Prime Minister Anthony Albanese chose Nicola Cerrone’s Leichhardt-based Cerrone Jewellers to present his plans for economic recovery and the creation of new jobs, arriving at the historic location in Little Italy at around 10.30 a.m. It was here that the Italian jeweller started his empire, having established himself through his work with gold and diamonds. Today, Cerrone teaches this highly specialised work to those beginning their careers in the world of high-end jewellery design.
And it is precisely this attitude towards staff training that fascinated the Prime Minister, who, in the company of Federal Minister for Training Brendan O’Connor and Italian Senator-elect to Australia Francesco Giacobbe, visited the Cerrone workshop during the week dedicated to National Skills.
Albanese wanted to hear the stories of all the employees, mostly young people, and the motivations behind their career and life choices.
This was undoubtedly a visit with nostalgic overtones, as Albanese and Cerrone’s relationship is rooted in their shared youth experiences, both lifelong residents of Sydney’s Inner West.
“I am very proud that this is in my electorate,” said the Prime Minister. “What we have here is jewellery being produced that is amongst the best in the world. Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion have sat in that room and chosen jewellery from here. We have Cerrone jewellery worn at every Academy Awards, every Emmy Awards, globally. This is something that we should be proud of.”
Albanese then recalled the shop in its infancy. “For Nick, this was his one-bedroom terrace when it was bought here in Leichhardt that is now exporting an incredibly high-quality product to the world: taking Australia's natural resources, our diamonds and other gems, our gold, silver, our extraordinary natural assets, and producing something that is unique and beautiful while creating jobs at the same time.”
“More importantly,” Albanese continued, “Nick has always insisted on having at least five or six apprentices come in every year, building up that skills base, that artistry, that can make us proud and can add value. This successful business is part of the great Australian migrant story.”
“I wanted to come here with Brendan O'Connor, our Minister for Skills, Employment and Training, to very much emphasise that when people speak about skills, including in National Skills Week, they will often think about plumbers and apprentices, but it is about other essential skills,too.”
“I have spoken often during the campaign about a future made in Australia,” said Albanese, “about ways in which we take our resources, value-add and then export to the world, as well as for domestic consumption. This is a great example of it.”
After answering questions from the journalists present, Albanese left Leichhardt’s jewellery shop, but not until he had said goodbye to the jeweller, his family and staff.
“To Nick, thank you for having us here today. I want to acknowledge the presence of Senator Francesco Giacobbe, one of the Oceania representatives in the Italian Parliament, who has joined us here as well. A local, based in Sydney, but also based in Rome and representing this region of the world in the Italian Parliament,” he said.
For Cerrone, receiving Albanese’s visit “was a great honour”.
“Not only for me, but also for my family and my staff. This is a day to remember, because for the first time, a prime minister has recognised the wonderful work we do in this country, our creativity and our contribution to the artisan world.”
