Wollongong Heritage and Stories

Arduina Filippi migrated to Australia from Italy when she was 37 years old. She was in her early 40s when she started knitting, having taught herself at home.  This knitted cardigan was made at home on a professional knitting machine. Arduina Filippi worked at home for fifteen years, making garments for friends and family.

She started working for Sandra’s, a clothing store on the corner of the Princes Hwy and Elliots Rd, who paid her for making up cuffs and collars for garments ordered in the shop. Arduina priced her garments based on the amount of wool she used. Her daughter worked at L.E. Isaacs in Coniston, and left when she had children to look after at home.

Photo: G. Cullen for the Migration Heritage Project.