When she first arrived in Australia, around three years ago, we had the pleasure to introduce to our readers and the Italian community to the new Consul General of Italy in Melbourne, Hanna Pappalardo. In the subsequent years we followed and reported on the many organised initiatives conducted throughout the course of her term.
At the conclusion of her term, Pappalardo was a guest in our Il Globo TV studios. We had the opportunity to retread some of the key moments of her term, beginning with the challenging period of the pandemic that continued to have dramatic effects such as the tough restrictions imposed upon Melbournians, which during her first few months in the role were starting to slowly lessen.
“My husband and I landed in a Melbourne that was slowly reopening to the world after a very long and difficult period,” recalled Pappalardo.
“The country was slowly restarting, in an attempt to regain a normality.”
Despite the tough environment in which she was thrust, Pappalardo went about her prestigious role with energy, enthusiasm and professionalism.
“I considered it appropriate, first of all, to immerse myself as much as possible in the environment in which I was going to operate, in order to get to know it,” she explained.
“I travelled throughout the state and attended many meetings. Mostly to enhance institutional relations, which are crucial to revitalising economic relations.
“In fact, I quickly took over [discussions regarding] an agreement, a strategic partnership, that had to be finalised between the Region of Lombardy and the State of Victoria.
“It was concluded thanks to a collective effort by Victorian Government interlocuters and their counterparts in Lombardy, who immediately grasped the importance of finalising this [Memorandum of] Understanding.
“The partnership does justice to the fact that there are objective economic similarities, [and] it would have been a pity [not to pursue it].”
On the same topic, a few months ago was the twentieth anniversary celebrating the ‘twinning’ of Melbourne and Milan.
“Two cities that I like to call the ‘power houses’ of our nations. Melbourne and Milan are highly innovative, forward-looking urban centres.
“[They’re] also a point of reference for solving major economic and social problems. They are part of international circuits, so [in this twinning] there is a level of territorial diplomacy, I dare to call it, that we have been able to enhance and enrich thanks to these connections.”
One element that we often highlighted during her three years in Melbourne has been the special connection Pappalardo forged with the large Italian-Australian community in Victoria and Tasmania.
“I’m deeply convinced that diplomatic work, and consular work in particular, is defined by contact with the community,” Pappalardo said.
“Because it’s only [through direct contact] that one has the opportunity to listen, to communicate and to … convey a sense of proximity on the part of the [Italian] authorities … towards the Italian or Italian-Australian citizens who are here.
“I’m extremely grateful,” the Consul emphasised, “to all the clubs and associations that have always invited me and wanted me.
“It’s precisely thanks to them, in my opinion, that it has been possible to establish and create that … [memorandum of] understanding I mentioned earlier, precisely because they are understandings that connect Italian [communities].
“With some clubs, obviously the largest ones, we have always maintained contact, such as on the occasion of visits by regional representatives.
“[These visits] stimulate further opportunities for institutional collaboration … [and] are made primarily to maintain a connection with communities abroad.”
Pappalardo immediately understood the structure of our community and grasped its challenges and opportunities. “The role of the Consulate is obviously very important,” she said, “It’s not always easy dealing with such an important community, so enriched by the various waves of migration that, over time, have brought people from different regions of Italy to Melbourne, Victoria and Tasmania.”
Migration from Italy to Australia is a phenomenon that continues to this day. “Australia is still conceived of as a land of great opportunity, and therefore attracts many young people of great talent and with great professional skills,” stressed the Consul.
“However, there remains a common problem that all our young people encounter when they go abroad,” she continued. “That is, the initial reception and [the ability to orientate themselves] in this faraway world that seems simple and easy but is not.
“Being able to lean on someone is very important, and that’s why, through the Consulate General, we started, in what was and is a collective effort with … Co.As.It. and Inas, the Witcare Hub.
“[The Witcare Hub is a …] first reception and information desk/service for those who intend to have an experience in Australia.”
Pappalardo has also overseen a radical transformation of the Italian Consulate’s abilities and personnel. “Building also on the work inherited from my predecessors, [we are] trying to make [the institution] more and more innovative and increasingly in step with the times,” she explained.
“A generational rotation is also taking place from the point of view of our [staff]. We have in this consular district more than 50 per cent female staff. I like to say this because I am also the first woman Consul General of Italy in Australia and my vice-consul, Mariagiovanna Rizzo, is also a woman.”
Meanwhile, the Consulate’s new website and presence on social media platforms “tries to make basic information more and more accessible”. The Consul also reiterated the new policy that “all over-65s [can now] come to the Consulate General anytime, without an appointment”.
“This [was done based on] the basic idea of coordinating the inescapable needs related to the digitisation of the Italian public administration, with a human and helpful face from the consular office.”
As mentioned above, Pappalardo has always been committed to uniting members of the local political, entrepreneurial, social and cultural scene with their Italian counterparts. “The ‘brand’ Italy is very strong everywhere in the world and this makes it easier for us [to network],” she said.
“If we then apply this concept to the specific Australian context … it’s even easier to represent our country, because Australia is full of Italians.
“If we look at Victoria, we have an estimated population of Italians or Italian-descendants of about 400,000 people.
“This means that there is such a strong substratum of Italian-ness that is obviously not [a result] of today, but has been [cultivated] thanks to our compatriots who arrived over the years.”
Among the many other initiatives, the Consul also recalled the “small guide dedicated to doing business in Victoria that built [together with] the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Victoria and Tasmania, the Ice Agency in Sydney and a whole series of local government officials, such as the Global Victoria agency.
“[It was] all [done] under the wise direction of the Italian Embassy and with the personal support of Ambassador Paolo Crudele, under whose direction we all work.”
As her term and time in Melbourne draws to a close, Hanna Pappalardo emphasised how important this experience has been for her as a person and as a professional. “The role of Consul General in Melbourne has been extraordinarily enriching for me,” she shared.
“There have been few times I’ve learned so much in my professional career, precisely because of the very important connection and dialogue with the community.
“I leave as a very different and much better person than when I arrived. Melbourne will remain in my heart and that of my husband, whom it would truly please me to thank for all the support he has given me.
“Obviously, I’m leaving reluctantly, but fortunately I’m going to a job that’s just as interesting and completely different - I’m [going to work in] external relations for the European Union.”
Ready for an interesting new chapter in her career, Hanna Pappalardo opens the doors of the Consulate General of Italy in Melbourne to a new Consul.
The new Consul is, according to Pappalardo, “a very talented young woman: my colleague Chiara Mauri, who I know is very happy to arrive”.
“She is very motivated, and I’m sure she will do an excellent job.”
