By Karlene Brummer
The term ‘iconic’ is thrown around so much these days, however, in the case of Nati Roses, it truly is a fitting description of the Dural business which marks its 80th anniversary this year.
Throughout the eight decades of operation, there have been so many highlights for this beloved family concern that it would take an entire edition to talk about them all! Suffice to say that supplying flowers for both Elton John’s wedding in 1984 and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Dinner Dance in 1996. where Princess Diana was the special guest, were two standout moments.
Not only did they supply the fabulous roses for the latter occasion but were also in attendance. Breaking protocol, a cheeky Pat Nati even chatted with Diana, a moment that mortified his brother Joe!
The inception of Nati Bros started as a humble farm in North Ryde in 1944, Patriarch, Giuseppe (Joe) Nati (1921-1999) also known by friends and family as ‘Peppino’, grew Dahlias, Chrysanthemums and Asters for the Sydney Flower Markets.
Giuseppe was one of three surviving children born to Salvatore and Grazia Maria in San Giovanni di Gerace, a Municipality of Calabria, Italy. Seeking a better and more prosperous life for the family, his father sailed from Italy to Sydney arriving in 1928.
In 1933 he returned home to spend time with his wife and children, then left again – this time accompanied by his eldest son, Cosimo. The pair arrived back in Australia in March 1934. In 1936 Grazia Maria, Giuseppe and his sister, Carmela, arrived here aboard the SS Viminale and the family was together once more.
Giuseppe was soon working alongside his father, brother, uncle and cousins on the family farm which grew celery and lettuce. In 1941 he obtained his driver’s license which was a huge help for the two families, as no other members could drive. Giuseppe drove to Sydney Markets in his father’s truck which had S.Nati & Son painted above the windscreen.
The Nati’s business secured a contract with the Department of Supply and Development to provide their vegetables to the army and civilians during the 2nd World War and they worked tirelessly to ensure the quota was met and delivered on time.
A hiccup occurred in 1942 when Giuseppe was interred in Liverpool and then sent out to Cowra in October of the same year. Eventually Giuseppe was released back to the family farm in March 1943, after his father petitioned that he was needed there to meet the demands of the Government Contract.
It was also 1943 that Giuseppe met the young Antonietta Marando (1928-2023) who was the daughter of a fellow market gardener. They were married in 1944 and the following year, with the assistance of both sets of parents, were able to purchase their own property of 5acres on which is now known as Lane Cove Road, North Ryde.
They also welcomed their first child, Grazia Maria (Mary Grace). Giuseppe and Antonietta grew flowers, lettuce, beans and rhubarb until Giuseppe was approached by Young’s Dahlias to specialise in growing only these. He agreed and was supplied by them with the tubers. Giuseppe sold his flowers for 5 shillings a bunch, at the Markets and continued to take Salvatore’s produce along with him.
The years 1946-1957 saw five more children arrive for Giuseppe and Antonietta. Salvatore (Sam), Pasqualena (Lena), Pasquale (Pat), Giuseppe (Joe) and Elizabeth (Liz) joined little Mary Grace. Once the children were old enough, they all helped with the market garden during their spare time. Giuseppe and Antonietta instilled a fabulous work ethic in their family which has obviously shaped the success and longevity of the business today.
In 1964 when the land at North Ryde was released for light industrial development (today the Marriot Hotel is situated on the site of the original farm), Giuseppe purchased a 20acre site on Old Northern Road at Middle Dural. Along with sons, Sam and Pat, the Natis decided to concentrate solely on growing roses for the booming market in high quality flowers for weddings and special occasions. In 1966 they purchased 500 rose bushes from Catts Nursery for 50c each and began planting.
Giuseppe Jnr (Joe) joined the family business in 1972 and took on the role of Marketing. Nati Bros Roses Pty Ltd was formed and the farm underwent an expansion program to ensure a consistent supply of roses for yearly production. This included erecting greenhouses which provided a controlled environment through heating to allow yearlong production of quality blooms.
Anthony Booth, a qualified horticulturist, was employed in 1990 as farm manager and with his innovative ideas and new methods introduced new rose colours and varieties to the farm.
These new additions combined with the consistent availability of flowers meant that Joe had the flexibility to offer florists an annual supply and the Nati’s market share continued to grow. By the peak of their growing success in 2000, they had 300,000 rose bushes and were renowned for both their perfumed field roses and glasshouse blooms.
Nati Roses is one of those rare businesses with a community conscience. Pat Nati was awarded an OAM in 2009 for his service to charity, in particular for his work with the Special Olympics of Australia and his role as chairman of the fund-raising committee.
They have also supported numerous other charitable causes including Starlight Children’s Foundation, Day of Difference, Westmead Medical Research Institute as well as dozens and dozens of local community groups, schools and causes. Looking at photos on the walls of the packing shed, you can see Pat with anyone from Pavarotti to the Four Tops and there are hundreds of laminated ‘thank you’ letters everywhere.
Today Nati Roses is busier than ever. With Nephew, Mark Gallo, operating as Farm Manager, six Florists working at any time, Sam, Joe and Pat and many other family members working on site, it is always a hive of activity – and open seven days a week! Let’s hope Nati Roses continue to flourish so we can all celebrate their Centenary!
With thanks to the Nati Family for photos and primary sources, particularly ‘A One-Way Ticket’ – An Anthology of Italian Migrants in the City of Ryde – curated and compiled by Angelina Bonifacio.
