What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Digging deep into the history of my recently purchased heritage-listed cottage

I discovered something quite special the other day. I was having a little look on Google to see if there was anything interesting about the little cottage I acquired earlier this year. A few months ago I became the proud owner of a heritage-listed property on Francis Street, across the street from my beloved recreation ground. I really didn’t intend to buy the old home, but after going to a home open I decided to put in a bid. and now the place operates as my very own Airbnb. Since my purchase, I have been trying to find something out about the house’s history. The cottage was built sometime in the 1850s, suggesting it is one of the oldest homes in Geraldton. As a history buff, that makes me pretty excited. So you can imagine how I felt when I discovered it was once owned by one of the district’s most famous Italian families, the Bombaras. An online search took me to an obituary from The West Australian dated Monday, August 2, 1954. There were several notices listed, with one reading: “Bombara: Passed away at Geraldton, Aug 1, 1954, Giuseppe, dearly beloved father of Giuseppe, father-in-law of Giuseppina, grandfather of Catherina, Angelina, Joseph, Frank Arthur and Santa.” And later in the list: “Bombara: On Aug 1, 1954, at St John of God Hospital, Geraldton Giuseppe Bombara (senior) late dearly beloved husband of Sante Bombara of . . . Francis Street, Geraldton aged 86 years. To be interred in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Utakarra, on Tuesday Aug 3 following a Requiem Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral at 9am.” Well, I’ll be! After consulting some of the Bombara and Boschetti families, it was confirmed that Giuseppe was, indeed, the grandfather of well-known brothers Joe, Frank, Arthur (Tinny) and Bert Boschetti. We believe Bert’s mother was Giuseppe’s daughter. Now, this might not be completely correct, but I do know the connection is real and I’m keen to learn more. The Bombaras, along with families such as the Miragliottas and Basiles, have had a huge impact on our fishing industry and, therefore, are an important part of Geraldton’s past. They were pioneers in catching rock lobsters, and in life at the Abrolhos Islands, and later moved into other areas of the industry such as prawn trawling and catching tuna. It’s incredible to learn my little Airbnb on Francis Street holds such a unique place in the history and heart of this area. Peter Fiorenza is a City of Greater Geraldton councillor and hosts Fiorenza on Sunday between 10am and noon on Radio MAMA