Motions

Molinara Social and Sports Club

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

That this council—

1. Acknowledges that 2017 marks the 45th anniversary celebration of the Molinara Social and Sports Club in South Australia;

2. Pays tribute to community leaders and volunteers of the club for their long-term commitment to support the Italian migrants' community residing in South Australia; and

3. Highlights the history, achievements and contributions of the Molinara Social and Sports Club.

(Continued from 1 November 2017.)

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (23:30): I rise to speak in support of this motion. For more than 90 years, the South Australian community has been enriched by the valuable contribution and colourful heritage of the Italian migrants who have settled in South Australia. Between 1920 and 1930, there were a substantial number of Italian migrants coming to Australia.

The reason for this was the economic stability afforded in Australia, another was that from 1924 (and I did not know this) Italians could no longer migrate to the United States as many had done in earlier years. Early settlement areas in South Australia included Port Pirie and the beautiful Port Adelaide. In 1943, six prisoner of war control centres were set up in South Australia. At the end of World War II, all Italian prisoners were repatriated. Some stayed in South Australia, sponsored by their employers.

Many of those people came from Molinara, a municipality in the province of Benevento, in the Campania region in southern Italy. Migration from Molinara to Australia occurred over two distinct periods: the early migrants who made the journey between 1920 and 1947, and those who came during the period of mass migration from Europe after the war from 1948 to the 1970s.

Between 1949 and 1971, there were 594 arrivals from the Molinara region in Italy into Adelaide. In Adelaide, the settlement areas included the upper and lower Torrens Valley, Lockleys, and Campbelltown. Migrants who arrived first such as those associated with the Molinara Social and Sports Club (now known as the Molinara Cultural and Community Club) would forge links in the migration chain. Family and relatives arrived later.

At the 2011 Australian census, 20,710 people who were born in Italy were living in South Australia which, due to the ageing of this population, is 8 per cent less than in 2006 when there were 22,485 Italian South Australians. In 2011, a much larger 91,892 South Australians reported as having Italian ancestry.

Since its establishment in 1970, when a group of migrants from Molinara formed an association to provide social activities and maintain their culture, the Molinara Cultural and Community Club has helped many new migrants settle into our state. Cavalieri Joseph Baldino was the founding president of the club. Cavalieri is a knighthood title given by the Italian government, republic of Italy. The club has had nine past presidents and currently has more than 400 members. In the early years, the club was well represented in many sports such as bocce, netball, soccer and volleyball.

In 1978, the club formed a youth group, which was instrumental in organising events such as fundraisers, sporting competitions and Christmas shows for the members. The club also promotes social connections, running annual celebrations that recognise local identities: those people who strive for the greater good, reach out to help others, and tirelessly volunteer to strengthen our communities. Today, the club continues to thrive through the support of members and volunteers who hold luncheons for pensioners on the second Tuesday and dinners on the last Friday of each month. The club organises annual functions to celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day, New Year's Eve and regular dinner dances where everyone is welcome.

The contribution of groups such as the Molinara club that promote culture and language and bring people together throughout the year plays a vital role in the rich tapestry of multiculturalism in this state. There are many strong, generous leaders in the Italian community and it is evident that the Molinara club, along with many others, has encouraged participation and social cohesion in its local communities. They have also catered for the needs of young people and the elderly, linking them to services, cultural and sporting activities.

Today, the Italian community is actively engaged in many areas of community life. Many families and professionals have made significant contributions to the economic wellbeing and prosperity of this state. This is only possible through the valuable contribution of community leaders and volunteers such as those from the Molinara club. We thank them for their long-term commitment to supporting Italian migrants now residing in South Australia. The government therefore supports this motion.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (23:35): I would like to thank the Hon. John Gazzola for his contribution towards this motion. I also want to acknowledge that the Hon. John Gazzola has a proud Italian heritage. It is great to be able to see his support for this motion to congratulate the Molinara club on their 45^th anniversary and pay tribute to all the presidents past and present and all the committee members and volunteers. I commend the motion to the chamber.

Motion carried.