Punctual, elegant and indicative of an Italian community that is strong and present at the events that matter in Sydney.

This and much more emerged from Co.As.It’s Italian National Ball on Saturday, May 27 in an evening that officially began the celebrations for one of the most important dates for Italians: Republic Day.

In the elaborate setting of the Ballroom at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, more than 500 people, some of the most influential from the city’s Italian-Australian community, gathered for what has become a ritual annual event, the Italian National Ball.

A wonderful evening that celebrates Italian-ness and the immense contribution our community has made and continues to make in the shaping of this nation.

The gala opened with a welcome drink after which guests were seated in the hall festively decorated for the occasion with round tables ready to welcome the many Italian-Australians and Australians gathered to celebrate the Bel Paese.

The official opening of the evening was accompanied by the playing of the Australian and Italian national anthems, marking the start of a fun-filled evening.

In a jovial atmosphere, new and familiar faces met along with prominent personalities and representatives of major institutions such as the Italian Embassy, the Consulate General of Sydney, the Chamber of Commerce, Com.It.es and the Italian Cultural Institute along with many others.

Special guests who attended this gala evening were: Federal Labor MP Sally Sitou, member for Reid; the Honorable Stephen Kamper, Minister of Multiculturalism and Sport representing the Premier of New South Wales; Mark Speakman, leader of the NSW State Opposition; Paolo Crudele, Ambassador of Italy to Canberra; the Honorable Nicola Carè, Member of the Italian Parliament; Senator of the Italian Parliament Francesco Giacobbe; Andrea De Felip, Consul General of Italy in Sydney; state MPs Jacqui Munro and Kobi Shetty, elected from the ranks of the Greens in the Balmain seat; Stephanie Di Pasqua, state MP for the Opposition, elected in the Drummoyne seat; Jordan Lane, member for the Ryde seat; Darcy Byrne, Mayor of the Inner West Council with Deputy Mayor Philippa Scott; Jessica D’Arienzo of the Inner West Council; Simona Bernardini, director of the Italian Trade Agency; Paolo Barlera, director of the Italian Cultural Institute; Valentina Biguzzi, attaché of the Education and Culture Office of the Embassy of Italy in Canberra; Fabio Grassia, president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Luigi Di Martino, president of Comites NSW; Dale Hunt CEO of the Mounties Group with Ben Sonego.

General manager Thomas Camporeale and president Lorenzo Fazzini welcomed those present on behalf of Co.As.It with their introductory speeches before giving the stage to various other speakers.

Founded in New South Wales in 1968, the purpose of Co.As.It was to be a point of reference for the Italian-Australian community, assisting the large number of Italian migrants who came to Australia after World War II as well as preserve and promote knowledge of the Italian language and culture in the state.

The work of this organisation assisted people not only at the community level but also in other ways, such as education. Similar support continues to this day, through a fundraiser promoted each year by Co.As.It to be allocated to a particular initiative.

The Co.As.It project that has been chosen for 2023 is one that will establish a helpline in different languages for people in need of psychological support. The project is aimed particularly at the Italian community, where psychologists can provide patients and their families with appropriate assistance in Italian as well as confidential listening and emotional support.

The gala, professionally hosted by Juanita Phillips, was enlivened by music, dancing and acrobatic performances.

Every detail was taken care of thanks to the efforts made by the Co.As.It staff, who once again went above and beyond to make the evening special.