It’s the end of an era for much-loved local institution, Kyneton Pizza.
Operated by the Matricardi family for 50 years, ‘The Billy’, as it is affectionately known for its billiard tables, is closing its doors this month.
For generations of kids and teens, it was the place to go for “pizza, pool and pinnies” and a welcoming home away from home for many.
Managed by Matricardi matriarch, Cesira, with the help of husband Luigi (Gino), all four children (Adrian, Ben, Liv and Cello) and many more grandchildren, the business has welcomed many generations of local families through its doors.
Daughter Liv Bourke (nee Matricardi) said no one ever knew her mum’s real name.
“No one ever called her that. It was always ‘Ma’ or ‘Mrs Gino’,” Liv said.
The Matricardi family came to Kyneton in 1972 when the family purchased land around Kuppers Cafe and Gino started his Kyneton Mineral Water business.
“That was his baby, his passion,” Liv said.
“Mum had three kids already, Cello was on the way, so she thought ‘what am I going to do?’ and that’s when they purchased the shop (1974) and dad put the amusements in and bought second-hand equipment to start a pizza shop.
“That equipment is still there today. They don’t make them like they used to!”
The shop opened the week Cello was born. It was the first pizza shop in Kyneton.
Liv said in the early days, kids weren’t allowed to go there until the community discovered it was a safe place.
“Once you walked in, you became family,” she said.
“School kids would hang out at lunchtime and after school.
“Kids would wag school at times, playing pool and putting on their favourite song on the jukebox.
“Mum wasn’t the best at remembering names but she could tell you what pizza you had.
“She made pizza for more than three generations, which gave her great delight.”
The menu started with just 12 choices of pizza. Only in the last 20 years were chicken, meat lover’s and lasagne added.
“Mum kept things simple, not much changed over 50 years,” Liv said.
“She must have done something right, because it worked.”
Liv said her mum’s goal was to stay open for 50 years but due to ill health she died having made it to 48. The family continued to operate the business to honour their mother’s milestone wish.
“Growing up in a business, they worked to give us the best life, even if we shared it with the whole community,” Liv said.
“They were there for us and adored their grandkids and loved that we all worked there at various times.
“Honouring them to get to 50 years was the least we could do to repay them.”
The Matricardis are hosting an open day from noon on December 22 and invite people to come enjoy music and pizzas with them.
THE BUILDING’S HISTORY
The iconic building was designed in the Italianate style by prominent architect Leonard Terry for the Colonial Bank. The impressive two-storey rendered bluestone building was completed in 1863.
Although altered for use as a private residence and then as a restaurant, the building remains reasonably intact, including an arched central entrance, lofty main chamber with two cast iron columns, and an elaborate plaster coffered ceiling and manager’s residence upstairs.
The Colonial State Bank operated until 1918, when it merged with the National Bank. After the bank’s closure around 1935, the building became the Willow Tea Rooms and Restaurant and was operated as a tea rooms by Miss Good until 1958.
It was then purchased by Norman Murphy and operated as Campaspe Receptions and Catering, mainly used for weddings and functions. To this day, the Matricardis have people call in and tell them that their grandparents got married there.
It was then purchased by famed restaurateur and winemaker Tom Lazar for a short time and remained closed, before being purchased by the Matricardis in 1974.
The outside of the building remains the same with the exception of the verandah to the main entrance, which was held up by two columns on the gutter side. A stock transport man named Noel Lyons made contact with the verandah and the structure was demolished and never replaced. The building has been painted a number of times and is heritage listed.
Mrs Gino prepares her tomato sauce. 
Gino Matricardi. 
A young Cesira. 
Mrs Gino at the pizza oven.
