The event is always an occasion to pass a few hours in lively happiness.

The food is always of amazing quality and extremely abundant, and there’s music and opportunity for the Calabrians to throw themselves into a lively tarantella, even if the initial energy disperses quite quickly, given the age of the dancers.

As in the previous years, the lunch was held at Celestino restaurant in Fyshwick.

There were 111 dining companions present; the occasion was completely sold out, according to president Vincenzo Ciano, and some people experienced the disappointment of missing out.

Ciano made a short speech during which he welcomed everyone, thanked the members, thanked the committee and in particular the three exiting committee members Pat Agostino, Pat Calabria and Roberto Tomadini, who “will be welcome to return if ever they want to”.

He also thanked the sponsors who donated the gifts for the lottery, as well as Celestino restaurant and DJ Joe Pelle who played a repertoire of background Italian music.

The menu consisted of an antipasto, a plate of exquisite home-made pappardelle, a main consisting of chicken or veal scaloppine, and panettone accompanied by a glass of spumante for the traditional Christmas toast.

Highlights of the event were the drawing of the lottery, (the first of the ten available prizes was a coffee machine donated by Lavazza, which was won by Sara Perussich) and the drawing of the Lucky Door Prize, then the tarantella songs, played on accordion and tambourine, which drew those people passionate about frenetic dancing up onto the floor!

The year was an important one for the organisation; in April there was a popular dinner-dance with 200 people present, in June a trip for 43 people to Calabria and Puglia in Italy, in November a general meeting of 90 people during which occurred a partial change in guard, and finally this successful pre-Christmas lunch.

Congratulations to all the members of the committee for the enthusiastic support and dedication to their organisation, which is undoubtedly the strongest and most close-knit of the capital, with between 150 and 200 members.

The new committee consists of Vincenzo Ciano (president), Mary Pangallo (treasurer), Angela Arena, Pat Ciancio, Tony Costa, Frank De Marco, Rosa Farronato, Frank Italiano and Lino Pagano.

The new vice president will be elected at the February meeting.

The grand Dinner & Dance Night will be held on March 30, 2019, at the Ainslie Football Club.