Looking closer at this old photo from the Brisbane Ekka (exhibition/show) that recently appeared on several local history sites, I couldn’t believe it when I happened to see my Dad in it. In 1971 he worked at the chairlift after he and Mum returned from travels and working overseas for a couple of years and he did other work until he resumed his teaching job. (Dad is one of the blokes in red and white and is under the OR of the Escort sign above).
It’s the first photo I’ve seen of him working at the chairlift (unfortunately, I don’t know who took this photo to credit them) but incredibly there’s more to this photo than first realised. In the foreground, a short, brown-haired woman in pale blue looking toward my Dad appears to be Nanna Francesca. What is especially poignant is that they’d been estranged for a few years after my parents’ cross-cultural wedding (not so accepted back in the 1960s) and it was when they accidentally first saw each other at the Ekka chairlift that my Dad and his parents reunited and became close again.
Little did the person who took this photo know they’d captured such a time in my family that we’d only happen to see almost 50 years later.
Zoë Boccabella 
What an extraordinary photo and story! Funny how people are brought back together…
Such a lucky find! And yes, I know, of all the places.
Hi Zoe – “every picture tells a story “. This is one of the best ever! Amazing. Susan
Hi Susan, feel so fortunate to have come across this, still can’t quite believe it! Zoe x
What an amazing story this foto reveals! Ciao, Cristina
It was certainly lucky to come across this by chance, Cristina! xx
This is great. It’s sad that your dad and Nonna were estranged but glad they reconciled. I know my parents’ cross-cultural marriage (Owen Tucker with Luisa Pergolini) also raised a few eyebrows in 1951 when they married. But eventually everyone cane to their senses and love prevailed.
Thanks, Mary Louise. Yes, it’s a shame when human nature struggles with difference and sadly an ongoing issue for many. Lovely to hear your parents’ marriage also triumphed through love and acceptance. 😊 Zoe xx