Antonietta left Lettopalena on 30th December1960 -she set sail on the ROMA  to travel to Australia. With her was her daughter & her soon to be sister in law Angela Palmieri. They were 2 young women heading off to a new adventure. Both heading off to meet the men they loved & for that love, they were prepared to leave their village, their family & friends & head off to the unknown. 

The trip was long & did not reach Australian until 8th February, 1961. They landed on a very hot Sydney day & were straight into the arms of the men they had waited so long to be with. After disembarking, they all took a train trip to Newcastle where the in laws were waiting for a welcome party.  

Antonietta & Oreste finally managed to buy their own home in 1964 & shortly after their second daughter was born. She too was a beautiful baby & much adored by her parents & sister.

At 3 months old, this child contracted whooping cough & again Antonietta was placed in a very stressful situation praying that her child would survive. And survive she did. 

The experience gave Antonietta enourmous strength & courage - she had to develop that to survive difficult times & remain positive.

Her second child gave her 3 cherished grandchildren whom she totally adored & lived for. These kids were everything she had ever dreamed of & made her life perfect. They in turn adored her beyond words & many happy years were spent 

Antonietta gave birth to a baby girl on 3rd September, 1955 in the barn they were living in. It was not long after the war & after marrying she lived in her parents old barn until leaving for Australia.

Antonietta was a devoted & loving mother who her adored her little girl. Oreste left for Australia on 1957  leaving & Antonietta & their daughter behind until he could find work & bring them over to join him. 

During the waiting period their daughter contracted polio & their reunion was postponed for 2 years. During this time Antonietta was alone to steer through a complex medical system straining from the polio epidemic. She spent an anxioius & stressful period on her own but from this she gained enormous strength that enabled her to travel her life's journey with courage, tenacity, dignity & love. 

Antonietta married Oreste Martinelli on 8th December, 1954 In Lettopalena, Italy. The wedding was attended by friends & family of the village & despite having no money, they managed to have a wonderful wedding with everyone pitching in & helping. 

Antonietta wore a 2 piece suit in pale grey & looked stunning. Oreste had a black suit & was also stunning. The were a very good looking couple & very much in love. 

Antonietta's cousin Antonio gave her away as her parents were living in France & could not get back for the wedding.