The usual Friday evening at the Puglia Social Club was enriched with a special and emotional moment of gratitude.
On October 25, club president Frank Iacobellis and active secretary Maria Dimattia presented the devoted club members, Michele and Apollonia Didonna, with a certificate of merit and the title of lifetime honorary members.
“It’s a recognition we felt we needed to give the Didonna couple as soon as possible,” said secretary Dimattia.
“Their interest in the club has never waned over the past forty years, nor has their participation in events, even as volunteers.
“We are proud to have such generous and loyal members. It’s a heartfelt, symbolic recognition.”
Michele Didonna is one of the founding members of the historic Puglia Social Club, alongside his brother-in-law Gerardo Tortelli and many other fellow Pugliesi.
Over the years, he always served as treasurer, playing a key role in organising community events such as the monthly dinner dances.
He was also responsible for the popular Miss Charity and Miss Bari competitions at the club’s original Broadmeadows venue, later held in Coburg.
His daughter, Domenica, who was just seventeen at the time, was crowned ‘Miss Charity Queen’ in 1975.
Apollonia Didonna also stood out over the years for her active community participation, especially in the kitchen, preparing traditional Pugliese panzerotti every Friday night at the club’s social venue, in front of a packed hall.
Overwhelmed with emotion at the recognition, the Didonna couple warmly thanked the Puglia Social Club’s executive committee for their unwavering affection.
“We always remember with a smile the times when Michele and Apollonia would come to our dinner dances with the whole family, turning the event into a big Pugliese-style community reunion,” the secretary continued.
“Unforgettable memories that always bring us so much joy.”
