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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-06-27 Daily Xml
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ITALO-AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:50): Last month we celebrated National Volunteers Week. On 10 May, along with other politicians, I was invited by the Comitato Assistenza Italiani (CO.AS.IT) to celebrate South Australia's Volunteer Recognition Awards for 2012. The day was an opportunity to celebrate and, more importantly, thank and congratulate the very many volunteers for their dedication and commitment to the Italo-Australian community.

My colleague in the other place the member for Light, Tony Piccolo, who chairs the Volunteer Ministerial Advisory Group, was there to represent the Minister for Volunteers, the Hon. Ian Hunter MLC. Present also were the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the Minister for Education and Child Development and the members for Morphett and Morialta. The Acting Consul for Italy, Dr Orietta Borgia, also addressed the function.

Led by President Franca Antonella, CO.AS.IT is the peak body that supports the delivery of aged care services to the Italo-Australian community. The two special award recipients recognised this year were Volunteer of the Year, Bill Bailey, for his dedication to the Italian community and his work in residential care. Mr Bailey is a volunteer with the Coordinating Italian Committee (CIC) and has been volunteering since 2006. Even though he is not an Italian speaker, he assists clients with tai chi and keeping them active and enthusiastic.

The other special recognition on the day went to Melodyelisa Silvestri, the Young Volunteer of the Year, for her work in assisting seniors socially and ethically. Melodyelisa's passion and commitment to assisting people was obvious for everyone to see. I understand the CO.AS.IT judges stated that she brought a smile to the faces of everyone around her and that she is an excellent role model for others her age.

The day was an enormous success with a wonderful turnout. To all the volunteers, nominees and winners on the day, a big thank you for your commitment and support to a very special group of people—those who took their leap of faith to commence a new life for themselves and their families and are now in need of recognition and support themselves.

The other function that I would briefly like to mention is the annual celebration for the Italian National Day, held on Thursday 7 June. Whilst the mood of the evening was somewhat saddened because of the recent earthquakes in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, it was a good opportunity for the Italo-Australian community, joined by many others, to acknowledge the presence of the community in South Australia and reflect on its many achievements.

The Acting Consul of Italy in South Australia, Dr Orietta Borgia, was joined by all, including Premier Jay Weatherill, in passing on our state's condolences to the Italian nation on the recent loss of life, injuries and loss of homes and public buildings. Premier Weatherill announced that South Australia was making a contribution of $25,000 to earthquake victims.

One of the fine sponsors of the evening was the Brighton Secondary School. The school's music students have been performing at functions in the Italian community for at least four years, if my recollection serves me correctly. The school's very best talent has entertained us with orchestral music, soloist musical recitals, vocal soloists, as well as choral performances. I have had the opportunity to speak of Brighton Secondary School's talented students on another occasion in the chamber and, again, I want to congratulate the school—in particular, Head of Music, Mr Jeffrey Kong—for their passion towards music and instilling in their students the importance of being able to impart their gifts with such joy.

I should also make mention of the special guest who performed with the students, the violin soloist Ms Carolyn Lam. Ms Lam is a lawyer by profession but also a very talented violinist and pianist who does not just perform in Australia but all over the world—one very talented young woman. I know that everyone in the function room was touched to hear that the school had donated $1,000 to the earthquake disaster.

The Hon. J.M. Gazzola interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: Yes. I know all would join me in saying a big thank you for their kind spirit and generosity. I again congratulate Italy on its 66th anniversary of the Festa della Repubblica Italiana.

Time expired.

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