Community
1 February, 2022
Happy 100th Nita Bass
A SOIREE was held to celebrate the 100th birthday of fruitloving Nita Basso (nee Nucifora) at Edmonton on Sunday.
Although Nita can’t believe she has reached the ripe old age of 100, she attributes her longevity to abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, working hard, and eating a diet of fresh, seasonal produce.
The centenarian’s birthday event was preceded with the arrival of official letters of congratulations from The Queen, Prime Minister, Queensland Premier and the Governor Generals of Australia and Queensland.
A large gathering of family and friends joined Nita at the Community Hall at Down Park on Sunday. Among them was best friend, Rene Venebles who worked with Nita at the Pacific Hotel in the 1940s.
There were plenty of memories to share including the day Nita also saw American actor, John Wayne, when he was here to entertain the troops based at the Redlynch Staging Camp in December 1943.
Nita was only 18 months old when she arrived in Australia with her parents Salvatore and Rosaria Nucifora in 1923. A few years later her brother Sam was born, and the family established themselves in the Gordonvale cane farming district.
Little Nita and Sam were known as talented performers. In 1932 Nita played Mother Hubbard in the local Rural School’s “Mother Goose Children’s Christmas” performance at Beattie’s Theatre. Sam had musical talents and would become a country music singer.
The family had a market garden which supplied fresh produce to local retailers such as Cook and Piccones. They also had their own backyard veggie patch along with chickens and many, many fruit trees.
Nita took and active interest in the garden and in 1933 she received a prize for “Best Capsicum” at the Home Projects Club Exhibition.
A wholesome diet fueled the athletic young woman who tied with Pearl Petersen in the Girls’ High Jump at 3ft at the Little Mulgrave School’s annual Picnic Sports Day in 1935.
Nita married and had three children, Joe, Lyn, and Rosalie. She and husband, Gregorio Andrea (George) Basso had a bread delivery business with Nita keeping the books. Although George passed away in 1993 Nita remains in Edmonton, where they bought their first home and raised their family.
