Peppi and Nazi soldier sharing a meal

Gina Sinozich took up painting in her 70's, documenting her family’s story. In 2020 the Memorial acquired 21 of her works. Painted in a naïve style and influenced by European folk art, they provide valuable interpretations of stories of survival, hardship and resistance during the Second World War in Europe. On 6 April 1941, when Gina was 11, Nazi Germany invaded Yugoslavia and overwhelmed its army, which surrendered unconditionally. Axis countries took control, but were met with fierce resistance from Partisan forces.

Sinozich’s five elder brothers either fought with Partisans or were forcibly recruited into Axis forces. One brother, Toni, was taken into the Italian army; after capture by the British in Libya, he spent time in a prisoner-of-war camp in Western Australia. Sinozich’s mother was a Partizanka (a female Partisan) who carried supplies to Partisan forces camped in the mountains, at one time walking 400 km to deliver food and clothing to her Partisan son, Riko. Sinozich’s husband, Eugen, enlisted with Partisans when he was 18; captured by the Germans, he was spared execution and taken into slave labour. He was transported to the Eastern Front and witnessed the siege of Stalingrad. After the war, Gina, Eugen and their two eldest children escaped the Communist dictatorship in Yugoslavia and immigrated to Australia, where they raised their family. Sinozich died in 2020.

Peppi, Sinosich's third brother made his way to his home village of Susnjevica, Istira after being captured by the Axis forces during the Second World War. On the second day of his return, Istria was invaded by the Axis fascist forces. Sinozich has portrayed this event in this work and said, 'Sitting around the fire place, Peppi was updating on events and his activities when a uniformed Nazi soldier burst through the door. The green uniformed invader stood fixed at the doorway, looking around the room. Whilst he searched through the house, his comrades combed the entire village, stables and haystacks. He notice our food and produce, such as, sausages and ham hanging from the ceiling and gestured he waned a meal. A traditional village meal, consisting of eggs, sausages and speck, was prepared and table set for our uninvited guest. The Nazi soldier looked around and invited Peppi to sit and sup with him. Peppi did as invited.' (Gina Sinozich 2019). Her son Micheal said 'This image stayed with her for the rest of her life - two mortal enemies, a Nazi soldier and a Partisan resistance fighter - sharing a meal out of the same plate.' (Michael Sinozich 2019)