Campania Sports and Social Club

The Hon. J.S. LEE (17:10): I move:

That this council—

1. Congratulates the Campania Sports and Social Club Sons of Italy Community Centre for celebrating the special milestone of its 50^th anniversary in 2025;

2. Acknowledges the founding members, current and past presidents, committee members, staff and volunteers of Campania Club for their dedication and contribution to serving the Italian community and for preserving the cultural traditions of the Campania region;

3. Notes that the Campania Club serves as a meeting place for Italian migrants from the Campania region, and as a centre to promote Italian culture, food and language;

4. Recognises that the Campania Club is actively involved in philanthropic and charitable activities as a significant community hub for fundraising activities; and

5. Commends the Campania Club for its dedication and contributions to supporting the Italian community, fostering awareness of their culture and for enriching a vibrant and diverse multicultural South Australia.

It is a great honour to rise today to congratulate the Campania Sports and Social Club Sons of Italy Community Centre on this special occasion of its 50^th anniversary in 2025. I recall that, back in 2015, I spoke in this place to congratulate the Campania Club on its 40^th anniversary, and now, 10 years later, I am able to take this opportunity to congratulate the Campania Club on its 50^th anniversary.

This milestone is not only a celebration of longevity but a powerful testament to the enduring spirit, dedication and cultural pride of South Australia's Italian community. For half a century the Campania Club has stood as a beacon of unity, tradition and service, enriching our multicultural society and strengthening the social fabric of our state.

I would like to firstly acknowledge the incredible leadership team, whose dedication and hard work maintains and builds on the legacy of the founding members. A special thankyou goes to the current president, Mr Ross De Ieso, and the passionate committee members, life members, volunteers and supporters who are the backbone of this iconic organisation. The tireless work and contributions of all involved have ensured that the Campania Club remains a vibrant and welcoming place for generations of Italian South Australians.

Since its founding in 1975, the Campania Club has served as a meeting place for Italian migrants from the Campania region, preserving and sharing their unique cultural traditions with the younger generations of the community. The Campania Club is arguably the largest Italian club in Adelaide, with over 500 members, and is fondly known as a centre for Italian culture, food and language that is warm and welcoming to all visitors.

Some honourable members may recall that I spoke about the Campania Club in this place 10 years ago. To know that they have actually achieved another significant milestone and are able to carry on their traditions is truly amazing. The vision of the founding members is still going strong five decades later, with many of those well-known community leaders still active in the club to this day.

I would like to once again place the names of those 15 founders on the public record. I acknowledge Cavaliere Giovanni Di Fede (John Di Fede), Ezio Spina, Pompeo Ranaldo, Clemente Maione, Giovanni Di Matteo, Mario Mignone, Sabatino Ranaldo, Michele Luongo, Raffaele Barone, Feliciano Zirillo, Liberantonio Limongelli, Michele Carofano, Erminio Ranaldo, Antonio Rotolo and Nicola Minicozzi.

A special mention must go to Cavaliere John Di Fede, whom I mentioned before. He is affectionately known as a well-recognised and respected voice on the airwaves of Radio Italiana and as the immediate past president of the Campania Club. John was the first president of the Campania Club in 1975, and was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 1992 in recognition of his outstanding service to the Italian community of South Australia. John was further awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for his significant community contributions.

Alongside project manager Ranaldo Pompeo, John played a significant role in the extensive renovations the Campania Club undertook in 2017 and 2018, which included alterations to the Napoli Hall, and additions including kitchens, bar, store and verandas. I would like to acknowledge and thank the generous support and the many volunteers and tradespeople who have lent their time and expertise to the Napoli Hall renovations, especially Mario Romaldi and Romaldi Constructions, Marcello Caiazza, Danny Caiazza, the Caiazza family, Caiazza Constructions, and Salvatore Rinaldi and Rinaldi Extensions.

This significant project expanded on the works undertaken in 2011 to build the new Benevento Hall, bocce dome, cultural room, library and playhouse. These additions are literally built on the foundations laid by the visionary founders, who worked tirelessly over many years to fundraise, purchase land, and literally build the club brick by brick, wall to wall.

Beyond its cultural significance, the Campania Club has also played a vital role in philanthropic and charitable activities. Its members and sponsors have generously supported many local and international causes, whether in response to natural disasters or supporting community welfare programs. In recent years, the Campania Club has hosted events to bring the community together to support important initiatives such as the Benevento Flood Relief and Italian Earthquake Appeal in 2016, the SA Bushfire Appeal, the relaunch of the Adelaide Italian Festival, and also support for many worthy charitable causes.

It was wonderful to celebrate these many achievements and milestones at the 50^th anniversary gala celebration held at the heart of the Campania Club on 26 July 2025. It was a spectacular evening filled with stories, laughter and a few tears as the proud legacy and ongoing contributions of the club and its many supporters were recognised and celebrated. It was attended by many members of Parliament, including the Premier, as well as Her Excellency the Governor of South Australia. Congratulations to Ross De leso and the dedicated organising committee for the many hours of work and preparation behind the scenes that went into the special occasion. The hall was beautifully decorated in gold, honouring the five decades of Italian heritage, community and tradition.

Over the years, the Campania Club has become the cornerstone of South Australia's multicultural landscape, serving not only as a home for migrants and descendants from the Campania region but as a hub for multicultural festivals and intercultural connections. It will always be known as a place of warmth, hospitality and Italian community spirit, and I commend the Campania Club for its outstanding contributions and service to the South Australian Italian community and the broader multicultural society.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Campania Sports and Social Club Sons of Italy Community Centre on this significant 50^th anniversary, and I wish the Campania Club every success and a very bright future ahead. Bravo, grazie mille. With those remarks, I commend the motion.

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.