Danilo's Restaurant was a very well known fine dining restaurant, located in Hamilton Newcastle NSW.
Danny Franco was a "10 Pound" migrant in the 1950's and he started an apprenticeship in fine food at the famous Astoria Hotel in Melbourne, he then took everything he had learned up to Hamilton and began his own business, The Expresso Coffee Bar. The menu was traditional Australian café food and a selection of authentic Italian dishes, later he was granted a liquor licence - unusual for a café, at the time.
Danilo's restaurant was begun, owned and operated by Danny Franco in 1963 until his formal retirement in 1976. The name Danilo's Restaurant continued under the management/ownership of Harry Van Der Wyst and then Neil Papworth until the business closed down in 1999.
It was frequented by well known personalities from all walks of life and besides his guest book, these guests often left a note of appreciation to Danny which were then placed on the wall for all to see.
This means that at the time of this autograph (1998), the restaurant was in the name of Danny but owned/operated by Neil Papworth, not Danny.
Much deeper detail about the history of The Expresso Coffee Bar and Danilo's Restaurant is available at this blog: http://hiddenhamilton.blogspot.com/2016/11/danilos-restaurant-and-secret-of-success.html
We were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to have this wonderful memorabilia from Danilo's when the restaurant closed in 1999
As to what John Farnham was doing up in Newcastle - we truly don't know!
On 3rd November 1998 he was performing (along with Olivia Newton-John & Anthony Warlow) in Adelaide as part of the Main Event Tour. His next gig was over in Hobart on 6th/7th November then he performed in Sydney on 16th November - so I can only assume he had a reason to be up in the Newcastle area between 8th November and 15th November, specifically on the 11th November when he wrote this note at Danilo's Restaurant (we have no idea what he ate!)
Nice piece of memorabilia, here are the details ...
Danilo's Restaurant Memorabilia
Autographed A4 page which was on the restaurant wall until closure in 1999
Message and signature of John Farnham
Dated by the restaurant 11th November 1998 (Black fountain pen)
A4 page is embossed heavy paper stock - restaurant "in-house" or business use
Looking closely at the business details in the top right-hand corner, they have been typed directly to the paper
CONDITION:
It is pretty easy to see it is a bit worse for wear, grubby with a few marks on it
No tears
For the last 20 years I have kept this on a stiff card backing and sealed it within plastic, stored in our home library - it wasn't in great condition when I obtained it but I have tried to ensure it does not get any worse.
