This book was hard to track down but I now have my own copy. I first heard about it from my dear friend Criena Fitzgerald who is currently writing a book on the ‘Italian and Slavs’ on the Goldfields of Western Australia. She had been loaned a copy to help with her research but we both loved the story so much we wanted a copy of our own.
‘Walk for me Elsie’
This photograph on the cover of the book was taken in 1926 on the front verandah of the Home from Home Hotel In Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie.
This story, that of the Maffina family, mainly Joe (Giuseppe) Joe is written from the memories of Joe’s daughter Ersilia (Elsie). It starts at the beginning of the 20th century when people from Italy and all over the world set our for new countries in the hope of a better life. The story takes the reader through the struggles of Joe and his three brothers through the years of war and the anti Italian movement and the internment of Italians in concentration camps after Italy entered the second world war.
Maffina Family: Left to right, Joe Jnr, Joe, Rene, Ersilia (Elsie) seated and Maria.
Joe was to become the owner of the Main Reef Hotel and he and his extended family will be remembered by many. While he was interred as an enemy alien in South Australia his daughter Elsie contracted polio. Although she recovered her father was very worried for her. When he was finally released she said ‘ one Wednesday afternoon I came home from school to find my father in the garden seated in a canvas chair. I was shocked how aged and tired he looked. While he greeted me lovingly, eyeing my delicate frame for the ravages of my illness, “Walk for me Elsie’ he said gently and while I walked to and fro he watched me with an expression of relief”.
Main Reef Hotel, Boulder Giuseppe (Joe) Maffina and his wife Maria are in the centre behind the man who is seated.
This book is not only the story of a family but also a social record of the times and it is well worth reading. It can be purchases from The Italian Australian Institute at the Latrobe University Melbourne @ mailto:Soula.Clarke@groset.com.au for $25.00 or through your local library ISBN 978-0-9775009-6-3
Moya Sharp
Latest posts by Moya Sharp (see all)
- Blood on the Mulga Plains: The Last Day of John Sutherland - 28/02/2026
- A Brother’s Return in Mourning: Tragedy on the Coolgardie Goldfields - 28/02/2026
- The Contract at Old Warden Shaft - 28/02/2026
What an interesting find – my great grandfather was Louis Maffina who was Joe’s brother. I knew Rene and Elsie – Rene has only passed in the last few years. Would love to find out more about the family.
Hi Jennifer How wonderful, I would really reccomend the book about the Maffina Family ‘Walk for me Elsie’ to you. You should have no trouble getting it from the local library. The ISBN number to quote is:- 978 0 9775009 6 3
Kind regards
Moya
My dads last name is Maffina, his dads name however was Thorns, and his mothers last name was Kenneally, and Bill Kenneally was my grandfather, I have recently got my ancestry dna test done, and i am not Italian like we thought, I am curious if you know anything about the Kenneally family, or Thorns family from Kalgoorile.