Belongings
Personal belongings can be rich reminders of a journey, a home, a friendship, a family, or an ‘old country’. Often items have no monetary value at all, but hold a wealth of memories.
The objects displayed in Journey to a New Life were brought to Australia by two Italian migrants after World War Two. Their stories are included in the online exhibition “Belongings post-WW2 migration memorise & journeys” where you can discover how much migration changed the lives of people, and Australia, forever.
» ViewLetter opener
This letter opener was made during World War Two from the remains of hand grenades found in Italian fields. Riri Torsello brought the letter opener to Australia because it was made to be used in times of peace.
Courtesy of Riri Torsello
» ViewNeedle cases
These delicate, handcrafted needle cases were made as a gift for Riri Torsello by an Italian prisoner in 1945. They bear the initials of her maiden name, Maririta Cancellieri.
Courtesy of Riri Torsello
» ViewBound comic books
As a teenager in Italian refugee camps Bruno Ladogna undertook a course in book-binding. He used these skills to bind comics he had purchased with money his mother gave him to buy fruit.
Courtesy of Bruno Ladogna