THE
TOMASETTI ERA 1928 THE
Tomasettis were of Swiss descent. Melville’s grandfather, Gaetano Tomasetti, was the son of a stonemason in a small Swiss village, and migrated to Australia, settling in Daylesford. His son Charles changed course, convinced that money could best be made through trade. Charles established a number of general stores in
10
country Victoria then with his wife and family moved to Melbourne for the children’s education. Son Melville also followed the retail path. He ran a post office and general store in Aspendale, and was one half of Tomasetti and Son, Grocers at 346 Chapel St, South Yarra. He later managed a licensed grocery business in High Street, St Kilda.
In 1928, in the early years of the Depression, Melville took over Ritchies’ weatherboardfronted corner store in Frankston. Rose Deane continued to play a part in the background, making up the wine for Melville until 1942.
Pictured: Gaetano Tomasetti's house at Blampied. His second wife, Catherine Fitzpatrick.
Melville Tomasetti, WW1
