Why this grateful man is setting up uni scholarships in honour of his late parents

IT’S BEEN more than four decades since Gaetano ‘Guy’ Boncardo used a Commonwealth scholarship to complete a degree in civil engineering at The University of NSW, the first in his family to attend a university.

Riverstone couple Francesca and Adamo Boncardo, who have university scholarships named after them.

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IT’S BEEN more than four decades since Gaetano ‘Guy’ Boncardo used a Commonwealth scholarship to complete a degree in civil engineering at The University of NSW, the first in his family to attend a university.

However, the Riverstone local hasn’t forgotten the help he received to complete his degree, which was a source of immense pride for his farming parents, Francesca and Adamo Boncardo, Italian immigrants who never had this opportunity to complete higher education.

In honour of his beloved parents, Mr Boncardo has now established an equity scholarship for needy students at The University of Sydney and University of New South Wales, starting next year.

Gaetano 'Guy' Boncardo near his dad’s old tractor. Picture: Peter Kelly

Adamo, known as the ‘artichoke man of the north west’ — he was featured in the Rouse Hill Times in 2007 — died in 2013, 12 years after his beloved wife succumbed to pancreatic cancer.

“My parents often lamented their lack of opportunity for an education,” the 63-year-old Mr Boncardo said.

“They were unable to complete primary school due to circumstances beyond their families’

control, and didn’t want this to be their own children’s predicament.

“My parents would be over the moon about the scholarships as they were very proud when I graduated.

“My father was able to attend the graduation of one of my sons in 2011 and that was very special for him.”

Mr Boncardo’s wife and two sons are all alumni of The University of Sydney.

Mr Boncardo has very fond memories of his parents who arrived to Granville from Sicily in 1952 before establishing a market garden in Kellyville.

Three generations of the Boncardo family at the graduation of Philip in 2011. From left: Guy, Adamo and Philip.

“This is my parents legacy and I rather use it for the scholarships than spend it,” said Mr Boncardo, who has three sisters.

“The first students will be starting university next year and the scholarships won’t be restricted to any particular course.

“They will be chosen at the discretion of the universities.”

Mr Boncardo said his parents worked very hard to provide for them, recalling that during the day, they harvested vegetables and at night his dad worked at an iron foundry in Silverwater. The fresh produce was sold on their behalf in the city as they didn’t own a truck.

The family later relocated to Girraween where they continued to harvest and sell their produce more freely.

Gaetano 'Guy' Boncardo on his parents’ old farm at Schofields. Picture: Peter Kelly

In 1973 the Boncardos moved to a larger property in Schofields where the family prospered.

In 2001 Francesca (68) died from pancreatic cancer but Adamo continued to be involved in market gardening until 2008.

He died in 2013 at the Uniting Care nursing home at Richmond, having moved there in 2009.

“This generous gift from the Boncardo family will enrich the lives of students who would otherwise not have access to the opportunities that a quality education can provide,” said Wendy Marceau from the University of Sydney’s Development Office.

“We trust the recipients of the scholarship will honour the hardworking legacy of their benefactor’s parents, and the sacrifices they made to ensure greater prosperity for future generations.”