Mirella Forti-Hall, MNZM, Cavaliere (1928-2023)
Mirella Forti-Hall, MNZM, Cavaliere (1928-2023)
Category: Article
| Title | Mirella Forti-Hall, MNZM, Cavaliere (1928-2023) |
|---|---|
| Year | 2023 |
| Publication | Originally published in the July 2023 Newsletter of the the Dante Alighieri Society of Auckland |
| Language | English |
| Geographic reference | Alexandria, Egypt, Auckland. |
| Time reference | 1928-2023 |
| Online resource | Yes |
| Topic | Italian Women in New Zealand, War Brides, Mirella Forti-Hall |
Mirella was born in Alexandria, Egypt, the only child of Renato and Giuseppina Forti. The family lived in an apartment on Mohammed Ali Square, in the middle of Alexandria, and when the second world war broke out, moved from the city centre to Mandarra by the sea.
Alexandria was a thriving place for British troops, many of whom were wounded and needed hospitalisation. Mirella’s parents welcomed allied troops into their home. Her father got hold of an ambulance and together with other Italians they took turns in visiting the hospitals and convalescent centres. Every Sunday he would bring four men back for afternoon tea.
In 1944, while walking on the beach with a school friend, Mirella met New Zealander Athol Hall, who was convalescing in Alexandria after being seriously wounded in Italy.
Athol stayed on in Egypt after the end of the war for as long as he could, and the couple became engaged in 1946 when Athol had to return to New Zealand. While previously New Zealand soldiers had been able to marry overseas, by 1945 they had to lodge a return fare for their brides and marry them in New Zealand. Mirella left Egypt in 1946. As can be imagined, her leave-taking was dramatic. As Mirella climbed the rope ladder to board the ship, “The Dominion Monarch”, her mother was crying out “Salta, salta” “Jump, jump”. It was hard to say goodbye but leaving was softened by the fact that she knew she would see her parents soon. Within three months they had visited New Zealand on a visitors permit, and eventually they were able to come and settle, and become New Zealand citizens, along with Mirella’s grandmother, Silvia Masini.
Mirella was 18 years old when she arrived in Wellington on 29th August 1946. Athol was waiting for her and they travelled back to Auckland on the overnight train.
Mirella and Athol were married in St Lukes Church in Mt Albert two weeks after her arrival. Despite the fact that there was still rationing, Athol’s sister Adelaide provided the wedding breakfast and the guests, who were mainly family, brought butter and cream to help out. The small wedding reception was held in the dining room of Adelaide and Bert’s home.
Five children were born in seven years. Mirella became very involved in the Playcentre movement. When the children had grown up, she taught French and Italian at Diocesan School for six years, and after retirement she worked in a bookshop. When Athol retired, he and Mirella enjoyed trips overseas and around New Zealand.
When she was sixty Mirella took on a new career: acting. She played a leading role in a locally produced film, “Tide”, and she had a role for a few episodes in “Shortland Street”, once as an Italian grandmother who spoke no English, and then as real grandmother to her granddaughter Josephine, who played the part of Gina in the series.
Throughout her retirement Mirella remained involved in community services. She went to Parliament with two other women to speak to a petition to allow anyone who has an accident in the home to receive ACC. She trained as a Lifeline Counsellor and worked as a volunteer counsellor for a few years, very often overnight. She joined and became President of the Eastern Suburbs Probus Club, and President of the Società Dante Alighieri of Auckland. It was during her time with the Dante that the Italian School was founded. In 2003 Mirella Forti-Hall received the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Italian Community, and in 2004 the honour of “Cavaliere” from the Italian Government. Athol died in 2009, a deep loss, as was the loss of their only son, Adrian, in 1971, and her youngest daughter, Claire, in 2019.
Mirella passed away in May 2023 aged 94, survived by three daughters, Silvia, Judith and Nadia, 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
