• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE4801

Furia, Lina

  • Robustellini, Lina
    Osmetti, Lina
(1891 – 1970)
  • Born 1891, Grosotto Tirano Valtellina
  • Died 1970, Coolgardie Western Australia Australia
  • Occupation Hotel owner

Summary

Lina Furia owned and ran the Cornwall Hotel in Boulder with her husband Charlie Furia and her son Jack Osmetti from 1926 -1970.

Details

Lina Robustellini migrated to Western Australia in the early 1900s. Her first husband Jack Osmetti was killed on the Golden Horseshoe Mine and she supported her family by running a boarding house. In 1924 she married Charlie Furia and using the compensation money paid out after the death of Jack Osmetti, they purchased the Cornwall Hotel in Boulder. Young migrant miners stayed at the Cornwall, and dances were held for the community every Saturday.

During the Kalgoorlie riots in 1934 the Cornwall was among many buildings belonging to migrants which were burnt down. Lina continued to sell alcohol to her customers and operated a bar from a corrugated iron shed next door to the remains of the hotel until it was rebuilt with compensation money from the government.

Lina Furia provided employment for many young migrant women and men, including Nerina Beccarelli, who worked as a waitress in the dining room.

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Archival resources

  • National Library of Australia, Oral History and Folklore Collection
    • Tess Epis interviewed by Criena Fitzgerald [sound recording]
    • Nerina Beccarelli interviewed by Criena Fitzgerald [sound recording]

Published resources