Pat Dichiera

Well this car is not one of Dad’s as I first thought. It ends up being one of Uncle Sam’s first cars. I also think it predates Uncle Sam’s little red sports car in earlier photos, due to the fact this photo with Dad leaning on it was taken in front of Nonno’s house and there is no carport on the right side of the building – the carport can clearly be seen in the previous sports car photo.

This car with 3 headlights is called an Austin A90 Atlantic and is dated around 1950. It’s a very cool looking car and from what I understand quite rare and sought after these days – Uncle Sam why didn’t you hold onto it. Doh!

Here is a shot of Dad’s white Triumph behind Uncle Sam’s red sports car. Unfortunately as I am a girl, I have no idea what type it is – will have to ask hubby unless one of our readers can tell me. 🙂

This photo is taken at the side of Nonno and Nonna’s and it may be their car in front of the house. Someone older might be able to help out with the name of the dog at the front of the photo. Interesting old shed at the front of the property.

This is another photo from Nonna’s collection that Robert & Aunty Cath have scanned for the website.

ETA: Thanks to info from Tony Piscioneri, Nonno’s car has been identified as a 1948 Chev. Just googled it, very cool looking car too!

1st April, 2011 Update:  Tony P has suggested Uncle Sam’s car might be a Datsun Fair Lady.  And also that the shed in the background may be the old horse stables.

This photo shows dad sitting on the door of the Triumph with Uncle Sam (I think) at the back, Uncle Vince leaning against it and Nonna with a little lamb.

Funnily enough I was researching Nonno & Nonna a few years ago on the web and found an image of Nonna and a little lamb from the 1950’s that was used in a pdf report of an Italian/Australian conference that had such notaries as Phillip Ruddock, Archibishop George Pell and others speak.

Thanks to Aunty Cath & Robert again for this photo.

Here’s another photo from the same day of the Triumph Herald with Aunty Cathy and Uncle Vince out the front of Nonna and Nonno’s home. Notice the little flag at the back left of the car.

On speaking to Uncle Sam and mum, they’ve recalled the cars that dad owned and hopefully we’ve now got them in the right order.

1st car – Triumph Herald (white) – images now posted.
2nd car – Datsun Bluebird (two tone blue, light blue on top)
3rd car – Holden (thought to be an EH) Ute (green)
4th car – Morris Minor
5th car – Station Wagon (mum remembers the brakes were dodgy on this car, she refused to drive it with us kids in it – they used to pay it off $10/week)
6th car – Holden Kingswood Sedan (white)

As I find more info and images of them I will update. But for now here is the first of about four images that have been found of the Triumph (thanks to Aunty Cath & Robert).

This first image shows dad at around 18 or 19 years old with his mum (Nonna) and his cool looking first car the Triumph Herald sportscar (a white one). Mum remembers that dad was driving this when she first met him and that he used to eat his lunch in it in Red Cliffs.

Well this is an interesting photo to say the least. It features Uncle Sam with the gun and Dad (Pat) with the guitar. 🙂

The quality is not very good due to this being a photocopy of an image that I received a few years ago.

This early group shot shows quite a few people that I don’t recognise – so will have to get to work identifying them. But it is interesting as this is one of two shots taken of this group. This shot includes Aunty Mary and a man from the back is missing (obviously taking the photo), while another poor photocopy that I have of it, shows the man in the photo and Aunty Mary is taking the photo. This version does show everyone smiling, the other version, looks quite a deal more sombre. 🙂

I’m not sure if it was taken at Nonno’s home or elsewhere.

Back L-R: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Nonno, Unknown, Nonna, Vince, Sam (holding Vince), Unknown.
Front L-R: Cath, Mary & Pat (dad).

Thanks to Aunty Cath & Robert for this photo.

Aunty Cath and Dad in their maybe pre-teenage years.

Thanks to Aunty Cath & Robert for this photo.

There have been a few updates to previous posts as more information has come to light. 🙂

“Confirmation” post of 10/2/2008 – Dad’s Confirmation Sponsor has now been identified/confirmed.
“The Boys” post of 23/3/2008 – Two men have been identified.
“More Confirmation” post of 6/4/2008 – Property in background identified.

This photo shows a visiting Tony De Luca (from Italy), Sam, Nonno, Mary, Dad (Pat) and Cathy on the block. Tony lives in Italy and is my dad’s cousin, his mother was dad’s mother’s older sister – their maiden name was Cirillo.

Back L-R: Tony De Luca, Sam, Nonno (Giuseppe), Mary.
Front L-R: Pat (dad) & Cath.

Thanks to Aunty Cath & Robert for this photo.

Here’s a shot of dad’s immediate family and Aunty Tosti (Maria).

Back L-R: Sam, Mary, Maria Tosti, Nonna (Giovanna), Nonno (Giuseppe).
Front L-R: Vince, Cath & Pat (dad).

Thanks to Aunty Cath & Robert for this photo.

Here’s a pic (albeit a little blurry) of Sam, Dad (Pat), Mary & Cath on the block.

Sorting through some more of the scans from Aunty Cath & Robert, I have found two more pictures from Dad’s Confirmation. Picture taken at the Gagliardi’s property in Magnolia Avenue, Mildura. The bottom picture shows dad with his Confirmation cake.

A young Aunty Tosti (Maria) poses in this photo with (Back L-R) Mary, Sam, (Front L-R) Cath, Vince (baby) and Dad.

Thanks to Aunty Cathy & Robert for this photo.

To the family members visiting this site – here’s a picture that we need some help with. Easily recognised are Nonno, Dad (Pat) and Uncle Sam. But who are the other 2 gentlemen? Anyone have any ideas?

22/5/08 Edited to add – We think we have identified these men as Mr. Gagliardi (dad’s Confirmation Sponsor) and his father.

Pictured Back L-R are: Mr. Gagliardi’s father?, Mr. Gagliardi?, Giuseppe (Nonno).
Pictured Front L-R are: Pat, Sam.

Thanks to Aunty Cathy & Robert for this photo.