HANSARD
SITTING CALENDAR
SEARCH
LIVE BROADCAST
Hansard Dynamic Subject Index
Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-27 Daily Xml
Contents
Xml

Motions

The Society of Saint Hilarion

The Hon. J.S. LEE (17:29): I move:

That this council—

1. Congratulates The Society of Saint Hilarion on its 70th anniversary in October 2025;

2. Recognises that the society was founded as a cultural and religious body in 1955 by a passionate group of Italian migrants and is named after the patron saint of Caulonia, in Southern Italy;

3. Notes that the society owns and operates two beautiful facilities, namely the House of Saint Hilarion and Villa Saint Hilarion, where both facilities embrace the best of the rich Italian culture, faith, traditions and values for caring for families and community;

4. Acknowledges the founding members, current and past chairpersons, board members, executive management team, staff, sponsors, and volunteers of The Society of Saint Hilarion for their dedication and contribution to aged care and community care services in Adelaide; and

5. Commends The Society of Saint Hilarion for 70 years of cultural and community contributions, including the Feast of St Hilarion festival, aged care facilities, community care, and pastoral care for Adelaide's multicultural community.

It is a great honour to rise today to move this motion to congratulate The Society of Saint Hilarion on reaching a significant milestone of its 70th anniversary in October 2025. This milestone is an extraordinary achievement that is testament to the vision, leadership and community spirit that drive this remarkable organisation. I seek leave to insert the remainder of my speech in Hansard without my reading it.

Leave granted.

The Society of Saint Hilarion had humble beginnings. It was founded in 1955 when a group of passionate Italian migrants from Southern Italy came together to preserve their cultural and religious traditions in their new home of South Australia. The society was named after Saint Hilarion, the patron saint of Caulonia, a small town in the region of Calabria, and over the past seven decades it has grown into a respected and much-loved institution in our state.

What started as a cultural and religious body has evolved into a leading provider of aged care and community services, while continuing to uphold the values of family, faith, and community that inspired its founders.

I was proud to move a similar motion in 2015 to congratulate the Society of Saint Hilarion on its 60th anniversary—it is truly remarkable to be here again ten years later to acknowledge the significant contributions of such an iconic multicultural organisation.

I wish to acknowledge and commend the founding members, past and present presidents, board members, staff, volunteers and community supporters who have worked tirelessly to maintain and grow the legacy of community service at the heart of the society.

While many families were instrumental in the development of the Saint Hilarion community, it was the Ciccarello, Costa, Fazzalari and Lamberto families who were instrumental in bringing the community of new migrants together, who had arrived in South Australia with very few possessions and practically no English.

In 1955, the society held the first Feast Day of Saint Hilarion, a tradition that has been continued every year for seven decades, becoming one of the largest and most beloved events of its kind on South Australia's multicultural and religious calendar.

In the late 1980s, the society made a bold decision to enter in the aged-care sector to deliver much-needed culturally specific services and support for the ageing Italian community. In 1987, the society purchased an existing 50-bed residential facility at Lockleys and built two more aged-care homes in Findon and Fulham, enabling them to cater for older people across Adelaide.

Today, the society owns and operates two aged care facilities, the House of Saint Hilarion, a stunning 122-bed facility in Seaton, and the Villa Saint Hilarion, with spacious individual villas for 54 residents. These facilities are more than just aged-care homes; they are vibrant community hubs that reflect the richness of Italian culture and traditions. Residents enjoy compassionate care in a warm, inclusive environment, supported by programs that nurture physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

While more than half of their residents are of Italian descent, the society is a true leader in multicultural aged care, welcoming people of all cultures and religious beliefs to experience their care, compassion and feeling of community.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank and congratulate the Chair of the Board, Rosemary Velardo, the Chief Executive Officer, Vincenzo Libri, and Chair of the Religious and Cultural Committee, Vince Greco, for their steadfast leadership and contributions to the society.

Their leadership and commitment has ensured that The Society of Saint Hilarion continues to thrive and serve not only the Italian community but all South Australians who value care, compassion, and cultural heritage.

It was an honour to join the society to celebrate its seven decades of community service at the 70th anniversary gala dinner on Saturday 18 October 2025. It was a spectacular and elegant event, celebrating the legacy and tradition of the society and the many families and individuals who have contributed to its growth and success over the years.

The celebration continued the following week with the 70th Anniversary Feast Day of Saint Hilarion held at Mater Christi Parish Church, Seaton. More than 150 dedicated volunteers supported this wonderful event, and I wholeheartedly congratulate Rosemary, Vince, and the entire organising team for an incredible celebration of the enduring spirit of faith and community.

The Mayor of Caulonia in Italy, Dottore Francesco Cagliuso, was a special guest at the Anniversary Gala and Feast Day, highlighting the strong connection that continues to exist between the society and its origins in Caulonia and its foundation in tradition.

The 70th anniversary of the Society of Saint Hilarion is a testament to the vision, dedication and hard work of everyone involved. Its significant achievements and contributions would not be possible without the tireless efforts and dedication of the board, staff and volunteers, whose leadership has helped guide this organisation over the past seven decades.

The society continues to evolve, adapting to the changing needs of its residents and the shifting aged care landscape—but it always remains committed to its mission of providing culturally specific care and exceptional services to the South Australian Italian community.

It is a great honour to recognise this significant milestone today and wish the Society of Saint Hilarion a very happy 70th anniversary and a very bright future ahead.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
MEMBERS
GET INVOLVED
ABOUT PARLIAMENT
VISIT
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
CONTACT