In her introductory speech, Dante president Giovanna Santomauro thanked the participating members and members of the committee for their continual support, and declared that in 2018, 12 regular courses were held every semester and 20 mini courses were held over the year.
In total, 154 student members participated and 90 other non-member students also took part.
The president also said that last year, for the first time, after three decades of promotion of Italian language, Dante Gold Coast received a much-appreciated visit from two representatives from the head office in Rome.
Also in 2018, Dante Gold Coast was forced to look for new offices, due to the possible construction of a village for the elderly, but because of the lack of approval for the project, the problem has been postponed to an unestablished date.
Dante also received a visit from the exiting Consulate General Ludovico Camussi in November, who honoured president Santomauro with a Cavaliere all’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Order of the Star of Italy) medal.
The president concluded the assembly thanking all members and committee members, teachers, Dante sponsors and her husband Giovanni, who supports Dante and is always available when needed.
The new committee of the Dante Alighieri Society Gold Coast for 2019 is composed of Giovanna Santomauro, president; Gino Moro, vice president; M. Ana Domaneschi, secretary; Gerard Wilkes, treasurer; and W. Antonucci, B. Bell, C. Canale, R. Lo Presti, M. Medda, A. Pennisi, J. Roberts, councilliors.
Thursday, March 7 will see the beginning of a mini-course conducted by Francesca Manuele that will include “The Carnival of Venice”, “Parades on Water”, “Ennio Morricone”, “Grandparents and inter-generational relationships” and “Aphorisms”.
The mini-course will take place on March 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, and 7:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
