Interview with Romano Marchioro [sound recording] Interviewer : Madeleine Regan, Part 1 of 2

Interview with Romano Marchioro for the Italian Market Gardeners Oral History Project. Romano was born in Adelaide on 2 November 1942, the son of market gardeners who originated from the Province of Vicenza in the Veneto Region of Italy. Romano speaks about his family; the reasons for his father coming to Australia in his early 20s; his marriage by proxy to his mother; their work as market gardeners first on Frogmore Road at Kidman Park and later at White Avenue, Lockleys; his mother looking after the children and the farm while her husband was interned in Alice Springs. Memories of growing up on Frogmore Road and other Italian market gardening families; goint to the East End market with his father; a robbery at their home on Frogmore Road, which was the reason for the family move to Lockleys; his family's home; other Italian families who were market gardeners on Frogmore Road. Other items include: contracting polio at eight or nine years old and his isolation in hospital; catching fish and yabbies in the River Torrens; school; family celebrations of birthdays and Christmas; Confirmation; parties with the 'Veneti' families; reflections on why not many 'Veneti' men in his generation continued as market gardeners; sale of land and initiative of some families to buy at Bolivar; apprenticeship; marriage and approximately 40 years working at the Barbecue Inn, first on Hindley Street, for his father-in-law, than as part owner at Jetty Road. He shares his knowledge of Malo and Monte di Malo where his parents grew up in the Province of Vicenza; memories of his first visit to Italy in 1988; links with his parent's relatives'; first impressions of Malo. He proceeds to reflect on his opportunities and love of his family and grandchildren; travel to America and Hong Kong. Romano describes his strong sense of being Italian and his love of his heritage, and recalls a visit to Australia by some of his Aunties. He reflects on changes on Frogmore Road, especially the increasing in housing and eventual disappearance of the market gardens.

No restrictions on copying or publication except acknowledging State Library of South Australia OH 872/20 if published.