Members listened with interest to reports from President Maria Camiolo and Secretary Immacolata Africano, along with the club’s financial statement.

As Treasurer Joe Fazzolari was unable to attend due to illness, meeting chair Frank Di Blasi asked Africano to read the report and explain the club’s income and expenses.

President Camiolo opened the meeting by welcoming members and asking for approval of the committee’s decision to invite the club’s honorary life member, Frank Di Blasi, to chair the assembly. The proposal was unanimously approved.

In her address, Camiolo reflected on the difficult period the club has faced in recent years. Following a prolonged and complex situation that placed the association’s future at risk, the committee elected on December 11, 2024, decided to take responsibility for reopening the club and restoring its operations.

As recalled during the meeting, the previous members’ assembly had taken place on December 8, 2025, when the seriousness of the situation became clear.

The premises had been left in extremely poor condition, and a number of unpaid bills had accumulated, including water, electricity, taxes and legal expenses. The total debt was estimated at around $150,000.

Camiolo stressed that the new committee was not responsible for those debts.

“At that extraordinary meeting, a new working committee was elected,” she recalled, “Despite the difficulties, I accepted the role of president with the support of my husband Tony and many members.

“The question we asked ourselves was simple: how could we repay debts that we had not created?”

Although the new committee had limited administrative experience, its members were determined to bring the club back to normal operations.

When they first entered the premises, the conditions were extremely poor. The kitchen had been abandoned with dirty dishes and food left for months, while the large function hall and meeting rooms were almost unusable.

Many members volunteered their time, spending long days cleaning, repairing and sanitising the premises, often working late into the evening.

Christmas 2024 arrived with the club still closed, but by mid-January 2025 the committee had been strengthened by several additional members willing to help, including Immacolata Africano, Elvira Calafati, Rita Piccioli, Frank Medici, Frank Pellicano, Joe Fazzolari and Joe Amarella.

Over the past 14 months, thanks to the work of the committee and the support of members and friends who attended club events, the association has been able to improve its financial situation.

“We have managed to pay off around $90,000 in debts,” Camiolo said. “We continue to pay about $3000 each month, in addition to regular expenses and necessary repairs.

“With commitment and determination we are slowly overcoming a situation that initially seemed impossible.”

During her speech, the president paused briefly, visibly emotional.

“Today, we can finally look to the future with greater confidence. The difficult period is gradually becoming a bad memory,” she declared.

“I want to thank all the members who supported and encouraged us and who continue to attend our events. The credit goes to the entire committee and to everyone who works tirelessly for the good of the club.”

At the conclusion of the formal meeting, the committee offered members refreshments, allowing the evening to continue in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The next social event at the ICKA Club will be the Palm Sunday lunch on Sunday, March 29, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature a five-course menu with drinks included, with entertainment provided by the Music Revivors duo.

Tickets are $55 for members and $60 for non-members. For bookings, contact Mac on 0411 493 248.