The journey of the Piemontese to Australia began in earnest, driven by a desire for new horizons and the pursuit of excellence.

Piemontese migration to New South Wales (NSW) spans from early colonial explorers to post-WWII chain migration. Though smaller in numbers than migrants from regions like Calabria, Veneto, or Sicily, the Piemontese contributed heavily to the development of NSW's agriculture, viticulture, and regional communities.

They were a dedicated collective of Italo-Australians from the Northern Italian region of Piemonte, seeking to preserve the rich tapestry of their ancestral roots while embracing the vibrant spirit of the Australian landscape.

Early Arrivals and Gold Rush Pioneers

The earliest recorded Piemontese in NSW often arrived as political exiles or gold prospectors. A notable early pioneer was Carlo Marina. Born in Piacenza (historically linked to the Piemontese army), he fought under Garibaldi at the Siege of Rome in 1849. By 1860, he settled in the Young district, running a butcher shop before establishing the historic Moppity Station, becoming a prominent orchardist and vigneron.

The New Italy Settlement

Piemontese immigrants were part of one of NSW's most significant historical Italian communities: New Italy, located in the Northern Rivers region near Woodburn.

The Background: In the 1880s, over 200 settlers from Northern Italy (including Veneto, Friuli, and Piemonte) were swindled by an unscrupulous French Marquis and left to face disease and starvation in the South Pacific.

Resettlement: Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier of NSW, dispatched a rescue ship, bringing the survivors to Sydney in 1881. Many of these families moved north to the sour soils of the Northern Rivers, where they established the "New Italy" settlement.

Legacy: Despite poor farming land, the community successfully grew vegetables, grapevines, and even established a silk industry. The New Italy Museum Complex still stands today near Woodburn to memorialize these pioneers.

Post-WWII Agriculture and Viticulture

Following World War II, a massive wave of Italian immigration hit NSW, with many Piemontese families joining the influx.

The MIA (Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area): Towns like Griffith in south-western NSW became a major hub for Northern Italians. While the majority were Calabrian, Piemontese families established a presence as orchardists and winemakers.
Cultural Traditions: The Piemontese love of high-quality food and wine has left a lasting legacy in the region, which is celebrated at local cultural events. 

Over the decades, we have evolved from a small gathering into a powerful cultural force. We have worked tirelessly to foster traction and showcase the unique industry, culinary traditions, and artisanal excellence of the Piemonte region. Our mission remains steadfast: to honour the past while building a future where the heritage of our ancestors is celebrated and shared with the world.

Urban Settlement and Commerce in Sydney

In Sydney, Piemontese immigrants settled alongside other Northern Italians in inner-west suburbs like Leichhardt. They worked primarily as tradesmen, artists, and merchants, assimilating into the broader Australian-Italian community. They were supported by Italian-language media, such as the weekly newspaper La Fiamma, founded in 1947.

Today, the Piemontese legacy continues to thrive within NSW's multicultural fabric, remembered through regional historical societies, agricultural contributions, and the state's deep ties to Italian winemaking.

La Famiglia Piemontese 

The association La Famiglia Piemontese was established in 1976, in then-club Apia Club in Leichhardt, by Vittorio Capelletto and others from his Region who, living in Sydney and surroundings, had an idea, a common dream: to spread even on Australian soil the love for Piemonte, its history and its traditions.

That first meeting was attended by about 200 Piemontese, some of which met each other after more than 40 years of separation!

Since then, many events have followed one another: picnics, excursions, dances, Christmas parties, lunches and trips. Many meetings with wonderful memories were organised by Luciano Villata together with Giorgio and Angela Moiso over many decades to keep alive the traditions of the Piemontesi who over the years established themselves in the Sydney area. 

Many years have passed since that first meeting on 6th October 1976 and unfortunately due to many  factors, La Famiglia Piemontese ceased to be an active association a few years ago. However their original objective to convene, to preserve the heritage and customs that Piemonte has given us, and welcome those who arrive in Sydney from Piemonte, still applies today especially amongst our 1 and 2nd generation Piemontese.

The Australian Piemontese Association NSW 

APA NSW was formed in 2026 by Mara Giribaldi Gullotta in honour of her Piemontese family and those who have passed, in particular her late father Tito Giribaldi, so as to keep the Piemontese heritage alive in Australia.

The Association will aim to continue the good work achieved by La Famiglia Piemontese with a young, dynamic committee looking forward to promoting Piemonte not just to those of Piemontese background but to all lovers of the Piemonte region of Northern Italy!