23/10/2026
Happy 100th Birthday Giovanni 🎂
From a small village in Abruzzo, Italy, Giovanni came to Australia in 1955 looking for better opportunities. His work at BHP, Wangi Power Station, the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme and other places gave him opportunities in concreting, carpentry, tiling, plumbing and crane driving, among other jobs – a range of skills he took pride in as a self-proclaimed Do-It-Yourself Specialist.
Marrying his beloved Luisa (“Lisetta”) in 1960, Giovanni is a devoted family man to his children Nicola, Anna Maria, and Frank, and to his grandchildren Jonathon and William. He built his family life in Australia, returning to Italy only once in 1987 to visit relatives.
Giovanni always loved to garden and continues spending time there, even keeping chickens until quite recently. He also enjoys bingo, hoy and raffles. His favourite pastime, however, is probably going to all-you-can-eat restaurants (known affectionately in the family as ‘pig pens’).
Cento di questi giorni Giovanni!