Motions

Campania Sports and Social Club

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. J.S. Lee:

That this council—

1. Recognises that 2015 is the 40^th anniversary of the Campania Sports and Social Club;

2. Acknowledges the wonderful work that this club has done over the years in the promotion of Italian culture, food, language and support of Italian Australians and the broader community; and

3. Pays tribute to the achievements and social inclusion activities of this club, and others like it, which promote harmony and contribute to a better and more diverse South Australia.

(Continued from 1 July 2015.)

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (21:12): Tonight I rise to speak in favour of this motion, congratulating the Campania Sports and Social Club on its 40^th anniversary and paying tribute to the achievements and social inclusion activities of this club, and others like it, which promote harmony and contribute to a better and more diverse South Australia. I also wish to acknowledge the mover of the motion, the Hon. Jing Lee, for bringing this to the Legislative Council.

Major planned migration to Australia began in the late 1940s, following World War II. During the following decades, hundreds of thousands of migrants came to Australia in search of new opportunities and peace for themselves and their families. When they arrived in Australia, they quickly set about making a new life for their families, getting jobs, studying, grappling with English and learning the new ways of doing things.

In those days, we did not have government-funded settlement services. Migrant communities quickly recognised that they would need to work together to support each other as they made their way in their new country. It was not long before they formed clubs and associations where they could help new arrivals and provide opportunities to practise some of their traditions and beliefs.

During the 1950s and 1960s, migrants came to South Australia from all parts of Europe. Apart from those from Britain and Ireland, by far the largest migrant community in South Australia was the Italian community. Indeed, the Italian community was twice the size of any other cultural group in South Australia and within the South Australian Italian community almost a third are Campani. Almost 10,000 people migrated to South Australia from the Campania region of Italy over just a few years. As with many other migrant communities, they did not let the grass grow under their feet. They very soon made arrangements to support each other and to help community members to participate in all aspects of Australian society.

One of the finest examples of a community organisation which has played a key role in this regard is the Campania Sports and Social Club. This club was first established in 1975 through the efforts of Cavaliere John Di Fede and a group of committed volunteers. Like so many other clubs, the Campania Sports and Social Club was made possible through the tireless efforts and sheer hard work of community members. They not only raised funds, but also physically helped to build the clubrooms. Over the years, the Campania Club has been a place where families and paesani have come together to share stories and celebrate traditions.

Equally importantly, the club is a place where members have helped each other at first to negotiate their way in their new environment and later to take their place in their adopted country and to help shape the future of our great state. Clubs such as the Campania Club have been the launching pad for many Italian migrants and their descendants who have gone on to excel in every aspect of South Australian society. Today, the contribution of the Italian community can be seen across the professions and the trades, in business and the arts, in sport and in politics.

Of course, the Campania club should be acknowledged not only for what it has done for its own members. The club should also be recognised for what it gives back to the wider community. The Campania Club has always been quick to respond to the needs of others. We can recall, for example, that the Campania Club stepped forward after the 1980 Irpinia earthquake in Italy, the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and the terrible 2009 Victorian bushfires.

The Campania Club's 40^th anniversary celebrations were held on 20 and 21 June this year. On the Saturday, the club held an open day with a free sausage sizzle and drinks with the aim of inviting the local Modbury North community to tour the club's facilities and participate in its activities. This is a great example of a cultural club opening its doors to the local community to increase the understanding and respect between different cultural groups in our community. On the Sunday, the official anniversary gala celebrations were held in the club's grand Benevento Hall. This was a great opportunity to acknowledge the club's pioneers and past presidents and to show appreciation to the loyal members by inviting them and their families to join in the official celebration.

Whole-hearted congratulations are due to all who have been involved in the success and growth of the Campania Sports and Social Club over the past 40 years. Special thanks are due to the club's leaders, from the early pioneers to the current president, Mr Robert Corsini. I also want to acknowledge the dedication, hard work and commitment of the thousands of volunteers who, over the past four decades, have given their time and passion to ensure that the club has not only stayed alive but thrived.

The social and economic contribution of the Campania community is very much recognised by the South Australian government. This is reflected in the Premier's recent mission to Italy. This mission was planned and undertaken with the community and the economy in mind. The Premier led the delegation of 20 South Australian business leaders, entrepreneurs and community leaders to engage with regional government officials, entrepreneurs, business associations and companies from the regions of Campania and Calabria. This mission was an opportunity to further strengthen South Australia's relationship with Italy and to open the door to new opportunities.

During the mission, the Premier underlined the important contribution of migrants and their families from the Campania and Calabria regions, who represent around 55 per cent of the total Italian immigration in South Australia. While in Benevento, Campania, the Premier spoke about South Australia's economic profile and highlighted the importance for Italian companies to consider South Australia as a hub in the new geopolitical area of South-East Asia.

The Premier also took the opportunity to invite Italian businesses and community leaders to visit South Australia to progress the opportunities explored during the mission. The Premier was welcomed in Rome by the Hon. Marco Fedi from Australia, and he took this opportunity to attend a religious celebration at the Sanctuary of Montevergine, performed by the Abbott His Eminence Dom Riccardo Luca Guariglia.

Of course, 2015 not only marks the 40^th anniversary of the Campania Club. This year, we also celebrated the 60^th anniversary of the Holy Mary of Montevergine Association of South Australia and the Society of Saint Hilarion. Later this year, the Premier will host a reception in recognition of these remarkable milestones which are being achieved by three outstanding South Australian Italian organisations. These organisations have each made extraordinary contributions to the success of multiculturalism in South Australia.

In closing, may I say the 40^th anniversary of the Campania Sports and Social Club not only represents a significant milestone in the settlement of Italians in South Australia but it also represents an example of a long-term commitment of Italian migrants, their children and, in many cases, grandchildren to promote, preserve and share their culture. The 40^th anniversary celebrations have been a fitting tribute to their magnificent achievements, and I wish the club all the best in their future endeavours.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (21:20): I was not on the list, but I want to make a very brief contribution as someone who has spent a fair bit of his parliamentary career working in the seat of Florey and other parts of the north-eastern suburbs and who also worked for a couple of years at the office of senator Nick Minchin, which was situated at Modbury North, very close to the Campania club.

I have had the great privilege, I think, to go to many community events and some, I must say, Liberal Party events at the Campania club. I pay great tribute to those who have been behind that organisation, including my good friend Mr John Di Fede but many other people. They are always very welcoming to the general community, and I think that is something we should also say. Many other organisations in that part of Adelaide and beyond have had many great functions at the Campania club, and I think the mover of this motion has also hosted a wonderful function at that facility. I commend the Hon. Jing Lee for her motion.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (21:21): I would just like to make a few remarks in summing up. I would like to thank particularly the Hon. John Gazzola and the Hon. John Dawkins for their wonderful contributions. I believe the Hon. John Gazzola probably pronounced all the Italian names so much more beautifully and fluently than I did. Thank you so much for putting your contribution forward to recognise the 40^th anniversary of the Campania club and your personal experience as well in relation to the work they do.

I would like to say that it is a great part of the parliamentary process that we can recognise the Campania club in its glory, in the way that it conducts its community service and for its contribution to South Australia and to multiculturalism. With those few remarks, I commend the motion.

Motion carried.