Recall the long journey many have taken to call Australia home as we gather before La Famiglia Statue. This sculpture tells a remarkable story of immigration, family and success. It stands as a tribute to the Signorelli family and their contribution to Australia.
La Famiglia Statue, also known as “Life From A Suitcase”, is a bronze sculpture created by Terrance Plowright. It was unveiled on March 18th, 2010. The Signorelli family gifted it to the people of Australia. The statue celebrates the theme of immigration. Many immigrants arrived with just a suitcase. They planted their roots and raised families here. Some even built vast enterprises. They have contributed to Australia’s multicultural society.
The figures in La Famiglia Statue are Biaggio and Filippa Signorelli with their seven grandchildren. They are Joe-Alexander, Guilia, Phillippa, Biaggio, Genevieve, Santias and Ignatius. Biaggio Signorelli landed on this very wharf in 1954. His wife Filippa arrived in 1963.
Pyrmont Wharves 12 and 13 once stood here. They served as Sydney’s passenger terminal until 1994. Many immigrants first set foot on Australian soil at this very spot. Biaggio Signorelli was one of them. He arrived from Sicily with little more than a suitcase and big dreams.
Biaggio found work with his brother. They worked at a fruit shop named Signorelli Bros. In 1964, he bought a fruit shop in Lakemba. He named it Antonella after his mother. In 1967, he married Fina. They had three children, Nina, Paul and Anna. His mother and four brothers also migrated from Sicily.
The family worked hard. They expanded the fruit shop. They bought a department store. They even opened Mother Nature’s Fruit World. It was one of Sydney’s first food emporiums. The Signorellis eventually ventured into catering and events. In 2001, they bought the heritage-listed woolshed at Jones Bay Wharf. In 2009, they developed Signorelli Gastronomia.
Family always came first for Biaggio. When his son Paul was in a car accident, the family put everything on hold to care for him. They bounced back and continued to build their business. Sadly, Biaggio passed away in June 2008. But he left behind a wonderful legacy. It is a true rags-to-riches story.
La Famiglia Statue stands as a testament to Biaggio Signorelli’s journey. It celebrates the courage and determination of all immigrants who have made Australia their home. It reminds us of the importance of family. It also shows the power of hard work. The sculpture at Pyrmont Wharf is a fitting tribute. This is where Biaggio first arrived in Australia. It is a reminder of his life and achievements.
As you stand here, take a moment to reflect on the stories of those who came before us. Consider the contributions they have made to this nation. La Famiglia Statue is more than just a sculpture. It is a symbol of hope, resilience and the enduring power of the human spirit.