Growing up in a family where love and mutual respect form the foundations of the home undoubtedly leaves a lasting and positive mark on children and grandchildren.

Maria Mansour recently shared the joy of seeing her parents, Angelo Arcuri and Maria-Anna Arcuri, celebrate this remarkable anniversary.

She was keen to tell their story “because it deserves to be known”.

“They have done so much for us, and I wanted to give them this surprise,” she explained.

Angelo and Maria-Anna, now 96 and 87 years old respectively, met as teenagers in their native Calabria.

Maria-Anna was just 14 when Angelo saw her for the first time and fell deeply in love. As was customary at the time, their love remained purely platonic for two years.

Like many of their fellow townspeople in the post-war period, Angelo migrated to New South Wales in his early twenties, travelling alone.

He immediately set to work, paving the way for Maria-Anna to join him soon after. She too made the journey on her own.

As with most Italians who arrived in a foreign land during those years, the challenges were many, starting with the language barrier and cultural shock.

Despite everything, the Arcuris remained united and more in love than ever. They worked tirelessly and took on a variety of jobs, with Angelo holding firmly to the dream of one day starting his own business.

Their strong union was blessed with six children, with Maria the eldest.

In 1972, the many sacrifices they made began to bear fruit. Angelo managed to start a small wholesale salami business, which over the years grew into the successful Frenmore Food Distributors, now based in Prestons.

“My father started selling smallgoods door to door, using a little van,” Maria recalled.

“Then, before we knew it, he decided to add a cool room—the rest is history. One by one, my brothers joined the business.”

Today, the company continues to be proudly run by Angelo and Maria-Anna’s children and grandchildren, with the clear aim of keeping it in the Arcuri family and ensuring that the well-known ‘Angel Ham’ continues to be produced.

Over the years, Maria-Anna, while not directly involved in the day-to-day running of the business, devoted herself to raising the children, working the land and caring for the animals on the family farm.

She also set about learning a new language, helped by her own children. “When we came home from school, she would sit next to us while we did our homework so she could learn,” Maria said.

“She was so determined to speak English. My father also learned a great deal from all the people he worked with.”

Their wedding anniversary, celebrated at the Arcuri family home on February 1, brought together around 46 people, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Angelo and Maria-Anna also received many messages of congratulations, including one from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Reflecting on the life her parents chose to build side by side, Maria says her and her siblings were “raised us in a very balanced and loving way”.

“We have always been a very close family,” she continued. “Sunday lunches were incredibly important.

“Even when we grew up and left home, we were all expected to be there on Sundays—and we were.

“We are also a multicultural family, because mum and dad always opened their door and made everyone feel welcome.”