Leichhardts Italian Heritage

The Italian influence in Leichhardt has continued for almost 150 years. In the late 19th century, several Italian-born artists lived in the Leichhardt local government area, including musician Ernesto Spagnoletti and sculptor Tommaso Sani (famous for his carvings on the Pitt St facade of the Sydney GPO). From the turn of the century, a large number of Italians from the Aeolian Islands and Treviso resided in Leichhardt, numbering 400 in 1933. The Aeolians were largely involved in fruit and vegetables retailing and fishing. During the post-war migration boom, large numbers of Italians resided in Leichhardt. However, their regional composition changed to a predominantly Sicilian community.

Leichhardt was attractive to new settlers because of its proximity to employment, and for those who lived outside the area, certain landmarks were identifiably Italian. Such landmarks included the Church of St. Fiacres in Catherine St, conducted since 1946 by the Italian Capuchin Friars. The Capuchins regularly conduct Italian mass and religious feste, celebrating the feast days of particular saints. The APIA (Associazione Polisportiva Italo-Australiana) in Fraser St, was a popular Italian club prior to its closure in 1996. Formed in 1954, the APIA had its own soccer team, sporting facilities such as bocce (bowls) courts, and a restaurant. The site of the APIA is now the Italian La Montage reception centre.

While the numbers of Italian-born residing in Leichhardt peaked in the 1960s, they have declined since the 1970s. In 1971 there were 4,700 Italian-born living in Leichhardt, by 1991 this decreased to 1,812. Leichhardt is becoming a suburb where second and third generation Italo- Australians, who live outside the area, visit to sample Italian food and shopping.

One of the major drawcards is the annual "Italian Festa on Norton Street".