Festa di Madonna di Montevergine

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:15): I rise today to speak about a truly remarkable event I recently attended that saw our South Australian Italian community beautifully express and celebrate faith, culture, tradition and connection with one another with family and friends. I was honoured to attend, along with you, Mr Speaker, the Madonna di Montevergine festa, held in Newton at the St Francis of Assisi church on Sunday 29 September. From 9am, an enormous procession made its way from the Annunciation Church to St Francis of Assisi.

After finding a park and running—well, sort of—to catch up to the procession that had just left, my husband and I joined in. We were incredibly moved by the families with multiple generations walking together with linked arms and hands, older people talking about their determination to complete the procession and the community family joined in procession and in prayer, many carrying intricate and beautiful banners. It was a testament to the strength and connection of the Italian community that a number of other societies attended the procession and took part in the festa, they, too, displaying their banners.

On arriving at St Francis of Assisi, it was incredible to see the industrious activity that was going on: people tending to roasting porchetta, as well as zeppole and pasta being prepared, musicians arriving and, most importantly, people gathering for the mass in honour of Maria Santissima di Montevergine. Father Michael Romeo led the mass in both Italian and English, accompanied by the choir of San Francesco and assisted by various other members of the clergy and community members.

I was deeply moved by how Father Romeo brought to life a vision of the sanctuary of Montevergine in the Campania region, situated on a breathtakingly beautiful mountain. He spoke about the many pilgrims and local people who had travelled to Montevergine to pray, give thanks and reflect. I was particularly struck by his words to the young people of the community about how their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were amongst those who had climbed up the side of the mountain to the church, often barefoot and sometimes approaching the altar on their knees.

He reminded all of us that the festa was not about just enjoying the zeppole, pasta and porchetta but also about giving thanks to those who courageously lived their lives in a way that enabled younger members of the community to have a range of opportunities to live their best possible life, including here in South Australia. He spoke about the day being an important opportunity to reflect on what is important in our busy lives: family, friendship, kindness and faith, amongst other things. He rightly remarked that the festa was the festa di Montevergine in honour of the Madonna di Montevergine, not the festa of the zeppole.

After a moving mass, thousands gathered to drink and eat together, with food prepared by many volunteers, including the fabulous Dame di Montevergine; to listen to the Maltese Queen of Victories Band, The Sopranos, Armando Masone, Luigi Cirocco and the Italian Choral and Arts Society; to enjoy fireworks; and, most importantly, to enjoy one another's company. My lovely friends from Italian radio and Il Globo were present, broadcasting and reporting on the mass and all aspects of the day. It was a treat to see Rosina, Bianca and many others.

For 64 years, this tradition, this festa, has been brought to life in suburban Adelaide. With its roots firmly planted high on a mountain in the region of Campania in Italia, this festa has grown, flourished and spread its branches all over the world. It has preserved traditions and kept them strong, bringing them to life in local streets whilst also including and welcoming more and more people to celebrate each year, creating new memories and new traditions here and across the globe.

This tradition would not be possible without the dedication and tireless work and leadership of the volunteers, who work all year round to make this happen—people who give money, time, equipment, ideas, their passion and so much more, and people who give their resources so that the funds raised from food and drink can be distributed to various charities.

The concert and so much of the day was presented and made possible by extraordinary South Australian leaders John di Fede, Vince Palumbo and president, Domenico Zollo—gentlemen who, together with all of the St Francis Assisi Catholic community and the broader community, use their leadership to relentlessly serve others, to encourage the leadership of others and to always create a supportive and enduring community family that many can and do always rely on. Today, I say thank you to every person who made this spectacular day happen, for their passion to keep traditions alive and to keep family, friends and our community together.