Cranbourne Italian Senior Club capped off the year with a festive Christmas celebration that highlighted both continuity and renewal within one of the area’s longest-running multicultural senior groups.
More than 100 members gathered for the club’s Christmas dance on Monday 15 December, their regular day for meet-up, enjoying music, food and decorations that reflected the strong sense of community built over decades.
The celebration followed a committee changeover that took place several months ago, while long-time former president Valle Motta continues to remain actively involved with the club.
Ms Motta led the Cranbourne Italian Senior Club for 28 years, helping it grow from a small group of about 45 members to, at some point, a peak of more than 220.
“I never imagined I’d still be involved for so long,” Ms Motta said.
She recalled that the club’s early days were modest, beginning at St Agatha’s Parish Hall before outgrowing the space and relocating to the Cranbourne Public Hall.
The club has faced challenges common to many senior organisations, including declining membership following Covid, but Ms Motta said the key is to enjoy the presence.
“In the early days, it was great because I used to go to meetings over at the City of Casey. You’d meet people. You’d get ideas. You even went to Melbourne. We used to go down there and let presidents of all the councils meet,” Ms Motta recalled.
“I actually enjoyed my time. I learned a lot. I met a lot of nice people, higher-up people that I would never have had the chance to even say hello to and got on very well with everybody.
“I must say in all my 28 years, every day was as memorable as the other.
“I’ll just wish Maria and her new committee all the best.”
Current president Maria Merino, who took on the role after the changeover, said they are now trying to attract new members.
“It’s hard to get the younger 50s in. Because years ago, there was nothing, so they all got together as a community. Whereas now, there are a lot of things, nd we need to get them more back into the community,” she said.
Treasurer Teresa Bertone said she joined about a decade ago, and she didn’t mind a long drive from her home in Bunyip to Cranbourne.
“I like the vibe. It’s very vibrant. They all enjoy it and the art and everything. It’s good,” she said.
“It’s something to get everyone out of their houses.”
The current committee includes Rita Costanzo as vice-president, Mirella Tiberi as secretary and Teresa Bertone as treasurer, supported by a broader group of committee members who help run weekly activities.
