council Librarian and planners meet with Co As It to discuss their roles in collecting information about the Italian - Australian heritage with a view to sharing, complementing, and investigation of ways and means of doing further research.