Standing Tall: Teresa Dall’Acqua Leonardi’s Triumphs in the Face of Adversity

Claudia Callisto - The Good Italian Girl and friends

I'm delighted to introduce Teresa Dall’Acqua Leonardi OAM to our podcast series. Teresa shares her remarkable life journey, filled with both triumphs and challenges, including one of her proudest moments: receiving the Order of Australia Medal in 2009. This prestigious honour is a rare achievement for an Italian woman within the Italian-Australian community.
Teresa’s story begins when she arrived in Australia as a young child, a refugee with her Italian parents, who fled Asmara in East Africa (formerly an Italian colony) due to civil unrest between the Black and White communities. Settling in Adelaide, Teresa dedicated her life to volunteering, particularly within the Italian community and various other organisations. Helping others has always been central to her nature, calling, and passion.
At a young age, Teresa began teaching English to newly arrived immigrants, helping them assimilate into Australian society. She later worked in the disability sector and the funeral industry. Beyond her professional roles, Teresa has been deeply involved in many community projects, such as the early development of Carnevale and the Italian Festival. She continues to serve on community boards and Italian associations to this day.
Throughout her life, Teresa has faced many challenges, yet she remains a beacon of strength and resilience. Her message to all women is clear: stand tall, remain strong, and never let life's difficulties bring you down. Teresa is a true role model for Italian-Australian women across generations, and her inspiring insights shared in this podcast offer valuable lessons for us all.
Chapters:

(00:00) The Good Italian Girl podcast focuses on first generation daughters of immigrant parents

(01:21) Theresa Delacolonardi was born in East Africa in 1947

(05:29) You were born in Eritrea and which was an italian colony

(08:46) So, what's your most favourite thing about your italian culture

(09:58) So if you were to think about your most favorite thing about italian culture

(14:40) You went to intermediate and then did leaving and leaving honours in Adelaide

(16:28) You taught migrant education teachers for 24 years and many have become businesswomen

(23:13) You worked in the funeral industry for 37 years. That's a long time

(26:34) A funeral today is just so different to it was when you first started

(27:09) In those days, condolences were taken at the cemetery

(28:42) Claudia has lost two husbands by self inflicted or illness

(31:15) Claudia says people often feel intruding at funerals

(35:54) It's predominantly a southern italian tradition, which naturally...

(36:14) There are many regrets associated with dying, according to Bronnie Ware

(38:34) Far more liberated nowadays to express your feelings, says Claudio

(40:00) I wish I stayed in touch with my friends. As I said, we have friends that come through our life

(44:25) Claudia has been volunteering with Radio Italiana for 40 years

(48:56) The rewards in any community work is that you touch people's lives

(50:03) Claudia was awarded the Order of Australia medal in 2009

(54:03) What's your greatest wish for your children and grandchildren? I have two grandchildren

(56:47) It starts with food, Claudia. It does, it does. I think the culture around food and traditions is important

(01:01:23) Do you feel that we still have the old traditions remaining in our community

(01:04:40) You've had lots of difficulties in your life, but you forge ahead

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