Vincenza Mancuso

Thank you, God, for keeping us safe overnight, and I put my day in your hands. You go first, and I will follow.

Credit: Vincenza Mancuso

Born in 1950, Vincenza grew up in Castell’Umberto, a historic medieval village high in Sicily's Nebrodi Mountains. From its slopes, views stretch to the Aeolian Islands on one side and Mount Etna, an active volcano, on the other.

Vincenza was the eldest child of eight daughters, each born two years apart. From an early age she became her mother’s ‘rock’, taking on heavy responsibilities. While her mother worked in the fields, Vincenza cared for her sisters, cooked family meals, washed linens by hand and helped around the farm – leaving little time for play or school. Struggling to keep up, she endured unkindness from classmates, and at the age of nine she left school to work full time.

She travelled with her younger sisters to Syracuse, Sicily’s second largest city, taking on seasonal work harvesting almonds, hazelnuts, olives, sugar beets and oranges. The hours were punishing, working from 7am through to dusk in the winter season, and from 7am through to 7pm in summer, with breaks to recover from the debilitating heat. Singing was Vincenza's respite and as she and her sisters and friends worked, they sang together to pass the time.

Credit: Vincenza Mancuso

When Vincenza was 12, her father arranged a full-time job for her in Rome. The work was exhausting and she suffered mistreatment. Desperate to return home, she wrote to her father many times, but he refused, insisting her wages were vital to support the family.

At last, her aunt travelled from Milan and appeared at the doorstep, demanding to take her niece back to Sicily. Vincenza, terrified of her father’s reaction, was reassured when  her aunt said firmly: ‘Let me deal with my brother.’ A heated argument followed when they returned, but the matter was never spoken of again.

Vincenza on her First Holy Communion, in black shoes chosen by her mother – though she longed for white ones like the other girls. 
Credit: Vincenza Mancuso

The years passed, filled with heavy work and little sign of the future Vincenza longed for. Then, in September 1967, everything changed. Carmelo Mancuso, newly returned from Australia, noticed a wedding photo while visiting his sister Carolina. A beautiful young woman in the picture caught his eye, and he asked his niece who she was. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong love story.

Vincenza and Carmelo married on 30 April 1968, when Vincenza was 18. They soon made plans to relocate to Fremantle, Western Australia, and their voyage became their honeymoon. That journey was one of the most spectacular and memorable moments of Vincenza's life.

Vincenza and Carmelo married on 30 April 1968, beginning their new life together with a honeymoon voyage to Fremantle. 
Credit: Vincenza Mancuso

Vincenza and Carmelo built the life they had dreamed of – raising a family and achieving business success. Their journey was not without challenges, including health struggles and heartbreaking loss, yet it was filled with joy, especially in the love they shared with their five children Rosa, Viviana, Luciana, Vincenzo and Adriano (deceased), and grandchildren Briana, Connor, Kyle, Chantel, Darcy, Anjalee and Orlando.

Credit: Vincenza Mancuso

From childhood, Vincenza’s passion for singing was clear. She dreamed of studying music and was offered a place at music school. But her parents depended on her to help with household chores and orchard work. Out of duty and love for her family, she made the difficult choice to set aside her dream.

Many decades later, Vincenza met musician Kavisha Mazzella, who founded Le Gioie Delle Donne (Joys of the Women) choir in 1989. Singing with the choir brought Vincenza true happiness. With Carmelo’s constant encouragement and support, she embraced her long-held dream. As she says: ‘We come together as a family – a second family ... I feel joyous.’

The Joys of the Women (Le Gioie Delle Donne) choir in its early years. The group has been instrumental in representing and celebrating the lives of Italian migrant women in Australia.
Credit: Vincenza Mancuso and The Joys of the Women choir

Founded in 1989, Joys of the Women (Le Gioie Delle Donne) choir celebrates Italian heritage through song. Vincenza is its longest-serving voice.
Credit: Vincenza Mancuso and The Joys of the Women choir

A documentary about Joys of the Women was screened on ABC TV in 1993, introducing the choir to a national audience and turning them into a cultural phenomenon. They were soon invited to Canberra to perform for Prime Minister Paul Keating at the centenary celebration of Australian women’s right to vote, and later recorded the theme song for the Fremantle Dockers football team. The choir came to embody the voices and stories of Italian migrant women in Australia.

Filming the documentary and performing in the play Emma were two of Vincenza’s greatest highlights: ‘We were able to share stories of our cultural history together with passion and joy as a family of women.’

The choir continues to thrive. Singing from the heart, they welcome all to share in their songs, creating moments of joy and connection.

In colourful costume, the choir share joyful Italian folk melodies at the Coogee Live Festival in 2009. 
Credit: Vincenza Mancuso and Joys of the Women choir

Credit: Vincenza Mancuso and The Joys of the Women choir

Vincenza attending the Dolce Vino Award with The Joys of the Women choir, joined by Enzo Sirna, president of the Italo-Australian Welfare & Cultural Centre, 2022-23.
Credit: Vincenza Mancuso and Joys of the Women choir

Vincenza also loves cooking – a close second to singing! Her kitchen is the heart of the home, where she prepares great feasts for family dinners, celebrations and gatherings filled with laughter and memories. Nothing brings her more joy than cooking her grandchildren’s favourite dishes.

Certain recipes carry deep sentimental value, linking the family to their childhood and Italian heritage. With her daughters and grandchildren, Vincenza passed down the art of making gnocchi, pizza and biscuits, ensuring traditions are preserved and connections between past and present remain strong.

An inspiration to many, Vincenza has faced life’s challenges with strength and resilience, rejoicing in the journey that has brought her here. Today, she finds contentment with her beloved Carmelo – the love of her life – and in the family who are her world.