Giuseppe Raco - 70 years in Australia: Part three
Over the years, Giuseppe Raco was to forge many lasting friendships with fellow orchardists and local businessmen to whom he would offer sound advice when asked.
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Working in the stone fruit industry from the age of 14, Giuseppe is a walking encyclopedia. His knowledge of the industry, combined with a sharp memory, is nothing short of amazing for the man who turned 84 yesterday, January 30.
Working alongside his dad, Rocco, and brothers on the family orchard, R Raco and Sons in Koonoomoo, Giuseppe, the eldest son, listened and learned quickly. The young man understood the Australian way of life, including the language, and soon took over much of the decision-making.
Initially, the orchard provided fruit to both SPC and Ardmona canneries, generally around 1200 tons. However, in 1975, the family could see there was greater opportunity for their quality stone fruit to obtain higher prices if they got into the fresh fruit markets in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
“It was the best decision. We were paid very well,” Giuseppe said.
Giuseppe and Tony ran the business successfully for 40 years as G&A RACO, and later Giuseppe was joined by his eldest son Rocky in partnership. The duo was constantly trialling new fruit varieties, upgrading machinery and meeting requirements for accreditation.
Every family member would be hard at work during the fruit harvesting season. Pasqualina was in charge of quality control in the shed. The children, when they were home for school holidays, would help where, then later, the grandchildren, even the little ones. It was a family business, and there was a job for absolutely everyone.
“We had some very good pickers for many years who would come down from MacKay in Queensland, one of Australia’s largest sugar cane farming regions, and then later from Innisfail, a predominantly sugar and banana growing region,” Giuseppe said.
In 1994, the orchard was visited by renowned Weekly Times columnist Geoffrey Wright, whom readers may recall wrote a column on individuals and families he had interviewed who lived and worked on the land, entitled ‘The Wright Road’.
Wright’s article on the Raco’s and their orchard included some high praise, “42 acres- it looks like a pinch from the Botanical Gardens. If there was a Tidy Farmers award, they would romp it in,” one of the articles read.
Needless to say, the family was chuffed.
Giuseppe actively involved himself in his community and was a popular figure at Cobram Football Club, Cobram Soccer Club, service clubs and Cobram Agricultural Society, where in 2000, he was invited to officially open the show.
In 2003, Giuseppe and Pasqualina made a heartfelt decision to sell the business and retire.
“It was a hard decision, and there was a lot of sadness as we had built it up from nothing to be very successful. We were proud of what we achieved,” he said.
The stone fruit business was purchased by the Australian Primary Super Fund, also known as Agrico. The sale enabled the couple to enjoy some of the benefits of their hard-fought efforts over so many years.
Two years later, Giuseppe celebrated his 65th birthday and his family presented him with a set of luggage and lots of encouragement to slow down and book a proposed trip to Italy. Their first since leaving their birth country years earlier.
“It was so very emotional going back after 52 years and being met by my cousin at the Reggio Calabria Airport, who had asked us what we would be wearing so they could hopefully recognise us,” Giuseppe said.
“It was a beautiful moment, and Pasqualina videoed everyone’s reactions, and there was not a dry eye anywhere.
“My old family home in Molochio had been renovated and sold, and the new owners invited us in, but it was hard to remember what it was like before.
“We spent time with my two aunts, Ofelia and Rosina, who were interested in learning about our life in Australia, and we would talk and talk and talk.”
The trip to Italy was the first in a long list of wonderful overseas destinations, which included the USA, NZ and Canada, as well as most Australian states.
The couple had earned their retirement after years of backbreaking work.
“I am grateful to be living in Australia, and when given an opportunity, you take it and work hard,” Giuseppe said.
Like many of their Italian countrymen the Raco family did not waste any opportunity that came their way to have a better life.
Their family of four, their partners and nine grandchildren are testimony to the importance of a good education, strong family values and role models and working hard to be the best version of oneself!
Congratulations, Giuseppe and Pasqualina, on a life well lived and setting a fine example for your family.
The Cobram community hopes you enjoy a wonderful celebration of your 70 years in Australia.
Steffi invited to play in Victorian Open
Cobram Barooga’s star golfer, Steffi Vogel, has received an invitation to play in the Victorian Women’s Open later this week at the 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads.
Last week, Steffi played consistent golf at Cobram Barooga during the recent Webex Player Series Murray River event. Hitting the ball beautifully, she completed all four rounds with a score in the 60s, which was a fantastic result on her home course. It was her best result to date.
The 25-year-old undoubtedly impressed organisers at Barooga to be invited to play in the premier event for Men and Women, both elite amateurs and professionals, at 13th Beach.
Following this, Steffi will compete at two NSW courses, Castle Hill and the Hunter Valley, in the Webex Player Series events. Fantastic stuff Steffi.
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