'From Paesani to Global Italians' is a study of the migration history and experiences of migrants from the Veneto region in the north-east of Italy. As the Veneto, which includes the province of Venice, is today one of the most affluent regions in Italy, this book provides a contrast to the rather more well-known story of southern Italian migration.
Migration from the Veneto to Australia began in the late 1800s, although the bulk of the migrants arrived immediately after the Second World War. Most northern Italian migrants to Australia come from this region.
The authors explore the contribution made by this group of migrants to their new homeland, their settlement experiences and their continuing connections with their ancestral homes. They also touch on the future of ethnic groups and the crisis in aged care for people of non–English speaking backgrounds. The text is enlivened by life histories, character portraits and quotations.
Contents:
Introduction
1. Patterns of Migration
- Migration as a Way of Life
- Circular Migration Before 1940
- Circular Migration Post-1940
- Chain Migration
2. The Veneto Presence in Australia
- The Early Years: 1830-1920
- 1920-1940
- Mass Migration After the Second World War
- Veneti in Australia After 1960
3. Working Life
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Postwar Migration
- Constuction Industry
- The Food Industry
- Tailoring
- Women's and Children's Work
- Self-Employment
4. Social and Cultural Life
- Marriage and the Lives of Women Migrants
- Building Community
- The Role of the Catholic Church
- Social Welfare
- Italian Social Clubs and Regional Networks in Australia
- The Arts and Education
5. The Ageing Community and its Care
- Veneto Elderly in Australia
- Patterns of Preferred Care
- Ages Care Services
6. Looking to the Future and the Next Generation
- Migration: 'for the Chuildren'
- Second-generation Veneto Identities and the Future of Italianita
7. Transnational Veneti
- The Veneto-Australian Pattern of Visiting
- The Ambivalence of Belonging
- The Trials of Repatriation
- Subsequent Visits: The Search for Home
- The Next Best Thing to a Visit
- Second-generation Visits
8. Conclusion: Veneto Globale?
Appendix: Translation of Italian Words and Phrases
Bibliography
Index
