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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-10-14 Daily Xml
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AUSTRALIA DONNA WEBSITE

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:35): As a then newly elected MP 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to launch the Australia Donna website (a site for women of Italian origin) and to acknowledge some seed funding from the South Australian government. It was a great pleasure for me recently, on the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the website, to celebrate its success. The site has been inspired by Dr Daniela Costa, who was elected by the Italian community in Australia in 1998 to the Council General of Italians Abroad, with a commitment to raise within the council issues related to women of Italian origin in Australia.

I acknowledge the founding members of Australia Donna, as follows: Daniela Costa, Marinella Caruso, Caterina Andreacchio, Paola Niscioli, Serafina Maiorano and Cathy Di Giacomi. The aim of the website was to create a virtual network—an open space for women of Italian origin to share information, to recount their life experiences and aspirations, and their striving to shape their identities living between two cultures.

Over the 10 years, Australia Donna has gone from strength to strength, with more and more women posting their stories—stories to exchange information, experiences and, more importantly, knowledge. The site welcomes short stories and news on conferences and other events. The site is bilingual, which is of assistance to those of the first generation—elderly Italo-Australian women who have so much to tell of their experiences and heritage. The website can also be used to profile someone we know who may not be able to do so themselves.

The working group sought ideas and contributions from a wide range of women and their networks and established partnership with mainstream organisations such as Women's Health Statewide, the Cancer Council and Breast Screen SA. The website has been for many first generation Italian women a catalyst to explore through the internet new paths to connect with people and places thought to be forever left behind.

Over the past 10 years, women of different generations have been part of the Australia Donna team and have volunteered their time with commitment and enthusiasm in spite of the well-known difficulties of balancing a family and work. The 23 editions of the website are a testimony to this commitment. The editions feature original articles and a wide range of themes such as preventative health, mental health, ageing, experiences of women as carers, work and life balance, participation and representation, and history of migration.

The highlights are undoubtedly the 150 life stories and biographies of women who have contributed in many different ways to shape the Italo-Australian life. These are the women's original stories as they wish them to be read, with no editing. The Digital Stories project is the most recent project of Australia Donna and was launched on 14 September. It is a collection of stories by women living in the Norwood, Payneham and St Peters council area. The project was initiated by Teresa Crea in collaboration with Australia Donna and under the auspices of the council.

The Australia Donna website provides a rich narrative of the journey across tradition and innovation of women from four generations. It represents a powerful testimony to their cultural identities and of their collective consciousness to be part of a rich cultural and social tapestry. It is great to see women from all backgrounds post their stories and to see more and more young women join the website.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all those who have brought Australia Donna on the road to success. I thank the current group of committee members: Vincenza Ferraro, Giuliana Otmarich, Marylisa Beltrame, Renata Bertozzi, Rosina Russo, Nadia Niscioli, Flavia Coassin and Daniela Costa. In particular, I am indebted to Dr Daniela Costa for providing me with information on the activities of the website for this contribution, and for her commitment to so many good causes on behalf of the Italo-Australian community. The member for Norwood, Vini Ciccarello MP, also took part in the evening's celebrations, but regrettably the member for Hartley, Grace Portolesi MP, was unable to be present and sent her very best wishes.

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