TRAVICICH Peter

Information from an interview with Kate Travicich, June 2004 with Pat Hallahan.
 

The Travicich Family history is deeply rooted in their beloved country, Croatia. Divisions on religions, political and ethnic lines convinced Peter Travicich (Senior) that there must be a better life for him, and his family, by migrating to Australia.

Peter and his wife, Vica had three sons and two daughters born in Dalmatia, Croatia. As education was not possible for all members of the family, it was the cherished hope of Peter and Vica, for their young son Jakov to attend University. He was academically gifted, but sadly died early in his life.
 

TRAVICICH  AFTER 1938                #1
 

In 1924, aged thirty-nine, Peter Travicich came to Western Australia. He was unable to speak any English. He travelled to the wheat belt to get work on farms at Morawa and Mullewa, Times were tough. Sometimes he was not paid, he also had his pay stolen, and although he wrote letters home to his family, they were not posted by the person to whom they were entrusted. He saved what little money he could from other jobs that he took on, including sleeper cutting in the bush

He came to the hills and worked for Wilson and Johns at their plant nursery in Carmel. He bought some land in Kewdale and walked from Carmel to Kewdale at weekends to develop the property as a small farm. The land was poor, with not much water. He worked on the Owen and Annett’s orchards in the hills at Carmel, and became lifelong friend with the Owen Family as did Mark his son, when the family eventually came from Croatia. 
 

MARK TRAVICICH'S ORIGINAL HOME, PATTERSON ROAD                #2
 

In was in 1934 when Peter Travicich bought the partly developed orchard in Patterson Road, Pickering Brook. This was one of the soldier settler orchards commenced after the First World War. It was owned by Mr. Ingle. Sometime later, Peter was able to further consolidate his land holding, by purchasing other properties in the area including Charlie Padgett’s, in Patterson Road.

It was 1938 when Peter’s wife Vica, with sons Mark and Tony, and daughter Milly (Milka), sold everything they had to pay their passage to join Peter in Western Australia. The second daughter had married and remained in Yugoslavia. On arrival, the family stayed in a small rented cottage on Alec Hunter’s orchard at the corner of Grove and Canning Roads, Walliston. Milly (Milka) attended St. Brigid’s College in Lesmurdie. In 1941 she married Peter Ghilarducci of Karragullen. Milly died on 12th April 1953.
 

Sons Mark and Tony worked on orchards in the district, whilst developing the family properties. Mark took advantage of every opportunity to learn from those around him. He was a personable, honest, hardworking young man, well respected by everyone.

It was family, now re-united, living and working together to develop the orchard properties. Traditional cultural ties were deep, and as the family grew through marriage and offspring, the ties were further enhanced. Cousin Steve was brought out by Mark in 1956 from Croatia to join the family.

TRAVICICH  AFTER 1938                #3
 

In 1944 Kate Brajkovich and Mark Travicich married. Kate was from a farming background in Croatia. Mark Travicich was born on 2nd March 1915 in Sibenik, Croatia. Kate was born on 25th November 1926 in Zivogosce, Croatia. She and Mark moved into the original house on the first property in Patterson Road. This happy union saw a new family born, Lillian 1945, Rosie Ann 26th November 1947, Mary 1950, Peter 1952 and Janet 1954. The whole family enjoyed each other’s company, the generations mixed well. Kate related that although they had little of material assets, they were very happy. They had a cow, fowls and plenty of fruit.

The house was expanded in 1946 to cater for the growing family’s needs. There was no radio and no television. Education was paramount. Kate and Mark supported the establishment of the Mater Gratia School in Pickering Brook which was started by Catholic Sisters who had escaped from China following the Communist succession in 1949. The Travicich children took on the role of teaching the Sisters to speak English.

In 1950, Peter Travicich (Senior) had seen land in Bickley Valley that he regarded having good potential for fruit growing. He knew from the appearance of the natural bush on the block, that there was an abundance of water. His two sons Mark and Tony purchased the property erecting a shed and house. Much of the clearing was done by hand and with the faithful horse. Tragedy struck when the horse had to be shot after becoming bogged in clay on a new dam site. Archie Anderson with his steam tree puller was also used to clear the land.

This property went on to produce very large apple crops. As market demand changed, different crops were planted with new methods of orchard farming in use.

In 2004, Peter Travicich (Junior) and his family worked the Bickley property, largely oriented to the export market. The first property in Pickering Brook is still in the family. (2004)
 

 
 MARK & KATE TRAVICICH  FAMILY                #4
 

The Travicich Family donated Mark’s first Austin truck to the History Village in his loving memory. Members of the Kalamunda and Districts’ Historical Society restored it. In April 2002 in the company of many from the Travicich Family, the truck was driven by Peter Travicich with his mother Kate proudly in the front with other members riding on the back.
 

 
KATE TRAVICICH CUTTING RIBBON 2002                #5
 

 
KATE TRAVICICH CUTTING RIBBON 2002                #6
 

MARK & KATE TRAVICICH  FAMILY 2004                #7
 

MARK & KATE TRAVICICH  EXTENDED FAMILY 2004                #8
 

MARKO TRAVICICH  RESERVE, CARMEL               #9
 

MARKO TRAVICICH  RESERVE, CARMEL                #10

The matriarch of the family, Vica, died in 1961 aged seventy-three. The patriarch of the family, Peter, died in 1969 and son Tony died in 1965. Mark Travicich died on 5th October 1993 aged seventy-eight. Kate Travicich died on 4th February 2009 aged ninety-two.

HEADSTONE OF MARKO & KATE RAVICICH'S GRAVE             11

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:       Kalamunda & Districts Historical Society

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