1800 Lasagne owner Joey Kellock is carrying on this legacy, bringing people together in true Italian style – over food, wine and community spirit – for a good cause.
Kellock’s Thornbury restaurant will transform into a vibrant market-style precinct for a fundraiser this Sunday, with proceeds going towards humanitarian aid in Ukraine as well as victims of the floods that have devastated parts of eastern Australia in recent days.
For the event, called ‘1800 Relief’, Kellock is collaborating with dozens of other local businesses who have worked together in the past to coordinate charitable initiatives, from fundraising events to food drives.
All it took was one a one-word question (“fundraiser?”) in the group’s social media thread this week for the businesses to harness their power to organise Sunday’s event almost overnight.
“In essence, the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine was the obvious inspiration and the catalyst was that feeling of helplessness that you have as a community when you really want to help but you don’t quite know how,” Kellock explained.
“As a collective of businesses in the inner north, this is how we can help with the resources that we have, by getting people together to raise awareness and funds.”
The event will feature a firepit sausage sizzle by The Fitzroy Feast, with hundreds of sausages supplied by Carlton butcher Donati’s.
Guests will also be able to enjoy pizza by Carmelo’s, frozen treats from the Icecream Social truck, by-the-slice cakes courtesy of Mali Bakes, filter coffee by Everyday Coffee and more.
A marketplace will be stocked with produce from Melbourne Farmers Markets and Northside Fruit & Veg, as well as All Are Welcome bread, Mount Zero olive oil, Blackhearts & Sparrows and Six Parallels South wine, Gewürzhaus spices, Ultra Culture hot sauce, L’Anima Cucina biscotti, Adele Macer ceramics, and blooms by Flowers Vasette.
As well as purchases, eventgoers will be able to make cash and credit card donations on the day.
A huge two-part raffle will also contribute to the fundraiser, with local businesses donating over $9000 worth of products and services, including restaurant vouchers from 1800 Lasagne, Umberto Espresso Bar and Joanie’s Baretto, jewellery from Aletheia & Phos and Cleopatra’s Bling, Ukrainian art pieces from Hana Katya, and a private baking workshop by Beatrix Bakes.
“Businesses are still donating goods as we speak,” Kellock said.
Raffle tickets will be available until midnight Thursday and prizes will be drawn on Sunday, March 13.
“I hope we can all look around and be thankful for how lucky we are for what we have and realise how easy it is to help,” Kellock said.
Kellock’s innate desire to lend a hand stems from a combination of his Italian heritage and his own experience of the power of hospitality.
“My father, Domenico De Clario, was born in Trieste and came to Australia when he was 18 years old; my grandparents are from Calabria and Trieste respectively,” he said.
“I’ve always been naturally drawn to Italian culture.
“As a young kid, I sought refuge in Italian cafes and restaurants; that was where I felt good and at peace.”
While Kellock and other local businesses will fly the Italian flag for the event, they will not be alone.
“Other members of the community are also involved, such as German businesses,” Kellock said.
“It’s a multicultural show of strength, unity and support that reflects Melbourne’s diversity.”
‘1800 Relief’ will be held on Sunday, March 6, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Funds raised will go to the Voices of Children Foundation, Razom, HIAS, and World Central Kitchen, and a portion of proceeds will go towards assisting those affected by the devastating floods in QLD and NSW’s Northern Rivers.
For more information visit the website.
