Elena Domenica Luisa Rubeo, OAM, (23 November 1896 – 4 June 1979) was an Australian community worker and businessperson. She has been described as "the introduction to Adelaide" for the many Italians who migrated to South Australia in the 1950s and 60s.[1] She was the first woman in Australia to be an Italian consular.[1]
Elena Rubeo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Elena Domenica Luisa Rubeo 23 November 1896 |
| Died | 4 June 1979 (aged 82) North Adelaide, South Australia, |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Citizenship | Australian |
| Alma mater | Convent of Mercy school |
| Occupation(s) | Community worker Businessperson |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | 3 brothers |
Early life
editElena Domenica Luisa Rubeo[2] was born on 23 November 1896 in Rome, Italy,[3] the fourth child and only daughter of an Italian working-class family.[1] Her mother, Edvige Cecilia (née Marani), was a homemaker, and her father, Luigi Rubeo, was a printer and compositor. Rubeo had three elder brothers: Gaetano, Alfredo and Ricardo.[1] On 16 October 1908, Rubeo, Ricardo and her parents migrated to Adelaide, South Australia; her two other older brothers had done so before them. Rubeo was educated at the Convent of Mercy school in Angas Street. After relocating to Ruthven Mansions, a luxury mansion in Pulteney Street, in 1912, her family set up Café Rubeo, a restaurant which offered "authentic Roman cuisine" and live music. Rubeo's father was the manager while Gaetano was the restaurant's proprietor.[1] Rubeo became involved in the management of the restaurant in 1914, following the enlisting of her brothers in the Australian Imperial Force. At the same time, she also joined the British (Australian) Red Cross Society. Six years later, in 1920 her parents moved house to 32 Lefevre Terrace, north of Adelaide.[1] It would become Rubeo's permanent abode.[1][4]
Death
editIn 1977, Rubeo was awarded the Order of Australia.[5] She died on 4 June 1979 in North Adelaide, South Australia, aged 82[1] and was cremated with Catholic rites.[6]
References
edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h O'Connor, Desmond. "Helping People Has Been My Happiness: The Contribution of Elena Rubeo to the Italian Community in South Australia" (PDF). Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ Percival Serle (1949). Dictionary of Australian Biography. Vol. 1. Angus and Robertson.
- ^ "(Forde) Determination 2007 (No 1) - ACT Legislation Register" (PDF). Australian Capital Territory. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
- ^ Christopher Cunneen (2009). Australian dictionary of biography: with a name index to the Australian dictionary of biography to 1980. Supplement 1580-1980, Volumes 1580-1980. Melbourne University Press. p. 500. ISBN 9780522852141.
- ^ John Ritchie; Diane Langmore (2003). Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 16. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. p. 146. ISBN 9780522849974.
- ^ "Elena Domenica Rubeo". The Advertiser. 6 June 1979.
External links
edit- Floreani, Carmel. "Rubeo, Elena Domenica". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 29 December 2012.