More than a new building, the centre stands as a tangible symbol of Italian settlement in Australia—the result of vision, sacrifice and a deep sense of shared identity.
At a time when many long-standing institutions are closing, ANFE has chosen a different path: to invest, to build and to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
The ceremony began with a blessing by Father Leonir Chiarello, Superior General of the Scalabrinian Missionaries, who travelled from Rome for the occasion.
Alongside him were Father Syrilus Madin and Father Lukas Simau Elu. Their presence underscored the community’s choice to entrust its new home to a spiritual and symbolic protection that recalls the journey of the earliest Italian migrants, welcomed by Scalabrinian missions long before social clubs and community halls existed.
After the blessing, the official ribbon-cutting and unveiling of the commemorative plaque took place in the presence of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and his wife Tegan, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and his wife Nina, the Hon Nicola Carè (MP for Italians abroad), Italian Consul Luna Angelini Marinucci and ANFE President Maria Maruca.
In his address, Premier Crisafulli shared a personal reflection. “More than sixty years ago, my grandfather arrived from Italy with very little,” he said.
“Like many, he found support in the Italian community, which helped him build a new life.
“It is an honour to open a centre that continues that tradition of welcome. This is a little corner of Italy in the heart of Queensland, open to everyone.”
He thanked the association for its work in preserving memory, identity and cultural traditions, noting that multiculturalism thrives when it becomes active civic participation.
Lord Mayor Schrinner, himself from a migrant family, also stressed the broader value of ANFE.
“The importance of places like ANFE doesn’t belong only to Italians—it belongs to the whole city,” said the mayor.
“Multiculturalism is not an abstract idea: it lives in halls, kitchens, festivals, books and the people who keep coming together—just like my parents did at the German club! Brisbane is bigger, richer and more human thanks to stories like this.”
A heartfelt speech came from MP Nicola Carè, who described ANFE not simply as a historic association, but as a living expression of identity.
“Italian and Australian values have shaped each other. Integration has never been a one-way process,” explained Carè.
“Italians brought hard work, family values and solidarity. Australia returned opportunity, rights and a new way of being a community.”
Carè emphasised that organisations like ANFE remain essential not because they protect the past, but because they help shape a shared future.
Italian Consul Luna Angelini Marinucci received warm applause for her remarks, thanking President Maruca and the entire committee for giving the Italian community “a new home that is modern, functional and truly beautiful”.
“Premier Crisafulli, we are proud and delighted by today’s event. The entire Italian community of Queensland is honoured to have a son of Italian migrants leading our State,” she later wrote to the premier through official channels.
The most emotional moment, however, came from ANFE President Maria Maruca—daughter of the club’s founder, the late Carmelo Caruso, who passed away just days before the ceremony.
“This new centre is not just a building,” she said, “but the future of our community.
“My father, who is not here physically today, is in every stone and every smile. ANFE was founded in 1962 to welcome those who arrived with nothing—no language, no reference points.
“Sixty years later we are still here, and this home is our gift to the generations to come.”
Maruca acknowledged several long-serving members whose dedication has shaped ANFE over decades: Paola Greco, on the committee since 1966; Concezio Ottobrandi, indefatigable secretary for more than 50 years; Giannina Ridolfi, with over 30 years of service and still volunteering today; Giuseppe Colagrande, involved since the 1970s.
“The success of ANFE,” she said, “is not written in documents—it’s written in people. We are here because someone before us never gave up.”
She then publicly thanked the key supporters of the building project: Damien Cavallucci, whose financial contribution kick-started the works; her husband Antony Maruca and Chris Kallis, who worked for months on site without pay—making it possible to open the centre in just six months.
“Gentlemen, we will be grateful to you forever,” she said.
The association also extended thanks to the donors, whose names were engraved at the entrance, and to the volunteers and committee members who followed every phase of the project with the care of people building not just a structure, but a home.
ANFE Brisbane now has more than 1200 members, a number reached in just a few months and expected to grow.
The new centre—bright, functional and designed to host events, community meals, cultural programs, classes and celebrations—is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a new chapter.
It stands as proof that the legacy of the pioneers can evolve into a vision for tomorrow.
At the end of the ceremony, many attendees shared a tender thought for founder Carmelo Caruso.
“We felt him with us today. He would have smiled, as he always did, saying ‘ANFE is not a club: it’s a family that leaves no one behind,’” said a long-time member.
And now, wherever he may be, he can look at this new home and say: “We did it.”
