It’s always a highly anticipated event marked by music and a community spirit that consistently draws in hundreds of members, friends and supporters.
Around 250 attendees filled the hall to take part in an occasion that goes beyond a simple dinner. It stands as a symbol of an unbreakable bond with Italian roots and a shared vision for the future.
Welcoming guests was an emotional greeting from the President of the Freccia Azzurra Club, Mark Tarulli, along with a tangible token of appreciation on every table from the entire executive committee.
Guests received a personalised thank-you note and a new commemorative pin representing their unshakeable sense of identity. This small gesture highlighted the strong sense of community.
The evening also featured a captivating performance by the Melbourne School of Tarantella, which infused the hall with the vibrant energy of Southern Italy’s folk dances.
“Those movements are part of who we are,” said Tarulli, “Seeing them brought to life in our ballroom was incredibly moving.”
A particularly heartfelt moment came when Tyler Tarulli, the communications manager of the Freccia Azzurra Club and son of the president, gave a sincere thanks to the club’s functions and events manager, Josie Muleta, and formally marked her final event with the club.
Visibly moved, Muleta then took the microphone to return the affection and briefly reflect on the milestones she accumulated over her years of dedication, filled with challenges and change.
The Melbourne School of Tarantella during their performance at the Freccia Azzurra Club
An outstanding five-course meal and the lively music of the Something Higher Band, featuring Rob Amato and Veronica Lees Amato, carried the rest of the evening.
It was a true celebration of everything the Freccia Azzurra Club has always stood for: a united, resilient community ready to write the next chapter of its story.
With around one thousand members, the historic club continues to serve not only as a solid point of reference for Melbourne’s southeast but also as a gathering place for the entire Italo-Australian community in Victoria. Its social and recreational calendar is always full, ranging from religious celebrations and family events to more secular ones.
“Our world has changed a lot in recent years,” said Tarulli, “It’s been a demanding journey, especially after internal changes that forced us to reorganise multiple times. But we never stopped.
“Our gala evening, for instance, is the most important event of the year in terms of participation, but even our disco events with Pauly J and Mark Pellegrini were hugely successful.
“We had over 350 attendees per night. This tells us we’re drawing in new generations.”
The club’s partnership with the Juventus Academy Melbourne, a part of Club Italia, and the Mazenod Football Club also continues to bring young faces and new energy to its facilities.
“Our affiliation has been key in ensuring generational renewal,” Tarulli explained.
Now, the club is setting its sights on the future, with major renovation projects already underway. Planned upgrades include widening the football pitch, adding bleachers, changing rooms and a refreshment area as well as everything that would give the club the ability to host night matches. At the same time, there are also plans to refurbish indoor spaces such as the bar, restrooms and other facilities.
“We just want to offer more to our community, that’s our only goal,” Tarulli said.
“It’s not just about surviving, but about growing and thriving. And the enthusiastic response from members and supporters at evenings like this reminds us why it’s always worth it.”
