Autobiography: Monsignor Michele Antonini e le sue memorie, Torino, Scuola Tip. Salesiana, 1920.

---

Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 17:

Antonini, Michele, Rt. Rev., Italian
Vatican Cleric and Man of Letters in Brisbane
b. Piedmont 1845; ed. Don Bosco School, Turin, Sapienza University, Rome; ord. 1869; Doctor of Theology and expert in Canon Law; attached to Arch-basilica of St. Peter's; came with Bishop Quinn to Bris., 1872; served at Rockhampton etc.; wrote diary on his stay; learned by heart the whole of Dante's 'Inferno'; a very distinguished career in Italy after leaving Australia. His life story is told in an unpublished manuscript written by Sister Agnes, Coorparoo, and now held in M.D.H.C. Files (Torquay). (Unlisted before in Footprints)
Ref. also: correspondence from Sister Frances O'Donoghue RSM, Historian, Bris. Antonini died some years after celebrating his golden jubilee in 1919.

---

Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 94:
Rev Dr Michele (Michael) Antonini

Fr Michele Antonini was born in Piedmont, Italy, in 1845. He was educated at the Don Bosco School in Turin and the Sapienza in Rome. He was ordained in 1869 and obtained doctorates in theology and canon law. He was attached to the Archbasilica of St Peter's. At Bishop Quinn's invitation he arrived on 18 September 1871, aboard the 812 ton barque, Polmaise. On board were three other Italian and two English priests recruited by Bishop Quinn.(1)

After a short time in Brisbane, he was posted to Rockhampton in late 1872. He kept a diary of his time there and other places in which he served, until his return to Italy in late 1875.

Sr Anne McLay records:
Michele Antonini, 'Honorary Cleric of St Peter in the Vatican' … by June 12, 1872 was requesting permission to move to Sydney, because 'fundamentally he believed himself unable to follow his vocation' in Brisbane. Dismissed by Quinn for illegal departure, he likewise remained fleetingly in Sydney. Later working in the Vatican Secretariat, he spoke disparagingly of the Irish Clergy in Australia.(2)

In 1873, The Rockhampton Bulletin reported:
Fr M Antonini arrived at Rockhampton during July to succeed Father F A Durham as assistant to Dean Murlay.(3) Marriage Act duly allowed Rev M Antonini, Rockhampton, Rev P Capra, Georgetown and Rev Oresto Ferdozzi (sic), Copperfield, ministers of the Roman Catholic Church, to officiate at Marriages.(4)

Fr Antonini's interest in ecclesiastical music, no doubt arising from his role as an honorary cleric of St Peter's, resulted in his desire to see good music in the church of Rockhampton:

We have been favoured with a view of a very handsome prize organ-harmonium, imported from the maker's establishment at Turin, by the Rev Dr Antonini, of this town. The instrument was shown at the grand exhibition at Paris, and was the only one awarded a prize out of a considerable number. By the Lady Douglas it was conveyed from England to the colony, and is now on view at the establishment of Mr Alexander, East Street. It is very beautifully finished, has thirty stops, and emits charming music, and, as we understand, it is the intention of the present proprietor to raffle it on the Art Union principle. An inspection of the article will convince a person in need of a really good organ-harmonium of the value of the one in question.(5)

The Rockhampton and Brisbane press reported his departure in November:

An address, beautifully engrossed on parchment, has been prepared and presented to Fr M Antonini, by members of his communion in Rockhampton. It was presented to him in Keppel Bay, during the last visit of the RMS Normandy, by which vessel the Rev gentleman was a passenger.(6)

On board the Normandy was Dr Mahoney bishop of Adelaide, as a fellow passenger with Dr Antonini. They called in at Cooktown on 20 November 1875.(7)

Footnotes
1. Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser, 30 Sep 1871, p. 3.
2. Yvonne Margaret McLay, James Quinn – First Catholic Bishop of Brisbane, p. 92.
3. Rockhampton Bulletin, 10 Jul 1873.
4. Rockhampton Bulletin, 30 Jun 1873.
5. Rockhampton Bulletin, 17 Aug 1875, p. 2.
6. Queenslander, 27 Nov 1875, p. 6, & Rockhampton Bulletin 11 Nov 1875, p. 2.
7. Brisbane Courier, 27 Nov 1875, p. 3.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.