CARNEVALE

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (17:19): One of the great aspects of living in South Australia is our celebration of multicultural diversity and our recognition of its role in influencing and contributing to our state. I am always delighted to be part of the celebrations. When you combine that with my passion for all things Italian it is not hard to see why my annual pilgrimage to the Carnevale is always a red letter day in my diary, as it has been for the last 33 years.

I remember going to my very first Carnevale back in 1976 in Rundle Mall when it was known as the 'Italian Festival', and consisted of a parade which travelled from Victoria Square to Elder Park before concluding with celebrations in the mall. Since that time, the festival has had a number of homes: Rundle Mall, Elder Park, Norwood Oval, Adelaide Oval, Rymill Park and, for the first time this year, the Adelaide Showgrounds.

What has remained constant throughout the years is the purpose and tradition of Carnevale, which is twofold. First, it showcases and celebrates the wonderful tapestry of Italian heritage and culture and, secondly, it shares that with the wider South Australia community so that it too can enjoy and appreciate the contribution that Italians have made, and continue to make, to South Australian life. This year was no exception. Everywhere I looked was a reminder of the diversity and artistry for which Italians are so renowned—fashion, food, wine, dancing, entertainment, even a motor show were all on display for everyone to marvel at.

The move to the Adelaide Showgrounds brilliantly complemented all this with more space and undercover facilities, not to mention the luxury of air conditioning, and we were all able to enjoy a greater variety of acts than ever before. Perhaps most importantly, the showgrounds also afford the Carnevale room for expansion. I know that the organisers have some bold plans for the future to expand this event to replicate the Fiera del Levante in Bari, Italy, in which the South Australian government has participated the last three years. This move is the perfect start.

Congratulations go to all the performers, artists and exhibitors who made the day so special, but I must give a special mention to international singers Andrea Del Principe and Kylee Kate Sargent (who is, by the way, Australian), as well as comedian Joe Avati, who entertained the crowds so brilliantly. This year it was also fantastic to see Carnevale more focused than ever on the younger generation, with a dedicated youth stage and a program that catered for their music tastes—not to mention their pizza- and pasta-eating skills.

I am pleased that the Rann government continues to recognise the important role that the Carnevale plays in our multicultural life. Every year it is a major supporter of the festival, and this year alone contributed $50,000—its biggest investment to date—to help Carnevale become even bigger and better. Thank you also to the many other sponsors, especially those with naming rights—Romeos Retail Group, Festival City Wines and Food, and Serafino Wines from McLaren Vale—for their support, as well as Blackwell Funerals.

As much as financial support is necessary, there is no doubt that it is the tireless and behind-the-scenes work that makes Carnevale such a successful event year after year, and it is for this reason that I wish to acknowledge and thank the many volunteers and Italian clubs who have once again given their time and skills so selflessly. Last, and certainly not least, Carnevale would not be the success it is without the dedicated work of the Coordinating Italian Committee—or CIC, as it is known in the Italian community.

I have enjoyed a long and close association with CIC for many years, from my days as its chairperson and festival coordinator to now being its local MP. It does a wonderful job promoting the well-being of Adelaide's Italian community and carrying out vitally important social and welfare work, and this has never been more important than now. According to the 2006 census, 55 per cent of Italians living in South Australia are over the age of 65, and as this percentage inexorably grows each year it is imperative that we match community group to individual and service to need. The Carnevale, with all proceeds going to CIC, is an important step in making sure that those community organisations and services are properly promoted and funded.

To Silvio Ladarola, president of CIC; John Di Fede, chairperson of the 2009 Carnevale organising committee; Teresa Dall'Acqua Leonardi, Carnevale manager; Angelo Fantasi, Tony Lapozzino, all the committee members and many others too numerous to name, congratulations on a job well done. I look forward to Carnevale 2010 at the showgrounds and to a festival which continues to inspire in us all a love of all things Italian.