Atherton Tablelands pioneer Joe Barletta dies aged 96
A pioneer of the Atherton Tablelands who toiled in the face of great adversity to become a successful farmer and businessman has died a day after his 70th wedding anniversary.
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A pioneer of the Atherton Tablelands who toiled in the face of great adversity to become a successful farmer and businessman has died a day after his 70th wedding anniversary.
Joe Barletta died on Thursday September 19 aged 96.
Born Giuseppe Barletta in Castiglione in Italy in 1928, Mr Barletta was the oldest of five boys.
When World War II eventually came to an end in 1945, Mr Barletta, facing a bleak future due widespread post-war poverty and political unrest, made the bold decision to strike out from Europe for a better life in Australia.
Aged 22 in 1950 Mr Barletta first arrived Down Under at Fremantle before relocating to the Atherton Tablelands with just a small suitcase of belongings.
He toiled hard doing farm work and slept in a chook shed at night.
Daughter-in-law Maree Barletta said it would have been a tough period for the new arrival.
“It was a very lonely life, not being able to speak the language well, and leaving behind his whole family,” she said.
While share farming at East Barron he met the love of his life Maria Raso and the pair were married in 1954 before Mr Barletta worked his father-in law’s farm at Willows Rd, Tolga.
The couple would go on to have three children together, Frances, Carlo and Fred.
With his brother Natale, Mr Barletta began growing his own beans, potatoes and corn at a farm the pair bought together at Upper Barron.
“After a long day of farming, every evening Joe would load the truck and drive down the Gillies to sell their produce to stores in Edmonton, Gordonvale and Cairns,” Ms Barletta said.
Almost right up until the time of his death Mr Barletta never lost his love of growing vegetables and his garden at home was the envy of all who saw it.
A short stint in Brisbane didn’t work out for Joe and Maria Barletta and after building an apartment complex near the Royal Brisbane Hospital in 1970, the couple returned to where their hearts were on the Atherton Tablelands.
Mr Barletta acquired the Atherton Hotel, known locally as The Black Stump, in 1976 which is still owned by the family but now leased to the ALH group.
From the pub Mr Barletta raised money for the Atherton Roosters Rugby League Club for years and was made an official club patron in 1984.
In 1985 Mr Barletta and Maria bought Atherton Plumbing Works, which would later become NQ Hardware until the premises was leased to the Bunnings group in 2012.
Known as Uncle Joe, the community pillar commanded great respect from the Atherton community which could be seen when he would call into the Stump and have a beer with his mates every morning until he could no longer drive.
“The legacy Joe leaves behind is one of an Italian immigrant who left behind his country and family, to build a wonderful life in Australia for his family through sheer hard work,” his daughter-in-law said.
“He was a community man who loved Australia and the opportunity it gave him, he loved Atherton, and most of all, he loved his family.”
Maree Barletta said he will be greatly missed by his wife of 70 years, Maria, his children, eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
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Originally published as Atherton Tablelands pioneer Joe Barletta dies aged 96
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