ITALIAN LIBERATION DAY

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:39): In Australia, 25 April is the day when we unite as a nation to recognise those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation, those who ensured that the values of freedom and democracy would continue to be our way of life in Australia. It is a day when those who returned, and the families of those who did not, march in unity in order that we do not forget. More than any other day, it is a day that unites all Australians.

By coincidence, 25 April is also Italian Liberation Day. In a multicultural nation such as Australia, those of Italian heritage, the Consul of Italy in South Australia and its committee of Italians abroad (Com.It.Es) are able to celebrate the partisan victory, as well as remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Indeed, the 1948 democratic constitution of the Italian Republic declared itself to be built on the Resistance.

History records that after Italy's armistice on 8 September 1943 the Italian Resistance movement became massive. The history of the Resistenza is one of a movement that eventually embraced the whole nation; on one side were 300,000 partisans, who were eventually joined by the military as well as the general population. On 19 April 1945, concurrent with the renewal of the Allied defensive, the Committee of National Liberation called out a general insurrection and a series of cities were liberated, with Milan and Turin liberated on 25 April.

It is perhaps a little known fact that in those years a number of provisional partisan governments were established in Italy. What the partisan movement demonstrated was that not all Italians agreed with Fascist rule. Apart from the nearly 45,000 partisans killed there were nearly 21,000 wounded or disabled, as well as over 15,000 Italian civilians killed in retaliation. In his speech, the Italian Consul in South Australia, Dr Tommaso Coniglio, recognised all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. He spoke of those who fell for Italy's liberty, which culminated in the Resistance movement, a movement which was determined to restore liberty, independence and dignity to Italy.

Liberation Day is used as an opportunity to strengthen relationships between the Italo-Australian community and the rest of the community, as well as the inter-generations of those with Italian heritage. For many years students of Mary McKillop College have taken part in a commemoration at the Payneham Independent Cemetery, and the students are prepared for the extra-curriculum language participation by senior Italian language teacher Mrs Marissa Baldassi. I should mention that Mrs Baldassi is a respected COMITES member, was awarded an Italian knighthood, is a former Lions Club Citizen of the year, and past LOTE coordinator of the college. There has been a tradition of celebrating this occasion by inviting all high school Italian language students to participate in a competition with the theme 'Solidarity in the Community', which allows students to research and then record history.

This year for the first time music students from Brighton High School were invited to perform to the assembled community at the lunch at the Forgolar Furlan Club that follows the commemoration at Payneham Cemetery. Deputy principal Mr Jeffrey Kong had the pleasure of introducing two singers: Mr Robert Edgar, a former student of Brighton High and first year Adelaide Conservatorium student; and Hannah Greenshields, a 14 year old student from the school. Both are singers of outstanding ability, and with voices like theirs I am certain that their future will be brilliant. Neither has studied Italian, but with a little practice their performances were faultless. The success of multiculturalism can always be best measured by reaching a wider audience outside a particular ethnic group.

I should also mention that on the day Mr Tony Piccolo MP, the member for Light, was present. Mr Tony Zappia, the federal member for Makin, was also there, and the opposition was represented by Mr David Pisoni MP, the member for Unley.

War always has casualties, in whatever theatre, but the fact that 64 years after World War II I stand in this place, as Italian born, to speak of events on the other side of the world, not just as a member of parliament but as a former minister of the state, I believe speaks volumes about the will of many to see an Australian nation that is always prepared to embrace new beginnings.

Time expired.