Romeo Battista Stefani, or Ron to his friends, was best know to the people of the Goldfields as a hard working generous man who ran the Kalgoorlie Wine Saloon and Amalfi Restaurant from 1952 – 1977.
For some Italians who were migrants to the Goldfields during that time he became a father figure. Far from their families they took comfort in his home style cooking, his friendship and games of bocci at the back of the wine saloon. To the general community his restaurant was a window to the world of European culture.
The Amalfi Restaurant Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie in the 1960’s
Life began sor Mr Stefani in Pieve Di Bono de Provinco de Trento Italy on the 15 Nov 1914. He grew up in a typical poor Italian family and worked in the timber industry. In search of adventure and a better life he came to Australia at age 23 along with his older brother who was already here. They tried prospecting at Cue but with no luck so took on work at the Sons of Gwalia mine.
Following the outbreak of WW2, Mr Stefani was taken to an internment camp, first at Rottnest Island they Harvey and then in Adelaide for four years. While in the camps he met Angelo Ramus and worked as a cook with him. The men became good friend and later met up and married two sisters.
On his release he worked on a dairy farm in Waneroo and as an orderly at St John of God Hospital in Perth. He then went to the Number 5 and 6 pumping stations on the Goldfields Pipeline again with his brother. After this he then went on the wood lines cutting wood for two years. He then moved into Kalgoorlie and took up the position of manager of the Kalgoorlie Wine Saloon and in 1952 he purchased the business and added the name ‘Amalfi Restaurant’. He and his wife Margaret married in the same year. In 1964, Mr Stefani was able to take his family back to Italy for six months, leaving his brother to manage the restaurant.
Ron and Margaret Stefani taken in 2000
The restaurant was sold in 1979 and the family moved to Perth and lived in Osbourne Park. Mr Stefani’s health deteriorated and after suffering a stroke he spent the last four years of his life in a nursing home.
Mr Stefani passed away in Perth and his funeral was on 4th Dec 2001, he was survived by his wife Margaret and his children – Bruno, Lina, Elio and Gina.
REF:- Kalgoorlie Miner 8 Dec 2001
Moya Sharp
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It’s a pity there aren’t more like him in the more recent waves of migration.
He truly was a good man and father. He is remembered for his generous nature and his willingness to help everyone. He is still talked about today.