‘Sicilian Day’ offered members a way to truly experience the essence of an unforgettable island.
Every detail was carefully curated. The scents of oregano and olive oil mingled with traditional music, ancient objects and a language that has never been lost.
“We displayed objects full of memories and shared their stories one by one; what they meant, how they were used, the history they carry,” explained Vicky Lombardo, the club’s communications officer.
There was u scanature, the wooden kneading trough that evokes slow mornings and hands at work, along with wooden flasks, clay bottles and timeworn tambourines that still beat strong. Every piece speaks, recalls and endures.
During the event, the organising committee wore traditional costumes that could have stepped out of an old photograph, yet still felt right at home in the present.
The event reached its emotional peak with the arrival of the guest of honour, Helen Davidson, Mayor of Merri-bek and granddaughter of a Licodian who emigrated long ago. The welcome she received was heartfelt.
She was introduced by Club President Domenic Ballirò, who presented her with a ‘Future Generations Licodiani Worldwide’ certificate of recognition, a tribute to her professional achievements and her enduring connection to her family’s heritage.
On stage, Mayor Davidson expressed her gratitude and shared a personal story about her grandfather, Antonio Vacirca, who was born in Licodia Eubea.
“One day during the war, my grandfather had a terrible feeling,” she said, “He was supposed to join a mission in Africa, but refused.
“That very day, his battalion was wiped out. He survived. He lived a full life, and he had that unmistakable Sicilian stubbornness.”
The audience listened in silence before rising to its feet for the Italian national anthem. It was a powerful, unifying moment across generations. Australia, Sicily, migration, memory and identity all came together in one shared voice.
Later, the club’s hall came alive with tambourine rhythms, glasses raised in toasts and delicious Sicilian dishes passed from hand to hand like gestures of love.
Mayor Davidson thanked the crowd once more. “Thank you for the warm welcome, for the incredible food, for this energy,” he said.
“The story of the Sicilian community here is powerful. I encourage you to keep telling it, to pass it on to younger generations. My mother did that for me, and that’s why I’m here today.”
Days like this highlight the unbreakable bond between those who have never stopped gifting each other bits and pieces of home. Sometimes all it takes is a song, a scent or a familiar object on a table for it all to come back.
