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Olga painted the oak tree on the cover. It symbolizes strength. It symbolizes her. Small in stature, strong willed, strong minded, a strong character, this is Olga D'Albero - Giuliani.

The Little Oak Tree is the story of her life in Australia

Thank you for 40 years of sharing

by Olga D'Albero-Giuliani

On the morning of 17 May 1957, exactly 40 years ago, I arrived in this country, which had been previously unknown to me. Accompanied by my husband, Franco, and three young children, I had migrated to Australia to make a new life.

Our first home was in a barracks at Bonegilla camp. Away from our friends and family, not only for us but for all who shared our circumstances, life was often difficult but hope for a better future gave us strength. We were migrants.

From the first unforgettable night, day by day, month by month, 40 years passed and now it seems like a dream.

So many things we have done together; so many tears, so much laughter. We were the "wogs", as you often called us but we were in your land and later we became your friend. We worked together and we started to talk like you. Our accent was funny and you often laughed and we laughed with you. At luchtime we swapped our panini for your sandwiches or pies, a glass of wine for a cup of tea. You enjoyed a pizza or a plate of spagetti in Lygon Street - for us, Friday night became fish and chips night, too.

Our nostalgic song "O Sole Mio" echoed the melancholy sound of "Waltzing Matilda". We cried together for the loss of a friend in common, and happily clapped our hands on our children's birthdays, singing "Happy Birthday to You"

Throughout those 40 years, we have shared many things. The Australian football heros became ours; the Blues, the Hawks, the Magpies. How many bets we had on the first Tuesday of November. Your land became our land. You offered us work; we gave you our skill and labor. Together, we laid roads, built houses and churches, established museums, promoted art and music and together we sang so many songs. In those 40 years, we, together made this country beautiful.

I personally have plenty to say thank you for. Seven of my children were born in your hospitals. All of them sat in your classrooms; they worked in your banks, factories, offices and shops; they married your daughters and sons. Their children, my grandchildren were born under the Southern Cross. I lived in your properties and worked in your hotels and restaurants until I reached the age of my retirement and had the honor of receiving the Australia Day Award in recognition of my book on the story of my life.

I would like to thank you all for what you offered me, and shared with me all of my 40 years in Australia. We have been able to laugh and cry and this is the story of the migrant.

This letter was published in The Age on 17 May 1997.

Copyright © 1997 Olga D'Albero-Giuliani All rights reserved.

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