By Marcus Uhe
Magnifica!
The Cranbourne Public Hall resembled the streets of Rome on Monday 19 September as the Italian Community gathered for a day of cultural celebrations.
More than 130 were in attendance for dancing, Italian music and a lunchtime feast of arancini, antipasto, Bolognese and cannoli.
The event was organised by Val Motta, the President of the Cranbourne Italian Seniors Club, whose family hails from Northern Italy, while her Husband, Vince, was born in Sicily.
“They all like to get together to have their dance and eat together, to talk and mingle about the olden times,” Ms Motta said.
“It’s important for them to get together, because of language barriers, they don’t mix regularly with Australian people or Australian culture, and this is an outlet for them to come here.
“We were successful with a grant from the city of Casey and that has permitted us to do what we’re doing today; A free lunch and entertainment and display of Italian craft.”
Among the significant attendees were Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, Victorian Energy and Environment and Climate Action Minister Lily D’Ambrosio and Labor Upper House candidate for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region, Michael Galea.
Ms D’Ambrosio addressed the crowd in her native Italian tongue, while Ms Richards danced with members of the Seniors Club.
Photographer STEWART CHAMBERS captured all the action.
