The event celebrated friendship and Italian culture, and began with the hymn Laudato sii, o mi Signore (Praise be to You, O my Lord), performed by singer Lisa Genovese, accompanied by Nick Bavarelli on piano.

Father Antonio Fregolent invited guests to reflect on the words of the blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, who said that “the spirit of a community increases and fortifies the bonds between individuals, compensates for the weaknesses of individuals and repairs the ills of sudden misfortune”.

He also asked guests to consider Archbishop Anthony Fisher’s statement that “we need good, intelligent, committed, hardworking and ethical people who care for others”.

Father Antonio concluded that this was what the Gruppo dell’Amicizia promoted through its work.

He then expressed his thoughts and prayers for the members of the group who have passed away, namely: Enrica Inglese in Tornari, Teresa Todaro Restifa, Antonio Sufaro, Pierina Sulfaro, Daniele Velcich, Mario Barone, Livio Benedetti, Giovanna Cipolla and Carmelina Blancato Pelligra.

Father Antonio then bestowed a blessing on all those in attendance, the Gruppo dell’Amicizia and its members, and the food, concluding the religious portion of the event.

Concetta Perna took over as emcee, steering the event with great professionalism and ensuring its success.

After both the Australian and the Italian national anthems were sung, the president of the Gruppo dell’Amicizia, Tony Palamara, welcomed the guests of honour: Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti, Italian Senator Francesco Giacobbe, president of COMITES Luigi Di Martino, Father Antonio Fregolent, president of CO.AS.IT. Lorenzo Fazzini, president of Club Italia Ben Sonego, director of the Mounties Club Jenny McNevin, and Club Marconi’s Cultural Relations Manager Maurizio Pagnin.

The vice-president of the Gruppo dell’Amicizia then took over proceedings, recalling the inaugural presentation of the Italian Australian Awards, the Club Italia Award, the Club Marconi Award and the CO.AS.IT. Award, all facilitated by the group in 2021.

Each award consisted of a $1000 scholarship for young people of Italian descent, who had distinguished themselves in the fields of community service, sport or school.

The purpose of this initiative was to encourage young people to hone their talents, cultivate their passions and strive for excellence.

The initiative also provided the Gruppo dell’Amicizia with the opportunity to become more connected with the second- and third-generation Italo-Australians, inviting them to study Italian and expand their understanding of Italian culture.

Tommaso Puccini, a 17-year-old resident of Yokine in WA, won the Marconi Award for sport.

Puccini has an impressive list of accolades from competing in triathlons, swimming and athletics.

He holds eight medals – two of which are gold – from the WA State Swimming Championships, represented WA at School Sport Australia, and qualified for both the 3000 and 5000 metres for Athletics Australia in 2021.

Puccini was congratulated by Pagnin, the new Cultural Relations Manager of the Marconi Club, and a short video about Puccini’s sporting achievements was screened.

The CO.AS.IT. Award was given to Dion Michalopoulos, for his scholastic excellence.

The 18-year-old lives in Concord, in NSW, and has Italian grandparents.

Michalopoulos distinguished himself as school captain, while maintaining his outstanding academic performance and playing for his school’s first division football team.

The president of CO.AS.IT., Lorenzo Fazzini, highlighted the importance of studying Italian, maintaining that language education had many hidden benefits for students.

Alessandro Lembo received the Club Italia Award for his contribution to the community.

Lembo, who lives in Riverwood in NSW, has autism and has published a children’s book, Clap Your Hands While Learning the Italian Alphabet.

The president of Club Italia, Sonego, and the director of the Mounties Club, McNiven, presented the award to Lembo.

Pina Bernard then presented the results of the literary competition, which is now in its fourth year.

The literary competition is open to primary and secondary students of schools where Italian is taught as a second language.

Bernard noted that the work from primary school children, with their loving descriptions of their grandparents, has brought happiness to many people.

The following high school students received awards: first prize to Loridana Zangari (Year 12, Freeman Catholic College / Saturday School of Community Languages Strathfield Girls High School, New South Wales); second prize to Alice Gjohilani (Year 11, Essendon Keillor College, Victoria); third prize to Antonia Palermo (Year 12, Mercedes College, Western Australia). Certificates were awarded to: Akshay Prasan (Year 12, Sydney Grammar School), Sara Coladonato (Year 12, Williamstown High School, Victoria) and Costanza Conidi (Year 12, Genazzano FCJ College, Victoria).

The following middle school students received awards: first prize to Michelle Joshy (Year 7, Stretton State College, Queensland); second prize to Cristal Basioli (Year 9, St Brigid’s College, Western Australia); third prize to Lucia Sardina Martin; and a certificate was given to Briana Watters.

Awards were given to these primary school students: first prize to Di Marcos Sardina (Year 6, Brunswick Primary School, Victoria); second prize to Sidnee Riccobono (Year 6, All Hallows Primary School, New South Wales); third prize to Giorgia Campagnolo (Year 5, Strathmore Primary, Victoria); and a certificate was awarded to Alyssa Letizia.

Senator Giacobbe and the Hon. Sidoti took part in the awards ceremony and congratulated the winners.

It was then announced that applications for the Teresa Todaro Restifa Scholarship were now open.

The scholarship is designed to support the research of a university student, graduate or academic into the second- and third-generations of Italo-Australians.

The total value of the scholarship, sponsored by Sam Restifa, is $15,000.

Guests were then treated to Italian songs and an excellent lunch from Conca D’Ora, under Filippo Navarra’s direction.

A lottery was held, with a necklace from Cerrone Jewellers as the first prize, and 40 bottles of wine donated by Frank Moschella, and Mick and Lina Pangallo.

Armando Tornari, the coordinator of the Gruppo dell’Amizia and author of this article then thanked all guests, sponsors and the Conca d’Oro.

“The members of the Gruppo dell’Amicizia have all worked so hard on this event,” Tornari said.

“Their collaboration and talents are admirable, as is their friendship.

“This is a group of people who are committed to their work and continue to achieve important things for the Italian community across Australia.”

One of the main drivers behind this event was to highlight the work the Gruppo dell’Amicizia has done over the past three years, and present the projects yet to come.

“We have so much confidence in the Italian community, especially after the turnout today,” Tornari continued.

“Your presence here today shows that you value the work we do, and we thank you for this.”