Pietro Tedeschi was born in Reggio Emilia, Italy and became an orphan at the age of three. He was adopted by and lived with various relatives.
He learned the trade of mechanical fitter and worked in a factory which closed in 1949. He remained unemployed for two years, living on the fringe of society, an experience he later described in his first book. While in Italy he co-founded an amateur theatre company, and later joined a semi-professional company. He also co-founded a puppet theatre which he operated until his departure for Australia.
After settling in Wollongong, he worked again in his trade, first at the Port Kembla Steel Works and then with a contractor, EPT. For the next 24 years, he was active in the cultural, social and sports life of the Italian community. In 1972 he retired from social activities and devoted his time to writing, sculpting (steel) and photography.
When he retired from work in 1982 he became a committee member of the Italian Writers' Association and a member of the Dante Alighieri Society and other organisations. He was also the sports reporter for La Fiamma.
