Swiss Italian Festa 2024 - In Conversation with author, Maria Harris (nee Triaca)

Hosted by Alice's Journeys Walking Tours of Daylesford - this event is a Festa fundraiser $5 from each ticket goes to the Festa

SWISS ITALIAN FESTA 2024

In 1904, at the age of 14, Amelia Musso arrived in Daylesford, with her sister, from Italy

IN CONVERSATION with MARIA HARRIS, Amelia’s granddaughter, we discover what Daylesford was like in 1904 for young Amelia confronted by a strange landscape, culture and language. 

Maria recalls the stories of courage and resilience, loneliness and humiliation, strength and generosity that her grandmother told.

As part of this years Festa 2024, join us at Radius Art Gallery in Hepburn Springs and meet author, Maria Harris (nee Triaca), 

in conversation with Cathy Samsury (nee del Negro).

Maria Harris (nee Triaca) is author of “Amelia - A Long Journey”

Maria wrote this endearing story of her Nonna (Grandmother) Amelia, who was sent from Italy to Daylesford in 1904, as a 14-year-old, to care for her aging uncle.

Maria's book was first published in 1985 and is a remarkable and enduring story of love, hardship, resilience and adversity. In recognition of the value and perpetuity of Amelia's story, in 2023 it was translated into Italian and is published via Amazon books.

Maria Triaca was born and educated in Melbourne.  She is a third generation Italo-Australian.

As a little girl she loved sitting on the front steps of the family home listening to her grandmother, Amelia, telling stories about life in Italy and Australia.

From being punished for buying peaches with her mother’s  few spare coins, to her days as a servant in Italy and then life in the dusty goldfields town of Daylesford, Amelia’s stories captivated her. It sparked Maria’s interest in her family background and the whole area of migration, especially before World War II.

Maria worked as a journalist for more than three decades. She has made several trips to Italy and Moneglia, the Italian Riviera town that Amelia came from. 

Maria now works as an advertising copywriter. She lives in Melbourne, near her children and grandchildren and is a mad Hawthorn supporter.

Cathy Samsury (nee del Negro) is the child of Italian American immigrants. Cathy immigrated to Australia in the 1970s and has called Melbourne home until her recent tree change to the Central Highlands that reminds her so much of her Appalachian Mountain home in Massachusetts. Cathy is a now retired drama and English teacher, theatre director and playwright.

Maria and Cathy will discuss Maria and her Nonna's life together in Melbourne, Amelia's life in Italy,  Daylesford and beyond, and the writing process to produce this stunning book. They will read their favourite passages from the book.