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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-02-06 Daily Xml
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CAVALERA, MR B.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:45): Today I pay tribute to Mr Bruno Cavalera. Bruno died on 29 December 2012. I had the opportunity to meet and know Bruno in his capacity as the President of ANCRI (SA Division). ANCRI is the acronym for Associazione Nationale Combattenti e Reduci di Italia—the long-standing association whose members consist of those who have served in Italian military forces.

Amongst other responsibilities Bruno was instrumental in organising the annual ANCRI ceremony of remembrance of 4 November. The association is one of camaraderie and support. Regardless of which side on which people fought in the theatre of war, the scars are always similar and, more importantly, the need to respect and remember those who pay the ultimate sacrifice is something that is rightly installed in our psyche.

In this great nation the Italo-Australian community is rightly, like others of a different heritage, able to pay their respects equally to those who fought under the red, white and green flag as those who fought under the Union Jack and the Southern Cross. Whilst in other countries Armistice Day is celebrated on Remembrance Day (11 November, signed at Compiegne, France), Italy is the exception, where it is celebrated on 4 November.

The 4 November date is the day of the armistice of Villa Giusti, at the end of World War I, when Italy remembers over two million casualties and has since become the date when Italy remembers all those who fought and served in all theatres of war. The day of commemoration is similar to our ANZAC Day commemorations. Of interest, of course, is that during World War I Italy fought on the side of the allies. The Villa Giusti armistice ended hostilities between Italy and Austria-Hungary on the Italian Front.

I am indebted to Mr Carlo Rosenberg, secretary of ANCRI, and Mr Cavalera's wife, Antonietta, who have provided me with some background information on Bruno. As told to me, Bruno was born in Italy on 4 November 1927 and served in the Italian Army between 1943 and 1947 as a Bersagliero. He arrived in Australia from Monfalcone, Provincia Gorizia, Italy, on 2 August 1952 as a skilled migrant specialising in electromechanics. On arrival he worked for the first two years for the Australian government at various military camps and later joined so many fellow migrants working in the car industry.

He married his fiancée, Antonietta (whom he had left behind) by proxy in January 1955, and she then joined him in Australia when he was financially able to bring her out. The couple were married for some 57 years and brought up a loving family. They had three children and now have four grandchildren. I know Bruno Cavalera was an adored husband, father and grandfather. His grandchildren at his funeral provided a moving and loving eulogy to their nonno. Many members of ANCRI were present at the funeral to pay their respects, including Mr Davide Innamorati from the Alpini, who assisted in organising last year's commemorations.

As mentioned, Bruno Cavalera was president and the driving force of ANCRI for some 26 years, acting not only as president but also as secretary, having joined the Adelaide branch of the association in 1958. Apart from being a means of paying our respects and recording history, I think it important to see the continuance of associations such as ANCRI for the camaraderie and support it offers to its members. Whilst Bruno's story is not too dissimilar to so many thousands who left Italy after World War II, migrating to a new country for their new future, I know the Italo-Australian community is particularly indebted to Bruno Cavalera for his service and dedication. Unfortunately the last few years saw Bruno suffer ill health, but he valiantly continued in his commitment to ANCRI. Lest we forget, Bruno Cavalera.

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