A letter written in Italian using blue ink on unlined paper aerogramme. Written by Vasco Mangiavacchi to his mother in Italy, the letter was written prior to leaving for work in Sydney. He talks about others being allocated work that has nothing to do with their previous experience. Digital copy.

Letter from Vasco Mangiavacchi to his family in Montepulciano Italy
Bonegilla   27 March 1956
Dear mother,
With much joy today I received your letter dated 20th of the current month. I am very pleased to hear that you are in good health as well as dad and (my) sisters. I am well also as is Mario who arrived on Saturday. His girlfriend says that he had a good voyage and found himself in good company, she is a good looking girl from Trieste, anyhow his family can rest assured that he has someone to look after him, to wash and iron etc….We are sleeping in the same bedroom and he will come and work with me in Sidney (sic).
Mum, as you can see we haven’t yet left to go to work, we will be leaving on Monday because to spend Easter with or without money with regards to working, it’s all the same, because we have everything that we need here, as I’ve told you previously and furthermore with what they give us as unemployment benefits we have sufficient to cover all our vices, as food and board is gratis.
I and 6 other brick layers are the most fortunate as we will working in our field of expertise, because it’s quite hilarious here, imagine; … a number of mechanics have been sent to work as carpenters, a nurse as a farm hand, two watch makers to lay railway tracks and that brick layer from Sinalunga (small town in Tuscany) and another man, including 3 carpenters and 2 butchers to be electricians and so forth… the others are saying that we have real arse and we laugh over the whole matter. The interpreter told us that I’ll be going to a big American company together with my friends – it’s a job worth around 7 million Italian lire. I’ll be able to work as much and as often as I like. We didn’t go the other day as they weren’t hiring labourers, because here you must know they must pay you for the 2 non-working days (weekend). Therefor everything is Ok and you mustn’t worry. The company that will be hiring us will take care of our accommodation and meals and we already have the address and so I will give it to you so that can write to this new place and no longer to the immigrant centre at Bonegilla.
(Overleaf)
Mum do you know how much money you have? It should be me worrying about you, especially with the extreme cold weather and who knows how little work dad is finding. But now I need to cheer you up…
By the way, did you pay for the firewood? Get it from uncle if you need more and pay for it later as within a month you’ll certainly have the money. You must make sure that you have a good Easter because I’m ok, stop worrying now, I’m not at the front! The other day I received mail from Rita. I’ve put in a request for her (to come to Australia), I think this is better, poor little girl, why make her suffer, she doesn’t deserve it, so in 4 years or max 5, I will return either with much or little money: however if there are two of us working, we will be able to save more easily. I’ll finish off now mum, wishing you, dad, Iride and Olghina many dear kisses, with affection your son and brother Vasco. Dide I hear that you are (working) at Chianciano (town near Montepulciano) again. Say hello to Hugo and his family and all the others. I must write to the Fossi company and give them my best wishes. As soon as I can I will write them a long letter. Bye Dide, dad, Olga MUM. Vasco kisses.
(At the top of the letter upside down)
Greetings and best wishes to the Ercolani, Bianchi and Brandi families.

Mario is at his girlfriend’s making out. He sends his greetings and kisses to mum and FAMILY

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27 March 1956

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